TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
4.5 STARS - The SoundPEATS Free2 Classic is a cheap, great all-round pair of wireless earbuds. It ticks many boxes - from its comfortable design to great battery life and clear sound. But it's not the only option.
SoundPEATS Free2 Classic specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.1 with AAC and SBC codec
IPX5 waterproof rating (rain and sweat proof)
7,5 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with three sizes of ear tips and USB-C cable
$25 - Check price on Amazon US, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries
Below this SoundPEATS Free2 Classic review, you will find comparisons of the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic vs Jlab Go Air Pop, Edifier X3s, QCY T13, Tranya T20.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The design of the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic is a direct continuation of the SoundPEATS Mini. The small and round earbuds are comfortable to wear for hours, while they also provide a snug enough fit to stay in your ears. They're compact enough to wear under a helmet or in bed. And they look nice too - with the brand logo on a slightly protruding level on the outside, and a metallic roster underneath that houses the LED-light and microphones.
The charging case looks leather-like in pictures but doesn't impress so much in real life. The pattern is carved in hard plastic, and combined with a matte black band, the case looks pretty cheap. Let's not forget, though: with a price point around 25 dollars, the Free2 Classic IS cheap. At least the case is convenient: it's compact enough to carry in a jeans pocket, a single LED light on the front shows the remaining battery, and the back houses a USB-C charging port. Wireless charging is not supported.
The case has enough battery to recharge the earbuds 3,5 times fully, providing the earbuds with up to 7,5 hours of battery life per charge. The IPX5 waterproof rating also ensures you can take these out for running or working out, as they survive rain and sweat. Those are impressive features - not just in this price range.
Controls and connectivity
As the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic doesn't have app support, it's great to find all the desired control options straight on the earbuds.
Double-tap L or R to play/pause music
Tap R to increase the volume
Tap L to decrease volume
Hold R to skip to the next track
Hold L to return a song
Triple-tap L or R to activate the voice assistant
The touch panels respond well to your input, and fortunately, they aren't too big. You can still adjust the earbuds or take an earbud out of your ears without triggering a control.
Connectivity is solid too. The Free2's Bluetooth connection keeps a stable signal up to 9-10 meters away from your device, and sound hiccups haven't occurred in the time of testing. As with almost all wireless earphones, you can easily switch between listening to one or two earbuds at all times. Multipoint connectivity isn't supported - you can only connect to one device at a time via Bluetooth.
Calling and watching movies
Watching videos is easy with the cheapest SoundPEATS earbuds. Audio and video synchronize flawlessly on both iPhone and Android phones. The Free2 doesn't have a dedicated gaming mode, but sound effects in games do follow up the action you see on screen quick enough, making a game like Call of Duty Mobile easy to enjoy.
How about phone calls then? Well, like other ultra-affordable TWS, the call performance is only solid indoors. Outside, your voice could use more volume and clarity. There's a bit of a pillow on your voice, and wind and surrounding noises - even though they can be reduced to swooshes - can battle your voice.
Microsoft Teams, Zoom meetings, and other video calls are safe to do. You sound clear and loud enough, and the same goes for the people you're talking to. Background sounds like door slams come in loud, however.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $25
Sound quality of SoundPEATS Free2 Classic
The SoundPEATS Free2 Classic has a crisp sound, clearer than many other ultra-affordable wireless earbuds.
There's bass on the Free2 alright, with a quick-enough firing mid-bass slam powering up dance music and other modern genres. And there's also a subtle rumble coming from the sub-bass - the deepest bass tones you can feel as much as hear. But it's not always an in-your-face kind of bass. While you can't miss its thumps in easier-going songs, they can appear distant in more crowded musical pieces. Lower mid-tones, such as darker electronic tones or drums, can feel a bit in the background as well. The reason is... clear.
Brighter mid-tones have the upper hand in Free 2 Classic's sound. Female and higher-pitched male vocals are forward and outweigh instruments around them. They sound strike a bit metallic sometimes, but they're also clear and crisp, with plenty of room for nuances.
Happily, the treble is kept to a pleasant level. While voices are clear, they don't easily become too bright or harsh. The emphasis on higher frequencies also drags instruments along. Typical mid-instruments like guitars and piano play either don't have the biggest role next to the upfront vocals, or they sound brighter than average in instrumental songs.
Their level of detail is impressive nonetheless. While there isn't a big soundstage, instruments enjoy a fair amount of texture, and they're separated neatly from each other, often rewarded with their own position in their song. On the other hand, the limit of the used SBC-codec can be noticeable; some crackles can occur in crowded music pieces.
Despite the metallic undertone in higher singers performances, the Free2 Classic has some of the clearest, most vocal-centered sound on low-budget earphones.
SoundPEATS Free2 Classic comparisons
SoundPEATS Free2 Classic vs Jlab Go Air Pop
Three times the same! SoundPEATS Free2 Classic, Jlab Go Air Pop, Edifier X3s
Available for $25 and with the same comfortable, compact shape of earbuds, the Jlab Go Air Pop is a direct competitor to the Free2 Classic. Both models also have the same outstanding battery life, and aren't great at handling outdoor phone calls.
Clarity is also the main word that describes the sound difference between the two. The Free2 has more elevated treble and presents vocals crisper and clearer. The Jlab lets you switch between three equalizers, letting you decide how much bass you want in the music. In all three settings, lows have more texture on the Jlab, with a slightly warmer undertone in the music. The Jlab has more space in the sound, but the Free2 can place drums and other mids more directly on your left and right. The Jlab can sound sharper on the highest volumes.
Jlab Go Air Pop review ($25)
SoundPEATS Free2 Classic vs Edifier X3s
Surprise? The Edifier X3s at around $30 also has the same compact and comfortable shape of earbuds as the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic. Both models have the same battery life, yet somehow, the Edifier convinces more in phone and video calls. Its case is bigger than the Free2, but it doesn't differ much.
Soundwise, the Free2 has more space in the sound, with more precise left-right separation and a brighter, clearer tonality. Vocals are much more forward; the X3S doesn't exaggerate them as much. The Edifier has a more engaging mid-bass, delivering steadier thumps.
Edifier X3s review ($30)
SoundPEATS Free2 Classic vs QCY T13
A comparison with the comparably all-around and affordable QCY T13 highlights how forward the brighter tones on the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic are. While higher vocals on the QCY are clear, they feel laidback compared to the Free2. In return, the bass on the T13 is more forward, emitting thicker and longer-lasting mid-bass and sub-bass tones. The Free2's bass feels tighter and more 'honest', but if you're a fan of bass, the T13's weightly lows may suit you better. Most importantly, the QCY T13 offers clear phone and video calls.
QCY T13 review ($25)
SoundPEATS Free2 Classic vs Tranya T20
The slightly more expensive Tranya T20 is another all-around TWS with comfortable earbuds. Music lovers may prefer the T20 over the Free2 Classic, as the Tranya has two sound modes - a 'normal' mode and a bass boost variant. The Tranya sounds warmer in both settings, with slightly more emphasis on the lower-mids and an overall warmer undertone on the mids and vocals. The SoundPEATS is clearer with more vocal nuances, but as mid-tones are pushed more towards the treble, mid-instruments don't have the same presence as on the Tranya.
Tranya T20 review ($35)
Verdict
The SoundPEATS Free2 Classic is an impressive pair of wireless earbuds at a hugely affordable price. It's easily recommended, even though some competitors have literally the same earbud designs, pricing, and qualities.
Torn between the options? Go for the Jlab Go Air Pop or Edifier X3s if you prefer a bit of bass; opt for the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic if you desire a clearer, more vocal-centered sound.
4.5 stars - Great
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I bought the SoundPEATS Free2 Classic myself to test and review. My reviews are unsponsored and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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