Skullcandy Hesh ANC Review: The Affordable Noise-Cancelling Headphones You Shouldn’t Overlook

I’ve always thought Skullcandy has a really cool spot in the headphone world. They’re not for the audio experts who dissect every little sound detail. They’re for the rest of us. They started in a place known for skiing and snowboarding, and that adventurous, fun feeling is baked right into their products. You buy Skullcandy because you want headphones that look awesome, maybe in a bright green or a cool pattern, and because you want to really feel the beat in your music. That powerful, thumping bass is their signature thing.

They’ve been around for a while now, and they’ve totally nailed the “great sound without a huge price tag” thing. Pretty much everyone knows their Crusher, Indy, or Hesh models. They’re the headphones you grab when you want a fun listening experience but don’t want to empty your wallet. So, with that in mind, I figured we should take a close look at one of their big hitters: the Hesh ANC. It’s their popular over-ear model that also blocks out the noise of the world around you. Let’s see how it holds up.

Skullcandy Headphones Lineup Overview

Skullcandy hasn’t just stuck with one style. They’ve slowly grown their lineup to make sure there’s a perfect pair for just about anyone. So whether you’re the type who needs earbuds that won’t fall out at the gym, someone who wants big over-ear cushions for a long flight, or just a person looking for a cheap and cheerful pair to throw in a bag, Skullcandy has probably made something for you. They’ve got options for every kind of listener and every kind of budget.

Crusher Series – Famous for the “Sensory Bass” vibration driver, giving listeners an intense, rumbling bass experience that no other brand replicates. Perfect for bass lovers and movie enthusiasts.
Hesh Series – Positioned as everyday over-ear headphones with a balance between affordability, comfort, and performance. The Hesh ANC and Hesh Evo are the latest iterations.
Indy Series – True wireless earbuds designed for everyday use with water resistance and Tile tracking.
Push Active & Grind – Fitness-oriented wireless earbuds with voice control and sweat resistance.
Dime 3 – Ultra-affordable tiny earbuds for casual users.

This lineup shows Skullcandy’s strategy: fun, accessible products for lifestyle users, with a strong focus on bass and affordability rather than pure audiophile-grade accuracy.

Popular Skullcandy Models Tested

Before diving into the Hesh ANC review, it’s worth mentioning three standout Skullcandy models that define the brand’s strengths:

Skullcandy Crusher Evo – A bass-lover’s dream with adjustable “Sensory Bass.” It’s one of the most unique headphones on the market, though not for everyone.
Skullcandy Dime 3 – One of the best ultra-budget earbuds, offering impressive value at under $30.
Skullcandy Push Active – Durable, workout-focused earbuds with hands-free voice commands and solid battery life.

These models represent the Skullcandy philosophy: affordable, fun-sounding, and feature-packed for the price.

Design & Build Quality

The Hesh ANC has a cool, simple look that’s a bit more low-key than some of their other headphones, but they still have that Skullcandy style. They’re made of a light plastic, which means you can wear them for hours without your ears getting tired. Even though they’re plastic, they don’t feel cheap or flimsy, and you can fold them up to easily toss in your bag.

The padding on the earcups is really soft and creates a nice seal that blocks some noise, but they don’t squeeze your head too tight. Overall, they hit a sweet spot—they’re easy to carry around and super comfortable, whether you’re on your daily commute, at work, or on a long trip.

Comfort & Fit

Weighing in at about 228 grams, these headphones are some of the lighter over-ear models you’ll find. They feel almost like nothing on your head after a while. The soft ear pads are great for long listening sessions, though if you have bigger ears, they might feel a little tight. The headband adjusts easily and has enough padding so you don’t get that annoying pressure point on the top of your head. All in all, they’re just really comfortable and easy to wear all day, whether you’re casually listening to music or grinding through a workday.

Features & Controls

The Hesh ANC headphones are loaded with practical features:

Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) – Blocks out low-frequency noises like bus engines, airplane hum, and office chatter.
Ambient Mode – Lets in outside sounds when needed, useful for safety in traffic or quick conversations.
Tile Tracking Built-In – Helps you locate your headphones using the Tile app, a feature rare in this price category.
Bluetooth 5.0 – Stable wireless connection with minimal dropouts.
Physical Buttons – Easy-to-use tactile buttons instead of unreliable touch controls.

For under $150, the feature set is impressive, especially with ANC and Ambient Mode.

Check Out: Marshall Monitor III ANC Review

Sound Quality:

When it comes to sound, Skullcandy is famous for big bass, and the Hesh ANC definitely brings that fun, punchy energy. But the good news is, they’re a bit more balanced than their super-bassy Crusher line.

The bass is strong and really satisfying, perfect for genres like hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, or for making movie explosions feel powerful. It’s fun without being too much.

The trade-off is that the mids, where a lot of vocals and guitars live, can sometimes take a back seat to that bass. So vocals might not always feel like they’re front and center.

The highs are clear and smooth—you won’t get any harsh or sharp sounds, but you’re not going to hear every tiny little detail like you would on a super high-end pair.

As for the soundstage, or the feeling of space in the music, it’s pretty average. The sound feels more “inside your head” than super wide and open, but that’s totally normal for headphones in this price range.

All in all, the sound is all about being engaging and fun. It’s perfect for the casual listener who wants their music to have energy and punch, not clinical accuracy.

Noise Cancelling Performance.

The noise cancelling on these is actually pretty solid for what you pay. Don’t expect it to completely silence the world like those top-tier models from Sony or Bose, but it does a really good job with those constant, droning kinds of sounds. Think of the rumble of an airplane engine, the noise on a subway car, or the hum of an office air conditioner—it muffles those down a lot.

Where it struggles a bit is with sharper, sudden noises. You’ll still hear things like people talking or the clacking of a keyboard, just at a lower volume.

A feature I really like is the ambient mode. When you turn it on, it pipes in the outside sound so you can hear announcements or have a quick chat without taking the headphones off. It sounds surprisingly natural, not all tinny and artificial like on some other budget headphones.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is where these headphones really shine. You can get a solid 22 hours of juice with the noise cancelling turned on. If you turn that feature off, that number jumps all the way up to about 30 hours, which is fantastic.

And if you’re in a pinch, they have a great rapid charge feature. Just plugging them in for a quick 10-minute boost will get you another 3 hours of listening time. For anyone who’s always on the go—whether you’re a daily commuter or a frequent traveler—this kind of battery performance makes them a super reliable choice.

Connectivity & Everyday Use

Setting them up is a breeze—just turn them on and they’ll pop up on your phone’s Bluetooth list. The connection is solid and I never had any weird dropouts while walking around my apartment. One feature I did miss was the ability to connect to two devices at once, like my phone and my laptop, which would have been really handy for switching between them.

When it comes to calls, they get the job done. People could hear me clearly on phone calls and Zoom meetings, though if there was a lot of noise around me, some of that background sound did come through on their end.

Comparisons

Hesh Evo vs. Hesh ANC

Think of the Hesh Evo as the basic model. It’s a bit cheaper and gives you that classic Skullcandy sound and look, but it doesn’t have any noise cancellation.

The Hesh ANC, as the name suggests, adds active noise cancelling and a transparency mode. This is a huge upgrade if you ever plan to use them on a bus, plane, or in a noisy office.

The Bottom Line: If your budget allows, the Hesh ANC is definitely the way to go. The extra features are worth it.

Skullcandy Crusher vs. Hesh ANC

This one is all about the bass. The Crusher line is famous for its insane, vibrating bass that you can actually feel in your head. It’s a wild experience for bass lovers and makes movies and music really intense.

The Hesh ANC has much more balanced sound. You still get good bass, but it’s not the main event. Its big strengths are the noise cancellation and its overall comfort for all-day use.

The Bottom Line: If your number one goal is massive, chest-thumping bass, get the Crushers. If you want a more versatile, comfortable headphone for everyday life, the Hesh ANC is the better pick.

How Skullcandy Stacks Up Against Other Brands

JBL: Brands like JBL often have slightly better noise cancellation and a brighter sound, but you’ll usually pay more for it.
Beats: Beats are a fashion statement. They’re very stylish and have a powerful brand name, but you’re often paying extra for that style compared to what you get with Skullcandy.
Anker (Soundcore): This is Skullcandy’s toughest competition. Anker’s headphones often have amazing noise cancellation for the price, sometimes even better than Skullcandy’s. It’s a real toss-up, though Skullcandy often has cooler designs and that built-in Tile finding feature.

So, who are these headphones really for?

Think of the Hesh ANC as your perfect everyday sidekick. They’re a fantastic fit if you:

Just want to enjoy your music without overthinking it, and love a fun, punchy bass.
Need to block out the noise of your commute or a flight without spending a fortune.
Are a student or someone at an office desk who needs a comfortable pair that can last all day (and then some) on a single charge.
You like the Skullcandy look and want the bonus of noise cancelling, all at a price that feels reasonable.

Basically, they aren’t made for audio experts or someone who needs the absolute best noise cancellation money can buy. But for most people, they hit that perfect sweet spot—giving you great features, solid performance, and cool style, all for a price that doesn’t hurt your wallet.

Verdict:

So, what’s the final word? The Skullcandy Hesh ANC manages to pull off a pretty neat trick. It gives you active noise cancelling, that fun bass-heavy sound Skullcandy is known for, all-day comfort, and a reasonable price tag, all in one package.

No, it’s not going to beat those $400 premium headphones on noise cancellation or perfect sound. But for the money, it’s an awesome deal. If you’re looking for a pair of stylish, lightweight headphones that have all the key features without costing a fortune, the Hesh ANC is easily one of Skullcandy’s best and most well-rounded releases.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC Specs

Feature	Specification

Type	Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

Driver Size

40mm

Frequency Response

20Hz – 20kHz

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0

ANC	Yes (Active Noise Cancelling)

Ambient Mode

Yes

Battery Life

22 hrs (ANC on), 30 hrs (ANC off)

Fast Charge

10 min = 3 hrs playback

Weight

~228g

Controls

Physical buttons

Tracking

Built-in Tile technology

Skullcandy Hesh ANC Review: The Affordable Noise-Cancelling Headphones You Shouldn’t Overlook