SoundPEATS Pop Clip Review: Light, Cute Ear Clips with High-End Features at a Bargin Price

SoundPEATS Pop Clip

Updated. Published without copy edit. Most typos should now be gone! Apologies.

Republished with updated information on the app.

I like SoundPEATS as a hardware engineering company. Their earbuds perform well, even though they are targeted at the low end of the earbud market. The company’s software engineering, however, leaves some room for improvement, most importantly, in letting users know in an app when a new app for their hardware is available.

In the original review, I went on a tirade against the SoundPeats app, which still doesn’t work, perhaps even worse, it loads but doesn’t tell me it doesn’t work. Rather than signalling “stay tuned” when trying to recognize the SoundPEATS Pop Clips, it should tell me to load the PEATSAudio app, which does work with these headphones.

I review a lot of headphones, and apps that behave poorly don’t reflect well on the listening experience.

That said, I will add comments in the What we like section on the app. I will keep this part of the tirade: SoundPEATS, and all headphone makers with apps, need to provide basic features without an account. I should not need an account to adjust an EQ on earbuds in my possession if I want to opt in for marketing or to share engineering data. Those should be my choices, and I can make the call at any time during the ownership of a device. I should not be required to go through any registration for accessories on first use unless my registration adds value.

And if a manufacturer depricates an app, they must make it clear in the app store, and within the app. On the Apple side, the app does not even show the correct app in the More by section; it is, however, listed in the You might also like section. Neither of those locations shouts that the app named for the company doesn’t work anymore (though the comments do).

Also, manufacturers who sell products to the U.S., where English is not their first language, need to engage in localization like U.S. makers do when they ship localized products or services abroad. There are places in both apps that could use some translation polish.

I’ll leave it at that and move on to

What we like

The lightweight (4.73g ) and comfortable open-ear design of the Soundpeats Pop Clip makes them easy to wear for long periods without causing fatigue. Their clip-on form factor allows for natural airflow around the ears, particularly during workouts or in warmer environments.

They provide a secure fit that stays in place during movement. Whether running, cycling, or just walking through a busy day, the Pop Clip maintains its position without needing frequent adjustments.

Physical button controls offer a dependable and straightforward interaction model. Unlike touch sensors that can misfire with sweat or accidental brushes, the tactile feedback from these buttons ensures consistent, intentional operation.

Battery life extends to 8 hours on a single charge, with the compact charging case bringing the total to around 30 hours. This endurance makes them a reliable option for multi-day use without constantly checking battery levels.

The audio profile coming from the 10.8mm Dual-Magnet Driver & PU+LCP Composite Diaphragm is balanced, with clear highs and mids that perform well across podcasts, calls, and most music genres. The design supports a wide soundstage, adding dimension to the listening experience even without deep bass.

I ran these earbuds through a variety of examples, the most telling being Dua Lipa’s “Live from the Royal Albert Hall,” which I listened to in Movie Mode (which the earbuds acknowledged, but the app did not reflect in its slider, immediately, but eventually–more opportunity for app improvements).

For these ear clips, be sure to download the PEATSAudio app, not the SoundPEATS app. With the appropriate app, Pop Clips owners can set EQ, decrease latency with game mode, enable movie mode for a more open listening experience, and customize the button actions. The app also handles firmware updates.

The app can take a moment to connect. Wait for the Pop Clips to acknowledge a connection before trying the app, or it will look like the Bluetooth connection has reset. It likely has not; it is just experiencing a latent connection. On the high-end feature side, the app also supports headset location via sound and a drainage function for when they get overly wet.

With IPX5 water resistance, the Pop Clip can handle light rain and sweat, making it suitable for active and outdoor lifestyles. This adds an element of durability without compromising design.

Affordability is a strong point, with a typical price around $39. This places them within reach for most users while delivering features typically found in more expensive products.

The PeatsAudio app provides additional value through customizable EQ settings and a device-finding function. These software enhancements increase usability and help personalize the listening experience.

What could be improved

As noted in the introduction, the app management experience requires improvement. I won’t repeat the details here, but I do hope that SoundPEATs remedies this issue to avoid confusing customers.

Unlike most earbuds, which can be placed into pairing mode for second device connections and just connected to the second device, the Pop Clips require hiding the initial connection. Turn off Bluetooth on the first device, pair, then restore Bluetooth to the second device. To force pairing, place the headphones in the charging case and long-press the charging case button. The white indicator on the case will continuously flash to indicate pairing.;

Like all open-ear earbuds, the bass performance on the Soundpeats Pop Clip depends heavily on positioning. Because the earbuds don’t seal in the ear canal, the low-end lacks punch unless the fit aligns perfectly with the ear’s contours. Even then, the bass response is limited compared to in-ear or over-ear alternatives.

The absence of high-resolution audio codec support, such as aptX or LDAC, places a ceiling on audio fidelity, though at this price, I wouldn’t expect these features anyway. AAC and SBC are adequate for open-ear products that will struggle to deliver high-fidelity experiences even if they support higher-end codecs. This won’t affect casual listening much, but the limitations are noticeable for those using higher-end streaming services or devices capable of better sound reproduction.

Microphone clarity falls short in noisy settings and can sound a bit muffled. The open design and lack of noise cancellation allow environmental sounds to bleed into calls, making conversations less intelligible when outside or in crowded areas. Again, price limits what features engineers include.

While the physical buttons are more reliable than touch controls, their size may pose challenges. Some users may find them too small or lacking in tactile distinction, requiring extra pressure or visual confirmation to ensure the correct action has been triggered. I suggest using your phone.

The packaging is average for sustainability, with a non-recyclable interior and a plastic wrap. Good can easily be better with a little effort.

SoundPEATS Pop Clip: The bottom line

The Soundpeats Pop Clip earbuds are a compelling choice for those seeking affordable, comfortable, and feature-rich open-ear wireless earbuds. They have some hardware limitations in bass performance and microphone quality–and getting the app may create some confusion. The overall value of the Soundpeats Pop Clip earbuds, especially at the $39 price point, still makes them a worthwhile consideration for casual listening and active lifestyles.

SoundPEATS provided the Pop Clip clip-on earbuds for review. Images courtesy of Lenovo unless otherwise noted.

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