
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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Soundcore Liberty Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $125 | $80 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 6.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 15 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 7 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 6 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | buttons |
| Voice assistant | Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.6 g | - |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| 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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