Adding a Hot Girl Walk to my working day with this foldable under-desk treadmill helped me hit my 10,000 steps with ease
I don't know about you, but my social media feeds are a constant stream of 'get your 10,000 steps,' 'go on a Hot Girl Walk,' or '12-3-30.'
The pressure to get the steps in seems to be getting heavier, but admittedly, I always feel better for doing them. So, adding the WalkingPad Z1 has changed everything.
Adding one of the best under-desk treadmills to my home office is something that has appealed to me for a while now, and since trying it, I'm not going back. Truthfully, I felt like the missing member of the Proclaimers testing this out for my Hot Girl Walk.
Despite being on the affordable end of home treadmills, the WalkingPad's understated looks still fit in with any home office. When combined with the companion app, you can get digestible metrics to evaluate your walking.
It is also incredibly comfortable to walk on with four-layer shock absorption.
It does have its drawbacks, though. The short power cord means you need to be set up near a power outlet, and when you're moving it about, you'll need an extra pair of hands, since it's on the heavier side.
You should also avoid any thick carpets since the treadmill is low-profile. And despite the app being great, I wish the remote control would do more.
With all that being said, this is a very good walking pad, and these issues are relatively minor. While they don't spoil the user experience, they are worth considering.
You can find out more about how I got on in my full WalkingPad Z1 review.
Dimensions unfolded
56.1 x 22.0 x 4.1 inches
Dimensions folded
31.8 x 22.0 x 5.4 inches
Weight
51lbs
Max. user weight
242lbs
Top speed
3.7mph
Incline
None
Wheels
Yes
Walking area
47.6 x 15.7 inches
The WalkingPad Z1 is available at Amazon U.S. for $348 and at Amazon U.K. for £299, and in dark gray only. If you're ordering from the U.K., you can add expert assembly for an extra £56, but unfortunately, this isn't an option if you're ordering to America, so you'll have to do a little DIY.
At this price point, the treadmill is at the lower end of the market, with the price of a decent pad ranging from anywhere between $200 to $1,600.
The WalkingPad C2 ($499) is one of the best compact under-desk treadmills, and is foldable like the Z1, but more expensive.
The WalkingPad Z1 has a very minimal design, which looks understated and sleek and would fit in with any home office setup or just in front of the television.
In my opinion, one of the best-looking under-desk treadmills in the range is the WalkingPad A1 Pro ($699). It is, however, twice the price of the Z1. So, while the look of the Z1 is less premium, it may be a sacrifice worth making if on a budget.
It's worth noting that you'll need one of the best standing desks to use the Z1 as your workstation, for obvious reasons, although you can simply use it as a normal treadmill away from your desk.
The power cord included with the treadmill is around 2 meters long, so you need to be set up pretty close to a power outlet. But if you're using it at your desk as part of a home office, you're probably next to a power outlet anyway, so it should be fine.
It also comes with a remote control that has a wrist strap.
The WalkingPad Z1 is low profile and sits just 6.7cm off the floor. Because of the low profile, consider using the Z1 on a hard floor; if you need to use it on carpet, be wary of the pile and height.
This is because the friction from the belt rotation can cause friction on the carpet. If that is a concern, you could look at the WalkingPad P1.
It's pretty thin and folds in the middle, so it fits comfortably under my desk and doesn't encroach too much into the walkway behind.
It's also easy to store, and the wheels mean that if you tip it, it is actually simple to transport. However, if you need to carry it up or down stairs, you'll need an extra pair of hands, since it's pretty heavy at 51 lbs.
There is an electronic display at the top of the treadmill that gives the speed, distance, time and calories on rotation. I found this to be a great motivator to check how far I had walked, and it's not too distracting since it sits under the desk.
There are two ways you can control the WalkingPad Z1: the app or the remote. Personally, I have qualms with both methods, but in short, I feel like a more advanced version of the remote is all that's needed here.
When using the remote, you can only increase and decrease the speed in increments of 0.5km/h. This was slightly annoying, as my ideal walking speed needed to be between 3.0km/h and 3.5km/h — I really felt like Goldilocks.
And yes, that's all you really need the remote to do. However, with the KS Fit app, you have much more control over the pad, and I'd have liked to see some of that functionality make it to the remote.
In the app, I was able to alter the speed in increments of 0.1km/h and settled on a speed of 3.3km/h, so I could walk and work with ease.
In the app, you also see a whole host of metrics, including steps, calories burned, time elapsed, distance travelled, current speed, current pace, average speed, average pace, stride rate, average cadence and average steps. You can also set targets for these metrics.
There's also a leaderboard section in the app to compare your stats with other app users, which is pretty great for motivation if you need it.
The app can also keep your phone awake to act as a display for the treadmill, and you can switch the data displayed in the app while you walk.
I genuinely enjoyed using the WalkingPad Z1. Not only was it easy to set up and use, but it also offered digestible metrics and got me active during my sedentary job.
It's very responsive to inputs, and there is no lag when changing speed using the remote control or the app. It can also increase to a speed of 3.7mph/6km/h, so you can jog on it, but this felt a little unstable as I'm used to running on larger treadmills with handles. It doesn't mean you can't run on it, I just prefer the extra stability.
The Z1 has four-layer shock absorption, and this had a positive effect after walking 5km. As someone with an old knee injury (yes, I would've made it into the big leagues otherwise), I often experience discomfort on other treadmills or outdoors at these distances. Not so with the Z1.
The WalkingPad Z1 has a brushless motor, so it's supposed to be pretty quiet. However, to my ear, it made the same amount of noise as the treadmills I've used at the gym. It gave an average reading of 57.3dB, while the product description said below 45dB.
I would certainly recommend the WalkingPad Z1 under-desk treadmill to anyone looking to increase their daily steps. As someone who works an office job, it's been an ideal addition to my work set-up — now I can squeeze in a quick walk and hit my 10,000 steps with ease when working from home.
The Z1's foldable design makes it easy to store. It also looks good and is affordable, unlike WalkingPad's pricier models, including the A1 Pro.
My only major issue is with the remote. While the app is great for providing digestible metrics from the data the treadmill collects, a more detailed remote control could have negated the need for an app altogether.
Nevertheless, this pad is sure to help you hit your steps. If you want to walk 500 miles in your working week (and then 500 more), the WalkingPad Z1 is the way to do it.
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Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Adding a Hot Girl Walk to my working day with this foldable under-desk treadmill helped me hit my 10,000 steps with ease
I don't know about you, but my social media feeds are a constant stream of 'get your 10,000 steps,' 'go on a Hot Girl Walk,' or '12-3-30.' The pressure to get the steps in seems to be getting heavier, but admittedly, I always feel better for doing them. So, adding the WalkingPad Z1 has changed everything. Adding one of the best under-desk treadmills to my home office is something that has appealed to me for a while now, and since trying it, I'm not going back. Truthfully, I felt like the missing member of the Proclaimers testing this out for my Hot Girl Walk. Despite being on the affordable end of home treadmills, the WalkingPad's understated looks still fit in with any home office. When combined with the companion app, you can get digestible metrics to evaluate your walking. It is also incredibly comfortable to walk on with four-layer shock absorption. It does have its drawbacks, though. The short power cord means you need to be set up near a power outlet, and when you're moving it about, you'll need an extra pair of hands, since it's on the heavier side. You should also avoid any thick carpets since the treadmill is low-profile. And despite the app being great, I wish the remote control would do more. With all that being said, this is a very good walking pad, and these issues are relatively minor. While they don't spoil the user experience, they are worth considering. You can find out more about how I got on in my full WalkingPad Z1 review. Dimensions unfolded 56.1 x 22.0 x 4.1 inches Dimensions folded 31.8 x 22.0 x 5.4 inches Weight 51lbs Max. user weight 242lbs Top speed 3.7mph Incline None Wheels Yes Walking area 47.6 x 15.7 inches The WalkingPad Z1 is available at Amazon U.S. for $348 and at Amazon U.K. for £299, and in dark gray only. If you're ordering from the U.K., you can add expert assembly for an extra £56, but unfortunately, this isn't an option if you're ordering to America, so you'll have to do a little DIY. At this price point, the treadmill is at the lower end of the market, with the price of a decent pad ranging from anywhere between $200 to $1,600. The WalkingPad C2 ($499) is one of the best compact under-desk treadmills, and is foldable like the Z1, but more expensive. The WalkingPad Z1 has a very minimal design, which looks understated and sleek and would fit in with any home office setup or just in front of the television. In my opinion, one of the best-looking under-desk treadmills in the range is the WalkingPad A1 Pro ($699). It is, however, twice the price of the Z1. So, while the look of the Z1 is less premium, it may be a sacrifice worth making if on a budget. It's worth noting that you'll need one of the best standing desks to use the Z1 as your workstation, for obvious reasons, although you can simply use it as a normal treadmill away from your desk. The power cord included with the treadmill is around 2 meters long, so you need to be set up pretty close to a power outlet. But if you're using it at your desk as part of a home office, you're probably next to a power outlet anyway, so it should be fine. It also comes with a remote control that has a wrist strap. The WalkingPad Z1 is low profile and sits just 6.7cm off the floor. Because of the low profile, consider using the Z1 on a hard floor; if you need to use it on carpet, be wary of the pile and height. This is because the friction from the belt rotation can cause friction on the carpet. If that is a concern, you could look at the WalkingPad P1. It's pretty thin and folds in the middle, so it fits comfortably under my desk and doesn't encroach too much into the walkway behind. It's also easy to store, and the wheels mean that if you tip it, it is actually simple to transport. However, if you need to carry it up or down stairs, you'll need an extra pair of hands, since it's pretty heavy at 51 lbs. There is an electronic display at the top of the treadmill that gives the speed, distance, time and calories on rotation. I found this to be a great motivator to check how far I had walked, and it's not too distracting since it sits under the desk. There are two ways you can control the WalkingPad Z1: the app or the remote. Personally, I have qualms with both methods, but in short, I feel like a more advanced version of the remote is all that's needed here. When using the remote, you can only increase and decrease the speed in increments of 0.5km/h. This was slightly annoying, as my ideal walking speed needed to be between 3.0km/h and 3.5km/h — I really felt like Goldilocks. And yes, that's all you really need the remote to do. However, with the KS Fit app, you have much more control over the pad, and I'd have liked to see some of that functionality make it to the remote. In the app, I was able to alter the speed in increments of 0.1km/h and settled on a speed of 3.3km/h, so I could walk and work with ease. In the app, you also see a whole host of metrics, including steps, calories burned, time elapsed, distance travelled, current speed, current pace, average speed, average pace, stride rate, average cadence and average steps. You can also set targets for these metrics. There's also a leaderboard section in the app to compare your stats with other app users, which is pretty great for motivation if you need it. The app can also keep your phone awake to act as a display for the treadmill, and you can switch the data displayed in the app while you walk. I genuinely enjoyed using the WalkingPad Z1. Not only was it easy to set up and use, but it also offered digestible metrics and got me active during my sedentary job. It's very responsive to inputs, and there is no lag when changing speed using the remote control or the app. It can also increase to a speed of 3.7mph/6km/h, so you can jog on it, but this felt a little unstable as I'm used to running on larger treadmills with handles. It doesn't mean you can't run on it, I just prefer the extra stability. The Z1 has four-layer shock absorption, and this had a positive effect after walking 5km. As someone with an old knee injury (yes, I would've made it into the big leagues otherwise), I often experience discomfort on other treadmills or outdoors at these distances. Not so with the Z1. The WalkingPad Z1 has a brushless motor, so it's supposed to be pretty quiet. However, to my ear, it made the same amount of noise as the treadmills I've used at the gym. It gave an average reading of 57.3dB, while the product description said below 45dB. I would certainly recommend the WalkingPad Z1 under-desk treadmill to anyone looking to increase their daily steps. As someone who works an office job, it's been an ideal addition to my work set-up — now I can squeeze in a quick walk and hit my 10,000 steps with ease when working from home. The Z1's foldable design makes it easy to store. It also looks good and is affordable, unlike WalkingPad's pricier models, including the A1 Pro. My only major issue is with the remote. While the app is great for providing digestible metrics from the data the treadmill collects, a more detailed remote control could have negated the need for an app altogether. Nevertheless, this pad is sure to help you hit your steps. If you want to walk 500 miles in your working week (and then 500 more), the WalkingPad Z1 is the way to do it.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Rode AI-1 review
The Rode AI-1 is one of the best beginner-friendly audio interfaces out there, hands down. The AI-1 is so easy to use straight out of the box and has a foolproof design. While there's only one XLR input, this is a compact audio interface designed for podcasters and home musicians, so this should be all you need to get up and running. There are also two ¼' speaker outputs and a ¼' headphone input for live monitoring. Everything simply works as it's intended to. There's a reason the AI-1 is so well-respected in the audio world. I can't lie, though, I do wish it had just one more input for more versatility. That said, the AI-1 is only $129, so it could be a worthy toss-up. I'll discuss everything in detail in this Rode AI-1 review. Price $129 / £129 Analog inputs 1 x Neutrik XLR-¼' combo Analog outputs 2 x ¼' speaker outputs / 1 x ¼' headphone output Power USB-C plug-and-play Gain range 60dB Bit depth 24-bit Preamp Yes Weight 1.2 pounds Dimensions 3.5 x 4.9 x 1.5 inches Colors Black App Rode Central The Rode AI-1 is a beginner-friendly audio interface, and that's reflected in the price. The AI-1 will set you back $129 from Amazon U.S. and £129 from Amazon U.K., which is $300 cheaper than Rode's second-cheapest audio interface, the $489 Rodecaster Duo. However, if you're looking to save as much $$$ as possible, you might want to consider the even cheaper $79 Rode AI Micro. It's not the most versatile of devices with its single input, so I'd only recommend it for those recording single tracks at a time — if you have multiple podcast guests or want to record multiple mic layers at once, you might want to check out the aforementioned Rodecaster Duo. The AI-1 looks very simple — because it is. 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I find this to be more of a help than a hindrance, as it means the AI-1 is portable and versatile. As you might expect, the Rode AI-1 performs like a high-quality, high-caliber product. I've yet to be disappointed by Rode. On top of being an audio interface, it can also be used as a headphone amp, although audiophiles are better off looking for a dedicated device. If you have a high-quality mic, like the Rode PodMic ($150) or the Shure SM4 ($199), this is a sure-fire way to achieve near professional recording quality. Thanks to the 24-bit depth, the AI-1 provides a high-resolution sound. I didn't have these available to me during testing, so I used a $40 Behringer. Remember, if you want professional recording quality, you'll need one of the two mics I mentioned above. The Behringer mic I used was just to test the Rode AI-1, not to test mic quality. The AI-1 doesn't do anything except act as a connection between an analog device and a computer. It has a high-quality DAC, for high-quality sound. It's a straightforward, no-frills product, with straightforward, no-frills performance. If you already have one of the best microphones like the Shure MV7+, Shure MV6, or the Shure MV7i (which is actually a microphone and audio interface in one, and is one of the best microphones I've ever used), you won't need the Rode AI-1. This is an audio interface designed for analog instruments and mics. If you've used the iconic Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, the AI-1 is basically a more compact version of that. If you need 2 channels, the Focusrite is your best choice, but if you need the one, then I'd save $100 and get the AI-1. While there's little room for improvement, there's also very little room for error. The Rode AI-1 simply works. It connects up analog instruments, XLR mics, and allows clean, high-resolution recordings directly into your computer. As I've said earlier, there's very little room for error in the same way there's very little room for improvement. The Rode AI-1 knows what it is and does its one job well. Considering the AI-1 only has one XLR input, it's a little restricted in what it can and cannot do, but if you need one channel, it's probably the best compact audio interface you can get. If you want an audio interface and a mic in one, I'd check out the Shure MV7i I mentioned above. However, if you want the simplest and most straightforward option on the market, then there's nothing like the Rode AI-1.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I was wrong — these budget earbuds sound way better than their $79 price
Soundpeats isn't exactly a famous brand in the world of audio, so I was skeptical when I picked up the brand-new (as of June 2025) Air5 Pro earbuds. Considering they're just $79, I didn't have high hopes for the sound quality. However, the Soundpeats Air5 Pro quickly proved me wrong, and made me wonder if they could be some of the best earbuds for the price. The soundscape is expansive, ideal for detail listeners on a budget. While the bass can get a little overbearing and the mids thin in some genres, overall, the Air5 Pro were a solid listen. The pros don't end there, though: these buds also have an awesome IPX5 rating, some premium features, and are very comfy to wear. I'll go through all the specs in detail in this Soundpeats Air5 Pro review. Price $79 / £79 Connectivity Bluetooth 5.4 ANC Yes Battery 7.5 hours (buds), 37 hours (case) Weight 4.8g / 50g0.169 oz / 1.76 oz Drivers 10mm Dimensions 1.9 x 1 x 2.6 inches Colors Black, white Compatibility iOS, Android The Soundpeats Air5 Pro earbuds are just $79 from Amazon U.S. and £79 from Amazon U.K.. This makes them some of the cheapest (decent) earbuds available at the moment, only bested by the EarFun Air range: the EarFun Air 2 and Air 2 NC, respectively, are $49 and $69. For earbuds with LDAC, aptX, and a Snapdragon processor, this is a very reasonable price. However, being loaded up with hi-res streaming codecs doesn't guarantee pristine sound quality, which I'll discuss in full in the 'Audio quality' section below. As someone who didn't realize she had small ears until some earbuds gave her cartilage ache, I was so happy to find the Air5 Pros are relatively small. The earbud nozzle (the part that sits in your ear's concha) is nice and narrow, so it doesn't push on my cartilage. The earbuds come with three tip sizes: small, medium, large. Because of the smaller nozzle, I found that medium suited me perfectly. Other earbuds, like the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC and the Belkin SoundForm Flow, required me to use the smallest ear tip. For budget earbuds, the Air5 Pros don't look too bad. They look like black AirPods, with a similar size tip, stem, and nozzle. The main design difference is the outside of the stem; it's got a brass-colored flourish embossed with the Soundpeats Logo. You'll find the touch controls housed in the aforementioned brass-colored flourish. I found the controls a little counterintuitive, but not as unresponsive or laggy as other budget brands. It's very odd that increasing the volume is just one tap on the right but, but skipping songs is a long press — I found myself accidentally deafening myself when I was moving hair out of my face or trying to remove the buds. I was able to change what the controls do with the Soundpeats app, but you're forced to use the defaults while in a call.. I found adjusting the volume quite annoying, as there's no tone (unlike AirPods) to alert that the adjustment has been activated. If you've got a phone compatible with hi-res streaming codecs (Android phones, sorry iPhone users (me included)), then you'll be able to take advantage of the Air5 Pro's Snapdragon processor and activate LDAC and aptX codecs. Unfortunately, I am a poor, unfortunate iPhone user, so I had to dig out the office Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra to test these hi-res codecs. If you're going to buy a new phone, find out what you need to know about Bluetooth codecs before you buy your next phone. I'll talk more about the hi-res codec playback in the 'Sound quality' section below, but the long and short is that it's nice to have, but I don't think it did that much. A misfortune is the lack of wear detection and easy multipoint connectivity. There's a 'Dual Device Connection' toggle in the PeatsAudio app, but it's frustrating to have to download an app to enable this feature. Lack of easily-accessible multipoint and ecosystem integration is one of the main things holding me back from using anything but AirPods. Even high-end buds like the Final ZE8000MK2 ($349) struggle to seamlessly connect to my phone and laptop. Wear detection I can get over — pausing the music requires just a tap, anyway — but it's still not great for a pair of $80 earbuds. The $99 EarFun Air Pro 4 have wear detection, so I'd like to see this feature on Soundpeats' future offerings. However, I love to see the IPX5 rating. This is the same as the aforementioned EarFun earbuds, and means the buds can withstand rain or sweat. ANC at this price point isn't going to be Bose-beating, let's be clear. However, I'd expect it to be just a little better, especially seeing as Soundpeats shouts about it. The EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds I mentioned earlier have good ANC for budget earbuds, so it is possible. In my quiet apartment, I could still hear myself typing even while listening to Nirvana. I could hear myself rustling paper as I worked, and I could hear my mouse clicking over Kurt Cobain's chugging grunge guitars, which, if you don't know, are pretty heckin' loud. Walking around the city, I could still hear traffic noise. So, considering these buds are just $79, the ANC is about as good as you'd expect. No, it won't shut out the rest of the world, but it also (hopefully) won't get you hit by a car, so swings and roundabouts. There are three ANC modes: 1) pass through, which is basically just ambient aware mode, 2) 'normal', which is no ANC or ambient aware, and 3) ANC. Honestly, I found 'normal' mode was better at blocking out surroundings, which probably isn't the intended purpose. To test sound quality, I listened to a variety of music on Qobuz, the best streaming service for audiophiles. Seeing as the Air5 Pro buds are loaded up with hi-res codecs, a Snapdragon processor, and 10mm drivers, I was excited to get stuck in and test some (hopefully) great budget buds. Don't get me wrong, the Air5 Pro earbuds don't sound awful. They're a far cry from the Belkin SoundForm Play buds I've reviewed recently. But would I say they're audiophile-quality? No. Absolutely not. That doesn't mean they're trash, though. The Air5 Pro earbuds are very bassy, almost too much so. On the heavier tracks I listened to, a few moments made me grimace. I'll chat about everything in depth here. With aptX activated, I listened to 'Money' by Pink Floyd and 'If She Could See Me Now' by Lorde. While these tracks both sounded good, and the immersive cash register sound effects of the former were impressive, I didn't notice a huge difference between the standard and hi-res codecs. I think you'd need higher-quality hardware to take full advantage of this. On standard AAC codec, I listened to 'Milky Sleep' by Brian Eno, which is an ambient, spacey track with gentle strings and bass. It's a very sparse soundscape, which can be a challenge for some budget earbuds. However, I found the soundscape to be quite expansive; the warbled motifs sounded as if they were coming from all around me. Next, I switched it up massively and went for 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana. The grunge guitars were throbbing and messy, but there was a touch of tinniness in the percussion. Still, the vocals were arresting and raw, just as they sound on much pricier earbuds. After the heavier track, I switched back to a more minimal sound. I played 'Innadream' by Pretty Girl, which is a house track with a syrupy, sticky vocal. The synth notes were clear, with no hissing in the treble, and the bass was groovy. This song was one of the most impressive tracks I listened to on the Air5 Pro buds. I switched back to something heavy to re-analyze the muddy bass situation. I played 'Strange to Be Here', a song by HotWax that I know really well, which has punky, grunge guitars. The chorus was definitely a little muddy and unclear, like the guitars were fighting for dominance rather than living together harmoniously. In the second verse, there's a scratching guitar effect in the left ear, which sounded pretty good, but not as affecting as it usually is. After this, I played 'Unravelling' by Muse, which has a metal breakdown at the end of the track. Strangely, the vocals were quite fizzy across the track. I've listened to this song enough times to know that this isn't in the music itself. I wondered why this lack of clarity was on this track and not others, so I listened to a few more Muse songs to test this. Of the tracks I listened to, this fizzing vocal happened on 'Won't Stand Down', 'Will of the People', and 'Propaganda', but no tracks on pre-2018 albums. Either this strikes me as the earbuds struggling to catch up with the hi-res streaming quality, or a new mixing technique that the earbuds don't like. Muse are my favorite band, so I know their tracks well enough to immediately notice when something doesn't sound quite right. I will say this, though: in 'The Dark Side' (no fizzing vocals), I could hear the background whispered vocals really well. I was surprised, as my AirPods Pro 2 sometimes can't translate this subtlety as competently. The Air5 Pro buds are compatible with Soundpeats' PeatsAudio app. It's pretty boring looking, but it's relatively easy to use. I guess that's a valid trade-off. However, it did ask for access to my entire music and video library, which has never happened before with other music apps, and I'm always wary of accepting such sweeping permission requests. As you can see, there's a range of features, such as a custom EQ, presets, and a personalized 'adaptive' EQ. This is basically just a hearing test that plays a series of sounds in various frequencies. However, I could hear all of these sounds instantly (unlike the JBL Live 770NC personalized EQ, which really pushed my hearing to the edge of its ability), which just meant my 'personalized' EQ was a mostly flat line. You can also adjust touch control settings in the app and change the ANC modes, but honestly, I think this app is pretty pointless once you change the touch control settings. I deleted it promptly after testing. To test the call quality of the Soundpeats Air5 Pro, I called my boyfriend and recorded myself reading on my iPhone's Voice Memo app. The mic is fine — you'll be heard, but you won't sound good. It's a little metallic and quiet, and has a tendency to clip out momentarily, which is annoying. Soundpeats says the earbuds have wind resistance and a Snapdragon-powered AI ambient noise reducer, but honestly? This felt very minimal to me. They're just budget earbuds with a budget level mic. With the standard AAC codec, Soundpeats says the Air5 Pro earbuds should last for up to 7 ½ hours on a single charge. In reality, I found this was more like 5 hours. This is a pretty meh battery life: yes, the notoriously poor AirPods 4 ($129) have just 5 hours, but the aforementioned EarFun Air 2 ($49) have a whopping 9 hours. While this seems like just an extra 1.5 hours, it's enough to do a full day of work and a half-hour commute in either direction. The Air5 Pros will have you recharging before the end of the shift. If you use one of the hi-res codecs, too, the battery life will certainly be less than 7 ½ hours. Considering these buds are $79 and the EarFun offering is $49, I think the Air5 Pros can do a little better than that. Considering these earbuds are just $79, the sound quality is excellent for the price. I could hear elements of ambient tracks I wouldn't usually hear, and even louder tracks managed to perform quite well. No, they can't rival Bose, Sony, or Apple audio gear, but they're also a fraction of the cost. Some bass is trying a little too hard and results in muddiness, and some of the treble is tinny. thankfully, these issues didn't raise their heads too often. For the price, the Soundpeats Air5 Pro are decent earbuds with great sound. The buds are mostly let down by middling ANC, a boring app, and lack of premium features. However, all that being said, if you need a pair of cheap and cheerful earbuds that won't have you wincing at the sound quality, the Air5 Pro are the ones for you.
