TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
FOUR STARS - The SoundPEATS TrueAir is a reliable and comfortable pair of half in-ear wireless earbuds. It controls good and sounds the part too.
Specs of the SoundPEATS TrueAir:
Bluetooth 5.0 with QCC3020 chip and AptX codec
4,5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 6 times
Comes with USB-C cable
$30 on AliExpress or Amazon US - check current price!
Below this review you will find comparisons between the SoundPEATS True Air vs Edifier TWS200, QCY T3, Tiso iX, Sabbat X12 Pro and Baseus Encock W09.
Design, comfort and battery life
It doesn't take many words to describe the design of the SoundPEATS TrueAir. Imagine Apple's AirPods, and you're 80 percent there. The most significant difference between the 'original' and this 'implementation' is that the SoundPEATS TrueAir has a more rounded charging case, which is charged by USB-C.
The earpieces of the SoundPEATS TrueAir (also written as SoundPEATS True Air) differ a bit from the AirPods as well. They have comparable comfortable round stems, but at the top, the touching area of the TrueAir is designed differently. It has a bigger room to accept your touches - and that's a good thing.
The TrueAir earpieces last around 4,5 hours on a single charge. A full charging case can recharge them fully six times - which are decent scores for the price and this kind of (tiny) earbuds.
Speaking of 'this kind of earbuds'; because the AirPods-like earpieces go only halfway in your ears, they can drop easier than earbuds that go into your ears entirely. On the plus side, you will be able to hear your surroundings when using them. You still hear traffic when you're commuting with them (good for safety, of course), and you can even leave them in when you're having a conversation with someone next to you - if you insist.
Connectivity and controls
The controls are one of the best parts of the SoundPEATS TrueAir. Whereas AirPods and its countless clones control rather tediously, the TrueAir responds mostly well to your touches. You press at the top of the stem.
With a single tap on the right earbud, you increase the volume. A single tap on the left decreases the volume. Tap either of the buds twice to play or pause the music. Skipping a song is done with a long tap on the right bud; returning a song can be done on the left side. There's a still a thing to note, however: the volume seems quicker to respond on the right bud, than on the left one.
The SoundPEATS TrueAir offers robust connectivity. They pair for the first time by pressing the button on the case and then reconnect fast to your device when you open the lid. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection strength is solid up to ten meters from your smartphone, with minimal sound drops even in areas crowded with wireless signals.
Calling and watching movies
Watching videos with the SoundPEATS TrueAir works excellent, on both Android and iPhone. Even in the challenging YouTube app on iPhone, videos are lipsync. There is a noticeable delay when playing games, though.
The TrueAir performs decently at phone calls. It's perfectly doable to have an extended phone call, but you won't sound very natural to the other end of the line. The noise-reduction of your surroundings is so aggressive; it doesn't only block traffic and wind noises, but also your voice. As a result, your voice sounds metallic, or sometimes even inaudible at all when outside. Calling is fine - as long as you're indoors.
If you're looking for a stem-design earphone with better call quality, it's better to look at the QCY T5 - although that one goes entirely in your ears.
Sound quality of SoundPEATS True Air
Whereas many products from SoundPEATS are tuned towards the bass, the TrueAir takes a different approach. It focuses mostly on the higher tones, giving a crisp, clear sound.
To unlock the bass of the SoundPEATS TrueAir, you have to push the upper part a bit against the inside of your ears. You will then be treated to an adequate bass, that pumps quick and makes pop and dance songs sound uplifting. It doesn't dive very deep, though. You won't have the same amount and effect of bass that you will have on earphones that go entirely into your ears - but it's sufficient.
Mid and the higher tones are represented well. Vocals take up a prominent place in songs, no matter if it's a male or female singer. They come through with the right amount of clarity; it's possible to hear nuances and vocals in songs. Instruments in the higher frequencies, such as trumpets, guitars, and cymbals, also sound clear.
When it comes to the sound, the SoundPEATS TrueAir is true to its name: it does sound airy! It gives instruments and vocals space. The music feels a bit distant from you, rather than pumping directly into your ears. This is a direct consequence of the half-in-ear design of the earpieces, but still, some competitors sound less airy.
There's one thing that still should be noted when it comes to sound quality. That's the poor noise isolation. When you play music at higher volumes, your neighbours in traffic, office or classroom, will hear the higher frequencies of the music you play. This, too, is an effect of the half-in-ear design, but AirPods and other alternatives, score better on this part.
Selected comparisons
SoundPEATS TrueAir vs Tiso iX
SoundPEATS TrueCapsule (left), Tiso iX (center) and QCY T3 (right)
SoundPEATS TrueAir vs Tiso iX If you're browsing AliExpress for affordable AirPods alternatives, you've probably stumbled across the Tiso iX - offered at the same price of the TrueAir. The Tiso iX is less comfortable due to its square stem design. It controls less efficiently, and the sound quality stays behind the TrueAir. The SoundPEATS sounds clearer, more detailed, and more natural. The Tiso iX sounds somewhat closed-in in comparison, although bass lovers may prefer that model over the TrueAir.
SoundPEATS TrueAir vs QCY T3
The QCY T3 has another kind of semi in-ear design, with rubber tips that go over the earpiece instead of entirely in your ears. When you acquire the right fit with them, the QCY T3 still passes through the noise from your environment, but the sound quality is ahead of that of the TrueAir. The QCY T3 sounds warmer and has a fuller, fiercely thumping bass. The TrueAir has a more natural sound, with more nuances in vocals and a more spacious sound.
SoundPEATS TrueAir vs Sabbat X12 Pro
The Sabbat X12 Pro is a great pair of half-in-ear wireless earbuds, without copying Apple's design language. The Sabbat X12 doesn't have stems and is available in different colors. It, too, has much emphasis on upper-mids and highs, making vocals stand out and clear. The Sabbat X12 has more (sub) bass than the TrueAir, but they feel more as if they're a separate identity from the rest of the music. The TrueAir produces a more cohesive sound. The X12 Pro doesn't leak as much noise.
SoundPEATS TrueAir vs Edifier TWS200
The Edifier TWS200 is another good sounding competitor for the SoundPEATS TrueAir. It has more weight in the mids, making instruments like drums, guitars and also male vocals sound better. It also has clear vocals on top, although the TrueAir presents them louder and more prominent. The Edifier seems a bit dark in comparison - but that's not too hard to achieve, as the TrueAir sounds rather bright. Call quality on the Edifier is much better.
Verdict
The SoundPEATS TrueAir is a decent and downright cheap AirPods alternative. With excellent comfort and controls, and a crisp and clear sound quality - this is a stellar all-round package at a sweet price.
Four stars - very good
Buy SoundPEATS TrueAir/ check current price:
I bought the SoundPEATS True Air myself to test and review. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
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