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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancelling and use during activities like exercise or air travel, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones are a cost-effective option with good noise isolation and a comfortable fit. However, if you prefer earbuds, require a higher quality mic for calls and meetings, and want app customization features for sound, the Sony WF1000XM3 may be better despite being more expensive. Note that the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones have a wired option as well, which the Sony earbuds do not, and they are foldable for easier portability, whereas the Sony earbuds provide virtual surround sound, which the Skullcandy lacks. 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 Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.3
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Battery
23.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$135
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
7.0
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.8
5.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM3 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.7
8.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Sony WF1000XM3
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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