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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Soundcore Liberty Buds: 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 Buds
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery6.0
Calls7.0
Value8.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Soundcore Liberty Buds
SpecApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)Soundcore Liberty Buds
TypeTrue WirelessTrue Wireless
Price (USD)$125$80
HearWiki score84 / 100 · Great72 / 100 · Good
Released20222026
Audio
Driverdynamicdynamic
Driver size11 mm11 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20 Hz - 20,000 Hz20Hz-20kHz
Impedance16 Ω-
Sensitivity100 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.36.1
Bluetooth version5.36.1
CodecsSBC, AACSBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairingNoYes
Wireless range-15 m
Battery
Battery life-7 h
Battery life (ANC on)-6 h
Battery incl. case30 h30 h
Full charge time-90 min
Quick charge-10 min = 4 h
Wireless chargingYesNo
Features
Active noise cancelling-Yes
ANC typeadaptiveadaptive
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQNoYes
Wear detectionYesYes
Controlsbothbuttons
Voice assistantSiri-
Design
Weight10.6 g-
Case weight50.8 g-
Water resistanceIP54IP55
FoldableNo-
Detachable cableNo-
USB-CYes-
Calls
Microphones-4

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 Buds

The Soundcore Liberty Buds offer a budget-friendly alternative to premium half-in-ear earbuds, pairing a secure fit with adaptive noise cancellation and a feature-rich app. Their sound leans toward a bass-forward profile, yet remains engaging and well-balanced for most genres. With multipoint, wear detection, and LDAC support, they pack impressive versatility for the price.

  • Pro:Secure and comfortable half-in-ear fit
  • Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation for the price
  • Pro:Rich app with custom EQ and controls
  • Con:Bass-heavy tuning may not suit neutral listeners
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Physical buttons can be less convenient than touch controls

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

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