Soundcore Soundcore - by Anker Liberty 4 NC Noise Canceling True Wireless Earbud Headphones - Black Review
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC packs elite noise cancellation and week-long battery life into a sub-$100 package. We tested them against the competition to see if they're the new budget champion.
The 30-Second Version
The Liberty 4 NC offers elite battery life and near-top-tier noise cancellation for a bargain bin price. Just don't buy them for their phone calls.
Overview
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the budget noise-canceling champion. For under $100, you get ANC that punches way above its weight class, battery life that feels like a cheat code, and a feature set that shames earbuds twice its price. The one thing to know? These are the go-to pick if your main priorities are blocking out the world and never worrying about a charger.
Performance
The battery life is the real shocker here. Landing in the 100th percentile in our database, that 50-hour total with the case isn't just a marketing number. You can genuinely forget your charging cable for a week. The ANC, sitting in the 95th percentile, is the other standout. It's not just 'good for the price'—it's legitimately effective, making a crowded bus or a loud office fade into the background. The sound quality is solid, though it lands in the 76th percentile, meaning you're getting great value, not necessarily class-leading audio.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Battery life is absolutely insane. You'll charge the case more out of habit than necessity. 100th
- Noise cancellation is shockingly good for this price bracket, rivaling models that cost $50-$100 more. 97th
- Feature-packed for the money: wireless charging, multipoint Bluetooth, and a customizable EQ are all here. 94th
- Comfortable and secure fit, scoring well for both travel and fitness use. 92th
Cons
- Call quality is the weak link. At 67/100, it's serviceable but don't expect crystal-clear conference calls in a windy park.
- While good, the sound profile can feel a bit generic out of the box. You'll want to tweak the EQ or use HearID.
- The 'up to 98.5%' noise reduction claim feels optimistic for higher-pitched sounds, based on user feedback.
- The case has a bit of a glossy, fingerprint-magnet finish.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | True Wireless |
| Wearing Style | Travel |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Size | 11 |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | USB-C |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 50 |
| Fast Charging | 10min=4hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 40 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS |
| Volume Limiting | No |
| Bone Conduction | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof |
Value & Pricing
This is an easy win. For $80-$100, you're getting 90% of the performance of earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5 for less than half the price. The battery and ANC alone make it worth it. If your budget is tight but you refuse to compromise on core features, stop looking.
Price History
vs Competition
The obvious competitor is the Sony WF-1000XM5. The Sony's have slightly better ANC and sound, and much better call quality. But they cost over twice as much. The Liberty 4 NC gives you 85% of that experience for way less cash. Also consider the CMF Buds Pro 2 if you love tactile controls—they have a cool physical dial. But the Soundcore wins on battery life and proven ANC performance. The Nothing Ear (a) is another budget contender, but it trails the Liberty 4 NC in both ANC effectiveness and battery stamina.
| Spec | Soundcore Soundcore - by Anker Liberty 4 NC Noise Canceling True Wireless Earbud Headphones - Black | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A UC Earbuds with USB-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | — | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 50 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 40 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: Is the noise cancellation actually good?
Yes, it's seriously good, especially for the price. It won't erase a screaming baby right next to you, but it'll turn a noisy airplane cabin into a manageable hum. It's a 95th percentile performer in our tests.
Q: How's the battery life in real use?
It's as advertised. You'll easily get through a full workweek of commuting and gym sessions without touching the charger. The 10-minute quick charge for 4 hours of playback is a lifesaver.
Q: Can I use these for working out?
Absolutely. They have an IPX4 rating for sweat and light rain resistance, and our data shows they score a 92.2/100 for fitness. The fit is secure enough for most activities.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a remote worker who lives on Zoom calls, skip these. The mic quality is their Achilles' heel. Go get a dedicated headset or spring for the Sony WF-1000XM5. Also, if you're an absolute audiophile who craves the most nuanced soundstage, you might want to spend more.
Verdict
We're giving these a strong recommendation for anyone who values battery life and noise cancellation above all else. They are the definitive budget king for travelers, commuters, and gym-goers. Just know the microphone is mediocre, so if you take a lot of calls on the go, you might want to look elsewhere. For everyone else, these are a no-brainer.