Skullcandy EcoBuds: Harmonizing Sustainability and Sound – Are They Worth the Hype?

Skullcandy EcoBuds are advertised as eco-friendly true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. The manufacturer reports that they consist of «65 percent certified recycled plastics and 57 percent fewer heavy metals,» leading to a carbon footprint that is 50 percent less than comparable items available. On the surface, these assertions are impressive. Who wouldn’t want to assist in efforts toward a cleaner environment? The initial price may be higher than expected due to the cost associated with sustainable earphones, especially lithium batteries.

The charging dock for the Skullcandy EcoBuds lacks a battery. Therefore, when the earphones are stored in the magnetic case, it serves only for storage. Unlike typical TWS earphones, they do not recharge in their case. They do support reverse charging via an integrated USB Type-C cable, allowing you to connect them to any USB Type-C port, even on your mobile device, to recharge the earphones. Does this innovation, combined with their sustainability focus, justify the price of Rs. 3,999? Let’s explore.

Design and Features of Skullcandy EcoBuds: Lightweight and Practical

• Dimensions (with case) — 102 x 60 x 30mm
• Weight (with case) — 40g
• Water and dust rating — IPX4
• Color — Glacier

The Skullcandy EcoBuds feature a classic in-ear design and come with three sizes of gel tips: small, medium, and large. The medium size suits me best, providing a reasonable fit, although they may not be the most comfortable for lengthy use. Each earbud has touch sensors easily identified by engraved logos of the company. The charging points are located on the inside of the earbud stems.

The storage dock is equipped with a short USB Type-C cable

The earphones include a magnetic storage dock featuring a built-in USB Type-C cable that neatly tucks away when not in use. In my view, this compensates for the absence of a battery. I wouldn’t appreciate having to hunt for or carry an additional loose cable. Although the earbuds are securely held by magnets, the case is uncovered. Thus, you should avoid making the error I did of tossing them into a tote with other items. During transit, one earbud slipped out of the case, causing a moment of panic until it dropped from the folds of my umbrella. Aside from this, the earphones and case are compact, light, and easy to transport.

The Skullcandy EcoBuds are released in a single Glacier color variant, showcasing a blue and white marbled design on both the earphones and the storage dock. The integrated USB Type-C cable is white with speckled sand-like details. With an IPX4 splash resistance rating, they measure 102 x 60 x 30mm and weigh 40g when combined with the case.

Specifications and Controls of Skullcandy EcoBuds: Too Basic?

• Driver — 6mm
• Gesture controls — Yes
• Companion app — No

The Skullcandy EcoBuds utilize 6mm drivers according to their Amazon listing. We will touch on their sound quality shortly, but for now, let’s examine the control mechanism. Like many TWS earphones, the EcoBuds feature capacitative touch controls, but unlike several rivals, they lack a companion app. This affects me on two fronts. First, you can only toggle between three pre-set EQ modes—music, bass, and podcast—without the option to customize them. Although I can overlook this since I don’t expect a studio-quality experience, the absence of an app means that all controls rely on gestures, which is the second point. You’ll need to memorize a few gestures, so let’s review them.

The charging connectors are located on the side of the stems

A single tap on either earbud plays or pauses music and accepts calls, while a long press adjusts the volume (left for down, right for up). A double tap on either earbud skips to the next track, and a triple tap goes back to the previous one. A quadruple tap on the right earbud cycles through the EQ settings, while a quadruple tap on the left earbud activates the assistant for the connected device. Holding for six seconds disconnects the device, while a double tap followed by a one-second hold turns off the earbuds.

Yes, it’s as laborious to remember as it was to describe, but I primarily managed the play/pause and volume functions, which were straightforward enough. The more complicated aspect at the outset was switching between EQ modes, but I adjusted to it over time.

Performance and Battery Life of Skullcandy EcoBuds: Chaotic Neutral

• Fast Charging — Yes (claimed 10 minutes for up to 2 hours)
• Bluetooth — Bluetooth 5.2

How’s the sound quality of Skullcandy EcoBuds? Better than expected. With 6mm drivers, I had low expectations for the audio experience, which were pleasantly surpassed. Overall, they deliver a clear and vibrant sound quality. The podcast mode emphasizes vocals, the bass boost setting enhances the bass, while the music mode provides a well-balanced audio experience among the three.

The charging cable conveniently folds back into the dock when not in use

The sound remains clear at all levels, though higher notes may distort beyond 70 percent volume. For example, you can catch distortion in high notes during Nirvana’s About A Girl. Generally, the audio clarity is good, but it lacks the detail you’d find with larger drivers. From tracks like Gooey by Glass Animals to Ramble On by Led Zeppelin (the latter in bass mode), the audio output is adequate to keep you engaged while cleaning or walking to the local store.

Although the Skullcandy EcoBuds do not feature active noise cancellation (ANC), the company states these earbuds offer a «noise-isolating fit.» This claim holds some truth. They do isolate certain noises, but not a significant degree. If you’re accustomed to ANC headphones, particularly in crowded areas, transitioning to EcoBuds may feel a bit off. Nevertheless, I found that the lack of ANC didn’t significantly alter my experience since I mainly used them casually (i.e., to disconnect) instead of for calls or focused work.

The Skullcandy EcoBuds utilize Bluetooth 5.2 and connect easily to paired devices each time they are removed from the case. You can use either earbud independently. The audio synchronizes well, even if you insert the second earbud mid-track. The microphone functionality is adequate but not exceptional; it picks up ambient noise along with your speech. For example, a fan’s noise can overshadow your voice. In bustling environments or outdoors, you may prefer to answer calls using your phone audio instead.

The earphones arrive in plastic-free, recyclable packaging

In a landscape where numerous top brands compete with TWS earphones offering 30 to 40 hours or more total battery life, Skullcandy EcoBuds provide around 8 hours of playback time. In comparison to other popular TWS earphones, this is a reasonable average. Initially, I was concerned about the lack of a battery in the storage case. The thought of being caught on the metro with nonfunctional earphones was unsettling. Thankfully, I encountered no such issues. A mere 10 minutes of charging yields almost two hours of playback. With a full hour of charging, the earphones offer approximately eight hours of use. I recorded 8 hours and 13 minutes of playback during a single charge cycle.

Charging the earphones is quite simple. You pull out the USB Type-C cable from the back of the storage dock and connect it to a USB Type-C port. In my case, I typically charged them through my phone, and they reached full charge in about an hour. This setup is efficient; you don’t need to carry a separate charger (yes, in most cases, the dock would suffice, but when necessary!) and it doesn’t significantly drain your phone’s battery. The compact design of the earbuds allows you to continue using your phone as normal. You can also use a power bank or any device with a USB Type-C port to charge them.

I must admit that the absence of a charging case was somewhat annoying for the initial couple of days, though not practically troublesome. However, I adapted quickly. Charging on the go remains plausible, and it eliminates one more gadget that requires nightly charging.

The compact design of the earphones and dock enhances portability

Final Thoughts on Skullcandy EcoBuds

The Skullcandy EcoBuds qualify as good TWS earphones. They maintain stable connectivity, deliver clear sound, and provide the advertised battery life. The sustainability factor also earns commendation for your global citizenry (to whatever degree that matters). So, do these earphones justify the Rs. 3,999 price tag? The answer can be both yes and no, based on individual preferences. Would you prioritize sound fidelity and a total battery life of 40 hours over moral considerations? In my perspective, they are suitable for casual listeners.

However, if you aim to acquire your singular pair of daily use earphones, rather than an additional portable option, you may discover better choices in this price category that offer superior fit, additional features, charging cases (even if less environmentally friendly), and accompanying applications.

The Realme Buds Air 6 (Review) can be yours for Rs. 3,299, boasting nearly 40 hours of total battery life. Alternatively, consider the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro (Review) for a more comfortable fit and a more harmonized sound experience, also at the same price point.

For just Rs. 300 more, the CMF Buds Pro 2 offer up to 50dB ANC, a total battery life of up to 43 hours, and features integrated with ChatGPT via the Nothing X app.

The absence of a charging case does not deter me. Plus, the audio quality suffices for casual listening. Within this competitive price bracket, other features could enhance the listening experience. Ideally, there would one day be a balance between being an audio enthusiast and an environmentally responsible consumer, but perhaps, as Dean Martin said, «Today is not that day.»