When it comes to high-end wireless earbuds in 2024, we're seeing some fascinating developments in what these tiny devices can do. Today, I'm comparing two popular options: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299) and the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129). Let's dig into what makes each special and help you decide which is right for you.
Modern wireless earbuds have come a long way from the first truly wireless models of 2016. They've evolved from simple Bluetooth audio devices into sophisticated mini-computers that pack impressive features into incredibly small packages.
The key technologies defining premium earbuds today are:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, released in September 2023, represent Bose's latest flagship offering. They build upon the already excellent QuietComfort Earbuds II with improved sound quality and new spatial audio features.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro arrived as a premium offering from Anker's audio brand, bringing features typically found in more expensive earbuds to a mid-range price point. They've received several firmware updates since launch that have improved their performance.
Noise cancellation is where we see one of the biggest differences between these models. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra uses what they call "CustomTune" technology, which measures your ear canal's shape and adjusts the noise cancellation accordingly. In my testing, this makes a noticeable difference - especially on airplanes and trains where consistent noise cancellation is crucial.
The Liberty 4 Pro's noise cancellation is still impressive, especially considering the price point. It uses six microphones and can reduce ambient noise by about 80% compared to the Bose's roughly 95% reduction. For most daily situations (coffee shops, offices, gyms), this difference isn't huge, but frequent travelers will appreciate Bose's edge here.
Both earbuds take different approaches to sound:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra aims for a balanced, natural sound profile out of the box. They support aptX Adaptive (a high-quality Bluetooth audio codec) and have minimal sound customization options. Their new spatial audio feature creates a more speaker-like experience, though I've found it works better with some content than others.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers a more bass-heavy default sound but provides extensive customization through their app. You can adjust an 8-band equalizer or choose from 22 presets. They also support LDAC (another high-quality Bluetooth codec) for Android users. After some tweaking, they can match the Bose in sound quality for most listeners.
Battery life is increasingly important as we use earbuds for more tasks. The Liberty 4 Pro edges out the Bose here with 7.5 hours of playback with ANC enabled, versus the Bose's 6 hours (or 4 hours with spatial audio). Both cases provide multiple additional charges.
For calls, the Bose has a slight edge in noise reduction and voice clarity. If you frequently take calls in noisy environments, this could be important.
Comfort is subjective, but both manufacturers provide multiple tip sizes. The Bose includes their unique "fit kit" with different sized ear tips and stability bands. The Liberty 4 Pro comes with six different tip sizes, which is unusually generous.
For home theater use, both earbuds offer low latency modes when used with compatible devices. The Bose's spatial audio feature can create a more immersive experience for movies and shows, but it does impact battery life. The Liberty 4 Pro's LDAC support can provide higher quality audio with compatible Android devices.
Neither is a replacement for a proper home theater system, but they're excellent for personal viewing, especially late at night or in shared living spaces.
This is where things get interesting. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra at $299 delivers best-in-class noise cancellation and excellent sound quality. The Liberty 4 Pro at $129 offers about 90% of the premium features at less than half the price.
The value equation really depends on your priorities:
Consider these scenarios:
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if:
Choose the Liberty 4 Pro if:
Both of these earbuds are excellent choices in their respective price ranges. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra represents the pinnacle of what's currently possible in wireless earbuds, especially in terms of noise cancellation and call quality. The Liberty 4 Pro shows how far mid-range earbuds have come, offering features and performance that were exclusive to flagship models just a year or two ago.
For most users, I'd recommend starting with the Liberty 4 Pro unless you have specific needs that justify the Bose's premium price. The value proposition is simply too good to ignore, and the customization options mean you can likely achieve a sound profile you'll love.
However, if you're frequently in noisy environments or taking lots of calls, the extra investment in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra will likely be worth it. Their noise cancellation and call quality remain unmatched, and sometimes that's worth paying for.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($299) | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129) |
|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and travel, impacts overall listening experience | |
| Best-in-class ANC, ~95% reduction | Very good ANC, ~80% reduction |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without recharging | |
| 6 hours (4 with spatial audio), 24 total with case | 7.5 hours with ANC, 30 total with case |
| Sound Quality - Core feature affecting daily enjoyment | |
| Balanced, natural sound profile, limited EQ options | Bass-heavy default, extensive 8-band EQ customization |
| Call Quality - Essential for work and communication | |
| Superior voice clarity, excellent background noise reduction | Good but less consistent in noisy environments |
| Fit Options - Affects comfort and noise isolation | |
| 3 sizes tips + 3 stability bands, CustomTune adaptation | 6 ear tip sizes, no stability bands |
| Extra Features - Can justify price difference for specific needs | |
| Spatial audio, aptX Adaptive, superior transparency mode | LDAC support, multipoint connection, wireless charging |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise and durability | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (more water resistant) |
| Controls - Affects daily usability | |
| Touch controls with swipe volume, very reliable | Touch controls, can be occasionally finicky |
| Case Size - Impacts portability | |
| Larger case (72.3g) | More compact case (58g) |
For movies, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($299) has an edge due to its superior spatial audio feature and better noise cancellation. However, the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129) still performs well and offers better value if movie watching isn't your primary use case.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra costs $299, while the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro is priced at $129. The significant price difference makes the Soundcore an attractive value option while still maintaining premium features.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers superior noise cancellation, reducing about 95% of ambient noise compared to the Liberty 4 Pro's 80% reduction. This difference is most noticeable during travel or in very noisy environments.
Both can connect to TVs that support Bluetooth audio. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers lower latency and better spatial audio for TV viewing, while the Liberty 4 Pro supports LDAC for higher quality audio with compatible devices.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro offers 7.5 hours of playback with ANC enabled, compared to 6 hours (or 4 with spatial audio) on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Both cases provide multiple additional charges.
While neither is specifically designed for gaming, both offer low latency modes. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra has slightly lower latency, but the Liberty 4 Pro provides better battery life for longer gaming sessions.
The Bose offers a more balanced, natural sound profile out of the box. The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro has a bass-heavy default but provides extensive EQ customization that can match the Bose's quality after adjustment.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra provides superior call quality with better background noise reduction. The Liberty 4 Pro performs adequately but isn't as consistent in noisy environments.
Both offer multiple fit options, but the Bose includes stability bands and CustomTune technology for a more secure fit. The Liberty 4 Pro provides more ear tip size options but may need more frequent adjustment during long sessions.
Both support multipoint connectivity, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously. This is useful for switching between TV viewing and phone calls.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro has slightly better water resistance (IPX5) compared to the Bose (IPX4), making it more suitable for exercise or outdoor use.
For dedicated home theater use, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers better spatial audio and noise isolation, but the Liberty 4 Pro provides excellent value if you're primarily using them for mixed usage including TV, music, and calls. Consider a dedicated home theater system for the best experience.
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: rtings.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - community.spotify.com - soundguys.com - runnersworld.com - youtube.com - bose.com - boselatam.com - bose.com - bose.com - bose.com - bestbuy.com - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com
