Unsponsored earbud review
Soundcore Liberty 5 Review
Great sound, impressive noise cancellation, and useful controls make these a strong option around $130. The catch for me was keeping the fit secure during movement.
Steve's verdict
If they stay secure in your ears, the Liberty 5 are easy to recommend. I would consider them alongside the Nothing Ear (3a): sound quality and ANC are the highlights, while the fit needs a careful check before you commit.
Best for
Listeners who want strong sound, effective ANC, useful EQ, and two-device connectivity without paying flagship prices.
Skip it if
You need a dependable exercise fit without adjustment, or expect transparency to match the best Apple and Sony models.
Main strengths
Sound quality and ANC
Main tradeoff
Fit during movement
Review-time price
Around $130; check current offers
What I like
- Great sound with solid bass and clear vocals
- Impressive ANC with a good silicone-tip seal
- Noticeable, useful EQ adjustments
- Pinch controls avoid accidental taps while adjusting the fit
- Sliding case, wireless charging, and good battery life
- Multipoint for a phone and computer
What to know
- The fit loosened as I moved around, even after changing tips
- Transparency falls behind the best Sony and Apple models
- Dolby Audio made little audible difference to me
- HearID requires an account; I did not test it
Watch the quick unboxing
A closer look at the earbuds and sliding charging case.
Watch the 27-second unboxingWhat I tested
Real-world use, not just the spec sheet
- I bought these myself; the review is not sponsored.
- Tried different tip sizes and settled on small left / medium right.
- Compared listening modes and EQ presets; HearID was not tested.
- Recorded studio and roadside microphone samples in the video.
Design, case, and pinch controls
The sliding lid gives the case a different feel from most earbuds I have tested. It charges over USB-C or wirelessly, and the pairing button sits inside. The stem controls are a real positive for me: squeezing to control playback or listening modes avoids the accidental taps I often trigger when pushing other earbuds back into place.
Fit and comfort: a good seal did not mean a secure fit
I got a good initial seal after switching to a small tip in my left ear and keeping a medium in my right. That stopped the left earbud from falling out, but the fit still loosened as I moved around. I kept pushing them back in. Try the supplied tip sizes and the app's fit test, especially if you plan to exercise in them. My experience is a fit warning, rather than a prediction of how they will fit everyone.
Sound quality and EQ
Sound is one of the Liberty 5's biggest strengths. Bass was solid, voices came through clearly, and I was happy with the overall presentation. The 9.2 mm drivers use wool-paper diaphragms and bass tubes. More useful to me than that specification was the EQ: changing presets made an obvious difference, and custom EQ gives you room to adjust the tuning. I found the listening experience comparable to the Nothing Ear (3a), another option I recommend in this price range.
Noise cancellation and transparency
The ANC impressed me once I had a good seal. It was much more convincing than my experience with the EarFun Air Pro 4+. Transparency also worked well and was usable for hearing my surroundings, although it did not reach the level of the best Sony and Apple earbuds I have tested. Those are my listening impressions, rather than laboratory measurements.
App, multipoint, and phone compatibility
The Soundcore app lets you change listening modes, controls, and EQ. Multipoint lets a phone and computer stay connected at the same time, which I found helpful. LDAC is available on compatible Android phones; iPhones do not support it, but still get the app and other customization. Switching Dolby Audio on and off did not make a meaningful difference to me. I did not try HearID 4.0 because it required creating an account, so I cannot judge the personalized profile.
Battery life and charging
The advertised ratings are up to eight hours with ANC, or 32 hours including the case; with ANC off, they rise to 12 and 48 hours. Battery life in my use seemed in line with Soundcore's claims, but I did not run a controlled battery benchmark. Wireless charging is a welcome convenience alongside USB-C.
Microphones: hear the samples
The full video includes microphone samples in a quiet studio and beside a busy road, starting at 7:18. Listen to those recordings before deciding whether the call quality suits your needs. I have not assigned a separate microphone score here.
Would I buy the Liberty 5?
At around $130 in my review, Soundcore gets a lot right. Sound quality, effective ANC, and useful customization are the reasons I would put these on a shortlist alongside Nothing Ear (3a). The main condition is fit: changing tips helped my initial seal, but movement still loosened the earbuds. If they stay secure for you, they offer a lot of everyday value. The price mentioned here is review context; check Amazon for current options and offers.
Questions before you buy
Are the Soundcore Liberty 5 good for workouts?
They loosened as I moved around. Changing tip sizes improved the initial fit but did not completely solve it, so I would check the fit carefully before choosing them for exercise.
Do Liberty 5 work with iPhone?
Yes. You can use the Soundcore app, EQ, and other customization on iPhone. LDAC needs a compatible Android phone.
Is Liberty 5 noise cancellation good?
I found it impressive with a good silicone-tip seal, and more convincing than my EarFun Air Pro 4+ experience. Transparency was usable but behind the best Sony and Apple models.
Compare before you buy
The Best Premium Earbuds for Your PhoneWatch the full review