Noise canceling is also top-tier. The buds have the standard noise cancellation, transparency, adaptive, and off modes, and you can fine-tune ANC strength (from one to five) using the case or Soundcore app. The only earbuds that noticeably canceled more noise were the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sony WF-1000XM6.
Video: Harry Rabinowitz
Video: Harry Rabinowitz
Out of the box, the sound profile (called Soundcore Signature) isn’t an immediate slam dunk like call quality and ANC are. It’s bass-heavy, so much so that I would bet even an untrained ear would notice the bass boost, especially compared to other earbuds from Apple or Bose. There are five preset sound profiles (I preferred Soundcore Balance), an eight-band custom equalizer to play with, and a personalized HearID mode, which tunes the profile to your preferences based on an audio quiz where you select which clip you prefer.
Using the Soundcore Balance or custom HearID profile, the Liberty 5 Pro sounds great. Again, it’s not quite as detailed as AirPods Pro 3 or QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, but it’s close enough to be enjoyable for most people, especially given the significantly lower price.
Daily Versatility
Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz
It’s not often that a new pair of earbuds becomes my go-to. The convenience of the Apple ecosystem usually means AirPods Pro 3 are, begrudgingly, my earbuds of choice. But I’m still using the Liberty 5 Pro; I’m using them as I write this review. The Liberty 5 Pro is comfortable, sounds good, has great ANC, works well on iPhone and Android devices, and fits securely, making it well suited for almost any task. An IP55 rating means the earbuds should hold their own against dust and light rain. Most importantly, it offers such dramatically better call quality that I enjoy phone calls more, even with my mumbling and NYC street noise.
Sure, sound clarity isn’t perfect. Yes, the buds are a bit large. But when those are the only complaints I have about earbuds that cost nearly $100 less than most of my other top recommendations, that’s a big deal. In 2026, the Liberty 5 Pro might be the best value earbuds you can get.
