Skullcandy Push Ultra

The Push Ultra is a rugged workout bud with a fantastic fit and marathon battery life, but it's dragged down by terrible call quality and a fragile ear hook design that multiple owners report breaking. It's a decent buy if you find it cheap and only use it for the gym, but the lack of ANC and reliability issues make it hard to recommend at full price.

The sound is solid for the price, landing in the 66th percentile. It's punchy and clear enough to keep you motivated, though audiophiles will notice the lack of depth. The real star is battery life, hitting 6 hours in the buds and a whopping 42 total with the case, which puts it well above average. But the call quality is a real letdown, sitting at the 34th percentile. Your voice will sound muffled and distant to whoever's on the other end, so don't plan on taking work calls with these. Connectivity is middle of the pack, and we saw some reports of random dropouts.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or the EarFun Air Pro 4+, the Push Ultra feels like a one-trick pony. Those competitors offer ANC, better mics, and a more pocketable case. The Soundcore P31i and SoundPEATS H3 also beat it on call quality and overall polish. The Skullcandy's only real win is its rugged, gym-rat durability and that ear-hook fit, which none of the others can match. If you don't need the hooks, skip this.

Pricing is all over the map, from $39 to $110. At the lower end, you're getting a tank of a workout bud with killer battery life, and that's a steal. But if you're paying near the top of that range, you're in a tough spot because the competition gets fierce. The lack of ANC and the fragile hook design make it a risky buy unless you snag it on a deep discount.

Skullcandy built the Push Ultra for people who treat their earbuds like gym equipment. They're IP67 rated, which means they'll survive sweat, rain, and a rinse in the sink. The moldable ear hooks lock everything in place, and the Stay Aware design intentionally lets outside noise in so you don't get flattened by a bus on your run. It's a focused fitness tool, not an all-rounder.

If you need to take calls on your earbuds, look elsewhere because the mic is genuinely bad. And if you want a set-it-and-forget-it pair that lives in your bag, the fragile ear hooks and finicky charging case will drive you nuts. Anyone wanting noise cancellation should also steer clear.

The Skullcandy Push Ultra is a niche pick for outdoor runners and gym fanatics who prioritize a locked-in fit and waterproofing above all else. If you need a beater pair that can survive a mud run and you never take phone calls, you'll be happy. Everyone else should keep scrolling.