How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want featherweight, pocketable earbuds with a passive noise-isolating seal and a built-in mic for calls, choose Skullcandy Ink'd; if you need a full-size over-ear gaming headset with big 50mm drivers, memory foam cushions and a boom-style noise-isolating mic, choose IYGR K98.
Both are wired, both use a 3.5mm jack, and both lean on passive isolation rather than electronics to cut down the noise around you. That is where the similarity stops. One is a tiny in-ear pair aimed at phones and everyday listening; the other is a chunky over-ear headset built for desks, consoles and long gaming sessions. Below I break down what each one actually does well, where each one falls short, and which type of buyer should walk away with which.
• Skullcandy Ink'd biggest strength: A noise-isolating in-ear fit that physically blocks ambient sound, plus a built-in mic and in-line remote for calls and track control in a very light package.
• Skullcandy Ink'd biggest trade-off: It is a bare-bones wired earbud — small 3.5mm-only connectivity, no volume dial, no boom mic, and isolation depends entirely on how well the ear gels seal.
• IYGR K98 biggest strength: A proper over-ear gaming build with 50mm dynamic drivers, memory foam cushions, an aluminum alloy frame and a noise-isolating microphone aimed at voice chat.
• IYGR K98 biggest trade-off: It is heavy and bulky by comparison, over-ear only, and its isolation comes from clamping cushions rather than a deep in-ear seal — not something you toss in a pocket.
• Pick Skullcandy Ink'd if you want lightweight, portable earbuds for phone calls, commuting and casual listening.
• Pick IYGR K98 if you want a comfortable over-ear headset for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox or Switch gaming and long desk sessions.
The Ink'd is a classic wired in-ear design, and its whole pitch is simplicity. The rounded silicone tips sit inside your ear canal, which is what gives it its noise-isolating character — passive isolation, not active noise cancellation. That seal is doing real work: it muffles the drone of a bus, office chatter and background hum so you can hear your audio at lower levels. In my opinion that is the single most useful thing about this pair, and it is the reason the "noise isolating headphones" label fits it honestly.
Beyond isolation, it covers the basics competently. There is a built-in microphone for hands-free calls and voice commands, and an in-line remote for managing calls and music playback. The 3.5mm AUX connection means it works with essentially anything that still has a headphone jack — phones, laptops, tablets, handheld consoles, older MP3 players. The dynamic drivers cover a 20Hz–20,000Hz range, which is the standard full-range span for everyday listening. Skullcandy also includes small and medium ear gels so you can chase a better seal, and at roughly 0.04 kg the whole thing disappears in a pocket. The plastic-and-silicone build keeps it light; it is not a ruggedized product, so treat the cable and housing with normal care.
Who should buy it? Someone who wants a grab-and-go wired earbud for calls, podcasts, music and travel, and who values a compact noise-isolating fit over big soundstage or gaming features. Who should skip it? If you want a volume dial on the cable, a boom microphone for clear voice chat, or over-ear cushions for marathon sessions, this is not the tool. It is also the wrong pick if you dislike the feeling of tips inside your ear canal — the isolation depends on that fit, and a loose seal means less noise blocking.
The K98 is a different animal entirely. This is an over-ear gaming headset with oval earcups, memory foam cushions and an aluminum alloy frame wrapped around an ABS body. The 50mm neodymium dynamic drivers are the headline number here — a much larger driver than you would find in any earbud, and the kind of size that tends to move more air and give game audio and music more weight. IYGR pairs that with a noise-isolating microphone, which is the feature gamers actually care about: a mic designed to pick up your voice while rejecting some of the room noise around you.
The spec sheet backs up the gaming intent. Impedance is 32 ohm, sensitivity is 105 dB, frequency response tops out at 20 KHz, and IYGR lists audio latency at 15 milliseconds. Connectivity is a 3.5mm jack, and the compatibility list — PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch — tells you this is meant to plug into a controller, console or desktop rather than a phone in your pocket. Controls are a push-button volume control on the headset. There is a two-year warranty, which is a notably longer coverage window than the manufacturer warranty on the Ink'd. Weight is 8 ounces, which is the honest trade-off: you feel a headset like this on your head in a way you never feel a 0.04 kg earbud.
The isolation story is also different. Where the Ink'd seals inside your ear canal, the K98 relies on over-ear cushions pressing around your ears — sound isolation rather than an in-ear plug. That approach works well for blocking steady background noise and for keeping your game audio in, but it is not as aggressive at killing voices and commute noise as a deep in-ear seal, and it depends on the cushions sealing properly around your ears.
Who should buy it? Gamers and desk workers who want one wired headset for PC and consoles, who value a boom mic, volume control and big over-ear drivers, and who do not mind the bulk. Who should skip it? Anyone who wants something pocketable, anyone who mostly takes calls on a phone, and anyone who finds over-ear clamping uncomfortable over long stretches. The white/purple RGB styling is also a look — it is a gaming aesthetic, not a neutral commuter one.
• Best for pure portability → Skullcandy Ink'd. At roughly 0.04 kg with a 3.5mm jack, it is the one that lives in your pocket.
• Best for gaming and voice chat → IYGR K98. The 50mm drivers, noise-isolating microphone and console compatibility are built for exactly this.
• Best for in-ear noise isolation → Skullcandy Ink'd. A tip that seals in your canal blocks more ambient noise than cushions resting around your ears.
• Best for long desk sessions → IYGR K98. Memory foam cushions and an over-ear fit are designed for hours at a keyboard, even at the cost of weight.
• Best for calls on the move → Skullcandy Ink'd. The built-in mic and in-line remote for call and track control are made for phone use.
• Best for big-driver sound → IYGR K98. 50mm dynamic drivers versus the compact in-ear drivers of the Ink'd.
• Best for a simple, no-fuss setup → Skullcandy Ink'd. Plug into any 3.5mm jack and go; no volume dial, no boom arm, nothing to adjust.
• Best for warranty confidence → IYGR K98. Two years of coverage versus a standard manufacturer warranty.
• Best for a neutral everyday look → Skullcandy Ink'd. White earbuds versus a white/purple RGB gaming headset.
In my opinion, the right buy comes down to one question: do you need isolation in your ear canal or around your ears? If you want lightweight earbuds for calls, music and commuting with a genuine noise-isolating seal, I would buy the Skullcandy Ink'd — it does the simple job simply. If you want one wired headset for PC and console gaming, with big 50mm drivers, a noise-isolating boom mic and memory foam comfort, I would buy the IYGR K98. For most gamers, the K98 is the more capable tool. For most pocket-carriers, the Ink'd is the smarter pick.
FAQ
how to noise cancelling headphones work
how to use noise cancelling headphones
For passive isolation, the technique is all about fit. On the Ink'd, choose the small or medium ear gel that seals your ear canal properly and push the tip in gently; a good seal is what blocks the noise. On the K98, adjust the headband and earcups so the memory foam cushions sit flush around your ears. Poor fit equals poor isolation on both.
how to test noise cancelling headphones
Play something at a modest volume, then compare how much outside sound you hear with the headphones on versus off. On the Ink'd, try each included ear gel and notice how much more the noise drops with the better seal. On the K98, press the cushions gently against your ears — if the background gets noticeably quieter, the isolation is working.
Not better overall — better for different jobs. The K98 wins on driver size (50mm), over-ear comfort, a noise-isolating gaming mic and a two-year warranty. The Ink'd wins on weight, portability and in-ear noise isolation. If you game at a desk, the K98 fits. If you take calls and commute, the Ink'd fits. Check the current price on Amazon for each before deciding, since they sit in different product categories.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Vicimwann Headset vs Soothielec Headset: Business Bluetooth, Amazon Renewed Razer Barracuda X vs TOZO A2, sajawass Earbuds vs XIAOWTEK Earbuds, Koss CL/3i vs yobola Headphones Earbuds 3.5mm