Skullcandy Smokin' Buds

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds

By Skullcandy · Budget Wireless Earbuds · Audio & Electronics

  • 20 h total battery: 8 h earbuds, 12 h case
  • 10 min charge gives 2 h playback
  • 6 mm drivers
  • IPX4 sweat and water resistance
  • Weight 40.59 g

Lowest price seen
$27.99
from $27.99 at Walgreens · Checked Oct 12, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

Skullcandy’s Smokin’ Buds are budget true wireless earbuds with 20 hours of total battery, IPX4 sweat resistance and three EQ modes, aimed at gym and casual listeners who want a cheap second pair. Check the fit before you buy: the buds come in a single size, and owners report they feel too large for some ears.

Strengths

  • 20 h total battery, with a 10 min charge that returns 2 h of playback.
  • Bass-rich sound that RTINGS says suits electronic and hip-hop, plus three EQ modes that meaningfully change the tuning.
  • IPX4 sweat and water resistance and a stable fit that RTINGS found very good for sports and fitness.
  • Lightweight at 40.59 g, with a small portable case.
  • PCMag found the audio commendable for the price, with clear vocals and strong sub-bass.
  • Solo bud use and auto on/connect work without any app.

Weaknesses

  • No companion app, so no firmware updates, no adjustable touch controls and no way to tweak the EQ beyond the three presets.
  • Touch controls are finicky: PCMag found them inconsistently responsive, and owners call them hit-and-miss.
  • No active noise cancellation, no wireless charging, no multipoint and no Google Fast Pair.
  • Owners report charging failures, pairing inconsistencies and one bud louder than the other.
  • The buds come in one size, and some owners find them too large or cheap feeling.
  • RTINGS rates phone calls passable; the mic struggles to separate voice from background noise.

Verified specifications

Battery20 h total — 8 h in the buds plus 12 h from the case; a 10 min charge returns 2 h of playback.
Driver6 mm.
Bluetoothlisted as 5.2 in the product title and by PCMag and TechBuzzIreland, but as 5.1 in the spec table and the Skullcandy blog — the shipped version is unconfirmed.
CodecsAAC and SBC; no AptX.
Water resistanceIPX4 sweat and water resistant.
Weight40.59 g.
Impedance16 Ω ± 15%.
Sound pressure level104 dB ± 3 dB.
Total harmonic distortionunder 3%.
Frequency response20 Hz – 20 kHz.
EQ modesMusic, Movie, Podcast.
Materials50% certified recycled plastics.
ChargingUSB-C; no wireless charging.
In the boxearbuds, case, ear gels (S/M/L), quick start and user guides.
Warrantyone year limited.
Full research notes and sources

Sound and EQ

PCMag’s audio testing found impressive low-frequency response on sub-bass content with no distortion, clear vocals and balanced orchestral reproduction, though slightly less high-frequency detail than typical. RTINGS describes the sound as bass-rich and okay for neutral sound, well suited to electronic and hip-hop. TechBuzzIreland found meaningful differences between the three EQ modes, with no latency and no distortion at maximum volume. There is no companion app, so the presets are the only tuning you get.

Battery and charging

Skullcandy states 20 hours in total: 8 hours in the buds plus 12 from the case. RTINGS measured 8 hours of continuous playback, and PCMag reports a full charge takes about 1 hour. Ten minutes in the case returns 2 hours of playback. Charging is USB-C only; there is no wireless charging.

Comfort, fit and build

The buds come in one size with S/M/L ear gels. RTINGS found them decently sturdy and comfortable with a stable fit for most workout types, and TechBuzzIreland calls them well built and solid for the price, with small, discreet stems. Owners in r/Skullcandy describe the plastic as extremely cheap feeling. The Skullcandy UK page’s AI summary notes comfort feedback is mixed, with some users finding the buds too large — a particular concern if you have smaller ears.

Reliability and ownership

Skullcandy covers the buds with a one-year limited warranty. A Best Buy owner reports the left bud stopped working about eight months after purchase and would not power on or charge. In r/Skullcandy, owners report a left bud that stopped charging unless twisted into a specific position, one bud louder than the other, and constant pairing issues. Nobody has published a failure rate, so treat these as known risks rather than measured defects. There is no parts catalog, no repairability information, and no confirmation that replacement ear gels are sold separately.

Is it worth it?

Skullcandy lists a $22.99 MSRP and a $27.99 list price; PCMag lists $24.99 and Best Buy lists $32.33 (2026-10). At the $22.99 MSRP, the stated battery life, IPX4 rating and EQ modes are reasonable value for gym and casual use. Above $30, competitors with app support, more reliable touch controls and better microphone performance become available. The owner complaints about fit and touch controls are consistent enough to be a caution signal.

Which model this is

This page covers the Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds True Wireless Earbuds, sold in True Black, Matcha and Bone/Orange Glow. RTINGS reviews this model alongside the Buds XT variant under the combined name “Smokin’ Buds/Buds XT True Wireless”. The US Amazon listing is ASIN B0DWVHDM7B.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Buying guides for this category

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