- Amazing sound with deep bass and clear highs
- Strong ANC
- Long battery life
- Affordable
- Cheap-feeling plastic case
- No in-ear detection sensors
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro earbuds deliver stunning sound, powerful ANC, and 37-hour battery life for just 80. With LDAC support and a solid app, they’re a steal. The plastic case and inconsistent touch controls are minor drawbacks, but these earbuds are a fantastic budget-friendly choice.
I’ve been putting the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro through its paces, and I’m honestly floored by what these little guys bring to the table.
After spending time with the Air5 and Air5 Lite earlier, I was pumped to test the Pro version, and wow, they’ve leveled up in a big way.
For $80—or as low as $56 with some sweet deals—these earbuds pack a serious punch with killer sound, awesome noise cancellation, and a bunch of cool features.
Here’s my take on why these are worth your attention and where they could do better.
Also see: SoundPeats Air4 Pro Review
SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | V5.4 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QCC3091 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Battery Life | Up to 37 hours (with case) |
| Charging | 1H (earbuds), 2H (case), 10-min fast charge = 2H |
| Weight | 4.8g (per earbud), 50.3g (case with earbuds) |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX5 |
| Controls | Touch |
What’s in the Box
The Air5 Pro package includes:
- Earbuds with medium ear tips pre-installed
- Additional ear tips (various sizes in a pouch)
- USB-C charging cable
- User guide and paperwork
- Panda stickers (a quirky addition)
The case and earbuds together weigh 50 grams, with each earbud at approximately 4.8 grams (measured as 4 grams by the reviewer). The case lacks wireless charging but supports fast charging via the USB-C port, fully charging in about 2 hours.
Design & Build
First off, the earbuds themselves look pretty slick. They’ve got this glossy back finish with a gunmetal gray touch panel that screams “I’m fancy” without being over-the-top.
They’re lightweight—around 4.8 grams each (my scale said 4 grams, but close enough)—and fit snugly in my ears, which is key for long listening sessions or a sweaty gym sesh.
The IPX5 rating means I can rinse them off after a workout or wear them in the rain without a worry. I took them on a jog in a drizzle, and they held up like champs.
But the charging case? Honestly, it’s a bit of a letdown. It’s the same plasticky build as the Air5 Lite, which doesn’t feel “Pro” at all.
The Air5’s glossy case looked way more premium. It’s got a half-clamshell design with a USB-C port and a pairing button, and the magnetic lid snaps shut nicely—no rattles or accidental openings.
Still, I wish SoundPEATS had gone for a higher-quality material to match the Pro branding. Oh, and no in-ear sensors to pause music when you pop them out? That’s a bummer for a Pro model.
Sound Quality
Man, the sound on these earbuds is unreal. The 10mm drivers deliver bass so deep and punchy it’s like a subwoofer in your ears. I was blasting Daft Punk’s “Doin’ It Right,” and the sub-bass was so satisfying it practically ate the track for breakfast.
If you’re into V-shaped sound (big bass, bright highs), you’re gonna love these. The mids are warm and slightly recessed, giving vocals a cozy vibe without sounding muffled. The highs are crisp, clean, and distortion-free, even when I cranked the volume.
Out of the box, the default EQ is spot-on. I barely touched the SoundPEATS app’s 10-band equalizer, though I did nudge the vocals forward a bit for some tracks, and it sounded amazing.
Android users, you’re in for a treat with LDAC support—pair these with high-res FLAC files, and the clarity is next-level. I tried them with my OnePlus 13, and the difference was night and day compared to standard MP3s. iPhone folks, you’re stuck with AAC, which is fine but not as mind-blowing. Still, for the price, audio quality is a steal.
Volume
I love how these earbuds handle volume. At 25%, I’m already at a comfy listening level—perfect for chilling at home. By 45%, it’s plenty loud for my taste, and anything past 55% is just too much for my ears.
The wide range means I can keep the volume low to save battery, which is a nice perk. I’ve been using them at around 30% most of the time, and they still sound fantastic without draining the juice too fast.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The ANC on these earbuds is straight-up impressive. SoundPEATS claims it blocks up to 55 decibels, and while I can’t measure that exactly, it feels like it.
I tested the traffic mode in a noisy coffee shop, and it cut high-pitched chatter down to maybe 30% of what I’d normally hear.
On a simulated airplane cabin noise test, it was like the engines just vanished—especially with music playing.
Road noise? Barely 10% get through with a good seal. The adaptive, indoor, and outdoor modes are solid, too, but traffic mode is the real MVP.
The transparency modes are cool as well. Voice enhancement boosts mid-range vocals, so I could chat with a barista without pulling the earbuds out. The standard transparency mode makes it feel like you’re not even wearing earbuds—everything sounds natural, no weird amplification. I’d give the ANC a 9.4/10—it’s that good for the price.
Call Quality
I tested the call quality with the six microphones (three per earbud), and they do a solid job. In a quiet room, my voice came through crystal clear.
Then I cranked up a loud train station track to simulate a busy environment, and while my voice sounded a tad muffled, it was still understandable.
Considering how loud the background noise was, I was impressed. The AI noise cancellation for calls works well, making these a reliable pick for phone calls on the go.
SoundPEATS App
The SoundPEATS Audio app is pretty straightforward. You get battery levels for the earbuds and case, but I’m annoyed it shows vague “levels” instead of percentages.
C’mon, SoundPEATS, give me numbers! You can tweak ANC settings, toggle game mode, multi-point pairing, and touch controls. The 10-band EQ is awesome, with 12 presets or full manual control. There’s also a fit test and a map to locate your earbuds, which is neat.
My only gripe? I wish I could pick which ANC modes to cycle through—nobody uses ANC-off, right? Oh, and the font is a bit too light against the background, making it hard to read sometimes.
Battery Life
Battery life is a big win here. With the SBC codec, I got close to 7.5 hours per charge, and with the case, you’re looking at 37 hours total.
Even with ANC on, I squeezed out about 5.5 hours, which is plenty for a day’s use. Using LDAC does cut it down to around 3.5–4 hours, but that’s the trade-off for high-res audio.
The quick charge is a lifesaver—10 minutes in the case gives you 2 hours of playback without ANC. I popped them in during a coffee break, and they were ready for my afternoon commute.
Latency
With game mode on, latency is barely noticeable. I played PUBG, and it felt almost like using wired earbuds—no lag to throw off my game.
Watching Netflix or Amazon Prime Video? No issues either; audio synced perfectly. If you’re a hardcore gamer, you might notice a slight delay in super-fast-paced games, but for casual use, it’s smooth sailing.
Verdict
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro earbuds are a home run. The sound quality is phenomenal, with bass that hits hard and highs that sparkle.
The ANC is top-notch, silencing the world around you. Add in long battery life, LDAC support, and a decent app, and you’ve got a winner.
Sure, the case feels cheap, the touch controls can be finicky, and in-ear sensors are MIA, but for the price, I’m not complaining.
These earbuds are perfect for music lovers, commuters, or anyone who wants premium features without breaking the bank.
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Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
