Sporty earbuds with poor audio, weak noise cancellation
For $89.99, the Skullcandy Sesh ANC Active earphones provide a reliable fit and an excellent IP67 rating for protection against the elements. But their dull audio quality and ineffective active noise cancellation (ANC) are serious enough issues that we don’t recommend them. The Editors’ Choice-winning JBL Endurance Peak 3 earbuds ($99.95) have a stronger IP68 rating and superior audio quality, making them a much better choice for exercise despite their lack of ANC. The cheaper Anker Soundcore Sport X10 earphones, at $79.99, are another suitable alternative, delivering decent noise cancellation and a secure ear hook design.Design: Stylish, With a Secure Fit
Available in a black-and-orange finish with prominent Skullcandy logos, the mostly plastic Sesh ANC Active earbuds don’t feel overly cheap. They are slightly larger than some other models, but their unique shape helps them stay securely in my ears. For that reason, they are suitable for sports and exercise. You get three total pairs of silicone eartips in the box to further help you achieve an ideal fit.
Internally, 12mm drivers deliver a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. The earphones support Bluetooth 5.3, the AAC and SBC codecs, multipoint pairing with up to two devices, and Google Fast Pair.
Unlike the slightly more expensive Skullcandy Push ANC Active, the Sesh ANC Active earbuds lack physical buttons and simply provide touch controls on the surface of each earpiece. I typically prefer stem controls, but touch panels are still better than physical outer buttons that tend to push the earpieces further into my ear canal. By default, the controls are the same on both sides. A single press controls playback or answers calls; double presses skip to the next track; and triple presses cycle among the ANC, Stay-Aware (transparency), and Off modes. A press-and-hold gesture rejects an incoming call, ends a current call, or activates Spotify Tap. You can’t control the volume by default, though you can tweak most of the controls via the companion app.
In line with their billing for sports use, the earbuds have an IP67 rating. That’s far better than the IPX4 rating for most noise-cancelling models. It means the earphones are fully dustproof and can survive submersion in water at depths of up to 1 meter. The charging case is not water-resistant, so be sure to dry off the earpieces before docking them. If you want an even greater level of durability for intense running and exercise in inclement conditions, you should upgrade to the IP68-rated JBL Endurance Peak 3.
The plastic charging case has an orange Skullcandy logo on the top and a small, matching nylon loop on the side that you can use with a hook. The case is a bit bulky but should still fit in most pockets. Although the docks use magnets to guide the earbuds into place, it’s easy to incorrectly position them in a way that they won’t charge.
