Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (latest) Review

What the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC actually is

These are Anker's mid-tier ANC earbuds, sitting in the $80 to $100 range on Amazon. They slot below true flagships from Sony and Bose but aim squarely at people who want serious noise cancelling without the serious markup.

The pitch is straightforward. Adaptive ANC that adjusts to your surroundings, long battery life, and a tuned sound profile that doesn't apologize for being fun. For the money, that's an ambitious list, and Anker mostly delivers on it.

Noise cancelling that punches above the price

This is the reason to buy them. The ANC is genuinely strong for the category, killing the low drone of plane cabins, buses, and office HVAC. Owners consistently rank it close to gear that costs two or three times as much, and that reputation is deserved.

It won't fully erase sharp, sudden sounds. Clattering keyboards and nearby voices still leak through more than they would on a Bose QuietComfort. But for steady background noise, which is what most people actually want ANC for, it does the job and then some. The adaptive mode that adjusts intensity on the fly is more useful than gimmicky.

Sound, battery, and daily use

Out of the box the tuning leans bass-forward and energetic. Good for pop, hip-hop, and podcasts on a noisy commute. If you want it flatter, the Soundcore app has a usable EQ that tames the low end. Audiophiles will pick nits about treble detail, but for $90 earbuds the sound is more than fair.

Battery is a real strength. You're looking at roughly 8 to 10 hours per charge with ANC on, and around 40 hours total with the case. That's enough that charging anxiety basically disappears. Wireless charging is on board, and a quick top-up buys you hours. Call quality is decent in quiet rooms and gets patchy in wind, which is normal at this price.

The annoyances

The fit is fine for most ears but the buds are a touch chunky, and people with smaller ear canals report the heavier weight after long sessions. Try the included tip sizes before you give up.

The app is powerful but cluttered, and the touch controls can be twitchy. There's no aptX, so Android users chasing the highest-quality wireless codec should look elsewhere. Multipoint works but has been known to be finicky depending on your devices.

Who should buy it, who should skip it

Buy these if you fly or commute often and want strong ANC without spending flagship money. They're our easy pick for travelers on a budget and for anyone who values battery life over last-percent audio fidelity.

Skip them if you need pristine, neutral sound for critical listening, or if crystal-clear calls in windy outdoor settings are non-negotiable. Sony's WF-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra still win the top tier, but they cost a lot more to do it. For most people, the Liberty 4 NC is the smarter spend.

The verdict

The Liberty 4 NC is one of the best value propositions in earbuds right now. The ANC is the star, the battery is excellent, and the price keeps it from being a tough decision. A few rough edges in the app and call quality keep it from being perfect, but none of them are dealbreakers at this cost. Confident recommendation.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC's noise cancelling actually good?

Yes, especially for the price. It excels at steady low-frequency noise like planes and traffic, ranking close to far pricier earbuds. It's less effective against sharp sounds and nearby voices, but that's true of most ANC buds in this range.

How long does the battery last?

Expect roughly 8 to 10 hours per charge with ANC on, and around 40 hours total with the charging case. The case supports wireless charging and fast top-ups, so running dry is rarely an issue.

Do they work well for phone calls?

Calls are clear in quiet indoor spaces but degrade in wind or noisy outdoor environments. They're fine for everyday calls, just not the best choice if you take a lot of calls outside.