These just arrived a few days ago — the new SoundPEATS Air5 Pro. I’ve been using them daily since then, and I want to give a big thank you to the team at SoundPEATS for sending this set out for a full review and feature here at Mamija Gaming. They’ve been refining each release lately, and it honestly shows here too. The Air5 Pro already feels like a serious upgrade over their previous models, both in sound and overall experience.
Table of Contents
Unboxing and First Look
Packaging is what I expected from SoundPEATS. Nothing over the top, but clean and well-presented. Inside the box you’ve got the earbuds, the case, a short USB-C cable, and three sets of silicone ear tips. The case was wrapped in protective film, and everything inside felt tightly packed and secure. Basic, but done right.
As soon as I opened the case, the finish caught my attention. These aren’t matte or rubbery. The black version I have is glossy, slick, and feels very solid in hand — not plasticky or cheap. They’ve got a modern, premium look to them, and remind me a lot of the AirPods Pro in shape and overall style. Compact, clean, and understated.
Build and Fit
These are stem-style earbuds, and I personally like that form factor when it’s done well. The Air5 Pro fits into my ears very naturally. The stem isn’t too long, and the angle helps the earbuds hug the ear instead of hanging awkwardly. I didn’t need to swap the tips either — the medium ones gave me a secure seal right out of the box, which doesn’t happen often for me.
They sit light in the ears, and after hours of listening I didn’t feel any pressure or discomfort. The seal was good enough to block out a decent amount of ambient noise even before turning on ANC. As far as daily comfort goes, these are up there with the best I’ve worn in this price range.
Specs and Features Overview
SoundPEATS didn’t hold back on features here. The Air5 Pro uses the Qualcomm QCC3091 chipset, which is a solid step up from what we’ve seen in previous models.
Right out of the box you’re getting support for Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and LE Audio. That’s a massive codec list for a pair of earbuds under $100, and not something I see often.
Bluetooth 5.4 keeps things stable, and the multi-point connection actually works as intended — I’ve used them with my laptop and phone at the same time without any dropouts. There’s in-ear detection, touch controls, IPX5 water resistance, and full support for the SoundPEATS app.
Active Noise Cancellation
The ANC on the Air5 Pro is rated up to 55dB, and while I can’t verify the exact number, I’ll say this — it works. I’ve tested a bunch of TWS earbuds with ANC over the last year, and this is one of the few where I noticed a clear and immediate difference. Low-end noise is where it performs best. On my morning walks or while working in a cafe, background hum and traffic noises are cut down significantly. Voices and higher frequencies still come through, but that’s expected at this level. Still, the ANC here isn’t just a checkbox feature — it actually does the job.
There’s also a transparency mode, and it’s good enough for quick conversations or when you’re moving through busy areas and need awareness. Switching between ANC, transparency, and normal mode is seamless through either the earbuds or the app.
Touch Controls and App Support
One thing I noticed early on is how responsive the touch controls are. I haven’t had a single misread or accidental skip. You’ve got access to volume control, ANC toggle, voice assistant, play/pause, and track skipping — all mapped intuitively. No awkward tapping either. The logo area on each stem is easy to find, and just works.
As for the app, it’s the same SoundPEATS app we’ve seen before, which is a good thing. It’s simple to use and gives you quick access to firmware updates, EQ settings, ANC modes, and control customization.
You can choose from a few presets or create your own EQ profile. One thing to note: if you’re using LDAC or LE Audio, you’ll need to switch to another codec to access the app.
Initial Sound Impressions
I’ll go deeper into the sound in Part 2, but my first impression is that the Air5 Pro has a rich and full-bodied sound with a slight V-shaped signature. Bass is strong and well-textured, mids are clean, and treble has enough lift to keep everything balanced without sounding sharp or fatiguing. There’s a bit of warmth to the overall sound, which makes them easy to listen to for long sessions.
I’ve mostly been using them with my Galaxy S23 and my desktop DAC, rotating between aptX Adaptive and LDAC. Both sound great, but LDAC adds a noticeable step up in clarity and space. These drivers are doing real work. I didn’t expect this level of resolution and separation from a $79 set, especially one with ANC and multi-point included.
Sound Breakdown – Bass, Mids, Treble
The Air5 Pro comes with a 10mm dynamic driver made from a mix of cellulose, PU, and PEEK. In real-world listening, that translates into a sound that’s punchy, full, and smooth across the board. No wild peaks or dips. Just a well-executed V-shaped tuning with enough control to keep things from sounding bloated.
Bass
Bass has presence. It digs deep without turning muddy, and there’s a nice bit of sub-bass rumble that shows up in tracks like “Massive” by Drake or anything with a slow, layered low-end. It’s not a loose or overemphasized bass either — it stays tight and doesn’t bleed into the mids. Compared to something like the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+, the bass here feels a bit more restrained and balanced. The Capsule3 Pro+ had a touch more boom out of the box, while the Air5 Pro leans toward control and texture.
Mids
Mids are clean, slightly recessed, but not hollow. Male vocals don’t feel distant, and female vocals come through with clarity. Acoustic instruments, pianos, and guitars have a natural tone, especially when listening through LDAC or aptX Lossless. I’ve spent a few hours testing vocal-focused tracks — everything from John Mayer to Olivia Rodrigo — and there’s a clear warmth and weight to the vocals without masking finer details. This is something the Air5 Pro improves upon compared to the Air4 Pro, which sometimes felt a bit drier in the upper mids.
Treble
Treble on the Air5 Pro is dialed in really well. It doesn’t spike, doesn’t hiss, and never feels harsh. It’s laid back enough for longer listening sessions, but still detailed enough to hear cymbal hits, snare texture, and ambient reverbs in better recordings. If you want a bit more air, you can always boost it slightly with the custom EQ in the app, but even stock, I’ve had no complaints.
It’s not trying to compete with wired IEMs in the $200+ range, but for wireless earbuds under $100 — especially with ANC — this is one of the more natural-sounding tunings I’ve heard.
Soundstage and Imaging
For a closed-back true wireless set, the soundstage is surprisingly open. There’s decent width — vocals sit center, instruments spread nicely across left and right, and nothing sounds overly congested. It’s not a holographic experience, but in comparison to most other ANC earbuds around this price, it’s above average.
Imaging is solid. Instruments and vocals stay locked in place. With music like Tool or Radiohead, where layering and positioning matter, the Air5 Pro handles it with control. No weird phasing, no collapsing of the stereo image when things get busy.
Latency and Gaming
Game Mode is available through the touch controls or the app. I tested it on my Galaxy S23 and with a few Android emulators on PC. For casual gaming, YouTube, or Netflix — no issues. Audio stays in sync.
For competitive FPS games, there’s still a small bit of delay, but that’s expected with any Bluetooth earbud. In short, Game Mode works well enough for everything but fast-paced shooters, and that’s been consistent across SoundPEATS models.
Call Quality and Microphones
The Air5 Pro uses six mics with CVC 8.0 AI noise reduction. In multiple test calls, voices came through clear on both ends. Background noise is handled better than I expected. During a Teams call outside a coffee shop, the person on the other end said it sounded like I was indoors. That’s a win.
It doesn’t completely erase loud environments — wind can still cut through sometimes — but this is easily one of the better mic setups I’ve tested in this range.
Battery Life
Battery life is rated at 7.5 hours per charge with ANC off and up to 37 hours total with the case. I got around 6 hours with ANC on, which matches what SoundPEATS claims. The quick charge feature is also real — ten minutes in the case gives close to two hours of playback, which saved me more than once.
Compared to the Air4 Pro, which had more modest endurance, the Air5 Pro makes a real improvement in daily longevity. This is especially helpful for anyone who plans to use them all day — whether for meetings, commutes, or extended listening sessions.
SoundPEATS Air5 Pro vs Capsule3 Pro+
Mini Comparison Review
Both models support LDAC, offer hybrid ANC, and include app-based EQ customization, but they’re clearly tuned for different types of users.
The Capsule3 Pro+ leans toward a slightly more energetic, consumer-friendly sound — with a boosted bass and more forward vocals. Its 12mm driver delivers a fuller low end out of the box, especially if you prefer a touch of warmth in your sound.
In contrast, the Air5 Pro trades that immediate “wow” factor for better balance and detail. With support for Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless, it feels more refined and technical. The ANC is stronger (rated up to 55dB vs 43dB on the Capsule3), and the overall clarity improves when using higher-quality sources.
In real usage, the Capsule3 Pro+ might appeal more to casual listeners looking for long battery life (52 hours total), while the Air5 Pro targets those who prioritize codec support, tighter soundstage, and slightly better build and fit.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Air5 Pro | Capsule3 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| ANC Rating | Up to 55dB | Up to 43dB |
| Codec Support | aptX Lossless, LDAC, LC3 | LDAC, SBC, AAC |
| Battery (with case) | 37 hours | 52 hours |
| Sound Signature | Clean, slightly V-shaped | Warm, fun, bass-emphasized |
| Driver Size | 10mm (PEEK+PU+Cellulose) | 12mm Dynamic |
| Best Use Case | Balanced listening, detail | Bass-focused, all-day use |
SoundPEATS Air5 Pro vs Air4 Pro
Mini Comparison Review
These two are closely related, and both deliver impressive performance under $100, but the Air5 Pro is a step forward in almost every category.
The Air4 Pro already had excellent call quality, great ANC, and a rich 13mm driver with strong low-end performance. It was one of SoundPEATS’ most polished releases when it dropped — and it still holds up well today. However, it lacked LDAC, had shorter battery life (26 hours total), and the ANC topped out around 45dB.
The Air5 Pro builds on that base with a slightly smaller 10mm driver, but tighter overall tuning. It adds Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless, and Bluetooth 5.4, improving codec range, stability, and real-world resolution. Battery life also sees a nice boost, especially when ANC is off.
If you’re already happy with the Air4 Pro, you’re not missing anything major — but if you’re buying now and want future-proof support for modern codecs, the Air5 Pro makes more sense.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Air5 Pro | Air4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| ANC Rating | Up to 55dB | Up to 45dB |
| Codec Support | aptX Lossless, LDAC, LC3 | aptX Adaptive |
| Battery (with case) | 37 hours | 26 hours |
| Driver Size | 10mm Dynamic | 13mm Dynamic |
| Notable Advantage | Snapdragon Sound, LDAC support | Strong bass, lower price |
Final Thoughts – Who Are These For?
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro is very clearly aimed at a serious audience — and this review is written with the US market in mind. If you’re in the States and looking for a pair of sub-$100 wireless earbuds that support Snapdragon Sound, have real ANC, and actually sound good out of the box, this is an easy recommendation.
Between the Capsule3 Pro+, Air4 Pro, and now the Air5 Pro, SoundPEATS has been tightening up their lineup with each release. The Capsule3 Pro+ was punchy and fun, the Air4 Pro had excellent control and style, and now the Air5 Pro blends the best of both worlds with a more refined feature set and slightly more serious tuning.
This is the set I’d personally recommend if someone asked me today:
“I want good ANC, LDAC support, clean design, good app support, long battery, and I don’t want to spend over $100.”
That’s exactly what you’re getting here. The Air5 Pro feels like the new baseline — what all TWS earbuds under $100 should offer moving forward.
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro is available on Amazon.