Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Skullcandy

Crusher ANC 2

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 prioritizes powerful customizable bass, extensive controls, and long battery life over balanced sound and class-leading noise cancellation.

Best for: Bass enthusiasts wanting customizable low-end, long battery life, and flexible controls
Skip it if: You prioritize balanced sound, strong ANC, or high-resolution codec support

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2

Sony

WH-1000XM5

The XM5 excels at noise cancellation, refined sound, and call quality, but its price, bulk, and fit trade-offs may limit its value.

Best for: Travelers and commuters prioritizing top-tier noise cancellation and call quality.
Skip it if: Skip if you need foldability, lower cost, or neutral tuning.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WH-1000XM5

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Specs side by side

Spec	Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2	Sony WH-1000XM5
Best for	Music, Travel	Music, Travel, Work & calls
Fit	Over-ear	Over-ear
Connection	Wireless	Wireless
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Microphone	Built-in mic	Built-in mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

use: WH-1000XM5Work

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2

Exceptional, highly adjustable bass defines the listening experience 1 2 3 4
Long battery life supports extended listening 2 3 4 6
Comfortable, stylish design suits extended wear 1 3 4 6
Physical controls, multipoint, app customization, and Tile add flexibility 1 2 3 4
ANC is average, especially against higher-pitched ambient noise 1 2 3 5
Heavy bass can mask vocals, details, and higher frequencies 2 3 4 5
Sound leaks at higher volumes 3 6
Missing wear detection and aptX or LDAC support 3 5 6 7

Sony WH-1000XM5

Class-leading active noise cancellation excels across travel and commuting. 1 2 3 5
Balanced, detailed sound is repeatedly praised by reviewers. 1 2 3 7
Call quality improved substantially, including in noisy settings. 1 3 4 7
Comfort suits many listeners over extended sessions. 1 3 4 5
Long battery life supports commuting and extended listening. 2 3 4 5
The high price and modest upgrade weaken value. 1 2 3 6
Nonfolding design and bulky case reduce travel portability. 1 2 4 6
Some listeners find tuning bass-heavy with recessed midrange. 5 6
Fit can cause pressure or discomfort during long sessions. 6 7

Ranked in our guides

Guide	Crusher ANC 2	WH-1000XM5
Best noise cancelling headphones	–	#9
Best soundproof headphones	–	#5

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.