Two of the most searched budget earbuds on AliExpress go head-to-head. The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus comes loaded with hybrid ANC and LDAC hi-res audio at around $35–45. The QCY T13 strips everything back to basics and costs under $20 — sometimes well under. Both ship globally, both have thousands of reviews. The question is which one fits your situation.
This comparison covers every spec that actually matters in daily use: sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, connectivity, and comfort. By the end you should know exactly which one to buy — or whether to skip both.
Head-to-Head Spec Comparison
| Criterion | SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus | QCY T13 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (AliExpress) | ~$35–45 | ~$15–20 |
| ANC | Hybrid ANC (up to -35dB) | None |
| Hi-Res Codec | LDAC (990kbps) | SBC / AAC only |
| Driver Size | 9mm dynamic | 10mm dynamic |
| Total Battery (buds + case) | ~30 hours | ~40 hours |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Multipoint Connection | Yes (2 devices) | No |
| Weight (each bud) | ~5.6g | ~5g |
A few things to unpack here. The QCY T13's 10mm driver is technically larger, but driver size alone doesn't determine sound quality — tuning matters more. The 40-hour total battery on the T13 is genuinely impressive for the price. And that price gap is real: you're paying roughly double for the Air5 Pro Plus, which means the premium features had better justify themselves.
Sound Quality: LDAC vs Good Enough
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus uses LDAC — Bluetooth's highest-quality audio codec, capable of streaming at up to 990kbps. If you have an Android phone that supports LDAC (most flagships since 2019 do), you'll hear a real difference on hi-res tracks: tighter bass, more air in the highs, better instrument separation. The 9mm drivers are well-tuned for a slightly warm, enjoyable signature that works across genres.
In LDAC mode you do trade some stability. In crowded wireless environments — busy offices, transit hubs — you may notice occasional stuttering. SoundPEATS includes a "priority" mode toggle in their app to switch between audio quality and connection stability.
The QCY T13 is limited to SBC and AAC. AAC is fine on iOS; on Android it depends on your phone's implementation, and results vary. The 10mm drivers deliver a bass-forward sound that many users will enjoy for workouts, commutes, and pop music. It's not audiophile-grade, but it's punchy and clear enough for casual listening. At $15–20, the sound-per-dollar ratio is hard to beat.
Winner: SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus, and it's not close if you have LDAC-capable hardware. On non-LDAC devices, the gap narrows significantly.
Noise Cancellation: ANC vs Passive Isolation
The Air5 Pro Plus uses a hybrid ANC setup — feedforward and feedback microphones working together to suppress ambient noise. It's not Sony WH-1000XM6 territory, but it does a solid job on low-frequency drone: bus engines, AC hum, airplane cabins. High-frequency sounds like voices and keyboard clicks are only partially attenuated. Transparency mode works well enough to hold a quick conversation without removing the buds.
The QCY T13 has no ANC whatsoever. Passive noise isolation from the silicone ear tips does some work — maybe 15–20dB of attenuation — but you'll hear everything around you at normal volumes. For gym use or outdoor walking where situational awareness matters, that's actually a feature. For open-plan offices or flights, it's a clear limitation.
Winner: SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus by default — the T13 doesn't compete here.
Battery Life and Charging
The QCY T13 wins on battery and it isn't subtle. Forty hours total (roughly 8 hours per charge on the buds, plus the case topping them up four more times) is exceptional for under $20. The case charges via USB-C. No wireless charging, but you're not paying for it either.
The Air5 Pro Plus offers around 30 hours total. In ANC mode that drops further — expect closer to 5–6 hours per session on the buds alone before you need to case them. The case also uses USB-C. No wireless charging on this one either.
One caveat: battery figures from manufacturers are always measured at lower volumes without ANC. Real-world totals will be lower, especially on the Air5 Pro Plus if you run ANC constantly.
Winner: QCY T13 with 40 hours vs 30 hours.
Connectivity and Daily Use
Bluetooth 5.3 on the Air5 Pro Plus gives a more stable, lower-latency connection than the T13's 5.1 — though in practice the difference is marginal for music and calls. The bigger practical advantage is multipoint: the Air5 Pro Plus can stay connected to two devices simultaneously. Pair it to your laptop and phone; audio switches automatically when a call comes in. It's one of those features you don't think you need until you use it daily.
The QCY T13 connects to one device at a time. Switching between a phone and a laptop requires manual pairing, which is annoying but manageable. Both earbuds have physical touch controls for playback, calls, and volume. Both have companion apps — the QCY app is simpler, the SoundPEATS app adds EQ presets and ANC mode control.
Call quality on both is acceptable. The Air5 Pro Plus edges ahead with slightly better voice pickup in moderate wind. Neither will impress in noisy outdoor environments.
Winner: SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus for multipoint and Bluetooth 5.3.
Who Should Buy Which
Choose the SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus if:
- You work in a noisy office or commute regularly and need ANC
- You have an Android phone with LDAC and listen to hi-res music
- You switch frequently between phone and laptop (multipoint is genuinely useful)
- Budget is flexible and you want the best audio experience under $50
Choose the QCY T13 if:
- You need earbuds under $20 — full stop
- Battery life is the priority (40h total is class-leading at this price)
- You're buying a spare set, gym-only buds, or a gift
- ANC isn't important to your use case (outdoor workouts, casual listening)
Two strong value options at different price tiers — the right pick depends entirely on your budget and whether ANC matters to you.
Pros
- ✓SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus: LDAC delivers genuine hi-res audio quality on Android
- ✓SoundPEATS: Hybrid ANC noticeably reduces office and transit noise
- ✓SoundPEATS: Multipoint lets you stay connected to phone and laptop simultaneously
- ✓QCY T13: 40-hour total battery is outstanding for the price
- ✓QCY T13: Under $20 makes it one of the best value earbuds available anywhere
Cons
- ✗SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus costs 2x the T13 — the premium is only justified if you need ANC or LDAC
- ✗QCY T13 has no ANC and no hi-res codec — wrong choice for office or flight use
- ✗SoundPEATS LDAC mode can stutter in dense wireless environments
- ✗Neither offers wireless charging on the case
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It connects via standard Bluetooth and uses AAC on iOS. There's no SBC downgrade on Apple devices. The companion app is optional and works on both iOS and Android.
If you need ANC for commuting or office work, yes. If you listen on an LDAC-capable Android phone and care about audio quality, also yes. If you mostly use earbuds for casual listening outdoors, the T13 saves you $20 without a meaningful downgrade in your experience.
The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro Plus has IPX5 water resistance — fine for sweat and light rain. The QCY T13 is rated IPX4, which covers sweat and splash. Neither should be submerged.
Most Android flagships and mid-range phones from 2019 onwards support LDAC, including Samsung Galaxy S-series, Google Pixel, Sony Xperia, and OnePlus. iPhones do not support LDAC — Apple uses AAC.
AliExpress is typically 10–30% cheaper than Amazon for these brands. Prices fluctuate with sales — 11.11, Super Deals Week, and brand coupons can push them even lower. Always check the current price before buying.
