The SoundPEATS Air 5 is turning heads in the wireless earbuds market, and for good reason. Priced at just $53, these earbuds promise features typically found in products three times their cost. With Hi-Res lossless audio, active noise cancellation (ANC), and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound, they aim to deliver premium performance at a fraction of the price.
Designed as a semi-open alternative to pricier competitors like Apple’s AirPods 4th Gen, the Air 5 is packed with features tailored for everyday use. In this review, we’ll dive deep into everything that makes (and breaks) the SoundPEATS Air 5. From the design and build quality to sound performance, battery life, and app support, you’ll learn exactly what to expect from these budget-friendly earbuds. Let’s get into it!
Design and Build Quality
The SoundPEATS Air 5 nails a minimalist yet modern look that feels right at home in 2024. These earbuds follow a semi-open design, which means no silicone ear tips. For some, this is a blessing—it’s more comfortable for extended wear and doesn’t cause that “plugged ear” sensation. However, this might feel like a compromise if you enjoy the snug fit and isolation that silicone tips offer.
The earbuds come in three standout finishes: matte black, glossy gold, and a bold glossy purple. The matte black is ideal for people who hate fingerprints, while the glossy options, though eye-catching, tend to collect smudges and scratches easily. For a $53 product, the build quality is surprisingly solid. The earbuds are lightweight but don’t feel flimsy, and the stem design sits comfortably in your ears without looking oversized or awkward.
With an IPX5 water resistance rating, these earbuds are built to withstand sweat, light rain, and the occasional splash. During testing, I used these earbuds during an intense workout and even in light rain, and they performed flawlessly. The water resistance gives you peace of mind, especially if you use earbuds at the gym or outdoors. Remember that IPX5 doesn’t make them fully waterproof, so don’t take them swimming or dunk them in water.
The charging case is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for slipping into your pocket or bag. It uses a clamshell design with a satisfying snap closure to secure the earbuds. One downside is the lack of wireless charging—something we’re starting to see in even mid-range earbuds. Instead, the case uses a USB-C port for charging, which is still quick and convenient.
One small design quirk is the printed slogan “Hear Your Imagination” on the earbuds and the case. Some might find this branding a bit cheesy or unnecessary. I think it detracts from the clean, minimalist look these earbuds are going for.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is where the SoundPEATS Air 5 aims to make a strong impression, and for the most part, it delivers. With 13mm dynamic drivers and support for AptX Lossless and Adaptive codecs, these earbuds promise Hi-Res audio straight out of the box. But how does that translate to real listening?
The first thing you’ll notice is how balanced the sound profile is. The mids and highs are the real stars here. Vocals, whether in podcasts or music, are crisp and clear, making these a great choice for audiobooks, dialogue-heavy shows, or acoustic genres. The treble is bright but not overly sharp, so instruments like cymbals and violins have just the right amount of sparkle without becoming harsh.
Bass lovers might feel a little underwhelmed, though. Since the Air 5 uses a semi-open design, you don’t get that deep, chest-thumping low end that silicone tips can deliver. That said, turning on the “Bass Boost” mode in the app does help bring a bit more punch to the lower frequencies. It’s not going to satisfy hardcore bass heads, but for casual listeners, it gets the job done.
One unique thing about these earbuds is how much the sound depends on their fit. If they’re just sitting loosely in your ears, the audio can feel distant, especially the bass. But with a slight adjustment—angling them closer to your ear canal—you’ll notice a significant improvement in clarity and fullness. The wide soundstage is another highlight. Because of the semi-open design, the Air 5 feels less claustrophobic than traditional in-ear buds. This makes them great for immersive experiences like movies, live recordings, or genres with lots of layering, like classical or jazz.
In terms of codecs, the inclusion of AptX Lossless is impressive at this price point. When paired with a compatible device, you’ll get a noticeable jump in detail, especially in higher-quality tracks. But let’s be honest—most users won’t have a Snapdragon Sound-compatible phone, and the difference might not be as obvious in standard Bluetooth setups.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The SoundPEATS Air 5 is equipped with hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is pretty rare for semi-open earbuds in this price range. On paper, it’s an exciting feature, but in practice, it’s more of a nice-to-have than a game-changer.
Let’s set the record straight: with a semi-open design, there are natural limitations to how much noise can be blocked. Unlike in-ear earbuds with silicone tips, which create a physical barrier, the Air 5 relies solely on its ANC tech to reduce ambient noise. As a result, it works well for cutting down on low-frequency hums, like the sound of an AC unit or distant traffic, but don’t expect it to completely silence noisy environments like a bustling café or crowded subway.
One thing I noticed is that the ANC strength can be tweaked in the app using the “ear canal settings.” There are multiple modes to try, and each slightly changes the way noise cancellation performs. For instance, “Ear Canal 2” provided the best results for me, but even then, it only dulled background noise rather than fully eliminating it.
What’s missing here is a transparency mode. Most semi-open earbuds don’t need it since the design already lets outside sounds through naturally. Still, for those transitioning from more advanced earbuds with dedicated transparency modes, this might feel like a missing piece. One quirk I noticed is the occasional “adjustment” phase when using ANC. Every 15-20 seconds, the earbuds seem to recalibrate, momentarily reducing ANC effectiveness before kicking back in. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it can be slightly distracting, especially in quieter settings.
Connectivity
The SoundPEATS Air 5 uses Bluetooth 5.4, which is one of the latest standards for wireless connectivity. Pairing the earbuds with your device is straightforward—just open the case, and they’ll enter pairing mode automatically. Once paired, they reconnect almost instantly every time you pop them back in your ears.
One standout feature is multipoint connectivity, which allows you to connect the Air 5 to two devices simultaneously. For example, you can seamlessly switch between your phone and laptop without having to disconnect from one device to connect to another. This is a huge convenience for anyone juggling work calls, streaming music, or watching videos on multiple devices.
The Air 5 also supports advanced codecs like AptX Adaptive and AptX Lossless, which deliver higher-quality sound with lower latency—perfect for watching videos or playing games. These codecs ensure that audio and video are perfectly in sync, so you don’t experience that annoying lag where the sound doesn’t match the visuals.
If you’re using a Snapdragon Sound-compatible device, you’ll unlock even better sound quality. This feature ensures minimal audio compression, which means clearer sound with more detail. While most casual listeners might not notice the difference between AptX and standard codecs, audiophiles with compatible devices will definitely appreciate the enhanced quality.
App Experience
The SoundPEATS Air 5 is supported by the PEATSAudio app, which is where a lot of the customization magic happens. The app is available on both Android and iOS, and it’s packed with features that let you tweak the earbuds to suit your preferences. From EQ adjustments to touch control customization, the app gives you far more control than most budget earbuds on the market.
When you first open the app, you’ll see a sleek interface that displays your earbuds and case’s battery levels (though without exact percentages). The home screen lets you toggle ANC on and off or experiment with the ear canal settings, which change the noise cancellation’s intensity and effectiveness. This is where you’ll spend some time trying out the options to find what works best for you.
One standout feature is the EQ customization. You can choose from preset sound profiles like “Bass Boost” or “Classical,” or you can create your own using the manual EQ sliders. For those who love to fine-tune their audio, this is a big win. There’s even an adaptive EQ feature that adjusts the sound based on a quick hearing test, though its results can feel hit-or-miss depending on your listening habits.
The app also lets you enable Gaming Mode, which reduces audio latency for watching videos or gaming. It’s a handy feature, and toggling it is quick and seamless. For touch controls, you can assign specific actions like skipping tracks or adjusting volume, which is great if you prefer your earbuds tailored to your routine.
Call Quality
The SoundPEATS Air 5 punches above its weight when it comes to call quality. Equipped with six microphones (three on each earbud) and AI-powered noise reduction, these earbuds are designed to keep your voice front and center while minimizing background noise.
In quiet environments, the call quality is excellent. Your voice sounds natural and full, with very little distortion. The AI noise reduction really shines when you’re outdoors or in noisier places. It effectively filters out low-frequency sounds like wind or distant traffic, making it easier for the person on the other end to hear you. However, the noise reduction isn’t perfect. In environments with unpredictable, high-pitched sounds (like a baby crying or loud car horns), some of that noise still manages to sneak through. That said, for most typical situations like work calls or casual conversations, the performance is more than satisfactory.
During testing, I tried making calls in various settings—indoors, outdoors, and even in windy conditions. While the earbuds handled moderate noise well, very windy conditions did challenge the mics slightly. The AI occasionally overcompensated, causing my voice to sound slightly muffled. The microphone placement also plays a role in ensuring your voice is captured effectively. The Air 5 uses beamforming technology to focus on your voice while ignoring unnecessary ambient sounds. This is a particularly useful feature for who frequently take calls while walking or commuting.
Gaming Mode
One of the standout features of the SoundPEATS Air 5 is its Gaming Mode, designed to reduce latency and deliver a seamless audio experience for gamers and streamers. Low latency is crucial for activities like gaming or watching videos, as it ensures the audio stays in sync with the visuals. With Gaming Mode activated, the Air 5 does an impressive job of minimizing lag.
During testing, I played a few rounds of fast-paced games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile. With Gaming Mode turned on, the audio sync was spot-on, even during intense action scenes where precise timing matters most. Footsteps, gunfire, and in-game sound effects were all delivered without noticeable delay, giving me a competitive edge.
Activating Gaming Mode is straightforward through the Pete’s Audio app or via the touch controls, depending on how you’ve set them up. The transition is smooth, and you can toggle it off just as easily when you’re done gaming or streaming. While Gaming Mode does a fantastic job for most activities, keep in mind that it slightly increases battery consumption. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re planning a long gaming session, make sure the earbuds and case are fully charged to avoid interruptions.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the highlights of the SoundPEATS Air 5, especially when you compare it to other earbuds in this price range. On a single charge, the earbuds offer up to 6 hours of playtime with ANC on, and you can stretch that to about 7 hours if you’re not using noise cancellation. Add the charging case into the mix, and you’re looking at a total of 30 hours of use, which is more than enough to get through a week of casual listening or a few intense workout sessions.
For perspective, these numbers put the Air 5 on par with much pricier earbuds like the Apple AirPods 4th Gen, which boast a similar total playtime. And while some premium earbuds advertise longer battery life, the Air 5 doesn’t fall short in any way for daily use.
The charging case uses a USB-C port for charging. However, there’s no support for wireless charging, which might be a bummer if you’ve gotten used to dropping your gadgets on a charging pad. One feature that seems to be missing is fast charging. While many earbuds in this range advertise quick top-ups (e.g., 10 minutes for an hour of playback), the Air 5 doesn’t mention this capability. It’s not a huge deal, but if you’re often in a rush, it’s something to keep in mind.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the SoundPEATS Air 5?
The SoundPEATS Air 5 earbuds deliver an impressive combination of features at a price that’s hard to beat. For just $53 (with discounts), you’re getting Hi-Res audio certification, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.4, and a customizable app experience—features typically found in earbuds that cost twice or three times as much.
What makes the Air 5 stand out is how well it balances affordability with functionality. Competing with high-end models like the Apple AirPods 4th Gen and Galaxy Buds 3, these earbuds offer similar performance in key areas like sound quality and battery life while maintaining a much lower price point. The addition of features like Snapdragon Sound and AptX Lossless sets the Air 5 apart in the budget segment. These technologies ensure better sound clarity and reduced audio compression, which is rare for earbuds in this price range. Even if you don’t have a Snapdragon-compatible device, the overall sound quality is still impressive.
Active noise cancellation, while not perfect, is a welcome addition, especially for semi-open earbuds. Combined with the customizable EQ in the PEATSAudio app and features like Gaming Mode and multipoint connectivity, the Air 5 becomes a well-rounded package for everyday use. In terms of battery life, the Air 5 holds its own against premium competitors, offering up to 30 hours of total playtime. The IPX5 water resistance adds another layer of practicality, making them suitable for workouts, commutes, and outdoor activities.
