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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation for an immersive experience during air travel or in noisy environments, the Apple Airpods Max are a superior choice due to their higher performance in those areas, and they also offer features like a virtual surround and an integrated microphone. However, these come at a premium price. In contrast, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC are more affordable, still offer active noise cancelling, and boast longer battery life, making them a good value for everyday use. They also have a slightly better comfort score and are somewhat lighter, which could be important if you plan on wearing them for extended periods. Both models support AAC codec and have a detachable cable, but neither is sweatproof or dustproof, and only the Airpods Max are optimized for Apple devices, which could be a deciding factor if you use Apple products. 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 Max
- Good for music
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Max.
Key differences
Music
7.3
6.7
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.7
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good.
Cost
$549
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
21.0 Hours
23.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Max 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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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.
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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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