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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation and longer battery life for activities like air travel, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones, with their active noise cancellation and over-ear design, are more suitable. However, they are somewhat bulkier and heavier than the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds, which offer better portability. The A40 also includes features like wireless charging and virtual surround sound. Both have similar sound quality and are midrange priced, but the A40 is less expensive. The A40's stemless earbuds design is more subtle and features an app with equalizer settings, 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 Soundcore Space A40
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.7
The Soundcore Space A40 is good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
5.6
4.9
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for gaming, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.9
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Battery
23.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$135
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
4.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.8
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.7
9.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Space A40 to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good.
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How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 4 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."
Soundcore Space A40
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Soundcore Space A40
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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