SoundPEATS Breezy Review: $40 Open-Earbuds Worth Buying?

At just $39.99, the SoundPEATS Breezy earbuds are definitely in the budget range, but can they still deliver the sound and features you’d expect from pricier models? Let’s see if these can really hold up, especially for those of you who are into fitness or just need something lightweight and simple for your daily routines. We’ll be checking out everything and whether these earbuds are really worth your hard-earned cash. So, let’s jump in and take a closer look at what the SoundPEATS Breezy has to offer!

Design and Build Quality

Now let’s talk design – because first impressions matter, right? The SoundPEATS Breezy earbuds have a pretty sleek look, especially for something at this price point. They’ve got this carbon fiber pattern going on, both on the case and the earbuds themselves, which gives them a bit of a premium vibe without actually costing you premium dollars. It’s subtle but definitely a nice touch.

The real standout feature here is the over-the-ear hook design. These hooks are made from a flexible material, a mix of silicone and nickel-titanium memory wire, which sounds fancy but basically just means they’re super flexible and comfortable. They bend easily to fit different ear shapes, and once they’re on, they stay put. Plus, the hooks swivel 90 degrees, making it easier to adjust them to your liking. SoundPEATS definitely put some thought into the comfort and fit with these.

One of the cool things about the design is how the earbuds sit just outside your ear canal, thanks to the open-ear style. This makes them perfect for people who need to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to music. BTW, These earbuds are rated IPX4, which means they can handle a bit of sweat or a light drizzle. Just don’t take them for a swim!

However, because of this open-ear design, the fit is definitely different compared to typical in-ear earbuds. If you’re used to the sealed, immersive feeling of in-ear buds, these might take some getting used to. You won’t get that tight seal or noise isolation, but that’s part of the trade-off. These are designed for more situational awareness, not for drowning out the world.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight, which is a huge plus for long listening sessions. And while the case is small and easy to carry, it does feel a bit plasticky, so I wouldn’t expect it to handle too many drops or rough handling. There’s a USB-C port on the back of the case for charging, and a tiny LED on the front to let you know when it’s powered up, but that’s about it. No fancy wireless charging here, but again, for $39.99, I wouldn’t expect it.

Sound Quality

Alright, now onto the part that really matters for most people: sound quality. With the SoundPEATS Breezy, you’re getting a budget pair of earbuds, so let’s set expectations accordingly. These aren’t going to blow your mind with studio-level audio, but they do have some decent performance for casual listening.

Let’s start with the bass. Since these are open-ear earbuds, the bass response is naturally going to be weaker compared to in-ear models that seal your ear canal. If you’re someone who loves deep, thumping bass, you might find these a little underwhelming. Tracks that rely on heavy basslines tend to sound flat, and at higher volumes, there’s some noticeable distortion. So, for genres like hip-hop or EDM, where bass is key, these might not hit the mark.

The mids on the Breezy are a bit recessed, meaning that vocals and instruments in the midrange don’t always come through as clearly as you’d want. There’s a slight hollowness, and at higher volumes, you can hear some distortion creeping in. It’s not a dealbreaker for casual listening, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re after crystal-clear mids for things like podcasts or vocal-heavy tracks.

As for the highs, this is where things get a bit tricky. The treble is quite sharp, and in some cases, it can overpower the rest of the sound profile. When the volume is cranked up, the highs can become harsh, to the point where they might even feel uncomfortable, especially for those who like to listen at louder levels. If you prefer a more balanced sound signature, this might not be ideal.

Since these are open-ear earbuds, sound leakage is something you’ll need to be aware of. If you crank up the volume, people around you will definitely hear what you’re listening to, so they might not be the best choice for quiet environments like libraries or offices.

The good news is that SoundPEATS includes some customization options via their PeatsAudio app. You can tweak the sound with different EQ presets or set up your own custom EQ. There’s also a gaming mode for reduced latency, which is great if you’re using them for mobile games or watching videos. The presets are nice to play around with, but even with adjustments, the overall sound quality remains average.

Call Quality and AI Noise Cancellation

The SoundPEATS Breezy earbuds come with AI-powered noise cancellation for calls, which sounds pretty promising on paper. But how does it actually perform? In quiet environments, the call quality is decent. You can easily hear the person on the other end, and your voice comes through clearly enough for them to understand. However, when things get a bit noisy – like if you’re outside with traffic or in a crowded place – the performance starts to dip. The AI noise cancellation does help reduce some of the background noise, but it’s not perfect. Your voice can still get lost in the mix if there’s a lot of commotion around you.

As for the noise cancellation itself, it’s there, but don’t expect miracles. In environments with moderate noise, like a café or an office, it manages to filter out some of the distractions, but not all of them. In noisier settings, like a busy street or a gym, the earbuds struggle to completely block out the background, so your calls might sound a bit muffled. For quick, casual phone calls, the Breezy earbuds will do the trick, but for long or important conversations, especially in noisy areas, you might want something with more robust noise cancellation.

The dual-mic setup on these earbuds does a decent job of picking up your voice, but it’s not going to win any awards. If you’re indoors or in a controlled setting, your voice comes through pretty clearly. However, once you add background noise, the microphones pick up a lot more than you’d like, so the person on the other end might hear that coffee shop chatter or the wind blowing just as much as they hear you.

PeatsAudio App and Customization

The SoundPEATS Breezy earbuds come with support for the PeatsAudio app, which adds a layer of customization and control that you don’t always see with budget earbuds. The app itself is easy to navigate, with a clean, user-friendly interface. On the home screen, you can see the battery status of each earbud (though not the case), and from there, you can access EQ settings, touch control customizations, and other features. It’s simple enough for beginners to use but offers enough depth for more advanced who like to personalize their audio experience.

One of the best features of the app is the ability to adjust the sound profile using the built-in equalizer. The app offers several preset EQ modes like rock, pop, classical, and more. These presets are great if you just want a quick adjustment for different genres of music. But if you’re someone who likes to fine-tune your sound, you can also create your own custom EQ settings.

Another useful feature is the ability to customize the touch controls. The touch-sensitive panels on the Breezy can sometimes be overly sensitive, but the app allows you to reassign certain gestures.
For gamers, the app also includes a gaming mode, which reduces audio latency to around 80 milliseconds. This is a great feature if you’re playing mobile games or watching videos where audio sync is critical. Enabling gaming mode from the app improves sync between audio and visuals, making the Breezy earbuds more versatile beyond just music listening.

While the PeatsAudio app adds a lot of value, it’s not perfect. For one, it doesn’t offer a battery indicator for the charging case, which would have been a nice addition. Also, while the EQ settings help improve sound, they can only do so much to overcome the limitations of the earbuds’ hardware, particularly when it comes to bass response.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the strong points of the SoundPEATS Breezy earbuds is their impressive battery life, especially for a pair of budget-friendly earbuds. Let’s break it down. On a single charge, the Breezy earbuds provide up to 10 hours of playback time, which is quite remarkable for open-ear earbuds.

The compact charging case gives you an additional 30 hours of battery life, bringing the total usage time to around 40 hours before you need to recharge the case itself. This means you can easily go several days, or even a week, without needing to plug the case in, depending on how often you use the earbuds. The case itself is extremely portable, so carrying it around is no hassle.

As for charging, the earbuds take about 1.5 hours to fully charge in the case, while the case itself takes about 2 hours to fully charge via the USB-C port. One downside here is the lack of a quick charge feature, which would’ve been a nice addition. Quick charging could’ve given you an hour of playtime with just a few minutes of charging, but unfortunately, the Breezy earbuds don’t support that. Also, keep in mind that there’s no wireless charging support. This isn’t a dealbreaker for most, especially at this price point, but it’s something to consider if wireless charging is a feature you’re used to.

The case features a small LED indicator on the front to show the charging status. It’s minimal, and if you rely on a more detailed view of your battery life, you can check it through the PeatsAudio app or your phone’s Bluetooth settings, which typically show the battery levels of connected devices.

Final Thoughts

So, after diving into all the details, what’s the verdict on the SoundPEATS Breezy open-ear wireless earbuds? Here’s the bottom line: if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, lightweight pair of earbuds that let you stay aware of your surroundings while listening to music, these are definitely worth considering. At $39.99, they offer good value, especially with solid features like 10 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.4, and IPX4 water resistance.

The open-ear design is the standout feature here, making the Breezy earbuds perfect for outdoor activities where situational awareness is important, like running or cycling. They fit comfortably and securely, and the adjustable ear hooks are a great touch for ensuring they stay in place during physical activities. Plus, the PeatsAudio app gives you a decent level of customization, allowing you to tweak the sound profile and touch controls to suit your needs.

That being said, there are some trade-offs, especially when it comes to sound quality. The bass is lacking, the mids are a bit recessed, and the highs can be harsh at higher volumes. While the PeatsAudio app does let you adjust the EQ, the sound signature is still somewhat limited due to the open-ear design. If you’re an audiophile or someone who cares deeply about sound quality, you might find the Breezy lacking in that department.

Additionally, the touch controls, while convenient, can be overly sensitive, leading to accidental commands. The call quality, though functional, isn’t the best, particularly in noisy environments, despite the advertised AI-powered noise cancellation.