We recently tested the Dime 3 earbuds and found them to be a solid option for anyone who wants decent sound quality without spending a fortune. These compact wireless earbuds deliver up to 20 hours of total battery life, which got us through several days of use without needing to recharge the case.
The fit is secure enough for workouts thanks to the IPX4 sweat resistance rating, and we appreciated the integrated lanyard on the case that made it easy to clip onto bags or keychains. The touch controls worked reliably for adjusting volume and skipping tracks, though they took a bit of practice to master.
Sound quality is respectable for the price, with three EQ presets that let you switch between standard music mode, bass boost, and a podcast setting. The bass boost mode adds some depth without overwhelming the mids, and podcast mode made voices clearer during calls and audiobooks. We noticed the noise isolation works well passively through the ear tip seal, though there’s also a Stay-Aware mode when you need to hear your surroundings.
The built-in Tile technology is a practical feature that helped us locate the case when it slipped between couch cushions. Multipoint pairing worked smoothly, allowing us to switch between our laptop and phone without manual reconnecting. The rapid charge feature proved useful, giving us about two hours of playback from just ten minutes plugged in.
On the downside, these earbuds don’t have active noise cancellation, so airplane or train noise still comes through. The case feels a bit plasticky compared to pricier models, and the Bluetooth range of about 10 meters means you can’t wander too far from your device.
Bottom Line
The Dime 3 earbuds offer strong value with their extended battery life, sweat resistance, and finding technology at an affordable price point.
They handle daily listening tasks well without major compromises.
Click here to purchase the Skullcandy Dime 3 and upgrade your audio experience.
Overview of Skullcandy Dime 3 Wireless Earbuds
These budget-friendly earbuds impressed us with their surprisingly robust feature set for the price. The Dime 3 managed to deliver 20 hours of total battery life across several days of testing, with the earbuds themselves lasting around 8 hours before needing the case.
Key Features We Found Useful:
- Built-in Tile tracking technology
- IPX4 water resistance rating
- Rapid charging capability
- Multipoint pairing for two devices
The compact case includes an integrated lanyard loop, which proved handy for clipping to bags or keys. We appreciated the three EQ presets that let us switch between music, bass boost, and podcast modes depending on what we were listening to.
Sound quality delivered solid performance for the price, with decent clarity for podcasts and sufficient bass response in music mode. The fit provided good passive noise isolation, though there’s no active noise cancellation. Battery life lived up to expectations, giving us a full workday of listening before needing a recharge.
Long Battery Life and Rapid Charge
The 20-hour total battery life impressed us during our testing period. The earbuds themselves lasted around 8 hours on a single charge, while the compact case provided an additional 12 hours of juice.
What really stood out was the rapid charge feature. When we needed a quick power boost, just 10 minutes of charging gave us about 2 hours of playback time. This came in handy when we forgot to charge overnight.
Battery Performance:
- 8 hours from earbuds alone
- 12 additional hours from case
- 2 hours playback from 10-minute charge
The full recharge cycle takes around 20 hours, which is longer than some competitors. We typically charged the case overnight and had enough power for several days of moderate use.
Sweat and Water Resistance
After testing the Dime 3 during several workout sessions, we found them to be water resistant, which provides basic protection against moisture. They handled our sweaty gym sessions without any issues, and light splashes from a water bottle didn’t cause problems.
However, it’s important to note that these earbuds aren’t fully waterproof. We wouldn’t recommend wearing them in heavy rain or submerging them in water. The water resistance is sufficient for typical exercise scenarios and everyday use where you might encounter some moisture.
For casual workouts and general daily wear, the Dime 3 offers adequate protection. Just don’t expect them to survive a swim or intense water exposure.
Built-In Tile Finding Technology
We were impressed to discover that the Dime 3 includes integrated Tile tracking functionality. After registering the earbuds through the Tile app, we gained the ability to locate them using our smartphone, which proved genuinely useful during our testing period.
The system works by connecting the earbuds to Tile’s network, allowing us to trigger a sound from the buds when they’re nearby or view their last known location on a map if they’re out of range. We found this particularly reassuring given how small these earbuds are and how easily they could get misplaced in a bag or between couch cushions.
The main limitation we noticed is that you must remember to register the product in the Tile app for this feature to work at all. Without that initial setup, the tracking capability remains dormant.
Preset Audio EQ Modes
The Dime 3 includes three preset EQ modes that you can switch between depending on what you’re listening to. We found the Music mode provides a balanced sound profile suitable for most genres, while Bass Boost adds noticeable low-end emphasis for hip-hop and electronic tracks.
The Podcast mode is particularly useful, as it emphasizes vocal frequencies to make spoken content clearer. Switching between modes is straightforward, though we would have appreciated more granular control or additional presets. The bass boost doesn’t overwhelm the overall sound signature, which is a positive.
These presets work well enough for casual listening, but audiophiles might find the options limiting. For budget earbuds, having any EQ customization at all is a worthwhile inclusion that enhances versatility.
Multipoint Pairing and Connectivity
Connecting these earbuds to multiple devices worked surprisingly well in our testing. We paired the Dime 3 to both a laptop and smartphone simultaneously, and switching between them happened without any manual intervention when audio started playing on either device.
The Bluetooth 5.2 connection remained stable within the advertised 10-meter range. We experienced no dropouts during typical indoor use, though walls and distance naturally affected performance as expected with any wireless earbuds.
Key connectivity features:
- Simultaneous connection to two devices
- Bluetooth 5.2 technology
- 10-meter effective range
The multipoint feature proved genuinely useful when we needed to jump between taking calls on our phone and watching videos on a computer. The transition wasn’t always instantaneous, occasionally taking a second or two to switch over, but it eliminated the frustration of constantly re-pairing devices.
Compact and Portable Design
We were impressed by how easily the Dime 3 fits into tight spaces. The charging case measures just 2.33 by 1.55 by 0.9 inches, making it smaller than most traditional earbud cases we’ve tested.
At only 1.98 ounces total, we barely noticed the weight in our pockets or bags during daily use. The integrated lanyard loop proved genuinely useful for attaching to keychains or bag straps, eliminating the worry of misplacing the case.
Key portability features:
- Lightweight construction at under 2 ounces
- Built-in strap attachment point
- Minimal pocket bulge
The compact size does mean a smaller battery compartment, but we found the tradeoff worthwhile for the convenience. We could slip these into jean pockets without discomfort, something bulkier models struggle with.
Real-World Durability
After putting the Dime 3 through daily use, we found them to hold up reasonably well for budget earbuds. The sweat resistance proved effective during workouts, with no issues after multiple gym sessions. The case itself feels solid despite its compact size, though we did notice some minor scuffing after a few weeks of tossing it in bags and pockets.
The integrated lanyard attachment is a practical touch that prevented loss during active use. We appreciated that the earbuds stayed secure in our ears during runs and commutes. The charging case has maintained consistent battery performance over time, still delivering the promised recharges without degradation.
One concern is the plastic construction, which feels somewhat lightweight. While nothing broke during our testing period, we recommend handling them with reasonable care rather than treating them as indestructible.
Pros and Cons
After spending time with the Dime 3, we found several aspects worth highlighting. The earbuds deliver solid performance in their price range, though they come with some limitations that potential buyers should consider.
Pros
We appreciated the extended battery life during our testing. The combination of eight hours from the earbuds and twelve additional hours from the case meant we rarely needed to worry about running out of power during the day. The rapid charge feature proved particularly useful when we were in a hurry, providing two hours of listening from just ten minutes of charging.
The IPX4 water resistance gave us confidence to use these during workouts without concern. The compact case with its integrated lanyard made it convenient to clip onto bags or belt loops, which we found more practical than fumbling through pockets.
We found the multipoint pairing feature worked smoothly, allowing us to switch between our laptop and phone without manually disconnecting and reconnecting. The Tile integration provided peace of mind for tracking down misplaced earbuds.
The three EQ presets offered enough variety for different listening scenarios. We noticed the bass boost mode added noticeable depth to music, while the podcast mode enhanced voice clarity.
Cons
The noise isolation relies entirely on the physical fit rather than active noise cancellation. While the seal blocks some ambient sound, we still heard background noise in louder environments like busy streets or public transit.
We experienced occasional connectivity hiccups when moving between devices, requiring us to manually reconnect at times. The touch controls took some getting used to and occasionally registered unintended inputs.
Sound quality, while adequate for the price, lacks the refinement of more expensive options. We noticed some compression in complex musical passages and limited soundstage width. The microphone quality during calls was functional but not exceptional, with some callers mentioning we sounded slightly muffled.
Customer Reviews
We noticed that buyers consistently praise the sound quality for the price point. Users report that podcasts come through clearly and music sounds surprisingly full, with the bass mode providing a noticeable boost to lower frequencies.
The battery life receives positive feedback, with customers appreciating both the earbuds’ longevity and the charging case’s performance. Several reviewers mention that the fit creates effective noise isolation, even though these don’t feature active noise cancellation.
Common Positive Points:
- Clear audio for podcasts and music
- Reliable Bluetooth connectivity
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Strong battery performance
We found that most complaints center on minor limitations expected at this price range. Some users mention the Dime 3 isn’t perfect but works well for their needs, particularly for casual music listening and YouTube videos.
Conclusion
After spending time with the Dime 3, we found them to be a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers. The 20-hour battery life proved reliable during our testing, and the noise isolation worked better than we anticipated for earbuds without active cancellation. Sound quality delivered clear podcasts and reasonably full music, though audiophiles will notice limitations.
The integrated lanyard is a practical touch that makes these easier to carry than typical budget earbuds. Connection stability was consistent across our devices, and the fit remained comfortable during extended wear.
Main Takeaways:
- Strong battery performance for the price
- Good passive noise isolation
- Decent sound quality with bass mode option
- Minor compromises expected at this price point
We think these earbuds hit the right balance for everyday listening without breaking the bank. They won’t replace premium options, but they deliver where it counts for most casual users.