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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a less expensive option with good overall sound quality for music listening and don't need wireless functionality, the Audio Technica ATH M20X might be suitable. However, if noise isolation, particularly for travel and a built-in microphone for calls are priorities, and you're willing to spend more, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC would be a better choice. Keep in mind that the Hesh ANC also offers active noise cancelling and a higher comfort score, adding value for long listening sessions and noisy environments. The M20X has wired connectivity which can provide a stable connection but lacks the convenience of wireless use and active noise cancelling that the Hesh ANC offers. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.7
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Skullcandy Hesh ANC are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
6.9
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Skullcandy Hesh ANC to have good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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