JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless vs Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless - Great overall at around $130.

On-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless leads on 6 of 7 measures.

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless
Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2

HearWiki score

Sound

7.4

6.2

Noise cancelling

6.5

Battery

9.2

8.0

Calls

8.0

6.3

Value

8.0

3.8

Price (USD)

$130

$100

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless (2024) against Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2 (2022). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, Top codec AAC against SBC and ANC type Hybrid against None. The Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance (IPX4).

Epic Work ANC Wireless20242 yr newer
Riff® Wireless 22022

What differsEpic Work ANC WirelessRiff® Wireless 2

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.2
Top codec: AAC; SBC
ANC type: Hybrid; None
Water resistance: Not rated; IPX4

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Companion app.

Specifications

Epic Work ANC WirelessRiff® Wireless 2

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $130; $100
HearWiki score: 78; 60
Released: 2024; 2022
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: 50 ms; -
Wireless range: 9 m; -
Battery life: 90 h; 34 h
Battery life (ANC on): 60 h; -
Full charge time: 60 min; -
Quick charge: 10 min → 6 h; 10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: hybrid; -
Transparency mode: Yes; -
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: Yes; -
Weight: 128 g; 153 g
Water resistance: none; IPX4
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 5; 1
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: 2-mic ENC; -

Specification comparison of JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless vs Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2
Spec	JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless	Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$130	$100
HearWiki score	78 / 100 Great	60 / 100 Average
Released	2024	2022
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	94 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	50 ms	-
Wireless range	9 m	-
Battery
Battery life	90 h	34 h
Battery life (ANC on)	60 h	-
Full charge time	60 min	-
Quick charge	10 min → 6 h	10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	hybrid	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	Yes	-
Design
Weight	128 g	153 g
Water resistance	none	IPX4
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	5	1
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	2-mic ENC	-

What reviewers said

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless is a budget-friendly on-ear headset built for long workdays, combining hybrid active noise cancellation with a clear transparency mode for staying aware. Its standout 60-hour ANC battery life, solid call quality via five mics, and multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity make it a practical choice for office or remote use. While it lacks water resistance and folding hinges, its comfort and feature-packed design earn it strong marks for the price.

Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
Pro:Clear microphone for calls

Con:No water resistance
Con:Not foldable for easy transport
Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs

Skullcandy Riff® Wireless 2

The Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are lightweight, on-ear wireless headphones with a lively, bass-forward sound profile that adds punch and energy to music, though it can make higher frequencies a bit sharp. They offer a long 34-hour battery life, quick charging, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint, and an IPX4 rating for sweat and light rain resistance, making them a decent budget option for casual listening and active use. However, they lack active noise cancellation and are better suited for home or gym rather than noisy commutes or focused office work.

Pro:Long 34-hour battery life with quick charge
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts and light rain

Con:No active noise cancellation, so outside noise leaks in
Con:Sibilant sounds (like cymbals) can be piercing at times
Con:Only SBC codec, no AAC or aptX support

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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