SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ Review: Premium Features, Mid-Tier Pricing and Stylish Design

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ Review

First of all, SoundPEATS designed beautiful earbuds in the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+. Many mid-tier models look like budget models. Not these. Metallic accents and a slogan engraved on the case (“Hear Your Imagination”) make these earbuds a cut above others in their price range that may not even include the company’s name.

At $129.99 (often discounted), the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+s aren’t cheap, but they aren’t break-the-bank expensive either. And, as with other earbuds in their range, they include a mix of higher-end features, like Active Noise Cancelation, Hi-Res Audio and touch control, but not wireless charging or in-ear sensors. Budget earbuds need to make a feature cut somewhere.

Overall, these are very good earbuds for the price. They aren’t perfect, and SoundPEATS could use some sustainability attention in the packaging design. Those who buy the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ likely won’t be disappointed in their purchase.

Specifications

• Bluetooth®: V5.3
• Profiles: A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP
• Codecs: LDAC, SBC, AAC
• Battery Charging Time:  ≤1 hour (Earbuds & Case)
• Total Playtime: 8 hours continuous/52 hours with case

What we like

Pros

• Comfortable
• Good Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance
• IPX4 waterproof rating (sweat and water resistant)
• Touch controls, including volume
• Good call quality
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs and Hi-Res Audio certified
• Good sound quality
• Effective game mode
• “Peats Audio” app with a 10-band EQ and other features
• Multi-point connection (can be connected to multiple devices at once)
• Long battery life (up to 6.5 hours without ANC, up to 43 hours with charging case) and quick charge
• Verbal confirmation of many state changes (like connections and ANC)

Comfortable: The lightweight SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds sport an angled nozzle that helps them fit ears well. They feel balanced. I have not experienced a sense of them about to fall out as I do with some earbuds (most notably, Apple’s standard AirPods).

Good Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance: For budget earbuds, the Capsule3 Pro+’s ANC works pretty well…especially for the price. The six-microphone array reduces low-frequency sounds. I did not have an opportunity to test them on a plane. These are probably not primary flight earbuds, especially for those positioned near an engine (or a restroom), but they do a very good job in an office or on public transportation.

The Capsule3 Pro+s also support transparency mode, which allows surroundings to seep into the listening experience in a mostly natural way.

IPX4 waterproof rating (sweat and water resistant): The IPX4 waterproof rating of the Capsule3 Pro+s means that they can withstand splashes of water and sweat.

Touch controls: The Capsule3 Pro+s touch controls support playback, volume, ANC modes, and other functions, like invoking game mode. Like all touch-enabled devices, it takes time to remember the taps as they differ from those from other manufacturers. I like that a single tap increases or decreases volume. Touch features can be reassigned via the app.

Good call quality: Good background noise management and clear and crisp vocal pickup.

Bluetooth 5.3: The Capsule3 Pro+s use Bluetooth 5.3 for stable and energy-efficient connections.

Supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs: The Capsule3 Pro+s support several Bluetooth codecs, including the high-quality LDAC codec. Remember that Hi-Rez Audio and LDAC require compatible streams and devices across the listening experience.

Effective game mode: The Capsule3 Pro’+s game mode reduces latency for a better gaming experience.

“Peats Audio” app with a 10-band EQ and other features: The Capsule3 Pro+s can be customized using the “Peats Audio” app, which includes a 10-band EQ, ANC controls, and other features. This is a big improvement over the SoundPEATS app (delete and move on). SoundPEATs include a few less common app features, such as the ability to turn off touch controls and disable multi-point connections. The app can control the Capsule3 Pro+s in real-time.

Multi-point connection: The Capsule3 Pro+s offer multi-point connections, though finding a secondary Bluetooth setup will require a magnifying glass to read the very tiny print in the manual. (I did it for you. Long-Press the case button for 3 seconds, with the case open until the light flashes white. It will stop flashing when the earbuds are connected.)

Long battery life (up to 6.5 hours without ANC, up to 43 hours with the charging case): The Capsule3 Pro+s offer a long battery life, with up to 6.5 hours of playback time without ANC and up to 43 hours with the charging case. The case provides around 6-7 additional charges; quick charging is very quick, with a few minutes of charge resulting in a couple of hours of extended play.

Listening Experience

The SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds offer well-balanced sound with clean audio and good transparency. The 12mm Cowell Top-Firing MEMS speaker produces punchy bass that reaches relatively deep, while the midrange is dynamic, detailed, and highly resolved. The treble provides a decent balance with clean note delivery and good extension. I run my iPhone with Dolby Atmos, which is always on and with content streamed as lossless. Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” acts as a benchmark. I found the overall listening experience good, but the bass can be overwhelming, and the vocals thinner than expected, with the guitar riffs coming off as occasionally harsh.

The sound stage feels relatively spacious. Users also have the option to adjust the sound profile to match their preferences using the 10-band graphic EQ, Adaptive EQ, or nine sound presets available in the app.

As would be expected, I had no issues with audiobooks, streaming news or podcasts.

Overall, the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds offer a compelling package of features and performance for their price, making them a strong contender in the competitive budget-minded ANC earbud market.

What could be improved

Cons

• Audio performance issues
• No in-ear sensor
• Battery life reduces with all the features turned on
• No wireless charging
• Packaging needs to be more sustainable

Audio performance: Even with the 12mm XMEMS driver, the Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds don’t deliver exceptional detail and resolution. While the Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds generally receive positive marks for their bass performance, the bass can be a bit loose or boomy. On some tracks, like David Guetta’s “Titanium,” the base obscures the mid and high frequencies. On the other hand, treble on the Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds can sound alternatively harsh or thin at times, which also manifests on that track. For simple songs, like “It’s Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton or The Piano Guy’s rendition of “A Thousand Years,” the Capsule3 Pro+s seem less taxed.

The soundstage could be more open, though several device settings, like spatial audio or other Dolby tricks, can enhance the audio profile.

No in-ear sensor. The overall experience would benefit from an in-ear sensor. Again, this is one of those features that gets cut when trying to make margins on lower-priced devices.

Battery Life reduces with all features on: While the stated battery life is generally good, turning on everything (LDAC and ANC) will significantly reduce playtime.

Lack of Wireless Charging: All that battery life goodness is fulfilled via a USB-C cable, as the Capsule3 Pro+s do not feature wireless charging, which has become increasingly common in even lower-priced earbud offerings.

Packaging: SoundPEATS would improve their packaging by eliminating plastic wrap around the box and using cardboard rather than non-recyclable foam on the interior of the box, some of which is glued to recyclable cardboard, which makes recycling the recyclable materials harder.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+: The bottom line

The SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds offer a compelling package for budget-minded consumers, delivering features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), high-quality LDAC audio, and long battery life at a competitive price. They provide a generally enjoyable listening experience with a warm sound signature and punchy bass, making them suitable for various music genres. The hybrid ANC system effectively minimizes unwanted noise, proving valuable for commuting, traveling, and navigating noisy environments. Call quality is also consistently good, with clear voice transmission and effective noise reduction. Additionally, the Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds stand out for their comfortable fit and lightweight design, making them ideal for extended wear. And they look good, too!

However, it’s important to consider some limitations before making a purchase. Audio isn’t perfect, but it is fine for most listening experiences. I would also like to see SoundPEATS spend some time redesigning packaging with a more sustainable goal.

SoundPEATS provided the Capsule3 Pro+ for review. Images courtesy of SoundPEATS unless otherwise noted.

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