True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
84Great
$125
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Skullcandy Rail ANC: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.
True Wireless
Skullcandy Rail ANC
68Good
$72
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value7.5
Skullcandy Rail ANC
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling5.0
Battery7.0
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Skullcandy Rail ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $125 | $72 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 12mm |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 12 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 97 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 10 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 7 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 27 h |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 2 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | voice control |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.6 g | 49.8 g |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Skullcandy Rail ANC
The Skullcandy Rail ANC earbuds offer a bass-heavy sound signature, a feature-packed companion app, and a robust set of conveniences like wireless charging and multipoint Bluetooth for a budget-friendly price. While they deliver solid battery life and adaptive noise cancellation, the ANC performance is underwhelming compared to rivals, making them a better fit for those prioritizing features and customization over top-tier isolation. Overall, they represent a strong value in Skullcandy's lineup, though not a class leader in noise suppression.
- Pro:Long total battery life with the charging case
- Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation with transparency mode
- Pro:Wireless charging and USB-C support
- Con:Noise cancellation is not very effective
- Con:Bass-forward tuning may not suit all listeners
- Con:Battery life with ANC is only average at 7 hours
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.