The SOUNDPEATS Clip1 enters the growing category of clip-on open-ear earbuds, offering a lightweight design, enhanced bass response, and an experience aimed at listeners who prefer situational awareness without sacrificing clarity. After spending time testing the Clip1 across everyday use, workouts, and extended listening sessions, we found them to be one of the more capable open-ear options in their price segment.
Design & Comfort
The Clip1 features a compact clip-on structure that rests around the outer ear rather than sealing inside the ear canal. Each earbud weighs around 5g, keeping the overall feel light and unobtrusive. The design is symmetrical, allowing either earbud to be placed on either side, and the charging case accepts them interchangeably.
Comfort is generally strong; the earbuds sit securely without shifting, even during runs or workouts. The Clip1 has a slightly tighter fit, which may cause mild fatigue after long sessions, but the grip also improves stability. IPX5 water resistance makes the Clip1 suitable for exercise and outdoor use.
App Features & Controls
The SOUNDPEATS app provides a wide range of configuration options:
- Battery indicators for each earbud and the case
- Dolby Audio toggle
- Dual-device Bluetooth connection
- In-ear detection (auto-pause/resume)
- Game mode for low latency
- Customizable double-tap and triple-tap gestures
- Full EQ customization with genre-based presets
Touch controls are responsive and easy to use, enhancing usability during workouts or commuting.
Audio Performance
Open-ear designs typically struggle with bass reproduction due to the lack of isolation, but the Clip1 performs better than expected. Its 12mm dual-magnetic drivers and SOUNDPEATS’ Dynamic EQ Pro tuning provide a balanced, fuller sound once the EQ is enabled in the app.
Out of the box, the sound is clear, but enabling the Dynamic EQ significantly improves low-end weight and overall definition. The Clip1 delivers surprising bass for an open-ear product and maintains clarity across vocals, podcasts, and general music playback. While they cannot match sealed in-ear or over-ear headphones, the Clip1 offers one of the more convincing audio presentations we have heard in this category.
Dolby Audio and LDAC support are available, though enabling these disables Adaptive EQ, which noticeably alters the tuning. For most users, the default tuning with Dynamic EQ enabled will likely provide the best experience.
Microphone Quality
Voice pickup is clear for calls and voice dictation. Compared with older AirPods models, the Clip1 maintains reasonable speech clarity with minimal background interference. During testing, speech-to-text accuracy was consistent and reliable.
Battery Life
SOUNDPEATS rates the Clip1 at up to 8 hours per charge, with a total of approximately 40 hours including the charging case. Our testing aligns closely with these claims. Fast charging provides around two hours of playback from a brief 10-minute charge, which is useful for quick top-ups before heading out.
Verdict
The SOUNDPEATS Clip1 stands out as a well-rounded open-ear option that balances sound quality, comfort, and functionality. Its improved bass response, secure fit, and comprehensive app support make it suitable for daily use, workouts, and environments where awareness of surroundings is essential. While it is unable to compete with traditional sealed earbuds in terms of bass depth, the Clip1 offers one of the strongest audio experiences available from an open-ear clip-on design.
Overall, the Clip1 delivers strong value and is a compelling choice for users seeking an open-ear alternative that does not compromise on sound clarity or features.
Also Read: SoundPEATS PearClip Pro Review
