Skullcandy Push Active S2BPW-P751

The Skullcandy Push Active nail the gym essentials: killer battery life, secure ear hooks, and IP55 protection. Sound is fine for the price, but the mic is weak and the forced app registration is annoying. Worth it if you find them under $60 and mainly want workout buds.

Battery life is the headline here. Ten hours in the buds and another 34 in the case puts these near the top of our database for endurance. The 6mm drivers deliver decent sound for the price, though things get distorted when you crank the volume. Bluetooth 5.2 pairs fast and stays connected. The mic is the weak spot, scoring 41/100 for calls, so don't expect to sound great on a conference call mid-run. The ear hooks and IP55 rating make these genuinely good for active use, but the app requirement drags the whole experience down.

Against the Soundcore P31i, the Push Active win on battery and fit security but lose on app experience and mic quality. The Sony WF-C700N sound noticeably better and have actual ANC, but they cost more and lack the ear hooks that make the Skullcandy so stable during workouts. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ bring better overall polish and a more reliable software experience. If you want the most secure fit for running and lifting, the Push Active are the pick. If you want better sound or a less annoying app, look elsewhere.

Pricing is all over the place. We're seeing these listed anywhere from $45 to $80 across US retailers, which is a $35 spread. At the low end, the Push Active are a steal for gym earbuds with this kind of battery life. At $80, you're competing with better-sounding options. If you can snag them near $45, the value proposition is hard to argue with. Just know you're rolling the dice on long-term durability.

The Skullcandy Push Active earbuds are built for one thing: staying in your ears while you sweat. The ear hooks do their job, the battery refuses to die, and the IP55 rating means you don't have to baby them at the gym. At the price they usually sell for, that's a solid pitch.

But there's a catch. Skullcandy forces you through an online account setup just to remap the buttons, and the app has a habit of crashing without internet. That's a weird hill to die on for a pair of workout buds.

Skip these if you take frequent phone calls, the mic quality will frustrate you. Also skip if you hate mandatory app accounts, because Skullcandy makes you register online just to remap buttons. And if you need earbuds that'll last years, the durability complaints are concerning enough to consider alternatives like the Soundcore P31i.

Buy these if you want earbuds that stay put during intense workouts and you don't want to charge them every other day. The battery and fit are genuinely great for the price. Skip them if you take a lot of calls or if the idea of creating an online account just to change button functions makes your eye twitch. For gym rats on a budget, especially under $60, these are a solid buy.