The Skullcandy Hesh 2 is a throwback to a simpler era of wireless headphones: no app, no ANC, no voice assistant — just bass-forward over-ears with a 15-hour battery and the company’s signature Supreme Sound tuning. Originally launched in the mid-2010s, it became one of the best-known budget wireless headphones of its generation.
Is it still worth buying today? Our short answer: only if you find a good listing on the secondary market and you know exactly what you’re getting. This guide breaks down the Hesh 2’s specs, features, sound quality, and current availability — so you can decide whether this classic deserves a spot on your head or a place in history.
SoundMavericks Verdict
The Hesh 2 is a dated but fun headphone. Its sound signature is the same one that made it a hit a decade ago: thick, punchy bass, warm vocals, and crisp-enough highs for casual listening. The 15-hour battery still holds its own, and the included backup aux cable means the headphones keep working even when the battery dies.
But the drawbacks are real. There’s no active noise cancelling, the Bluetooth is an older generation (expect shorter range and occasional dropouts by today’s standards), the micro-USB charging port is awkward to reach, and the plasticky build feels bulkier than modern alternatives. For a 2016-era headphone, that’s forgivable — but it means the Hesh 2 now competes with much better modern budget options like its own successor, the Hesh Evo.
Buy the Hesh 2 if you want Skullcandy’s classic bass-heavy sound at a bargain and don’t care about modern features. Otherwise, look at current-generation models instead.
| Sound Quality | 7.5 |
| Noise Isolation | 6.5 |
| Comfort & Design | 7.0 |
| Battery Life | 8.0 |
| Call Quality | 7.0 |
| Value | 8.5 |
Skullcandy Hesh 2 Specs
Every spec below comes from Skullcandy’s own product description and Amazon’s verified product data. We haven’t guessed at anything — where the spec sheet is thin (a common story with older models), we say so.
| Specification | Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear, wireless |
| Sound tuning | Skullcandy Supreme Sound |
| Battery life | Up to 15 hours per charge |
| Charging | Micro USB (behind left ear cup); full recharge approx. 2.5 hours |
| Low-battery indicator | LED blinks red at 10% remaining |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth wireless + wired backup via included aux cable |
| Controls | On-board +/− buttons (volume and track selection), round power button |
| Microphone | Built-in; also included in backup aux cable for calls |
| Ear cushions | Soft synthetic leather |
| Headband | Flexible, with metal understructure |
| Noise cancelling | Not included (passive isolation only) |
| Colors | Black, Camo |
Sound Quality: Classic Supreme Sound
The Hesh 2 runs on Skullcandy’s Supreme Sound tuning, and it sounds exactly like you’d expect from the brand: attacking, powerful bass first, warm natural vocals in the middle, and crisp highs on top. This is a fun headphone, not an analytical one.
What that means in practice:
- Bass is thick and forward — great for hip-hop, EDM, and action movies. It can get muddy on complex tracks, and some listeners report a bit of midrange resonance that grows fatiguing over long sessions.
- Mids are warm and natural. Vocals sit forward enough that podcasts and acoustic tracks sound full and engaging.
- Highs are reasonably crisp for a bass-heavy headphone in this tier, though treble detail is recessed compared to neutral studio headphones.
- Soundstage is closed and intimate — typical for closed-back over-ears of this era. Movies and games still benefit from the bass slam.
One quirk worth knowing: the wired and wireless modes sound noticeably different. Via Bluetooth, the volume ceiling is lower and the sound is a little smoother; plugged in with the backup cable, the bass and treble open up and the headphone plays louder. If you’re a wired listener, that’s actually good news.
Battery Life: 15 Hours, Still Respectable
Skullcandy rates the Hesh 2 at 15 hours of playback per charge, with a 2.5-hour full recharge over micro USB. That’s a perfectly usable number even by today’s standards — enough for a week of commuting or several long-haul listening sessions.
Two things to keep in mind:
- The charging port is awkward. It sits behind the left ear cup, and you have to tilt the cup inward to plug in the micro-USB cable. It works fine, but it’s the opposite of convenient.
- The backup aux cable is the safety net. When the battery dies, plug in the included cable and keep listening. It even carries a mic and remote, so calls and track control still work wired.
Comfort and Build: Durable, but Bulky
The Hesh 2 is built to survive a backpack: soft synthetic-leather ear cushions, a flexible headband with a metal understructure, and an overall feel that takes everyday abuse well. The ear cups fold inward, which makes them easier to toss into a bag.
The trade-off is bulk. These are big, plasticky headphones by modern standards, and while the cushions are soft, the fit can feel a little awkward — the pads sit more like a hybrid between on-ear and over-ear depending on your ear size. For shorter sessions and commuting they’re comfortable enough; for all-day office wear, lighter modern alternatives pull ahead.
Features and Controls
The Hesh 2 keeps things refreshingly simple. On-board controls cover the essentials:
- Round power button: press and hold to power on and enter Bluetooth pairing. It also answers and holds calls.
- + and − buttons: adjust volume and skip tracks — no app, no companion software, no firmware updates.
- On-board mic: handles calls over Bluetooth, plus the mic in the backup aux cable covers wired calls.
- LED indicator: flashes purple on power-on and blinks red when the battery hits 10%.
What you won’t find: active noise cancelling, multipoint pairing, EQ customization, or a companion app. If your priority is “pair and play,” that’s a feature. If you want modern conveniences, look elsewhere.
Wired Mode: The Hidden Strength
Most wireless headphones treat the cable as an afterthought. On the Hesh 2 it’s genuinely useful: the included aux cable keeps the music playing with zero latency and — per listener reports — a livelier sound with stronger bass and treble than the Bluetooth feed.
It’s also the Hesh 2’s answer to the ANC problem: no battery needed, no Bluetooth connection to troubleshoot, just plug in. For travel or low-battery situations, that redundancy is a legitimate selling point.
Pros and Cons
What we like
- Fun, bass-forward Supreme Sound tuning — great for hip-hop, EDM, and movies
- 15-hour battery with a 2.5-hour full recharge
- Backup aux cable with mic and remote keeps music playing when the battery dies
- Tough build with a metal-reinforced headband
- Simple, app-free controls
- Often heavily discounted on marketplace listings, making it a strong value pick
What we don’t like
- No active noise cancelling; passive isolation is mediocre
- Older Bluetooth generation — shorter effective range, lower wireless volume ceiling
- Micro-USB charging port is awkwardly positioned
- Bulky, plasticky design; fit can be awkward for smaller ears
- Bass can sound muddy and midrange resonance can fatigue over long sessions
- Discontinued — only available through marketplace/renewed listings
Hesh 2 vs. Modern Alternatives
The Hesh 2’s biggest competitor is its own successor. Here’s how it stacks up:
| Skullcandy Hesh 2 | Skullcandy Hesh Evo | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued (marketplace listings only) | Current model |
| Battery | 15 hours | 36 hours |
| Charging | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Noise cancelling | No | No (passive isolation) |
| Bluetooth | Older generation | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Extras | None | Tile tracking built in |
| Sound | Supreme Sound (bass-forward) | Similar bass-forward tuning, refined |
Bottom line: if you can get the Hesh 2 at a steep discount and love the classic tuning, it’s a fun buy. If you want longer battery, USB-C, and modern Bluetooth, the Hesh Evo is the smarter pick.
Buying Guide: Where to Find the Hesh 2
Here’s the honest part. The Hesh 2 is a discontinued model — Skullcandy no longer sells it new, and the lineup has moved on to the Hesh Evo. What you’ll find today are Amazon marketplace listings — renewed, refurbished, or new-old-stock units sold by third-party sellers.
That doesn’t mean it’s a bad buy, but it does change the rules:
- Check the seller and condition. Listings range from renewed units to open-box stock. Read the condition notes before buying.
- Check the return policy. Renewed and third-party listings have different return terms than items sold by Amazon directly.
- Compare against the Hesh Evo. A heavily discounted Hesh 2 makes sense; a Hesh 2 priced near a new Hesh Evo does not.
Both the Black and Camo variants have live listings on Amazon at the time of writing:
Who Should Buy the Hesh 2?
- Bass lovers on a budget who want Skullcandy’s classic tuning and don’t care about ANC.
- Casual listeners who mostly listen wired — the aux backup is a genuine plus.
- Buyers who prefer simplicity — no app, no firmware, no settings menus. Pair and play.
Skip it if you need noise cancelling for commuting or travel, want modern Bluetooth features, or would rather have a warranty on a current model. In those cases, the Hesh Evo or one of our budget ANC picks is a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skullcandy Hesh 2 discontinued?
Effectively, yes. Skullcandy no longer sells the Hesh 2 new — the lineup moved on to newer models like the Hesh Evo. It remains available through Amazon marketplace listings, typically as renewed, refurbished, or new-old-stock units from third-party sellers.
How long does the Hesh 2 battery last?
Skullcandy rates the Hesh 2 at 15 hours of music playback per charge. A full recharge takes about 2.5 hours over micro USB, and an LED indicator blinks red when the battery drops to 10%.
Can you use the Hesh 2 wired?
Yes. The Hesh 2 ships with a backup aux cable that includes a mic and remote. Plugging it in works even when the battery is dead, and listeners report the wired sound is livelier and louder than the Bluetooth feed.
Does the Hesh 2 have noise cancelling?
No. The Hesh 2 has no active noise cancelling — it relies on passive isolation from its over-ear ear cushions, which is only mediocre at blocking outside noise. If ANC matters to you, consider a current model with active noise cancelling instead.
Is the Hesh 2 good for calls?
It’s serviceable. The built-in mic handles basic calls over Bluetooth, and the mic in the backup aux cable covers wired calls. Call quality is fine for quick conversations but not exceptional.
What’s the difference between the Hesh 2 and Hesh Evo?
The Hesh Evo is the Hesh 2’s successor: 36 hours of battery (vs. 15), USB-C charging (vs. micro USB), modern Bluetooth 5.0, built-in Tile tracking, and a more refined version of the same bass-forward tuning. The Hesh 2 is only worth considering if you find it at a steep discount.
I am the founder of Sound Mavericks, where I provide the polite truth about audio equipment. I started this site because consumer electronics reviews are often too technical. Instead of using a silent lab, I test headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers in the real world – like on a noisy subway or in a busy coffee shop.
To stay independent, I buy my own review units (mostly from the United States) rather than accepting free gifts from brands. Once I finish testing a product, I sell it locally to our community. My goal is to help you understand sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life without the marketing hype.
