Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC

The Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC is a budget-friendly over-ear with 65-hour battery life, four-mic ANC, and THX Spatial Audio. It ranks in the 99th percentile for connectivity and 90th for ANC, making it a standout at its price. Best Buy has it for USD 100, the low end of the USD 100-128 range. If you want a fun daily driver that never needs charging, this is a great pick. Just don't expect studio-grade sound.

Let's talk numbers. The 40mm dynamic drivers push a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, which is standard but executed well here. Sound quality lands in the 79th percentile, so it's strong but not top-tier. You'll get punchy bass and clear mids, though audiophiles will notice the high end doesn't sparkle the way it does on pricier sets. For everyday listening, gaming, and podcasts, it's more than enough. The THX Spatial Audio adds a nice sense of width, especially in games where positional audio matters.

Battery life is where this thing gets silly. 65 hours with ANC on is genuinely impressive, and the rapid charge feature gives you 4 hours from a 10-minute top-up. That's the kind of spec that changes how you use headphones. You stop thinking about charging entirely. Connectivity is also best-in-class, sitting in the 99th percentile thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support. Pair it with your phone and laptop at the same time, and it just works.

The Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B is the most direct competitor in terms of features. Sony's ANC is a bit more refined, and the sound signature is more balanced out of the box. But you'll pay more for it, and the battery life doesn't come close to 65 hours. The JBL Tune 670NC is cheaper and lighter, but it lacks THX Spatial Audio and the multipoint connectivity that makes the Hesh 540 ANC so convenient.

If you want the best sound quality in this general price bracket, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is the one to beat, but it costs a lot more and the battery life is shorter. The TOZO HT3 is a budget alternative that undercuts the Hesh 540 ANC on price, but its ANC and build quality don't measure up. The Bose QuietComfort is the comfort king, but again, you're paying a premium for a name and slightly better noise cancellation.

Here's where the Hesh 540 ANC gets really interesting. Prices in the US range from USD 100 to USD 128 across four listings, so you've got a USD 28 spread depending on where you shop. Best Buy has it at the lower end of that range, which makes it an easy recommendation if you're already there. For what you're getting, that's a lot of headphone.

Compare that to the Sony ULT WEAR or Bose QuietComfort, and you're looking at spending significantly more for marginal gains in ANC and sound quality. The Hesh 540 ANC gives you 90th percentile noise cancellation and 65-hour battery life at a price that undercuts the big names by a wide margin. If you're in Canada, the CAD 120 listing is the only option, but it's still a fair deal for the feature set.

Skullcandy has always been the brand you grab when you want something fun, loud, and affordable. The Hesh 540 ANC keeps that spirit alive but adds a few tricks that push it into surprisingly serious territory. You get active noise cancellation with four mics, THX Spatial Audio, multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, and a battery that just refuses to die. For a pair of headphones that sits in the budget-friendly zone, that's a pretty stacked spec sheet.

Who's this for? Honestly, anyone who wants a daily driver that can handle commutes, gaming sessions, and the occasional phone call without making their wallet cry. The 65-hour battery life alone makes it a strong pick for people who forget to charge things. And the foldable design means you can toss it in a bag without a second thought.

What makes it interesting is the mix of features you usually don't see at this price. THX Spatial Audio is a name that carries weight in the audio world, and pairing it with a 40mm dynamic driver setup gives the Hesh 540 ANC a fighting chance against headphones that cost significantly more. It's not perfect, but it's punching well above its class in a few key areas.

If you're doing any kind of studio work, mixing, or critical listening, these aren't for you. The studio score of 61.4/100 is the weakest area by far, and the sound signature is tuned for fun, not accuracy. You'd be better off with something like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 or a pair of open-back headphones from Audio-Technica.

Also, if you're someone who wants the absolute best noise cancellation on the market, the Bose QuietComfort or Sony ULT WEAR will serve you better. The Hesh 540 ANC is good at blocking noise, but it's not class-leading. And if you're rough on your gear, the build quality is only slightly above average, so you might want something with a more premium construction.

For most people, the Hesh 540 ANC is an easy yes. If you want a pair of headphones that can handle your commute, your gaming setup, and your work calls without needing a charge every other day, this is it. The 65-hour battery life alone is a reason to buy, and the ANC is genuinely good for the price. The multipoint Bluetooth is a nice bonus that makes switching between devices painless.

But if you're an audio purist who wants flat response curves and studio-grade accuracy, look elsewhere. The 61.4/100 studio score tells you everything you need to know. These are fun headphones, not analytical tools. For critical listening or mixing, you'd be better served by something from Sennheiser or Audio-Technica.