Skullcandy Icon ANC S5IOW-S740

★★★★☆ 4.4 (822)

The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver 20Hz-20kHz response with active noise canceling and adjustable Stay-Aware mode, backed by an IPX4 rating and a durable metal headband. Its 60-hour battery life and 10-minute rapid charge for 4 hours of playback make it a practical travel companion, with a foldable design and protective bag. Best for active commuters and board-sports users who need sweat resistance, long battery, and ANC without spending premium prices.

form factor over-ear
driver type dynamic
driver size mm 40
impedance ohms 32
Wireless Yes
active noise cancellation Yes
open closed back closed
bluetooth version 5.3
Skullcandy Icon ANC S5IOW-S740 headphones
76 Overall Score
Also available in:

Snapshot

The 30-Second Version

60 hours of battery and a metal headband for under a hundred bucks. The mic is rough and the fit gets old after a few hours, but for the price, this thing is a steal.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 60-hour battery is absurd for this price 98th
  • Metal headband and IPX4 rating make it genuinely durable 91st
  • ANC is way better than expected at this price point 90th
  • Lightweight at 227g and folds up for travel 88th

Cons

  • Call quality is rough, 51.3 score is a real weak spot
  • On-ear fit gets uncomfortable after a few hours
  • Max volume is not loud enough for some users
  • Treble is too subdued for rock and metal

What owners think

The Word on the Street

4.4/5 (822 reviews)
👍 Owners consistently rave about the battery life, with many saying it lasts for days between charges.
👍 The lightweight design and durable build get a lot of love from people who use these for travel and workouts.
🤔 Noise cancellation is a recurring point of debate, with some users impressed for the price and others wishing it blocked out more.
👎 A handful of users find the on-ear fit uncomfortable after extended wear, with one comparing it to a skull crusher.

The proof

Performance

The battery is the headline here. 60 hours of playback with a 10-minute quick charge giving you 4 more hours is genuinely impressive, and it lands in the top 10% of all headphones we track. The ANC is also surprisingly decent for the price, sitting in the 90th percentile. Sound quality is solid but not spectacular, with a bass-forward tuning that works great for hip-hop and EDM but leaves rock and metal feeling a bit dull in the treble. The mic is the weak spot, scoring just 51.3 for calls, so don't expect to sound great on Zoom.

Performance Percentiles

Anc 89.7
Mic 64
Build 98.4
Sound 73.4
Battery 91.3
Comfort 51.5
Connectivity 87.8
Social Proof 83.6

Specifications

Full Specifications

Design

Form Factor over-ear
Open/Closed closed
Foldable Yes
Weight 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs
Headband metal

Audio

Driver Type dynamic
Driver Size 40
Drivers 1
Freq Min 20
Freq Max 20000
Impedance 32
Sensitivity 97.5
Max SPL 97.5
Codecs Skullcandy Icon ANC Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Up to 60 Hours Battery, Sweat Water Resistant, Foldable and Durable, Microphone for iPhone Android - True Black

Noise Control

ANC Yes
ANC Type adjustable
Transparency Yes

Connectivity

Wireless Yes
Bluetooth 5.3
Multipoint No
Wired Connector 3.5mm
Detachable Cable Yes

Battery

Battery Life 60
Fast Charging 10 Minutes for 4 Hours
Charging USB-C

Microphone

Microphone Yes
Mic Count 1
NC Mic Yes

Features

Voice Assistant ✓
Touch Controls No
App Mimi
Volume Limiting No
Water Resistance IPX4

vs Competition

Against the Soundcore Life Q20, the Icon ANC has better build quality and battery life, but the Q20 is more comfortable for long sessions thanks to its over-ear design. The TOZO HT3 is cheaper and has a warmer sound signature, but the Skullcandy's ANC is noticeably stronger. The JBL Tune 670NC is the closest competitor in terms of price and features, but the Icon ANC beats it on battery life by a wide margin. If comfort is your top priority, the Q20 is the better pick. If you want the best battery and durability for the money, the Icon ANC wins.

Spec Skullcandy Icon ANC S5IOW-S740 Soundcore Life Q20 TOZO HT3 Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 JBL Tune 670NC Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus
Form Factor over-ear over-ear over-ear on-ear on-ear over-ear
Driver Type dynamic dynamic dynamic dynamic dynamic dynamic
Driver Size (mm) 40 40 40 45 32 37
Impedance Ohms 32 16 16 48 32 560
Wireless true true true true true true
Active Noise Cancellation true true true true true true
Open Closed Back closed closed closed closed closed closed
Bluetooth Version 5.3 5.0 6.0 5.4 5.3 5.2
Battery Life Hours 60 60 90 60 70 50
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AncMicBuildSoundBatteryComfortConnectivitySocial Proof
Skullcandy Icon ANC S5IOW-S740 89.76498.473.491.351.587.883.6
Soundcore Life Q20 Compare 94.282.690.710091.387.195.989.8
TOZO HT3 Compare 89.782.694.398.697.751.596.795.1
Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 Compare 98.275.694.398.291.351.597.761.1
JBL Tune 670NC Compare 98.26475.357.494.387.199.198.7
Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Compare 98.275.675.395.986.651.598.877.1

Price

Value & Pricing

At USD 64 to USD 100 depending on where you shop, this is a no-brainer if you can find it at the lower end. The USD 36 spread across vendors is worth paying attention to, and the best deal we're seeing is at the USD 64 listing. For that money, you're getting a 60-hour battery, decent ANC, and a build that feels like it'll survive being tossed in a bag. At the full USD 100, it's still fine, but the value proposition gets shakier.

From €100 1 offer across 1 retailer
Amazon 1 offer From €100

Price History

€40 €60 €80 €100 €120 May 29Jul 19Oct 23 €100

Read more

Overview

The Skullcandy Icon ANC is a budget on-ear headphone that punches way above its weight in build quality and battery life. The one thing to know: you're getting a 60-hour battery and a metal headband for under a hundred bucks, and that combo is rare. It's not the best-sounding thing out there, but for the price, it's a genuinely solid grab-and-go pair.

Common Questions

Q: How long does the battery actually last?

Skullcandy claims 60 hours, and real-world reports back that up. Even with ANC on, you're looking at multiple days of use before needing to charge. The 10-minute quick charge giving 4 hours is also legit.

Q: Are these good for working out?

Yes, with a caveat. The IPX4 rating means they'll survive sweat and light rain, and the metal headband is durable. But the on-ear fit can get uncomfortable during long sessions, so they're better for shorter workouts.

Q: Can I use these wired?

Yes, there's a 3.5mm jack included, so you can plug in when the battery dies or if you want to use them with a device that doesn't have Bluetooth.

Who Should Skip This

If you're looking for all-day comfort or great call quality, this isn't it. The on-ear design gets uncomfortable after a few hours, and the mic score of 51.3 means you'll sound muffled on calls. Go get the Soundcore Life Q20 for comfort or the JBL Tune 670NC if calls matter more.

Verdict

The Skullcandy Icon ANC is a genuinely good buy for anyone who wants a durable, long-lasting pair of wireless headphones without spending over USD 100. The battery life alone makes it worth considering, and the ANC is a pleasant surprise. Just know that the on-ear fit and mediocre mic mean it's not the best choice for all-day office use or frequent calls. For travel, workouts, and everyday listening, it's an easy recommendation.

Usage Scores

Work (59.7)Calls (51.3)Music (60.8)Overall (76.3)Budget (77.6)Gaming (64)Studio (59.7)Commute (70.2)

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