Skullcandy Icon ANC S5IOW-S740
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.
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
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.
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 | JBL Tune 670NC | Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 | 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 | 32 | 45 | 37 |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 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 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 60 | 60 | 90 | 70 | 60 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skullcandy Icon ANC S5IOW-S740 | 89.7 | 64 | 98.4 | 73.4 | 91.3 | 51.5 | 87.8 | 83.6 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Compare | 94.2 | 82.6 | 90.7 | 100 | 91.3 | 87.1 | 95.9 | 89.8 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.7 | 82.6 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.7 | 51.5 | 96.7 | 95.1 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64 | 75.3 | 57.4 | 94.3 | 87.1 | 99.1 | 98.7 |
| Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 Compare | 98.2 | 75.6 | 94.3 | 98.2 | 91.3 | 51.5 | 97.7 | 61.1 |
| Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Compare | 98.2 | 75.6 | 75.3 | 95.9 | 86.6 | 51.5 | 98.8 | 77.1 |
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.
Amazon 1 offer From £90
Price History
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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.
