Those who read our reviews on a regular basis will be aware we have covered many products from Skullcandy such as the Skullcandy Indy to the recent Skullcandy Push Active.
In this review, we have been sent the Skullcandy Grind Fuel which is just like the push active in that you have that Spotify tap feature. They also continue the trend of voice controls paired with a single button that allows you to control all the usual controls such as volume controls.
First Impressions
The Skullcandy Grind Fuel comes in at £89.99 now you will instantly notice a key feature missing you do not get active noise cancelling (ANC) which does make me question the price point of these. However, they do have a cool design but you will notice the buds and even the charging case are made of plastic but without a premium look to them.
The plastic used does screams durability so they will be able to handle everyday bumps that may happen. They also come IP55 rated meaning they are water and dust resistant so they will be able to handle a hardcore gym session or when you get caught in the rain you can still enjoy your favourite music or podcast.
When you open the packaging Skullcandy keeps things simple you get the earbuds, a charging case, three different ear tips in order for you to get the best fit, USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a simple user guide. I can’t say there is much more I need from a pair of earbuds like these.
You also get some instructions on how to use the Skullcandy app which if you have read my review of the Push Active it’s an app that is basic and in need of improvement unfortunately those improvements have not occurred yet.
I currently use an iPhone 12 and you will get a notification every time you take these buds out of that charging case. This is useful if you want to use the Skull-IQ voice control but does get a little annoying after a few weeks.
Design
As mentioned the Grind Fuel earbuds are made of plastic and come with a durable build. These earbuds are only available in black but what you will notice is the buds are on the large side. Skullcandy says it’s done to provide a secure fit but I would question that. I just feel they are a little on the large side.
The buds do come with 12mm dynamic drivers that provide a frequency of 20Hz to a max of 20kHz. As mentioned already you have a single button on the buds or you can do most controls via the Skull-IQ voice control.
In terms of the physical button here is what can be done:
You do also have the benefit of the Spotify tap this is a feature I first saw in the Push Active. It will launch the last playlist you were listening to this is good if you use Spotify but a bit pointless for our Amazon Music, Apple Music or Tidal Hi-Fi fans.
In terms of the Skull-IQ voice control, it works just like Apple or Google Smart Assistants as in to create a command you simply say “Hey Skullcandy” This will allow you to control the playback, adjust volume, track control, answer/reject calls and also launch Spotify and that stay-aware mode all via just your voice really useful when cycling or when you’re out running. You can also use the Skullcandy app to access your regular smart assistant which in most cases will be Google Assistant or Siri.
Moving on to the charging case that is not water-resistant, unlike the buds some make sure the buds are dry before you place them to be charged. The case is also made of that durable plastic and at the rear, it has the USB-C port for when you need to charge.
The case has a flip-top lid that shows reveals the charging dock for the buds and also has some LED’s that indicate the battery status and how many charges are available from the case.
The Skullcandy Grind Fuel offers 9 hours of playback with an additional 31 hours held in the charging case I was very impressed when it comes to the battery life with these.
You also get the benefit of fast charging when you have finally used that 40 hours of playback. When fast charging for 10-minutes it will provide you will 2 hours of playback. The charging case just like Push Active allows for wireless charging handy when in the office and you want to charge these while you work.
Finally, the earbuds provide you with connectivity via Bluetooth 5.2 and support the SBC codec but unfortunately not the AAC or AptX codec this might push some buyers away especially you are a fan of using Tidal for your high fidelity audio.
In terms of connecting for the first time as mentioned the buds use Bluetooth 5.2 which allows for easy pairing. Here is how you pair:
- A tone will indicate once the buds have powered on and a voice will mention “Ready to Pair”.
- The buds will pulse red & blue when in pairing mode.
- Go into your phone Bluetooth list and select Skullcandy Grind Fuel.
- Connected.
The only negative in terms of design I have come across is the lack of automatic ear detection so if you was to take the buds our the music will still continue until they are placed in the charging case.
The Skullcandy App
Just like the push active, we have already reviewed the Skullcandy Grind Fuel also uses the Skullcandy app for voice commands, tile tracking and audio sharing (As long as the second person has a compatible Skullcandy pair of earbuds). Also on the app is a battery indicator and there is also the chance to update with any firmware downloads that become available.
If it’s your first time using the app as well as the Grind Fuel you will take a hearing test and this creates an EQ profile perfect for your hearing. I have seen this with Jabra and think it’s a useful feature to have with a pair of buds.
Also on the app is the stay-aware mode which you might recognise as ambient mode it amplifies environmental sounds so you are aware of what is happening around you but at the same time still enjoying your music. I find this feature useful when at a train station and you want to hear out for the platform of your train or if am walking to work being aware of my surroundings is vital especially in central London.
Last but not least it also allows you to customise the physical button on the buds such as creating shortcuts for:
- Track control
- Volume control
- Smart Assistant
- Activate Spotify Tap
- Take a photo feature
The App is useful and once you’re used to it, you will enjoy it but if you just want to use the buds without the app that is also possible.
Sound Quality
The Sound quality is aimed towards gyms fans and those who are looking for a more budget-friendly pair of TWS and like a bit more bass in your music. The default frequency is a little bass-heavy but you do have the chance to change that via the app if you wish.
When using the default frequency the bass is more noticeable in fact it’s twice as loud as the mids which affects the overall sound. The increased bass also impacts the vocals they lack detail and you will find auditory masking happens quite often.
You will be pleased to know you can adjust the EQ removing that auditory masking within the Skullcandy app. You can do this by lowering the 60HZ band and increasing the 12kHz band to create a custom EQ that will be more enjoyable for your ears.
Once you have adjusted the EQ we tested these with a number of tracks of different types of music to see how they perform. When listening to tracks with intense sub-bass the Grind Fuel delivers a powerful low-frequency response that did not distort at max volume. When the volume is at more of a moderate volume the bass comes out with a deep enjoyable sound.
When moving to a track with less bass such as “Alice Merton No Roots” this is where you get its actual sound signature. The electric guitar sounds thunderous while Alice vocals become even richer. The only downfall is the brightness and treble did fall at points.
When it’s time to hear some more classical music the sound profile is balanced with the lows not pushed too forward and the high-mid presence prevents the track from feeling dull.
Built-in Mic
The Skullcandy Grind Fuel does have built-in microphones but unfortunately, they are a little bit of a disappointment. You won’t get that clear sound you might be used to with more expensive options from the likes of Apple & Jabra. I also noticed when testing the mics are not great at reducing environmental noises so if you’re making a call while on the way to work the other person will hear you walking down that busy road for sure.
Verdict
The Skullcandy Grind Fuel comes in at £89.99 and it’s not a terrible option at this price point. I like the fact you have a series of features such as 40 hours battery and wireless charging, IP55 rated, Tile technology and Skullcandy IQ smart feature technology.
The Skullcandy app houses the IQ smart technology which allows you to use voice commands useful for when you out exercising. I also like the app for being able to customise the EQ which considering the default sound profile it is needed.
The build quality of the Grind Fuel was decent will survive bumps and the rougher times of life. Unfortunately, the Skullcandy Grind Fuel does not offer ANC and considering products like Edifier Neobuds Pro Which is a similar price and offer ANC I would have to question would you buy these?
If you don’t find yourself in noisy places when listening to these buds they do offer the chance to customise the sound quality this is a big bonus for me.
So overall if you like the fact you have that integrated voice assistant, customization via the Skullcandy app and 40-hour battery life they will please many but the lack of ANC makes me struggle to put these above the competition.
Product Rating:
Design: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Skullcandy App: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Sound Quality: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Built-In Mic: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Value for Money: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall Rating: 3.6 out of 5.0 stars – 3.6 Stars
The Skullcandy Grind Fuel available from Skullcandy.co.uk for £89.99
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