SoundPEATS PearlClip Pro Review

Our next SOUNDPEATS earbuds review. Do they stack up for workouts, daily use, and travel?

Introduction to the SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro Earbuds Review

SOUNDPEATS – they’re back with a new release. If you’ve been here long, you’ll remember that back in October I reviewed one of their previous offerings, the Soundpeats Capsule3 Pro+ review. I actually found them to be solid, budget friendly earbuds that came with some high end features and wouldn’t make you stretch your wallet. So, color me interested in this next offering.

The PearlClip Pro’s promise to bring a new open-ear clip design, all-day comfort, and an even smaller price. Which is actually saying something. What do they bring? What do they miss?

This is my review of the SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro – the newest, lightweight clip-on release from SOUNDPEATS. I’m looking at these not as an audio professional, but as an EDC user and of course, for travel and workouts. I used these for a full month of commuting, gym sessions, and short flights for work. Extra test time :).

As always for full transparency, SOUNDPEATS did offer to send me these for review, but I did not receive any money in return and this is not a sponsored article. I do use affiliate links which help to support the site if you decide to use them to make a purchase, but you’re under no obligation to do so and there’s no additional cost to you. Thanks for stopping by!

Check price on Amazon

SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro Overview and Features

For the price point, if you’re a spec fiend, you’re going to like this list. I’m going to be up front that I am not going into this expecting to beat out Airpods Pro, Sony XFMs, Bose, etc.

But if it can get close while offering similar features, I think that’s worth taking notice. From their website:

• Open-ear clip earbuds built with 70% silicone and memory steel (5.85g)
• 12mm dual drivers with dynamic EQ
• Directional sound design that reduces leakage
• AI-based noise reduction for calls
• 6H playtime, 24H with case. 10-min charge = 2H use
• Auto-adaptive left/right channels
• IPX5 water resistance
• Bluetooth 5.4 connection

It retails for $39.98 USD but Amazon can often run sales. A surprising price vs. some of the higher end competition.

The Good

Like most of their earbuds, the design is solid on these, right down to the box. They aren’t in your face, they aren’t cheesy, and they come in black. The look of the case is also simple and compact.

Like the previous pair I reviewed, the fit on these is fantastic for me. Lightweight on the ear. The clip style held secure during runs and commutes. Fit was snug and comfortable. And being up front, like many earbuds, the comfort was better than my Airpods Pro 2’s. Still, good to see them continue this.

Connection – see the performance section below. But skipping connections seems to mostly be a thing of the past on these kinds of buds.

The usual compliments to SOUNDPEATS here – feature to price ratio is really, really high. Just the fact that they support a modern connection and have directional sound processing makes them stand out.

Sound is really good in these. I have zero complaints about the balance for an open-ear design. Vocals are clear and music holds detail.

Battery life was solid. Six hours playback matched my use, and the quick charge feature actually worked as promised.

The app allows EQ customization and touch control changes, which makes them flexible in use.

The Bad

To be honest, a lot of these upcoming points are more about expectation setting and price point differentiation than hard criticisms. But, these are still points that need to be raised to help you make a decision.

I still think the noise reduction on calls can’t measure up to the big competitors. While I think it would be unfair to really have that expectation (remember, these are $40.00 buds) – I’m just being honest to quell any hype or confusion right now. There are just some things missing that can’t get them over the hump to meet that. More in the performance section.

Controls were a little over sensitive in my usage. It was very easy to trigger them while adjusting the clip, scratching near your ear, or moving hair out of the way. The gestures work, but they also react when you don’t want them to.

They don’t have memory on the settings for sound profiles. Each time I put them in, they reset to normal mode. Easy fix on the software side, I would think.

If you’re used to higher end buds, there are features missing that you may notice. The first is auto-pause. When you remove AirPods Pro from your ear, the audio instantly pauses. For podcasts or spoken word, that’s an incredible feature you might not put much weight behind…until you don’t have it anymore. So I noticed that absence.

No wireless charging. This is the ultimate purely convenience complaint, but it’s a con for those that are used to it and feel they need it.

Something you won’t find at this price point is the loud noises protection that Apple has built into their ecosystem. On subways or busy streets, sudden high-volume sounds get cut down automatically. These don’t do that. Again, totally fair for the price, but worth mentioning.

Transparency is decent, but again, not at the same level as Apple or Sony. For everyday use like ordering coffee, it works. But if you’re coming from the very best models, you will see the difference.

Finally, this is a brand thing rather than a PearlClip Pro thing. SOUNDPEATS has a wide product lineup. It’s hard to see what’s positioned as flagship, what’s mid-tier, and what’s entry. Price helps, but for new buyers, the naming and variety can be confusing.

The Performance of the PearlClip Pro Earbuds

Like my previous reviews, I take these into a mix of scenarios that are real life and also make sure to actually look at them from a travel perspective.

On subways, they did a good job overall making sure that voices and environmental noise didn’t overwhelm music or podcasts. Because they are open-ear clip earbuds, they can’t compete with sealed buds for isolation, but the balance was fair for what they are designed to do.

In cafes, they reduced background chatter enough to focus. Louder conversations nearby still came through, but for light work or casual listening, they worked as expected. For calls, people on the other end heard me clearly unless the room was very noisy.

In an office setting, they performed reasonably well. Open-ear style means you will still hear coworkers, but that is part of the design. For those that want awareness while still playing music, this is the trade-off.

ZERO connection issues, even in city streets and intersections with multiple signals. Bluetooth 5.4 kept the stream solid. This is one of the most important points, and it passed easily.

At the airport, they handled waiting areas with no drops. On the plane, because of the open design, you do hear more engine noise compared to ANC earbuds. But I could still watch movies and listen to playlists without turning the volume uncomfortably high.

Battery life matched the claims. Six hours of continuous playback was consistent, and the case added multiple recharges. Quick charge worked exactly as advertised – I tested the 10-minute top-up and got just under two hours of listening time.

I tested multiple genres of music: acoustic, electronic, pop, and even classical. Strong bass was present for electronic tracks, while vocals stayed clear in acoustic sessions. For live orchestral music, some detail was lost compared to sealed earbuds, but that is the nature of open-ear.

Controls and App Features

Controls on the PearlClip Pro are responsive but sensitive. Tap, double tap, and long press manage tracks, volume, and calls. Because of the clip-on style, I often hit commands while making small adjustments. It’s a common trade-off for touch-based systems, but worth noting.

Through the SoundPEATS app, you can change EQ profiles. Presets for gaming, movies, or custom settings add flexibility. I set up one profile for workouts and another for office use. Switching was quick.

Firmware updates are supported through the app. This is important because SOUNDPEATS often makes small improvements after release. Having the ability to patch bugs or refine EQ adds long-term value.

Overall, controls and app features work as expected at this price. Not perfect, but functional and customizable enough for daily use.

Call Quality and Noise Reduction

PearlClip Pro mic quality is acceptable for calls. The ENC earbuds system reduces some environmental sound, but this is not full ANC. Voices come through clearly in quiet rooms and small offices. On busy streets, background noise still leaks in, though the directional mic helps limit wind.

During subway rides, I made a few calls to test clarity. On the other end, people said they could hear me well enough, but they did notice the train noise behind me. In cafes, light chatter was filtered out but loud voices nearby were still noticeable. For everyday calls, these work, but they are not meant for conference-level clarity in crowded spaces.

The AI-based system is tuned for spoken word. Podcasts and phone calls remain understandable. For music or ambient noise, there is no active cancellation. If you expect the kind of silence that premium ANC earbuds provide, these will not meet that. But for quick conversations or work calls, the mic quality is strong enough.

User Feedback and Real-World Use

Looking at PearlClip Pro user reviews across forums and Reddit, the feedback is consistent. Many highlight PearlClip Pro comfort and stability during workouts. The clip-on design avoids ear fatigue and feels better than sealed buds.

Some users mention that the earbuds can feel bulky for running compared to smaller in-ear models. Others appreciate the security of the clip, saying it keeps them in place during cycling or gym sessions.

In daily life, most reviews praise the balance between sound and awareness. For people who don’t want to be cut off from their environment, the PearlClip Pro earbuds provide that mix. On the other side, users who expect deep isolation sometimes feel disappointed.

Overall, feedback shows a product that meets its promise: comfort, awareness, and value.

Alternatives and Competition

In the same category, PearlClip Pro alternatives include Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Soundcore C30i. Bose has more refined highs and better transparency, but at a much higher price. Soundcore C30i sits closer in cost, with similar awareness features, but does not match the strong bass that PearlClip Pro delivers.

For budget-conscious buyers, the PearlClip Pro is the cheaper choice. For audiophiles seeking top-tier refinement, Bose remains ahead. The middle ground belongs to Soundcore. SoundPEATS places itself as the option with bass power and value.

Final Verdict – Are They Worth It?

So, the PearlClip Pro review conclusion: these earbuds are not for everyone, but they fill their role well. If you need awareness of surroundings, want comfort without ear canal pressure, and prefer a secure clip-on fit, they are a strong choice.

For daily use, they handle music, podcasts, and calls with reliability. For gaming, the low latency mode is effective. For workouts and commuting, the lightweight design and IPX5 rating give confidence.

They lack premium extras like wireless charging, advanced ANC, and auto-pause. But at $39.98, the trade-off is clear. You get PearlClip Pro pros that outweigh the cons for most everyday users.

For budget-conscious gamers, commuters, and outdoor runners, the PearlClip Pro earbuds represent one of the best balances of comfort, features, and price in their category.