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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds offer active noise cancellation, sound customization through an app, and a comfortable, secure fit for extended wear, making them suitable for immersive listening and travel. However, they come at a higher price compared to the Skullcandy Hesh ANC, which are over-ear headphones designed for comfort and with a longer battery life. If you prioritize portability and in-ear comfort with noise cancellation, the Pi5 S2 could be your choice, but if you prefer over-ear comfort, longer playtime, and affordability, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones would be a better match. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Skullcandy Hesh ANC.
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Battery
5.0 Hours
23.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.9
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Skullcandy Hesh ANC are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Skullcandy Hesh ANC to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both very good for noise reduction.
Cost
$129
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $129 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$129 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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