Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Review (2026): The Best Budget Noise Cancelling Earbuds?

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC quickly became one of the most popular budget wireless earbuds on the market. With advanced active noise cancellation, long battery life, and support for high-quality Bluetooth codecs, these earbuds promise premium features at a much lower price than flagship models.

In recent years, the competition in the wireless earbuds market has grown dramatically. Premium models like the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Pro dominate the high-end segment, but many users are looking for a more affordable alternative that still delivers strong performance.

The Liberty 4 NC aims to fill that gap by offering impressive ANC performance, customizable sound tuning, and exceptional battery life. But can they really compete with more expensive earbuds? In this detailed review, we tested the Liberty 4 NC across sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery performance, and real-world usability.

Design and Comfort

The design of the Liberty 4 NC follows a familiar stem-style approach similar to many modern wireless earbuds. While the design may not be as visually unique as the transparent aesthetic found in the Nothing Ear (2024), it remains clean and modern.

The charging case is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry in a pocket or bag. The earbuds themselves are ergonomically shaped and include multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a secure fit.

During extended testing sessions, the earbuds remained comfortable even after several hours of continuous listening. The lightweight design also makes them suitable for commuting, office use, or long travel sessions.

Although the materials feel slightly less premium than flagship earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5, the overall build quality remains solid for the price.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is one of the most important factors when choosing wireless earbuds, and the Liberty 4 NC performs surprisingly well in this area.

The 11mm dynamic drivers deliver a powerful and energetic sound signature with strong bass response. This makes the earbuds particularly enjoyable for genres such as electronic music, hip-hop, and pop.

Midrange performance remains clear enough for vocals and podcasts, while the treble is slightly softened to avoid harshness. While audiophiles may still prefer premium earbuds, the overall sound quality is excellent for the price.

One major advantage for Android users is support for the LDAC Bluetooth codec. LDAC allows higher bitrate audio streaming compared with standard SBC or AAC codecs.

If you want to understand how codecs affect sound quality, read our guide:

LDAC vs AAC vs SBC: Which Codec Sounds Better?

Active Noise Cancellation Performance

Active noise cancellation is where the Liberty 4 NC truly shines. Soundcore claims that the earbuds can reduce up to 98% of external noise, and our testing shows that their ANC performance is extremely impressive for the price category.

Low-frequency noise such as airplane engines, train rumble, and air conditioning systems are effectively reduced. In busy environments like cafes or public transport, the earbuds create a noticeably quieter listening experience.

While flagship models like the Sony WF-1000XM5 still offer slightly stronger noise cancellation, the difference is surprisingly small considering the large price gap.

If you want to learn more about how noise cancellation works, you can read our full guide:

What Is ANC? A Complete Guide to Active Noise Cancelling

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life is one of the strongest advantages of the Liberty 4 NC. With up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 50 hours when combined with the charging case, these earbuds easily outperform many premium competitors.

For comparison, flagship earbuds often provide around 6–8 hours of playback. This makes the Liberty 4 NC particularly appealing for travelers or users who frequently listen to music throughout the day.

Connectivity is also excellent thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 support. Pairing is quick and stable, and the connection remains reliable even in crowded wireless environments.

The Soundcore companion app provides additional features such as customizable EQ profiles, noise cancellation adjustments, and firmware updates.

Pros and Cons

Overall, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers tremendous value for anyone looking for affordable wireless earbuds with advanced features.

If you want to compare them with other models, check our comparison guides:

Earbuds Comparisons

For buyers seeking powerful ANC, long battery life, and customizable sound without spending flagship prices, the Liberty 4 NC remains one of the best budget earbuds available today.