Soundcore Liberty by Anker 4 NC Noise Canceling True Wireless Earbud Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.