JLab Go Pods ANC vs Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Go Pods ANC comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Go Pods ANC - Outstanding overall at around $30.

True Wireless

JLab Go Pods ANC

82Outstanding

$30

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

JLab Go Pods ANC leads on 6 of 7 measures.

JLab Go Pods ANC
Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

6.2

Noise cancelling

7.1

0.0

Battery

6.6

6.2

Calls

7.1

6.1

Value

9.8

8.5

Price (USD)

$30

$25

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 Go Pods ANC (2024) against Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds® (2022). The JLab Go Pods ANC is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance (IP55).

Go Pods ANC20242 yr newer
Smokin’ Buds®2022

What differsGo Pods ANCSmokin’ Buds®

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
ANC type: Hybrid; None
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; Not rated

Level on: Top codec, USB-C.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCSmokin’ Buds®

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $25
HearWiki score: 82; 66
Released: 2024; 2022
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 6 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 6 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; 104 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: 200 ms; -
Wireless range: 9 m; -
Battery life: -; 8 h
Battery life (ANC on): 5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 26 h; 20 h
Full charge time: 120 min; -
Quick charge: 10 min → 1 h; 10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: hybrid; -
Transparency mode: Yes; -
Companion app: Yes; -
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 8.4 g; -
Case weight: 27.6 g; -
Water resistance: IP55; none
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 2
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$25
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	66 / 100 Good
Released	2024	2022
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	6 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	6 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	104 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	200 ms	-
Wireless range	9 m	-
Battery
Battery life	-	8 h
Battery life (ANC on)	5 h	-
Battery incl. case	26 h	20 h
Full charge time	120 min	-
Quick charge	10 min → 1 h	10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	hybrid	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	8.4 g	-
Case weight	27.6 g	-
Water resistance	IP55	none
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	2
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-

What reviewers said

JLab Go Pods ANC

These budget true wireless earbuds deliver a surprisingly robust feature set for the price, including hybrid active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity. Sound leans slightly bass-heavy but remains clear and engaging, while the companion app offers a custom EQ to tailor the audio to your liking. They're a strong value pick, though battery life is shorter than some rivals and call quality has some limitations.

Pro:Excellent value for the price
Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the cost
Pro:Useful app with custom EQ

Con:Bass-heavy sound may not suit purists
Con:Battery life is below average for the class
Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy settings

Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®

The Skullcandy Smokin' Buds are an affordable true-wireless option that prioritize comfort and everyday usability over audiophile-grade sound. They deliver a neutral, serviceable audio profile with a secure fit and decent battery life, though they lack premium features like noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity. Overall, they're a practical, budget-friendly choice for casual listeners who value simplicity and comfort.

Pro:Comfortable and secure fit for extended wear
Pro:Neutral sound profile suitable for most genres
Pro:Good battery life with 8 hours per charge and 20 total with case

Con:Mediocre sound quality compared to higher-end models
Con:No active noise cancellation or water resistance
Con:Lacks multipoint support and aptX codec

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

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