We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a simple wired earbud that physically blocks surrounding sound with nothing to charge, choose Skullcandy Ink'd+; if you need active noise cancellation, wireless freedom and long battery life, choose Anker Soundcore P30i.
• Skullcandy Ink'd+ biggest strength: a wired 3.5 mm connection with a noise-isolating in-ear fit and inline call/track controls — zero charging, zero pairing, instant use.
• Skullcandy Ink'd+ biggest trade-off: it's a wired, passive-isolation design, and this model has been discontinued on Amazon, so availability is limited.
• Anker Soundcore P30i biggest strength: adaptive active noise cancellation, up to 45 hours of battery life, Bluetooth wireless and a 2-in-1 case that doubles as a phone stand.
• Anker Soundcore P30i biggest trade-off: it's a renewed unit with a 90-day limited warranty, so it isn't a brand-new sealed product.
• Pick Skullcandy Ink'd+ if you want no batteries, a 3.5 mm jack for older phones, laptops or in-flight entertainment, and simple passive isolation.
• Pick Anker Soundcore P30i if you want real noise cancellation, wireless listening all day, and app-based control over how much outside sound you let in.
The Ink'd+ is the old-school answer to a noisy commute. It's a wired in-ear bud with a 3.5 mm jack, and its "noise isolation" comes from the seal the ear tips create in your ear canal — not from electronics. That's a meaningful distinction: passive isolation blocks a chunk of steady ambient sound simply by plugging your ear properly, and Skullcandy ships multiple ear gel sizes so you can dial in that seal for a custom fit.
The controls are wired and physical. There's a button remote on the cable for call control and for playing or skipping tracks, which means you never touch your phone to manage a call or change a song. The driver is a 16 ohm dynamic unit covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and the housing is ABS plastic in a cobalt blue finish. Weight is listed at a fraction of a gram for the earbud itself, so it's about as unobtrusive as wired audio gets.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants an earbud that just works with no battery anxiety — plug it into a phone with a headphone jack, a laptop, a handheld console, or the seat-back screen on a plane. The absence of a charging case is a feature here, not a flaw. Who should skip it? If you want active noise cancellation for a loud office or a droning airplane cabin, this isn't that product — it's isolation, not cancellation. And because this model has been discontinued on Amazon, I'd only recommend it if you specifically want a wired, isolating earbud and you can find one available.
The P30i is the opposite philosophy. It's a fully wireless in-ear bud with adaptive noise cancellation, and Anker describes the ANC as "strong and smart," with manual ANC modes and a transparency mode you can switch between depending on whether you want to shut the world out or let it back in. That's the headline difference from the Ink'd+: instead of relying on a physical seal alone, the P30i actively works against background noise, and it lets you tune how aggressive that is.
Battery life is the other big one. Anker lists an average battery life of 45 hours, which is the kind of figure that changes how you use earbuds — you're charging the case occasionally, not the buds every day. The case itself is a 2-in-1 design that doubles as a phone stand, which is a genuinely useful touch if you watch video on your phone at a desk or on a tray table. Connectivity is Bluetooth with a 10-meter range, the fit is described as ergonomic, and there's app control plus single-earbud usage if you want to keep one ear open.
The practical details: IP54 rating for sweat and splash resistance, USB-C charging, and S/M/L ear tips with medium pre-installed. Impedance is 14 ohm and sensitivity is 88 dB, with the same 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range as the Ink'd+. One thing to flag honestly — this listing is a renewed unit backed by a 90-day limited warranty, so you're buying refurbished rather than new. That's fine for many people, but it's a real trade-off versus a sealed retail box.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants wireless freedom, active noise cancellation for commuting or open-plan offices, and a battery that lasts days between charges. Who should skip it? If you hate managing a charging case, want a physical 3.5 mm plug, or prefer a new-sealed product over a renewed one, this isn't the pick.
• Best for active noise cancellation → Anker Soundcore P30i. Adaptive ANC with manual modes and transparency beats passive isolation alone.
• Best for blocking sound with zero electronics → Skullcandy Ink'd+. The ear-tip seal does the work, and the multiple gel sizes help you get it right.
• Best for battery life → Anker Soundcore P30i. 45 hours of average battery life versus a wired bud that never needs a charge at all — two very different kinds of "no battery worry."
• Best for wired devices → Skullcandy Ink'd+. The 3.5 mm jack covers laptops, older phones, consoles and in-flight screens.
• Best for wireless convenience → Anker Soundcore P30i. Bluetooth 5.4-era pairing, app control, single-earbud use and a case that doubles as a phone stand.
• Best for durability around sweat and rain → Anker Soundcore P30i. The IP54 rating is the only water/sweat protection listed between the two.
• Best for a quick, no-setup listen → Skullcandy Ink'd+. Plug in and go; no pairing, no charging, no app.
• Best for a renewed-budget route → Anker Soundcore P30i. Just go in knowing it's renewed with a 90-day limited warranty.
In my opinion, the Anker Soundcore P30i is the better buy for most people, and it comes down to one thing: it actually cancels noise instead of just blocking it. Adaptive ANC, transparency mode, app control, IP54 and 45 hours of battery cover far more real-world situations — commuting, flights, shared offices, workouts — than a wired bud can. I'd only steer you to the Skullcandy Ink'd+ if you specifically want a 3.5 mm wired earbud with no charging at all, or you need something for a device that has a headphone jack. In that niche, the Ink'd+ is simple and effective. For everyone else, the P30i wins.
FAQ
how to noise cancelling earbuds work
how to use noise cancelling earbuds
On the P30i, you pair over Bluetooth, then switch between ANC modes and transparency using the controls or the app, with S/M/L tips for a proper seal. The Ink'd+ needs no setup at all — plug the 3.5 mm jack in, choose the ear gel size that seals best, and use the inline button remote for calls and tracks.
how to noise cancelling earbuds apple
If you're on an iPhone, the P30i pairs over standard Bluetooth like any wireless earbud, so you can use it with Apple devices — just note the listed Bluetooth version is 5.2. The Ink'd+ is the safer bet for older Apple hardware with a headphone jack, since it's a plain 3.5 mm wired connection.
how to noise cancelling earbuds
The short answer: decide whether you want active cancellation or passive isolation. Choose the Anker Soundcore P30i for adaptive ANC, 45 hours of battery and wireless freedom; choose the Skullcandy Ink'd+ if you want wired, no-charge listening with an isolating fit. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both vary.
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See also: Anker Soundcore vs Fismool Sleep Mask: Noise Blocking Sleep, Purity Air Open Ear vs Anker Soundcore P30i, AOSHIDA Topping DX3pro+ vs Anker Soundcore Liberty 5