Low price buds with a bold clip-on design – Vesa Nopanen – Future Work today

I’ve been testing the brand new SoundPEATS PearlClip Pro earbuds for a some weeks now. These launched in January 2025, and SoundPEATS kindly supplied me with a pair to check out. I used to be initially curious (and greater than barely skeptical I admit) about their “Clip-On” design. Can a low-price buds work within the fashionable work and life that effectively? Now, after some hands-on expertise, right here’s my tackle how they carry out and what experiences I’ve to date.

Essentially the most hanging function of the PearlClip Professional is clearly the Clip-On design. Whereas conventional earbuds sit inside your ear canal (a stem or another half protruding), these have an “arm” that curves across the entrance to the again of the ear. It’s virtually like sporting a pearl earring that hooks on – therefore the title “PearlClip.”. As a person not sporting any earrings or different ear decorations, this does look very odd to me (on me) however let’s deal with perform over the type. On the type, I have to level out that I did check out Microsoft Surface Buds three years in the past (2022) , which additionally had a distinguishing design factor. Btw, Floor Buds 2 by no means got here out and I by no means acquired them to sit down securely in my ears.

PearlClip Professional acquired VGP2025 Gold Award / VGP 2025 Best Cost Performance Award. I wasn’t acquainted with these awards earlier, however I suppose these awards aren’t very loud in western / European international locations.

The package deal contained all of the necessities + some stickers. The package deal will not be designed to be recycled totally, as there appears to be one plastic piece (the place the case sits). Seeing what number of corporations put effort for package deal recycling, I want the apply would prolong to funds merchandise as effectively.

The charging cable ( USB-A to USB-C) was supplied however frankly that may be a naked minimal. Cable is brief and utilizing that will imply digging a charger with USB-A port from the storage.. All my chargers include USB-C port nowadays.

Sizewise, here’s a dimension comparability to Jabra Evolve2 Buds case. These are comparable within the dimension. the PearlClip Professional’s case design makes it simple to place to the “coin pocket” in denims, regardless of being a bit bigger than Jabra’s case.

I missed it first, however that “row of lights” is definitely additionally a button that’s used when pairing buds to different gadgets, or if there’s a have to do a reset.

Evaluating to Jabra’s case, PearlClip’s case feels plastique and low-cost. It does the job, however the case might need a shorter lifecycle than Evolve2’s case has. However I level right here as effectively: we’re speaking right here a few completely totally different worth vary.

Strong Audio High quality
Regardless of the bizarre design, the PearlClip Professional sound higher than I initially anticipated. They’ve a 12mm dual-magnet driver coupled with a Dynamic EQ, so that you get good highs and respectable lows. The open-ear design additionally creates a extra pure soundstage, which could be fairly “cinematic” if you wish to concentrate on your environment.

• Music and Calls: Whether or not I used to be listening music or taking a Microsoft Groups name, I discovered the audio to be a great one, particularly contemplating the worth for round 50–60 USD (60-80 EUR).
• Not Microsoft Groups Licensed: Although not formally Groups licensed, I had zero bother utilizing these for calls and digital conferences on Groups. The mic high quality was clear, and I didn’t have points with connectivity.

At first, it wasn’t simple for me to determine the best way to put on them. After apply, I acquired higher at clipping them on, however I’m nonetheless unsure I’d belief them totally when transferring round loads or doing sports activities. That is principally due to how they relaxation on my ear, urgent barely on the ear flap. Regular buds are pressed into the ear canal, and to me it feels safer however then there are buds which drop out too simply.. In the event you don’t like conventional buds (or they’re by no means snug in your ears), give this design a strive.

The consolation degree may be very private. I discovered I couldn’t put on them for 2 hours straight with out feeling some stress, however for shorter calls or music periods, it was effective. When you have bother with conventional bud designs, this clip type is perhaps an important different. However in case you choose acquainted in-ear buds (like I do), you would possibly discover these a bit unusual. I can put on Jabra Evolve 2 or Logitech True Wi-fi buds simply for 3-4 hours with out breaks.

Evaluating to the promo image with a mannequin, it appears to be like like I’m sporting them fairly okay however the mannequin’s ear has a special form that’s higher fitted to the clip-on.

The PearlClip Professional options contact controls on the “arm,” letting you play/pause music, skip tracks, modify quantity, and reply calls. Sadly, I discovered these contact controls a bit unreliable. Usually, a double-tap was registered as two single faucets, making it really feel difficult to navigate shortly. I ended up controlling music and calls immediately from my cell or pc, fairly than utilizing the contact interface on the earbuds.

A single cost provides you as much as 6 hours of playtime, with one other 18 hours from the case, for a complete of round 24 hours. There’s additionally a fast-charging function that gives 2 hours of playtime after simply 10 minutes of charging. Not unhealthy, however not a winner both.

• Auto-Adaptive Left/Proper is an actual good function: One useful trick is you could place both bud in both aspect of the case. After about 10 seconds, they’ll routinely adapt to be left or proper appropriately, saving you from unintentionally placing the flawed earbud within the flawed ear.
• Twin-Machine Connection: These can join to 2 gadgets directly, so it’s attainable swap between your telephone and laptop computer. This labored with out points.

Jabra Evolve2 Buds Comparability
If requested about how PearlClip Professional compares to pricier earbuds reminiscent of Jabra Evolve2 Buds right here is my opinion. To be honest, Jabra is in a special league (typically nearer to 300–350€) and contains options like Energetic Noise Cancellation, multi-microphone arrays, and official Microsoft Groups certification with a dongle.

Though Jabra’s match and ANC are top-notch, the PearlClip Professional does an admirable job mastering the fundamentals at a fraction of the worth. If noise cancellation isn’t a precedence otherwise you need to keep conscious of your environment, PearlClip Professional could also be sufficient on your on a regular basis wants.

Contemplating the large worth hole, it’s not precisely apples to apples. Nonetheless, in case you want a budget-friendly resolution that works for calls and music, PearlClip Professional holds its personal.

I additionally requested SoundPEATS contact about how they see PearlClip Professional in comparison with the Apple AirPods 2. They replied that “When it comes to worth, the PearlClip Professional is certainly extra reasonably priced, however it additionally competes strongly when it comes to options. The open-ear design supplies a special sort of consolation in comparison with AirPods Professional 2, that are in-ear, making the PearlClip Professional supreme for lengthy intervals of use whereas sustaining situational consciousness. When it comes to efficiency, the dual-magnet driver and dynamic EQ on the PearlClip Professional give it a definite benefit in sound high quality. Whereas AirPods Professional 2 excel in noise cancellation, the PearlClip Professional gives a extra pure, open listening expertise and spectacular battery life for its worth vary.“

That summarizes professionals these buds have: the worth and sustaining the situational consciousness. I do have doubt these have sound high quality benefits over pricier buds, however when wanting a the worth these are superb in some ways. Music and audio sounds fairly pure to me (regular information employee use who likes to play music on background throughout the workday). Battery life appears to be additionally fairly okay, I didn’t stress take a look at it but however on my informal utilization I didn’t have any points. When it comes to the battery life it doesn’t meet Jabra’s 33 hours with ANC on (with the case recharges), it isn’t unhealthy for the worth.

Tech specs desk

The PearlClip Professional is clearly designed with cell gadgets in thoughts, however they state that it’s totally suitable with each Home windows and Mac laptops/desktops as effectively. My assessments with my Floor Laptop computer Studio PC didn’t have any connectivity points and Apple iPhone 16pro additionally labored with none points with PearlClip Execs.

These earbuds work with the brand new PeatsAudio app, which helps you to customise EQ settings, test battery standing, and configure contact instructions. This may help mitigate among the issues with the contact controls in case you’re up for fidgeting with settings. Listed below are some photos from the app, to present understanding about options obtainable.

Connecting to the gadget was simple.

Oddly, the gadget colour must be picked. I suppose that is essential for some folks – however as ordinary, black / darkish is my alternative.

You’ll be able to set buds additionally to Recreation and Film mode.

It’s attainable to customise contact controls.

And extra..

The PearlClip Professional stands out with its daring aesthetic. You both prefer it otherwise you don’t, however I give SoundPEATS factors for daring to be innovate. Conventional earbuds don’t match everybody, so possibly this form is strictly what you’ve been searching for?

In the event you discover the design interesting (or if typical earbuds by no means fairly really feel best for you), spending round 50–60 USD (60-80 EUR with reductions, the unique worth is about 85€) is perhaps price it. Personally, I’m nonetheless relying to my Jabra Evolve2 Buds (and Logitech Zone True Wi-fi) for work and journey, since they match my ears higher and embody lively noise cancellation that removes surrounding noise. And I do admit, I do like extra how conventional buds look. For informal music listening or calls right here and there, PearlClip Professional does the job simply effective. And if utilizing Microsoft Groups noise cancellation / voice isolation the buds mic don’t need to excel at eradicating surrounding noise (regardless of they do declare it’s good) and different folks’s voices. And if you have to keep (audio) conscious of your environment, this much less closed design helps with that too. Microphones did decide up my voice clearly, which is fairly good for buds.

Total, the SoundPEATS PearlClip Professional is an attention-grabbing new tackle wi-fi earbuds. The clip-on design might not be everybody’s cup of tea, however the sound high quality, battery life, and name efficiency are surprisingly good for the low worth level. In the event you’re intrigued by the idea – or if typical earbud kinds have by no means been snug for you – it’s undoubtedly price giving these a strive. They arrive at a budget-friendly value, making them a simple suggestion for curious or these searching for one thing extra distinctive.

So.. Purchase or not? All of it comes down as to if the clip-on design fits your ears and preferences, and whether or not you’re okay with out the lively noise cancellation. For me, it was a enjoyable experiment, however I’ll nonetheless attain for my trusty (and costlier) on a regular basis buds for work and journey. Nonetheless, PearlClip Professional is a stable possibility in its worth vary, particularly in case you’re searching for one thing totally different.

If you wish to test them out and you reside in US, you will discover these on Amazon US (I don’t get any incentive with that hyperlink). In the event you don’t reside in US, you will discover different international locations from SoundPEATS pages where there are direct links to other Amazons, the place you should purchase these For instance Amazon DE, the place the worth is 67€, with a 20% low cost in place. The worth appears to range between totally different European international locations a bit.

SoundPEATS kindly supplied PearlClip Professional buds for me to jot down an sincere experiences assessment.