TL;DR
The SoundPEATS UU2 is disrupting the open-ear headphone market by delivering premium performance at a budget-friendly price. Featuring a flexible nickel-titanium bridge and physical buttons, these clip-on earbuds provide a secure, irritation-free fit perfect for runners and glasses wearers. While significantly cheaper than high-end rivals, the UU2 doesn't skimp on tech, offering 12mm drivers, LDAC support, and a clever charging case that accepts either earbud in any slot. The sound quality punches well above its weight, especially when utilizing the app’s DynamicEQ, though precise placement is key for the best bass response. Despite minor omissions like wireless charging, the UU2 stands out as an incredibly value-packed option for fitness enthusiasts. Are these affordable clip-ons the ultimate alternative to luxury models? Read the full review to discover how the SoundPEATS UU2 performs in the real world and why they might be your next favorite gym companion.
Open-ear clip-on headphones have quickly transitioned from a niche oddity to a category where every manufacturer is releasing models. Some of the models we have tested previously include EarFun Clip 2, Huawei FreeClip 2, and Shokz OpenDots One, and the difference between them is rarely about the form factor, but rather what they manage to extract from a driver sitting outside the ear canal.
Now it is SoundPEATS’ turn, and this is actually the first time we have a pair of headphones from them on the test bench. The Chinese brand has existed since 2010 and is a bestseller on Amazon in markets like the USA, Japan, and Germany, but here at home, they are still a relatively unknown name.
UU2 features a larger driver than its predecessor, physical buttons, LDAC, and a price tag well below most others in its class. Is it possible to get sound worth the name for that price? We are going to find out!
One thing to clear up immediately: the box and the app say POP Clip 2, which is the name they are sold under in certain markets. Here in Europe, they are instead called UU2. They are the same headphones, so we will call them UU2 in this review.
Design and Fit
The earbuds weigh around 5 grams each, and the bridge, which SoundPEATS calls U-Bridge, has a core of 0.5 mm nickel-titanium that distributes the clamping force evenly over the ear instead of pinching in a single spot.
And it shows. We have worn them for several hours straight without any irritation, which is something far from all clip-on headphones manage. We also took them out for a run, and they simply sit perfectly. No sliding, no need to push them back up every five minutes. For glasses wearers, they are just as convenient as the format usually is.
Control is handled via physical buttons instead of touch, which is appreciated. With touch, it is far too easy to accidentally pause the music when you just want to adjust the fit.
The case is oval and matte black, with softly rounded edges, and weighs 47.7 grams with the earbuds inside. Here, SoundPEATS has made a slightly odd choice. The USB-C port is located on the back of the case instead of the bottom, which feels a bit counterintuitive when charging.
But here is a detail we really like: it doesn’t matter which earbud you put in which slot. The case simply assigns left and right based on where the earbuds end up, so you don’t have to keep track of which is which. It’s incredibly nice to not have to look for a small marking to place them correctly in the case. It’s not quite as seamless as the Huawei FreeClip 2, which even catches on if you switch ears mid-song, but it’s more than enough in practice.
One odd thing we haven’t encountered before is that the earbuds rattle slightly if you shake the case. They stay in place and the magnets never fully let go, but they can apparently move a little bit.
The IP rating is IPX5, which is sufficient for sweat and rain. The case, as usual, is unrated.
Audio Quality
This is where the UU2 surprises the most. SoundPEATS has moved from a 10.8 mm driver to a 12 mm dual-magnetic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm, and they sound significantly better than we had expected for the price point.
The bass is the first thing you notice. No, it’s not the same punch in the bass as from a pair of in-ears. But for a pair of budget open earbuds, the bass is good; it’s there as a foundation rather than just a hint. The midrange sounds good, voices in podcasts and vocals come through nicely, and the treble is smooth rather than sharp. Furthermore, they play very loud—so loud that you rarely need to go above half volume. However, if you go above 70-80%, the sound quality drops significantly; the treble becomes harsh and the bass disappears.
The UU2 is unusually sensitive to exactly where the driver ends up in relation to the ear canal. Just a few millimeters off and a large portion of the bass disappears. If it sits too close, the bass becomes loose and undefined instead. So finding the right angle is important; the difference is greater than that between most EQ settings.
App and Connectivity
The app is called SoundPEATS and is available for both iOS and Android. You need to be careful here, as the same manufacturer also has an older and inferior app called PeatsAudio. Once inside the correct app, it is surprisingly feature-rich, albeit a bit cluttered: EQ presets, a custom equalizer with both bands and Q-factor, a hearing test that builds a personalized sound profile, game mode, button customization, and firmware updates.
One piece of advice: turn on DynamicEQ immediately. It is turned off by default, which is strange because it elevates the sound considerably and provides more weight without sounding artificial. This is how the earbuds should have been delivered from the start. Another recommendation is to check if there is any new firmware. During our testing period, we received several updates, and the sound improved significantly following the updates.
Privacy Mode dampens the parts of the sound that leak out the most, allowing you to listen in a quiet open-plan office without your colleagues knowing what you are listening to. It works “so-so,” but above all, everything sounds significantly worse. Spatial audio is, as usual, something you just try once; it thins out the music, so we left it turned off.
The UU2 features Bluetooth 6.0 and supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC. Just like with the EarFun Clip 2, however, you have to choose: if you turn on LDAC, multipoint and most sound modes disappear. The app also warns that DynamicEQ is turned off, but that isn’t true; it continues to work as usual.
Call Quality
Each earbud has two microphones with AI-based noise reduction and a wind noise reduction feature. Indoors and in calm weather, call quality is acceptable; the other party hears you clearly and you avoid the “plugged-in” feeling you can get from a pair of in-ears. In strong winds, however, the voice becomes thin; it filters out the wind quite well, but the voice becomes “robotic.”
Battery Life and Charging
According to the specifications, there are 10 hours in the earbuds and 42 hours total, measured with SBC and DynamicEQ turned off. In our testing, with DynamicEQ and LDAC on, we ended up at around 6 hours. Without LDAC but with DynamicEQ on, it was about 9 hours.
Fast charging works well; 10 minutes in the case provides about two hours of playtime. A full charge takes about 1.5 hours for the earbuds and 2 hours for the case via USB-C.
Conclusion
The SoundPEATS UU2 normally costs 799 SEK at Amazon. Until August 31st, it is also possible to combine the promo code SPUU2810 with Amazon’s own “launch coupon,” bringing the price down to 559 SEK. For that sum, you get a pair of open earbuds that sound significantly better than the price tag suggests, fit excellently during a run, have physical buttons, and a good app.
There are minor things to complain about. Wireless charging is missing, LDAC consumes a lot of battery life and features, and it is hard to understand why DynamicEQ isn’t enabled by default when it makes such a big difference to the sound. Above all, you should be prepared to spend half a minute finding the right angle, as the sound stands or falls based on how they sit in the ear. And even though they can play very loud, the sound quality definitely degrades at those levels.
If you want the absolute best sound and the highest comfort in a pair of open clip-on headphones, the Huawei FreeClip 2 is still preferred, but then you are also paying four times as much. If you are instead looking for a pair of open earbuds for training that won’t break the bank, the UU2 is one of the most value-for-money purchases in the category right now.
SoundPEATS sent review units for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you readers and consumers in focus.
How we rate products at SensesReview Highlights: Q&A
Are they comfortable for workouts?
They sit perfectly and don't slide while running.
How long does the battery last?
Between 6 and 10 hours depending on your settings.
Does it matter which earbud goes in which slot?
No, the case assigns left and right automatically.
What is the best way to improve sound quality?
Enable DynamicEQ in the app and find the right angle.
Are they water-resistant?
The earbuds have an IPX5 rating for sweat and rain.
How do they handle phone calls?
Acceptable in calm weather, but thin in strong wind.
