If you want wireless freedom, long battery life, and adjustable sound for fishing, choose JLab Go Air Pop+; if you need a simple wired connection with a noise-isolating fit, choose Skullcandy Ink'd+.
For most people comparing JLab vs Skullcandy earbuds, the Go Air Pop+ is the more flexible pick: it works wirelessly and lets you use one earbud at a time. The Ink'd+ has a different appeal—its cable connection and sound-isolating fit may suit someone who prefers a straightforward wired pair. Neither product offers active noise cancellation.
• JLab Go Air Pop+ strength: Bluetooth 5.3, up to 35+ hours of total playtime, and three selectable EQ profiles. Trade-off: it needs charging and does not list noise control.
• Skullcandy Ink'd+ strength: a simple wired 3.5 mm connection and an in-ear fit designed to isolate surrounding sound. Trade-off: the cable limits movement, and its connection requires a compatible headphone jack.
• Choose JLab if you want wireless listening, independent use of either earbud, and sound settings you can adjust.
• Choose Skullcandy if you prefer a wired connection, button-based call and track controls, and passive sound isolation.
The JLab Go Air Pop+ is the more adaptable option for someone who wants to leave the phone in a pocket or bag while listening. Bluetooth 5.3 supports wireless connections with iOS, Android, and PC devices. Its Dual Connect feature also lets you use either earbud on its own, which can be useful for a call or when you want to keep one ear free. Each earbud has a MEMS microphone, and voice assistant access is built in.
Battery life is a major practical strength. JLab lists 9+ hours per earbud and another 26+ hours from the USB-C charging case, for 35+ hours total. That gives a listener more flexibility between charging sessions than a wired pair can offer, although the earbuds and case do need recharging. The case has an integrated USB-C charging cable; the product information also says a 10-minute charge can provide an hour of playtime. That can help when you realize the case needs power before heading out.
The three EQ options—Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced—let you choose a sound profile rather than being locked into one. You can also use the JLab app to adjust EQ settings and manage touch controls. The earbuds are 15% smaller than the previous generation and include three sizes of gel tips, which gives you options for finding a secure fit. Their IPX4 rating means they are rated for sweat and light rain resistance, not that they are waterproof.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
For fishing, these features make the JLab the more practical of these two if you want wireless listening and the option of using one bud independently. Be Aware Mode is described as letting ambient noise in, which is relevant when awareness of nearby sounds matters. It is not active noise cancellation, and it should not be treated as a substitute for paying attention to your surroundings. The available details list no noise-control feature in the product specifications, so don’t choose it expecting strong isolation.
Who should skip it: Skip the JLab if you specifically want a wired connection or sound isolation; its listed connection is Bluetooth, and it does not list noise control.
The Skullcandy Ink'd+ takes the simpler route: it connects through a 3.5 mm plug instead of Bluetooth. There is no wireless battery life to manage, but the wired design means the listening device needs a compatible headphone jack. That can suit someone who already uses a device with that connection and would rather plug in than pair earbuds or recharge them.
Its in-ear design is described as noise-isolating, meaning the fit is intended to reduce some surrounding sound passively. That is different from active noise cancellation, which the product information does not list. The Ink'd+ also includes a built-in microphone and a remote for call and track control. The cable-mounted controls make it possible to handle calls or manage playback without relying on wireless touch controls or an app.
The product information lists a dynamic driver and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Those specifications describe the driver and its stated frequency range, but they do not establish which pair will sound better to a particular listener. Unlike the JLab, the Ink'd+ has no listed EQ choices, app controls, Bluetooth connection, independent-earbud mode, or battery figures. Its appeal is its direct, wired setup, not a broad set of adjustable features.
For a fishing trip, the cable is an important consideration: it ties the earbuds to a connected device and can be less convenient when moving around. The sound-isolating fit may be useful when reducing distractions is the goal, but it also makes this a less natural choice when you want to stay aware of nearby sounds. The supplied information does not specify an ingress-protection rating, so there is no stated sweat or light-rain resistance to compare with JLab’s IPX4 rating.
Who should skip it: Skip the Skullcandy if you need wireless freedom, listed moisture resistance, or a product with battery-life details and customizable EQ.
• Best for wireless listening → JLab Go Air Pop+. Bluetooth 5.3 connects it to iOS, Android, and PC devices without a cable between the earbuds and the listening device.
• Best for avoiding earbud charging → Skullcandy Ink'd+. Its wired connection does not rely on the battery-and-case setup listed for the JLab, though you still need a compatible 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for long listening sessions between charges → JLab Go Air Pop+. It lists 9+ hours per earbud and 35+ hours total with the case.
• Best for using just one earbud → JLab Go Air Pop+. Dual Connect supports independent use of either bud.
• Best for a sound-isolating fit → Skullcandy Ink'd+. Its listed noise control is sound isolation; that is passive isolation, not active noise cancellation.
• Best for choosing a sound profile → JLab Go Air Pop+. EQ3 offers Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced, with further settings available in the JLab app.
• Best for fishing when you want a wireless option → JLab Go Air Pop+. Its independent-earbud mode and Be Aware Mode give it useful flexibility, though neither feature replaces situational awareness.
• Best for a wired device with a 3.5 mm jack → Skullcandy Ink'd+. Its cable connection avoids Bluetooth pairing, but it also limits how far you can move from the device.
I’d choose the JLab Go Air Pop+ for fishing because its wireless connection, long listed playtime, and option to use either earbud independently make it the more flexible of these two. Be Aware Mode is also relevant when I want ambient sound to come through, though I would still stay alert to what is happening around me. The Skullcandy has a clear role for someone who prefers a wired plug and passive isolation, but the cable is a meaningful drawback for moving around outdoors. In my opinion, JLab is the better fit for this use case.
Before choosing, think about what your listening setup needs to do. If the device you use has a 3.5 mm headphone jack and you prefer not to manage wireless charging, the Ink'd+ keeps things direct. If you use a phone or computer that connects over Bluetooth, or simply want to move without a cable attached, the Go Air Pop+ is the more flexible match. The listed details do not establish that either product works with every device, so check your device’s connection options.
Fit and awareness matter just as much as the connection. JLab includes small, medium, and large gel tips, plus an IPX4 rating for sweat and light rain resistance. Skullcandy describes its fit as noise-isolating but does not list an equivalent moisture rating. If your priority is reducing surrounding sound, the Ink'd+’s stated sound isolation is relevant; if your priority is letting more ambient sound in, JLab’s Be Aware Mode is the feature to consider. Neither is described as active noise canceling, so shoppers searching for noise canceling earbuds for fishing should not mistake passive isolation or ambient-awareness mode for active cancellation.
There is no single answer to “best open ear earbuds for fishing” in this comparison: both products are in-ear earbuds, not open-ear designs. And although people may search for the best Bluetooth headset for fishing, the Ink'd+ is wired, while the JLab is the only Bluetooth option here. For either product, make the decision around its actual design rather than a broader search phrase.
Finally, consider how much control you want. JLab pairs touch controls with app-based EQ settings, three sound profiles, and built-in voice assistant access. Skullcandy offers call and track control through a button remote on its cable. If you want multiple sound choices and one-earbud use, JLab has the more feature-rich setup. If you want a plug-in pair with simple physical controls, Skullcandy may be the more straightforward fit. Check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button if price matters to your decision.
No active noise cancellation is listed for the JLab. It includes Be Aware Mode, which lets ambient noise in, so it is not the choice here for active noise cancellation.
The Ink'd+ is wired and connects through a 3.5 mm plug.
I’d pick the JLab for wireless movement, independent use of either earbud, and Be Aware Mode. The Ink'd+ may fit better if you want a wired connection and a noise-isolating fit, but its cable can be less convenient outdoors.
Its listed connection is a 3.5 mm plug. The product details do not specify an adapter, so check whether your device has a compatible jack or whether you have a suitable adapter.
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