For years, the wireless earbud industry focused on blocking out the outside world. Now, a growing number of consumers want precisely the opposite. Open-ear wireless earbuds have become one of the fastest-growing categories in personal audio, appealing to listeners who want to enjoy music, podcasts, and calls without plugging their ear canals or completely disconnecting from their surroundings. Whether commuting, exercising, working, or simply wearing earbuds for extended periods, comfort and situational awareness are becoming just as important as sound quality.
Manufacturers have taken notice. According to Omdia, open-ear wireless earbud shipments grew 12% in Q2 2026, while conventional true wireless earbuds declined 2%. Clip-on designs accounted for 61% of open-ear shipments, reflecting demand for lightweight, comfortable, and less intrusive alternatives. For audio brands, the category also presents an opportunity to attract new customers in an increasingly crowded wireless earbud market.
SOUNDPEATS is looking to capitalize on that momentum with the new CC3 Pro, an open-ear clip-on wireless earbud designed for everyday listening and light exercise. Its lightweight construction, updated acoustic system, and physical controls promise comfort and convenience without blocking the ear canal. The challenge is delivering satisfying bass, consistent sound quality, and minimal leakage, all without simply turning up the volume.

“Open-ear listening offers a different way to experience audio, and we saw an opportunity to rethink what an open-ear product could be. Rather than simply adapting a conventional earbud to a clip-on form, we considered the experience as a whole, from how sound is delivered to how the product feels and works in motion. CC3 Pro is the result of that thinking, bringing together a new acoustic approach and a practical design for everyday movement,” said Jason Yang, Founder of SOUNDPEATS.
Wearing Comfort
The SOUNDPEATS CC3 Pro leaves the ear canal unobstructed, allowing users to enjoy audio while remaining aware of their surroundings. Weighing approximately 5.5 grams per earbud, it combines a soft liquid-silicone contact surface with a 0.5mm memory-steel core for a lightweight, flexible fit. The curved clip is designed to accommodate eyeglasses and remain comfortable during extended wear, from daily commutes and walks to workouts and casual bike rides.
Dual Drivers
Building on the previously released PearlClip Pro, the CC3 Pro introduces a dual-driver system designed to improve frequency extension, clarity, and detail. The acoustic configuration combines a 12mm dual-magnet dynamic driver responsible for bass and lower frequencies with a 9mm ceramic piezoelectric driver dedicated to higher-frequency reproduction.
Working together, the two drivers are intended to deliver a more balanced and detailed listening experience across music, movies, podcasts, and other audio content, while addressing some of the inherent acoustic challenges of an open-ear design.

Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC and Multipoint Support
The CC3 Pro supports LDAC, Sony’s high-resolution Bluetooth audio codec, along with Hi-Res Audio wireless playback when paired with compatible devices and content. LDAC enables higher-bitrate audio transmission than conventional Bluetooth codecs such as SBC, potentially preserving more detail from high-quality recordings. However, codec support alone does not guarantee better sound quality, particularly given the acoustic limitations inherent to open-ear designs.
Bluetooth 6.0 and multipoint connectivity allow users to maintain connections with two compatible devices, making it easier to switch between a smartphone and laptop without repeatedly pairing the earbuds. The SOUNDPEATS app provides additional options for personalizing the listening experience and managing device settings.
Physical Buttons, Easy Control
Instead of relying on touch-sensitive controls, the CC3 Pro features physical buttons that provide tactile feedback and more deliberate operation. This approach helps minimize accidental commands when adjusting the earbuds, putting on glasses, or exercising, making playback and call controls easier to manage while on the move.

Charging and Long-Lasting Playback
The CC3 Pro delivers up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge and 44 hours with the charging case. A 10-minute quick charge provides up to three hours of listening time, while wireless charging adds convenience. Either earbud can also fit into either charging slot, eliminating the need to worry about left and right when putting them away.
More Features
- AI-Assisted Call Noise Reduction: Each earbud features microphones for voice pickup, including a rear-facing microphone designed to reduce wind noise. AI-powered environmental noise cancellation (ENC) helps suppress background noise and improve call clarity.
- Privacy Mode: Reduces high-frequency sound leakage, helping keep audio more private in quiet offices and other shared spaces.
- Flexible Earbud Charging: Either earbud fits into either charging slot, with automatic left/right channel assignment when the case closes. Wireless charging is also supported.
- IPX6 Water Resistance: Provides protection against sweat, rain, and water splashes, making the earbuds suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. The rating does not cover submersion.

Comparison
| CC3 Pro | PearlClip Pro | UU2 (POP Clip2) | Pop Clip | Clip 1 | |
| Year Released | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | 2025 |
| Product Type | True Wireless Stereo Earbuds | True Wireless Stereo Earbuds | Wireless Bluetooth earphones | Wireless Bluetooth earphones | Wireless Bluetooth earphones |
| Price | $69.99 | $79.99 | $49.99 | $39.99 | $69.99 |
| Wearing Style | Ear-clip | Ear-clip | Ear-clip | Ear-clip | Ear-clip |
| Controls | Physical Button Controls | Touch | Physical buttons | Physical Button | Touch sensors: the S logo, the driver, and the stem. |
| Drivers | 1 x 12 mm Dual-Magnet Dynamic Driver per Earbud 1 × 9 mm Ceramic Piezoelectric Driver per Earbud | 12 mm / 12.2 mm dual-magnet dynamic drivers | 12 mm dual-magnet dynamic driver (titanium-coated diaphragm) | 10.8 mm Dual-Magnet Driver & PU+LCP Composite Diaphragm | 12 mm Dual-Magnet Dynamic Driver (titanium PVD coated) |
| Color Options | Black | Purple, Beige, White, Black | Black | Black Purple | Black |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 40kHz | 20Hz – 20kHz | 20Hz – 20kHz | 20Hz – 40kHz | 20Hz – 40kHz |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC | AAC, SBC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Hi-Res Audio | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| DynamicEQ | Supported (with LDAC) | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported (without LDAC or Dolby Audio) |
| Bluetooth Version | V6.0 | V5.4 | V6.0 | V5.4 | V5.4 |
| Maximum Playback Time per Charge (earbuds) | 10 hours | 6 hours | 10 hours | 8 hours | 6 hours |
| Maximum Total Battery Life | 44 hours | 24 hours | 42 hours | 22 hours | 24 hours |
| Earbud Charging Time | 53 min | 53 min | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours | 1 hour |
| Charging Case Charging Time | 100 min | 1.77 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | Supported | – | – | – | – |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (per earbud) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Call Noise Reduction | AI ENC | AI ENC | AI ENC | AI ENC | AI ENC |
| Multipoint Connection | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Game Mode | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Companion App – SOUNDPEATS App | Google Play: SOUNDPEATS App Store: SOUNDPEATS | Google Play: SOUNDPEATS App Store: SOUNDPEATS | Google Play: SOUNDPEATS App Store: SOUNDPEATS | Google Play: SOUNDPEATS App Store: SOUNDPEATS | Google Play: SOUNDPEATS App Store: SOUNDPEATS |
| Water Resistance | IPX6 | IPX5 | IPX5 | IPX5 | IPX5 |
| Earbud Dimensions | 30.7 x 29.7 x 15.2 mm | 31.34 x 14.69 x29.05 mm | 27.3 x 28.5 x 20.7 mm | 26.8 x 25.4 x 22.4 mm | 28.45 x 22.32 x 28.03 mm |
| Charging Case Dimensions | 70.6 x 47.0 x 25 mm | 72.21 x 24.15 x 45.53 mm | 64.8 x 51.8x 29 mm | 60 x 45 x 28 mm | 71.5 x 49 x 35 mm |
| Earbud Weight (per earbud) | 5.5g | 5.85g | 5g | 4.73g | 5g |
| Total Weight (with case) | 50.3g | 46.8g | 47.7g | 46.73g | 55.5g |

The Bottom Line
As our comparison chart illustrates, SOUNDPEATS continues to refine its clip-on wireless earbuds, with the CC3 Pro retaining familiar features such as DynamicEQ, LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0, and up to 10 hours of battery life. Its updated acoustic design is the most significant improvement, promising greater clarity, detail, and bass performance without sacrificing the comfort and situational awareness of an open-ear design.
With wireless charging and a lightweight fit, the CC3 Pro targets commuters, office workers, and active listeners who find conventional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable or isolating. Competition is intensifying, however, with alternatives such as the 1MORE S20 Ultra Clip-On Earbuds ($79.99) and CMF Clip Pro ($99) offering compelling options. The real test will be whether SOUNDPEATS can deliver a noticeable improvement in sound quality while maintaining its value proposition.
Also, if you have a more flexible budget, there are the Sony Link Buds Clip ($229) and the Bose Ultra Open 2nd Gen ($299) and Sport Open ($199) “Cuff” Earbuds.
Price & Availability
The SOUNDPEATS CC3 Pro are available in black only for $69.99 at Amazon as of this announcement.
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