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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is an over-ear headphone with a lower price point and better build quality, offering excellent noise isolation and a longer battery life, making it suitable for long durations like air travel. They also have a detachable cable for passive listening. The Sony WF1000XM5, however, are premium-priced earbuds with stemless design and high portability. They feature advanced codecs like LDAC for high-resolution audio, an app equalizer, and controls customization, as well as wireless charging capabilities. While both have similar comfort and overall sound quality, the Sonys are more optimized for app control and features like ear/head detection, and are also dustproof and sweatproof, making them a better fit for active users and those who prefer a wireless experience with advanced sound settings. 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 WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.7
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.9
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Battery
23.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$135
$298
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.1
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.3
5.0
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.8
5.4
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.7
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WF1000XM5 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 6 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 WF1000XM5
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Sony WF1000XM5
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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