- 5 Best Vintage Headphones Retro Headphones To Try - May 30, 2023
- Cubase vs Logic Pro –Which One is The Best? - May 29, 2023
- Astro A40 vs A50 Gaming Headsets Comparison - May 25, 2023
Skullcandy has quite a large following of fans that religiously buy and use their headphones exclusively. Any brand that can get so many loyal customers is obviously doing something right and reliably producing quality tech gear.
Their classic over-the-ear headphones are popular but many people really enjoy using earbuds for daily wear when they’re out and about.
Skullcandy originally produced the Smokin’ Buds 2, classic wired earbuds that offer excellent sound for an ideal price. Recently they added a wireless version of this model, simply called the Smokin’ Buds 2 wireless. Diehard lovers of the original have found that the newer wireless version is just as comfortable with impressive sound clarity.
If you’re looking for a new pair of earbuds that are under a $30 budget, the Smokin’ Bud 2s should really be high up on your list. These look great, sound great, and are backed by a fantastic brand.
These in-ear buds feature Bluetooth functionality and a six hour battery life let you take your playlist wherever you go.
Specs and Features of the Smokin’ Buds 2
As mentioned, the Smokin Buds 2 earbuds come in two options – the original and the newer wireless model. Except for the lack of wires on the new model, there are few differences between the two.
Details for the original In-Line Smokin’ Buds 2:
- About half the price of the wireless version
- Available in 5 colors – Spaced Out Clear/Black, Spaced Out Iridium/Black, White/Gray, Black, and Black/Red
- Designed with Skullcandy’s Off-Axis technology
- Includes a single button in-line remote and mic
Details for the In-ear wireless Smokin’ Buds 2:
- Retails for $59.99 (on sale from Skullcandy for $47.99) —
- Available in 3 colors – Black/Red, Black/Chrome, and White/Chrome
- Bluetooth connectivity compatible with most devices
- 6 hours of battery life
The Smokin’ Buds 2 seem pretty basic, and in essence, they are fairly simple. But simple isn’t synonymous with low-quality. These are beautifully designed headphones that were made with obvious skill based on how advanced their audio quality sounds.
Advantages of the Smokin’ Buds 2
There are a lot of reasons people love the Smokin’ 2s but here are the 3 main advantages:
-
Great Sound and Comfort Quality for Price
Both the wired and wireless versions have great sound quality, which coincides well with their price. While Skullcandy doesn’t go into too much detail about the technology behind the sound quality of their earbuds, the majority of customers agree that compared to others, these have an excellent crisp sound and great bass. These won’t provide the “boom” some bassheads crave, but they still are far from disappointing. Majority of genres sound great on these earbuds, including the highs of strings in an instrumental and the deep bass in metal.
The Off-Axis technology used in the original Smokin’ 2 Buds is the oval, angled-shaped design of the earbuds. You might have noticed that many earbuds, particularly those within the <$30 price bracket, have round earbuds. This might not seem like a big deal but the shape of the inner ear isn’t round. By creating an oval-shaped earbud Skullcandy made the Smokin’ 2s far more comfortable. The slight angle of the earbuds further helps with comfort, not the mention improves the sound quality as it really fits the ear closely.
The wireless Smokin’ Buds 2 also have Off-Axis technology, plus the addition of a flexible collar to keep the earbuds in place. Skullcandy added a great low-profile collar that is made of moldable plastic. This moldable material means you can form the collar to your neck for a custom fit. This customizability is a boon for those with skinny or larger than average necks. There are notches in the collar as well as an included S clip so the collar will stay in the position you mold it into.
-
Wireless Option Makes Wearing These Easier
The wireless Smokin’ Buds 2 uses Bluetooth for connectivity. You get a strong connection to your phone, MP3 player, laptop, or any other device that allows for syncing with Bluetooth. The advantages of going wireless are obvious – you don’t have to worry about tangled or snagged cords, which is important during activities like gaming, working out, studying, or just running errands. You get about 6 hours of battery life with the wireless Smokin’ 2s, which is plenty for the average user. Just recharge every night and you’ll be set. If you require more than 6hrs of playtime, you might be better off with the original Smokin’ 2s.
-
Designed for Daily Use with Multiple Activities
The wired and wireless Smokin’ Buds 2 are made for durability and longevity. The wired earbuds have a flat cord, which not only looks interesting but also prevents twisted wires so common with normal round cords. Every jam your earbuds in your pocket in a hurry just to find they are a tangled mess when you’re ready to use them again? The chances of that happening with a flat cord are reduced. Not to mention a flat cord is stronger, meaning you are less likely to break the wires inside. The wireless earbuds are equally strong and can handle daily use for multiple hours without a problem. Both models are ideal for exercising as they are moisture-resistant and won’t hold onto body odor or sweat.
The flat cable gets less tangled than traditional round ones, and different size interchangeable silicone tips ensure that there's a perfect fit for you.
An advantage of classic wired earbuds is features like line-in mics or remote control for music. The original Smokin’ Buds 2 has a single button used for placing/taking a call and music control. You can play or pause your song, or cycle through songs to find the right one. While some brands drop the line-in remote feature with their wireless earbuds, Skullcandy did not. The wireless Smokin’ 2s actually has an easier-to-use remote. Rather than a single button, the wireless version has 3 buttons. These include the classic + and – buttons for volume control as well as a middle button, with the Skullcandy logo, for taking calls or pausing/playing music. Being able to control music and calls without taking out your phone is an obvious benefit.
Disadvantages of the Smokin’ Buds 2
There really aren’t any issues with the Smokin’ Buds 2, at least not with the specific product quality. Some people do find that the wireless model’s earbuds may slip out of the ear during fast-paced activities, but this issue can occur with any wireless earbuds. In fact, more people than not find that these stays put better than most wireless earbuds.
Another possible disadvantage is that the battery life of the wireless model is only 6 hours. While this should be plenty of time for the average user, it may not be enough for someone that will be using their earbuds all day at work or for students that need earbuds that will cover them from morning through to night, during school, work, gym, studying, etc. Since the sound quality of the wireless and wired models are so similar, just going with the wired ones may be the best choice if you think the battery life of the wireless could be a problem.
Where to Buy the Smokin’ Buds 2
Three are a few places to pick up a pair online so I’ve included the best options below:
- Skullcandy.com:Â The advantage of ordering direct is that they are easier to replace if you need to, plus are generally always in stock.
- Amazon.com: Amazon will sometimes have lower prices.
- Walmart.com: On specific models, Walmart sometimes offers discounts, so be sure to check as well.
Final Take on the Smokin’s Buds 2
All in all the Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2 are excellent earbuds for the majority of music lovers that don’t have a lot to spend but want the best quality sound they can get. Many people are introduced to the Skullcandy brand through their Ink’d series, but have found that these are a real step-up.
These in-ear buds feature Bluetooth functionality and a six hour battery life let you take your playlist wherever you go.
The original Smokin’ 2’s will also be ideal for those that really put their wired earbuds through the ringer since they noticeably last longer even if they aren’t treated carefully. You can find Skullcandy earbuds through their website or through most major tech/gadget retailers.
The flat cable gets less tangled than traditional round ones, and different size interchangeable silicone tips ensure that there's a perfect fit for you.
Still, Stuck? If you are still not set on either of these, you can check out my guide on the Top Wireless Earbuds Under $50 for more options in this category.
You may be interested in: Top 9 Best Headphones for 2022 That Anyone Would Love