Investigate the Skullcandy Indy Evo True Wireless Earbuds Review: Are They Worth Buying?

Description

Fit & Comfort

Using the Skullcandy Indy Evo True Wireless earbuds, I quickly realized that comfort is subjective—and in this case, not necessarily their strongest suit. The earbuds come with multiple silicone tips, but none provided the snug, pain-free fit I was hoping for. After about 30 minutes, my ears started to feel sore, especially with the oddly shaped “n” nub at the top of the earbuds digging into my ear. My teenage daughter gave them a try, and she had the same complaint: “They just don’t stay comfortable for long.” For short trips or quick listening sessions, they’re fine, but I wouldn’t recommend these for extended use.

Battery Life & Charging

The battery life on these earbuds is pretty impressive for their price range. They boast a total of 30 hours of battery, including the charging case, which means I could get through a couple of days without needing to charge them. Rapid charging is a bonus—just 10 minutes in the case gives an extra two hours of playtime. The USB-C charging port is a welcome modern touch, and I even managed to charge them using my phone’s USB-C cable when I left the original one at home. That convenience earned them some serious points in my book.

Design & Build Quality

The design of these earbuds is sleek yet somewhat basic. They have a matte finish that feels decent but doesn’t scream premium. The case itself is compact and fits easily into a pocket, although it feels a bit flimsy. My coworker commented that the build reminded him of budget earbuds from years ago. While they’re functional, the materials don’t exude durability or high-end craftsmanship. I can’t help but wish the overall construction felt a little sturdier given the competition in this category.

Noise Cancellation & Ambient Mode

These earbuds lack active noise cancellation, which is a bit of a bummer. However, they do offer an Ambient Mode that amplifies surrounding sounds, which I found useful when cycling or walking in busy areas. The Ambient Mode isn’t perfect, though—it struggles in windy environments, making conversations hard to follow. My brother used them at a noisy gym and found the feature hit or miss; it worked okay for hearing nearby chatter but didn’t cut through the clatter of weights as well as he’d hoped.

Features

The feature set is where these earbuds attempt to stand out. With built-in Tile technology, losing these earbuds becomes less of a headache. I tested this feature by intentionally misplacing one earbud in my living room, and the Tile app helped me locate it in no time. The touch controls allow for media playback, volume adjustment, and toggling between three EQ modes—Music, Movie, and Podcast. While the EQ modes are a nice touch, the differences are subtle, and I found myself sticking to the default Music mode most of the time.

Sound Quality & Performance

Sound quality is decent but not mind-blowing. The base level is adequate, though it doesn’t pack the punch that some competitors offer. Mids and highs are clear, but the overall sound profile feels flat unless the volume is turned up halfway or more. My audiophile friend gave them a spin and described the sound as “serviceable but uninspiring.” For casual listeners, these should suffice, but if you’re picky about audio quality, you might find them lacking.

Durability & Water Resistance

Despite their lightweight and somewhat cheap feel, these earbuds are IP55-rated for sweat, water, and dust resistance, which makes them a solid choice for workouts and outdoor activities. I wore them during a light drizzle while jogging, and they held up just fine. However, I wouldn’t push their limits by exposing them to heavy rain or submerging them in water. It’s nice to have some peace of mind, but they’re not invincible.

Warranty

These renewed earbuds come with a limited warranty, which is always a relief when buying refurbished tech. I didn’t have to use it, but knowing it’s there provides a little extra confidence. The warranty terms aren’t as generous as what you’d get with a brand-new product, so keep that in mind if you’re considering a refurbished option.

Strong Points

• Tile Integration: Makes it easy to locate misplaced earbuds.
• Battery Life: 30 hours total, with rapid charge functionality.
• Water Resistance: IP55 rating for sweat and light splashes.
• Compact Charging Case: Easy to carry around.

Shortcomings

• Fit Issues: Uncomfortable for extended wear due to the earbud design.
• Build Quality: Feels cheap and not particularly durable.
• Sound Profile: Flat audio that lacks depth and richness.
• No Active Noise Cancellation: Ambient Mode is a partial substitute but not a replacement.

Competing Brands

Comparing these earbuds to competitors like the Jabra Elite 65t or the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2, the Skullcandy Indy Evo falls short in a few areas. The Jabra earbuds offer superior sound quality and active noise cancellation, albeit at a higher price. Meanwhile, the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 delivers better overall comfort and more premium build quality. However, neither of these options include Tile integration, which remains a unique selling point for the Indy Evo. If finding your earbuds is a frequent problem, this feature could tip the scales in Skullcandy’s favor.

Smart Spending

For their price, these earbuds offer a decent mix of features, but they’re not without compromises. If you’re looking for budget-friendly true wireless earbuds with handy extra features like Tile tracking, these might be worth a shot. However, if sound quality or comfort is your top priority, spending a bit more on competitors might be a smarter move.

Additional information