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Skullcandy Grind Fuel
Launched alongside the Skullcandy Push Active, the Skullcandy Grind Fuel slots into a seemingly awkward place in the true wireless earbud market. It lacks active noise canceling (ANC) and a sleek design, but offers plenty of unique features through the free mobile app. Still, can you really get your money’s worth from these $100 USD earbuds?
Editor’s note: this Skullcandy Grind Fuel was updated on February 25, 2022, to answer frequently asked questions.
Who should buy the Skullcandy Grind Fuel?
- Entry-level consumers seeking true wireless earbuds that perform nearly every function will get a lot out of the Grind Fuel.
- Hands-on workers that would rather control audio with a voice assistant than go digging through their phone can say, “Hey Skullcandy” to initiate commands.
- Gym rats looking to take advantage of a lightweight and water-resistant design with some extra bass will want to take these earbuds everywhere.
What is it like to use the Skullcandy Grind Fuel?
Both the earbuds and charging case of the Skullcandy Grind Fuel are made from hard plastic that doesn’t exactly scream premium. The upside to the design is durability—I have no hesitations tossing the Grind Fuel in my gym bag or out walking in the rain with the earbuds’ IP55 dust and water-resistant build.
Learn more: What makes a good set of in-ears?
The charging case and earbuds are all large and bulky, so you may want to stay clear if you have small ears or small pockets. Skullcandy includes three ear tip sizes in the box for a secure and comfortable fit, and connecting the earbuds to a device the first time is quite simple.
You can use Spotify Tap without the Skullcandy app.
On iPhone, a notification to connect to the Skullcandy app pops up every time you open the case. You must approve this connection to access the main selling point of the Grind Fuel—Skull-iQ hands-free voice control. Similar to the “Hey Siri” functionality of Apple AirPods, you can say “Hey Skullcandy” to control playback on the Grind Fuel. When you want to field an incoming call, just say, “accept” or “reject.” You can even use the Skullcandy voice control to access Siri or Google Assistant and unlock full control over your device (e.g., send a text, make a call, set a timer, and more).
How do you control the earbuds?
A single button on each earbud controls music playback, pairing to new devices, and Spotify Tap, which immediately launches the last Spotify playlist you were listening to. Automatic ear detection is absent from the Grind Fuel, so removing the earbuds doesn’t pause playback.
You can use the Skullcandy app to customize the controls, but below are the default settings.
| Left earbud | Right earbud | |
|---|---|---|
One tap | Left earbud Play/pause, answer/end call | Right earbud Play/pause, answer/end call |
Double-tap | Left earbud Volume down | Right earbud Volume up |
One tap and 1s hold | Left earbud Power on, Spotify Tap (requires Spotify) | Right earbud Power on |
One tap and 3s hold | Left earbud Join audio | Right earbud Share audio (Skullcandy app required) |
Double-press and 1s hold | Left earbud Power off | Right earbud Power off |
Should you download the Skullcandy app?
Despite its affordable price tag, the Grind Fuel comes with plenty of premium software features through the Skullcandy app like Tile tracking and audio sharing with other Skull-iQ headsets. Battery indicators show how much juice is left in the earbuds, while firmware updates download the latest security and features to the earbuds.
A personalized sound feature performs a hearing test and creates an EQ profile accordingly, something we’ve seen from companies like Jabra and Jaybird. There is also the option to create a custom sound profile with a five-band equalizer to change the sound of the earbuds to your liking.
You can toggle the “stay-aware” mode to amplify environmental sounds, which is an easy way to stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying music. Additional customization includes the ability to adjust the onboard button controls on each earbud (one, two, or three taps). This expands the touch controls and gives you the option to take a photo, skip or return to the previous track, adjust the volume, activate your assistant, and toggle Spotify Tap.
What Bluetooth codecs does the Skullcandy Grind Fuel support?
The Skullcandy Grind Fuel supports just the standard SBC Bluetooth codec, which means there’s no option for high-quality streaming to iPhones or Android devices. While this is a bit of a bummer, the Grind Fuel is for active listeners, not audiophiles. Bluetooth 5.2 keeps the Grind Fuel connected to a device, and this Bluetooth version yields efficient power consumption. Listeners can use the earbuds in stereo or mono mode, which accounts for those with hearing impairments.
The Skullcandy app packs tons of premium features.
If you don’t want to download the mobile app, you can pair the Grind Fuel with your phone by removing the earbuds from the case. A tone will indicate that the earbuds have powered on, and then a voice will say, “Ready to pair.” Subsequently, both earbuds will pulse red and blue when in pairing mode. Once you notice the flashing, open your device’s Bluetooth settings and select “Grind Fuel” from the discoverable devices.
How well does the Skullcandy Grind Fuel block out noise?
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When it comes to blocking out noise, the Skullcandy Grind Fuel struggles to keep pace with the competition. Without noise canceling, you’ll have to rely on a good fit from the silicone ear tips to block out any environmental noise. Skullcandy’s ear tips block out some high-frequency incidental sounds, but won’t drown out any low-frequency noises like the rumble from an airplane engine. These definitely aren’t the earbuds to get if you frequently commute or travel. External sounds will mask your audio, forcing you to turn up your music and potentially harm your hearing.
How does the Skullcandy Grind Fuel sound?
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Skullcandy traditionally targets the workout and entry-level audio markets, where people tend to prefer a bit more bass in their music. The default Skullcandy Grind Fuel frequency response is no different and features a very bass-heavy sound.
Bass notes sound twice as loud as mids, which leads to auditory masking (when a loud sound makes it hard to hear a relatively quiet one). You may notice that vocals and other instruments lack some detail and clarity. I notice auditory masking taking hold at 1:00 of Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran, when the kick drum and bass line overpower the vocals and guitar.
How should you equalize these earbuds?
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You can fix the auditory masking issues by applying a custom EQ within the Skullcandy app. For a more accurate sound, lower the 60Hz frequency band and boost the 12kHz frequency band within the custom EQ.
Since the Grind Fuel doesn’t have ANC, the earbuds sound different in noisy environments than they do in a quiet room. The rumble of an engine can drown out low-frequencies in your music, which might leave you wondering where all the bass went.
How long does the battery last?
The earbuds are rated to last 9 hours on a single charge, with 40 hours of total playback including the charging case. In our battery testing of continuous playback at 75dB(SPL), the earbuds only lasted 5 hours and 56 minutes. While this is less than promised, it is on par with other true wireless earbuds.
Learn more: How to increase true wireless earbud lifespan
An included USB-C cable charges up the case, with fast charging providing 120 minutes of playback from a 10 minute-charge. The case also supports wireless charging, so you can power up the earbuds with a Qi wireless charger.
How good is the microphone on the Skullcandy Grind Fuel?
The microphones on the Skullcandy Grind Fuel earbuds are nothing to write home about. They aren’t as clear as the microphones on more expensive earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro. Additionally, the microphones struggle to block out environmental noises, so people may struggle to hear you on calls when you’re walking around busy streets.
Take a listen for yourself below and let us know what you think.
How does the microphone sound to you?
As of December 3, 2021, a total of 71% of readers have rated the above mic sample as somewhere between “okay” and “good.” This is slightly below average for true wireless earbuds.
Should you buy the Skullcandy Grind Fuel?
At $100 USD, the Skullcandy Grind Fuel makes for an enticing proposition. There are enough features packed into the Skullcandy app to satisfy any user, and the build quality is enough to survive the rougher parts of life. The voice control is also very convenient for those that frequently have their hands busy.
The most important decision to make before buying the Grind Fuel is figuring out whether or not you need ANC. With new affordable ANC earbuds popping up every other day, it’s harder and harder to recommend earbuds that lack it.
If you don't need ANC, the Grind Fuel makes for a good option
If you don’t often find yourself in noisy environments and just want durable true wireless earbuds with tons of customization options, the Skullcandy Grind Fuel won’t disappoint.
What are some alternatives to the Skullcandy Grind Fuel?
Listeners who want many of the same features as the Grind Fuel with a more secure fit might want to look into the Skullcandy Push Active. This includes hooked earbuds that remain secure no matter how you move. The Push Active is about as well built as the Grind Fuel, which is to say that build quality is only okay. Still, you get plenty of software features and hands-free access to your favorite voice assistant, making it a unique pick among a sea of options.
If you don’t need all the features of the Skullcandy Grind Fuel and want earbuds that just work, check out the Nothing Ear 1. As the name implies, these earbuds (literally) strip away all the fancy coating and deliver solid all-around performance for under $100 USD. The 1MORE ComfoBuds Pro is another great option, and also features ANC for under $100 USD.
For one of the best bangs for your buck, you may want to look into the Anker Soundcore Life A1. This includes a wireless USB-C charging case, stabilizing wing tips, and support for mono playback. There’s nothing too special about thsi headset, but for less than $50 USD, you get app support with multiple EQ preset options.
Frequently asked questions
You can use Skullcandy earbuds with any smartphone over Bluetooth. The vast majority, if not all, true wireless earbuds work with iOS and Android. Some features might be absent if there’s an app that’s only available on one OS or the other, but they can all transmit audio and handle phone calls. Here’s a link to the Skullcandy app for Android.
The Push Active features a more secure wrap-around design but lacks wireless charging. It’s cheaper than the Grind Fuel, but be mindful of how large the charging case is.
The biggest difference with the Skullcandy Grind Fuel compared to previous generation earbuds is the Skull-iQ technology which enables voice-control functionality. Other new features include Spotify Tap, Tile tracking, and wireless charging.
Firmware updates will be prompted on the home page of the Skullcandy app. Simply press the “update” button and ensure your earbuds are charged and stay connected to your device throughout the updating process.