SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro is a bold take on the open ear clip-on earbuds. Rather than being normal in-earphones, they hook onto your ear whilst resting on the edge. These earphones are meant for users who want to be aware of their surroundings. This allows for spatial awareness, with comfort in long wear and a change with funky earphones. These earphones sell at the price of $59.99.
The SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro arrives in a clean, minimalistic box (similar to the packaging of their other products) that immediately gives off a modern impression. The front and back feature high-quality visuals of the earbuds and give you a good look at the design before even opening them. Inside the box, it is simple and practical. You will find the earbuds themselves, a USB-C charging cable, a user guide, an PeatsAudio app introduction guide and a panda-themed sticker sheet for a cute charm. The PearlClip Pro are powered by a 12mm dual-magnet driver. It is supported by the PeatsAudio App, customisable touch controls as well as EQ settings, Bluetooth 5.4, equipped with mics, supports Bluetooth codec: AAC/ SBC and IPX5 rating. The PearlClip Pro is available in four colours, black, white, beige and purple, offering a nice range of options to match different styles. The earbuds that were kindly sent to us from SOUNDPEATS were black.
The SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro has a refined colour scheme of matte black with subtle grey accents. The PearlClip Pro stands out for its innovative ear-clip design, which hooks around the ear rather than sitting deep inside the ear canal. This approach not only makes them extremely comfortable but also noticeably lightweight, weighing in at around 5.8 g per earbud. The earbuds seem to be constructed of high-grade plastic wrapped in smooth silicone for the clip section; the earbuds have a great balance between comfort and durability. The materials feel soft against the skin and are resistant to fingerprints, maintaining a sleek finish. Despite the minimalist design, the PearlClip Pro gives off a modern, almost jewellery-like aesthetic that feels unique among other wireless earbuds, a definite standout.Â
With daily use, the comfort is splendid as the open-ear clip-on style allows you to wear them for hours without any pressure or irritation. It is especially great for those who dislike ear tips or prefer some sense of awareness for their surroundings (as some noise will ‘leak’ through). The main issue I had with the earbuds was that it took me roughly a day before I finally figured out how to put the earbuds on properly so they would fit in the ear as they were meant to. After finally figuring out the positioning of the earbuds, they snuggled nicely around the ear and were even perfect for use during workouts. At first, I was worried about the earbuds falling off, but there was only a slight shifting. Interestingly enough, the earbuds can also be used on either ear without them feeling out of place. They do have a distinct left/right ear, but sometimes it can get confusing to tell which is which.
Touch controls are built directly into the back of the earbuds. One side controls volume up, while the other handles volume down. There are other gestures, such as tapping several times to trigger calls or playback controls. The compatibility with the PeatsAudio app allows for customisation of these controls.Â
The earbuds themselves have a very premium feel to them; however, the charging case does not live up to that. It seems to be made out of shiny plastic, yet it feels cheaper and less durable. Though it is still functional and protects the earbuds quite well, the design is just underwhelming in comparison to the earbuds. Given the affordable pricing, this choice seems valid. The PearlClip Pro’s design is bold and functional. Its futuristic look may not appeal to everyone, but the practicality and comfort make it an interesting open-ear design.Â
The PearlClip Pro features an open ear design, which naturally prioritises spatial awareness and comfort over enclosed sound. While these earbuds aren’t designed to deliver the same immersive bass response as in-ear models, they provide a balanced and enjoyable listening experience for daily use.Â
For these earbuds, the bass performance is notable, as you will not get the rumbling bass effect as you do from in-ear earbuds, though there is still quite a satisfying punch when listening to audio. The overall sound is perfect for casual listening, working or commuting whilst being aware of your surroundings.Â
SOUNDPEATS features its directional sound hole design, where the PearlClip Pro manages to keep the audio focused, reducing sound leakage while maintaining that sense of openness. The PeatsAudio app adds flexibility with a dynamic EQ that allows you to tune the sound to your liking. Now, at very high volumes, you will hear the sound bursting out of the earbuds that is not always essential, as people near you may hear your audio, but this is evident due to the intended design.Â
When it comes to microphone and call quality, the PearlClip Pro performs reliably well for its price. Voices come through clearly enough for casual conversations, though it does not have great clarity to the voice. In quiet environments, the mic handles calls much more effectively, but outdoor environments make it much harder for your voice to be picked up. Additionally, the background noise suppression is not that great. For on-the-go calls or simple voice notes, the microphone works just fine, but it is definitely not recommended for any professional settings.Â
The PearlClip Pro offers a decent battery life that will support daily use. Each earbud provides around 6 hours of continuous playtime on a full charge. When paired with the charging case, users gain an additional 18 hours of battery life, bringing the total to approximately 24 hours of use, enough to last a few days of light listening without needing to charge. The quick charging feature is a convenient touch where a short 10-minute charge of the earbuds in the case will deliver roughly 2 hours of playback. When the charging case itself is completely depleted, it takes about an hour and a half to recharge completely.Â
Now the overall earbuds deliver a great listening experience with their creative design, though there are a few areas that could be refined for the future. First, the paring button placement on the charging case just looks out of place. It would be much better to have it placed at the bottom of the case, similar to the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro design. Second, the touch controls on the earbuds can feel a bit too sensitive. During testing, even the slightest adjustment of the earbuds will trigger unwanted actions that would be a bit annoying. Lastly, the sound leakage at high volumes can be a bit disturbing, especially because sometimes the volume of the earbuds is too low at a certain point. Therefore, having some sort of alternative to keep the sound leakage for privacy and not cause disturbances would be appreciated. Overall, these are minor suggestions, yet the open-ear earbuds have a great balance for daily use and comfortable listening.
The SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro is refreshing and definitely unique. They are well designed and, with further tweaks, would be incredible. With the affordable price, they are comfortable, innovative, feature a decent battery life and allow users to listen to clear audio while still being aware of their surroundings. Other than the mic and audio leakage, these earbuds are truly one of a kind. If you are someone who values being aware while listening to your audio and wearing accessories like earbuds, then be sure to check out the SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro!
Overall: 8/10
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