I love writing a good old fashioned earbuds review. Honestly, I’ve come to somewhat be “that guy” here at Android Guys. So, when a new take on wireless audio starts to take shape, I’m always intrigued. Recently, that movement has been towards “open-ear” concepts that take the traditional outlook of how earbuds should function and feel, and changing things up a bit.
In the past, earbuds have always been designed to fit snugly inside the ear canal, aiming for an immersive sound experience while isolating the user from external noise. However, the emergence of open-ear designs is challenging this norm, prioritizing comfort and awareness of surroundings over strict sound isolation. This trend has gained traction as users seek a more natural listening experience that allows them to stay connected with their environments, whether while exercising, commuting, or just enjoying a casual stroll.
Soundpeats has joined this innovative movement with the release of two new models in 2024. I recently took the Pearclip Pros for a spin, which offered impressive sound quality while maintaining an open-ear design, allowing for a unique listening experience. The company has now shared the POP Clip, which boasts a similar approach on how earbuds should look and feel in the modern Bluetooth accessories market.
The POP Clip, like the Pearclip Pros, emphasizes user comfort and versatility. Its design is lightweight, making it easy to wear for extended periods without discomfort. Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal is noteworthy, with a sleek and modern finish that aligns well with current tech trends. As the market for open-ear earbuds continues to evolve, I’m keen to see how these models perform in real-world scenarios and how they compare against traditional in-ear options.
With so many features to explore and a growing consumer interest in this type of audio technology, it’s an exciting time for audio enthusiasts like me. I’m particularly interested in the balance these earphones strike between sound quality, comfort, and the ability to stay aware of one’s surroundings. Exploring this new frontier in audio tech has never been more thrilling!
Design
The overall design is similar to the Pearclip Pros, but has a few key differences. The first alteration you’ll notice is not both sides of the “clip” are rounded on the POP Clip wireless earphones. This allowed to two things that I preferred while testing the POP Clips over the previous models.
One, this makes for a better glanceable design point to know which portion of the POP are to be placed inside the ear versus outside. The round rectangle on the outside ending of the arch makes for immediate orientation is correctly made each time you take them out of the case.
Next, this elongated bulb on one end of the POP Clip allows for more internals. This adds two extra hours of playback per use of the POP due to the extra power bank space in this section of the hardware. It also makes room for a tactile button to control playback and volume.
Sound
Soundpeats has produced better than anticipated audio from the POP Clips. My initial reaction to any of the “open-ear” buds were that each would suffer in this department due to not being fully in the ear. Soundpeats has proven me wrong yet again with the POP Clip earbuds.
While they still aren’t quite as immersive from your environment as say active noise cancellation models from OnePlus, and others, that’s by design. These types of wireless earbuds are meant to be a hybrid option for those that do want to be a little more aware of their surroundings.
Soundpeats’ POP Clip delivers a comfortable, aware listening experience with surprisingly solid audio and impressive 8-hour battery life. Its thoughtful design, including tactile controls and easy orientation, proves you don’t have to sacrifice quality or functionality for affordability in open-ear earbuds.
The final result is a balanced listening experience without fully blocking out things around you. Highs are decent and bass chimes in when needed. As I mentioned in my previous “open-ear” review, I’ve come to really enjoy this type of device while working my cube in my day job.
Battery and Charging
Soundpeats estimates eight hours of playback per charge of the POP Clips. I’ve found this to be very accurate. You can easily get through a workday without topping these earbuds off. Adding in the charging case, you can be fully away from the outlet for up to 30 hours.
When you do need to charge the system, you just need a USB-C cable. The case acts as the charging mechanism, and you plug your cable into the back. While Qi wireless charging isn’t included, I think this is reasonable for the price point. At just $40 is much easier to accept the omission.
Final Thoughts
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
I’m loving the moment open-earbuds are having right now. Having alternatives to the normal stemmed offerings for those that may find those too isolating or uncomfortable is nice to see. The Soundpeats POP Clips are another option worth consideration. With the comfy fit to the pretty solid audio, you have earbuds that also won’t break the bank.
You can snag your Soundpeats POP Clips from Amazon using our link below. To celebrate the launch, you can save another $10 if you act fast.
Purchase the Soundpeats POP Clip earbuds from Amazon
