How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• New Bee 2's biggest strength: a featherweight 12 g single-ear design with a 360° adjustable earbud, three ear-tip sizes, and dual-device Bluetooth connection — plus you get two headsets in the pack.
• New Bee 2's biggest trade-off: it's a mono earpiece with a modest 3-hour charge time and no low-latency transmitter, so it's for talking, not immersive gaming audio.
• Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform's biggest strength: a full over-ear build with 50 mm dynamic drivers, an included 2.4GHz ultra-low latency transmitter (as low as 20 ms), a removable boom mic, and up to 47 hours of battery life.
• Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform's biggest trade-off: at 314.67 g it's a substantial headset you wear on your head, and its wireless transmitter is designed for PC and PlayStation — Xbox players plug in via the included 3.5 mm cable.
• Pick New Bee 2 if you mainly take calls — driving, trucking, business, laptop and phone use — and want something you barely feel on your ear.
• Pick Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform if you game across PC, PlayStation, Switch or Xbox and want one headset that handles both competitive wireless audio and everyday Bluetooth listening.
The New Bee 2 is a Bluetooth 5.0 single-ear headset — model B41 — that weighs just 12 g. That number is the whole story. On-ear earpieces get uncomfortable when they're heavy, and 12 g is light enough that the design intent is clearly "forget you're wearing it." The earbud rotates 360°, so it fits either ear, and New Bee includes small, medium and large ear tips so you can dial in the fit. For someone wearing a headset for hours of calls, that adjustability matters more than any spec sheet bravado.
The calling hardware is the point here. CVC 6.0 noise cancelling is aimed at keeping your voice clear on both ends of a call, and the battery figures back up the "all day" pitch: roughly 24 hours of talk time, 22 hours of music, 60 days of standby, and a 2–3 hour charge. Bluetooth range is listed at 32.8 feet, with a claimed 15 m hands-free range. It connects to two devices at once and plays audio from both, which is genuinely handy if you're switching between a phone and a laptop. Compatibility covers iPhone, Samsung, HTC, LG, Sony, PC, laptop and other Bluetooth devices.
Who should buy it? Drivers, truckers, delivery folks, and anyone whose day is a chain of phone calls. The two-pack is a nice touch if you want a spare for the car or a second user in the household. Who should skip it? Anyone chasing cinematic sound or competitive gaming. This is a mono earpiece with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and a 3.5 mm jack option — it's a communication tool, not an entertainment rig. The 3-hour charge time is also worth noting if you hate waiting around.
The Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform is a different animal entirely. It's an over-ear headset (Digi-Black, plastic/foam/fabric build) at 314.67 g, with 50 mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohm impedance, 95 dB sensitivity and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range. Big drivers in a closed over-ear cup usually mean fuller, more physical sound than any earpiece can deliver — that's the design talking, not a test result. Bluetooth 5.2 handles the wireless side, and the 1.8-hour charge time pairs with a listed 47-hour average battery life.
What makes the PLYR interesting is its multi-platform ambition. It ships with a 2.4GHz ultra-low latency wireless transmitter designed for PC and PlayStation, dropping audio delay to as low as 20 ms. For Xbox, you plug the included 3.5 mm cable straight into your controller. In the box you also get a removable boom mic, a USB-C to USB-A cable, and a 5-pole-to-4-pole aux cable. Enhanced Sound Perception builds a personalized sound profile from a hearing assessment, and the Skullcandy app (desktop or mobile) unlocks game/chat mic mix, EQ and sidetone. Basic controls live on the earcups; the app handles the advanced stuff.
Who should buy it? Gamers who want one headset for PC, PlayStation, Switch and Xbox, and who value low-latency wireless for footsteps and distant audio cues. The removable boom mic and sound-isolation design also make it a reasonable everyday Bluetooth headphone when the mic is off. Who should skip it? If you want something invisible and weightless for phone calls, a 314.67 g over-ear headset is the wrong tool. And if you're Xbox-only, note the low-latency transmitter isn't your path — you'll be wired to the controller.
• Best for all-day calling → New Bee 2. 24 hours of talk time, 22 hours of music, 60 days standby, and 12 g on your ear.
• Best for immersive gaming audio → Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform. 50 mm drivers in over-ear cups with a removable boom mic.
• Best for low-latency competitive play → Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform. The included 2.4GHz transmitter targets delays as low as 20 ms on PC and PlayStation.
• Best for multi-device juggling → New Bee 2. It holds two Bluetooth connections at once and plays sound from both.
• Best for Xbox gaming → Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform, but you'll use the 3.5 mm cable into the controller rather than the transmitter.
• Best for long battery life between charges → Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform at a listed 47 hours, with a quicker 1.8-hour charge.
• Best for sharing or keeping a spare → New Bee 2. It's sold as a two-pack, so you get a second headset.
• Best for lightweight comfort in hot environments → New Bee 2. A 12 g on-ear earpiece doesn't trap heat the way a full over-ear cup does.
• Best for personalized audio → Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform. ESP builds a sound profile from a hearing assessment, with EQ in the app.
In my opinion, the Skullcandy PLYR Multi-Platform is the headset I'd buy for a mixed gaming-and-listening life. The combination of a 2.4GHz low-latency transmitter, a removable boom mic, 50 mm drivers, 47 hours of battery, and app-driven EQ covers more ground than any single-ear earpiece can. I'd only steer you to New Bee 2 if calls are your priority and you want something you can wear for a full shift without noticing it — in which case the two-pack, dual-device connection and 24 hours of talk time make it the clear pick. Two different jobs, two different answers. Before you decide, check the current price on Amazon.
FAQ
how to bluetooth headset to xbox
how to bluetooth headset to ps5
The PLYR Multi-Platform connects to PlayStation either over Bluetooth 5.2 or via its included 2.4GHz ultra-low latency transmitter. New Bee 2 pairs over Bluetooth 5.0 with Bluetooth-enabled devices, but it's built for calls rather than console gaming audio.
how to bluetooth headset to xbox series s
Same story as other Xbox models: no direct Bluetooth headset pairing. Your practical route with the PLYR Multi-Platform is the 3.5 mm cable into the controller. For New Bee 2, connect it to a phone, laptop or PC over Bluetooth instead.
how to bluetooth headset to pc
Both work here. New Bee 2 pairs over Bluetooth 5.0 and can hold two devices at once, with a listed 32.8 ft range. The PLYR Multi-Platform pairs over Bluetooth 5.2, or you can use its 2.4GHz transmitter for lower latency — better if you're gaming rather than talking.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Yworlln NE76 vs New Bee 2: Wireless Travel Headphones, New Bee Headset vs Aptkdoe Earbuds 75H: Bluetooth Headphones, Acadeny Compatible vs Skullcandy EcoBuds Sustainable