The best Skullcandy headphones depend less on a single headline feature than on how you listen. Crusher models make bass a physical, adjustable part of music and movies. Hesh models offer different combinations of long battery life and noise control, while the on-ear Icon ANC and Riff Wireless 2 suit buyers who prefer a smaller fit. This shortlist matches ten models to those distinct needs—and separates headphones that can play game audio from a dedicated gaming headset.
These picks prioritize the features that change a buying decision: adjustable sensory bass versus a conventional listening experience; active noise cancellation versus an isolating fit; battery claims under the stated ANC setting; and practical details such as folding hinges, an included audio cable, app controls and exercise-specific protection. Each score is an editorial judgment about usefulness for the buyer identified in the recommendation, with limitations weighed alongside strengths.
Top-rated Comparison
For bass-focused commuters who want ANC and spatial audio; choose a simpler model if those extras are unnecessary.
For listeners who want tactile bass, THX Spatial Audio and smart controls but do not need active noise cancellation.
For study or travel when ANC, spatial audio and everyday controls matter more than Crusher-style bass.
For listeners who want adjustable tactile bass, ANC and app personalization without requiring the 1080 ANC’s newer audio features.
For exercisers who want Crusher bass with a secure-fit design; its noise-isolating fit is not ANC.
For frequent listeners who prize battery capacity, multipoint and an over-ear fit more than ANC.
For buyers who prefer an on-ear fit with ANC and documented sweat resistance, rather than full-size over-ear cushions.
For tactile-bass fans who favor direct controls and a folding design over ANC and the 720’s newer features.
For portable everyday listening with multipoint and a wired fallback; skip it if ANC is essential.
For travelers who want folding over-ears, ANC and Tile finding, and can accept shorter battery life.
For the broadest combination of adjustable Crusher bass and travel features, choose the Crusher 1080 ANC: it adds Bose-licensed QuietControl ANC, spatial audio and an included wired option, though its maximum battery claim assumes ANC is off. The Crusher 720 is the alternative for bass fans who want spatial audio and a longer stated maximum runtime without paying for ANC they will not use. The Hesh 540 ANC is the more conventional over-ear choice for noise control, while the Crusher 540 Active and IPX4-rated Icon ANC have the clearest exercise-oriented credentials among these picks. (skullcandy.com)
Here, sizing means how the headphones sit on your ears, not a one-size-fits-all dimension. Icon ANC and Riff Wireless 2 are on-ear choices: consider them if you want smaller headphones, but check whether pressure directly on your ears is comfortable. The other picks are over-ear models. A seal around the ear can help passive isolation, though glasses, hair and ear shape can change that seal. For capacity, read battery claims with their conditions attached: Skullcandy lists 50 hours with ANC on for the Crusher 1080 ANC, Crusher ANC 2, Hesh 540 ANC and Icon ANC, versus 60 or 65 hours with ANC off. Hesh 360’s stated 100 hours comes without ANC. (skullcandy.com)
Crusher bass is a preference, not a universal upgrade. The 1080 ANC, 720, ANC 2, 540 Active and Evo let you adjust a sensory bass effect; Hesh and Riff serve buyers who do not want that effect to define their choice. For noise control, the 1080 ANC, ANC 2, Hesh 540 ANC, Icon ANC and Hesh ANC have active noise cancellation. Crusher 720, Crusher Evo, Crusher 540 Active and Hesh 360 are not ANC substitutes merely because their fit isolates some sound. Stay-Aware serves the opposite purpose: admitting more of your surroundings when you need awareness. Spatial audio is a separate feature, not a promise of better competitive-game positioning. (skullcandy.com)
| Profile | Recommended Product | Why It Fits | Avoid If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass-loving commuter | Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC | Adjustable Crusher bass, QuietControl ANC and an included wired option cover music and travel. | You would not use ANC or spatial audio. |
| Bass fan who does not need ANC | Skullcandy Crusher 720 | Crusher bass, THX Spatial Audio and up to 65 hours of stated battery life make its feature mix distinct. | Reducing travel noise is a priority. |
| Student or traveler seeking conventional over-ears | Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC | Combines ANC, wear detection, multipoint and an included AUX cable without centering the purchase on sensory bass. | You specifically want tactile Crusher bass. |
| Over-ear workout listener | Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active | Breathable cushions, a secure-fit design and a moisture-resistant coating directly address exercise. | You need an independently stated IP rating or ANC. |
| Listener who charges infrequently | Skullcandy Hesh 360 | Offers a stated 100-hour maximum, rapid charging and multipoint pairing. | You need active noise cancellation. |
| On-ear listener who exercises | Skullcandy Icon ANC | Pairs an on-ear design with ANC and a stated IPX4 rating. | You dislike pressure on the ears or prefer an over-ear seal. |
Compare the ANC-on figure for an ANC model you expect to use that way, then check what a short charge provides. The Hesh 360 has the longest stated maximum here—100 hours—and its 10-minute rapid-charge claim is eight hours; the Riff Wireless 2 states 34 hours maximum and four hours from 10 minutes. These are published product claims, so plan for variation with settings and use. Check connectivity separately: multipoint on the 1080 ANC, 720, ANC 2, Hesh 540 ANC, Hesh 360, Icon ANC and Riff Wireless 2 is useful for a phone-and-laptop routine. For a wired fallback, confirm both a 3.5mm connection on your device and the cable listed with the exact model. (skullcandy.com)
If you switch between work calls and music, prioritize multipoint and controls you will actually use; app EQ and personal sound settings are optional reasons to choose a model, not prerequisites for basic Bluetooth listening. The folding 1080 ANC, 720, Hesh 540 ANC and Riff Wireless 2 are practical travel candidates, with manufacturer-listed AUX cables for wired listening. Crusher 540 Active takes a different approach: breathable cushions and a clamp-force fit target movement rather than quiet commuting. For gaming, Hesh 540 ANC and Crusher 720 list low-latency audio modes, but neither is presented here as a dedicated gaming headset. Before buying for a console or voice chat, check that the particular device supports your intended audio connection and microphone arrangement. (skullcandy.com)
Match moisture exposure to a documented feature rather than assuming all headphones tolerate workouts. Icon ANC carries an IPX4 sweat- and water-resistance rating; Crusher 540 Active lists a sweat- and water-resistant nano-coating, without an IP rating in its published product information. Neither claim makes the headphones a swimming choice. When packing a folding model, use its folded position rather than forcing the hinges. If you expect to rely on an AUX cable after the battery runs down, keep the cable with the headphones and confirm that the device you will use has a compatible jack. (skullcandy.com)
Favor specifications tied to the exact model and operating condition over a headline number. Skullcandy specifies separate ANC-on and ANC-off runtimes for the Crusher ANC 2; SoundGuys reported 45 hours 23 minutes in its standardized ANC-on test, below the manufacturer’s 50-hour ANC-on claim. That result describes its tested conditions, not every owner’s runtime. Published information also conflicts within Skullcandy’s Crusher 720 materials: a product comparison labels its THX Spatial Audio as having head tracking, while Skullcandy’s product-help page says it does not. Treat head tracking as unconfirmed for this pick. Check the exact listing variant before relying on a part number, color or accessory: some retailer records use model identifiers that do not clearly match their displayed product names. (skullcandy.com)
Start with the exact model and use case rather than pooling comments about every Crusher or Hesh. For Crusher ANC 2, look for discussion of ANC while commuting, not just enthusiasm for its bass; SoundGuys found that some surrounding sounds remained audible with ANC engaged. For Crusher 720 versus Crusher Evo, compare reports about the newer controls and spatial feature only after confirming which model the reviewer used. If fit is your concern, distinguish on-ear Icon ANC or Riff Wireless 2 comments from over-ear Hesh feedback. Give particular attention to the stated ANC setting in battery accounts and to whether a gaming comment concerns audio alone or two-way chat. (soundguys.com)
Do not buy Crusher Evo, Crusher 720 or Hesh 360 expecting ANC: noise isolation and Stay-Aware do different jobs. Do not apply a 60- or 65-hour ANC-off claim to an ANC-on commute. Do not assume Crusher 540 Active’s moisture-resistant coating and Icon ANC’s IPX4 rating are the same specification. Finally, the title covers gaming as a buying use case, but these selected models are primarily music headphones; an AUX cable or low-latency mode alone does not establish console microphone support, a game/chat mix or dedicated wireless gaming connectivity. (skullcandy.com)
Which pick has adjustable bass without active noise cancellation?
Crusher 720 is the fuller-featured choice, with THX Spatial Audio, multipoint and up to 65 hours of stated battery life. Crusher Evo is the more straightforward folding alternative with up to 40 hours and no spatial audio. Both offer adjustable sensory bass.
Does turning on ANC change the advertised battery life?
Yes. Skullcandy lists up to 50 hours with ANC on for Crusher 1080 ANC, Crusher ANC 2, Hesh 540 ANC and Icon ANC, compared with 60 or 65 hours with ANC off. Hesh ANC is listed at up to 22-plus hours with ANC on.
Which of these headphones can I take to the gym?
Crusher 540 Active is designed around breathable cushions, a secure fit and a moisture-resistant coating. Icon ANC offers an on-ear alternative with an IPX4 sweat- and water-resistance rating. Choose by fit and the specific protection stated, not by a general gym label.
Are these dedicated gaming headsets?
No. Some models list low-latency modes or include an AUX cable for game audio, but this shortlist does not establish dedicated console wireless support or game/chat controls. Check your platform’s audio-input and microphone requirements before choosing one for multiplayer chat.
Choose the Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC if you want the most complete mix here of adjustable tactile bass, ANC and travel flexibility. If you want Crusher bass and spatial audio but do not need ANC, choose the Crusher 720 instead; for workouts, the Crusher 540 Active is the more purpose-built over-ear pick.
Related Guides
Compare 10 over-ear ANC headphones for travel, work, and everyday listening, with clear distinctions on battery life, wired audio, controls, and fit.
Read guide
Compare 10 Bose QuietComfort over-ear headphones by generation, noise control, immersive audio, battery life, wired options, and new or renewed condition.
Read guide
Compare 10 headphones for travel, calls, everyday listening and wired monitoring, with practical guidance on fit, noise cancellation, battery life and connections.
Read guide
Compare the best headphones for rock music, from wired studio monitors with clear guitar separation to wireless ANC models with deep bass and long battery life.
Read guide
Compare the best wireless gaming headphones for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and mobile, with clear guidance on latency, battery life, microphones, comfort, and compatibility.
Read guide
Compare Bose QuietComfort over-ear headphones and earbuds by generation, listening modes, battery claims, wired options, fit, and renewed-listing terms.
Read guide
Compare sweat-resistant earbuds, open-ear headphones and workout-ready on-ear and over-ear models by fit, water protection, cleaning and battery life.
Read guide