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JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset vs Skullcandy Icon® ANC: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 79. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

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

Score breakdown

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

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
  • Skullcandy Icon® ANC
HearWiki score
79
68
Sound
7.4
6.5
Noise cancelling
6.5
7.0
Battery
9.2
9.1
Calls
8.0
6.4
Value
8.0
8.1
Price (USD)
$130
$90

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

Both shipped in 2024. The Skullcandy Icon® ANC is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Water resistance (IPX4).

  • Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset2024
  • Icon® ANC2024
What differsEpic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear HeadsetIcon® ANC

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

Everyday features

Water resistance
Not rated
IPX4

Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear HeadsetIcon® ANC
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$130
$90
HearWiki score
79
68
Released
2024
2024
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
97.5 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, LC3
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Latency
50 ms
-
Wireless range
9 m
10 m
Battery life
90 h
60 h
Battery life (ANC on)
60 h
50 h
Quick charge
10 min → 6 h
10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
hybrid
-
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
buttons
-
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
128 g
225 g
Case weight
80 g
-
Water resistance
none
IPX4
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Pad material
leather
-
Connector
USB-C
-
Microphones
5
4
Microphone type
MEMS
-
Mic sensitivity
-38 dBV
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
2-mic ENC
-

What reviewers said

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is a lightweight, versatile option designed for office and remote work, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and multipoint connectivity. It offers impressive battery endurance, clear call quality with multiple microphones, and a simple button-based control scheme, all wrapped in a comfortable, portable design.

  • Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC enabled
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long work sessions
  • Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces moderate ambient noise
  • Con:Occasional Bluetooth connectivity quirks reported
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

Skullcandy Icon® ANC

The Skullcandy Icon ANC is an affordable on-ear wireless headphone that emphasizes long battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and IPX4 sweat resistance. Its active noise cancellation and transparency mode add versatility, though sound quality is generally considered average with a bass-forward tilt. The build is lightweight, and the companion app provides a custom EQ for tuning.

  • Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts or light rain
  • Pro:Lightweight at 225g with USB-C charging
  • Pro:Custom EQ and app support for personalization
  • Con:Sound quality is only average, with a bass-forward signature
  • Con:ANC performance is underwhelming compared to competitors
  • Con:Comfort may be an issue for prolonged wear

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

Compare something else

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New comparisonJLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear HeadsetSkullcandy Icon® ANC