SoundPEATS Air4 Pro Review: 5 Powerful Highlights

Verdict

The SoundPEATS Air4 Pro are a little too slow for serious gaming, but if you’re on the hunt for a pair of everyday earbuds that can handle your playlists, podcasts, calls, and a bit of gaming on the go, there’s some fantastic value for money here. You’d usually be spending more to get aptX Adaptive and hybrid ANC in a package that’s comfortable enough to wear all day, but SoundPEATS manages to undercut bigger brands with these buds while still packing in features that are genuinely useful.

They’re built for daily listening first, with a gaming mode that’s there if you want it, and that’s exactly where these find their sweet spot.

Key Specs

Price: $79 (when available)
Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive
Driver: 13mm dynamic drivers
Microphones: 6-mic array with aptX Voice
Active Noise Cancelling: Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
Battery life: Up to 6.5 hours per charge, 26 hours with case
Water resistance: IPX4
Game mode latency: 88ms
Compatibility: iOS, Android, PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck

Design

The Air4 Pro have a smaller footprint than I’m used to, having used AirPods Pro comfortably for the last year. The slim stems don’t stick out too far, and they slip into your ears with a fit that’s comfortable for hours. I used them for a two-hour walk across town and didn’t feel the need to take them out to adjust, which is rare for me with budget earbuds.

The matte black finish keeps things looking simple. It’s the only option here, and while it won’t turn heads, it blends in nicely whether you’re on the bus, working in a café, or just walking your dog. Each bud has a small touch-capacitive panel for controls, and it works well most of the time, but I never quite got the placement down on the first try. Sometimes I’d go to pause a song and accidentally skip it instead, which took a few days to get used to.

There’s a good seal if you pick the right ear tip, and once they’re in, they stay in place, even if you need to jog for the bus or rush across a street. I wouldn’t trust them for a proper run, but for day-to-day walking and commuting, they’re solid.

The case is small enough to fit in a jeans pocket and feels sturdy enough for daily use. It closes with a decent snap, though the hinge doesn’t feel quite as strong as on more expensive buds, and I found myself checking that it was closed properly when dropping it into my bag.

Features

SoundPEATS has packed a lot into these buds for the price, and that’s where they shine. You get aptX Adaptive for higher-quality streaming on supported devices, Bluetooth 5.3 for stable connections, and hybrid ANC that genuinely helps block out the world when you need it.

I came from using older buds that struggled with keeping outside noise at bay, and these were a clear step up. The ANC did a good job handling the constant hum of buses and air conditioners, letting me listen to podcasts without cranking the volume. It doesn’t block everything, and higher-pitched noises can still slip through, but for a budget pair, it’s impressive tech.

Transparency mode is here as well, and it’s useful for when you need to hear traffic or grab a coffee without taking the buds out. There’s a slight hiss when using it in quiet environments, but it’s manageable and fades into the background if you’re listening to music.

Game mode is available with a tap in the app, dropping latency to 88ms. I tested this with Genshin Impact on a RedMagic 9S Pro and found it responsive enough for casual play. Attacks and movement sounds matched what was happening on screen, and the slight delay was only noticeable in competitive shooters. If you’re playing Apex Legends Mobile or Call of Duty and need instant audio cues, these aren’t going to replace your gaming headset, but for exploration-heavy games and RPGs, it’s good enough to keep things feeling in sync.

The companion app is straightforward, letting you adjust EQ presets, toggle ANC and gaming mode, and handle firmware updates. There are a few EQ options if you want to boost bass or treble, and you can customise your sound if you want something specific for podcasts or music. In-ear detection worked during most of my testing, pausing playback when I took a bud out and resuming when I put it back in, though it didn’t always kick in if I was adjusting the fit.

Multipoint pairing lets you stay connected to your phone and laptop at the same time. I had a YouTube video on my laptop paused while taking a call on my phone, and it handled the switch without needing to reconnect manually, which is a genuinely helpful feature for work days.

Performance

Music

The Air4 Pro pack a punch when it comes to bass. The 13mm drivers deliver a warm, fun sound that’s great for pop, hip-hop, and electronic tracks, giving them a lively feel that’s easy to get into during your commute or a walk. Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” had that deep bass presence without losing the clarity in vocals, while acoustic tracks like Ed Sheeran’s “Tenerife Sea” kept guitar strings crisp and clean.

Streaming over Tidal with aptX Adaptive gave a noticeable bump in quality compared to standard AAC, providing cleaner highs and tighter bass on supported devices. On Spotify with an iPhone, the audio was still lively, but you can hear the difference when switching to a device that supports the codec.

These buds are built for music first and foremost, and they do that well for the price, providing enough clarity to pick out instruments while keeping the bass strong enough to keep your head nodding.

Podcasts and calls

Podcasts came through clearly, with voices sounding natural and easy to listen to during longer episodes. Audiobooks also sounded great, making these buds a good option for daily listening while walking or during a commute.

Call quality was solid, with the six-mic array doing a decent job of isolating my voice during calls outdoors and indoors. I took several WhatsApp and phone calls while walking, and people on the other end reported clear audio, though my voice came through a little soft at times.

Gaming

Gaming on the Air4 Pro is exactly what you’d expect from a pair of buds built for music with a gaming mode as a bonus. I was able to get into Genshin Impact and Stardew Valley with no real issues, with audio matching up well enough to make the experience enjoyable.

In shooters, the latency is noticeable, and while it’s lower than most standard Bluetooth earbuds, it’s still not low enough for competitive gaming. I tried Apex Legends Mobile and could tell footsteps and gunfire were a split second behind, which would matter if you’re trying to climb ranks.

If you’re using these for casual gaming sessions, they’re fine, and the gaming mode helps enough to keep things in sync during lighter titles and RPGs. But these are buds built for music and daily use first, and gaming comes second.

Battery life

SoundPEATS estimates up to 6.5 hours per charge with ANC on and up to 26 hours with the case, and that was accurate during my testing. I used the buds for a mix of music, podcasts, and some gaming each day and didn’t need to charge the case for several days.

When I did need a quick top-up, a 15-minute charge gave enough playback to get me through a short trip, which was handy if I forgot to charge them overnight.

Charging is done via USB-C, and while there’s no wireless charging here, it’s not something I expected at this price point.

Should you buy the SoundPEATS Air4 Pro?

If you’re looking for a pair of affordable earbuds that can handle your daily playlist, podcasts, and calls while giving you a gaming mode for lighter sessions on your Switch or phone, the SoundPEATS Air4 Pro are worth a look. They pack a lot of features into a budget-friendly package and hold a particularly high value for money if you’re on the hunt for something that can do a bit of everything.

They won’t replace your gaming headset if you need ultra-low latency for competitive gaming, and the ANC isn’t going to block out everything around you, but for the price, these buds are an easy recommendation for daily use.

How we tested the SoundPEATS Air4 Pro

I used the Air4 Pro for three weeks as my daily driver across music streaming, podcast listening, calls, and gaming on the Nintendo Switch and mobile. Testing devices included a RedMagic 9S Pro with Tidal, an iPhone with Spotify and calls, and a Nintendo Switch OLED for gaming.

I tested ANC performance on walks and during commutes, and evaluated the gaming mode with titles including Genshin Impact, Stardew Valley, and Apex Legends Mobile. I explored the companion app for EQ adjustments and firmware updates and tracked battery life under mixed usage to confirm real-world performance.

Final thoughts

SoundPEATS has managed to put together a pair of earbuds that feel like they should cost more than they do. They’re built for daily use, with enough features to keep you covered whether you’re listening to music, catching up on podcasts, taking calls, or getting in a few gaming sessions during your downtime. The gaming mode is there when you need it, and while it won’t satisfy competitive players, it’s enough to make lighter gaming feel more responsive.