The SoundPEATS POP Clip2 and the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro are two budget-friendly open-ear earbuds that aim to deliver comfort and practicality without breaking the bank. Both skip noise cancelling, rely on a secure clip-on or ear-hook design, and support LDAC for higher-quality wireless audio. But they differ in price, battery stamina, and ruggedness. Here is how they stack up on the facts that matter.
Price and positioning
The SoundPEATS POP Clip2 asks $50, while the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro costs $70. That $20 gap is meaningful at this end of the market, especially when you consider what each delivers for the money. The POP Clip2 is positioned as a value-first open-ear option with a strong battery and a light 5 g per earbud weight. The Bowie MC1 Pro, at 3 g per earbud, is even lighter and brings a more durable IP67 rating, but it asks for a higher price for a slightly shorter battery life.
Neither pair has active noise cancelling, and neither supports wireless charging. Both use Bluetooth 6.0 and offer multipoint pairing, so you can connect to two devices at once. That is a feature both share, so neither gets credit for it over the other.
The scores, side by side
HearWiki's headline buyability score, drawn from published review consensus and current value, gives the SoundPEATS POP Clip2 an 81/100 and the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro a 78/100. That is a three-point gap, which is close enough that you should not treat one as a clear winner on paper. The sub-scores tell a similar story: the POP Clip2 leads on sound (7.8/10 vs 7.5/10) and value (9.6/10 vs 8.0/10), while battery is the biggest split (8.6/10 vs 6.7/10). Call quality is effectively a tie at 6.4/10 for both. Neither has an ANC sub-score, as neither offers active noise cancelling.
Remember, the headline score is not a weighted average of those sub-scores; it reflects overall buyability, including price and availability. So the POP Clip2's higher value sub-score aligns with its lower price, but the headline gap is modest.
Sound
Both earbuds use dynamic drivers, but the SoundPEATS POP Clip2 has a larger 12 mm driver compared to the 10.8 mm unit in the Baseus. Published reviews suggest the POP Clip2 delivers solid audio quality for an open-ear design, with a sound sub-score of 7.8/10. The Bowie MC1 Pro is described as well-tuned for casual listening, scoring 7.5/10. That 0.3-point difference is small; you are unlikely to hear a dramatic gap in a quick A/B test. Both support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, so Android users can get high-resolution wireless audio from either pair.
Neither pair has transparency mode. The POP Clip2 does have wear detection, while the Baseus does not. That is a minor convenience difference, not a sound-quality factor.
Noise cancelling and battery
Neither the SoundPEATS POP Clip2 nor the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro has active noise cancelling. That is expected at this price tier for open-ear earbuds, which are designed to let ambient sound in for situational awareness. If you need to block out noise, look elsewhere.
Battery is where the POP Clip2 pulls ahead. It offers 10 hours per charge and 42 hours with the charging case. The Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro manages 9 hours per charge and 40 hours with the case. The difference is small on a single charge, but over a week of commuting, the POP Clip2 gives you roughly two extra hours of total playback. The POP Clip2's battery sub-score of 8.6/10 reflects that edge, while the Baseus sits at 6.7/10.
The Baseus does have a clear advantage in durability: it is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, while the POP Clip2 is IPX5. That means the Bowie MC1 Pro can handle being submerged briefly, which matters if you run in heavy rain or sweat heavily. The POP Clip2 is fine for splashes and sweat, but not for full immersion.
Calls and everyday use
Call quality is a tie at 6.4/10 for both. The SoundPEATS POP Clip2 has two microphones, while the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro has four. Despite the extra mics, published reviews rate them the same, so neither is a clear winner for voice calls. Expect acceptable performance in quiet settings, but not studio-grade clarity in noisy environments.
In everyday use, the lighter weight of the Baseus (3 g vs 5 g) may feel more comfortable over long periods, but the POP Clip2's clip-on design is also praised for a secure fit. Both are open-ear, so you stay aware of your surroundings. The POP Clip2 adds wear detection, which pauses playback when you remove an earbud—a small but handy feature the Baseus lacks.
For a full side-by-side of every spec, see the comparison table.
Which one should you buy?
If you want the best value and longer battery life, the SoundPEATS POP Clip2 is the pick. It costs $20 less, lasts longer per charge, and scores higher on sound and value. The IPX5 rating is enough for most workouts, and the wear detection is a useful extra.
If you need maximum durability and a lighter fit, the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro is worth the extra money. The IP67 rating means you can take it through rain or heavy sweat without worry, and the 3 g weight is nearly unnoticeable. Just accept the shorter battery life and the higher price.
Neither is a bad choice, but they serve slightly different priorities. For most budget buyers, the POP Clip2 offers more for less. For outdoor athletes who push their gear hard, the Bowie MC1 Pro justifies its premium.
FAQ
Which has better battery life, SoundPEATS POP Clip2 or Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro?
The SoundPEATS POP Clip2 lasts 10 hours per charge and 42 hours with the case. The Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro lasts 9 hours per charge and 40 hours with the case. The POP Clip2 wins by a small margin on both counts.
Are these earbuds good for running?
Yes, both are open-ear designs that stay secure during exercise. The Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro has a higher IP67 rating, so it is better for heavy rain or intense sweat. The SoundPEATS POP Clip2's IPX5 rating handles splashes but not full immersion.
Do either of these earbuds have noise cancelling?
No. Neither the SoundPEATS POP Clip2 nor the Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro offers active noise cancelling. They are open-ear earbuds, so they let ambient sound in by design. If you need ANC, look at our best ANC earbuds list.
