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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're often in noisy environments and want better noise isolation, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC with active noise cancelling will suit you best, though they are bulkier for travel. For more convenient portability and a seamless experience with Apple devices, you would appreciate the Apple Airpods' ease of use and smaller size, but they may not block out as much background sound. The Skullcandy headphones offer slightly better sound quality and a longer battery life, while the Airpods provide true wireless freedom and support for wireless charging. Both have decent call quality, but if you need a better microphone, the Skullcandy is superior. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for gaming, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.3
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
6.0
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
23.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
7.6
7.0
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Skullcandy Hesh ANC both have good build quality, though the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.4
5.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for TV and video.
Cost
$130
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $130 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$130 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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