SoundPEATS GoFree2 Open Ear Headphones Review: Solid as Inexpensive Sports Earbuds If Your Expectations Align with Your Budget

SoundPEATS GoFree2 Open Ear Headphones Review

The SoundPEATS GoFree2 open ear headphones (or earbuds) are designed with active lifestyles in mind, offering a secure fit and high-resolution audio support for workouts, commutes, and casual listening. I appreciated the open-ear design for staying aware of my surroundings, while the customizable EQ let me dial in just the right sound for everything from podcasts to playlists. However, a few quirks, like the sensitive touch controls and bulky charging case, may cause some buyers to think twice.

But as with all low-cost earbuds, compromises are made to get to the $65.99 price. Don’t look for wireless charging or Active Noise Cancellation. But for casual walks, light workouts, and even calls at home or the office, they work just fine.

Specifications

Bluetooth: V5.3
Supported Bluetooth Codec: LDAC, SBC, AAC
Profiles: A2DP1.3/ AVRCP1.6/ HFP 1.7/ SPP 1.2/ GATT
Battery Capacity: (Earbuds: 60mAh*2; Charging Case: 450mAh）
Charging Time: (Earbuds: 1.5H; Charging Case: 2H)
Total Playtime: 35 hours
Single Earbud Weight: 9g (0.317 oz)
Charging Case with Earbuds: 71g (2.5 oz.)
Control Type: Touch
Waterproof Rating: IPX5

What we like

Pros

• Comfortable open-ear design
• Secure fit with flexible ear hooks
• LDAC support for high-resolution audio
• Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
• IPX5 water resistance
• User-friendly touch controls
• Companion app with customizable EQ
• Multipoint pairing capability
• Decent battery life

The SoundPEATS GoFree2 earbuds excel in comfort and stability thanks to their open-ear design and flexible ear hooks. This design keeps users aware of their surroundings, making the earbuds ideal for outdoor activities like running or cycling. The secure fit ensures they stay in place during intense workouts, giving users peace of mind while staying active. They are also ideal for people who dislike or experience discomfort with in-ear earbuds, or don’t like having their hair messed up with traditional headphones and headsets.

The audio quality benefits from LDAC support, offering high-resolution streaming through the 16.2mm driver for music enthusiasts who want more detail and clarity. (Keep in mind that LDAC requires a complete ecosystem from music supplier to device to headphones to work.) Paired with customizable EQ settings available in the companion app, users can fine-tune their listening experience to their personal preferences. Boost the bass for workouts or balance mids for podcasts to find the right levels for each experience..

Bluetooth 5.3 provides a reliable connection, minimizing audio dropouts and ensuring smooth streaming across compatible devices. The IPX5 water resistance rating protects the earbuds from sweat and light rain, enhancing durability for outdoor and gym use. The multipoint pairing capability allows owners to switch seamlessly between devices, adding convenience for those who juggle between their phone, tablet, or laptop.

The touch controls are responsive and easy to learn, making it simple to play, pause, or skip tracks without pulling out a phone. While the controls are sensitive, they are still a handy feature for on-the-go adjustments. The 9H battery life is decent, providing enough playtime for daily use without frequent charging interruptions. Together, these features make the GoFree2 earbuds a strong contender for active users seeking functionality and comfort in their audio gear. The case tops off the charge several times, taking total listening to 35 hours. A full charge takes a leisurely 2 hours.

And Soundpeats, cut back on the plastic wrapped boxes!

What could be improved

Cons

• Fit problems
• Sound quality may lack depth
• Bulky charging case
• Touch controls can be overly sensitive
• No Active Noise Cancellation
• Call quality could be improved
• The companion app interface needs refinement
• Battery life may be shorter than advertised
• Lacks fast charging feature

I have tall ears. Most open-ear headphones don’t work for me as the speaker rides high above my ear canal (though Tozo solved that problem with its Open Buds ratcheting speaker system). The Gofree 2s were no exception. They fit my wife well, however, and she now uses them to support daily conference calls.

The sound quality of the SoundPEATS GoFree2 earbuds, while decent, may not satisfy audiophiles or users seeking deep, immersive audio. There was a lack of depth and richness, with compression occasionally diminishing the clarity of music or spoken content. This can make them less ideal for genres or applications that demand high fidelity. If you buy open sports earbuds to listen to classical music or jazz, you will likely be disappointed no matter which earbuds you buy. Open ear speakers notoriously leak sound, so they will never reflect nuance or silkiness to match over-the-ear headphone listening experiences.

If you like the SoundPEATS brand, and don’t mind an in-ear experience, consider the Soundpeats Air4 Pros.

The GoFree2’s charging case is noticeably bulky, making it less convenient to carry around, especially for users who value pocket-ability in their accessories. Its size reflects the earloop designs common to “sports” earbuds that cause the case to expand to hold the earloops, and the compact nature of the earbuds themselves, potentially limit their appeal for travel or everyday use. Additionally, the absence of fast charging means users may face longer waits to charge the earbuds when the battery runs low.

The SoundPEATS GoFree2 touch controls, while convenient, are overly sensitive, leading to accidental activations during activities like adjusting the earbuds or brushing aside some hair. This can interrupt the listening experience, particularly during workouts or when multitasking. A more refined touch sensitivity would enhance usability without sacrificing functionality.

The absence of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) may be a drawback for users who need isolation from environmental noise. This omission limits the earbuds’ versatility, especially in noisy environments like public transport or crowded gyms. But hey, again, they’re $65.

Additionally, call quality could be improved, as it struggles in environments with significant background noise, making conversations less clear for both parties. They work fine for in-home or in-office calls.

While the companion app offers EQ customization, its interface is not as intuitive as it could be. Users may find the navigation and settings somewhat cumbersome, detracting from the overall experience. Battery life, though sufficient for moderate use, may fall short of the advertised duration, particularly at higher volumes, potentially requiring more frequent charges than expected.

These shortcomings, while not deal-breakers for every user, highlight areas where the SoundPEATS GoFree2 earbuds could refine the listening and wearing experience, but most of them would require additional electronics that would drive up the price.

SoundPEATS GoFree2 Open Ear Headphones: The bottom line

The SoundPEATS GoFree2 earbuds combine comfort and functionality with their open-ear design and flexible ear hooks, catering to users with active lifestyles and the right ear size. Despite offering high-resolution audio support and customizable settings, the sound quality will likely not satisfy audiophiles, but audiophiles aren’t the target audience for sports earbuds. Most sport earbud buyers optimize water resistance and a sturdy fit that keeps the earbuds on their heads, over the best in sound. With that in mind, the SoundPEATS GoFree2s make them a reasonable choice for those seeking affordable, workout-friendly earbuds.

SoundPEATS provided the GoFree2 Open Ear Headphones for review. Images courtesy of SoundPEATS unless otherwise noted.

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