QC Earbuds (2024) vs Liberty 5 Pro
The QC Earbuds (2024) and the Liberty 5 Pro are aimed squarely at each other: same class, different badges. The spec sheets tilt toward the QC Earbuds (2024), which leads in 1 of 3 areas and opens its biggest gap on battery & charging.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging QC Earbuds (2024) wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Liberty 5 Pro wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging10.0
- 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 QC Earbuds (2024) has 2 h more listening per charge
Put simply, the QC Earbuds (2024) is far ahead here: 8.5 h compared with 6.5 h. The QC Earbuds (2024) runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
-
The QC Earbuds (2024) has 4 h more total battery with the case
The Liberty 5 Pro isn’t far behind at 28 h, but the QC Earbuds (2024)’s 32 h still comes out ahead. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
-
The Liberty 5 Pro has a tougher IP55 rating
A narrow win for the Liberty 5 Pro. With IP55 to IPX4, it’s the kind of difference that adds up rather than stands out. A higher water resistance rating gives more protection against sweat and rain during workouts.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP55 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.19 oz Heaviest in class |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
On sound & noise cancelling, the QC Earbuds (2024) and the Liberty 5 Pro are effectively level. Don’t let sound & noise cancelling decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Battery & Charging
QC Earbuds (2024) leads
The battery & charging numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the QC Earbuds (2024). The QC Earbuds (2024) scores with 2 h more listening per charge. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips. On battery & charging alone, the QC Earbuds (2024) gets the nod.
Battery (single charge)
QC Earbuds (2024): 8.5 h Liberty 5 Pro: 6.5 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
QC Earbuds (2024): 32 h Liberty 5 Pro: 28 h Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Call the features & connectivity round a draw. The features & connectivity verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.36 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8.5 h (winner) Longest listening per charge | 6.5 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 32 h (winner) Most total battery | 28 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging port | USB-C | N/A (not specified) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 6.1 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | N/A (not specified) |
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP55 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.19 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | 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 QC Earbuds (2024) carried a slight premium of $9 at launch. If $9 isn’t a stretch, the QC Earbuds (2024) gives you 2 h more listening per charge and 4 h more total battery with the case.
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 QC Earbuds (2024) if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (8.5 h vs 6.5 h per charge)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (32 h vs 28 h)
- you already know your way around Bose’s products
Choose the Liberty 5 Pro if…
- you want the tougher water resistance rating (IP55 vs IPX4)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $9 matters
- you prefer staying with Soundcore
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the QC Earbuds (2024) or the Liberty 5 Pro?
The QC Earbuds (2024) wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you value a tougher IP55 rating above everything else.
Does the QC Earbuds (2024) last longer on a charge than the Liberty 5 Pro?
The QC Earbuds (2024) does better here. It lists 8.5 h for battery (single charge), while the Liberty 5 Pro lists 6.5 h.
Which costs less, the QC Earbuds (2024) or the Liberty 5 Pro?
Going by launch prices, the Liberty 5 Pro costs $9 less than the QC Earbuds (2024). Prices as of May 2026; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Whenever Bose and Soundcore go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the QC Earbuds (2024) and the Liberty 5 Pro are no exception. For me, the deciding factor is that only the QC Earbuds (2024) gives you 2 h more listening per charge. I don’t want to sell the Liberty 5 Pro short, though: it has a tougher IP55 rating.
If your days lean on battery & charging, I’d pick the QC Earbuds (2024); if they lean on durability, the Liberty 5 Pro.
My pick: the QC Earbuds (2024). The Liberty 5 Pro only comes out ahead if you’d trade the rest for a tougher IP55 rating.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.