Skullcandy Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 On-Ear Bluetooth Review

The Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is the king of 'good enough' for under $50. You get multipoint Bluetooth and a quick charge feature you usually don't see at this price. Sound and mic quality are just average, but for podcasts, videos, and casual music, they get the job done. If you need a cheap, no-worries pair of wireless headphones, this is it.

The Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is the headphone you buy when you just need something that works. It's not trying to be the fanciest thing on the block, and that's kind of the point. For under $50, you get a simple, durable pair of on-ears that can connect to two devices at once and even work with a wire if the battery dies. It's a no-fuss solution for someone who wants to listen to podcasts on their laptop and take calls on their phone without breaking the bank.

Looking at the numbers, the Riff 2 is solidly average across the board. Its percentile rankings in our database—sound, comfort, battery, mic—all hover right around the 48th to 50th percentile. That means it's smack in the middle of the pack. The sound is fine for casual listening, the battery will get you through a day, and the mic is okay for quick calls. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's not going to disappoint for basic tasks either. The 'low-latency game mode' is a nice touch, though on a budget set like this, it's more about preventing audio lag from being annoying than enabling pro-level competitive play.

Here's where the Riff 2 absolutely shines. With a street price that dances between $16 and $48, it's one of the cheapest ways to get multipoint Bluetooth and a wired backup. You're paying peanuts for a set of features that usually starts at the $100 mark. It's not about beating the premium headphones on sound; it's about getting 80% of the core functionality for 20% of the price. For a student, a second pair for the gym, or a backup for travel, the value proposition is hard to argue with.

The obvious competitors are in a completely different league—and price bracket. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are $300+ noise-canceling masters. Comparing the Riff 2 to them is like comparing a reliable hatchback to a luxury sedan. A more direct budget competitor might be something like the JBL Tune 510BT. The trade-off there is often single-point Bluetooth and slightly better sound for a similar price. The Riff 2 wins on convenience with multipoint and the wired option. If you need better sound or call quality, you'll need to spend at least twice as much. If you just need a wireless connection that works, this is your huckleberry.

Skip the Riff Wireless 2 if you're an audiophile or need pristine sound for music production. The 49th percentile sound score means it's middling at best. Also, avoid these if you take a lot of work calls; the microphone is genuinely poor and will make you sound like you're in a tunnel. Commuters who need silence should look elsewhere, as the lack of any noise cancellation is a deal-breaker on loud trains or buses. For those use cases, consider stepping up to even a budget ANC model like the Anker Soundcore Life Q20, or investing in a proper headset with a boom mic for calls.

Buy the Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 if you need a supremely affordable, tough, and convenient pair of headphones for everyday basics. They're perfect for a teenager's first set, for watching videos on a tablet, or as a backup pair you won't cry over if they get lost. The multipoint and quick charge features are genuine luxuries at this price. Skip them entirely if sound quality or clear voice calls are your priority. The mic is bad, and the audio is just okay. For dedicated music listening or work calls, you'll want to invest more. For everyone else just looking to untether from their device cheaply, this is a surprisingly competent pick.