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Skullcandy Chops Bud Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£20
Avg. price in US: ~$20
Form factor: in-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Skullcandy Chops Bud review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

4.3

Poor

3.3

Poor

8.4

Excellent

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.9
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
8.8
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
7.1
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
8.8
Weight
24.0%
10
Water resistance
20.0%
5.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Verdict

The Skullcandy Chops Bud is a wired sports earbud featuring a unique swivel-hinge hanger design and 15mm dynamic drivers that deliver a frequency range of 20Hz–20kHz with 32-ohm impedance. Its bonded, moisture-resistant construction and adjustable over-the-ear hangers provide a secure, sweat-proof fit ideal for high-impact activities like running or skating. Main advantages include exceptional stability during workouts, a lightweight 18g build, and a swivel feature that allows for situational awareness by swinging the bud out to hear surroundings. However, some users report a lack of deep bass response, potential discomfort from the large earbud size, and occasional durability issues with the 1.2m cable.

Technical Specifications of Skullcandy Chops Bud

Overall score

4.3

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

2.0

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

4.4

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

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Connectivity

6.6

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

4.4

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

7.3

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Skullcandy

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

in-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

open-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Skullcandy Chops Bud vs the average headphone

Why is Skullcandy Chops Bud better than the average headphone?

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68.8% lower weight
Skullcandy Chops Bud is lighter than the average headphone (68 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Skullcandy Chops Bud is lighter than the average headphone (68 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.68 g vs 218 g
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Skullcandy Chops Bud includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Skullcandy Chops Bud includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
In-line controls
Skullcandy Chops Bud includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Skullcandy Chops Bud includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
4.5x cheaper
Skullcandy Chops Bud is cheaper than the average headphone (£20 vs £90).
Skullcandy Chops Bud is cheaper than the average headphone (£20 vs £90).£20 vs £90
Water resistance
Skullcandy Chops Bud is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
IPX4
What it is: Protection level against water exposure
When it matters: When workouts, commuting, or outdoor use expose the headphones to moisture.
Importance: MEDIUM
Skullcandy Chops Bud is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
2.15x more popular
Skullcandy Chops Bud is more popular than the average headphone (10.00 vs 4.646).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Skullcandy Chops Bud is more popular than the average headphone (10.00 vs 4.646).10 vs 4.65
68.8% lower weight
Skullcandy Chops Bud is lighter than the average headphone (68 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Water resistance
Skullcandy Chops Bud is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Skullcandy Chops Bud includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
In-line controls
Skullcandy Chops Bud includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.

Calls & Controls

Why is Skullcandy Chops Bud worse than the average headphone?

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Fixed cable
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
No passive noise reduction
Skullcandy Chops Bud does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
25 mm smaller driver size
Skullcandy Chops Bud has smaller driver size than the average headphone (15 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
10 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
18 dB lower max SPL
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (92 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
11 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (92 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
No voice assistant support
Skullcandy Chops Bud does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
5 years older release date
Skullcandy Chops Bud was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
December 2012
No passive noise reduction
Skullcandy Chops Bud does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones reduce outside noise through physical sealing, fit, and materials rather than active electronics.
When it matters: When you want better isolation from fit and seal alone, even with ANC turned off or not available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Skullcandy Chops Bud does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
25 mm smaller driver size
Skullcandy Chops Bud has smaller driver size than the average headphone (15 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Skullcandy Chops Bud has smaller driver size than the average headphone (15 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.15 mm vs 40 mm
No voice assistant support
Skullcandy Chops Bud does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Skullcandy Chops Bud does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
Fixed cable
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
10 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.20 Hz vs 18 Hz
11.9% worse value for money
Skullcandy Chops Bud has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.02 vs 6.736).
What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Skullcandy Chops Bud has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.02 vs 6.736).6.02 vs 6.74
18 dB lower max SPL
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (92 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
What it is: Maximum safe sound pressure level
When it matters: When high-volume headroom is part of your use case.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=116 dB
Skullcandy Chops Bud has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (92 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.92 dB vs 110 dB

Graphic comparison of Skullcandy Chops Bud and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Skullcandy Chops Bud?

Secure over-the-ear hanger design keeps buds in place during running and intense workouts
Swivel hinge allows for situational awareness by letting users swing the bud out to hear surroundings
Sweat-resistant construction is durable for sports use
Affordable price point makes them a good budget-friendly replacement for default earbuds
Lightweight and compact design is easy to carry

What customers dislike about Skullcandy Chops Bud?

Sound quality is often described as tinny or lacking bass depth
Can become uncomfortable or even painful for some users after extended use (e.g., beyond 90 minutes)
The buds themselves are relatively large, which may not fit comfortably in smaller ear canals
Lack of active noise cancellation (ANC) means background noise is easily heard
Reported durability issues with the wiring failing after heavy use

Expert reviews

outsideonline.com

01/11/2010

Skull Candy Chops Headphones Review - Outside Online

The Outside Online review highlights the Skullcandy Chops as an ultra-lightweight pair of headphones featured in their Women's Winter Buyer's Guide. The primary pros emphasized in the review include their featherlight build and highly stable design, featuring specialized over-ear arms that wrap firmly behind the ears to prevent them from slipping off. Additionally, the reviewer...Read more

geardiary.com

03/03/2012

Skullcandy 2011 Chops Buds review - Gear Diary

The Gear Diary review highlights the Skullcandy 2011 Chops Buds as an exceptionally stable, budget-friendly ($19.95 MSRP) option for exercise, praising their comfortable, secure fit. While performance is considered decent for the price, the earbuds are limited by a lack of an inline microphone and integrated audio controls, and they will not satisfy audiophiles.

Video reviews

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