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Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 vs Liberty 4 Pro: Newer isn't always better
23 hours ago
If you’re looking for wireless earbuds packed with features at a budget-friendly price, Soundcore has likely caught your eye. The Soundcore Liberty 5 and Liberty 4 Pro both deliver great value, but they do so in different ways. While the Liberty 5 are the newer model, the Liberty 4 Pro still holds its ground with unique features and slightly better overall performance in key areas. After testing both extensively, I can help you decide which one best fits your needs.
This article was originally published on May 8, 2025, and this is the first version.
What’s it like to use the Liberty 5 compared to the Liberty 4 Pro?
Using the Soundcore Liberty 5 feels familiar if you’ve tried the Liberty 4 Pro, with both featuring stem-style earbuds and a compact, slide-open charging case. The Liberty 5 drops the flashy display on the case in favor of a simple LED light strip. The display on the Liberty 4 Pro case, while a bit gimmicky, does allow for control over settings without needing to open the app. On the other hand, the Liberty 5 has a nicer matter finish that doesn’t show fingerprints as easily as the Liberty 4 Pro case.
Both earbuds are very comfortable to wear, and stay securely in place in my ears. They are also both water-resistant, which means you can use them at the gym without worrying about sweat damage.
The Liberty 5 has pinch controls on the stem of the earbuds. Here are the default controls:
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Single press | Left earbud Play/pause, answer call | Right earbud Play/pause, answer call |
| Input Double press | Left earbud Previous track | Right earbud Next track |
| Input Triple press | Left earbud None | Right earbud None |
| Input Long press | Left earbud Ambient sound, reject call | Right earbud Ambient sound, reject call |
In addition to pinch controls, the Liberty 4 earbuds have swipe controls for volume.
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Single press | Left earbud Play/pause, answer call | Right earbud Play/pause, answer call |
| Input Double press | Left earbud Previous | Right earbud Next |
| Input Triple press | Left earbud Unassigned | Right earbud Unassigned |
| Input Long press | Left earbud Ambient sound mode | Right earbud Ambient sound mode |
| Input Swipe up | Left earbud Volume + | Right earbud Volume + |
| Input Swipe down | Left earbud Volume - | Right earbud Volume - |
Do the Liberty 5 or Liberty 4 Pro have more features?
The Liberty 4 Pro still takes the win when it comes to raw feature count. That case display, while not always useful, enables quick toggling between ANC levels and spatial audio modes. It even works with your phone’s camera — a novelty, but one that tech enthusiasts may appreciate. Both earbuds have access to the Soundcore app, which includes a custom EQ and listening tests to determine your ideal sound profile.
How do the Liberty 5 and Liberty 4 Pro connect?
The Liberty 5 feature Bluetooth 5.4, which is slightly newer than the Bluetooth 5.3 on the Liberty 4 Pro. Both earbuds support SBC, AAC, and LDAC for high-res audio, as well as Bluetooth Multipoint, so you can pair with multiple devices simultaneously. In my testing, both earbuds provided rock-solid connections with an iPhone and Android device.
Is battery life better on the Liberty 5 or Liberty 4 Pro?
Battery life is a strong point for the Liberty 5. In our battery testing, they lasted 7 hours and 8 minutes with ANC on. With the case, you get up to 48 hours total playback. Plus, just 10 minutes in the case nets you up to 5 hours of playtime—an impressive fast charging figure. The Liberty 4 Pro don’t last as long, clocking in at 5 hours and 42 minutes with ANC enabled, and topping out at 40 hours total with the case. Both recharge over USB-C or wireless charging.
Do the Liberty 5 or Liberty 4 Pro block noise better?
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In our testing, the Liberty 4 Pro cancel more noise, especially low-frequency sounds like engine rumble, with up to 30dB of reduction. I found them particularly effective on noisy city streets and airplanes. The Liberty 5 perform well, too, with ANC knocking out up to 25dB of low-frequency noise and the silicone tips blocking up to 40dB of high frequencies. They do a good job taming background sounds like traffic and conversations. Still, if your top priority is noise canceling, the Liberty 4 Pro are the better bet.
Transparency mode works great with both earbuds — voices come through clearly, often louder than without earbuds.
Do the Liberty 5 sound better than the Liberty 4 Pro?
Both earbuds offer extensive EQ customization, including a custom EQ, 22 EQ presets, and personalized tuning via HearID and Preference Tests. The Liberty 5 offer strong bass and treble out of the box, but that emphasis can be overwhelming. The Liberty 4 Pro are a bit more balanced by default, and I found I needed less tweaking to get them to sound just right.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
According to MDAQS, the Liberty 5 earn a 4.7 Overall score with strong marks for Timbre (4.8) and Immersiveness (4.6), but only a 3.5 for Distortion. The Liberty 4 Pro notch slightly higher at 4.8 Overall, with even better Distortion (3.7) and identical Immersiveness. Most people will enjoy the default sound of both of these earbuds.
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Objective Measurements
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Both earbuds emphasize sub-bass, but the Liberty 5 also emphasize treble, with a sharp boost from 5-8kHz. This can lead to a sharp or sibilant sound at high volumes unless you EQ it down. The Liberty 4 Pro’s frequency response stays closer to the SoundGuys Preference Curve, especially in the mids and treble.
Do the Liberty 5 or Liberty 4 Pro have a better microphone?
Microphone performance is similar across both models, with each using six mics to isolate your voice and reduce background noise. In simulated noise environments, both earbuds deliver clear speech. Listen below and let us know what you think.
Liberty 5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Liberty 4 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Liberty 5 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Liberty 4 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
Liberty 5 vs Liberty 4 Pro: Price and availability
Both the Liberty 5 and Liberty 4 Pro have a starting price of $129, but the exact pricing may vary based on sales and availability. The Liberty 5 are newer and may command a slightly higher price initially, though they still fall well below flagship options from Apple or Sony. The Liberty 4 Pro have been out longer and may be easier to find at a discount, making them the more budget-friendly pick in many cases.
Should you get the Liberty 5 or Liberty 4 Pro?
If you already own the Liberty 4 Pro, there’s no compelling reason to upgrade to the Liberty 5. The Liberty 4 Pro still sound slightly better, block more noise, and offer unique features like a case-based control system. At the same or less price, the Liberty 4 Pro are a better buy than the Liberty 5.
Affordable
Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC
Companion app