Are Skullcandy Headphones Good Quality? [Brand Review]

Skullcandy Hesh 3 Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphones with Microphone, Rapid Charge 22-Hour Battery, Foldable, Memory Foam Ear Cushions for Comfortable All-Day Fit, Blue
Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless Headphones. (Image: Amazon)

If you’re shopping on the internet looking for a top pair of quality headphones, you’ve very likely stumbled upon some Skullcandy products.

Because of the catchy and memorable name and cool logo many people are familiar with this popular brand, but still haven’t tried out their products and don’t know much about their headphones.

Many readers that are shopping for new headphones ask us if Skullcandy is really worth considering: 

  • The Skullcandy brand cannot compete with top-end audiophile headphones on the market.
  • Skullcandy does have some models that are worth taking a closer look at, especially if you live an active lifestyle and are looking for affordable wireless over-ear headphones.
  • If you are looking headphones or earbuds with colorful and modern designs without spending a ton of money, then Skullcandy may be a good option. 
  • Keep in mind, the Skullcandy sound is generally bass-heavy and sound quality is average. If you are looking for a stellar balanced sound, take a look at high-end audio brands like Bose and Sennheiser.

The brand has a wide variety in their product line so we’ll cover as much ground as we can with this article while taking a look at Skullcandy’s best headphones and earbuds while breaking them down into more specific categories. 

First, let us take a better look at the company itself. Skullcandy is an American company that started operations back in 2003. It was founded by Rick Alden in Park City, Utah – a mecca for snowboarding.  

Their products are marketed very well among the action sports demographic (snowboarders and skaters) which make them very well known to teenagers and millennials.   One of the things that make these headphones so appealing is their “cool-looking” designs that appeal to younger non-conforming audiences looking for a more modern brand. 

The brand has become better-known thanks to various sponsorships in major events, and the products often offer great quality in most regards. Nevertheless, the company has made some major mistakes with some of its products, and we want you to know that some of them have to be avoided.

One of the Skullcandy sponsors that gets the most press is NBA player Kyrie Irving. and can often be seen sporting the SkullyCandy Grind Wireless On-Ear Headphones.

For some reason, perhaps because many of their very early models were more in the affordable budget range headphones, we often get asked:

Is Skullcandy really a good brand? Are they worth looking, are their headphones are good quality?

In this article, we’ve set out to give you a detailed overview of the company and help you differentiate between what’s good and what’s not so good.

Contents

Best Skullcandy Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

Skullcandy Crusher Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphones with Microphone

Skullcandy Crusher Wireless Over-Ear Headphone - Gray/Tan
Skullcandy Crusher Wireless Over-Ear Headphone. (Image: Amazon)

The Crusher is definitely one of Skullcandy’s most popular headphone models, and they have every right to be on top of the food chain. These headphones come with a built-in microphone and provide a sound quality which is very hard to match by almost any other product manufactured by the company.

Sound Quality: One of the things that make these pair of headphones so good is that their sound quality is basically good enough to listen to any type of music. We all know that some headphones seem to reproduce certain styles better than others, but the Crushers provide a very balanced sound that works well with almost anything.

Bass: We’re a bit hot and cold when it comes to the bass of these headphones. On one hand, it sounds very good… but on the other hand, the sound seems a bit too artificial for such an expensive pair of headphones. In any case, it should be more than enough to please most music listeners out there.

Design: As it is common with most high-end Skullcandy headphones, the Crushers have a very minimalist design which is incredibly well done and makes the wearer look good at any time. These headphones are made for skaters, gamers, and sportspeople of all sorts.

Build: Although the design is very well made, they could definitely have been built a little bit better. They should comfortably fit around anyone’s ears, but the material isn’t really as solid as one would expect with such an expensive set of headphones. Nevertheless, the headband is pretty strong and breaking them down isn’t easy at all.

Battery Life: There’s one word to describe the Crusher’s battery life: outstanding. It can run for over 40 hours with ease.

Connection: This set of headphones connects via Bluetooth, and they are compatible with most devices with access to this technology. However, it is not recommended to use the Crushers for gaming as they could be troublesome to connect with console controllers.

Pros:

  • The Crusher’s overall sound quality is very hard to match. It’s a great set of headphones for rock, pop, electronic or even classical music.
  • The batteries never seem to run out – they last for almost two days!
  • The Crushers are good-looking modern headphones with a minimalist design.

Cons:

  • Build quality could be better and sturdier.
  • There are some issues with connectivity, although they aren’t too bothersome in general.

Best Skullcandy Wireless On-Ear Headphones

Skullcandy Uproar Bluetooth Wireless

Skullcandy Uproar Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Built-In Microphone and Remote, 10-Hour Rechargeable Battery, Soft Synthetic Leather Ear Pillows for Comfort, Black
Skullcandy Uproar Bluetooth Wireless. (Image: Amazon)

The Uproar headphones are a bit more expensive than other budget options like the Lowriders, but they still manage to provide high-quality audio at a relatively affordable price. Although they have some Bluetooth connectivity issues (they can sometimes disconnect on their own), the overall quality they offer is pretty great and should comfortably please most owners.

The bass and sound qualities of these headphones certainly are things to consider when buying them – they are well-balanced, which makes this one of the best bass headphones on their price range.

Sound Quality: These headphones have a great sound quality which can be further improved by adjusting certain settings on a computer. In general, they sound very good and don’t require amps or anything of that sort to make them function as best as possible. Just like the Lowrider model, the Uproar offers better quality than the one you’d expect from its price tag.

Bass: Unlike other models that you can get for a similar price, the bass sound of this set of headphones isn’t compromised when listening to music at high volumes. In fact, the bass might feel a bit too hard at times, but you can feel it anywhere and in any genre. Rock, Pop, Blues and Jazz enthusiasts might want to give these headphones a try.

Design: Although the design, in general, is pretty good, the location of some of its features is definitely a tad annoying. The power button is located in a very uncomfortable position, and the headset can feel loose at times. In any case, the fact that the buttons are raised from the build makes it easy to interact with, which does help a lot with the design flaws.

Build: The headphones are very solidly built. One could argue about the overall design, as they could’ve taken different decisions, but the quality of the build is undeniable. They’re sturdy enough and every feature is well presented. The on-ear design is also complemented by it, which makes it even better of a choice.

Battery Life: You don’t really need to worry about getting new batteries with these headphones. The set comes with a built-in battery that can be charged whenever you need to, as it comes with a USB charger to help you do it. You might want to get your hands on a USB-to-wall-plug connector if you want to charge them on the go. The battery itself lasts for 10 hours, though.

Connection: This headphone model cannot be connected via cable. It can only be used via Bluetooth, which isn’t much of an issue with most modern audio devices. In any case, they aren’t really a good option if you intend to use them on a computer, considering most desktops don’t come with built-in Bluetooth receivers.

Pros:

  • Good headphones to listen to rock music, thanks to their sound quality and overall good bass, which brings out the drums and bass guitar sounds.
  • Long battery life makes these headphones a great option to carry around if you can only charge them during mornings and nights.
  • Solidly built headphones honor Skullcandy’s standards.

Cons:

  • The design leaves a lot to be desired at times, especially when it comes to the placement of some of tis features.
  • It would be cool if they had the option to be wired-connected as well.

Best Skullcandy Earbuds

Skullcandy Ink’d 2.0

Skullcandy Ink'd 2.0 Noise-Isolating Earbud with In-Line Microphone and Remote, Tangle-Reducing Flat Cable, Supreme Sound with Powerful Bass, Natural Vocals, and Precision Highs, Street/Gray/Chrome
Skullcandy Ink’d 2.0. (Image: Amazon)

Finding earbuds with a good balance of sound and quality seems to be more of an issue as time goes on. Some people look for earbuds for rock music; others look for earbuds for working out.

But few products can offer as much from both worlds as the Ink’d 2.0. It doesn’t matter what you’re planning to do with these headphones, you’re most likely going to be satisfied with your purchase.

Sound Quality: The sound quality of these headphones isn’t only amazing, but it also feels even better thanks to their build. They are very well designed to cancel outside noise, which makes the headphones sound great while allowing the user to concentrate solely on the music and not in any environmental noises.

Bass: If you’ve purchased other earbuds before, you might already know how troublesome it is to find a proper bass in most of them. Even high-quality products seem to completely butcher this feature, but the Ink’d 2.0 is one of the best in-ear headphones with heavy bass on the market.

Design: The headphones aren’t really anything to leave you awestruck when it comes to their design, but their minimalistic approach combined with a few touches of artistic value here and there manage to turn these headphones into a very appealing option for young audiences as well as adults.

Build: It’s hard to decide which Ink’d feature is better: it’s sound or the way they are built. The headphones aren’t just resistant; they are very well constructed and allow users to completely block themselves from the outside world. If you want to own a pair of music-immersive headphones, these are made exactly for you.

Connection: The headphones’ cable is actually one of its most important features. The cable is made from a very durable material which not only makes them last longer than other sets, but it also allows users not to worry about an annoying cable tangling as often.

Pros:

  • One of the best earbuds for any type of music in the market.
  • The headphones are made to withstand most sports and workout routines, a Skullcandy trademark.
  • Durable cable prevents having to replace the headphones after just a few uses.

Cons:

  • The headphones aren’t very effective for console gaming, just like the Crushers.
  • You can hear static in some instances if you move around too much while using them.
  • They produce feedback when using them via cellphone.

The original Ink’d had a flexible around the neck collar (the 2nd version does not have this). That model made our shortlist of best Bluetooth earbuds under $50.

Best Skullcandy Behind the Neck Headphones

Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds 2 In-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds with Microphone, Customizable Fit, Removeable Moldable Collar, 7-Hour Rechargeable Battery, Noise Isolating Supreme Sound, Black
Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2 In-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds. (Image: Amazon)

This Skullcandy Smokin Buds 2 design is made for those who like to listen to music while working out.

The behind-the-neck headphone collar allows owners to work out without having to deal with the annoyance of a cable, as its Bluetooth connectivity permits the headphones to connect to any device that uses this technology.

Sound Quality: Although the sound quality of the Smokin’ Buds isn’t particularly outstanding, the sound they provide is often good enough to blend in with most gyms’ environmental noises. They are a good companion for anyone looking to work out while wearing headphones, as long as they aren’t subjected to too much movement.

Bass: These are definitely a great pair of headphones for heavy bass music. The sounds are emphasized, which makes listening to any type of bass (be it heavy or soft) a pleasure to the ears. The bass isn’t too heavy at all – it’s pretty well balanced.

Design: This is where it gets a bit tricky. Although the sound quality is pretty cool and the overall design looks slick, some of the headphones’ attributes could’ve definitely been better manufactured. The battery holder causes a bit of an annoying feeling on the user’s neck, which makes long training sessions uncomfortable at times.

Build: Although some features could be located elsewhere (like the battery pack), the overall build of the headphones is very sturdy and definitely made to withstand regular wear during exercise.

Battery Life: Unlike many other Skullcandy products, battery life doesn’t last nearly as long as one day. In any case, though, the batteries go on for around seven hours, which is more than enough to cover one or two training sessions on their entirety.

Connection: The Bluetooth connection is actually pretty easy to set up, but it definitely has one or two flaws which prevent these headphones from being the best in the market, even though they sound very well.

The product can often disconnect from the Bluetooth link on its own, depending on which device you pair them with. Samsung and Google phones seem to potentiate this issue more often than other devices.

Pros:

  • Good sound quality for those looking to work out at a gym or simply listen to music in a stress-free environment.
  • These headphones almost assuredly have one of the best sounding bass audio in the market.
  • Battery life is more than enough to withstand a few sessions of workouts without needing to charge the headphones often.

Cons:

  • Although the sound quality is generally good, it feels like the product could still be so much better if a little bit more work was put into it.
  • Connectivity issues could prove to be annoying, depending on which device these are paired with.

Best Skullcandy Budget Headphones

Skullcandy Lowrider Headphones

Skullcandy Lowrider Headphones w/Mic Black/Black/Black, One Size
Skullcandy Lowrider Headphones. (Image: Amazon)

The Lowriders are one of the most popular sets of headphones manufactured by Skullcandy. They are definitely one of the best budget headphones you can get from this brand and from most brands in general as well. They offer some very high-end features for a lower price than most other headphones in the market.

Sound Quality: In terms of budget headphones, the Lowrider model comes out on top when it comes to their sound quality. We’ve reviewed plenty of headphones before, but it’s hard to match the sound quality of this Skullcandy product if you’re looking to purchase a budget pair of headphones.

Bass: Although the Lowriders are (arguably) the best headphones when it comes to sound quality, the bass sound isn’t as good in general. They reproduce it at a pretty low frequency, which is to be expected from a budget set. It might not do well for some music genres out there, particularly if you want to buy headphones for classical music or electronica.

Design: If you’re going to wear these headphones during trips or commuting, there really isn’t anything to worry about in terms of design. If you want to wear them while working out, though, you might want to look at other Skullcandy options with a better design for it. These headphones can fall off easily if you move around too much!

Build: The Lowrider model is very well constructed in terms of sturdiness and flexibility. They are very easy to fold, which makes them a great companion if you plan to carry them around often. They are made to last as well, even though they are budget headphones, they are very resistant to regular damage caused by daily usage.

Connection: Although these headphones don’t have Bluetooth technology, they are very easy to connect to most devices. The cable isn’t incredibly long, which makes them easy to carry around without having to worry about it getting tangled to your surroundings.

Pros:

  • Easily one of the best budget headphones on the market. If you want Skullcandy quality without having to pay an exorbitant amount of money, you might want to consider Lowrider.
  • Great sound quality headphones in general, you shouldn’t have to worry about not listening properly to your music or conversations through these.
  • Sturdy headphones with a solid build quality make them a great purchase in terms of price and quality.

Cons:

  • They do not stay in one place if you move around too often. Avoid buying these if you want to intend to exercise or work out while listening to music with them.
  • The older model, which was released in 2011, was easier to carry around than the newer version currently on sale.
  • These are on-ear headphones, which don’t really help them stay in one place as they don’t wrap around your ears.

As we told you before, not everything shines brightly for Skullcandy. As with many other major companies, they’ve managed to screw up one or two of their products before. We’ll now be taking a look at one Skullcandy model to avoid.

Skullcandy Models to Avoid

Skullcandy ROC NATION Aviator

Skullcandy ROC NATION Aviator Black (S6AVCM003) Over-ear Headphones with In-line Mic
Skullcandy ROC NATION Aviator . (Image: Amazon)

The focus on the ROC NATION model seems to have been almost entirely on its design. The headphones themselves look pretty slick, and the design is definitely different from most other Skullcandy products. Ironically, that seems to be the main selling point of this model without adding anything else to the table.

Beyond a cool design lie a vast amount of problems, which make you wonder what this product could’ve been if they were addressed before actually being released. That is these headphones’ main issue: they leave the user with feeling like they’re “okay-ish”. They definitely leave a lot to be desired after using them.

Sound Quality: The overall sound quality of these headphones isn’t half as bad as other features are, but it could still be a lot better. The sound quality isn’t helped by the fact that there is almost no bass on these headphones.

Bass: It’s hard to find a pair of headphones with such a low bass. If you really know about music and you like to enjoy everything that each song has to offer, you might want to avoid these headphones entirely. There are better options out there for a similar (or even cheaper!) price.

Design: This is the one thing where these headphones really excel. The design is really cool and makes the wearer look cool as well. The speakers are nicely attached to the headband and the colors are very well presented as well. It’s such a shame that the overall quality isn’t as good.

Build: One could easily assume that such a cool design from such a popular brand would mean that the ROC NATION’s are very sturdy, but that’s actually far from the truth. The build quality is pretty poor; the headphones can easily break within the first few months of usage.

Connection: Although some connectivity issues are bound to happen with most wireless Skullcandy headphones, none of them are as detrimental as the ones present in the ROC NATION model. After a few months of usage, the headphones’ connectivity is even likely to worsen, turning them unusable sooner rather than later.

If we are to asses where Skullcandy went wrong with these headphones, we have to point out the fact that they seem to have focused almost entirely on the design of the product, while also taking into account certain sound quality features. The actual build quality and the bass sound were neglected beyond salvation.

Attention Gamers:

We’d also avoid the Skullcandy gaming headsets like the Skullcandy PLYR2 since they are not the greatest when it comes to console gaming and have had repeated problems with Xbox compatibility. If you are a gamer looking for a headset we recommend you check out these top picks for gaming by Sennheiser or these budget gaming headsets that all have removable mics- we feel these are better options while still in the price range that you’d pay for a Skullcandy gaming set like the “PLYR” models.

If you are shopping Amazon for budget gaming headphones, we also suggest you take a look at this comparison between these two very popular BeExcellent gaming headsets.

We hope this company overview and detailed reviews of the most popular Skullcandy headphones and earbuds gave you some insight into the products and helped you with your buying decision.  As always, if you have recommendations or feedback on this article, please leave your comments below. Thanks-

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