The SoundPEATS H3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are two very different takes on premium wireless earbuds. One is a value-focused hybrid driver specialist, the other a feature-packed flagship from a major phone maker. Their HearWiki scores are almost identical, so the choice comes down to what you value more: raw audio fidelity for less money, or a polished, durable everyday package with better calls and battery.
This head-to-head draws on recorded specifications and published reviews rather than hands-on listening, so everything below is based on what is publicly known. If you want the full spec-by-spec breakdown, see the comparison table.
Price and positioning
The SoundPEATS H3 asks $130. That puts it squarely in the upper-midrange tier, competing with earbuds that often cost $50 more but rarely match its driver configuration. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro asks $210, which is a significant step up and places it in true flagship territory alongside the likes of the Sony and Apple flagships.
What you are paying for with Samsung is integration, polish and a complete feature set. The H3, by contrast, is a more specialised product: it cuts corners on battery and calls to pour everything into sound. Neither is a budget product, but they are asking for very different amounts of money for very different priorities.
The scores, side by side
The headline HearWiki buyability scores are remarkably close. The SoundPEATS H3 scores 84/100, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro scores 84/100 as well. Underneath the rounding they sit at 84.2 and 83.8, a gap of less than half a point, which is effectively a tie. Do not read anything into that difference; it reflects overall buyability, not a definitive quality ranking.
The sub-scores tell a more interesting story. On sound, Samsung edges it 9.1 vs 9.0. On ANC, Samsung leads 8.3 vs 8.1. On battery, Samsung is clearly ahead at 7.3 vs 5.3. On calls, Samsung wins again at 8.6 vs 5.6. On value, the H3 wins comfortably at 8.5 vs 7.9. So Samsung is the more balanced product, but the H3 is the better value proposition for its price.
Sound
Both earbuds use hybrid driver setups, but they are not the same kind of hybrid. The SoundPEATS H3 uses a 12mm dynamic driver paired with two balanced armatures, which is an unusual and ambitious configuration at this price. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro uses a two-driver hybrid design, which is more conventional but still well regarded.
Published reviews consistently praise the H3 for its detail retrieval, separation and punch. The dual armatures give it a crisp treble and a well-defined midrange, while the dynamic driver handles the low end. It supports LDAC, aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, which means you can get genuinely high-resolution audio if your source supports it. The Buds 4 Pro list SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable and LC3, with no aptX in the recorded spec sheet, so the best-quality path is Samsung Scalable on a Galaxy phone. On paper, the H3 has the wider codec support.
In practice, the difference between a 9.0 and a 9.1 sound score is tiny. Both are excellent. If you are a critical listener who wants the last bit of detail and the flexibility of aptX Lossless, the H3 is the stronger pick. If you want a slightly more refined, balanced tuning out of the box, the Buds 4 Pro have the edge. Neither will disappoint.
Noise cancelling and battery
Both have active noise cancellation. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro scores 8.3 for ANC, which is a strong result and reflects its adaptive system that adjusts in real time. The SoundPEATS H3 scores 8.1, which is also good and well above average for its price. In real-world use, the difference is likely to be small in quiet environments, but the Buds 4 Pro will handle louder, more chaotic noise more effectively.
Battery is where the sub-scores diverge most: 7.3 for the Buds 4 Pro against 5.3 for the H3. The Buds 4 Pro are rated at 7 hours per charge, 6 with ANC on, and 30 hours in total with the case, and the case supports wireless charging. The H3's spec sheet lists a 37-hour total with the case and a 10-minute quick charge that adds around 2 hours, but no per-charge figure, and reviews treat its stamina as average rather than a strength. Neither is a battery champion, but the sub-scores put Samsung ahead.
Calls and everyday use
Call quality is another clear win for Samsung. The Buds 4 Pro scores 8.6 for calls, which is a strong result and reflects good microphone performance and noise suppression for voice. The SoundPEATS H3 scores 5.6, which is below average and suggests you will need to be in a quiet environment for the other person to hear you clearly. If you take a lot of calls on the move, this alone could decide the purchase.
Everyday use also favours Samsung. The Buds 4 Pro have an IP57 rating, meaning they are dust-tight and can survive immersion in water. The H3 is rated IPX5, which covers sweat and rain but not dust or dunking. Both support multipoint connectivity, so you can pair with two devices at once with either pair. Samsung adds wear detection and a Bixby voice assistant, though some reviewers note its touch controls can be overly sensitive. The H3 is comfortable but not exceptional, and its passive isolation is average.
Which one should you buy?
If you are a music-first listener on a budget, buy the SoundPEATS H3. You get flagship-level codec support and hybrid driver sound for $130, and you are giving up battery life and call quality that you may not care about if you mostly listen at home or in the office.
If you want a well-rounded daily driver that handles calls, commutes and workouts without compromise, buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The extra $80 buys you better ANC, much better call quality, a stronger battery score, a tougher IP57 rating and wireless charging. It is the safer, more versatile choice.
For a side-by-side spec comparison, see the full comparison table. You can also browse other options in our best true wireless guide or narrow down by budget with our best earbuds under $100 list.
FAQ
Which earbuds have better sound quality?
Both are excellent, with near-identical sound sub-scores of 9.0 and 9.1. The SoundPEATS H3 offers wider codec support including aptX Lossless, which may appeal to critical listeners. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro has a slightly more refined tuning out of the box.
Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro worth the extra money?
Yes, if you need better call quality, longer battery life and water resistance. The Buds 4 Pro cost $80 more but score significantly higher on calls (8.6 vs 5.6) and battery (7.3 vs 5.3). The H3 is the better value if sound is your only priority.
Do the SoundPEATS H3 have good noise cancelling?
Yes, the H3 score 8.1 for ANC, which is solid for the price. It is not quite as effective as the Buds 4 Pro's 8.3, but it will handle most everyday noise well. For very loud or chaotic environments, the Samsung is the stronger choice.
