The Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless headphones are a few years old, and the next generation Hesh 3 is already available to buy. As a result, you can pick up the Hesh 2 for around half the price they originally cost when released.
At this reduced price, are these the best wireless headphones worthy of your time and investment? Or should you be looking to spend your hard-earned money on something more up-to-date, like the Hesh 3?
Well, we’ll answer that question and more in our in-depth Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Review…
(4.6 / 5)Contents
What’s in the Box
- Cable for wired usage with a volume and track control.
- Micro USB charging cable.
- Lightweight carrying pouch.
- User manual.
Design and Build Quality
Typical of most Skullcandy headphones, the Hesh 2 wireless has quite a chunky-looking design. The bulky plastic earcups extend out quite far from the head. It’s a look quite reminiscent of the Beats range of headphones.
Plastic is the predominant material which is the norm for headphones this cheap. The plastic feels dense enough but possibly not too durable. However, you’d expect the Hesh 2 to survive the odd drop with no major damage.
Faux leather covers the foam cushioning on the earcups. The headband is also made from cheap-looking plastic, which doesn’t feel like it would stand-up to much physical stress. You’ll have to be careful not to over-stretch them.
Choose your style…
The pair we tested had a matte black finish with chrome highlights around the earcups. A few other color schemes are available, but from a personal perspective, matte black is the most stylish. Disagree? Then you have a choice between blue, gray/yellow, and a camouflage version.
The Skullcandy logo sits on the headband just above the earcups and certainly adds a little panache to the design. Overall, they are not the most head-turning cans you’ll ever see. But the relatively sleek design will certainly have appeal for some.
How’s the portability?
Unfortunately, the Skullcandy Hesh 2 wireless does not fold down when being transported in a bag. Nor do the earcups swivel or flatten down. Fortunately, they aren’t the largest headphones out there and have a relatively slim headband.
For transportation, Skullcandy includes a cloth carrying pouch. This will do nothing to protect the Hesh 2 from major knocks, but scratches and excess dust can be avoided.
Comfort
The Skullcandy Hesh 2 wireless has well-padded earcups, and the clamping force they exert doesn’t feel too tight. The main issue is that even though they are sold as over-ear headphones, the earcups have a rather strange size. It’s somewhere between an on-ear and over-ear size, without actually sitting on your ear or fully encompassing them.
Furthermore, the round shape of the earcups leaves a part of the pad resting on your ears. This is far from ideal. Not only does it become uncomfortable after a while, but it also hurts the noise isolation capabilities. It allows more of the outside world in.
So, what are the positives?
A positive outcome of the strangely shaped cups is that they allow for better airflow than you’d get with the ears fully encompassed. This makes the Hesh 2 some of the best breathable headphones on the market.
Skullcandy also neglected to include any padding on the headband for some reason. Our guess would be budgetary constraints. But combined with the awkward cup sizing, it doesn’t make for the most comfortable of listening experiences. A 5-minute break was needed after a mere two hours of continuous use.
Controls
The bottom of the right earcup is home to the volume controls. These come in the shape of large tactile +/- buttons that are very easy to locate and differentiate. These buttons also control track selection. A multi-function button, also on the right cup, controls power, playback, Bluetooth pairing, and manages calls.
If that seems like a lot for one button to handle, you’d be right. It’s rather confusing at first, but with a little practice, you get the hang of things before long.
The left earcup is home only to the micro-USB charging port. Rather than position it at the bottom of the cup as is standard, Skullcandy opted to put it at the top in a rather awkward position. You actually have to bend the ear cup slightly to reveal it. It’s rather annoying, to be honest.
Battery Life
Skullcandy advertises the battery life at 15 hours, and we found this to be true. This is above average and does make these some of the best battery life headphones available. A feather in the cap for the Hesh 2.
It takes just over two hours to fully recharge them. If you’ve managed to run down the battery, then the Hesh 2 can be used in passive wired mode.
The cable comes complete with an inline control that also sports a small microphone for calls. The moment you connect the cable, the headphones break the Bluetooth connection. Disconnect the cable, and they automatically re-pair with your device.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Pairing is a very straightforward process and was completed on several different devices in under 20 seconds. Bluetooth range is good for up to 64ft in a clear line of sight.
And we can happily report that we didn’t experience any dropouts, even when out and about in town. So, it is fair to rank these among the best Bluetooth headphones currently available.
Microphone Quality
The pinhole mic located on the bottom of the right earcup does an okay job in quieter environments. However, it struggles amid the hustle and bustle of a busy street. If you’re planning on using the Hesh 2 to take and make calls, then find a quiet place, or the person on the other end is going to struggle.
Sound Quality
So, onto what for most people should be the most important consideration; sound quality. Considering the relatively low price, the Skullcandy Hesh 2 sound reasonably good. It’s a pretty well-balanced sound profile that will not disappoint, audiophiles aside.
The bass has some push to it but pulls up well short of being overwhelming. If anything, the mids are slightly overemphasized. As a result, vocals and lead instruments take up a little more space than they should. On the flip side, the trebles could do with a little more clarity and detail, But you can’t expect perfection at this end of the market.
The overall sound could be described as on the warmer side of things, meaning it’s a little soft. Fortunately, there’s enough detail present to prevent things from getting too muddied or dull. It’s definitely not an exciting or vibrant sound, but the Hesh 2 just does enough to put a half-smile on your face.
Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Review – Pros and Cons
Pros
- The sound quality to price ratio is very good.
- Good battery life.
- Optional wired listening.
- Solid Bluetooth connection.
Cons
- Strange earcup size.
- Comfort could be improved.
- Awkward USB charging port.
Looking for Something Else?
Finding the perfect pair of headphones has never been easier. Check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Headphones Under $100, the Best Headphones with Microphone, and the Best Sony Headphones you can buy in 2023.
You may also like our comprehensive Monolith M1060 Headphones Review, our Sennheiser PXC 550-II Review, our Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro Review, our Audio-Technica ATH-WS1100iS Review, and our JLab Epic Air Sport Review for more amazing products currently available.
Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Review – Final Thoughts
While it may seem that this review is generally critical of the Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless headphones, for the money, they aren’t a bad deal. Yes, there are lots of things to improve upon. But you have to remember, in the grand scheme of things, they are pretty old.
Looking for the best cheap wireless headphones that sound pretty good with a long-lasting battery? If so, then you could do a lot worse than the Hesh 2 wireless. Overall, it’s a good deal, especially considering how cheaply you can currently buy them.
Until next time, happy listening.
