Skullcandy has elicited quite a reputation over the years. Whether you’re someone who grew up using the company’s various products, or someone who prefers the higher quality and more expensive options, you probably recognize the name. Despite having made a name in the budget audio market, Skullcandy’s cheaper wireless options have never really stuck. The company’s latest pair, however, the Skullcandy Dime, could be exactly what the budget earbud crowd has been waiting for. It’s easy to look at the $25 price tag on the Skullcandy Dime and write it off, but this budget-friendly pair of buds is more than worth the investment, though they aren’t quite perfect.
Mighty Small
One of the biggest appeals of the Skullcandy Dime is the size. Both earbuds are tiny, just a little bigger than an American dime. Their stems are also short, which helps them fit nicely in your ear. Each one has small, medium, and large options for the silicone ends that stick into your ear, which keep the buds in place while also helping to isolate against outside noise. Each earbud also has controls built into the logo button on the side, so you can control playback, volume, and even end or take calls with the press of a button. You can also choose to use just one earbud at a time; maybe you don’t need both, or you just want to save the battery in that second one for a little later. However, because each bud only has one button, some of the controls rely on you using both at the same time. When stored in the included charging case, the Dime is smaller than most key fobs, making it extremely easy to take with you wherever you go. The case also comes with a small keychain connection, so you can easily connect it to your keys, bag, or any other item you want to store it on.
Big Sound
Despite the convenience the Skullcandy Dime offers, all of that is for naught if the sound quality sucks. Fortunately, that isn’t the case here. The Dime follows in typical Skullcandy fashion, providing a heavy, bass-y sound. This works well for listening to music or audio with a really punchy soundscape like hip hop, rock, and metal. If you prefer more easy listening, light rock, or something with a lot of highs, you’ll find that much of it comes off very muddled. I wouldn’t say the audio quality is on par with what you’d expect from more premium brands, but if you don’t want to spend the $149 for a pair of AirPods, and don’t mind a few compromises, the Skullcandy Dime is exceptional for the price you pay.
The Cost of Affordability
Finding good budget-friendly tech gear is always great, but most of the time that lower price comes at a cost. One of the biggest negatives about the Skullcandy Dime is the fact it only holds a three and a half hour charge. The charging case can hold an additional eight and a half hours of charge, giving you a total of 12 hours of battery life before you have to plug it back in. If you just want to use the Dime for jogging or gym visits, then you’re probably not going to notice any issues—it even has an IPX4 sweat and water-resistance rating. On the other hand, if you like to listen to music all day at work, you’ll find yourself stopping and recharging it throughout the day. The small and cheap design means cuts elsewhere, too. The overall package is plastic, meaning it won’t be as durable as other options out there. The charging cable is also extremely short, so you’ll want to buy a USB extender to keep it from hanging out of the wall. The Skullcandy Dime isn’t the best set of true wireless earbuds out there. But, for the price, it’s almost unbeatable.
