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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability, the Skullcandy Dime earbuds offer a more budget-friendly option compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, which are in a premium price range. The Dime is compact, making them highly portable and suitable for exercise, but they have lower overall sound quality, less effective noise isolation, and shorter battery life. In contrast, the WH-1000XM5 headphones provide superior sound quality, better noise cancellation, longer battery life, and a more immersive soundstage, making them better for music enthusiasts and air travel. However, they are bulkier and less convenient for high-intensity activities or compact carrying. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
5.7
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
4.8
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for gaming, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.2
5.5
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
6.0
The Skullcandy Dime is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Dime is only fair.
Battery
3.5 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$29
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Skullcandy Dime has a price of $29 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.3
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Skullcandy Dime both have very good build quality.
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How the Skullcandy Dime and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Dime | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$29 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3.5 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 249.4 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 WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Skullcandy Dime or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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