Clip-on Earbuds: Soundcore AeroClip, Soundcore C40i and SoundPEATS PearlClip Pros Compared. AeroClip comes out on top for Sound, SoundPEATS for Value.

Clip-on Earbuds: Soundcore AeroClip, Soundcore C40i and SoundPEATS PearlClip Pros Comparison

This review will compare three clip-on earbuds feature-to-feature with some general commentary about performance and fit. They share the new style of earbuds that clip onto the lower part of the ear and wrap around into the ear canal. Unlike traditional earbuds, they do not sit in the ear canal, and unlike sports headphones, they do not wrap around the top of the ear. These features make them more comfortable for those who wear glasses, fit a wider range of ears than most sports earbuds, and they also tend to focus the audio more precisely.

Clip-ons are open-ear, which means there is no noise cancelation or sound isolation. Like their sports counterparts, they are not ideal for noisy environments. While those wearing clip-on earbuds may be able to hear audio playing through them on a plane, they will not mask the sound of the engines, children in the row behind or the people talking to each other in the same row. Clip-on earbuds don’t need a talk-through or environmental awareness as they don’t attempt to block either voices or noises.

From the audio standpoint, the Soundcore AeroClips offer the richest audio, and most detailed audio. The SoundPEATS PearlClip Pros are a close second, offering a slightly brighter sound, but they lack the depth of the AeroClips. I did not care for the C40i at all. I found their sound reproduction tiny and harsh. It was hard to listen to them the first time I tried them and all subsequent times after that.

These general comments reflect a common listening experience without tweaks to the sound profiles. I started listening to Dua Lipa Live from the Royal Albert Hall and switching headphones. Several swaps convinced me that my ears weren’t arbitrarily placing favorites. The differences between the audio experiences were consistent across songs.

As the comparisons will show beyond audio quality, price, IP rating and battery life, and to some degree, case size, may play a role in selecting the right clip-on earbuds. None of these clip-on earbuds support wireless charging.

I want to be clear: this is not an exhaustive review of this emerging market. These are the first three clip-on earbuds offered to Serious Insights for review.

Clip-on Earbud Advantages and Disadvantages

Clip-on Earbud Feature Comparison

Note: Values for blanks in the comparison chart could not be found on the product or Amazon product pages for those products. Values may be added later.

Feature	AeroClip	C40i	SoundPEATS PearlClip Pro
Review Ranking	1 (overall sound, battery, design)	3 (Worst sound quality)	2 (great sound, low price)
List Price	$129.99	$99.99	$69.99
Driver	12mm Customized Driver, Titanium-Coated	12mm × 17mm Racetrack Dynamic Drivers	12mm dual-magnetic drivers
Frequency Response		20HZ-20KHZ
Playtime/With Case	8H/32H	7H/21H	6H/24H
Charge Time	10M=3H Fast Charge	10M=2H Fast Charging	1.7H/ 10-min quick charge for 2H playtime
Charging Type	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
IP Rating	IPX4	IPX4	IPX5
Bluetooth Version	5.4	5.4	5.4
Supported Codecs			ACC/SBC
Microphones	4 beamforming (with AI)	2 with AI	AI ENC Clear Call
Multipoint Connection	✔️	✔️	✔️
Weight Per Earbud	5.9g (0.19oz)	5.8g (0.19oz)	5.85g (0.19oz)
Control Type	Tap	Physical Button	Touch
App	EQ, Tap Control	EQ, Button Control	Touch Controls, EQ, Mode Switch
Extras	Ear grips for improved fit	Ear grips for improved fit	None
Unique Features	AI for reduced noise on calls	3D audio	Spatial Audio (no head tracking). Game mode.
Colors	Midnight/Champagne Mist/Rosy brown	Mightnight/Desert Bronze	Black

Clip-on Earbud Reviews

Note that none of the headphones in this review support:

• Active noise cancelation
• Noise isolation
• Wireless charging

The lack of these features is listed here and not in the individual product pros and cons lists.

All of the apps for these earbuds would benefit from a less cluttered functionality without registration and the removal of sales and social features.

On the positive side, all of these earbuds support multipoint connectivity, which is also not listed as a pro on each review.

Clip-on earbuds: a new way to listen

Clip-on earbuds offer a compelling alternative to traditional in-ear and sports earbuds, especially for those who prioritize comfort and situational awareness. Their open-ear design allows users to stay aware of their surroundings, making them ideal for outdoor activities, commuting, and office use. They also eliminate the discomfort of ear canal pressure, a common complaint with in-ear models. However, these benefits come with trade-offs.

Clip-on earbuds generally provide less passive noise isolation, which can impact sound quality in noisy environments. Bass response tends to be weaker compared to traditional earbuds, and their fit may not be as secure during high-intensity workouts. Sports earbuds, with their in-ear or over-ear hooks, usually offer better stability and stronger bass.

Buyer choice depends on personal preference: clip-on earbuds work well for those who value comfort and awareness, while traditional are better suited for users seeking high-fidelity audio and noise isolation, and sports earbuds will appeal to those looking for a secure fit with high IP ratings for active lifestyles.

With the continued reduction in earbud prices and the movement of high-end features into lower-priced products, it often makes sense for those who can afford it to buy earbuds for various purposes rather than one pair for everything.

SoundPEATS and Anker provided the various clip-on earbuds for review. Images courtesy of SoundPEATS or Anker unless otherwise noted.

Serious Insights is an Amazon Affiliate. Clicking on an Amazon link may result in a payment to Serious Insights. Serious Insights is not an affiliate of either Anker or SoundPEATS. We do not receive any compensation for clicks to their sites or purchases from those sites.

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