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Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC vs Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

Both are Skullcandy over-ears with active noise cancelling, but they aim at different listeners. The Hesh 540 ANC is the travel and work pick: it folds, pairs to two devices at once, runs up to 65 hours with ANC off, and adds THX Spatial Audio plus a 5-band EQ in the app. The Crusher 540 Active is the bass pick, with a bass slider and a water-resistant build, and its much larger owner base rates it higher. Pick the Hesh for features and portability, the Crusher for low-end punch and durability.

  • Choose the Hesh 540 ANC if you want foldable travel headphones with multipoint, spatial audio and very long battery life.
  • Choose the Crusher 540 Active if deep, adjustable bass matters more to you than a folding design or multipoint.

Prices

  • Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC: $44.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active: $175.99 at Best Buy (checked today)
  • Difference: the Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC is $131.99 cheaper than the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 11)
Skullcandy
Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC Wireless Headphones

Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC

Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC Wireless Headphones

4.2(618 ratings)
$44.00at eBayChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
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Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Folds flat for bags and commutes
  • Multipoint keeps phone and laptop connected
  • THX Spatial Audio and a 5-band EQ in the app
  • Up to 65 hours with ANC off and fast top-ups
  • 3.5mm aux works when the battery is empty
Cons
  • Fewer owner ratings to judge long-term reliability
  • No water-resistance rating
  • Bass is preset-based, not adjustable on the fly
Skullcandy
Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

4.4(4,369 ratings)
$175.99at Best BuyChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Best Buy

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Bass slider gives strong, adjustable low end
  • Water resistant for workouts and weather
  • Higher owner rating across a much larger pool
  • Simple on-ear controls
Cons
  • Does not fold, so it takes more bag space
  • No multipoint or spatial audio listed
  • Battery life not published

What separates them

Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANCSkullcandy Crusher 540 Active
Bass controlFixed tuning with Bass Boost EQ presetAdjustable bass slider for on-the-fly rumble
FoldingFoldable for compact storageDoes not fold
Battery lifeUp to 65 hours with ANC off, 4 hours from a 10-minute chargeNot stated by the maker
MultipointPairs to two devices at once, plus Google Fast PairNot listed
Water resistanceNot ratedWater resistant
Spatial audioTHX Spatial AudioStereo only
Wired option3.5mm aux inputNot listed
Owner ratings4.2 from about 618 ratings4.4 from about 4,369 ratings

Price history

$181.99$60.00
Oct 28Nov 11
  • Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC: lowest $60.00 on Nov 8 at eBay; $60.00 on Nov 10.
  • Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active: lowest $175.99 on Nov 10 at Best Buy; $175.99 on Nov 11.

Prices at every store

Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Master GoodsReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $84.00Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by dam3877 (0% positive, 0 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $44.00+ $6.71 shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit eBay
  • InstacartNew

    Availability unknown

    $101.59Checked Nov 10
    Visit Instacart
  • Hyper MicrosystemsNew

    Availability unknown

    $109.99Checked Nov 10
    Visit Hyper Microsystems

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 20 stores and price history →

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $175.99Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Best Buy

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecSkullcandy Hesh 540 ANCSkullcandy Crusher 540 Active
FoldableYesNo
WirelessYYes
ColorBlackBlack
Noise CancellingActive Noise CancellingActive Noise Cancelling
Speaker Configuration2.0 (stereo)2.0 (stereo)
Type of HeadphoneOver-EarOver-Ear
Headphone Cup TypeOver-ear—
Body Part UseEars—
Noise Cancellation TypeActive—
Max Battery Life65 hours (ANC Off)—
Recharge Time2 hour(s)—
Rechargeable BatteryYes—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSkullcandy Hesh 540 ANCSkullcandy Crusher 540 Active
Connectivity TechnologyBluetooth—
Wireless TypeBluetooth—
Bluetooth Version5.3—
Compatible DevicesPortable electronics, Game console—
Ports And Interfaces3.5mm Aux—
Transmission Range33 ft—
StyleOver-ear—
Dimensions7.20 inches (height)—
MaterialSoft-touch pillows—
Driver Size

What reviewers say

Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC

  • 4.2 / 5618 ratings

Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 618 ratings, the Hesh 540 ANC draws praise for battery life and value and complaints about noise canceling strength and sound tuning.

What people mention
  • BatteryPraisedOwners report going days or weeks between charges, especially with ANC off.
  • Noise cancelingMixedThe ANC cuts steady noise like engines but lets voices and sharper sounds through.
  • SoundMixedListeners like the spatial mode for movies but find the default tuning bass-forward.
  • ComfortPraisedThe soft-touch pads and light clamp suit long listening sessions.

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

  • 4.4 / 54,369 ratings

Owners rate the Crusher 540 Active highly, mostly for the adjustable bass and battery life. Complaints centre on comfort during long sessions and noise cancelling that trails the best in its class.

What people mention
  • Bass sliderPraisedOwners call the adjustable Crusher bass the reason to buy, saying it adds a physical thump you can tune down.
  • Battery lifePraisedReviewers report the battery lasting through long days and quick top-ups when it runs low.
  • ComfortCriticisedSeveral owners say the clamping force and padding feel tight after a few hours of wear.

Questions and answers

Which is better for commuting?
The Hesh 540 ANC. It folds, pairs to two devices, and its ANC plus long battery suit trains and planes. The Crusher's water resistance helps in rain but it takes more room.
Which has more bass?
The Crusher 540 Active. Its bass slider lets you dial in heavy low end. The Hesh relies on a Bass Boost EQ preset, which is milder and fixed.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
The Hesh 540 ANC, rated up to 65 hours with ANC off. Skullcandy does not publish a battery figure for the Crusher 540 Active.
Is the Hesh worth stepping up to over the Crusher?
If you want folding, multipoint, spatial audio and a wired backup, yes. If bass and water resistance are the priority, the Crusher is the better fit.
Can I take either to the gym?
The Crusher 540 Active is the safer choice because it is water resistant. The Hesh 540 ANC has no water-resistance rating, so sweat and rain are a risk.
Which do owners rate higher?
The Crusher 540 Active, at 4.4 from about 4,369 ratings versus 4.2 from about 618 for the Hesh 540 ANC. The Crusher's sample is far larger.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Skullcandy wireless noise-cancelling headphones
40 mm
—
Frequency Response20Hz - 20KHz—
Headphone Impedance36Ω—
Sound OutputSurround Sound—
Audio HighlightsTHX Spatial Audio—
Microphone HighlightsClear Voice Smart Mic, Natural Voice Sidetone f…—
Battery life65 hour(s)—
Headphone styleOver-Ear—
Noise control technologyActive Noise Cancellation—
Wireless technologyBluetooth v5.3—
FeaturesBuilt-in Microphone—
BrandSkullcandy—
Rec. usePortable electronics, Game console—
Works withiPhone, Android—
Assembled product weight0.9 lb—
Accessoriesdrawstring bag—
Battery consumption typeIntegrated Rechargeable Battery—
Power typeBattery—
Headphone typeHeadphones—
Noise cancellingMixed
ANC is seen as useful for steady noise but weaker than class leaders at voices and low drone.