TWS true wireless earphones - under $100
FIVE STARS - The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the new king of wireless earbuds under 100 dollars. My review - earbuds test 350 on Scarbir.com! - and a comparison with all relevant competitors.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec
IPX4 waterproof (splash proof)
10 hours listening on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 5 times
Comes with 4 sets of ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
$90 - Buy on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries
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Let's do something unusual for earphone review 350 on Scarbir.com: start off with the cons.
The earbuds are prominently visible in your ears due to to the big plastic surface on the sides.
The charging case is a bit chunky.
The gaming mode can only be activated from the app and while its performance is decent, it still allows some delay in gaming sound effects.
Even though there are tens of sound equalizers from the app, these earbuds always have an above-average bass presence.
If these downsides don't turn you off immediately, you may as well go ahead and buy the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC straight away, as these are now the best wireless earbuds you can get under 100 dollars upon its release halfway 2023. These are just so good on so many different aspects.
Battery life, comfort and controls
For a start, the ovally shaped earbuds are of a snug fit and comfortable to wear. Even with the Active Noise Cancelling set to the max and the risk of applying too much pressure on your ears, I had no trouble wearing these for hours in a row in my average-sized ears.
The controls are exceptional for ANC earbuds as well. The touch panels in the top of the stems respond quickly, and you can setup the controls entirely to your liking. The brilliant free Soundcore app for Android and iPhone gives you all freedom do setup the single tap, double tap, triple tap and long-hold commands on both sides of the earbuds. Volume, track changing, play/pause, switching between ANC modes, except for the gaming mode (for now), it's all here.
As written, the charging case is quite bulky. You also should save some space above your fingertip to open the lid after a push on the LED-light infused button, which could be more convenient.
But that said: the case houses the best battery life performance of all wireless earbuds tested on this site.
The case can be charged via USB-C and wirelessly and can charge the earbuds five times fully, providing the earbuds up to 10 hours of playtime per charge. Don't have the time for a full charge? Then quickcharge the earbuds for 10 minutes to gain 4 hours of playtime! The chances you'll run out of battery here are bare to none.
These are mostly great for calls
That's a great feature to have, as the Liberty 4 NC has plenty of versatility to use it all day. The earbuds are great in handling phone calls and Zoom meetings. The microphones put your voice through loud and full, while reducing background sounds very well. When you're not directly surrounded by loud colleagues, chatter and laughter around you are suppressed well. The same goes for accelerating vehicles, door slams, and other sudden sounds. The one exception are sudden, brighter voice outbursts - during my test time, those were the only times a person on the telephone asked me what I said.
Did I flush the toilet during one call, and the person I talked to didn't notice anything? Errrr… yes. Sorry. For the research, you know? Opposing wind comes through in calls, but it's still decently repressed and your voice rises above it.
The call quality is a great combination with the 4 NC's multipoint connection support. You can connect the earbuds to two devices at the same time, like a phone and a laptop, or your work and private phone. The earbuds will jump to the sound on the other device when you get a call, or when you're pausing playback on one device and starting it on the other. Some competitors, including Soundcore's own Space A40, don't require you to pause your current playback, which works quicker, however.
How good is the Liberty 4 NC's Active Noise Cancelling?
So is the Active Noise Cancellation of Soundcore Liberty 4 newest release any good? In short: yes. Along with the Earfun Air Pro 3, it's the best ANC performer under 100 dollars.
Either with the Adaptive ANC function or the maximum manual setting from the app, the Soundcore removes and reduces all frequencies well. Constant buzzing and humming disappear entirely, and traffic, chatter and even sudden sounds like door slams and accelerating vehicles are heavily softened. Lower mid-sounds are the most audible, for example from a radio playing in the background. Still, while the $150 Sony Linkbuds S and $300 Apple AirPods Pro 2 handle the lower-mids marginally better, they too can't remove the radio from your background.
The 4 NC convinces with an overall strong ANC performance that also reduces sudden sound peaks better than the brands previous models and nearly all competitors - and you don't need to activate the Environment Detection option from the app to get there.
What's more, is that the 4 NC has little trouble handling wind. When you use its Active Noise Cancellation, wind noise is mostly left out thanks to the dedicated Wind Noise Reduction setting you can (de)activate from the app. To achieve that, it does let in some slightly pitched-sounds, but this is honestly a great tradeoff when you're running or cycling, as it means you can hear traffic around you. The brand has learned a lot from their sport-focused Soundcore X10, it seems.
Speaking of traffic: the Transparency Mode is terrific as well. It passes trough traffic noise and also conversations around you when you need it, and does so in a very natural way, without any artificial or metallic effect. The function works well with music up to moderate volume playback, and it's a treat to take a call with the function on - so you can hear yourself, your surroundings and the one you're talking to clear and natural.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: The sound quality review
Truth be told: I wouldn't be so passionate about the Liberty 4 NC if they didn't sound so good. But they do.
Following the brands tradition, there's a vast amount of bass on display here. The mid-bass delivers strong and heavy thumps, but not so much they become muddy or feel overdone. The bass is well-paced and stays tight enough - resulting in some real stabs when music pushes it. Sub-bass reproduction is excellent as well. The darkest bass tones you feel as much as hear are full, deep and give a massive yet controlled rumble. Actual bass drums are worth highlighting, as they can have the impact from live performances in higher-quality recordings. Splendid.
Like the bass, lower mid-tones are heavily boosted. Darker electronic tones, lower male vocals and darker instruments come in full and strong, and along with the elevated bass, things can feel a little cramped in the lower end of the music. It defines the pleasant, warm and bassy feel of the earphone, but doesn't quite have the texture and separation of the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.
Happily, the heavy lows don't take the music hostage. Female and higher male vocals are put moderately forward and give enough counterweight to the lows. The Liberty 4 NC avoids the mistake - or acquired taste - of some previous Soundcores to push the treble excessively, which often resulted in metallic or even harsh upper mid-tones and highs.
Here, treble rolls off early. Brighter instruments have just enough presence, and cymbals can sometimes even be a tiny bit splashy - but the entire upper range has a warm underlining. Vocals dip into the lower tones easier than the high ones. Björk's outhauls in It's Oh So Quiet could be more explosive, but at least they remain comfortable.
Despite the slight cluttering from the lower-mids and bass and despite the smoothly toned-down treble, music is vivid and engaging, with plenty of separation and left-right placement to bring out individual instruments, even in the center-mids.
If you want to get rid of the bass amount or increase the highs, the Soundcore app comes into play with 20+ equalizers and the option to create your own EQ. Bass Reducer and Acoustic are the usual best EQ presets from the app, in trade for a little less fullness or a more edgy upper-mid bump. Other sound options are either personal (the HearID mode that can model for your ears and preferences) or gimmicky, like the Spatial Audio mode, which can make some classical pieces sound bigger, but more often than not unleash an artificial echo effect.
It's good to be able to play with the sound. It's better that it sounds so good out of the box. Engaging, full and detailed.
So here we have it: the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the new best pair of wireless earbuds under 100 dollars and among the best wireless earbuds on the market in general. It's great for (obscenely) long everyday use, great for silencing your surroundings, great for taking calls, great for working out, and great for listening to music.
Design and comfort: 4.5/5 - Chunky case, at the benefit of a huge battery and quick charging. Comfortable fit for hours
Controls and connectivity: 4.5/5 - Solid multipoint connection, responsive and greatly customisable controls
Playback: 4/5 - Great for videos, some delay still in gaming mode performance
Call quality: 4/5 - Clarity fails with noise or wind around you, ever-present light beep surrounding your voice
ANC: 4.5/5 - Best in class under $100, removes and heavily softens almost all sound, leaves out wind noise too
Transparency mode: 3.5/5 - Very natural passthrough of voices and traffic, usable up to moderate music volume
App support: 5/5 - Reliable, plenty of useful options, tons of sound equalizers
Sound quality: 5/5 - Warm, energetic and lively, among the best for the price if you don't mind a bass heavy sound
VERDICT: 5 STARS (Excellent)
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC comparisons
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Soundcore Liberty 4
Why: because Soundcore still sells the previous model for $40 more.
Even though Soundcore suggests the 4 NC's ANC is much better than the original Liberty 4 released earlier, both earphones’ ANC modes perform comparable in many occasions, like an office with some people talking and some background music. The newer 4 NC does give you more logical ANC options from the app and the Transparency mode is more natural. The 4 NC is more comfortable due to slightly different ear tips, its battery life is an hour longer, quick charging is faster, and its touch controls are much better than the slow stem pinches of the original Liberty 4.
The original 4 has a faster-paced but also heavier-hitting mid-bass. It also boosts treble in typical older Soundcore models-fashion, giving it a bit of an metallic edge. The 4 NC sounds a bit warmer and more in balance. As you probably don't need the heart-rate sensor from the original Liberty 4, save yourself the money. Buy the 4 NC.
No separate Soundcore Liberty 4 review - check out here
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Soundcore Space A40
Why: because they're Soundcore's other pair of great ANC earbuds at $80.
The Soundcore Space A40 has a stemless design and comfortable compact earbuds, making them suitable for side-sleeping without support of your hand. Its multipoint connection switches quicker between devices than the 4 NC.
The Liberty 4 NC is better in all other aspects. Battery life and quick charging are better, your voice is more robust in calls, the Transparency mode is more natural, and the ANC filters out lower mid-tones a tad better. The sound character is comparable, but the 4 NC is fuller and at the same time more outspoken in the lows, with stronger mid-bass thumps and bassline detail. Mid-tones are more forward and less nasal.
Soundcore Space A40 review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Soundcore Life P3
Why: because Soundcore sells this predecessor around the same price.
The Liberty 4 NC seems to be positioned as a direct successor to the Life P3, the brands previous stem-design earbuds with ANC and an energetic sound. Released two years later, the Liberty 4 NC is better in almost any way. On the newcomer, the calls are clearer, ANC is much stronger, Transparency mode more natural, its battery lasts longer on a charge and it has a more comfortable fit. It has better customisable controls and even the gaming mode is a tad better. It has multipoint connection, unlike the Life P3…
… and yes: the 4 NC sounds better as well, with especially more rounded, earlier rolled-off highs, whereas the Life P3 can seem a bit shallow higher up. There's one thing that makes the predecessor win: the Life P3 app has relaxing nature and background sounds you can mix to your hearts desire, which is a great mode for a zen moment. Still - there are custom apps for this as well, of course.
Soundcore Life P3 review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro
Why: to see if Soundcore's 2021 flagship is still paying extra for.
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is reduced in price from $170 to $110 since the release from the Liberty 4 NC, and that makes sense. The 4 NC can compete in call clarity, has up to two hours longer battery life (and especially longer battery in phone calls), and a much more comfortable and lighter design. The 4 NC's ANC also filters out irregular and higher-pitched sounds better.
The L3P is still unbeaten when it comes to build quality and presentation, and an enormous yet detailed bass performance on wireless earbuds, and the 4 NC doesn't change that. The L3P shows more texture and layers in its bass. However: the L3P also boost upper-mids and extends highs so much that it's a more tiring and more metallic listen than 4 NC's more smoothed-out treble. The L3P is more energetic; the 4 NC is more balanced.
Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Soundcore Life A3i
Why: because Soundcore also has great ANC earbuds at 50 dollars.
The Soundcore Life A3i is the current top recommendation for all-around earbuds under $50 on Scarbir.com. The 4 NC has a stronger and deeper mid-bass and presents a fuller sound, while the Life A3i elevates lower treble more to provide more energy in the higher end - but without giving it a metallic or flat edge. They're comparable on sound quality.
On other aspects, the 4 NC wins. Its ANC rules out mid-sounds and thus male voices a tad better, its Transparency mode is more natural, battery life is longer, and calls are clearer. It also has multipoint connection, which the Life A3i lacks. The cheaper sibling is still worth considering if you want to save some money, however.
Soundcore Life A3i review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Soundcore A20i
Why: does the ultra-budget model sound even better?
Sold between 25 and 45 dollars, the Soundcore A20i is the brands newest basic pair of wireless earbuds that sounds great - better than the equally new Soundcore P20i. It's Soundcore's most fluent, natural sounding asset. This also holds against the 4 NC. The A20i has an airier sound that feels more around you, less closed-in, while delivering plenty of vocal and mid-nuances. The 4 NC counters this with better separation of lower frequencies, stronger and tighter mid-bass thumps and a more consistent performance in crowded musical pieces, where the A20i can feel a bit limited by its driver size.
Feature-wise, the A20i isn't a match for the 4 NC, as it doesn't have clear calls, ANC, Transparency mode, or a multipoint connection.
Soundcore A20i review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Earfun Air Pro 3
Why: this is the best alternative to the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
Offered around the same price, the Earfun Air Pro 3 also comes with a multipoint connection, and even one that switches quicker. Earfuns ANC feels stronger overall, but doesn't filter out irregular chatter and laughing sounds as well - making the 4 NC's ANC still better. Soundcore's Transparency mode is more natural, but the Earfun has more natural calls, which reduce background and wind noise in a very natural way, one that's inoffensive to the person you're talking to.
So far, they're comparable. But it ends there. The Soundcore beats the Earfun on battery life, quick charging, comfort, a way better app… and especially sound. The 4 NC has a more vivid, dynamic, engaging, and detailed presentation.
Earfun Air Pro 3 review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs SoundPEATS Capsule 3 Pro
Why: a battle between Soundcore's and SoundPEATS’ best ANC earbuds.
Available around the same price, but regularly around 30 dollars (!) cheaper, the SoundPEATS Capsule 3 Pro is well worth considering next to the Liberty 4 NC. Especially if you're not big on a heavy bass. The SoundPEATS has a warmer, smoother musical presentation - less outspoken and energetic, but relaxing to listen to for hours. It's also safe to take a call with them, and the earbuds are perhaps even a little more comfortable - easygoing - in your ears than the 4NC.
While SoundPEATS’ ANC is strong, it slips through irregular sounds easier than the 4 NC's ANC. Its Transparency mode is also less natural and effective. The SoundPEATS also lacks multipoint connection, its app support can't stand in the shadow of the Soundcore, and the battery only lasts 5 hours on a single charge - half of the Liberty 4 NC.
SoundPEATS Capsule 3 Pro review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Sony Linkbuds S
Why: these are the strongest ANC earbuds under $150.
The Sony Linkbuds S pricing varies heavily between different countries, but if you can get it around $100 to $120 in your country, it may be worth opting for as it has slightly stronger ANC than the Liberty 4 NC. In comparison tests, it removed (lower) mid-tones from rain or a radio playing in the background better than the Soundcore. The Soundcore adapts to irregular sounds quicker, however, making this a tie.
The Liberty 4 NC has up to 4 hours longer battery life and a more comfortable fit than the Sony. Both have excellent call qualities and multipoint connection - the Linkbuds S switches quicker between devices. The Sony can present vocals a bit more nasal than the thicker, warmer underlining of the Soundcore, but the Sony handles instruments more naturally, with more details detailed presentation of guitars, trumpets, bass guitars, and piano play - to name a few. The Soundcore has a stronger mid-bass and boosts lower-mids (even) more, giving it more punch in especially modern dance and electronic genres - in which the Linkbuds S can fall a bit shy on the highest volumes. If you prefer listening to acoustic and more traditional genres, opt for the Sony.
Sony Linkbuds S review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Baseus Bowie M2s
Why: these are the strongest ANC earbuds under $50.
Looking for the cheapest earbuds with strong ANC? It's this one. The Baseus Bowie M2s removes and softens a lot of sounds from your surroundings, yet the Soundcore's ANC filters middle to slightly higher tones a bit better, meaning the 4 NC reduces sounds like wet tires and chatter more effectively.
The Baseus M2s is a good alternative however, as it offers smooth (and quicker) multipoint connection between two devices, and you can easily take a phone call with them even in some wind. As comfort is also on par with the Liberty 4 NC, is this the perfect cheaper alternative? Almost. The Liberty 4 NC has 10 instead of Baseus’ 5 hours of battery life, its app is more robust and doesn't quire an account, and the Liberty goes much louder. The Soundcore also has a tighter and stronger bass, and has a pleasant warmer and thicker underlining of vocals and mids.
Baseus Bowie M2s review
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Apple AirPods Pro 2
Why: why not?
Considering you have an iPhone and/or MacBook and you can get the most out of them, is it worth paying $120 - $170 extra for the AirPods Pro 2 over the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC? Well - it depends. The AirPods Pro 2 still has stronger ANC, as it filters lower to higher mid-tones just a bit better still than the 4 NC and Linkbuds S, while applying less pressure on your ears as well. Apple's Transparency mode works better when playing music on high volumes, and unlike the Soundcore, the Spatial Audio - head-tracking or not - can actually add more immersion on the AirPods Pro 2, rather than just being a echo gimmick.
When it comes to calling, the AirPods Pro 2 makes your voice sound more natural, but it also shows more crackles from processing background sounds. It's more comfortable to take a phone call in a semi-crowded office on the Soundcore. Apple does handle wind noise a bit better.
In the sound department, the AirPods Pro 2 has a slimmer bass (without giving in on depth), and puts vocals more forward on the backdrop of instruments. Most of all, it reveals more nuances in center mid-tones, which is likely a result of better decluttering of the lower-mids from the bass than the Liberty 4 NC, paving the way for some extra detail. Soundcore's bass has more impact, not only providing dance and electronic genres with extra thump, but also producing those actual drum punches.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and AirPods Pro 2 are closer to each other than you may expect, and it makes it hard to justify the steep price difference - especially considering the Soundcore has twice the battery life and does multipoint better, even on Apple devices.
No separate AirPods Pro 2 review - check out here
Buy Soundcore Liberty 4 NC/ check lowest price:
Buy on Amazon US
Buy on Amazon UK
Buy on Amazon Germany
Buy on other Amazon countries
I bought the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
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