Two strong true wireless options sit close in price but take different routes. The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro leans on features and codec support, while the Apple AirPods Pro 3 focuses on polish and noise cancelling. Here is an honest comparison based on recorded scores and specs, not marketing claims.
Price and positioning
The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro costs $170, and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 costs $179. That is a $9 gap, which is effectively nothing in this category. Both sit in the upper tier of consumer true wireless earbuds, though they target slightly different buyers.
Soundcore positions the Liberty 5 Pro as a feature-dense alternative to pricier flagships. You get LDAC support, a 10-mic call setup, and adaptive ANC for less than many rivals. Apple, by contrast, asks for a small premium and delivers a tighter ecosystem experience, with seamless pairing and controls for iPhone users. Neither is a budget pick, but the Liberty 5 Pro offers more raw specs per dollar on paper.
The scores, side by side
The headline HearWiki scores are close: the Liberty 5 Pro scores 84/100, and the AirPods Pro 3 scores 84/100. That is a one-point difference, which is within measurement noise. Do not treat either as a clear winner from the overall number alone.
Sub-scores tell a more useful story. Sound is tied at 8.5/10 for both. ANC favours Apple clearly at 9.5/10 versus 8/10. Battery is close, with Soundcore at 8.5/10 and Apple at 8/10. Calls favour Soundcore at 9/10 versus 8.5/10. Value favours Soundcore at 8/10 versus 7.5/10. So the real trade-offs are noise cancelling versus call quality and value. Everything else is essentially even.
Sound
Both earbuds deliver a well-balanced sound profile, and the sub-scores reflect that tie. The Liberty 5 Pro uses a 9.2 mm dynamic driver, while the AirPods Pro 3 uses a 10.7 mm driver. Driver size alone does not determine quality, and neither pair is objectively better in the recorded data.
The Liberty 5 Pro supports LDAC, which can carry higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth when your source and files support it. The AirPods Pro 3 only supports SBC and AAC. If you listen to lossless files on an Android device, the Liberty 5 Pro has a technical edge. On an iPhone, AAC is the practical ceiling anyway, so the codec difference matters less.
Neither pair is a neutral reference monitor. Both lean slightly consumer-friendly, with decent bass presence and clear treble. If you want a more analytical sound, you would look elsewhere, but for everyday listening, both are more than capable.
Noise cancelling and battery
This is where the AirPods Pro 3 pulls ahead. Its ANC sub-score of 9.5/10 is among the best recorded, and it shows in practice: the AirPods Pro 3 attenuates more ambient noise, especially in the low frequencies like engine rumble and air conditioning. The Liberty 5 Pro's adaptive ANC is good, at 8/10, but it is a step behind, particularly in loud, steady environments.
Battery life per charge is modest on both. The Liberty 5 Pro is recorded at 12 hours in the brief, though its own pros section says 6.5 hours per charge. The AirPods Pro 3 is recorded at 8 hours. The discrepancy is confusing, so take the 12-hour figure as the case-inclusive number and the 6.5-hour figure as the per-charge number. The AirPods Pro 3's 8 hours is likely per charge, with the case adding more. In real terms, both will get you through a workday with the case, but neither is a marathon option.
Neither pair has a battery score that suggests a clear winner. The sub-scores are 8.5/10 for Soundcore and 8/10 for Apple, so the Liberty 5 Pro edges ahead slightly, but not by enough to change a buying decision.
Calls and everyday use
The Liberty 5 Pro is the stronger call performer. Its 10-mic setup earns a 9/10 sub-score, and the recorded pros confirm excellent voice-call clarity. The AirPods Pro 3 is not far behind at 8.5/10, with clear call quality in noisy environments, but the Soundcore takes the edge for frequent callers.
Everyday use differs more in fit and ecosystem. The AirPods Pro 3 has a finicky fit that can lose its seal easily, which is a real drawback if you move around a lot. The Liberty 5 Pro has a more conventional fit that most users will find stable. The AirPods Pro 3 lacks wear detection for auto-pause, which is a surprising omission at this price. The Liberty 5 Pro also lacks wear detection, so neither auto-pauses when you remove an earbud.
Touch controls on the Liberty 5 Pro may require adjustment, per its cons. The AirPods Pro 3 has the familiar stem-based controls that are easier to use if you are already in the Apple ecosystem. Neither pair is perfect here, but the AirPods Pro 3 feels more polished for iOS users.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro if you want better call quality, LDAC support, and a more stable fit for less money. It is the better value pick, and its ANC is still good enough for most commutes and offices.
Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if you are deep in the Apple ecosystem and noise cancelling is your top priority. The ANC is a clear step up, and the integration with iPhones and Macs is seamless. The fit risk is real, so try them if you can.
If you are on Android, the choice is simpler: the Liberty 5 Pro gives you LDAC and better call quality for less. If you are on iPhone and do not care about LDAC, the AirPods Pro 3 is the safer bet for ANC performance.
For a full breakdown of every spec and sub-score, see the comparison table. You can also browse other true wireless options or ANC earbuds if neither of these fits your needs.
FAQ
Which has better noise cancelling, the Liberty 5 Pro or AirPods Pro 3?
The AirPods Pro 3 has significantly better noise cancelling, with a sub-score of 9.5/10 compared to 8/10 for the Liberty 5 Pro. In loud environments like planes or trains, the AirPods Pro 3 will block out more low-frequency noise.
Are the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro worth buying over the AirPods Pro 3?
Yes, if you value call quality, LDAC support, and a more stable fit. The Liberty 5 Pro costs $9 less, scores the same overall, and beats the AirPods Pro 3 on calls and value. You only lose out on top-tier ANC.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 work well with Android phones?
They work, but you lose seamless pairing, spatial audio with head tracking, and some controls. The Liberty 5 Pro is a better Android choice because it supports LDAC and has a more flexible app. For Android users, the AirPods Pro 3 is not the recommended pick.
