Today, we're diving deep into two popular wireless earbuds - the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99) and the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99). Whether you're looking to upgrade your current earbuds or jumping into premium audio for the first time, this comparison will help you make an informed choice.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since their early days. What started as a convenience-first category has evolved into a sophisticated market where premium features like active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and counter outside noise) and spatial audio (creating a 3D-like sound experience) are becoming standard.
The AirPods Pro 2 launched in late 2022, bringing significant improvements over the original model, particularly in noise cancellation and battery life. The Liberty 4 Pro arrived more recently, positioning itself as a feature-rich alternative at a more accessible price point.
Let's start with what matters most - how these earbuds actually sound.
Apple's latest offers a remarkably balanced sound profile. The bass is present but not overwhelming, mids are clear, and highs are crisp without being harsh. What's particularly impressive is how natural everything sounds - vocals feel like they're coming from a live performance rather than tiny speakers in your ears.
In my testing, I found the sound stage (how wide and deep the music feels) to be notably improved from the first generation. Classical music pieces, which can sound cramped on lesser earbuds, maintain their spaciousness and instrument separation.
Soundcore takes a different approach, offering more powerful bass out of the box but backing it up with extensive EQ customization. The larger 11mm drivers (the speakers inside the earbuds) deliver impressive low-end punch that bass enthusiasts will love.
What sets these apart is the LDAC support - this is a high-quality Bluetooth codec that can transmit about three times more audio data than standard Bluetooth, though it's only available on Android devices.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but there are notable differences in implementation and effectiveness.
Apple's noise cancellation is industry-leading. It's particularly effective at blocking consistent low-frequency noise (think airplane engines or air conditioners) while still maintaining natural sound quality. The transparency mode - which lets you hear your surroundings - is remarkably clear and natural-sounding.
While not quite matching Apple's ANC performance, the Liberty 4 Pro still offers impressive noise reduction. The adaptive ANC automatically adjusts to your environment, and while it might not completely silence a noisy coffee shop, it significantly reduces distractions.
In real-world use, battery life can make or break your experience with wireless earbuds.
The Liberty 4 Pro takes the lead here, offering 10 hours of playback per charge with ANC on, and the case provides an additional 30 hours. Quick charging gives you 4 hours of use from just 5 minutes of charging.
The AirPods Pro 2 manages 6 hours per charge with ANC on, with the case providing 24 additional hours. While these numbers are lower, they're typically sufficient for most users' daily needs.
This is where the two products diverge significantly in their approach.
If you're in the Apple ecosystem, the integration is seamless:
Soundcore takes a more platform-agnostic approach:
For home theater use, both earbuds support low-latency modes to keep audio in sync with video, but there are differences:
The AirPods Pro 2 excel when paired with Apple TV, offering spatial audio that creates a theater-like experience. The Liberty 4 Pro works well with any Bluetooth-enabled TV or transmitter but lacks the same level of spatial audio sophistication.
The $60 price difference between these earbuds is significant, but the value equation isn't straightforward.
The AirPods Pro 2 justify their higher price through superior noise cancellation, better call quality, and seamless Apple integration. If these features matter to you, the premium is worth it.
The Liberty 4 Pro offer exceptional value with their longer battery life, customization options, and strong audio performance. For Android users especially, they might actually be the better choice regardless of price.
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if:
Choose the Liberty 4 Pro if:
Remember, the best choice isn't always about which product is "better" overall, but rather which one better suits your specific needs and usage patterns. Consider your daily routine, device ecosystem, and must-have features when making your decision.
Both products offer solid warranties and good build quality, so durability shouldn't be a major factor in your decision. Focus instead on the features and integration that will make the most difference in your daily use.
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99) | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for blocking unwanted sounds and immersive listening | |
| Industry-leading ANC with adaptive algorithms | Good ANC with 7 sensors, slightly less effective |
| Battery Life - Impacts how often you need to charge during daily use | |
| 6 hours per charge, 30 hours with case | 10 hours per charge, 40 hours with case |
| Sound Quality - Core feature affecting your listening experience | |
| Balanced, refined sound with excellent clarity | Stronger bass, more customizable EQ settings |
| Device Integration - Affects ease of use and available features | |
| Seamless Apple ecosystem integration, limited Android support | Platform-agnostic, full features on all devices |
| Audio Codecs - Determines maximum sound quality potential | |
| AAC only | LDAC support (Android), AAC, SBC |
| Customization - Ability to adjust sound to your preferences | |
| Limited EQ options, automatic adaptation | Extensive EQ control, HearID sound personalization |
| Call Quality - Important for voice communications | |
| Superior voice clarity, better wind noise reduction | Good but not class-leading call quality |
| Water Resistance - Protects against sweat and light rain | |
| IPX4 rated | IPX5 rated (slightly better protection) |
| Special Features - Extra capabilities that add value | |
| Spatial audio with head tracking, Find My support | Heart rate monitoring, multipoint connection |
| Size and Comfort - Affects long-term wearability | |
| Compact, lightweight, 3 tip sizes | Slightly larger, 6 tip size options |
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99) offer superior spatial audio with head tracking, making them better for movie watching, especially when paired with Apple TV. The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) still provide good movie performance but lack the same sophisticated spatial audio features.
If you're in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 justify their higher price through better noise cancellation and seamless integration. However, if you're platform-agnostic, the Liberty 4 Pro offer better value with comparable sound quality and more features.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro wins with 10 hours per charge and 40 hours total with the case, while the AirPods Pro 2 provides 6 hours per charge and 30 hours total.
Yes, both work with any Bluetooth-enabled TV. The AirPods Pro 2 excel with Apple TV, while the Liberty 4 Pro work equally well across all TV brands.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer superior noise cancellation, making them better for immersive movie watching. The Liberty 4 Pro provide good but slightly less effective noise reduction.
Both offer low latency modes, but the AirPods Pro 2 have slightly better latency performance when used with Apple devices. The Liberty 4 Pro offer comparable performance across all platforms.
The Liberty 4 Pro offer more fit options with 6 tip sizes, while the AirPods Pro 2 come with 3 sizes. Both are comfortable, but the Liberty 4 Pro may be easier to customize for your perfect fit.
The AirPods Pro 2 handle surround sound better with their advanced spatial audio processing. The Liberty 4 Pro offer basic spatial audio but aren't as sophisticated for surround content.
The Liberty 4 Pro offer true multipoint connection across any device. The AirPods Pro 2 only offer seamless switching between Apple devices.
Both offer excellent sound quality, but the AirPods Pro 2's spatial audio makes them superior for movie watching. The Liberty 4 Pro offer stronger bass, which some might prefer for action movies.
Yes, both work with all streaming services. The AirPods Pro 2 integrate better with Apple TV+, while the Liberty 4 Pro offer consistent performance across all platforms.
Both are excellent for late-night viewing, but the AirPods Pro 2's superior noise cancellation and transparency mode make them slightly better for maintaining awareness of your surroundings while watching at lower volumes.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: recordingnow.com - apple.com - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.com - bestbuy.com - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com
