For even less money, the SoundPEATS Cove Pro delivers a lot of technology. We tested these headphones at Best Tech Radar and came away impressed by the combination of 56dB Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, LDAC codec support, and a battery that lasts up to 95 hours without ANC.
At $70, the Cove Pro punch above their weight in sound quality and features. You do not need to spend $250 or more to get effective noise canceling and Hi-Res Audio certification. This is proof that budget Bluetooth headphones in 2026 can compete with models costing three times as much.
Design and build quality
The Cove Pro feel good for $70 Bluetooth headphones. Lightweight but sturdy construction with no hollow or cheap feel about them. The matte finish looks clean with a discreetly embossed logo on each earcup.
At 250g, these are one of the lightest headphones I’ve tested in this price range. Protein leather earpads are plush and soft with memory foam cushioning that is not only soft but also breathable. I wore them for hours without discomfort, reducing the chance of ear fatigue during long listening sessions.
The headband offers nice clasping strength without excessive clamping force. Adjustable stainless steel underneath provides durability, with fabric covering on top and protein leather on the padded underside.
The earcups fold flat for easy storage, though the headphones were not packaged with a carrying case. An odd omission for a headphone with such an impressive battery life, but you can find third-party cases that fit.
All controls sit on the right earcup – volume up/down, power/play/pause, and ANC toggle. The buttons are nice and clicky. You’ll know exactly when you click them. Volume buttons can be held down to skip tracks forward or backward. The power button handles Bluetooth pairing as well as play/pause, answering calls, and enabling Game Mode.
USB-C charging port and 3.5mm AUX jack sit on the left earcup. Physical buttons provide reliable on-board control without the issues that sometimes plague touch-sensitive surfaces.
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Sound quality and Hi-Res Audio
The Cove Pro have a very balanced and smooth-tuned sound signature. It’s smooth as velvet, lush and vibrant. Overall tuning features slightly boosted bass, balanced midrange, and smooth treble. The Cove Pro continues with what I’d call the “signature” SoundPEATS sound.
Bass is juicy with deep, satisfying tones. Lower frequencies are slightly boosted, mainly in the sub-bass region, with extension down to about 40Hz. This results in a pleasant rumble when a song asks for it, though don’t expect a skull-rattling sensation. The boost ends way before 200Hz, so bass from the 40mm dynamic drivers never bleeds into the midrange. Control and detail are decent for the price. The punch could be tighter, but bass is decently controlled and extended.
Mids sound lush but vibrant. Midrange frequencies are very well-balanced right out of the box. Bass lends warmth and body to the mids, yet vocals and instruments still come through vibrant and colorful. Vocals are clear and full. Female voices sound particularly natural. The midrange is soulful and emotive, evoking deep feelings and connection in music and movies. No bass bleed present, so every sound gets its chance to shine. Instruments have warmth and body, bright and crisp but not recessed.
Treble is smooth and non-fatiguing. Higher frequencies are really smooth. If you’re sensitive to treble, the Cove Pro won’t give you any trouble. There’s enough energy and detail retrieval without any harshness or sparkle. Cymbals have texture and are pleasant to listen to. No splashiness or metallic sizzle even when you raise the volume. The highs peak at just the right frequency with shimmer and energy without being offensive.
Soundstaging is more compact and closed in than flagship models. For some people this could add to the energy and intensity of faster paced music. Separation is good for the price. Imaging is decent in the left/right positioning.
Maximum volume can reach around 110dB with the right songs. These are one of the loudest headphones I’ve tested at this price point.
Hi-Res Audio and LDAC support
One standout feature is LDAC codec support alongside SBC and AAC. At this price point, LDAC is impressive and uncommon in budget headphones. Sony’s codec transmits audio at up to 990 kbps, roughly three times higher than standard Bluetooth codecs.
The Cove Pro carries both Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certifications. With a frequency response range of 20Hz-40kHz, these headphones can reproduce the full spectrum of high-resolution audio files beyond standard CD quality. If you want to understand what is LDAC audio and how it compares to other Bluetooth codecs, we have a full guide on Best Tech Radar.
LDAC only works with compatible Android devices running Android 8.0 and higher. iPhone users are limited to AAC. When paired with Android devices, LDAC made an audible difference in testing. Instrument separation improved noticeably. Detail retrieval was better. The soundstage opened up slightly compared to AAC mode.
That said, the difference isn’t night and day. You need high-quality source files to hear what LDAC offers. Streaming compressed audio won’t benefit much. For Android users with a decent music library or high-bitrate streaming service, LDAC is a welcome addition at $70.
Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation
The Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation technology on the Cove Pro reduces noise by up to 56dB. For this price bracket, that’s impressive. The ANC is effective at cutting out low-frequency sounds like engines, fans and air conditioners. It knocked down a good chunk of low-frequency rumble during bus commutes. Not the strongest ANC available, but solid for budget headphones.
Human voices still come through somewhat, though they’re quieter than without ANC. The hybrid system with 7 microphones does its job. Ambient noise gets blocked effectively. Audio quality stays consistent between ANC modes, which is impressive.
Wind noise resistance ensures clear calls even in breezy conditions. The 7-microphone array with AI noise reduction handles vocal capture well.
Transparency mode lets in outside sound. As with most budget gear, it’s hit-and-miss. It effectively raises ambient sounds but everything comes through thin and tinny, sounding unnatural. Like someone turned up the gain too much. Useful for quick conversations though.
Passive isolation is decent. The seal around your ears blocks some noise. Lower frequencies get through without ANC. Turning on ANC pushes the tuning into a more pronounced V-shape, but it also opens up the soundstage and adds dynamics.
Battery life that’s humoristically long
Never have we seen wireless headphones this inexpensive come with 95 hours of listening time. At a claimed 95 hours without ANC, charging once a week is a real possibility. With ANC turned on, the headphones deliver 58 hours. The battery life is among the highest we’ve seen in the category for headphones at this price point.
Quick charge works phenomenally. 10 minutes on the charger delivers 11 hours of power, so you’re never caught without music. I’ve had zero connectivity problems throughout testing, and comfort is excellent for long periods without ear fatigue.
Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint
Bluetooth 6.0 ensures a low-latency, low-interference connection and longer battery life. Multi-device support allows connecting two devices. Multipoint pairing works – I connected to my iPhone 13 and MacBook Air simultaneously and it switched between them without issue. Not seamless but functional.
Maximum working distance is rated at 10 meters. I walked around with my phone in another room and didn’t lose signal until I was about 30 feet away with walls in between.
One multipoint issue is that walking away from a paired device and returning doesn’t trigger auto-reconnection. Manual pairing is required each time, which SoundPEATS could address in a future firmware update.
SOUNDPEATS app and customization
The SOUNDPEATS app hosts several features: ANC controls, EQ presets, Game Mode, and multipoint settings. The app gives you access to extra customization with a 10-band custom equalizer.
The app looks generic and lacks high-end customization found on other companion apps. There’s no way to adjust the Adaptive EQ function beyond selecting whether you hear test tones at different frequencies. ANC and Transparency mode are simple on/off toggles.
EQ settings are incredibly useful. If you want more bass, switch to Bass Boost mode. Too much bass? Try Bass reduction mode or other presets. The 10-band custom equalizer with +/-6dB adjustments gives good control over sound. I found my best experience without the “extra bass” enabled.
Game Mode drops latency noticeably when enabled. Still not wired-level responsiveness but better than standard Bluetooth mode for mobile gaming.
Call quality and microphone
Microphone quality on the Cove Pro is above average for headphones at this price point. My voice came through clear and intelligible, though it could benefit from more fullness. The 7-microphone array with AI noise reduction handles vocal capture well.
I made phone calls indoors and outside. Both times I was told I sounded clean and clear. It’s fine for making calls and video conferencing. The AI-powered noise reduction technology ensures your voice is heard clearly in moderately noisy environments.
In quiet conditions the mic performs well. Noisy environments are a different story. Noise control isn’t strong enough and my voice came through soft. Moving to a quieter spot is the way to go if you want the other person to hear you clearly.
Wired mode and Hi-Res audio
The headphones support wired connectivity via the included 3.5mm to 3.5mm auxiliary cable. SoundPEATS markets this as the ‘Hi-Res Audio’ listening mode. A USB-C charging cable is also included in the box.
However, wired mode sounds worse than Bluetooth in testing. Plugging in the cable and the bass got bloated. Mids got thick and compressed. Muddy overall. The cable bypasses the built-in DSP which handles tuning corrections. You get a raw response that isn’t as refined.
ANC doesn’t work when wired either. You can’t use noise canceling while listening via the 3.5mm port, which defeats the purpose of the cable option beyond battery backup. The only redeeming thing is you can still listen when the battery runs dry.
Bluetooth mode is better for sound quality. Most of my listening was through wireless connection as the headphones were optimized for it.
What makes them worth considering
Battery life is fantastic and humoristically long at 95 hours without ANC. Comfort is excellent for long periods and extended listening sessions. ANC is effective enough for the price at 56dB. Sound is balanced, smooth as velvet, lush and vibrant. Build feels sturdy and well made despite the budget price. Lightweight at 250g. LDAC codec support. Hi-Res Audio certification. Multipoint works. Quick charge is phenomenal. Physical buttons always work. One of the loudest headphones at this price point.
Room for improvement
No carrying case or travel pouch included. Wired mode is underwhelming and sounds worse than Bluetooth. Earpads are glued on, so replacing them will be challenging. Transparency mode sounds artificial, thin and tinny. Soundstage is compact and closed in. Multipoint doesn’t auto-reconnect. Microphone is soft in noisy conditions. LDAC only works with Android devices.
Bottom line
For $70 these deliver tremendous value. Sound is balanced and smooth. Comfort is there for extended wear. ANC is solid for cutting out low-frequency sounds. Battery life is legitimate based on testing, and charging once a week is a real possibility. LDAC codec support at this price point is impressive.
The SoundPEATS Cove Pro are a welcome addition to the budget Bluetooth headphones market. Despite competing with alternatives from Anker Soundcore and Edifier, these are overall better when it comes to battery life and codec support.
Perfect for students, commuters, travelers, or anyone on a budget who values comfort and long playtime. I’d recommend them if you want affordable over-ear wireless headphones with great battery life, effective ANC, and Hi-Res Audio support. They’re suitable for all music genres, but as expected at $70, they aren’t quite as detailed as premium models.
If you’re in the market for budget Bluetooth headphones with noise canceling that don’t cost anywhere close to $100, definitely look at the SoundPEATS Cove Pro. Something to consider if you often forget to charge your devices and wish to have reliable battery life.
These headphones are extremely comfortable to wear and produce nice, balanced sound. I am very pleased with the performance. They punch above their weight, and for the price, they are a strong choice.
