- Stylish design
- Good sound with custom EQ
- Strong battery life
- Gaming mode + customizable controls
- No wireless charging
- Not very loud at max volume
Skullcandy’s Sesh ANC Active earbuds feel like the company finally found its groove in the budget space. For $89, you get rugged IP67 protection, better sound with customizable tuning, and battery life that actually lasts. The ANC won’t topple Bose or Sony, but for everyday workouts and listening, these are easily Skullcandy’s most convincing earbuds yet.
Skullcandy and I have a bit of history. I used to love their over-ear headphones — the bold colors, the bass-heavy Crusher lineup — they always dared to be different.
But when they jumped into true wireless earbuds, the magic didn’t always translate—battery life issues, plasticky builds, nothing that really stood out among the sea of budget earbuds.
So when the new Sesh ANC Active dropped — part of Skullcandy’s fresh active lineup — I went in with cautious expectations.
The price is an appealing $89.99, just ten bucks above the older Sesh ANC, but those earbuds were aging and long overdue for an upgrade. Turns out… Skullcandy actually listened.
After spending over a week using them at the gym, on runs, walking through busy streets, and even during calls in noisy places, here’s my full take.
Also see:
- Skullcandy EcoBuds Review
- Skullcandy Method 360 ANC Review
- Skullcandy Grind Review
- Skullcandy Rail ANC Review
Skullcandy Sesh ANC Active – Key Specs
| Battery (ANC On) | 7h buds + 21h case |
| Battery (ANC Off) | 12h buds + 36h case |
| Charging | USB-C • 10 min = 2h |
| Drivers | 12mm |
| Bluetooth | v5.3 • Multipoint • Fast Pair |
| Water Rating | IP67 |
| Weight | 56g |
Design & Comfort
This redesign is not a slight tweak — it’s a fresh direction. The case is more rugged and compact, with a small fabric loop that you can clip to a bag, belt, or backpack. It feels like a product actually built for active users, not a generic rebadge.
The earbuds themselves ditch the old L-shaped Sesh shell for a more rounded profile. They slide into the ear easily and feel noticeably more premium.
They’re IP67 rated, meaning they can handle sweat, rain, dust — and even survive a quick accidental dunk in water. I tested the sweat resistance thoroughly… gym cardio sessions confirmed: no weird touch control misfires, no audio cutouts.
The only downside? When I really started sweating, I had to re-seat them a few times during a workout. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you run or train aggressively and prefer a “locked-in” style fit.
Connectivity & Controls
Bluetooth 5.3 keeps things stable. No lag with YouTube or Netflix, and there’s a gaming mode that shaved enough latency to make mobile gaming feel natural.
Touch controls are responsive — a big improvement over Skullcandy’s older clicky button approach — and you can fully customize them via the app. That’s something many earbuds twice the price still don’t offer.
Multipoint is here too, letting me switch between my phone and laptop easily. Always a win.
Skullcandy App Experience
Skullcandy’s app used to feel like an afterthought — not anymore.
You can:
- Adjust ANC level with a slider
- Tweak transparency mode
- Create a personalized EQ using a built-in hearing test
- Update firmware
- Change control layout
- Switch to low-latency gaming mode
I ran the personalized sound profile immediately, and it noticeably improved clarity. It’s not a gimmick — the app is now a key part of the experience.
ANC & Transparency
Let’s be honest: Sony and Bose are not losing sleep over these.
The ANC does an okay job taming low-frequency hum — gym fans, buses, plane engines — but voices still sneak through. Transparency mode is usable, but not strong enough to carry on a conversation unless the music is paused comfortably.
It’s acceptable at this price, just not the reason to buy these.
Call Quality
Call quality is clean and clear in a quiet room. Step into traffic or wind, and some noise slips through. Voices stay understandable, but the mics can struggle to isolate speech during chaotic background noise.
If you’re taking occasional calls, you’ll be fine — but AirPods these are not.
Sound Quality
Right out of the box the sound is a little safe — balanced but slightly light on bass. Once I turned on the Bass Boost EQ and my personalized profile, things transformed.
What I heard:
- Punchy bass with actual depth — not boomy mud
- Clear vocals that never get buried
- Bright, detailed treble that adds excitement
- A surprisingly wide and lively presentation for the price
These earbuds want you to enjoy your music, not analyze it. And for workouts, that’s exactly what I want.
Volume-wise, they get loud enough for me in most situations… but on noisy outdoor runs, I did wish for a bit more room above max.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the standout upgrades.
- Up to 12 hours on a single charge (ANC off)
- Around 6–7 hours with ANC on
- 48 hours total including the case
- 10-minute charge = 2 hours of playback
In my real-world testing, with a mix of ANC and transparency mode, I averaged just under 7 hours — more than enough for a full day. That’s impressive at this price.
The one missing feature: no wireless charging, and yes, at nearly $90, that stings a bit since many cheaper earbuds now include it.
Who Should Buy These?
Buy if:
- You want strong sound quality under $100
- You like customizing EQ and features
- You’re active and need water/dust protection
- You want long battery life for daily use
Skip if:
- You prioritize top-tier ANC
- You need a super secure fit for intense running
- You care about wireless charging convenience
Best Deal: View on Skullcandy
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
