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Skullcandy Indy ANC Review

The Skullcandy Indy ANC is a budget-friendly pair of true wireless noise cancelling earbuds aimed at everyday listening, commuting, and calls. Its strongest areas are features, battery life, and easy setup, while customer feedback also points to effective ANC for routine environments. The main drawback is inconsistency, with mixed reports on sound quality, fit, and long-term reliability.
Expert reviewed
67
Overall score
Data-driven scoring Expert reviewed Updated analysis

Why we ranked it highly

The Skullcandy Indy ANC is a true wireless in-ear earbud set designed for users who want active noise cancellation, app-based sound customization, touch controls, and a charging case at a relatively accessible price. Based on the supplied data, it is positioned as a feature-rich everyday option rather than a premium audiophile model. Its score profile is strongest in features, battery life, setup, portability, and value, which supports its appeal for commuting, casual listening, and daily phone use. At the same time, the review data shows some trade-offs. Customer sentiment is broadly positive overall, but sound quality, connectivity consistency, fit security, and long-term durability all receive mixed feedback. That means the Indy ANC looks best suited to buyers who prioritize features and price over category-leading refinement or reliability.
90-day review Expert reviewed User feedback Data scoring

Key specs

Item details

Brand Name
Skullcandy
Model Number
S2IYW-N740
Model Name
Indy
Built-In Media
Charging Case, Eartip, True Wireless Earbuds, USB-C Charging Cable, User Manual
Age Range Description
Adult
Customer Package Type
Standard Packaging
Number of Items
1
UPC
810015586969
Manufacturer
Skullcandy
Item Type Name
True Wireless Earbuds
Is Autographed
No

Connectivity

Headphone Jack
No Jack
Connectivity Technology
Bluetooth, Wireless
Wireless Technology
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Range
10 Meters
Bluetooth Version
5

Controls

Control Type
Volume Control
Control Method
Touch

Measurements

Item Weight
0.07 Kilograms
Carrying Case Weight
28 Grams
Unit Count
1.0 Count

Audio

Impedance
32 Ohms
Noise Control
Active Noise Cancellation
Frequency Response
20 KHz
Audio Driver Type
Dynamic Driver
Frequency Range
20 Hz - 20,000 Hz

Additional details

Enclosure Material
Plastic
Specific Uses For Product
Personal
Antenna Location
Travel, Everyday Use, Exercising
Compatible Devices
Desktops, Gaming Consoles, Laptops, Music Production Equipment, Smart Speaker, Tablets, Telephones
Cable Features
Without Cable
Water Resistance Level
Water Resistant
Carrying Case Material
Plastic
Additional Features
Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation, Universal Phone Control, Volume Control, Water Resistant
Is Electric
No

Design

Headphones Ear Placement
In Ear
Headphone Folding Features
In Ear
Earpiece Shape
Angled or conical design

Style

Color
True Black
Style Name
Active Noise Cancellation
Carrying Case Color
Black
Theme
Skull

Battery

Battery Charge Time
19 Hours
Battery Average Life
5 Hour

Scores breakdown

70 /100

Performance

84 /100

Features

74 /100

Usability

66 /100

Design

66 /100

App experience

40 /100

Display quality

72 /100

Audio quality

40 /100

Camera quality

Strengths

  • Strong feature set for the price, including active noise cancellation, touch controls, app-based Personal Sound, and water resistance.
  • Battery performance is a relative highlight, with stated all-in runtime up to 32 hours and a battery life score of 75.
  • Setup appears straightforward, supported by a setup score of 80 and multiple reviews describing fast, easy pairing.
  • Customer sentiment is generally positive, with a 4/5 star average across 5,871 reviews.
  • Portable true wireless design with compact charging case and light overall weight supports everyday carry.
  • ANC is a recurring positive in customer feedback, with several users saying it helps reduce background noise effectively.

Limitations

  • Reliability is a notable concern, with recurring review mentions of left earbuds failing, charging issues, and inconsistent long-term performance.
  • Sound quality is mixed rather than consistently strong, with some users praising bass and clarity while others report static, hiss, or underwhelming tuning.
  • Fit is not universally secure, and some reviewers say the earbuds do not stay in place well during walking or exercise.
  • Build and durability scores are modest at 61 and 52, reflecting concerns around long-term wear and case or earbud failure.
  • Bluetooth stability appears inconsistent across users, with some reports of dropped connections despite easy initial pairing.
  • Transparency and microphone performance are not uniformly praised, and support for multiple-device switching appears limited in some user reports.

Ideal user profiles

  • Budget-conscious buyers who want ANC and app features in a true wireless earbud.
  • Everyday listeners using earbuds for commuting, study, calls, or office use.
  • Users who value simple setup and a compact case for portable daily carry.
  • Listeners who prefer a feature-rich earbud and are comfortable accepting some trade-offs in long-term reliability.

Use cases

  • Daily music and podcast listening on a phone, tablet, or laptop.
  • Reducing office, household, or study noise with active noise cancellation.
  • Taking calls with built-in microphone and touch controls.
  • Travel and commuting where compact size and case charging matter.
  • Casual everyday use with iPhone, Android, and other Bluetooth devices.
  • Listening in light rain or around sweat where water resistance is useful.

Fit and positioning

Who this works for

Category positioning

Within the true wireless earbud market, the Skullcandy Indy ANC looks like a budget-to-lower-mid-range model that competes on features and value rather than polished all-round performance. The feature score of 84 is one of its clearest strengths, helped by ANC, touch controls, app support, and water resistance. It is also fairly beginner-friendly thanks to easy setup and portable design. However, weaker reliability and durability scores keep it from looking like a premium or enthusiast-focused option.

Best for

The Indy ANC is best for shoppers who want affordable wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, practical app features, and solid battery life. It makes the most sense for everyday listening, study, commuting, and general phone use where portability and convenience matter more than top-tier sound accuracy. Buyers comfortable with some variability in fit and long-term durability are more likely to see its value.

Not best for

This model is less suitable for buyers who need highly reliable long-term performance, secure exercise fit, or consistently refined sound. The supplied review summary mentions left-earbud failures, charging issues, Bluetooth dropouts, and mixed fit results. If you plan to use earbuds heavily for workouts, frequently switch between devices, or want fewer ownership risks, this may not be the best match.

Performance analysis

How it performs in practice

Each scoring dimension is separated into a compact card so the strengths and tradeoffs are easier to compare without reading one long block.

Performance analysis

With a performance score of 70, the Skullcandy Indy ANC appears competent rather than standout in its core job. Active noise cancellation is one of the more consistently praised aspects in customer feedback, and several users describe it as effective for reducing everyday household or office noise. Audio performance is more mixed. Some reviewers praise strong bass and enjoyable sound, while others mention static, hiss, or less impressive tuning than expected. In practice, this points to earbuds that can perform well for casual listening, but not with the consistency or refinement expected from stronger category leaders.

Feature analysis

The feature score of 84 is one of the product's strongest results and helps explain its appeal. The supplied data includes active noise cancellation, touch controls, app-based Personal Sound, built-in microphone, water resistance, USB-C charging, and multiple ear gel options. Customer reviews also mention ambient mode and wireless charging for the case. For the price level, that is a competitive mix of features, even if execution is not flawless.

Usability analysis

Usability is reasonably strong with a score of 74. Touch controls allow phone-free playback and call handling, and reviews suggest pairing is generally quick and simple. The compact case and true wireless format also support convenient everyday use. However, there are some usability compromises: touch controls may take time to get used to, and mixed reports around fit, charging contacts, and connection stability suggest daily use will be smoother for some owners than others.

Design

The design score of 66 reflects a practical rather than especially refined design. These are in-ear earbuds with an angled shape, a compact black charging case, and included ear gels plus stability gels to help with fit. Reviews describe the case as pocket-friendly and lightweight, which is a plus for daily carry. Comfort is mixed, though, and some users say the earbuds can feel large or become less secure when moving around.

How it compares

Compared with many budget true wireless earbuds, the Skullcandy Indy ANC stands out more for features than for polish. ANC, app-based sound customization, touch controls, and water resistance give it a more complete spec sheet than many basic alternatives. Its battery life and portability also compare well for everyday use. Where it falls back is consistency. In this category, long-term reliability, stable connectivity, secure fit, and sound tuning often separate average models from stronger picks, and the Indy ANC shows mixed results in all of those areas. It is competitive on value, but less convincing as a long-term safe choice.

Ranking summary

The Skullcandy Indy ANC earns a mid-pack profile with an overall score of 67. It ranks best on features, battery life, setup, portability, value, and customer satisfaction, which makes it appealing as a budget-friendly ANC earbud for everyday use. The strongest selling points are its feature density and practical convenience rather than category-leading sound quality or durability. Lower reliability and durability scores, combined with mixed reports on fit, connectivity, and sound consistency, keep it from ranking as a top-tier recommendation. It is better understood as a value-focused option with clear benefits and equally clear ownership risks.

Buying advice

Consider the Skullcandy Indy ANC if you want affordable wireless earbuds with ANC, decent battery life, and useful extras like app customization and touch controls. It makes the most sense for casual daily listening, calls, commuting, and general smartphone use. Before buying, think carefully about fit, since user experiences vary, and check whether you need smooth multi-device switching. If your priority is long-term reliability, highly secure workout use, or consistently refined sound, it may be worth looking at sturdier alternatives. If price and features matter most, this remains a reasonable budget option.
67
Overall score

Final verdict

The Skullcandy Indy ANC is a solid but not standout option in the budget noise cancelling earbud category. Its main strength is the amount of functionality it offers for the money, especially ANC, app support, battery life, and easy day-to-day usability. Its main limitation is inconsistency, particularly around reliability, durability, fit, and sound quality from one user experience to another. If you want a feature-rich, portable set of earbuds at a modest price, it is easy to understand the appeal. If you want stronger ownership confidence over time, it looks more average than class-leading.
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Key topics

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Frequently asked questions

Is Skullcandy Indy ANC worth it?
The available data suggests it can be good value if you want affordable true wireless earbuds with ANC, app features, and solid battery performance. Its value score of 78 and large review base are positives, but mixed reports on reliability, fit, and sound consistency mean it is not the safest pick for buyers who prioritize long-term dependability.
Is Skullcandy Indy ANC good for noise cancellation?
Customer feedback is generally positive on noise cancellation, and ANC is one of the product's clearer selling points. Reviewers describe it as useful for reducing everyday background noise, though not all feedback suggests class-leading isolation. It appears better suited to routine environments than very loud travel settings.
How is the battery life on Skullcandy Indy ANC?
Battery life is one of the stronger areas here, reflected in a battery score of 75. The provided product data states up to 19 hours total with ANC on and up to 32 hours with ANC off. Some reviewers also report good real-world endurance, although exact results vary with usage and settings.
What are the main limitations of Skullcandy Indy ANC?
The biggest concerns are long-term reliability, mixed fit, and inconsistent sound impressions. Some users report left-earbud failures, charging issues, Bluetooth dropouts, and earbuds that do not stay secure during movement. Sound quality feedback is also divided, with praise from some buyers and complaints about hiss or tuning from others.
Is Skullcandy Indy ANC easy to set up?
Setup looks relatively simple for most buyers. The setup score is 80, and several reviews mention quick Bluetooth pairing and straightforward day-to-day use. That said, there are also some reports of connectivity quirks and limited flexibility when switching between devices, so the experience may not be equally smooth for everyone.
Does Skullcandy Indy ANC work with iPhone and Android?
Yes, the provided data says it works with iPhone, Android, and other Bluetooth devices, and compatibility is one of the steadier areas with a score of 73. Review feedback also mentions use with Samsung phones and general Bluetooth pairing. Multi-device behavior, however, may be less flexible based on some customer reports.
Is Skullcandy Indy ANC good for workouts?
It may work for some users, but the fit is inconsistent. The earbuds include multiple ear gels and stability gels, and some reviewers say they stay in well. Others specifically say they loosen during movement or would not be their first choice for exercise, so workout suitability depends heavily on ear fit.
How does Skullcandy Indy ANC compare with similar earbuds?
Within the budget true wireless category, it stands out more for features than for consistency. Its feature score of 84 is strong, helped by ANC, app support, and touch controls. However, its weaker reliability and durability scores mean it looks more competitive on value and features than on long-term ownership confidence.

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