AirPods 4 vs Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro: Best earbuds for $130?

When it comes to wireless earbuds under $150, Apple’s AirPods and Anker’s Soundcore Liberty series have been making waves. Today, we’re comparing the latest offerings from both brands: the Apple AirPods 4 and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro. Both offer advanced features, impressive sound quality, and unique designs, but they cater to different needs and ecosystems. This comparison will help you decide which pair of earbuds is the right fit for your listening lifestyle.

Editor’s note: this article was published on October 9, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the AirPods 4 compared to the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro?

The design philosophies of the AirPods 4 and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro differ significantly, catering to different user preferences and needs.

The AirPods 4 continues Apple’s tradition of an unsealed design without any ear tips. They feature a redesigned shape based on a large sample of ear shapes, aiming to provide a better fit than previous generations. However, the one-size-fits-all approach means that comfort and fit can vary greatly between users. The AirPods 4 are extremely lightweight at 4.3g per earbud, which contributes to their comfort when they fit well.

In contrast, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro opts for a more traditional in-ear design with silicone ear tips. This design provides a more secure fit and better noise isolation. The Liberty 4 Pro earbuds are slightly heavier at 5.5g each but still comfortable for extended wear. They come with various sizes of ear tips, allowing users to find the best fit for their ears.

The charging cases of both earbuds are also quite different. The AirPods 4 case is small and portable, with a classic white design. The Liberty 4 Pro case, on the other hand, is larger but features a unique sliding cover and a small touch display. This display, while somewhat gimmicky, allows users to check battery levels and adjust settings without opening the case or using their phone.

In terms of durability, the AirPods 4 have an IP54 rating, offering protection against dust and water splashes. The Liberty 4 Pro has a slightly lower IPX5 rating, which protects against water jets from any direction but doesn’t specify dust protection.

Do the AirPods 4 or Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro have more features?

The AirPods 4 excels in their integration with the Apple ecosystem. They feature the H2 chip, which enables seamless pairing and switching between Apple devices. The AirPods 4 offers Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, providing an immersive listening experience for compatible content. They also include features like Adaptive EQ, which automatically tunes music to the shape of your ear, and Personalized Volume, which adjusts audio levels based on environmental noise.

On the other hand, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro shines in its versatility and customization options. They come with a feature-rich companion app that offers an extensive array of settings. Users can access a variety of EQ presets, create custom EQ settings, and even take a hearing test to create a personalized sound profile. The Liberty 4 Pro also offers its own version of spatial audio, though it’s not as refined as Apple’s implementation.

Both earbuds offer touch controls, but the Liberty 4 Pro provides more customization options for these controls through its app. It also includes features like wind noise reduction and an airplane mode that considers air pressure when adjusting ANC.

While the AirPods 4’s standard model lacks active noise cancelation (ANC), a version with ANC is available at a higher price point. The Liberty 4 Pro includes ANC as a standard feature, with adjustable levels accessible through the app or the case’s touch controls.

How do the AirPods 4 and Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro connect?

The AirPods 4 use Bluetooth 5.3 and are designed to work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. They feature instant pairing with Apple devices and can automatically switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The AirPods 4 uses the AAC codec, which provides high-quality audio for Apple devices but may not offer the same level of performance on Android devices.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro also uses Bluetooth 5.4, offering slightly newer technology. They support the LDAC codec, which can provide higher-quality audio streaming on compatible Android devices. The Liberty 4 Pro also supports Bluetooth Multipoint, allowing you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

For Android users, the Liberty 4 Pro offers Google Fast Pair for quick and easy connection. While they work with iOS devices, they don’t offer the same level of integration as the AirPods 4 do with Apple products.

Is battery life better on the AirPods 4 or Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro?

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro has a clear advantage over the AirPods 4 when it comes to battery life.

The AirPods 4 offer up to 6 hours and 21 minutes of continuous playback on a single charge, based on our testing. With the charging case, you can get up to 30 hours of total listening time. The AirPods 4 also feature fast charging, with 5 minutes of charging providing about an hour of listening time.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, on the other hand, boasts a longer battery life. It is rated for up to 7.5 hours of playback with ANC enabled, and the case provides a total of up to 30 hours with ANC on or up to 40 hours with ANC off. The Liberty 4 Pro also features impressive fast charging capabilities, with just 5 minutes of charging providing up to 4 hours of playback time.

It’s worth noting that actual battery life can vary depending on factors like volume levels, feature usage, and environmental conditions. However, the Liberty 4 Pro offers more flexibility with its longer single-charge battery life and faster charging capabilities.

Do the AirPods 4 or Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro block noise better?

When it comes to noise isolation and cancellation, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro significantly outperforms the standard AirPods 4.

The AirPods 4, with their open-ear design, provide very little noise isolation. They don’t come with silicone ear tips to seal off the ear canal, which means you can easily hear your surroundings. This design is intentional, allowing users to stay aware of their environment, but it can be frustrating in noisy settings. The standard AirPods 4 does not feature active noise cancelation (ANC), though there is a separate ANC version available at a higher price point.

In contrast, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro offers both passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation. Their in-ear design with silicone ear tips provides a good seal, passively blocking out a significant amount of ambient noise. The ANC feature further enhances this isolation, with testing showing that it can reduce low-frequency noise by about 30 dB. This level of noise reduction is quite good, especially considering the price point of these earbuds.

The Liberty 4 Pro also offers a transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings when needed. This mode can even amplify external sounds, making them louder than they would be without wearing the earbuds. The app allows users to adjust the level of ANC or transparency on a sliding scale, providing more fine-tuned control over how much environmental sound they want to let in.

For those who need to block out external noise, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro is the clear winner in this category.

Do the AirPods 4 sound better than the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro?

The AirPods 4 offers a balanced sound profile with good detail across the mids and highs. Due to their open design, they lack deep sub-bass but provide a pleasant listening experience for most genres. The AirPods 4 uses Adaptive EQ technology to adjust the sound based on the fit in your ear, which can help maintain consistent audio quality.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, on the other hand, offers more customizable sound. Out of the box, it slightly emphasizes bass frequencies, which bass enthusiasts might appreciate. However, the extensive EQ options in the Soundcore app allow users to fine-tune the sound to their liking.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The above scores show that the Liberty 4 Pro performs better across all metrics, particularly in timbre and immersiveness, meaning they sound better to our simulated panel of listeners.

Objective Measurements

The AirPods 4 follows our preference curve fairly closely in the mids and highs, with some deviations. They show a slight boost in the bass region around 100Hz, which helps compensate for the lack of deep sub-bass typical of open-ear designs. There’s a noticeable dip in the 3-6kHz region, which may result in a slightly less “clear” sound compared to the ideal curve. However, the AirPods 4 maintains good treble extension into the highest frequencies, which can contribute to a sense of airiness in the sound.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, in its default setting, also adheres quite closely to our preference curve. They exhibit a more pronounced bass boost below 200Hz compared to the AirPods 4, which will appeal to bass enthusiasts. The mids and highs generally follow the preferred curve, with some slight deviations. The Liberty 4 Pro doesn’t show the same dip in the 3-6kHz region that the AirPods 4 do, potentially resulting in a clearer, more detailed sound in this range.

Do the AirPods 4 or Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro have a better microphone?

When paired with an iPhone, the AirPods 4 uses the AAC-ELD speech codec and benefits from AI processing. This combination results in clear voice reproduction and effective background noise filtering. The AirPods 4 performs well in various environments, including office settings and outdoor locations with ambient noise.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro also delivers good microphone performance. They handle background noise well in office and street environments, focusing on the speaker’s voice. The Liberty 4 Pro also demonstrates good performance in windy conditions and reverberant spaces.

AirPods 4 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods 4 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):

AirPods 4 vs Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro: Price and availability

The Apple AirPods 4 are priced at $129 at Amazon, making them the most affordable AirPods to date. This price point is for the standard version without active noise cancelation. The ANC version is available at a higher price of ()

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro are competitively priced at $129.99 at Amazon, offering a feature-rich alternative at a similar price point to the standard AirPods 4. Both earbuds are widely available through their respective manufacturer’s websites, major electronics retailers, and online marketplaces.

Should you get the AirPods 4 or Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro?

Choosing between the AirPods 4 and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro largely depends on your priorities, ecosystem preferences, and how you plan to use your earbuds.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preferences, the devices you use, and how you plan to use your earbuds. Both options offer good value for their price, but the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro may edge out in terms of overall features and versatility, especially for non-Apple users or those who prioritize noise cancelation and sound customization.

Alternative options

Frequently asked questions