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JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless vs Skullcandy Grom® Wired: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless - Outstanding overall at around $35.

Score breakdown

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

JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless leads on 4 of 6 measures.

  • JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless
  • Skullcandy Grom® Wired
HearWiki score
80
68
Sound
7.0
6.3
Battery
8.1
-
Calls
4.2
5.8
Value
8.7
8.2
Price (USD)
$35
$27

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?

Same generation

JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless (2025) against Skullcandy Grom® Wired (2024). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless adds USB-C.

  • JBuddies Pro Wireless20251 yr newer
  • Grom® Wired2024
What differsJBuddies Pro WirelessGrom® Wired

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No

Specifications

JBuddies Pro WirelessGrom® Wired
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$35
$27
HearWiki score
80
68
Released
2025
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
30 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
30 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
-
113 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.0
-
Codecs
SBC, AAC
-
Multipoint pairing
No
-
Wireless range
9 m
-
Battery life
35 h
-
Full charge time
180 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
-
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
none
-
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
No
-
Custom EQ
No
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
buttons
buttons
Weight
165 g
167.8 g
Water resistance
IPX4
-
Foldable
Yes
Yes
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
No
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
1
1
Microphone type
MEMS
-
Mic sensitivity
-42 dBV
-

What reviewers said

JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless

The JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless are budget-friendly over-ear headphones aimed at younger listeners, offering a lightweight and foldable design for easy travel. They provide a long 35-hour battery life and IPX4 sweat resistance, making them suitable for daily use and light activity, though they lack active noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity.

  • Pro:Long 35-hour battery life
  • Pro:Lightweight and foldable design
  • Pro:IPX4 sweat resistance
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
  • Con:Basic button controls only

Skullcandy Grom® Wired

The Skullcandy Grom Wired is an affordable, lightweight over-ear headphone designed for younger listeners, pairing a punchy 30mm dynamic driver with a straightforward wired 3.5mm connection. It offers a decent built-in mic for calls or gaming, plus a foldable build for easy transport. While it delivers solid bass and clear audio for its low price, its simple construction and basic button controls keep it firmly in the entry-level category.

  • Pro:Strong bass response for the price
  • Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability
  • Pro:Built-in microphone for calls
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Basic build may not withstand rough handling
  • Con:Limited control options (buttons only)

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 JBuddies Pro WirelessSkullcandy Grom® Wired