REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Better sound
Fun colors
Decent calls
REASONS TO AVOID
Wire rub noise
Poor noise blocking
Skullcandy Jib Review
An affordable pair of wired buds with better sound than other cheapies, but they have wire rub noise and don't block much ambient sound
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Rachael Lamore ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ May 1, 2026
Contributions From: Wendy Schmitz
RELATED: The Best Wired Earbuds
Our Verdict
The Skullcandy Jib is a fun-looking, colorful, cheap set of wired earbuds you can find almost anywhere. In fact, they are so cheap you might not even notice if you lose them, making them a potential contender for anyone who regularly misplaces smaller items. They have better sound than other super cheap buds, and the call quality is good enough in quiet spaces to avoid serious frustration. While they offer better sound than other buds under $10, they aren't great, and podcasts will sound better than music from any genre. They also make a wire-rubbing noise when the cable contacts any surface, which means using them for workouts might get old. Overall, they could be a good stand-in pair for stationary activities where the spoken word is more of a priority than music, but there are better options that cost less than twice as much.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Our Experience
This popular brand-name, cheap set of buds is okay for ultra-cheap wired earbuds. With slightly better sound than similarly priced competitors and decent call quality, we get the appeal of this often impulse buy when looking to get the job done without breaking the bank.
We did have some trials and tribulations with these buds not working in a jack that all of the competition had no trouble with. After purchasing a different adapter, they worked, but it raised a red flag. They worked well in our laptop and the Apple adapter, so there is a chance it is a one-off, and the first adapter has seen its last testing days.
These buds have a quieter volume than many competitors, making them a potential pass for those who like it loud. Unfortunately, the wire rub sound was stronger than in other competitors, making this cheap choice less compelling for working out, where constant movement could create extra rubbing.
In the end, if your absolute price limit is $10 and you plan to use them mostly in quiet spaces for infrequent meetings and phone calls, the Jib could be a contender for occasional use, but we'd look elsewhere if your goal is a more enjoyable listening experience.
The Jib are lightweight with a long cord. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Jib's inline microphone is easy to use. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Likes
The price is a huge selling point for the Jib, being one of the cheaper options that isn't terrible. They are lightweight and have a relatively long cable for this group. They provide slightly better-than-average call quality, especially in quieter spaces, but as you move into busier environments with more background noise, they struggle to bring the caller's voice forward, and things get muddied. The Jib does an adequate job of blocking ambient sounds with an above-average performance, and it might be all you need in a quiet office space to keep you focused, but this performance will struggle if you can't find a good fit to seal out noise with the limited tips it provides.
We didn't really care for the comfort and fit of the Jib. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Despite coming with 3 silicone tips, we struggled to find a good fit wearing the Jib. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Dislikes
These buds only come with 3 silicone ear tips, and we couldn't get a stellar fit with either. If your canals run large or small, you might struggle for that just-right feeling we found in other options.
The sound quality is pretty bad, especially for listening to music. The sound is generally flat, small, and recessed. The bass is somewhat punchier than other ultra-cheap options, but it won't please bass lovers. The overall mix is lackluster and dull.
While the Jib is the better of the ultra-cheap buds we tested, they aren't great. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Skullcandy Jib?
Probably not, but maybe. At this price and with fun colors, we understand why folks might be considering the Jib. However, the sound quality and comfort are so poor that we suspect most people will be disappointed. For double the cost, you can get a significantly better pair of buds that does everything better, including fit, sound, and call quality. However, if your budget is tight, these buds are often on sale for an even lower price, and they might be all you need for podcasts, audiobooks, or taking calls in quiet spaces.
What Other Earbuds Should You Consider?
For a little more money (less than the price of a foot-long), you can get our favorite wired earbuds. The Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X has a wonderfully nuanced sound mix that is fun to listen to across genres. The noise blocking is some of the best in the group, and the call quality will have you seeking out reasons to chat with friends and family. We think it is worth saving up the extra money to get something so much better.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Skullcandy Jib versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $15.00 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | An affordable pair of wired buds with better sound than other cheapies, but they have wire rub noise and don't block much ambient sound |
| Pros | Affordable, better sound, fun colors, decent calls |
| Cons | Wire rub noise, poor noise blocking |
| Rating Categories | Skullcandy Jib |
| Sound Quality (45%) | |
| Comfort & Fit (25%) | |
| Passive Noise Isolation (15%) | |
| Call Quality (15%) | |
| Specifications | Skullcandy Jib |
| Available Jack Type | 3.5mm |
| Call Mic | Yes |
| Ear Tip Sizes | 3 |
| Passive Isolation | 15.1 dB |
| Detachable cable | No |
| Ear Magnets | No |
| Cable Length | 47 in |
| Measured Weight | 11.9 g |
| IPX Rating | N/A |
—Rachael Lamore and Wendy Schmitz
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