soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds Review: The New Mid-Range Champion?

There’s a specific kind of frustration that builds during a daily commute. It’s not just the crowd or the delays; it’s the relentless sonic assault. The screech of train wheels, the cacophony of a dozen overlapping conversations, the distant wail of a siren—it all bleeds together into a stressful hum that follows you into the office. For years, my solution was to simply crank up the volume on my earbuds, a brute-force method that left my ears ringing and did little to truly isolate me from the chaos. I was searching for a pocket-sized oasis, a way to reclaim my personal soundscape without spending a small fortune on the top-tier brands. The challenge was finding a pair of earbuds that could deliver truly effective noise cancellation, crystal-clear call quality for impromptu meetings, and rich, immersive audio for my music and podcasts, all while surviving a full day of use. This quest for affordable, high-performance audio is what led us to Anker’s latest offering.

What to Consider Before Buying Noise-Cancelling Headphones

A pair of noise-cancelling headphones is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for focus, immersion, and tranquility in an increasingly loud world. Whether you’re trying to concentrate in a bustling open-plan office, lose yourself in a film on a long-haul flight, or simply enjoy the subtle nuances of your favourite album without interruption, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is a game-changer. It actively works to erase low-frequency ambient sounds, creating a bubble of silence that allows you to engage more deeply with your audio or simply enjoy the peace. The primary benefits extend beyond just better listening; they include reduced stress, improved focus, and even the ability to listen at lower, safer volumes, protecting your hearing in the long run.

The ideal customer for a product like the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds is someone facing these daily auditory challenges: the commuter, the frequent flyer, the remote worker in a busy household, or the audiophile on a budget. They need versatility, powerful ANC, and long battery life. However, this type of product might not be suitable for those who need to maintain full situational awareness at all times, such as cyclists or runners on busy streets (though transparency modes help mitigate this). It also may be overkill for someone who only listens to audio in a quiet home environment. For those users, a simpler, non-ANC pair of earbuds might suffice, while professionals in call centres might prefer a dedicated over-ear headset with a boom microphone.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fit & Comfort: Since these will be in your ears for hours, a secure and comfortable fit is paramount. Look for earbuds that come with a wide variety of ear tip sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. A poor fit not only causes discomfort but also compromises the passive noise isolation, making the active cancellation less effective.
• ANC Performance & Customization: Not all ANC is created equal. Look for systems that are adaptive, meaning they can adjust their intensity based on your surroundings. The ability to switch between full cancellation, a “normal” mode, and a “transparency” or “ambient” mode (which lets outside sound in) adds significant versatility for different situations.
• Audio Quality & Codec Support: Beyond noise cancellation, the core function is listening. Check for features like Hi-Res Audio support and advanced Bluetooth codecs like LDAC, which transmit more data for a richer, more detailed sound. The driver size and material also play a significant role in the quality of the bass, mids, and highs.
• Battery Life & Charging: Consider both the playtime per charge and the total battery life including the charging case. For a typical user, 8-10 hours per charge is excellent, with a case providing at least two or three additional charges. Features like fast charging (getting several hours of playback from a 10-15 minute charge) and wireless charging add immense convenience.

Understanding these factors will help you navigate the crowded market and find the perfect pair to create your personal sonic sanctuary.

While the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Premium Unboxing and a Unique Design

From the moment we opened the box, it was clear soundcore is aiming for a premium experience. As one user noted, the packaging is “reminiscent to Apple’s packaging,” with satisfying paper tear strips and a distinct lack of cheap plastic. It immediately sets a high-end tone. Inside, the charging case for the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds immediately stands out. Instead of the typical flip-top lid, it features a satisfying sliding mechanism that can be operated one-handed. It’s a unique design choice that feels both futuristic and functional, with strong magnets snapping the buds securely into place.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight and have a glossy finish, while the case has a pleasing matte, almost metallic texture. But the most impressive part of the initial unboxing was the sheer generosity of the included accessories. soundcore provides six total sets of silicone ear tips, ranging from XXS to XL. This is a crucial detail many brands overlook, and it practically guarantees that every user can achieve a perfect seal for optimal comfort and noise cancellation. Pairing was unbelievably simple; opening the case near our Google Pixel 8 Pro immediately triggered a connection prompt. There was no fumbling with Bluetooth menus—a seamless experience that speaks to a well-thought-out user interface. This attention to detail in the unboxing and setup phase made for a fantastic first impression before we even listened to a single note of music. You can see the full range of included accessories and colour options online.

Performance Deep Dive: How the soundcore Liberty 5 Holds Up

After several weeks of intensive testing—on noisy trains, in busy coffee shops, during long walks, and throughout focused work sessions—we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of where the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds excel and where they fall short. These aren’t just earbuds; they are a complex piece of audio technology that attempts to balance performance, battery life, and price in a highly competitive market. We broke down our analysis into the three areas that matter most: audio fidelity, noise cancellation and call quality, and the overall user experience from design to battery life.

Sound Quality: A Tale of Two Modes

Let’s get straight to the heart of any audio product: how it sounds. With ANC activated, the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds are nothing short of brilliant for their price class. The audio profile is rich, dynamic, and engaging. We were particularly impressed with the low-end response; as one user aptly put it, the bass has a “superior thump” that gives genres like EDM, hip-hop, and rock a satisfying and energetic foundation without becoming muddy or overwhelming the mids. The inclusion of Hi-Res Audio and LDAC codec support is a huge win for Android users, allowing for a near-lossless listening experience with high-fidelity streaming services. We could hear subtle details in familiar tracks—the faint echo on a vocal, the soft brush on a cymbal—that are often lost on lesser earbuds. The Dolby Audio feature adds another layer of immersion, creating a wider, more cinematic soundstage that genuinely enhances movies and podcasts.

However, there’s a significant caveat that we, and other users, discovered. One reviewer noted that when switching to Normal mode (with ANC off), the “sound becomes flat, hollow.” We can confirm this observation. The vibrant, punchy audio present with ANC enabled seems to deflate, losing much of its body and richness. It’s clear that the digital signal processing (DSP) is heavily optimized for the ANC-on state. While this isn’t a deal-breaker, as most users will likely keep ANC active, it’s a strange quirk that limits the audio experience for those trying to maximize battery life by turning the feature off. The soundcore app does provide a fantastic, highly customizable EQ, which can help mitigate this flatness, but the out-of-the-box difference between the modes is stark and undeniable.

Adaptive ANC and AI-Powered Calls: Your Personal Cone of Silence

The headline feature of the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds is its ANC 3.0 technology, and we’re happy to report that it lives up to the hype. soundcore claims a “2x stronger voice reduction,” and in our testing, this proved to be its greatest strength. In a bustling office or cafe, the earbuds were remarkably adept at muting the drone of background chatter, transforming a distracting environment into a productivity haven. The real-time adaptive algorithm, which adjusts every 0.3 seconds, works seamlessly in the background. Walking from a quiet street into a loud train station, we could feel the cancellation ramp up to counteract the new sounds without any jarring transitions. It’s an impressive system that rivals the performance of competitors costing significantly more.

This noise-cancelling prowess extends directly to call quality. The 6-mic array, combined with an AI noise reduction algorithm, delivered consistently clear calls. We tested it on a windy day, and while some of the strongest gusts were audible, our voice remained clear and understandable to the person on the other end. This was confirmed by users, with one stating, “Mic quality is very good. Never had any problem with that,” and another who works in a noisy factory calling them a “10” for isolating ambient noise during calls. The dual connection feature is another standout, allowing us to be connected to both a laptop and a phone simultaneously. The transition was smooth, automatically pausing a video on our iPad to take a call on our Android phone. This level of call clarity and connectivity is rare at this price.

Design, Controls, and Marathon Battery Life

Comfort is deeply personal, but soundcore has done everything possible to ensure a great fit. The “deep fit” design combined with the six sets of ear tips allowed us to find a perfect, secure seal that stayed put during workouts and long walks. They are so lightweight and comfortable that we often forgot we were wearing them. The unique sliding case is a conversation starter—it looks cool and protects the buds well. While some users expressed concern that it “could potentially break if one isn’t careful,” we found it to be reasonably sturdy, and the magnetic grip holding the earbuds is reassuringly strong.

The primary area for improvement lies with the controls. The soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds use a pinch or squeeze gesture on the stems, similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro. However, we found them to be less responsive than we’d like. It requires more pressure than expected, and we experienced a few missed commands. As one frustrated user put it, “Pinching and pinching and pinching and nothing happens!” While we eventually got the hang of it, there’s a definite learning curve, and it never felt as intuitive as a simple tap control. This is a minor but persistent annoyance in an otherwise excellent user experience.

Thankfully, battery life is an unmitigated triumph. The advertised numbers are not just marketing fluff; they reflect real-world performance. We consistently achieved close to 8 hours of playback with ANC on and nearly 12 with it off. The case provides an additional three full charges, meaning we could go for days of heavy use without ever thinking about a power outlet. The fast-charging feature is a lifesaver, providing 5 hours of playtime from a quick 10-minute charge. For anyone who constantly finds their devices out of power, the battery performance alone makes these earbuds a top contender.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user sentiment for the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds is overwhelmingly positive, particularly concerning the core features of sound, ANC, and battery life. Many users echo our findings, with one summing it up perfectly: “The sound is amazing, with powerful bass and Dolby makes the music sound incredible. The noise cancellation works surprisingly well.” Another was “completely blown away” after using a soundcore product for the first time. The exceptional value for money is a recurring theme, with many comparing them favorably to much more expensive premium brands like Apple’s AirPods Pro, even noting the Liberty 5’s superior bass performance.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which align closely with our own testing. The most common complaint revolves around the finicky pinch controls, which several users found frustrating and unresponsive. The other notable criticism is the significant drop in audio quality when ANC is turned off, with one of the most detailed reviews stating the sound becomes “flat, hollow, and…” which perfectly captures the experience. There were also isolated reports of hardware issues, such as one earbud draining its battery faster than the other, but it’s encouraging to see that in that instance, the user reported that “customer support was great” and a replacement set worked perfectly, indicating solid after-sales support from Anker.

How the soundcore Liberty 5 Compares to the Alternatives

While the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds carve out an impressive niche, it’s important to understand the broader market. Depending on your primary needs—be it ultimate audio fidelity, a different form factor, or a specific professional use case—one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM5 represents the pinnacle of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. If your top priority is absolute silence and the most immersive, high-fidelity audio experience possible, the XM5 is the undisputed king. Its noise cancellation is a class above, capable of silencing everything from airplane engines to office chatter with uncanny effectiveness. The soundstage is wider and more detailed than any in-ear bud can produce. However, this premium performance comes at a premium price, and its over-ear form factor makes it far less portable and convenient for exercise or quick trips than the Liberty 5. This is the choice for the dedicated audiophile and frequent flyer, whereas the soundcore Liberty 5 offers a more versatile, everyday solution.

2. soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones 50H Playtime

For those who prefer an over-ear design but are still budget-conscious, the soundcore Space Q45 offers a compelling alternative from the same family. It boasts an incredible 50 hours of playtime with ANC on, dwarfing even the impressive battery life of the Liberty 5. Its adaptive noise cancelling is also highly effective, reducing noise by up to 98%. The trade-off is, again, portability. The Q45 is a larger headset designed more for travel and stationary listening. If you prioritize maximum battery life and the comfort of an over-ear design for long sessions over the pocket-friendly convenience of true wireless earbuds, the Space Q45 is an excellent choice.

3. Earbay Bluetooth Headset Noise Canceling 28H

The Earbay headset occupies a completely different segment of the market, focusing entirely on professional communication. Its primary advantage is the noise-cancelling boom microphone, which is specifically designed to isolate your voice for crystal-clear calls in a call centre or busy office environment. While it features noise cancellation for listening, its audio quality for music is not designed to compete with entertainment-focused products like the Liberty 5. This is a specialized tool for work. If your day consists of back-to-back Zoom meetings and phone calls and music is an afterthought, the Earbay is the superior choice for voice clarity. For everyone else seeking a balance of work and play, the Liberty 5 is far more versatile.

Our Final Verdict: Is the soundcore Liberty 5 Worth It?

After extensive testing and poring over user feedback, our verdict is clear: the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds are an outstanding achievement in the mid-range audio market. They deliver on the core promises of powerful, adaptive noise cancellation that excels at silencing voices, rich and engaging sound quality (with ANC on), and a battery life that can genuinely be described as monumental. The comprehensive fit options and seamless connectivity round out a package that feels far more premium than its price tag suggests.

They aren’t without their quirks—the pinch controls require patience, and the audio profile takes a noticeable dip when ANC is disabled. However, these are minor trade-offs in the grand scheme of what these earbuds offer. For the commuter, the student, the remote worker, and the everyday music lover who wants 90% of the performance of top-tier earbuds for less than half the price, the Liberty 5 is not just a good choice; it’s arguably one of the best you can make. They represent a new benchmark for value in the world of noise-cancelling audio.

If you’re ready to experience a remarkable blend of performance, features, and affordability, we wholeheartedly recommend the soundcore Liberty 5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds. You can check the latest price and see all available colours right here.