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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 — biggest strength: Patented Crusher Bass with dual bass drivers plus THX Spatial Audio with head tracking, built specifically to make games feel physical.
• Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 — biggest trade-off: It's the heavier of the two at 354.2 g, and its headline features (spatial audio, Crusher EQ, game/chat mix) are aimed at gamers rather than casual listeners.
• JLab JBuds Open — biggest strength: 24+ hours of playtime in a 252 g frame with Bluetooth Multipoint for two devices at once and a 2-year warranty.
• JLab JBuds Open — biggest trade-off: No wired option and no gaming-grade spatial audio or low-latency transmitter — it's a Bluetooth-only everyday headphone.
• Who each pick is for: Crusher PLYR 720 for PC, PlayStation, and Switch gamers who want to feel the action; JBuds Open for commuters, remote workers, and students who want comfortable all-day sound without fully sealing off the world.
The Crusher PLYR 720 is Skullcandy's first gaming headset built around Crusher Bass, and that's the whole point of it. Inside you get two full-range 40mm drivers plus additional dual bass drivers, so low-end hits aren't just audible — they're meant to be felt. Layer THX Spatial Audio with head tracking on top, and the design goal is clear: 360-degree, hyper-realistic sound that moves around you as you play. If you've ever wanted explosions, engines, and footsteps to have real physical weight, that's the pitch here.
Buy it if you game on PC, PlayStation, or Switch and want spatial audio, a boom mic, and bass that's part of the experience. Skip it if you mainly want a light, all-day headphone for music and calls — at 354.2 g it's the heavier option here, and you'd be paying for gaming features you won't use. It's also worth checking the current price on Amazon, since gaming headsets with this much tech vary a lot.
JLab JBuds Open: Who It's For
The JBuds Open takes the opposite approach: maximum comfort and endurance, minimum fuss. At 252 g it's noticeably lighter than the Crusher PLYR 720, and JLab pairs that with Cloud Foam earcups, a cushioned headband, and rotating earcups that adjust to your head shape. The open-back fit is pitched as staying airy through an 8-hour wear session — no heat buildup, no pressure fatigue. If you've ever taken off a closed-back headphone after a long workday just to let your ears breathe, this is the design that solves that.
Sound comes from a dual coaxial driver array — 35mm plus 12mm — which JLab says delivers layered, spacious audio, with LabBoost deepening bass response and LabFocus steering sound to reduce leakage. It's open-back, so you stay aware of your surroundings; that's a feature for an office, a commute, or a walk, and a drawback if you want isolation. Battery life is the headline: 24+ hours of wireless playtime, enough for a full workday plus an evening. Connectivity is Bluetooth 6 with Multipoint pairing to two devices at once — laptop and phone, or iPhone and PC — plus Google Fast Pair for Android and Microsoft Swift Pair. The JLab App handles EQ presets (JLab Signature, Balance, Bass Boost), touch control customization, and software updates, and noise-canceling mics keep calls clear.
Buy it if you want one lightweight headphone for work, calls, podcasts, and music that you can wear all day without thinking about it. Skip it if you need a wired connection — there's no headphone jack — or you want gaming-grade spatial audio, since the JBuds Open is Bluetooth-only with no low-latency transmitter. The 2-year warranty is a genuine plus for long-term ownership.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → JLab JBuds Open, with a stated 24+ hours of playtime versus the Crusher PLYR 720's 2.5-hour charge time listed without a playtime figure.
• Best for all-day comfort → JLab JBuds Open, at 252 g with Cloud Foam and rotating earcups, against 354.2 g for the Skullcandy.
• Best for bass you can feel → Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720, whose dual bass drivers are the entire design premise.
• Best for switching between two devices → JLab JBuds Open, with Bluetooth Multipoint for laptop plus phone at the same time.
• Best for console and PC flexibility → Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720, which covers Bluetooth, USB-A low-latency wireless, and 3.5mm aux.
• Best for voice chat and streaming → Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720, with its removable boom mic and game/chat mix control.
• Best for warranty length → JLab JBuds Open, with a 2-year warranty versus Skullcandy's 1-year limited warranty.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: are you buying this for gaming or for living? If gaming is the job, I'd buy the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 — the Crusher Bass, THX Spatial Audio with head tracking, low-latency transmitter, boom mic, and game/chat mix make it a purpose-built tool that the JBuds Open simply isn't trying to be. If you want one light, comfortable headphone for work, calls, and music with enough battery to last all day, I'd take the JLab JBuds Open instead. Different jobs, different tools.
Yes, and by design. The Crusher PLYR 720 adds THX Spatial Audio with head tracking, Crusher Bass with dual bass drivers, a 25ms low-latency wireless transmitter, and a removable boom mic — none of which the JBuds Open offers. For gaming specifically, the Skullcandy is clearly the more specialized choice.
No. The JBuds Open is Bluetooth-only with no headphone jack. The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720, by contrast, includes a 3.5mm jack alongside Bluetooth and the USB-A low-latency transmitter.
The JBuds Open is lighter at 252 g and uses Cloud Foam earcups with rotating earcups, so it's built for extended, airy wear. The Crusher PLYR 720 is heavier at 354.2 g but counters with memory foam, heat-absorbing cushions, and a suspension headband. Both target long sessions — pick based on whether you want minimum weight or gaming-grade padding.
I don't quote prices here — use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button for current figures. On features alone, the JBuds Open wins on battery life and warranty length (2 years vs 1), while the Crusher PLYR 720 wins on gaming audio, connectivity options, and mic setup. Value depends entirely on which of those you actually need.
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