Read our full Jabra Elite 7 Active review. You can talk to the earphones, too, thanks to a fully featured Skull-IQ suite of voice control commands that are here in an attempt to gloss-over the fact that the Push Active lacks touch controls. However, the Skullcandy are in-ears that are more comfortable and have a stable ear-hook design, making them a solid choice for sports. I've been a contributing editorfor PCMag since 2011. The Push Active earphones are designed to be used while exercising. These headphones can connect to Bluetooth-enabled PCs with full compatibility. By dropping in, you agree on our use of cookies. There are also beeps for each press, although some users may find this annoying over time, as well as voice prompts for pairing, cycling through EQ modes, and toggling the voice controls on and off. We purchase our own headphones and The Skullcandy Push Active are some of the best value workout earbuds around. In addition to physical controls, these headphones also support Skull-iQ via their companion app. If set-up within the Skullcandy app its also possible to use the earphones as a Bluetooth remote for taking photos. The headphones also have trouble blocking out ambient noise like the low rumble of bus engines around you. There are three pre-set equalizer modes; Music, Podcast, and Movie. Our Skullcandy Push Active review brings you everything you need to know about these comfy workout earbuds. The app that Skullcandy insists you download to your phone is the usual brand extension attempt masquerading as a feature, though it does help you customize the Push Active earphones. The headline feature is the company's new Skull-iQ voice commands, which let you control your music, answer calls, and interact with Spotify. Generally, most users have praised the Skullcandy Push Active headphones' fit, style, and performance, especially for a budget-friendly set of workout earbuds. They have a very robust companion app that offers a graphic EQ and presets as well as Skull-iQ, a smart feature that allows you to use built-in voice commands. Like the earphones they host, the charging case is large, but not heavy. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Also on the earphones are microphones and a small LED light to signify that theyre pairing and connected (via Bluetooth 5.2) or charging when in the case provided. But they never feel cheap in a negative sense, as the Push Active are well-designed with everyday use in mind. Whether anyone really wants to say 'Hey Skullcandy!' In any case, the Push Active earpieces can withstand light splashes and low pressure water jets from any direction, so neither sweat nor rain should cause problems. As long as you get a good fit using their included sets of ear tips, you should experience a consistent sound each time you use them. The Push Active are in-ears that have a more comfortable as well as stable in-ear fit, and their sound profile is much more neutral, which some users may prefer. Avoid rinsing them off under a faucet or submerging them in water for cleaning, however. TheSkullcandy Push Active have great stability. We use cookies to store information and provide you a better experience. They have a comfortable, well-built design rated IP55 for dust and water resistance. They also have a very good noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC system, a longer continuous battery life, and an H1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. The Skullcandy Push Active's leakage performance is outstanding. We like their long battery and companion app with adjustable EQ, but nothing really sets the earphones apart from the competition. That said, battery performance can vary depending on usage, so your real-life experience may differ. Heres why you can trust us. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. The treble accuracy is excellent. All frequencies fall within good levels, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction. By signing up for our newsletter, youll receive 15% off your first order. Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds, Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless, Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless, LEARN ABOUT FREQUENCY RESPONSE CONSISTENCY, taking a photo remotely by taking out an earbud, sharing audio with other Skull-iQ-supported headphones, launching the Spotify app with a voice command, best wireless Bluetooth earbuds for running. You'll need to download the Skullcandy smartphone app to make it work, but it's impressive just how smooth the experience is. You want some earphones that will stay still That means Callahans baritone vocals also get some additional low-mid richness. Ok, Gym rats and adventurers rejoice Push Active is built to take a beating and its packing serious, game-changing technology that will make your workout safer and more enjoyable.. Push Active delivers a whopping 44 hours of listening time between the charging case and buds. As always, however, your results will vary based on your volume levels. From the lyrics in your soul to the bass in your bones. On build quality the Push Active earphones are solid yet lack any kind of pizazz; they feel rather plasticky, though their durable-yet-lightweight nature has a lot of pluses for wearing them while exercising. to their earphones constantly is doubtful, but you probably shouldnt buy the Push Active earphones if youre not prepared to talk to them. The case holds roughly 3.4 additional charges, handy in a pinch. You need to say 'Hey, Skullcandy' before each command. The Push Active earphones come in a battery case that, sadly, can only be recharged using USB-C and not on a Qi wireless charging pad. The durable headphones have an IP57 rating for water and dust resistance, high-performance active noise cancellation, and plenty of customizable audio settings. The all-white buds with short stems take cues from Apple's design, but at roughly a third of the cost. That said, the high-mid is very flat, so these same sounds are clear. They have a very stable in-ear fit thanks to their stability hooks, a comfortable and well-built design, and are certified IP55 for dust and water resistance. They live for adventure. While you get enough high-mid presence to keep the mix from getting muddy, those frequencies can sound overly sculpted and scooped out at times. Share audio with a friend in real time, activate your assistant, customize your earbud controls, trigger your phone camera to take the perfect selfie and more. TheSkullcandy Push Active have a good carrying case. Please refresh the page and try again. You don't need the Skullcandy app to use the headphonesjust pair them with your phone, and you're good to gobut it's worth installing if you want to use the Skull-iQ voice commands and adjust audio settings. Voice Control means you never need to take off your gloves or let go of the handlebar. They have a comfortable, stable, and well-built design. We tested it with the Voice Memos app on an iPhone, and could understand every word we recorded without issue. Google thinks its new programming language can topple C++, I came across this unloved browser and now Google Chrome looks even worse, Samsungs newest SSD is unlike any youve come across before, Samsung's new foldable announcement has me excited for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Why OLED TVs are losing the price war to mini-LED, Riceve sabbia al posto di una RTX 3090 Ti ma Amazon se ne infischia, I saved 85% on three years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate here's how you can too, Missing Reacher? It's a smart feature that allows you to make voice commands, which are responsive and easy to use. You can also share your audio with someone else also wearing Skullcandy earphones, which could be a nice feature for some. If hearing traffic is important where you run, opt for bone conduction headphones (opens in new tab) instead. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Using the 'Music' EQ, which is their flattest EQ, the Skullcandy Push Active have a slightly bass-rich sound profile that delivers extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Although the actual fit will depend on the exact size and shape of your ears, in our tests we found that the hooks on the Push Active earphones provided a really secure fit when running. Using the 'Music' EQ preset, their flattest EQ, they have a bass-rich sound profile that adds extra thump, rumble, and boom to their sound. Each earphone features a fairly large yet flexible hook to secure it around the ear, which in our tests worked really well despite them being rather large compared to the competition (albeit very light at a mere 9g). PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The drawback on the latter, of course, is that everything is centred on the small button on each earphone thats difficult to easily access. While both headphones are comfortable, well-built, and have a very stable fit, the Beats have a significantly better battery performance, and they have an H1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. The app is also used to update the firmware. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. That said, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently. The Push Active earphones 6mm drivers deliver balanced sonics that feature just enough bass to please within a soundstage that is up to the task but no more. They don't take up too much room and can easily fit into most pockets or bags, even when they're inside their carrying case. The earphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.2, but support only the SBC codec, not AAC or AptX. Youll also get access to limited-edition products, exclusive music performances, and athlete stories. The exercise-focused Skullcandy Push Active true wireless earphones offer robust sound and excellent battery life for under $100, but they don't stand out from the competition. They also have ear hooks, which help keep them stable during your run or workout. You can also turn Stay Aware mode on or off; when on, it enables you to hear your surroundings through the earpieces. You want to go hands-free
The earpieces fit securely, but if you wear glasses or sunglasses, you might have trouble with the ear hooks. Once you connect the headphones to your phone, your phone will ask you if you want to install the Skullcandy app. As a result, they are very comfortable to wear, even over extended periods, so they're ideal for short workouts and longer training.
Hands-free Voice Control gives you absolute authority over your audio using only your voice and thats just the beginning. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. An IP55 rating means that the earpieces are highly resistant to dust and relatively resistant to water. TheSkullcandy Push Active are good for neutral sound. During our tests both running and skiing not once did their hook design fall off our ears, or even more slightly. The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless have excellent mid accuracy. PCMag Digital Group. Theyre sold widely by online retailers, but on the Skullcandy website (opens in new tab) a further 20% discount was also available at the time of writing. TheSkullcandy Push Active are satisfactory for office use. The Skullcandy Push Active come in three color variations: 'Black/Orange', 'Dark Blue/Green', and 'Light Grey/Blue'. That said, while ear hooks have some mobility, the part where they connect to the buds feels like it could rip over time. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, He also edits two of his own websites,TravGear.com (opens in new tab)andWhenIsTheNextEclipse.com (opens in new tab)that reflect his obsession with travel gear and solar eclipse travel. TheSkullcandy Push Active are great for sports and fitness. The Skullcandy Push Active are true wireless earphones designed for exercise. undefined It has other benefits, too, like helping the headphones achieve an impressive 44 hours of use from a single charge. It's interesting tech and great for mid-exercise adjustments, but ultimately not groundbreaking. While they support Bluetooth 5.2, they don't support multi-device or NFC pairing. Compared to similar budget-friendly options like the Honor Earbuds 2 Lite, the Push Active are noticeably thin on audio features like noise cancellation for blocking out unwanted background sounds. It's also added new Skull-iQ tech to the headphones to bring hands-free controls to these affordable earbuds. They're mostly made of plastic and have malleable silicone ear hooks. Sign up now to get your hands on exclusive content from our live stream concerts, podcast interviews, and be the first to know about our freshest deals. While both headphones are well-built, the Skullcandy have a companion app that allows you to customize their sound profile to your liking via their graphic EQ and presets as well as turn on smart commands. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Probably a lot like you. The darker color is used in most places, while the on-bud buttons and the case are accented with the more vivid color. We noticed hints of typical Bluetooth audio artifacts, but the signal was strong and relatively clear. The app also lets you find your headphones with Tile. The drums on this track sound deep and roundthey dont quite extend into unnaturally thunderous territory, but the earphones definitely exhibit a bass-forward sound signature. The days of buying new earbuds to get the latest features are over. James is a London-based journalist and Staff Writer at Fit&Well. All rights reserved. The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds have outstanding frequency response consistency. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knifes Silent Shout, the earphones deliver powerful low-frequency response. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Before that, I was PCMag's lead audio analyst from 2006 to 2011. For the same price, Jabra's Elite 3 earphones offer a higher-quality build and more balanced audio performance, while Anker's Soundcore Life P3 earphones add active noise cancellation. Once you open the case, the on-bud LEDs light up to show they're powered on and, because the case is large, the headphones are easy to pick up and put back into place as needed. A dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. We spend hundreds of hours designing, testing and perfecting every Skullcandy product in our Park City, Utah headquarters. NY 10036. As a result, objects like footsteps and voices should be accurately placed in the stereo image. The weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. Train your biceps with these five dumbbell curl variations to build stronger arms, Workout Visit our corporate site. That said, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can customize their sound to suit your tastes. 
Thanks to their over nine hours of continuous battery life, they should last through long days on the go, and their small design makes it easy to put them in your pocket or bag. Ultimately, we're biggers fans of Anker's Soundcore Life P3 earphones if you're more interested in accurate audio performance and active noise cancellation than an exercise-friendly build, or Jabra's Elite 3 earbuds if you want to go the exercise route. However, some users may prefer the Push Ultra's in-ear fit, which doesn't fit as deeply into your ear. According to the company, the Skullcandy Push Active manage to get an incredible 44 hours of use before needing a top-up. On the downside, they don't support multi-device pairing, so you can't stay connected to your PC and smartphone at the same time. The bass accuracy is great. The L/R drivers are also well-matched in phase, amplitude, and frequency response. That said, they do little to stand out from the pack, and have a plastic build that looks and feels cheap. This puts them at the affordable end of the spectrum, but these are not second-rate headphones. The built-in mic offers solid intelligibility. It uses USB-C to recharge, which is a bit of a relief, though not being able to wirelessly recharge the battery case will annoy some. He is the author ofA Stargazing Program For Beginners(Springer, 2015). There was a problem. Please try again. TheSkullcandy Push Active have a two-tone color scheme with loopy ear hooks, which is reminiscent of the Skullcandy Push Ultra Truly Wireless. It has a hard time separating your voice from moderate ambient noise around you. Although high-intensity movements may cause the bud tips to pop out of your ears, they shouldn't fall out of your ears as the ear hooks hold them in place well. Heres why you can trust us. Their companion app also offers more customization features. published 23 February 22. One user said they "recommend these if you ever decide to run or be active and want to hear your own thoughts.". These headphones also have a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app to help you adjust their sound to your liking. With this Skull-iQ feature, you can also turn on smart commands like taking a photo remotely by taking out an earbud, sharing audio with other Skull-iQ-supported headphones, and launching the Spotify app with a voice command. New York, They support several high-resolution audio formats, have good battery life, and offer active noise cancellation. You won't need to worry about running out of power mid-exercise either, as the 44-hour battery life is some of the best you can find, especially at this budget-friendly price. By Fit&Well is supported by its audience. When Stay-Aware is active, the headphone's mics pick up sounds around youlike traffic or other runnersand blend them with your audio, so you're aware of any hazards. Theyre primarily supposed to be affordable and functional, eschewing advanced hardware features like wireless charging and touch/gesture controls for software wizardry. The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds come with a carrying case that has a USB-C port to charge it up. Inside the oversized case is a lithium-ion battery capable of storing 34 hours of charge for the earphones, which on their own provide 10 hours. When not concerning himself with health and technology, James can be found excitedly checking out each weeks New Music Friday releases. The integrated mic's noise handling performance is sub-par. The nature of the silicon rubber eartips is that youre always slightly isolated from the ambient noises around you. The Skullcandy Push Active have great app support. This tool will clearly show you the differences, Use our data and table to find the best headphones for your needs, Want to see us review a specific headphones? That said, they do a better job of cutting down office chatter around you as well as the high-pitched hum of AC units. If you need to take an important call, it's best to do so from a quiet environment. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. They're also rated IP55 for dust and water resistance and feel durable overall, making them well-suited for sports and physical activity. Not only do the Push Active earphones last for about 10 hours when fully charged, but their fast-charge feature allows you to push two hours worth of charge into them in just 10 minutes. Unfortunately, due to their in-ear fit, their passive soundstage seems closed-off, small, and as if coming from inside your head. Although you might find the charging case too large for your pocket, it is easy to find in your bag. You can control the earphones via on-ear buttons or with voice controls. They have significantly better battery performance more customization features, thanks to their companion app. The Honor Earbuds 2 Lite (opens in new tab) are affordable Apple AirPods alternatives. Read our full Honor Earbuds 2 Lite review, If you're after the highest quality sound from your workout earbuds, then check out the Edifier Neobuds Pro (opens in new tab). Originally launched in late 2021, the Push Active running headphones have recently enjoyed a slight price cut in the UK and Australia. Many wireless earbuds use weighted designs to keep them rooted in place, while others add materials or angle the in-ear portion. However, they struggle to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They don't leak much audio at high volumes either and can block out ambient chatter around you. There's some overemphasis coming from the bass range into the low-mids, which can clutter your mixes, but it's minor. is available. Enter your email and we will let you know when Push Active True Wireless Earbuds Instead, I could depend on them for long stretches before charging using the case's built-in USB-C port. We tested the 'Dark Blue/Green' variant, and you can see our model's labelhere. A long battery life, fast-charging and a secure fit can be found on these great value true wireless earphones that are perfect for wearing while running and exercising. Skull-iQ gives us the ability to push new features and updates to your earbuds via the Skullcandy App as they become available. TheSkullcandy Push Active are decent for commute and travel. They also have high latency on PCs as well as iOS and Android devices. There's a physical button on each bud, but they aren't very easy to press, and the controls aren't intuitive. 
If you're looking for a pair of true wireless earbuds built for exercise, there is no shortage of options, but many of our favorites cost well over $100. They're more comfortable, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their continuous battery life is much higher. The Skullcandy Push Active are available in three colors; Black/Orange, Dark Blue/Green, and Light Grey/Blue. The quick-charge feature that sends two hours worth of energy into them in just 10 minutes the time of a warm-up means they are always ready for action, as all earphones should be. IP55 water resistance adds some peace of mind, though the best hassle-free feature on the Push Active is their battery life, which stretches to 44 hours in total, so its good for a week or two of regular workouts.
You can also see a comparison of all the EQ presets here. Almost universally, people rate these highly for exercise, with many noting that the ear hooks kept them in place for all sorts of physical activity. Theyre IP55-certified as sweat, dust and rain resistant, and the design is clearly aimed at making sure they stay put. The push-button controls are easy to operate. Beyond the voice-activated controls, the Skullcandy app (for Android and iOS) offers adjustable EQ presets, the ability to link the earphones with a Tile tracker (to locate them if they go missing), and some basic on-ear button customization options. Their soundstage also doesn't seem as open or spacious as that created by open-back headphones. EQ 101: What Is an Equalizer and How Can It Improve Sound Quality. You demand audio excellence These wireless headphones aren't packed with features, but Skullcandy has focused on getting the basics right. Prior to my career in reviewing tech, I worked as an audio engineermy love of recording audio eventually led me to writingaboutaudiogear. That said, the Skullcandy offer a more customizable sound performance as their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound, button mapping, and Skull-iQ, which are smart features like voice control. While both headphones are well-built, the Push Active have amore comfortable and stable in-ear fit, have a more neutralsound profile, which some users may prefer, and have a better battery performance. You will receive a verification email shortly. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound as well as smart commands. The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the sports-oriented variant of the Skullcandy Push Truly Wireless.