Which is better for running and the gym?

The Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT. It is true wireless with IPX4 sweat resistance and no cord to snag. The Panasonic is wired, not water resistant and sits on the ear, so it shifts when you move.

The Panasonic RP-HT21 has the edge on sound. Its 30mm drivers and XBS bass port give a fuller low end, while owners describe the Skullcandy as balanced but average. The Skullcandy isolates more, so it may sound fuller in noisy places.

Can I take calls on either one?

Only on the Skullcandy, which has a microphone in each earbud. Owners say call quality is poor, so it works for quick calls, not meetings. The Panasonic has no microphone at all.

The Panasonic has no battery to wear out, so it can keep working for years as long as the cord and plug hold up. The Skullcandy's battery capacity fades with charge cycles, and a lost earbud ends the pair.

Is the Skullcandy worth stepping up to over the Panasonic?

Step up if you need wireless freedom, a case, sweat resistance or a microphone. Stay with the Panasonic if you listen at a desk and want light, comfortable headphones with stronger bass and no charging.

Will the Panasonic work with my phone?

Only if your phone has a 3.5mm headphone jack or you use a compatible adapter. The Skullcandy pairs over Bluetooth with iOS and Android and charges over USB-C.

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT vs Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

These are two different tools. The Smokin' Buds XT are true wireless earbuds for moving around: IPX4 sweat resistance, touch controls, a charging case and up to 20 hours of playtime. The Panasonic RP-HT21 is a wired on-ear headphone that weighs 1.2 ounces and never needs charging, but it has no microphone, no water resistance and a fixed 4.5-foot cord. Owners praise the Skullcandy's battery life and easy setup but call the microphone poor for calls and the sound only average. The Panasonic's 4.5-star rating comes from far fewer reviewers, and its open-air foam pads leak sound both ways.

Choose the Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT if you want wireless earbuds for workouts, calls and travel, with a case and touch controls.
Choose the Panasonic RP-HT21 if you listen at a desk or on the couch and want light, comfortable wired headphones with extra bass and no charging.

Prices

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT: $15.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones: $12.69 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
Difference: the Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones is $2.31 cheaper than the Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT at the latest prices (Nov 8)

	Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT	Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones
Connection	Bluetooth 5.1, true wireless	Wired 3.5mm, fixed 4.5 ft cord
Battery	Up to 20 hours with the charging case; 10 min gives 2 hrs	None needed, powered by the device
Microphone	One in each earbud, though owners call call quality poor	None
Water and sweat	IPX4 rated	Not water resistant
Fit and comfort	In-ear with S/M/L ear gels; some owners report them falling out	On-ear foam pads, 1.2 oz, open-air design
Sound	Full bass, but reviewers call overall sound average	30mm drivers, 16 Hz-22 kHz, XBS extra bass port
Isolation and leakage	Noise-isolating in-ear fit	Open-air, so sound leaks in and out
Portability	Small case, pocketable	Does not fold; 9.1 in tall

Spec	Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT	Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones
Style	In-ear	On-Ear, Open-air design
Headphone Cup Type	In-ear	On-ear
Body Part Use	Ear	Ears
Noise Cancellation Type	Passive (Noise Isolating Fit)	Passive
Driver Size	6 mm	30 mm
Frequency Response	20Hz – 20KHz	16 Hz - 22 kHz
Headphone Impedance	16Ω ± 15%	16 ohm
Sensitivity	104dB ± 3dB	100 dB
Sound Output	Stereo	Stereo
Audio Highlights	Noise Isolating Fit	XBS (Extra Bass System) port magnifies low-freq…
Waterproof	No	No
Water Resistant	Yes	No

Spec	Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT	Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones
Connectivity Technology	Wireless, Bluetooth	Wired
Compatible Devices	iPhone, Android devices	Portable Electronics
Ports And Interfaces	USB-C	3.5mm Jack
color	Black	—
actual_color	Black	—
Wireless technology	Bluetooth	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth, USB-C	—
Battery playtime	Up to 20 Hours Playtime	—
Bluetooth version	v5.1	—

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT vs Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

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Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT vs Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

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Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT

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Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT

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Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT

Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

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Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT

Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

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Prices at every store

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT

Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

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What reviewers say

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT

Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones

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