Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC delivers best-in-class sound quality and near-flagship ANC at a fraction of the price. With 50 hours of total battery life, LDAC support, and wireless charging, it's a feature-packed budget king. Fit issues and mediocre call quality are the main trade-offs. At USD 70 to USD 100, it's one of the best value propositions in true wireless earbuds right now.

Let's talk numbers. The sound quality ranks at the absolute top of our database, which is wild for earbuds in this price range. The 11mm dynamic drivers push out crisp, detailed audio, and LDAC support means you're getting three times the data transfer of standard Bluetooth. That translates to more texture in your music, better instrument separation, and a generally richer listening experience. The 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response covers the full audible range, and at 10 ohms impedance, these are easy to drive from any phone.

Battery life is another standout. Ten hours on the buds alone in normal mode, and 50 hours with the case. With ANC on, you're still looking at 8 hours per charge and 40 total. That's near the top of the charts for true wireless earbuds. The quick charge is also handy: 10 minutes gets you 4 hours of playback. For most people, that means charging the case once a week or less. The Qi wireless charging is a nice bonus too, especially if you already have a charging pad on your desk.

The most obvious comparison is the Google Pixel Buds Pro. Google's buds have better integration with Android phones and slightly better call quality, but they cost significantly more and don't match the Liberty 4 NC's battery life or sound quality. The Pixel Buds Pro also lack LDAC support, which matters if you're an audiophile on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is another premium option, but again, you're paying a lot more for marginal gains in most areas.

On the budget side, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ is the closest competitor. It's a solid performer with good ANC and decent sound, but the Liberty 4 NC edges it out in sound quality and battery life. The Sony WF-C700N is another option in this range, and while Sony's tuning is excellent, the battery life is nowhere near what Soundcore offers. The Nothing Ear (3) is a wildcard with its unique design, but it's more expensive and doesn't match the Liberty 4 NC's feature set.

Here's where things get interesting. The Liberty 4 NC sells for USD 70 to USD 100 across US retailers, with Amazon consistently offering the best deal at the lower end of that range. That's a USD 30 spread depending on where you shop, so it pays to check before you buy. For context, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Google Pixel Buds Pro both sell for significantly more, and the Liberty 4 NC matches or beats them in several key metrics.

At USD 70, this is an absolute steal. Even at USD 100, it's still a strong value proposition. You're getting adaptive ANC, LDAC, wireless charging, and 50 hours of battery life. The only real competition at this price point is the EarFun Air Pro 4+, and while that's a solid option, the Soundcore's sound quality and ANC performance give it the edge in our testing.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is one of those products that makes you wonder why anyone pays twice as much for the big-name brands. Anker's audio arm has been on a tear lately, and these earbuds pack a frankly ridiculous feature list for the price. We're talking adaptive ANC, LDAC support, wireless charging, multipoint Bluetooth, and a battery that outlasts most of the competition by a wide margin. On paper, this thing looks like it should cost $200 more than it does.

Who's this for? Honestly, almost anyone who wants premium features without the premium price tag. Commuters who need solid noise cancellation, budget-conscious buyers who still want Hi-Res audio, and gamers who appreciate the low latency mode. The 87.1 gaming score and 86.9 budget score in our database tell the story: this is a versatile set of buds that punches way above its weight class.

The interesting part is how Soundcore managed this. They didn't cut corners on the stuff that matters most. The 11mm drivers are custom-tuned, the ANC uses an in-ear sound sensor plus an oversized driver and isolation chamber, and the case gives you 50 hours total. Sure, there are compromises, and we'll get into those. But the overall package here is genuinely impressive for what you're paying.

If you make a lot of phone calls, especially in noisy environments, these aren't your best bet. The call quality is the weakest link, and while the six-microphone array helps, it doesn't match what you'd get from the Pixel Buds Pro or Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Similarly, if you're an iPhone user who relies on notification announcements, the lack of iOS support is a real annoyance.

Audiophiles who demand absolute accuracy might also want to look elsewhere. While the sound quality is excellent for the price, the V-shaped tuning won't satisfy purists who want a flat, reference-style response. And if you need earbuds for swimming or heavy rain, the IPX4 rating isn't enough. For those use cases, consider the Sony WF-C700N for better call quality, or dedicated sport earbuds with higher water resistance ratings.

For most people, the Liberty 4 NC is an easy recommendation. If you're commuting, traveling, or just want great sound without spending a fortune, these are hard to beat. The ANC is genuinely good for the price, the battery life is exceptional, and the sound quality is top-tier. The fit issues are real, but a set of third-party ear tips solves that for most users.

If you're an iPhone user who relies on notifications, or if you make a lot of phone calls, you might want to look elsewhere. The call quality score of 71.7 is the weakest area, and the lack of iPhone notifications is a genuine annoyance. But for music, podcasts, and drowning out the world, the Liberty 4 NC delivers premium performance at a budget price.