A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC are over-ear headphones that come at a lower midrange price; they provide a comfortable fit and active noise cancelling, making them ideal for travel and office use, but they have a bulkier design compared to earbuds. The Sony WF1000XM4, on the other hand, are premium-priced true wireless earbuds with advanced features like LDAC support for high-resolution audio and speak-to-chat functionality, which could be more convenient for active lifestyles or if you prioritize having the latest technology. The Sonys offer better sound isolation and are also more portable due to their smaller size, but this comes at a higher cost. If budget is a concern, the Skullcandys provide a cost-effective alternative with decent features, but if you're seeking top-tier sound quality and technological advancements, the Sony WF1000XM4 might be worth the extra expense. 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 WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.3
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Battery
23.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$135
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
7.0
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM4 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.8
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.7
8.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
See more
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 WF1000XM4
See more
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 Hesh ANC 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
