Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Review

What the Soundcore Liberty 4 actually is

The Liberty 4 is Anker's attempt to cram flagship features into a $80 to $130 pair of earbuds. You get adaptive noise cancellation, spatial audio with head tracking, dual drivers, and a heart-rate sensor built into the left bud. That last bit is the headline. Optical sensors in earbuds are unusual at any price, let alone this one.

The fit is the small, glossy stem style that's become standard since AirPods Pro. The case is one of the nicer ones in the budget tier, with a rounded shape and a USB-C port that also supports wireless charging. It's the kind of product that looks more expensive than it costs, which is half the appeal.

Sound quality and spatial audio

Anker tunes these for punch. Bass is forward, the low end has weight, and pop, hip-hop, and electronic tracks hit hard out of the box. Owners consistently praise the dynamic, energetic sound. If you want flat, reference-grade neutrality, this isn't it, but you can tame the bass in the Soundcore app's EQ.

The spatial audio with head tracking is fun for a few songs and a movie or two. Be honest about how often you'll use it. Most people try it, nod, and switch it back off. The everyday win here is the standard stereo sound, which is genuinely good for the money and competitive with earbuds that cost noticeably more.

Heart-rate tracking: gimmick or useful?

This is the feature you're here for, so let's be blunt. The heart-rate sensor works, and it's a neat trick if you already do app-guided workouts and don't want a watch on your wrist. The Soundcore app logs your sessions and gives you zones and basic fitness readouts.

It is not a replacement for a dedicated Apple Watch, Garmin, or chest strap if you train seriously. Optical readings from the ear are decent but not lab-accurate, and you have to be running Anker's app for it to do anything. Treat it as a bonus, not the reason you'd skip a real fitness tracker.

Noise cancellation, calls, and battery

The ANC is good for the price. It knocks down plane drone, office hum, and traffic well enough that you'll forget it's working. It won't silence a room the way Sony's WF-1000XM5 or Bose's QuietComfort buds do, and that's the expected gap when you're paying half as much.

Battery lands around 9 hours per charge with ANC off and roughly 6 to 7 with it on, plus a few extra charges in the case. That's solid. Call quality is fine for everyday calls and a little weaker in heavy wind or noise, which is true of most earbuds in this class.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Buy these if you want a bass-forward, feature-packed pair of earbuds without spending flagship money, and the heart-rate angle sounds like a fun perk. They're a strong pick for casual exercisers, commuters, and anyone shopping the under-$130 bracket who still wants ANC and a wireless-charging case.

Skip them if you need best-in-tier noise cancellation, if you're an Android-to-iPhone purist who wants tight ecosystem features, or if you already own a serious fitness tracker and the heart-rate sensor adds nothing for you. Audio purists who want neutral tuning will also be happier elsewhere.

The verdict

The Liberty 4 is one of the best value-per-feature earbuds you can buy. The sound is fun, the ANC is respectable, the case is classy, and the heart-rate sensor is a genuine novelty that occasionally earns its keep. You're getting most of what the big names offer for a lot less.

Just go in clear-eyed. The premium players still win on outright ANC and accuracy. For everyone else, these are an easy recommendation and a smart way to spend under $130.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Soundcore Liberty 4 heart-rate tracking really work?

Yes, the optical sensor in the left bud reads your heart rate and logs workouts through the Soundcore app. It's accurate enough for casual training, but it isn't a substitute for a dedicated watch or chest strap, and it only tracks while the app is running.

How is the noise cancellation compared to AirPods Pro or Sony?

The ANC is good for the price and handles steady noise like planes and traffic well. It doesn't match the deeper, more complete silencing of the AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, or Bose QuietComfort buds, which cost considerably more.

What's the battery life on the Liberty 4?

Expect around 9 hours per charge with ANC off and roughly 6 to 7 hours with ANC on, plus extra charges from the case. The case supports both USB-C and wireless charging.