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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is a priority, the Skullcandy Dime 2 generally offers better audio performance. However, if battery life is important for you, the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 provides longer listening time between charges and also features wireless charging, which the Dime 2 does not. The Dime 2 is rated higher for comfort and may be better for extended wear. Neither option offers active noise cancelling, but both are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. If you're looking for overall durability and built-in controls, Creative Labs has a slight edge. Consider your primary activities and needs to guide your decision. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime 2
- The Skullcandy Dime 2 has no clear advantages over the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3.
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
4.8
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.9
5.2
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$25
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has a price of $30 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $25.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
5.7
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Skullcandy Dime 2 to be only fair for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
5.1
4.7
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.1
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
6.5
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 | Skullcandy Dime 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | 8.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.8/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.2 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 or the Skullcandy Dime 2
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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