SoundPEATS Clip1 are open-ear, clip-on style earbuds designed for all-day comfort, striking a balance between awareness, value, and sound quality. The Clip1’s are aimed at users who want music, podcasts, or calls without blocking out the world, making them well suited to outdoor exercise, commuting, and office use.
SoundPEATS Clip1: A New Standard for Budget Open-Ear Audio?
If you haven’t heard of SoundPEATS, you’re not alone and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. SoundPEATS sit firmly in the value end of the wireless audio market, focusing less on brand hype and more on delivering genuinely usable earbuds at sensible prices. Since 2010, they have built a reputation for solid tuning, reliable Bluetooth performance, and products that generally do what they promise without overselling themselves.
Launched in mid-November 2025, the Clip1’s are one of SoundPEATS’ newest open-ear offerings. At an RRP of $86.99 (often discounted to ~$65), they represent strong value for those who prioritize situational awareness and comfort over total isolation.
Design and Build: Lightweight Clip-On Form Factor
Like most modern wireless earbuds, the Clip1’s power on as soon as the case is opened. The charging case is constructed from sturdy ABS polycarbonate and features a low-profile LED indicator. Pairing is straightforward, and once powered on, the Clip1’s appear quickly in your Bluetooth device list.
The earbuds themselves are made from a mix of silicone and ABS plastic, with softer materials placed in the right areas to help them grip the ear securely. The overall build feels practical rather than premium, but appropriate for the price.
All-Day Comfort: Is the Clip-On Fit Good for Running?
Once positioned correctly, the comfort experience can best be described as light and airy. Unlike traditional in-ear earbuds, there is nothing inserted into the ear canal, and comfort is not dependent on finding the right size ear tip to achieve a seal.
During running and light workouts, the Clip1’s remain stable once properly positioned. They do not bounce or require constant adjustment during brisk walking, and the open-ear design avoids the pressure and occlusion that can become uncomfortable during longer runs. With their **IPX5 rating**, there’s no need to worry about sweat or rain getting into them either.
Sound Quality: 12mm Drivers and LDAC Support
Test tracks
- “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” by Olivia Dean
- “Hate It or Love It” by The Game feat. 50 Cent
One thing that continues to surprise me with clip-on earbuds is their ability to deliver on sound despite their open nature. The Clip1’s use a relatively large 12 mm dynamic dual-magnet titanium alloy driver, which helps provide a sense of scale and low-end presence that smaller open-ear drivers often struggle to achieve.
Situational Awareness: Performance in Office and Commute
As mentioned earlier, the Clip1’s are designed with user awareness in mind. You are never sealed off from the world, which makes a meaningful difference from a safety perspective when exercising outdoors or navigating the office.
AeroVoice Technology: Clear Calls in Windy Conditions
When exercising outdoors, SoundPEATS rely on their patented wind suppression technology, called AeroVoice. The company claims this can reduce wind noise by up to 25 percent, and in practice, it does a respectable job of keeping calls usable when moving.
Battery Life: 40 Hours of Total Playback
Battery life on the Clip1’s is solid. Expect up to 40 hours of total listening time when factoring in the case, with around 8 hours from a single charge. A quick 10-minute charge delivers roughly 2 hours of playback.
PeatsAudio App: Custom EQ and Firmware Updates
The Clip1’s are supported by the PeatsAudio companion app. It provides access to settings, firmware updates, and EQ presets. There’s also a neat feature that conducts what is effectively a hearing “beep” test to customise how your earbuds perform.
Market Comparison & Context
While the SoundPEATS Clip1 holds a strong position in the value segment, it’s worth noting how it stacks up against other popular open-ear options like the JLab JBuds Open Sport.
| Feature | SoundPEATS Clip1 | JLab JBuds Open Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Commute & Fitness | Rugged Workouts |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Battery | 40 Hours | 26+ Hours |
| Fit Style | N-Flex Clip | Over-Ear Hook |
Should You Buy the SoundPEATS Clip1? Comfort and Awareness for A$87
The SoundPEATS Clip1’s strike a sensible balance between comfort, usability, and performance. There seems to be a discount on Amazon at time of publish bringing them down to around $66, they make a compelling case for becoming part of your regular listening rotation.
DRN wishes to thank SoundPEATS for sending us the Clip1’s to test!
