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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Skullcandy Dime is much more affordable than the Sony WF1000XM4 and offers decent overall sound quality, good comfort, and solid build quality. They're also great for exercise due to their sweatproof certification and secure fit. However, while they have good portability and battery life, their performance for gaming and TV is modest. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4, though significantly pricier, provides superior sound quality, excellent noise isolation due to active noise canceling, and better soundstage for a more immersive experience. They also feature a longer battery life, wireless charging, and an app that allows for equalizer and audio control customization, making them suitable for a wide range of activities. If you're looking for high-quality audio and features and are willing to invest, the Sony is the better choice. If budget is a concern and you need something for more casual or exercise use, the Skullcandy Dime should serve you well. 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 Skullcandy Dime
- The Skullcandy Dime has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM4.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.7
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
4.8
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for gaming, though the Sony WF1000XM4 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime is good.
TV and Video
5.3
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Dime is only fair.
Battery
3.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$16
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Skullcandy Dime has a price of $16 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.2
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Skullcandy Dime are both only fair for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Skullcandy Dime both have very good build quality.
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How the Skullcandy Dime and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Dime | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$16 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Skullcandy Dime or the Sony WF1000XM4
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.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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