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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Yistao's biggest strength: Up to 60 hours of total playtime via the charging case, plus an IP68 rating — the higher dust and water resistance of the two.
• Yistao's biggest trade-off: Bone conduction drivers sit off the ear canal, so bass feels lighter, and there's no companion app to tune the sound.
• Skullcandy's biggest strength: App-based EQ customization and a lightweight ear-cuff fit built for no-slip stability during hard training.
• Skullcandy's biggest trade-off: 30 hours total battery (6 in the buds) and IP67 — solid, but roughly half the runtime of the Yistao.
• Pick Yistao if: you train long, sweat hard, and want the case to keep you going for days between charges.
• Pick Skullcandy if: you want to shape your own sound signature and prioritize a locked-in fit over maximum runtime.
The Yistao B8 is built around one idea: keep your ears open and keep going. At 0.28 oz per bud with a 0.7 mm memory-flex titanium alloy frame and skin-friendly silicone, the design is aimed at people who wear open-ear headphones for hours and forget they're on. For the gym specifically, that matters — a hook-style bone conduction bud sits outside the ear canal, so you stay aware of clanking plates, a spotter, or someone asking to work in. If you've ever pulled an earbud out mid-set to hear a gym buddy, this form factor just avoids the problem.
The battery story is where it separates itself. Yistao rates the buds at 15 hours per charge and the case at up to 60 hours total, with a quick 5-minute top-up giving about an hour of playback. In gym terms: you could train daily for a week and barely think about charging. The IP68 rating is the other headline — fully dust-proof and resistant to splashes, which covers sweat, rain on a run, or a water bottle mishap. Bluetooth 5.3 with 60 ms low latency keeps audio synced to video if you're watching form tutorials between sets, and AAC support keeps streaming quality reasonable.
Who should buy it: long-session lifters, runners, and anyone who wants maximum runtime and the highest water/dust resistance in this matchup, plus a fit so light it disappears. Who should skip it: if you want to EQ your sound or prefer deep, punchy bass, bone conduction drivers and the absence of a companion app (the controls are touch-only, and there's no noise control at all) will feel limiting. It's an awareness-first tool, not a bass-first one.
The Push 720 Open takes the same open-ear philosophy — hear the world, don't plug it up — and wraps it in an ear-cuff shape with 12 mm dynamic drivers. Skullcandy describes it as a no-slip, all-day-comfort design, and the clip-on cuff approach is aimed squarely at movement: running outdoors, gym sessions, anything where a bud popping loose is the enemy. If your workout involves quick direction changes, the cuff-style hold is the appeal here.
The standout feature is the Skullcandy app. You can pick EQ presets or build your own, remap the button controls, and even use an earbud to trigger your phone's camera. Among open-ear buds, that level of customization is genuinely uncommon, and it's the clearest reason to pick this pair if sound-shaping matters to you. You also get a wireless charging pouch — drop the buds in, no cable — which is a nice everyday convenience.
The trade-offs are real. Battery is rated at 6 hours in the buds and 24 in the case for 30 total, with a 10-minute Rapid Charge adding 2 hours — good, but half the Yistao's total runtime. Water resistance is IP67 versus the Yistao's IP68, so both handle sweat and rain; the Yistao just has the slight edge on paper. Weight is listed at 90 g for the set, noticeably more than the Yistao's 74 g.
Who should buy it: people who want to fine-tune their sound, customize controls, and get a secure cuff fit for high-movement training. Who should skip it: if you want the longest possible battery and the lightest possible feel, or you don't care about an app, the Yistao wins those categories.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → Yistao True Bone Conduction. Up to 60 hours total versus 30 for the Skullcandy — roughly double the runtime for people who hate charging.
• Best for water and dust protection → Yistao True Bone Conduction. IP68 beats IP67 on paper, and it's the difference between "splash-resistant" and "dust-proof plus splash-resistant."
• Best for a secure, locked-in cuff fit → Skullcandy Push 720. The ear-cuff design is purpose-built for no-slip stability during movement.
• Best for all-day lightness → Yistao True Bone Conduction. 0.28 oz per bud with a titanium alloy frame is the lighter, more forgettable option.
• Best for quick top-ups → Skullcandy Push 720. A 10-minute charge buys 2 hours of playback, versus 1 hour from the Yistao's 5-minute charge.
• Best for bass-forward listeners → Skullcandy Push 720. The 12 mm dynamic drivers push more low-end than bone conduction drivers typically deliver.
• Best for simplicity → Yistao True Bone Conduction. No app, no setup — just pair and go.
In my opinion, the Yistao True Bone Conduction is the better gym pick for most people. Double the battery, the higher IP68 rating, and a 0.28 oz-per-bud build make it the more practical everyday training companion — you charge it less and worry about sweat less. I'd only steer you to the Skullcandy Push 720 if sound customization and a cuff-style secure fit are your top priorities over runtime. Both are open-ear, both are waterproof, both are built for movement — the Yistao just lasts longer and weighs less while doing it.
what is best headphones for gym
There's no single answer, but for most gym-goers an open-ear design like either of these keeps you aware of your surroundings while staying secure. If runtime and water resistance top your list, the Yistao's 60-hour case and IP68 rating make it the stronger fit; if you want to tune your sound, the Skullcandy's app is the edge.
what headphones for gym
Look for a secure fit, sweat resistance, and enough battery to cover your sessions. The Yistao offers 15 hours per charge with up to 60 total and IP68, while the Skullcandy Push 720 offers 6 hours per charge with up to 30 total, IP67, and a no-slip ear-cuff design.
what headphones for gym reddit
Threads on this tend to split between bone conduction/open-ear fans and those who want app-controlled sound. The spec-based split here is clear: Yistao for maximum battery and lighter weight, Skullcandy for EQ customization and a cuff-style locked-in fit.
what headphone is good for gym
A good gym headphone balances fit, durability, and battery. Both of these qualify — the Yistao leans toward endurance and protection (60 hours, IP68), the Skullcandy toward control and stability (app EQ, ear-cuff fit, IP67). Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that can tip the balance.
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