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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Skullcandy Push 720 — biggest strength: Up to 30 hours of total battery (6 in the buds, 24 in the case) with an IP67 waterproof rating that survives rain, sweat and full submersion.
• Skullcandy Push 720 — biggest trade-off: No noise control at all, and the punchy 12mm drivers trade fine detail for energy.
• ASUS ROG Cetra Open — biggest strength: Dual-mode Bluetooth + low-latency 2.4GHz via a USB-C dongle, plus quad AI noise-canceling mics and a detachable reflective neck strap.
• ASUS ROG Cetra Open — biggest trade-off: Only up to 16 hours of total playtime and a lesser IPX5 water rating — splash-resistant, not swim-proof.
• Who the Skullcandy is for: Runners, gym-goers and anyone who wants to disappear outside for hours without hunting for a charger.
• Who the ASUS is for: Gamers and hybrid workers who want one set of open earbuds for PC play, calls and the occasional workout.
The Push 720 Open is unapologetically an outdoor training bud. Skullcandy built it around an ear-cuff design with 12mm dynamic drivers and a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, and the tuning is clearly aimed at energy rather than surgical accuracy — you get full, forward sound while your ears stay completely open to traffic, trail and treadmill noise. Bluetooth 5.2 handles the connection, and at 90g for the whole kit it's light enough to forget you're wearing it. The no-slip fit is the headline comfort claim here, and for an open-ear cuff that's the spec that matters most: a bud that shifts mid-run is useless.
Who should buy it? Runners, cyclists, gym regulars and anyone who spends long stretches outdoors and wants awareness plus endurance. The Skullcandy app adds EQ presets, customizable button behavior and even a remote camera trigger from the earbud, which is a nice touch if you film your workouts. Who should skip it? If you game competitively, take a lot of calls in noisy rooms, or want any form of noise reduction, look elsewhere — this bud has no noise control whatsoever and no low-latency dongle. A 1-year USA limited warranty covers it.
ASUS ROG Cetra Open: Who It's For
The ROG Cetra Open is a different animal entirely. ASUS designed it for gamers first: dual-mode connectivity means it runs on Bluetooth for everyday listening but switches to low-latency ROG SpeedNova 2.4GHz through a bundled USB-C dongle when you need audio to stay locked to the action. If you've ever tried gaming over standard Bluetooth and watched gunshots land a beat late, you understand why that dongle matters. The 14.2mm DLC-coated diaphragm drivers are the largest in this comparison, and ASUS tunes them for crisp highs, deep bass and a spacious soundstage — with a Phantom Bass mode and an Immersion Mode that reduces outside noise without sealing your ears.
The microphone setup is the other big differentiator: quad AI noise-canceling mics. For Discord calls, team chat or work meetings, that's a real advantage over the Skullcandy's bare-bones approach. Physically, the Cetra Open weighs just 11.4g per bud, uses soft ear hooks for a secure fit, and gives you tactile physical buttons instead of touch controls — which I actually prefer during workouts, because sweaty fingers and touch sensors are a bad combination. Add a customizable Aura RGB logo and a detachable reflective neck strap that keeps the buds from hitting the pavement and improves your visibility at night, and you've got a package that's clearly thinking about active gaming life.
The trade-offs are real, though. Battery tops out at 16 hours of continuous use, with a 15-minute fast charge yielding 3 hours. That's half the Skullcandy's total endurance, and there's no charging pouch in the same sense — the case and neck strap are separate accessories. The IPX5 rating handles rain and sweat, but it is not waterproof the way IP67 is; don't submerge these. And the 2.4GHz dongle is a USB-C passthrough design, so it works best with a phone or device that can spare the port. Who should buy it? PC and mobile gamers, streamers, and hybrid workers who want one open-ear set for play and calls. Skip it if your priority is all-day battery or swimming-level water protection.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for gaming → ASUS ROG Cetra Open. The ROG SpeedNova 2.4GHz dongle delivers low-latency audio that Bluetooth alone can't match.
• Best for calls and voice chat → ASUS ROG Cetra Open. Quad AI noise-canceling mics versus no dedicated mic array on the Skullcandy.
• Best for rain and heavy sweat → Skullcandy Push 720. IP67 fully waterproof beats IPX5 splash resistance for anyone who trains hard outdoors.
• Best for loud, bass-forward music → ASUS ROG Cetra Open. The 14.2mm DLC-coated drivers and Phantom Bass mode push more low end.
• Best for cable-free convenience → Skullcandy Push 720. The wireless charging pouch means you never fish for a USB-C cable.
• Best for night runs and drop protection → ASUS ROG Cetra Open. The detachable reflective neck strap adds visibility and keeps the buds secure.
• Best for touch-free control in the gym → ASUS ROG Cetra Open. Physical push buttons beat touch panels when your hands are wet.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd buy the Skullcandy Push 720. In my opinion, the 30-hour battery, the 10-minute Rapid Charge and the IP67 waterproofing are the three specs that matter most in an open-ear bud, because open-ear designs are worn during movement, outdoors, for long stretches — and that's exactly where the Skullcandy is strongest. The ASUS ROG Cetra Open is the better pick if gaming and voice chat are your priority, and its 2.4GHz dongle and AI mics are genuinely compelling. But as an everyday active companion, I'd take the endurance and the waterproofing. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both sit in a similar range and the value call depends on what you're paying on the day.
FAQ
Yes. It ships with a USB-C 2.4GHz dongle and supports ROG SpeedNova low-latency connectivity alongside standard Bluetooth, so you can switch between your PC and phone. The Skullcandy is Bluetooth-only, with no low-latency dongle.
The Skullcandy Push 720. It delivers up to 30 hours total (6 in the buds, 24 in the case), while the ASUS ROG Cetra Open offers up to 16 hours of continuous use. Both support fast charging — 10 minutes for 2 hours on the Skullcandy, 15 minutes for 3 hours on the ASUS.
It has no dedicated noise-canceling mic array like the ASUS's quad AI mics, so it's fine for casual calls but not ideal in noisy environments. If clear voice chat is a priority, the ASUS ROG Cetra Open is the stronger choice.
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