Nothing Ear (3) vs Liberty 5 Pro
Nothing brings the Nothing Ear (3); Soundcore answers with the Liberty 5 Pro. Both play in the everyday wireless earbuds class. Neither pair runs away with this one; most of the differences are small enough to shrug off.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Liberty 5 Pro wins
- Price Liberty 5 Pro wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
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 1 h more listening per charge
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the Liberty 5 Pro: 6.5 h against 5.5 h. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
-
The Nothing Ear (3) has
On driver size, the Nothing Ear (3) comes in at 0.47 in and the Liberty 5 Pro at 0.36 in. Driver size is only one ingredient of sound quality; tuning, fit and processing matter at least as much.
-
The Nothing Ear (3) has a 0.01 oz lighter build
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Nothing Ear (3)’s 0.18 oz beats the Liberty 5 Pro’s 0.19 oz. Lighter earbuds or headsets feel less noticeable during long listening sessions.
Design & Size
In the weight column, the Nothing Ear (3) leads by 0.01 oz.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Nothing Ear (3) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.18 oz (winner) | 0.19 oz Heaviest in class |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
In the sound & noise cancelling category, the Nothing Ear (3) and the Liberty 5 Pro land in almost the same place. Bottom line for sound & noise cancelling: it’s a wash.
Driver size
Nothing Ear (3): 0.47 in Liberty 5 Pro: 0.36 in Larger drivers can move more air, while smaller ones allow a more compact design; neither guarantees better sound.
Battery & Charging
Liberty 5 Pro leads
By a small margin, the Liberty 5 Pro is the stronger of the two in this area. Choose the Liberty 5 Pro and you get 1 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. Net result: the Liberty 5 Pro leads this part of the comparison.
Battery (single charge)
Nothing Ear (3): 5.5 h Liberty 5 Pro: 6.5 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Features & Connectivity
The features & connectivity data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Nothing Ear (3) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | 0.47 in | 0.36 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Nothing Ear (3) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 5.5 h | 6.5 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 28 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging port | USB-C | N/A (not specified) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing Ear (3) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 6.1 |
| Multipoint | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | N/A (not specified) |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Nothing Ear (3) | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.18 oz (winner) | 0.19 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | Nothing Ear (3) | 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
A price gap of $9 at launch won’t make or break this decision. The Nothing Ear (3) asks $9 more without winning more areas, which tilts value firmly toward the Liberty 5 Pro.
Based on US launch pricing as of May 2026. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Nothing Ear (3) if…
- you want the lighter fit (0.18 oz vs 0.19 oz)
- you’re loyal to Nothing and happy with it
Choose the Liberty 5 Pro if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (6.5 h vs 5.5 h per charge)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $9 matters
- you trust Soundcore and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Nothing Ear (3) or the Liberty 5 Pro?
We’d point most buyers to the Liberty 5 Pro. The main exception is if you need a 0.01 oz lighter build, which only the Nothing Ear (3) offers.
Which has better battery life, the Nothing Ear (3) or the Liberty 5 Pro?
On paper, the Liberty 5 Pro has the edge: 6.5 h of battery (single charge) against 5.5 h for the Nothing Ear (3). Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Nothing Ear (3) cheaper than the Liberty 5 Pro?
The Nothing Ear (3) launched at $9 more than the Liberty 5 Pro, based on prices as of May 2026.
Which weighs less, the Nothing Ear (3) or the Liberty 5 Pro?
On the scale, the Nothing Ear (3) comes out ahead at 0.01 oz lighter than the Liberty 5 Pro.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Nothing or Soundcore. I only care that you end up with the right one of the Nothing Ear (3) and the Liberty 5 Pro. The biggest reason I lean toward the Liberty 5 Pro is simple: it has 1 h more listening per charge. The Nothing Ear (3) does have a strong card to play: a 0.01 oz lighter build.
Choose by what you’d use most: comfort leads to the Nothing Ear (3), battery & charging leads to the Liberty 5 Pro.
My pick: the Liberty 5 Pro, and I’d only look at the Nothing Ear (3) if you’d rather have a 0.01 oz lighter build on the Nothing Ear (3).
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.