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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and are willing to invest in a midrange product, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) are a good choice, offering a well-rounded experience for music, calls, and compatibility with Apple devices. They also have a longer battery life, wireless charging, and ear detection. On the other hand, if budget is a major concern and you still want decent sound quality, the Skullcandy Dime earbuds are much less expensive and offer higher durability with trade-offs in battery life, lack of wireless charging, and less integration with smart devices. Both have similar scores for comfort and microphone quality. 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 (3rd generation)
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime
- The Skullcandy Dime has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods (3rd generation).
Key differences
Music
7.1
5.7
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
5.4
4.8
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for gaming, though the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.2
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Dime is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
7.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$27
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Skullcandy Dime costs $27.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.5
5.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Skullcandy Dime compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Skullcandy Dime |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $27 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Skullcandy Dime
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | April 2021
"For $25, the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds deliver a powerful, balanced, rich, and bright sound signature. There’s really not much else to talk about, but the audio is better than you would expect for the price."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Skullcandy Dime
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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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