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Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max vs Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 - Great overall at around $240.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max leads on 5 of 7 measures.

  • Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max
  • Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5
HearWiki score
76
84
Sound
8.0
7.0
Noise cancelling
8.0
7.0
Battery
8.5
6.0
Calls
7.5
6.0
Value
8.0
5.0
Price (USD)
$320
$240

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

Both shipped in 2026. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 6.1 against 6.0. The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.

  • Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max2026
  • FreeBuds Pro 52026
What differsSoundcore Liberty 5 Pro MaxFreeBuds Pro 5

Platform

Bluetooth
6.1
6.0

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP55
IP57

Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro MaxFreeBuds Pro 5
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$320
$240
HearWiki score
76
84
Released
2026
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
9.2 mm dynamic
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
9.2 mm
11 mm
Drivers per side
-
2
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
10 Hz - 48 kHz
Impedance
17 Ω
-
Bluetooth
6.1
6.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
12 m
Battery life
12 h
8 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
5 h
Battery incl. case
28 h
33 h
Full charge time
-
40 min
Quick charge
5 min → 4 h
3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
both
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
11 g
5.5 g
Case weight
-
43 g
Water resistance
IP55
IP57
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Pad material
-
silicone
Microphones
8
3
Microphone type
-
MEMS
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are feature-packed wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and a robust 12-hour single charge, extending to 28 hours with the case. They support modern Bluetooth 6.1, multipoint pairing for three devices, and offer solid IP55 water resistance for workouts and light rain. With LDAC and LDHC codecs, plus a customizable EQ, they aim to deliver both versatility and high-quality sound.

  • Pro:Long 12-hour battery per charge, 28 with case
  • Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode for flexible listening
  • Pro:Multipoint connects to up to three devices
  • Con:Pricey at around $230
  • Con:No wireless charging despite premium cost
  • Con:Bass may overpower for some listeners

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 are high-end true wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and a robust IP57 rating for water and dust resistance. They deliver a wide frequency response up to 48 kHz, support Bluetooth 6, and offer strong battery life with quick charging, making them a solid pick for those seeking premium features and connectivity.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Strong IP57 water resistance for earbuds
  • Pro:Wide 10 Hz–48 kHz frequency range
  • Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC on (6 hours)
  • Con:Requires compatible devices for L2HC codec full quality
  • Con:Price is on the higher side for TWS earbuds

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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