SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro Review: Hi‑Res Audio & Multipoint ANC at a Budget Price

SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro Review

I spent a lot of time with the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro over the weekend. They captured the thrills, and not so thrills, of a Los Angeles Dodgers game, and they played yacht rock after the heartbreaking Dodgers’ loss while I power-washed the patio. I wore them for over five hours without a hiccup, a little short of their seven-and-a-half-hour rating, but good nonetheless.

I continue to be amazed at the quality of lower-priced earbuds. ANC and touch controls under $80 make the Air 5 Pros compelling. I wish they also included wireless charging, but that’s the compromise at this pricing level. Some lower-priced earbuds sacrifice codecs, while others sacrifice touch controls, wireless charging, or IP ratings. I think a concentration on audio is the right choice. From the product, it looks and sounds like the SOUNDPEATS engineers agree with me.

SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro Specifications

Specification	Details
Bluetooth version	5.4 with profiles HSP/HFP/A2DP/AVRCP
Chipset	Qualcomm QCC3091
Supported codecs	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Driver	10 mm composite bio‑diaphragm (PU + PEEK)
Active Noise Cancellation	AI-powered adaptive ANC, up to ~55 dB reduction
Microphones	6-mic array with AI ENC and Qualcomm cVc 8.0
Battery – earbuds	35 mAh each; ~7.5 h playback
Battery – case	520 mAh; total ~37 h runtime with earbuds
Fast charging	10 min → ~2 h playback
Charging time	Earbuds ~1 h; case ~2 h via USB‑C
Weight	Earbud: ~4.8 g; Case with earbuds: ~50 g
Dimensions (case)	~66.9 × 48.3 × 26.9 mm
Water resistance	IPX5 rating
Controls	Touch gestures; PeatsAudio app support (EQ, codec toggles, ANC/transparency/Game mode, multipoint)
Multipoint connectivity	Dual-device Bluetooth connection

What we like

Pros

• Support for LDAC, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless hi-res audio
• AI-powered adaptive ANC (~55 dB)
• Multipoint Bluetooth® 5.4 connectivity
• Good call quality via 6‑mic cVc 8.0
• Long battery life (approx. 7–7.5 h per bud; ~30–37 h total with case)
• Light In-ear design, IPX5 water resistance
• Responsive touch controls and EQ in PeatsAudio app

The Air5 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s QCC3091 chip to deliver LDAC and up to 990 kbps aptX Lossless audio, ideal for listeners seeking studio-quality playback over Bluetooth. The Air5 Pros also support LCS3. The inclusion of Snapdragon Sound ensures low latency and crisp clarity, making it especially compelling at their sub-$80 street price. Keep in mind that the audio must be end-to-end high quality for the headphones to meet their maximum performance levels. For those with a listening experience that supports LDAC or LCS3, those features need to be turned on in the app before they are available (they are turned off by default).

I was not able to test the headphones with LDAC, as my Apple devices don’t support it. Sound quality was solid, utilizing Apple’s AAC, which is also supported. I went through my usual litany of sound profiles and found the Air5 Pros up to the challenge of everything from reading audiobooks, to the heft of a good Dua Lipa or Sia beat, to the classics of The Who and Queen. Audio reproduction was prioritized, and it shows.

SOUNDPEATS advertises AI-driven ANC capable of blocking up to 55 dB. This system dynamically adjusts to ambient noise, delivering a noticeable reduction in noisy environments, such as trains or cafes. At this price, the performance rivals that of pricier competitors—even if not quite on par with on-ear models. I found the quality to be good, but the noise from my power washer still got through, which was to be expected given its loudness and proximity to the machine. [Update 2025-06-20: ANC worked well on a plane, even when right over the wing in an exit row.]

Bluetooth® 5.4 support and multipoint support solid connections to multiple devices simultaneously.

7.5 hours per charge with around 37 total hours of runtime (case included), plus a 10-minute fast-charge for ~2 hours of listening—these metrics align with industry-leading standards in their price class .

At just ~4.8 g (1.7 oz) per earbud with IPX5 resistance, they’re suited for workouts and commutes. Touch gestures are solid—single taps adjust volume, long presses skip tracks, and triple taps activate Game Mode, reducing latency..

What could be improved

Cons

• App interface is clunky
• No wireless charging
• More sustainable packaging

PeatsAudio offers useful EQ and codec toggles through its UI, but it doesn’t match the hardware polish. I’d like to see the “hamburger” menu integrated with the settings menu along the bottom of the screen. It should be easy to find feature toggles and upgrade settings, but they are located in two different places. There is plenty of room along the bottom of the app for a couple more icons to replace the hamburger menu altogether. And note: Do not download the Soundpeats App, as it does not support these earbuds. Use the PeatsAudio app.

[Update 2025-06-20. The app experience without a connection is horrible. It needs to be fixed. The headphones were not in active noise cancellation (ANC) mode when I turned them on during my return flight. I was unable to put them into ANC mode because the app does not function without a login. Apps that control personal devices should not require an app login to manage local features.]

Qi charging is absent—even though it’s now relatively common in this segment. That omission may matter to users who value cable-free top-ups. Not all that surprising, as the engineering went into the audio, not the case.

I’d like to see SOUNDPEATS eliminate the plastic wrap over the box and replace the internal plastic tray with a recyclable version.

SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro: The bottom line

For around $80, or less, the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro deliver flagship-level codecs, adaptive ANC, multipoint Bluetooth, and long battery endurance—a remarkable value. Those who prioritize hi-res playback and seamless device switching will find them compelling. Just be aware of ANC limitations, semi-open fit, and a rough-around-the-edges app. If wireless charging or secure fit during workouts are essential, premium alternatives may be worth the upgrade.

SOUNDPEATS provided the Air5 Pro for review. Images courtesy of SOUNDPEATS unless otherwise noted.

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