SoundPEATS Air5 Pro: Premium features for budget earbuds

SoundPEATS Air5 Pro

The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro are budget wireless earbuds that offer features often found in more expensive models. For a retail price of $79 ($59 until August 31, 2025), they provide strong active noise cancellation (ANC) and support for high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC and aptX (if you have the right device to pair them to). This makes them a notable option for budget-conscious listeners, particularly Android users who can take advantage of the advanced audio streaming capabilities.

Design and comfort

The Air5 Pro earbuds are lightweight at 4.8 grams each and have a compact, ergonomic shape. Their design resembles AirPods with bronze-colored accents on the stems. The earbuds come in two colors: black and white. The earbud nozzle is narrow, which provides a comfortable fit, especially for users with smaller ears. The earbuds come with an IPX5 rating, making them resistant to sweat and rain and suitable for workouts (but not for immersion in water).

The fit is secure enough for activities like weight training and running with minimal body-borne noise. However, the package includes only three sizes of silicone ear tips, whereas many competitors offer four or more. The charging case is made of a basic hard plastic. With dimensions of 1.9 x 1 x 2.6 inches, the case is compact and one of the thinner options available, making it easy to carry in a pocket.

Features and connectivity

The earbuds connect using Bluetooth 5.4 and support a comprehensive suite of audio codecs, including SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and LE Audio. While this extensive codec support is a major benefit for Android users, iPhone users are limited to the standard SBC and AAC codecs, as iOS does not support aptX or LDAC.

The earbuds also feature a multipoint connection, called “Dual Device Connection,” which allows them to be paired with two devices at the same time. This is a very useful feature but it is not enabled by default and must be activated using a toggle within the PeatsAudio app. 

The PeatsAudio app also supports multiple customization features, including a 10-band equalizer, several presets, and an adaptive EQ test. Users can also remap the touch controls and enable a low-latency game mode.

The Air5 Pro lacks some premium features that you find in higher end earbuds. There is no wear detection to automatically pause and play music when the earbuds are removed. The case also does not support wireless charging. Additionally, touch controls are limited during phone calls; ANC automatically turns off, and there is no option to mute the microphone.

Sound and performance

The default sound profile of the Air5 Pro is bass-forward. The sound can become muddy and overbearing in heavier tracks, obscuring details. However, the sound quality can be significantly improved using the app’s equalizer. With adjustments, the earbuds deliver a rich, clear, and dynamic sound with a wide soundscape that reveals subtle details in music.

Active noise cancellation is a key strength. Most tests found the ANC to be very effective for the price, successfully blocking low-frequency sounds like crowd noise and airplane engines. However, don’t expect it to be perfect. The ANC can be less effective against office sounds like typing and city traffic. The transparency mode allows users to hear their surroundings but is highly sensitive to wind, which can make it difficult to use outdoors. It can also produce a slight white noise hiss and an occlusion effect.

Call quality is a major improvement over the previous model. The six-microphone array with AI noise reduction ensures voices come through clearly, even in noisy and windy environments. The microphone can sound slightly metallic or quiet at times but performs well for calls on the go.

Battery life and pricing

The Air5 Pro’s battery life is a mild letdown. While advertised at 7.5 hours, tests show the earbuds last around five hours, and less if ANC is turned on. This is below the average for modern wireless earbuds. However, for most uses, including commute, workouts, and calls.

The charging case provides up to 37 hours of total playback time and supports fast charging, with a 10-minute charge delivering two hours of use. The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro retails for $79 ($59 until August 31, 2025) and is available on Amazon. They present a strong value proposition for their price, offering excellent ANC and broad codec support, but this is balanced by their below-average battery life and some software quirks.

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