Skullcandy EcoBuds Review: An Eco-friendly Approach To True Wireless Audio
Bluetooth v5.2, three audio modes, no battery in case, an attached USB C cable, affordable price tag of Rs 2,499
Skullcandy’s Ecobuds are the new hot addition to my personal inflated collection of TWS earbuds and I must say that they have won me over. The audio company has been in the business for over two decades and the finesse of the EcoBuds goes on to prove that. The company was founded in 2003 by Rick Alden and Cris Williams in Utah, United States.
One of the EcoBuds' USPs, as the name suggests, is that the product has a lower carbon footprint than its competitors, mainly because it uses recycled plastic and fewer heavy metals in its overall composition. With an audio quality that lets it compete with some of the top contenders in this price point (Rs 5,000), the Skullcandy EcoBuds screams ‘must-have’.
In this review, we took a deep dive into the product’s design, build quality, aesthetics and of course, performance.
At first sight, the EcoBuds seem different from the majority of the TWS earbuds that are available in the market. The design is inspired by the traditional antennae style but at the same time, it is a bit tweaked. The Skullcandy badging is clearly visible on the earbuds above the touch controls. The buds are light in weight and do not make their presence felt even after prolonged usage.
Another eye-catching element in the EcoBuds is the rather unprotected earbuds case which for some might be a chance to stand out while for others, it might be an opportunity to pass on these earbuds from Skullcandy.
The earbuds have a dual finish with one side donning a glossy look while the other with a matte texture. Although the overall build is all-plastic, the design and aesthetic that Skullcandy has opted for, makes up for it.
I have strong reservations about the open case of the EcoBuds but at the same, I will also want to state that the design is refreshing and offers something different from what the already existing bunch of TWS earbuds offer.
There is a built-in USB type C cable that protrudes from the case and can be used to charge the buds. This nifty feature brought a smile to my face and made me realise that other brands had the opportunity to do so and yet did not.
The Skullcandy EcoBuds manage to offer audio that is better than what most people would expect of them. The audio is crisp, loud and clear. There is, however, a lack of excessive bass that Indian audiophiles are used to thanks to popular manufacturers like Boat and Noise. That being said, this does not take away from the fact that the earbuds produce great audio that does not leave you wanting for more.
Even from an ergonomics perspective, the Skullcandy EcoBuds did not disappoint. The buds sat nicely in the ear canal and did not fall off every other minute.
The EcoBuds have three distinct modes –
All these modes have a slightly different audio profile and aim to cater to an audience with a diversified sound palette. For ANC enthusiasts, there is bad news. The Skullcandy EcoBuds do not support active noise cancellation. These earbuds do not have an app to use with them so software support is out of the equation as well. However, I found the default Music Mode very potent in this matter. I enjoyed the sound profile and had no issues while listening to music or streaming podcasts.
The Skullcandy EcoBuds take a step towards a huge problem statement in consumer electronics, i.e., plastic waste. TWS earbuds, in particular, have an average lifecycle of two to three years which is because of the fact that people frequently switch between models and brands. In this current scenario, EcoBuds has taken the bold step towards reducing its carbon footprint.
That being said, at the end of the day, users need performance from their earbuds. What’s the battery backup, what the is audio like, how frequently do they have to charge it etc. are the kinds of questions people ask before making a purchase.
These earbuds are 65 per cent recycled plastic, which is a significant number. Both the earbuds and the case or as Skullcandy calls it, the charging dock, come in ice blue with some kind of a pattern. the product scores high when it comes to looks and that is undeniable. However, there is a catch to this exposed and out-of-the-box design. The case (or charging dock) does not have a battery. Instead, it has a charging case. The USB cable is a good idea but the lack of the battery in the case might be a problem for many. Additionally, it is kind of short which poses its own set of ‘shortcomings’ (pun intended). Special audio is not an option in these buds expecting the same would be foolish.
The buds use Bluetooth v5.2 and support AAC and SBC codecs. There is, however, no multiport support so no connecting to multiple devices. As far as the battery is concerned, the EcoBuds offer a run time of about 6 hours after heavy usage which isn’t bad, to be honest. The catch here, however, is that since the case doesn’t have a battery, the buds won’t get charged if placed back in the dock. Hence, it is just about 6 hours of playtime before the whole unit is out of juice.
The question still stands – are the Skullcandy EcoBuds worth it?
The EcoBuds try and change the perception that affordable TWS earbuds are inferior in audio quality. On the contrary, these true wireless earbuds deliver commendable audio quality and that too without burning a hole in the pocket. The vocals are clear, the instruments are evenly balanced and as far as bass is concerned, the Bass Mode tries to make up for the innate lack of it in the earbuds.
However, the EcoBuds are not ideal for calling. They are fine in quite conditions in indoor settings but they are not well suited for outside locations where there are multiple sources for stray noises. I’d recommend these earbuds to those who do not have a hardcore necessity for ANC. However, for those who care more about uncompromising audio quality and cherish standing apart from the crowd, the Skullcandy EcoBuds are, for sure, worth a shot.
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