Confusion aside, nearly all the commands you need are at the ready, with more control options available in the Soundpeats app. Considering the previous two pairs of Soundpeats buds I tested had no app support at all, that’s a notable step forward for the brand.
Economy Plus
As expected, the Air4 Pro don’t offer everything you’d get in the $200 to $300 price range. They skip fancy extras like spatial audio or earbud trackers (sadly), but there are enough goodies here to make you feel reasonably chuffed about your purchase. The app unlocks conveniences like a multiband EQ, battery display, and even a gaming mode that lowers the audio latency to a claimed 88 milliseconds. You’ll also find controls for ambient sound modes, as well as the ability to turn off the buds’ auto and touch sensors. The ability for firmware updates down the line leaves open the possibility for new features or control options in future app iterations.
First, you’ll need to set it up, which requires a mandatory registration process that seems to have stalled some users due to its (unlisted) password requirements. The first few times I tried to register, my password was rejected. Pro tip: I dumbed it down to letters only, which then worked without a hitch.
Connecting the Air4 Pro’s multipoint pairing sidesteps the app, requiring simply turning off Bluetooth on your first device, connecting to the second, and reconnecting the original device. Once done, the buds moved remarkably smoothly between my iPhone and my spare Android phone or Macbook.
Battery life is another selling point, with Soundpeats claiming up to 6.5 hours of playback per charge, and three extra charges in the case. I got a bit less in testing with noise canceling, but using the feature for the better part of three hours at a stretch still left over 60 percent in the tank, so you can probably expect between five and six hours. The buds also charge quite quickly in the case, facilitating enough playback time for all but the most demanding use cases.
I made a fair few calls with the buds with no real complaints on either end. They tend to get testy with wind, but I found them up to the task for most scenarios.
The biggest get, the Air4 Pro’s noise canceling, is limited yet effective. It does a solid job rolling off low-frequency sounds like airplane drones, traffic, and other ambient noises, especially with some music playing. It’s not as successful as class-leading options like the Liberty 4 NC, but you’re also unlikely to pay as much for the privilege.
As expected, the Air4 Pro’s ANC struggles at subduing high-frequency sounds, from children yelling to keystrokes. The Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 both outdo them there, but you’ll have to step up to premium noise cancelers like the AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) or, above those, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 (7/10 WIRED Recommends) and Bose’s latest QuietComfort buds to successfully fend off those annoyances.
