Let's dive into two popular wireless earbuds that often come up in conversations about premium audio - the Bose QuietComfort True Wireless Earbuds ($279) and the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129). While they're both aiming to deliver great sound and noise cancellation, they take different approaches to value and features.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since Apple shook up the market with AirPods. Today's premium models pack impressive technology into tiny packages - we're talking active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out background noise), spatial audio (creating a 3D sound experience), and smart features like automatic ear detection.
The Bose QuietComfort was released in late 2020, while the Liberty 4 Pro launched more recently in late 2023. This timing difference shows in some of their features and capabilities.
Both earbuds deliver impressive sound quality, but they approach it differently. The Bose offers what audio enthusiasts call a "neutral" sound profile - meaning it tries to reproduce music exactly as it was recorded. This makes it great for acoustic music, classical, and jazz where accuracy matters most.
The Liberty 4 Pro takes a more modern approach with slightly boosted bass and treble that many listeners prefer for contemporary music. It also includes LDAC support (a high-quality wireless audio format) which the Bose lacks. For movie watching, both perform admirably, though the Bose's more neutral profile might give dialogue a slight edge in clarity.
Having tested both extensively, I find the Bose marginally better for critical listening sessions, but the Soundcore more fun for casual use and exercise. The difference isn't huge though - both are excellent performers.
Here's where the price difference starts to show. The Bose QuietComfort offers arguably the best noise cancellation in any wireless earbuds. It's noticeably better at blocking out low-frequency sounds like airplane engines, bus rumble, and air conditioning hum. The system adapts automatically to your environment and can be adjusted through 11 levels of cancellation.
The Liberty 4 Pro performs admirably but doesn't quite match Bose's prowess. It's still plenty effective for most situations - it'll block out office chatter and coffee shop noise well enough - but frequent flyers might notice the difference. Both offer transparency modes (where external sounds are amplified so you can hear your surroundings), though Bose's implementation sounds more natural.
This round goes decisively to Soundcore. The Liberty 4 Pro offers up to 10 hours of playback per charge with noise cancellation on, and the case provides an additional 30 hours. A quick 5-minute charge gives you 4 hours of playback - perfect for those "oops, forgot to charge" moments.
The Bose manages about 6 hours per charge with 12 additional hours from the case. While not bad, it's less competitive in 2024. Both cases support wireless charging, which is convenient but slower than wired charging.
Comfort is subjective, but both manufacturers have put serious thought into their designs. The Bose includes their proprietary "StayHear" wing tips that really lock the earbuds in place - great for exercise or vigorous head movement. They're larger than average but surprisingly comfortable for long sessions.
The Liberty 4 Pro uses a more traditional design but includes six different ear tip sizes (compared to the usual three), making it easier to find your perfect fit. They're slightly lighter than the Bose, which some users might prefer for extended wear.
Both earbuds offer companion apps for customization, but Soundcore's app is more feature-rich. It includes:
Bose's app is simpler but refined, focusing on core features like noise cancellation adjustment and firmware updates. Both support multipoint connection (connecting to two devices simultaneously), though Bose's implementation is more reliable in my experience.
Here's where things get interesting. The Bose QuietComfort at $279 represents the premium end of the market. You're paying for class-leading noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and the Bose brand reputation. It's a solid choice if you want the very best noise cancellation or frequently travel.
The Liberty 4 Pro at $129 delivers about 90% of the Bose's performance at less than half the price. The sound quality is comparable (some might even prefer it), the noise cancellation is good (if not best-in-class), and you get better battery life plus more features.
Consider your priorities:
From my experience using both, I often reach for the Liberty 4 Pro for daily use due to its excellent battery life and feature set. However, I keep the Bose handy for travel and situations where maximum noise cancellation is crucial.
Remember that both options represent high-end true wireless earbuds - you can't really go wrong with either choice. The main question is whether the Bose's superior noise cancellation and slightly more refined sound are worth the additional $150 for your specific needs.
| Bose QuietComfort ($279) | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for travel and office use | |
| Industry-leading ANC with 11 levels of adjustment | Good ANC performance, not quite Bose level |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without charging | |
| 6 hours per charge, 18 hours total with case | 10 hours per charge, 40 hours total with case |
| Sound Quality - Core feature affecting daily enjoyment | |
| Balanced, neutral profile with excellent clarity | Slightly bass-forward, highly customizable EQ |
| Charging Speed - Crucial for quick top-ups | |
| 15 minutes for 2 hours playback | 5 minutes for 4 hours playback |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (better water resistance) |
| Codec Support - Matters for audio quality on Android | |
| Standard SBC/AAC only | Includes LDAC for hi-res audio |
| Ear Tip Options - Affects comfort and fit | |
| 3 sizes with StayHear wing tips | 6 sizes for better fit customization |
| Case Features - Convenience factor | |
| Basic case with wireless charging | Smart case with touch display and battery gauge |
| Multi-Device Support - Important for work/personal use | |
| Reliable multipoint connection | Basic multipoint, occasional switching delays |
The Bose QuietComfort has a slightly more balanced sound profile that works well for movie dialogue, but the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro offers customizable EQ settings that can enhance the movie experience. Both provide excellent sound quality, though the Bose's more neutral tuning gives it a small edge for home theater use.
The Bose QuietComfort retails for $279, while the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro is priced at $129. The significant price difference makes the Soundcore an excellent value proposition while still delivering premium features.
The Bose QuietComfort offers superior noise cancellation with 11 adjustable levels, making it the better choice for noisy environments. The Liberty 4 Pro provides good noise cancellation but doesn't quite match Bose's performance.
Yes, both earbuds can connect to TVs that support Bluetooth audio output. The Bose QuietComfort and Liberty 4 Pro both feature low latency modes for better audio-video synchronization during movies and TV shows.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro significantly outperforms with 10 hours per charge and 40 hours total with the case, compared to the Bose QuietComfort's 6 hours per charge and 18 hours total.
Both are excellent for late-night viewing. The Bose QuietComfort offers slightly better isolation, while the Liberty 4 Pro provides longer battery life for extended viewing sessions.
Yes, both the Bose QuietComfort and Liberty 4 Pro support multipoint connections, allowing you to switch between devices like your TV and phone. The Bose typically handles switching more smoothly.
The Bose QuietComfort features StayHear wing tips for secure fit, while the Liberty 4 Pro offers more ear tip size options. Both are comfortable, but personal preference plays a big role in long-term comfort.
Both work for gaming, but neither is optimized for it. The Bose QuietComfort and Liberty 4 Pro have some latency, making them better suited for movies and music than competitive gaming.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro offers more extensive sound customization through its app, including detailed EQ settings. The Bose QuietComfort provides fewer adjustments but delivers excellent sound out of the box.
The Liberty 4 Pro has IPX5 water resistance, while the Bose QuietComfort has IPX4. Both can handle sweat and light rain, but neither is fully waterproof.
For pure home theater use, the Bose QuietComfort edges out with better noise isolation and dialogue clarity. However, the Liberty 4 Pro offers better value and longer battery life, making it a strong alternative if budget is a concern.
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: techradar.com - rtings.com - global.bose.com - cnet.com - bose.com - bestbuy.com - tomsguide.com - abt.com - boselatam.com - boseapac.com - audioxpress.com - cdw.com - bestbuy.com - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com
