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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.

Score breakdown

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

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value7.5
Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value8.5

Specifications

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
SpecApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
TypeTrue WirelessTrue Wireless
Price (USD)$125$150
HearWiki score84 / 100 · Great84 / 100 · Great
Released20222024
Audio
Driverdynamicdynamic
Driver size11 mm10.5 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20 Hz - 20,000 Hz14Hz-40kHz
Impedance16 Ω15.3 Ω
Sensitivity100 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.35.3
Bluetooth version5.35.3
CodecsSBC, AACSBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairingNoYes
Battery
Battery life-10 h
Battery life (ANC on)-7.5 h
Battery incl. case30 h40 h
Quick charge-5 min = 4 h
Wireless chargingYesYes
Features
Active noise cancelling-Yes
ANC typeadaptivehybrid
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQNoYes
Wear detectionYesYes
Controlsbothtouch
Voice assistantSirisupports voice assistant via app
Design
Weight10.6 g5.5 g
Case weight50.8 g51 g
Water resistanceIP54IPX5
FoldableNo-
Detachable cableNo-
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones-6
Call noise reduction-AI noise reduction

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)

These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.

  • Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
  • Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
  • Pro:Decent battery life with case
  • Con:No multipoint connection
  • Con:Limited to AAC codec
  • Con:No custom EQ in app

Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro

The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro pack a hefty feature set into a budget-friendly wireless earbud package, including adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging. They deliver solid sound with crisp treble and effective call quality, though the charging case can feel gimmicky and prone to fingerprints, and spatial audio falls short. Overall, they're a well-rounded value pick rather than a flagship-level performer.

  • Pro:Strong active noise cancellation
  • Pro:Wide codec support including LDAC
  • Pro:Multipoint and wireless charging included
  • Con:Charging case feels gimmicky and smudges easily
  • Con:Spatial audio performance is weak
  • Con:Battery life is average for the price

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

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