Skullcandy Indy ANC S2IYW-N740

The Indy ANC delivers shockingly good noise cancellation for the price. Just don't drop the case, and keep them away from the gym.

The 12mm dynamic drivers deliver punchy bass and clear mids, landing sound quality in the 66th percentile. Not mind-blowing, but solid for the price. What surprised us is the ANC. It's genuinely effective at filtering out ambient noise, even if it's not Bose-level. Battery life is the real letdown though. The 9-hour earbud claim sounds fine, but our battery metric puts these in the 20th percentile. Real-world use with ANC on will drain them faster than you'd expect. The Qi wireless charging case is a nice touch that most competitors skip at this price.

The Sony WF-C700N is the obvious alternative if you want better build quality and more reliable battery life, but you'll pay more. The Nothing Buds 2 offer a more premium design and better overall polish, though their ANC isn't as strong as the Indy ANC. The Soundcore P31i is the budget pick that trades ANC performance for better durability. If you're on a tight budget and ANC is your priority, the Indy ANC wins. If you want something that'll survive daily abuse, look elsewhere.

At USD 50 to USD 104 depending on the vendor, these are a steal if you grab them at the low end. Amazon has the best deal right now at USD 50. For that price, you're getting ANC, wireless charging, and solid sound. At the higher end of that spread, you're better off looking at the Sony WF-C700N or Nothing Buds 2.

The Skullcandy Indy ANC is the budget earbud that punches way above its weight class on noise cancellation. Our data puts its ANC in the 86th percentile, which is wild for something this cheap. You're getting real active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and a 32-hour total battery for less than a hundred bucks. The catch? Build quality is a weak spot, and these aren't your gym buddies.

If you're looking for gym earbuds that stay put during burpees or sprints, this isn't it. Go get the Soundcore P31i or something with ear hooks instead. And if you're rough on your gear, the flimsy case lid will drive you nuts. Spend a bit more on the Sony WF-C700N for better durability.

The Skullcandy Indy ANC is the budget ANC champ. You're getting effective noise cancellation, wireless charging, and decent sound for less than most competitors charge for earbuds without ANC. Just don't expect premium build quality or gym-ready stability. If you can find them at the USD 50 mark, buy them without hesitation.