AirPods 4 ANC vs Liberty 5 Pro
Two makers, one class, one decision: the AirPods 4 ANC from Apple or the Liberty 5 Pro from Soundcore. The scorecard favors the Liberty 5 Pro, which leads in 1 of 2 areas. Its strongest showing is in the battery & charging category.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Liberty 5 Pro wins
- Price Liberty 5 Pro wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.2
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging6.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Liberty 5 Pro has 2.5 h more listening per charge
The spread here is large: 6.5 h on the Liberty 5 Pro versus 4 h on the AirPods 4 ANC. Expect to notice it. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
-
The Liberty 5 Pro has 8 h more total battery with the case
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Liberty 5 Pro makes its strongest case: 28 h against 20 h. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
-
The AirPods 4 ANC has a 0.04 oz lighter build
The AirPods 4 ANC clearly leads on weight (per earbud / headset), and 0.15 oz versus 0.19 oz is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Lighter earbuds or headsets feel less noticeable during long listening sessions.
Design & Size
On the scale, the AirPods 4 ANC comes in 0.04 oz lighter.
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz (winner) | 0.19 oz Heaviest in class |
| Case weight | 1.22 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
On sound & noise cancelling, the AirPods 4 ANC and the Liberty 5 Pro are effectively level. Net result on sound & noise cancelling: level.
Battery & Charging
Liberty 5 Pro leads
When it comes to battery & charging, the Liberty 5 Pro is comfortably ahead. Point to the Liberty 5 Pro for 2.5 h more listening per charge. The Liberty 5 Pro runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. On battery & charging alone, the Liberty 5 Pro gets the nod.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods 4 ANC: 4 h Liberty 5 Pro: 6.5 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
AirPods 4 ANC: 20 h Liberty 5 Pro: 28 h Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
Features & Connectivity
Nothing to tally in the features & connectivity section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the AirPods 4 ANC and the Liberty 5 Pro each use.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.36 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | N/A (not specified) |
| Bluetooth codecs | N/A (not specified) | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 4 h Shortest listening per charge | 6.5 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 20 h | 28 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging port | USB-C | N/A (not specified) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 6.1 |
| Multipoint | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | N/A (not specified) |
| Controls | Force sensor on stem | N/A (not specified) |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz (winner) | 0.19 oz Heaviest in class |
| Case weight | 1.22 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $179 | $170 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Liberty 5 Pro launched for $9 less, a gap small enough that the specs should decide. Here the lower price and the stronger spec sheet both belong to the Liberty 5 Pro, which saves $9.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of May 2026. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods 4 ANC if…
- you wear them for hours and want less weight on your ears (0.15 oz vs 0.19 oz)
- you already know your way around Apple’s products
Choose the Liberty 5 Pro if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (6.5 h vs 4 h per charge)
- you want more total battery with the case (28 h vs 20 h)
- you want more value for your money ($9 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the AirPods 4 ANC or the Liberty 5 Pro?
The Liberty 5 Pro wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather have a 0.04 oz lighter build on the AirPods 4 ANC.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods 4 ANC or the Liberty 5 Pro?
The Liberty 5 Pro does better here. It lists 6.5 h for battery (single charge), while the AirPods 4 ANC lists 4 h.
Is the AirPods 4 ANC cheaper than the Liberty 5 Pro?
Going by launch prices, the Liberty 5 Pro costs $9 less than the AirPods 4 ANC. Prices as of May 2026; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the AirPods 4 ANC or the Liberty 5 Pro?
The AirPods 4 ANC is lighter, by 0.04 oz.
Executive Summary
On paper, the AirPods 4 ANC and the Liberty 5 Pro chase the same buyer. In the details, Apple and Soundcore made different calls. I keep coming back to one thing: the Liberty 5 Pro gets 2.5 h more listening per charge. I don’t want to sell the AirPods 4 ANC short, though: it has a 0.04 oz lighter build.
I’d match them like this: comfort to the AirPods 4 ANC, battery & charging to the Liberty 5 Pro.
My pick: the Liberty 5 Pro for most people, with the AirPods 4 ANC as the smarter choice if you specifically want a 0.04 oz lighter build, where the AirPods 4 ANC has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.