Skullcandy Skullcandy Mod True Wireless In-Ear Headphones Review
The Skullcandy Mods offer a lot of features for under $70, but do they sound good enough to buy? We break down the pros, cons, and who they're really for.
The 30-Second Version
The Skullcandy Mods are a solid budget pick with great battery life and a killer app, but their sound and mic quality are just average. They're a good value if you're not an audiophile and want reliable, customizable buds for under $70.
Overview
Skullcandy's Mod True Wireless earbuds are trying to do a lot for not a lot of money. You get IP55 water resistance, a customizable app, and a total of 34 hours of battery life with the case. It's a feature set that punches above its price tag, at least on paper.
In practice, they're a classic case of 'good enough.' They won't blow you away with sound quality, and the noise cancellation is basic. But for the price, they deliver a reliable, no-fuss experience that gets the job done.
Performance
Performance is a mixed bag, which is exactly what you'd expect at this price. The 7-hour battery life per charge is decent, landing in the 56th percentile in our database. Sound quality sits right in the middle of the pack at the 47th percentile—it's fine for podcasts and pop music, but don't expect deep, rich bass or crystal-clear highs. The mic and ANC are both below average, so calls can get muddy in noisy places, and you'll still hear a lot of the world around you.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Skullcandy app is surprisingly good for customization. 96th
- Battery life is solid for the price. 94th
- IP55 rating means you can sweat on them or get caught in the rain. 89th
- They're cheap and easy to find. 85th
Cons
- Sound quality is just okay, nothing special. 3th
- The microphone struggles in noisy environments.
- Noise cancellation is weak compared to competitors.
- Build quality feels a bit plasticky.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | Dual Ear True Wireless Earbud |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 6 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Max SPL | 95 |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 7 |
| Fast Charging | 10min=2hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 27 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 2 |
| NC Mic | No |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Water Resistance | IP55 |
Value & Pricing
For $60 to $62, the Mods are a fair deal. You're not getting premium anything, but you are getting a complete package: decent battery, water resistance, and that handy app. If your main criteria is 'wireless earbuds that work and won't break the bank,' these fit the bill. Just don't expect them to compete with models twice their price.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up against the competition, the Mods play a specific role. The Nothing Ear (a) costs more but offers significantly better sound and design. The Anker Soundcore P3i is a closer price match and often beats the Mods on ANC performance. And if you can stretch your budget, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is in a different league entirely for noise cancellation and sound. The Mod's real advantage is its app and brand familiarity for Skullcandy fans.
| Spec | Skullcandy Skullcandy Mod True Wireless In-Ear Headphones | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-C MS Earbuds with USB-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 27 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: How is the call quality?
It's not great. Our mic score puts it in the 43rd percentile, meaning callers might have trouble hearing you clearly if you're outside or in a noisy room.
Q: Can you use just one earbud?
Yes, you can use either earbud solo for calls or music, which is a handy feature for staying aware of your surroundings.
Q: Are they good for working out?
The IP55 rating means they're sweat and water resistant, but our fitness score is very low (6.7/100), likely because the fit isn't super secure for intense activity.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're an audiophile or need top-tier noise cancellation for commuting or flights. The sound is middling and the ANC is weak. Also, if you take a lot of important calls, the mediocre mic quality will frustrate you and whoever's on the other end.
Verdict
Buy the Skullcandy Mods if you're on a tight budget, want simple customizable sound, and need buds that can handle a workout or a commute. They're a straightforward, capable pair for everyday use where perfect audio isn't the priority.