Clip-on earbuds are really trending right now. If you haven’t given them a shot yet, let me break it down for you: instead of forcing a tip deep into your ear canal, these little drivers just sit at the entrance of your ear, while a flexible clip wraps around the back.
You get to enjoy your music while still being aware of your surroundings. It’s perfect for those walks, gym workouts, or even just sitting at your desk without feeling isolated.
There are two brands that have been competing in this space for a while, and both have just released new versions of their clip-on earbuds. SoundPEATS has introduced the Pop Clip 2, which is also known as the UU2, and EarFun has come out with the Clip 2.
They’re priced similarly, target the same audience, and honestly, they even look quite alike at first glance. So, it makes sense to compare them and see where they actually stand apart.
I won’t claim there’s a definitive winner here, because that’s not the case. Instead, I’ll highlight where each one shines, so you can decide which one suits your needs best.
Price
Let’s start with the number that matters most to a lot of buyers.
The EarFun Clip 2 carries a retail price of around $79, though it’s commonly found on sale for $60 to $63. The SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 retails lower at $49, and since it just launched, you can currently grab it for around $35 if you use the promo code SoundPEATS is running.
That’s a pretty big gap. Even before discount codes, SoundPEATS is undercutting EarFun by a solid margin, and once you factor in launch pricing, the SoundPEATS pair costs almost half of what you’d pay for the EarFun buds. If price is your main deciding factor, this round goes to SoundPEATS without much debate.
Design and Build
Physically, both earbuds follow the same basic blueprint. Each has a small ball-shaped driver that sits at the entrance of your ear canal, connected to a larger clip section that wraps behind your ear and houses the physical button controls.
Both brands went with buttons instead of touch panels, which is a smart move for this style of earbud since touch controls can be finicky when the buds sit outside your ear.
Where they part ways is in the finish and overall look. The EarFun Clip 2 leans into a more polished, jewelry-like appearance, with a silver accent that gives it a slightly upscale feel.
The SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2, on the other hand, goes for a more toned-down aesthetic — it’s glossy in places but has a large matte section on the control housing that makes it feel more understated.
Neither look is objectively better; it really comes down to whether you want something that reads as a bit flashier or something more low-key.
Comfort
Good news here — neither pair will give you grief. Both earbuds have a good amount of flex and give in the clip mechanism, so they hook onto your ear without any pinching or discomfort.
They also stay put during movement, which matters if you plan on wearing these while running, hitting the gym, or just going about a busy day. Whether you pick SoundPEATS or EarFun, comfort isn’t going to be the deciding factor.
Shared Features
Before getting into what separates these two, it’s worth listing everything they have in common, because it’s a lot:
- Bluetooth 6.0 — both are running the latest Bluetooth standard
- Multipoint connection — connect to two devices at once on both models
- Hi-Res Wireless certification — both support LDAC playback for higher-quality streaming
- Spatial audio modes — present on both, though better suited to movies, shows, and gaming than music
- Dynamic EQ — both boost low-end response at lower volumes and add extra punch when turned up, which helps since open-ear designs typically struggle with bass
- Privacy mode — a feature on both that tightens the sound projection directly into your ear canal, cutting down on sound leakage so you’re not disturbing someone next to you
That privacy mode feature deserves a mention on its own, since it’s not something every clip-on earbud offers, and having it on both of these makes them more practical for quieter environments like offices or shared spaces.
Where SoundPEATS Pulls Ahead: Smart Ear Detection
SoundPEATS added a neat convenience feature: self-adjusting earbuds. Normally, clip-on earbuds are assigned to a specific ear (left or right) based on shape, meaning you have to pay attention to which one you’re grabbing from the case.
SoundPEATS solves this by letting the earbud detect which ear it’s going into. Take it out of the left slot in the case, and it becomes your left earbud. Take it out of the right slot, and it becomes the right one — regardless of how you dropped them in earlier. It’s a small thing, but it removes a minor daily annoyance.
Where EarFun Pulls Ahead
EarFun’s standout feature is built-in AI translation. If you’re around someone who speaks a different language, the EarFun app can translate what’s being said into your language in real time, and you can speak back with your words translated into theirs. This is baked directly into EarFun’s app experience.
To be fair, this isn’t something totally exclusive to EarFun — you can achieve similar results with SoundPEATS by pairing a third-party translation app.
But EarFun offers it natively, out of the box, which makes it more convenient if real-time translation is something you’d actually use — say, if you travel frequently.
Durability: Slight Edge to EarFun
Both earbuds carry water resistance ratings that hold up to splashes, sweat, and rain — the SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 has an IPX5 rating, while the EarFun Clip 2 comes in at IP55.
The extra “5” in EarFun’s rating means it also offers dust protection, which SoundPEATS doesn’t specifically claim.
If you’re planning to wear these at the beach, on a job site, or anywhere dust and grit might be an issue, EarFun has a slight practical advantage here.
Battery Life and Charging
Here’s where it gets close, but there are real differences worth knowing.
SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2:
- 10 hours of playback per charge (LDAC off)
- Around 42 hours total with the charging case
- Fast charging: 10 minutes of charge gets you 2 hours of playback
- Charges via USB-C cable only
EarFun Clip 2:
- 11 hours of playback per charge
- Around 40 hours total with the charging case
- Fast charging: 10 minutes of charge gets you 2.5 hours of playback
- Supports wireless charging in addition to USB-C
The earbud battery life and fast charging both slightly favor EarFun, while SoundPEATS edges out EarFun on total case capacity. But the real difference-maker is wireless charging.
Being able to just drop the case on a charging pad instead of hunting for a USB-C cable is a genuine everyday convenience, and it’s a feature SoundPEATS simply doesn’t offer here.
Call Quality
Both earbuds pack four microphones total and lean on AI-based noise cancellation to filter out background noise during calls and focus on your voice.
In real-world outdoor testing, both handled ambient noise like birds, traffic, and nearby sounds reasonably well, without any major standout difference between the two.
If phone call quality is a top priority, you’re not sacrificing much by choosing either option.
Sound Quality
This is the part that matters most, and it’s also where the two products diverge the most sharply. Both use 12mm dynamic drivers, but they’re tuned in completely different directions.
The EarFun Clip 2 goes for a brighter, more detailed sound signature. Treble is pushed forward — close to the edge of feeling sharp in places — while the mids are excellent and sit slightly forward in the mix so vocals never get buried. Bass is present with a satisfying punch, but it’s restrained rather than boosted; EarFun isn’t trying to give you a subwoofer-like rumble, just enough low end to feel the impact without sacrificing clarity elsewhere.
The SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 takes the opposite approach, leaning hard into the low end. There’s a noticeable sub-bass presence with a slight vibration to it, giving tracks a fuller, weightier body. Mids are roughly on par with EarFun — vocals, male or female, stay clear and don’t get lost — but the treble doesn’t carry the same brightness or edge. Detail is still there, but the overall character feels warmer, largely because the bass takes more of a front seat in the mix.
Neither tuning is “wrong.” It comes down to what you listen to:
- Pick SoundPEATS if you’re into pop, hip-hop, or metal — genres where you want to feel the low end and the punch of the drums.
- Pick EarFun if you lean toward vocal-heavy music, instrumental or classical tracks, or podcasts, where clarity and high-end detail matter more than bass weight.
Soundstage and imaging, for what it’s worth, are essentially identical between the two. Both create a spacious, open feeling, and you’ll have no trouble picking out where individual sounds are coming from with either pair.
SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 vs EarFun Clip 2: Quick Comparison
| Feature | SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 | EarFun Clip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Clip-on open-ear | Clip-on open-ear |
| Drivers | 12mm dynamic | 12mm dynamic |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| High-res audio | LDAC | LDAC |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy mode | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP55 |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 11 hours- |
| Total battery with case | Up to 42 hours | Up to 40 hours |
| Fast charging | 10 min = 2 hours | 10 min = 2.5 hours |
| Case charging | USB-C | USB-C + wireless charging |
| Microphones | 4 | 4 |
| AI translation | No built-in feature | Yes |
| Typical price | $49 | $79 |
| Discounted price | Around $35 | Around $60-$63 |
Which Should You Buy?
At the end of the day, it really boils down to what matters most to you: do you want a budget-friendly option with solid bass, or are you after premium features and crystal-clear sound?
The SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 delivers a sound profile that appeals to a wide audience, thanks to its robust low-end performance. Priced at just $35 during its launch, it’s a fantastic bargain. Plus, it comes with that nifty self-adjusting earbud feature, which makes everyday use a breeze.
On the other hand, the EarFun Clip 2 is a bit pricier, but that extra cash gets you perks like wireless charging, quicker charging times, native AI translation, and a sound profile that’s brighter and more detailed. If you’re a frequent traveler or you prioritize vocal clarity and treble over bass, that added investment might be worth it for you.
What’s truly remarkable is that neither of these options feels like a compromise. Both can hold their own against — and arguably outperform — much more expensive models from brands like Bose, Sony, and Shokz, all while costing about a third of the price. That’s been the hallmark of both SoundPEATS and EarFun: delivering strong performance without the hefty price tag.
If I had to choose a personal favorite, I’d lean towards the SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2 — mainly for its punchy bass and the fact that it offers better value for those who don’t need the translation feature. But that’s just my personal take; both earbuds are fantastic, and you really can’t go wrong with either choice.
Best deal:
SoundPEATS Pop Clip 2: View on Amazon
EarFun Clip 2: View on Amazon
You might also like:
- Shokz OpenDots 2 vs OpenDots Air: Key Differences You Should Know
- JBL SoundGear Clips vs Huawei FreeClip 2: Which to Choose?
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.
