Clip-On Earbuds That Bridge The Value Gap

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I’ve owned a couple of dozen wi-fi earbuds prior to now few years however it wasn’t till not too long ago that I obtained to dabble with clip-on earbuds. The cool factor about clip-ons is the truth that they at all times go away your ear canal open so that you’re principally conscious of your environment whereas nonetheless having fun with your music. I initially thought this type of earbuds would be subpar typically given their open design — however the first pair I attempted (SoundPeats UU2) proved me unsuitable — they immediately grew to become my on a regular basis carry. About three weeks in the past on the time of writing, SoundPeats equipped me with a second pair of a unique mannequin to check.

These are the SoundPeats CC3 Pro, launched a couple of weeks after the UU2 right here within the Summer of 2026, and I’ve been utilizing them for about three weeks for this overview. Before we dive into my expertise with them, it is price noting that they aren’t direct UU2 successors — they’re a very completely different lineup therefore the quick time between their releases.

The CC3 Pro earbuds come housed in a easy shiny case which appears and feels fairly good to the contact. The solely gripe I’ve with it’s that I’ve to wipe it down virtually each time I get my arms on it (if I need it to seem fingerprint-free). 

Not a giant deal however you have got the choice of getting a protecting case — similar model or third get together. The precise earbuds have an analogous end (in comparison with the case) plus some liquid silicone and reminiscence metal wire holding every part collectively. You get IPX6 water resistance with these earbuds, that means they need to survive sweat and small splashes. I’ve used them within the rain a few instances and have not seen any points to date.

Each CC3 Pro earbud comes with one mic for audio enter. Each bud additionally works with a function I’ve come to understand in earbuds which have them: a clicky bodily button. You can customise the 2 buttons (one for every bud) to carry out particular capabilities by way of SoundPeats’ app, however I discovered the defaults to be nearly proper. 

Default management for the precise earbud button jumps to the following track or will increase quantity, the left one reverts to the earlier track or decreases quantity, and each play or pause no matter you are listening to. All these instructions occur by a sequence of single clicks, double clicks, and lengthy presses.

What I’ve cherished with the CC3 Pro (and the UU2 earlier than it) is the truth that the open-ear design is a probably life-saving function. The CC3 Pro earbuds at all times give me the luxurious of having fun with my favourite playlists with out essentially being oblivious of what is going on on round me wherever I am going. Of course I’ll wrestle listening to extra delicate seems like folks talking however I can at all times hear the automobiles, bikes, and lots of different vital issues every time I’m within the streets.

Clip-on earbuds like these ones are by no means a decent match because of the reminiscence metal wire, and being exterior the ear canal additionally means you by no means have to fret about stress build-up. I’m the type of one who works with music on and I’ve worn this pair constantly for hours on finish with out experiencing any type of ear fatigue, even with my glasses on. Of course this can be subjective however the unfastened match does make issues much more comfy than in-earbuds.

You would possibly suppose the unfastened match compromises stability, however the way in which the buds hook to the again of your ear will at all times hold them in place. I’ve jogged with them and completed vigorous head shake checks, they usually at all times keep put without having me to nudge them again into place. One different factor on the earbuds that contributes to each stability and luxury is the liquid silicone end on the interior facet that touches your pores and skin because it provides grip.

For open-ear headphones, these earbuds sound fairly good capturing instrumental particulars that I by no means believed potential on this design. Despite missing a seal across the ear canal, the bass someway nonetheless packs a punch and I used to be in a position to take pleasure in my bass heavy hiphop tunes with none points. I’ve additionally gone by rock, pop, dancehall, and classical music playlists and have not seen any wrestle throughout the completely different instrument preparations in all these genres. For podcasts, I needed to flip up the amount near max when exterior in noisy areas however they did properly indoors even at lower than 50% quantity. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is unavailable for apparent causes — no seal across the ear canal.

All that is with out altering my equalizer, and I’ve been utilizing them on the default settings ever since I unboxed them. You can at all times make tweaks to your liking by way of the app or select from one of many many equalizer presets. I’ve been utilizing the CC3 Pro earbuds primarily on my iPhone 16 Pro with occasional use on my Windows PC and Samsung S9 Plus.

There’s one attention-grabbing function on Android — Lossless Digital Audio Codec (LDAC) which you’ll be able to allow by way of the app. Using this function added somewhat little bit of noticeable element every time I performed excessive decision audio. If you are an audiophile, that is one function to at all times use to get the perfect out of this Bluetooth 6.0 machine. However, it is going to disable multipoint connection when you have got it turned on.

I normally keep away from putting in an additional app to handle my earbuds however I did mess around with the SoundPeats app. It’s fairly straight ahead and the very first thing it reveals you is the remaining battery on every earbud and the case. It additionally helps you to flip further options like spatial audio, multipoint connection, recreation mode, drainage perform, and privateness mode in a single contact. You additionally handle your equalizer together with adaptive equalizer. The latter helps you to play varied sounds at completely different frequencies, you affirm whether or not you possibly can hear every frequency, and the earbuds will customise your equalizer to your listening to skills.

Brian Abuga/SlashGear

One factor I like to recommend doing with the CC3 Pro or every other clip-on earbud for that matter is adjusting the match first earlier than altering any equalizer settings or listening to one thing. You should level them excellent into your ear canal to get the perfect listening expertise. I used to be a bit fearful the primary time I attempted them on considering that they had no bass till I tweaked their positioning somewhat.

The solely subject I’ve with the app is the truth that you must create a login account to have the ability to use it. The solely benefit this offers you is that you’ll at all times have your earbuds listed while you entry the app on different units. If you’re keen on tinkering or know learn how to work an equalizer, the app is unquestionably vital — however you possibly can stay with out it — I do function with out it.

After sound high quality, battery life is the factor that normally makes or breaks a deal for me when shopping for wi-fi earbuds. The CC3 Pro earbuds did not disappoint on the checks that I carried out. For the buds, I did two battery life checks — one was listening to music at most quantity and the second at medium quantity (50-60%). At most quantity after charging them absolutely, they lasted a complete of seven hours and precisely 8 hours and 40 minutes at medium quantity. Now these numbers may be subjective based mostly on listening habits and the kind of music however they do offer you an thought. SoundPeats claims as much as 10 hours of playback.

I drained and recharged the earbuds within the case after which repeated the cycle till the case was depleted. I used to be in a position to absolutely cost them 4 extra instances and nonetheless had somewhat little bit of juice (single digit proportion) left within the case after the fourth full cost. Based on these numbers and utilizing them at medium quantity you must get 43 hours whole with out having to cost the case which does help each wired and wi-fi charging. And yet another factor about charging — you possibly can place both earbud on both slot and they’re going to nonetheless cost — no must match the left or the precise facet.

The SoundPeats CC3 Pro earbuds can be found for $69.99 on Amazon. You might also discover them for a lower cost than that relying on whether or not they’re nonetheless operating an early-bird deal although their SoundPeats homepage – the place they at present (in late October 2026) present the value at $69.99 on non permanent low cost to $45.49 (when discounted for “Early Bird” consumers).

They are a pleasant center floor between cheaper choices just like the Baseus Bowie MC2 ($60) and the dear Bose Ultra Open ($245) earbuds. From my expertise together with jamming to some music as I sort this line — they’re stable for on a regular basis use. Ever since I made them my day by day driver it is changing into tougher to return to conventional in-earbuds given the consolation and sense of safety they provide. I’ve additionally been utilizing them to make and obtain telephone calls every time I’ve them on, each indoors and outdoor with none complaints from the opposite facet.

The CC3 Pro will not be for audiophiles or anybody eager on having heavy thumping bass — however they nonetheless pack greater than sufficient punch to maintain you entertained. Even the absence of ANC is not any massive deal since sound cancellation runs counter to the largest promoting level of open-ear designs. They simply work — and you’ll by no means have to fret about getting caught unaware by a passing bike, automobile, or pedestrian whereas jogging or strolling within the streets — simply as long as they don’t seem to be totally silent!