The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus positions itself as a technically advanced pair of earbuds that doesn’t demand undue attention. Priced competitively in the mid-range bracket (typically around $70–$90 USD), it appeals to budget-conscious listeners seeking premium features.
There are no ostentatious features or exaggerated design choices here. Instead, it feels like a self-assured piece of audio technology, discreetly providing features such as Snapdragon Sound, LDAC, aptX support, and an XMEMS hybrid driver arrangement.
On paper, it appears like another specification-heavy product. The more critical question, though, is whether that technology enhances the daily listening experience. In reality, the Air5 Pro Plus seems engineered to transform technical features into genuinely practical ones.
Design and Comfort
When you first unbox the Air5 Pro Plus, nothing seems excessive. The case design is familiar, compact, streamlined, and functional. It includes USB-C charging at the bottom, a straightforward LED indicator, and a lightweight build that fits easily in a pocket.
The earbuds’ familiar shape enables immediate comfort. Three ear tip sizes are included—small, medium, and large—so proper fit enhances both sound quality and ANC.
The finish feels smooth without being slippery. The earbuds are rated IPX5, making sweat and light rain inconsequential. This feature is valuable, as products like this are designed for active use, not delicate handling.
Touch controls are responsive and consistent, with no misfires noted during testing.
Audio Performance
This is the heart of the Air5 Pro Plus. SoundPEATS uses a hybrid driver system that combines XMEMS technology (a micro-electro-mechanical system microspeaker for high frequencies) with a 10mm dynamic driver (a traditional speaker driver for low frequencies). That combination matters because the dynamic driver handles low frequencies through physical movement and air displacement, while the XMEMS solid-state microspeaker handles higher frequencies with speed and precision.
Starting with the sub-bass, the extension reaches low and delivers a properly deep rumble on tracks with strong electronic bass or cinematic low-end presence. It does not feel bloated or overly boosted. Instead, it stays controlled, giving strong extension without overwhelming the rest of the mix.
The mid-bass is punchy, with kick drums carrying good weight and definition. There is an impact here, but it does not bleed into the mids. That separation becomes especially noticeable when switching from more budget-oriented true wireless options.
In the mid-range, the tuning feels mature. Male vocals sound full without becoming heavy, while female vocals are clear and slightly forward without crossing into shoutiness. There is a clean articulation in the mids that works especially well for acoustic tracks and vocal-focused music. Instruments such as guitars and pianos sound natural rather than overly colored.
In the high frequencies, the XMEMS driver stands out. It delivers clarity and air without harshness. Cymbals have authentic shimmer and decay, and the treble stays controlled even at high volumes. The tuning avoids sharp peaks, ensuring comfortable long-term listening.
Detail retrieval is also impressive, especially when using LDAC (Sony’s high-resolution audio codec) or aptX Lossless (a Qualcomm lossless audio codec) on a compatible device. Imaging—the ability to place instruments in the perceived stereo soundfield—is precise, making it easy to place instruments clearly across the stereo field. Backing vocals sit slightly behind the lead, and smaller details such as reverb tails are easy to notice.
The soundstage is broader than average for in-ear designs. It avoids the confined sensation common to earbuds. Instead, there is perceivable spaciousness, particularly in live recordings and orchestral tracks. While not as wide as that of open-back headphones, the stereo image from true wireless headphones is convincing.
Overall, the tuning feels balanced, with a slight energetic lift that makes it engaging without losing control.
Connectivity and Codec Support
This is where the Air5 Pro Plus becomes particularly compelling. Internally, it uses a Qualcomm QCC3091 chipset with Bluetooth 5.4. It may not be the latest platform, but in practical use, it provides stable connections and rapid pairing. Compatibility is strong across Android, iOS, Windows, and most Bluetooth-enabled devices.
However, on iOS, users are limited to standard SBC (a basic Bluetooth audio codec) and AAC (a higher-quality, widely supported codec), since advanced options like aptX (premium Qualcomm codecs) or LDAC (Sony’s high-resolution audio codec) are not supported on Apple devices. Some older Windows laptops may also require the latest Bluetooth drivers (software that enables Bluetooth hardware to work) to access features like multipoint (connecting to two devices at once) or LC3 (a low-complexity, efficient Bluetooth codec). There are no widespread reports of connectivity issues, but as with most wireless earbuds, occasional interference can happen in very crowded Bluetooth environments.
Testing across Android and iOS, and switching between a laptop and a phone, showed that multipoint works very well. Two devices can stay connected simultaneously, making it easy to switch between tasks without interruption. For example, watching content on a tablet while still being ready to take a call on a phone feels seamless.
Codec support is one of the product’s strongest assets. SBC and AAC ensure wide compatibility, while LC3 supports newer Bluetooth standards. More importantly, the earbuds also accommodate LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless.
That means they are well-positioned for both Snapdragon devices (phones or computers using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors and audio platform) and other hardware that supports LDAC. The Air5 Pro Plus is also Hi-Res Audio certified (meeting high-resolution playback standards) and compatible with Snapdragon Sound (Qualcomm’s suite for high-quality audio), indicating it is designed to scale up when paired with the right source device.
In daily use, connection stability remains solid. There are no random dropouts and no strange desynchronization between the left and right earbuds.
Latency and Daily Performance
For gaming and video, latency is around 60ms in game mode. In practice, YouTube and Netflix content stays well synchronized. For casual games like Mobile Legends or PUBG Mobile, performance is responsive, and delays are not distracting.
It is not as instant as a wired connection, but for true wireless earbuds, the performance is very respectable and makes them practical for more than just music listening.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Active noise cancellation on the Air5 Pro Plus is rated up to 55dB with AI-driven tuning. In cafés, it significantly reduces background chatter. Air conditioner hum is subdued, and road noise becomes less intrusive.
It is not the strongest ANC at this price, but for its segment, it offers impressive performance. Adaptive technology adjusts to the environment, avoiding a generic, one-size-fits-all feel.
The transparency mode (which lets in outside sound through the microphones) is natural enough for conversations without removing the earbuds, making it useful in everyday situations where awareness still matters.
Call Quality
Call quality is another area where the Air5 Pro Plus performs well. In relatively quiet environments, voices come through clearly and naturally. Even with background noise introduced, the earbuds still do a respectable job of keeping speech understandable.
That makes them practical not only for music and media, but also for work calls and general communication throughout the day.
Volume Performance
Maximum volume here is strong, and there is rarely any need to push the earbuds to 100%. Around 70% to 80% is already more than enough in most environments.
Even at higher volumes, distortion is very well controlled. The tuning holds together instead of falling apart when turned up, which is especially important for dynamic music and more energetic listening sessions.
App Features and Customization
Using the PeatsAudio app adds a useful extra layer of flexibility. In the app, you can adjust EQ (equalizer, which lets you fine-tune sound balance), switch ANC modes, enable gaming mode, and customize touch controls.
The app offers a lot of flexibility without becoming overwhelming, which makes it easy to use. With multipoint control, adaptive ANC, and wide codec support all available here, the Air5 Pro Plus feels more like a future-ready platform than a basic pair of earbuds.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is practical and solid. In my real-world testing, I got about 5.5 to 6 hours of playback with ANC off, which closely matched the claimed 6 hours. With ANC turned on, I typically reached just under 4 hours, which is in line with the stated specs.
The charging case continued to provide about three extra full charges, giving roughly 22 to 24 hours total, depending on usage. These results were consistent over several charge cycles, so the advertised figures are accurate in daily use.
There is also fast charging, which is impactful for daily use. Ten minutes plugged in yields about two hours of playback, a practical feature when overnight charging is missed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clean, compact, and practical design
- Comfortable fit with three ear tip sizes included.
- Smooth finish and solid everyday usability
- IPX5 water resistance for sweat and light rain
- Responsive and reliable touch controls
- Stable Bluetooth 5.4 connection
- Multipoint connectivity works very well.
- Strong codec support, including SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless
- Hi-Res Audio certification and Snapdragon Sound support
- Good latency performance for casual gaming and video
- Effective adaptive ANC for its segment
- Natural transparency mode
- Balanced and detailed sound signature
- Deep, controlled sub-bass with punchy mid-bass
- Clear and natural vocals
- Crisp highs without harshness
- Strong detail retrieval and precise imaging
- Wider-than-average soundstage for in-ear earbuds
- Good call quality
- Strong maximum volume with well-controlled distortion
- Useful app features and customization options
- Fast charging is very practical.
- Overall, it feels refined and thoughtfully tuned.
Cons
- The Qualcomm QCC3091 chipset is not the newest available.
- Latency is good, but still not as instant as wired earbuds.
- ANC is strong for the category, but not the best at its price point
- Battery life drops noticeably with ANC on
- Soundstage is good for TWS, but still not as spacious as larger headphone designs.
FAQ
1. Is the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus comfortable to wear?
Yes. The earbuds are described as comfortable right out of the box, and the box includes small, medium, and large ear tips for a better fit.
2. Does the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus have good ANC?
Yes. It performs very well in its segment, reducing café chatter, AC hum, and road noise effectively, though it is not the strongest ANC available at the price.
3. Does it support multipoint connection?
Yes. It can stay connected to two devices simultaneously and switch between them smoothly.
4. What codecs does the Air5 Pro Plus support?
It supports SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless.
5. Is it good for gaming and video?
Yes, for casual use. With about 60ms latency in game mode, YouTube and Netflix stay well synced, and casual games feel responsive enough.
6. How is the sound quality?
The sound is balanced and detailed, with deep, controlled bass, clean mids, crisp highs, strong detail retrieval, and a wider-than-average soundstage for true wireless earbuds.
7. What makes the audio setup special?
It uses a hybrid driver system that combines XMEMS technology with a 10mm dynamic driver, giving it both precision in the highs and solid low-end performance.
8. Is the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus good for phone calls?
Yes. Call quality is clear in quiet environments and remains respectable even with background noise.
9. Does it have an app?
Yes. The PeatsAudio app lets you adjust EQ, switch ANC modes, enable gaming mode, and customize touch controls.
10. How is the battery life?
With ANC off, it gives around 6 hours on a single charge plus 24 hours from the case. With ANC on, it drops to around 4 hours plus 16 hours from the case.
11. Does it support fast charging?
Yes. A 10-minute charge gives roughly 2 hours of playback.
12. Is the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus worth it?
Based on the review, yes. It stands out for its codec support, refined tuning, stable connectivity, practical features, and strong overall performance.
Final Verdict
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus feels like a product that quietly overdelivers. It combines Bluetooth 5.4 with a capable Qualcomm chipset, extensive codec support including LDAC and multiple aptX options, adaptive ANC, multipoint connectivity, and a hybrid XMEMS and dynamic driver system.
More importantly, though, it does not feel like a random checklist of impressive specifications. It feels tuned, refined, and thoughtfully put together. The sound is balanced and detailed, the connection is stable, and the features are genuinely practical.
Ultimately, this is not just about having a high-resolution audio logo on the box. It is about having the hardware and tuning to make that promise actually matter in daily listening. On that front, the Air5 Pro Plus makes a very strong case for itself.
Final Recommendation
If you want premium features like high-res audio, strong codec support, stable connectivity, and a mature sound signature at a reasonable price, the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus is easy to recommend.
It is a confident buy for listeners who want everyday reliability and strong audio quality without overspending. For anyone looking for a feature-rich true wireless option in this price range, this is a recommended purchase.