Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
The year is 2026. The budget audio market is a war zone. Brands like SoundPEATS, which used to be the champions of the “I lost my AirPods so I bought these at the airport” demographic, are now aiming higher.
Enter the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+.
With a name that sounds like a password I’d use for a throwaway email account, these earbuds are trying to do something bold: bring xMEMS solid-state driver technology—tech usually reserved for IEMs costing hundreds of dollars—to the masses.
But to get there, they made some sacrifices. And by sacrifices, I mean they might have accidentally forgotten that wireless earbuds need to stay wireless for more than a few hours.
Here is my honest, xMEMS-powered, battery-anxious review.
Test 1: The Sound (The “Holy Cow” Moment)
The Claim: xMEMS Solid-State Drivers + 10mm Dynamic Driver.
The Reality: They sound better than anything under $200. Period.
If you don’t know what xMEMS is, think of it like this: Traditional speakers use magnets and coils to push air. They are heavy and slow. xMEMS uses a silicon chip that flexes using electricity (piezoelectric). It’s incredibly fast.
- The Treble: Because the driver is made of silicon, it starts and stops instantly. The treble is “crystalline.” Cymbal crashes don’t splash; they shimmer. I heard details in my test tracks that the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC completely smoothed over.
- The Bass: The 10mm dynamic driver handles the low end. Out of the box, it’s a bit “thick” (a nice way of saying bloated).
- The Fix: You need to use the PeatsAudio app to EQ these. Once you tame the mid-bass bloat, the clarity is startling. It’s like wiping a dirty window.
Test 2: The Battery (The “Oh No” Moment)
The Claim: 30 Hours Total Playtime with the case. The Reality: Commuter’s Anxiety is real.
Here is the problem: That fancy xMEMS driver and the high-voltage Aptos Class-H amplifier needed to run it are thirsty. Like, “Hummer H2 in 2005” thirsty.
- ANC On + LDAC (High Res): I squeezed out ~3.5 hours.
- ANC On + AAC (Standard): Maybe 4.5 hours.
Keep in mind one thing. Your tech is using the battery. for $130 battery is not great but Tech to cost value helps me choke it down
Test 3: The Missing Features (The Budget Roots Show)
The Claim: “Pro+” Flagship Status.
The Reality: Where are the sensors?
For $130 MSRP, I expect the kitchen sink. SoundPEATS gave us the golden faucet (sound) but forgot the drain plug.
- No Wear Detection: If you take an earbud out to talk to the barista, the music keeps playing. In 2026, this is practically a crime.
- No Wireless Charging: This I missed a lot
Test 4: ANC & Call Quality
The Claim: -55dB Noise Cancellation.
The Reality: Surprisingly competent.
- The Silence: The ANC effectively kills the low drone of HVAC systems and airplane engines. It’s not Bose-level “black void” silence, but it’s solid.
- The Mic: The 6-mic array uses AI to kill background noise. It works too well. In a noisy coffee shop, it erased the background chatter but also made my voice sound slightly robotic, like I was calling from inside a tin can.
Comparison: The Battle of the Mid-Range
| Feature | SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | EarFun Air Pro 4 |
| Best Price | ~$90 – $130 | ~$79 – $99 | ~$79 – $89 |
| Driver Tech | Hybrid xMEMS | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Sound Quality | Audiophile Grade | Good (Consumer) | Very Good |
| Battery (ANC On) | ~3.5 – 4 Hours ⚠️ | ~10 Hours 🏆 | ~7.5 Hours |
| Wear Detection | No ❌ | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Sound Purists | Commuters | The Balanced Choice |
The Verdict: For the Desk, Not the Plane
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ is a frustrating masterpiece. It achieves a technical milestone—bringing solid-state drivers to a mass-market price—that sounds absolutely incredible.
But it’s hard to enjoy that sound when you’re constantly checking the battery percentage.
Buy these if: You sit at a desk, love high-fidelity audio, understand EQ, and can charge them during your lunch break.
Skip these if: You travel long distances or value “smart” features like auto-pause.
Pros:
- xMEMS drivers provide insane clarity.
- Excellent ANC performance.
- Supports aptX Lossless & LDAC.
Cons:
- Battery life is stuck in 2019 (3.5 hours).
- No auto-pause sensors.
- Stock tuning needs EQ work.
Disclaimer: I listened to “Bohemian Rhapsody” on these and heard a triangle ding I didn’t know existed.
