The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are passable mixed usage wireless headphones that have an excited V-shaped sound profile that won't be for everyone. They have a lightweight design, an easy-to-use control scheme, and a decently comfortable fit, though some may find them a bit tight. This makes them stable enough to take to the gym although they won't be the most breathable headphones. Unfortunately, they don't block out much ambient noise. On the upside, most people should be satisfied with their 19-hour battery life.
Our Verdict
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are okay mixed-usage headphones. They have a good battery and are decently comfortable, but their excited V-shaped sound profile won't be for everyone. Unfortunately, they also have a plasticky and cheap build quality that doesn't feel as durable as other headphones in their price range, and they're quite tight on larger heads. While their fit is tight, they don't block much ambient noise and won't be suitable for commuting. Overall, they're somewhat versatile headphones but don't excel at any particular use.
- Long lasting battery life and fast charging.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are mediocre when it comes to having a neutral sound. They have a V-shaped sound profile that has a lot of bass and pronounced highs which makes them sound excited. Unfortunately, this also means the bass slightly overshadows instruments and vocals making the sound feel a bit boomy and overly bass-heavy, which won't be ideal for more neutral listeners. They also have a fairly small soundstage, since they're closed-back over-ear headphones.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Can be overly bass-heavy for some.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
- Small and unatural soundstage.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are just okay for commuting. They're lightweight, easy-to-use, and decently portable but unfortunately, they don't block a lot of noise so they won't be ideal if you have a very noisy commute. On the upside, they have a good battery life that should last you long enough for very long flights.
- Long lasting battery life and fast charging.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are somewhat decent for sports. They're relatively lightweight and tight enough to stay on your head when jogging. However, they get fairly warm during physical activity which isn't ideal. They also aren't the easiest to bring around, but their wireless design is great for reducing snagging hazards.
- Tight and stable design.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Not breathable.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are mediocre for office use. Their noise isolation performance isn't the best and they won't block out nearby chatty coworkers. They also leak quite a bit, so people around you might be able to hear what you're listening to. On the upside, their 19-hour battery life should be more than enough for a full day and they're decently comfortable, although people with larger heads might find them a bit tight.
- Long lasting battery life and fast charging.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 aren't designed for wireless gaming. Their Bluetooth latency is too high for this use.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are mediocre wired gaming headphones. Some may like their excited V-Shaped sound profile, but it might be too boomy in action games. Their wired connection delivers a latency-free experience, but the included cable doesn't have an in-line microphone to communicate with friends and teammates.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Can be overly bass-heavy for some.
- Microphone disabled when being used wired.
- Latency-free gaming experience when wired.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are unremarkable for phone calls. Like most wireless Bluetooth headphones, the integrated microphone doesn't have a very good recording quality, resulting in a thin and muffled voice. The mic also struggles a bit to separate background noise from your voice, making them better suited for calls in very quiet environments.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Mediocre microphone.
Changelog
- Updated Dec 12, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 in Bluetooth.
- Updated Jul 31, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Feb 20, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are decently versatile headphones with a great wireless range and a lightweight, understated design. They're easy-to-use and decently comfortable if a bit tight on the head. They have a bass-heavy audio reproduction that sounds excited but won't be for everyone. Unfortunately, they don't isolate well in loud environments and their build quality feels a bit cheap and plasticky compared to some of the headphones. See our recommendations for the best wireless headphones, the best budget wireless headphones, and the best over-ear headphones under $100.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless have similar performance to the Skullcandy Crusher Wireless 2016 in most aspects. The Hesh 3 have a greater wireless range, a slightly better-balanced sound, and a lighter and more comfortable design. They also tend to block a bit more noise passively, although not by much. On the other hand, the Crusher Wireless have a much better build quality than the Hesh 3. They also have longer battery life and an adjustable bass slider that makes them slightly more customizable.
The Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. While both headphones have a similar design and sound profile, the Hesh Evo have a better-performing integrated mic, a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and lower latency on iOS and Android.
The newer Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless. The cups are noticeably larger and feel more comfortable than the Hesh 2. The Hesh 3 also have better sound quality and there is a bass slider as well. Their wireless range is also noticeably better, but they have more latency than the previous model. On the other hand, the Hesh 2 have noticeably better battery life and also an in-line microphone, which the Hesh 3 lacks.
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. While they look and feel very similar, the Hesh ANC have an active noise cancelling feature that can reduce the ambient noise around you. Their integrated mic performs better, and they have longer continuous battery life.
The JBL E55BT Wireless and the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless are pretty similar, but the JBL E55BT might be a slightly better option. They are a bit more comfortable to wear during long listening sessions and don't feel as cheaply made as the Skullcandy. The JBL can connect to two devices simultaneously and have an in-line microphone, which the Skullcandy lacks. On the other hand, the wireless range of the Skullcandy is significantly better, and they take half the time to charge for about the same battery life. However, the mid-range of the Skullcandy is pretty underemphasized, which will push vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix.
The Cowin E8 Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless, but not by much. The Skullcandy charge much faster than the Cowin, which is convenient if you forget to charge them overnight. They also have an easier-to-use control scheme, a better sound quality with more bass, and a better wireless range. On the other hand, the Cowin have a slightly more comfortable over-ear fit and a more sturdy design. They also have a longer battery life and a good case that makes them decently portable, although the Skullcandy are a bit more compact since they fold.
The Skullcandy Venue Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. Their build quality is better, and they feel more durable. They're also less prone to bass inconsistencies, and they isolate more noise thanks to the ANC feature. On the other hand, the Hesh 3 have a better microphone for calls and are less expensive. They also have great battery life for their price tag but still don’t beat the 24 hours of the Venue.
The Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT Wireless are better mixed-usage headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless, thanks to their app that gives you access to a good EQ. The Sennheiser also have less latency, which is good for watching videos. Other than that, they are similarly performing headphones and both have a very similar look. The Skullcandy might be a better choice if you like bass-heavy genres.
The Mpow H10 Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3. The Mpow have a decent ANC feature while the Hesh 3 only passively isolates noise, which makes the Mpows better suited for the office and commuting. Sound-wise, the Skullcandy headphones are really bass-heavy, so EDM and dubstep fans might prefer their sound profile. However, the Mpow are slightly more comfortable, and their Bluetooth latency might be low enough for people not to notice a delay. On the other hand, the Skullcandy takes half the charging time of the Mpow and provides you with about 20 hours of battery life, which is great.
The Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless are better and more versatile headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. The Anker outperform the Skullcandy headphones in pretty much every category. They sound better, are more comfortable, and isolate more ambient noise due to their ANC feature, although it isn’t the best. The Anker offer longer battery life and an in-line mic, unlike the Skullcandy. On the other hand, the Skullcandy don’t get as hot as the Anker, and they feel more stable on your head.
The Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 have more features than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. The Riff 2 are on-ears with a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, their mic has better overall performance, and they have a longer-lasting continuous battery life. They also have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust them to your liking, and they support multi-device pairing. However, the Hesh 3 are over-ears with a more comfortable and better build.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 have an understated design that looks more premium than the Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless. They have a wide and flat headband, and the ear cups don't protrude as much, giving the headphones a relatively low profile once they're on your head. They come in a couple of different color schemes and they look casual enough to use outdoors as your everyday headphones. However, the plastic used in their build feels a lot cheaper than it looks.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are decently comfortable. They're lightweight and have relatively large ear cups that fit well around most ears. The ear cups are decently well-padded but the headband isn't, which makes them slightly less comfortable, but shouldn't be much of an issue since they're fairly lightweight. They're more comfortable than the Cowin E7 Pro Wireless but unfortunately, their tight fit does clamp the head quite a bit and will get uncomfortable after a long listening session especially on wider heads. For more comfortable budget headphones, we suggest taking a look at the Mpow H10 Wireless or the Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless.
These headphones have a decent control scheme that's easy to use but lacks nice feedback. They provide essential functions like call/music control, track skipping, and volume controls. Unfortunately, the controls have a layer of rubber coating that makes the buttons feel mushy and a bit unresponsive.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 aren't very breathable headphones. Due to their tight fit, they don't allow for much airflow. This results in fairly warm ears within a few hours of listening and more sweat when working out.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless fold into a more compact format that's fairly portable. They won't be the easiest headphones to carry around due to their moderately large ear cups, but they'll easily fit into a gym bag or backpack. Unfortunately, they don't come with a case or a pouch, which is slightly disappointing.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 don't come with a case or pouch.
Their build feels plasticky and a bit cheap. They have a lightweight design and a headband that's reinforced with a thin metal frame which should make them sturdy enough to withstand a couple of accidental drops without getting damaged. Unfortunately, the plastic build feels relatively weak and not as dense or as durable as some of the other budget wireless headphones we've tested like the Mpow H10 Wireless or the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless.
These headphones have a tight fit on the head that makes them stable enough to go running with. They're also wireless, so they don't have an audio cable that can get snagged on something. However, they still have a somewhat cumbersome design that won't be ideal for more intense workouts, since the headband will occasionally slide off your head when tilted.
The sound profile is fairly excited and has a V-shape with overemphasized bass and treble ranges. This can be great for people who listen to a lot of pop music but isn't ideal for vocal-centric music.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3's frequency response consistency is mediocre. The bass frequency depends greatly on their seal. People with lots of hair or glasses might break the seal. The treble range is also fairly dependent on positioning and fit, so your experience may vary.
The bass accuracy is poor. The whole range is overemphasized, adding boominess and too much punch to the mix. However, since their bass delivery varies noticeably across users, your experience may vary.
The mid-range accuracy is excellent. It's even and flat across the range, resulting in accurate reproduction of vocals and lead instruments.
The treble accuracy is sub-par. The whole range is fairly overemphasized, resulting in making those frequencies harsh and piercing. However, since their treble delivery isn't consistent, your experience may vary.
These headphones have passable peaks and dips performance. The response is fairly uneven, resulting in a lot of variations in the sound profile.
The stereo imaging is very good. The weighted group delay is almost entirely under the audibility threshold, result in a tight bass and transparent treble. Also, the L/R drivers are well-matched, although there's a small frequency mismatch, which shouldn't be too noticeable. This is very important for accurate localization of objects in the stereo image. Note that these results are only valid for our unit and yours may perform differently.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 have a sub-par soundstage. They don't interact much with the outer-pinna, which results in a soundstage that is perceived to be small and located inside the listener's head. Also, the closed-back design will make them sound less open and spacious, compared to an open-back headphone.
These headphones don't have any virtual soundstage features.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is quite decent. The WHD is under good limits but is slightly elevated in the mid-range. However, this shouldn't be too noticeable with real-life content.
These are the settings we used to test these headphones. The test results are only valid for these settings.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 has a sub-par isolation performance. They don't have an active noise cancellation feature, so they won't be able to drown out the deep bass rumble of bus or plane engines. They also do a fairly bad job of blocking out mid-range noise like ambient chatter in an office environment. On the upside, their tight fit greatly reduces the higher-frequency noises like the hum of an A/C unit.
These headphones have mediocre leakage performance. You might disturb surrounding people when listening to your audio content at high volume.
These headphones have an integrated microphone.
The microphone has a mediocre recording quality. Voices sound thin, lacking in detailed and fairly muffled. On the upside, your voice should still be understandable.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3's integrated mic's noise handling performance is just okay. It fares well in quiet environments but struggles to separate your voice from background noise in moderately loud environments such as a busy street.
These headphones have good overall battery performance. While their continuous battery life isn't as long as the Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless or the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless, they still have around 19 hours of battery life, which is more than enough for a full workday. They also don't take much time to charge which is nice. Unfortunately, they don't have any power saving feature so your battery might drain out if you forget to turn them off. On the upside, Skullcandy advertises a quick-charge feature that gives you four hours of playback time for only ten minutes of charging, though we don't test this.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 headphones don't have an app.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 connect via Bluetooth, but unlike the Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2, don't support multi-device pairing. Their wireless latency might be a bit too high for watching video content, but some apps compensate differently, so your experience may vary.
These headphones don't have a wireless connection option other than Bluetooth.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 come with a regular 1/8" TRRS cable, but it doesn't have an in-line remote or microphone.
When wired, these headphones only offer audio on PC and on PS4 when connected to the console's controller.
These headphones can only provide audio when wired to the Xbox One controller.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 don't have a dock. If you want a versatile headset with a base that you can also use wired, check out the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless.