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Huawei FreeBuds Neo vs SoundPEATS Air5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Huawei FreeBuds Neo comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Neo - Outstanding overall at around $109.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Huawei FreeBuds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Huawei FreeBuds Neo
  • SoundPEATS Air5
HearWiki score
85
69
Sound
8.0
7.0
Noise cancelling
8.0
2.0
Battery
8.0
4.0
Calls
8.0
6.6
Value
9.0
5.2
Price (USD)
$110
$66

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

Huawei FreeBuds Neo (2026) against SoundPEATS Air5 (2024). The SoundPEATS Air5 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec aptX Lossless against LDAC. The Huawei FreeBuds Neo answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP55 against IPX5.

  • FreeBuds Neo20262 yr newer
  • Air52024
What differsFreeBuds NeoAir5

Platform

Top codec
LDAC
aptX Lossless

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP55
IPX5

Level on: ANC type, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

FreeBuds NeoAir5
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$110
$66
HearWiki score
85
69
Released
2026
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
dynamic
13 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
13 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
10 Hz - 48 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Bluetooth
-
5.4
Codecs
LDAC
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Battery life
10 h
6 h
Battery life (ANC on)
6.5 h
-
Battery incl. case
40 h
30 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
touch
touch
Weight
4.8 g
3.8 g
Case weight
-
44.6 g
Water resistance
IP55
IPX5
USB-C
-
Yes
Microphones
4
6
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
wind reduction

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds Neo

The Huawei FreeBuds Neo are lightweight, comfortable true wireless earbuds with adaptive active noise cancellation and a robust feature set for their price. They offer solid call quality, a lively sound signature, and practical extras like transparency mode and app support, making them a versatile mid-range option for travel and daily use.

  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight fit
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC
  • Pro:Good call quality with 4 mics
  • Con:Battery life with ANC is modest
  • Con:May not satisfy audiophiles seeking specialized tuning
  • Con:Touch controls may require adjustment

SoundPEATS Air5

The SoundPEATS Air5 are half-in-ear true wireless earbuds that deliver a solid audio experience for the price, featuring a large 13 mm dynamic driver, clear call quality, and versatile multipoint connectivity. While the adaptive ANC is present, it offers only modest noise reduction, making the buds better suited for those prioritizing comfort and features over strong isolation. With Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Lossless support, and a lightweight IPX5-rated design, they pack impressive specs for around $66.

  • Pro:Excellent value with premium codec support including aptX Lossless
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable half-in-ear design
  • Pro:Clear call quality thanks to six microphones
  • Con:Adaptive ANC is weak and not very effective
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Battery life per charge is modest at 6 hours

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonHuawei FreeBuds NeoSoundPEATS Air5