Anker Soundcore by Anker Liberty 5 True Wireless Review

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 true wireless earbuds deliver premium features like adaptive noise canceling and LDAC audio for around $100. They offer fantastic call quality, rock-solid connectivity, and a fun, bass-forward sound, making them a top pick for commuters and travelers who don't want to spend $300.

If you're hunting for true wireless earbuds that punch way above their weight, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 should be on your radar. For around $100, you're getting a feature set that reads like a wishlist: adaptive noise canceling, support for high-res LDAC audio, and a whopping 48 hours of total battery life with the case. They're built for commutes and travel, scoring a 92 out of 100 in our database for that use case, and they pack a serious spec sheet into a lightweight, IP55-rated package. We've been testing a lot of earbuds in this price bracket, and on paper, the Liberty 5 looks like a steal. The question is, does the real-world experience live up to the specs?

Let's talk numbers. The sound quality lands in the 90th percentile, which is impressive for the price. The 9.2mm wool-paper drivers and bass tubes deliver exactly what they promise: a punchy, fun low-end that doesn't muddy the mids and highs. If you're into high-res audio, the LDAC support is a legit bonus you don't always see at this price. The noise canceling is solid, sitting in the 84th percentile. It's not the absolute silence you get from a $300 pair of Sonys, but it adapts every 0.3 seconds and does a fantastic job on a noisy bus or plane. Where these buds really shine, according to our data, is in connectivity (96th percentile) and microphone quality (97th percentile). The Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint is rock-solid, and the six-mic array makes your voice sound crystal clear on calls, even in less-than-ideal environments.

At roughly $100, the Liberty 5 presents a compelling value argument. You're getting features and performance that often cost $50 to $100 more. While it scores a weaker 69 in our 'budget' category—likely because there are cheaper Anker options—it represents a sweet spot for someone who wants premium features without a premium price tag. The closest alternatives at this price, like the Jabra Elite series, often can't match the Liberty 5's combo of LDAC, adaptive ANC, and call quality.

So how do they stack up against the big names? Compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Liberty 5's ANC isn't as powerful or refined, but you're saving over $150 and still getting stellar mics and connectivity. Against the Apple AirPods Pro, you lose the seamless Apple ecosystem integration, but you gain LDAC support and a much longer battery life for less money. The trickiest competitor might be the Technics EAH-AZ80. They trade blows on sound and call quality, but the Technics are often twice the price. For most people, the Liberty 5 offers 90% of the performance of those flagships at half the cost, which is a trade-off worth making.

Skip these if you're an absolute noise-canceling fanatic who needs utter silence and money is no object—just get the Sony WF-1000XM5. They're also not the best pick if you're fully invested in the Apple ecosystem and value features like spatial audio head tracking over raw audio specs; the AirPods Pro integrate better. And if you're on a super tight budget and don't need LDAC or the absolute best call mics, a cheaper Soundcore model might be a better fit.

Should you buy the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5? If you want flagship-tier features like LDAC and adaptive ANC on a mid-range budget, the answer is a clear yes. They excel where it matters for daily use: staying connected, sounding great on music and calls, and lasting all day. They're not perfect—the ANC could be stronger, and audiophiles might want more sound customization—but for the price, the compromises are minimal. We think they're one of the best all-rounder pairs you can get under $150.