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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Soundcore Liberty 5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

Score breakdown

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

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Soundcore Liberty 5
HearWiki score
86
76
Sound
8.6
7.2
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.8
Battery
7.3
7.4
Calls
7.4
7.6
Value
8.3
7.6
Price (USD)
$180
$90

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?

New platform

Both shipped in 2025. The Soundcore Liberty 5 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.

  • AirPods Pro 32025
  • Liberty 52025
What differsAirPods Pro 3Liberty 5

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
Top codec
AAC
LDAC

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IP55

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Liberty 5
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$90
HearWiki score
86
76
Released
2025
2025
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
9.2 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
9.2 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
12 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
8 h
Battery incl. case
-
48 h
Quick charge
-
10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
5.5 g
4.6 g
Case weight
44 g
47.9 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP55
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
6
Microphone type
beamforming
-

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
  • Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
  • Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Soundcore Liberty 5

The Soundcore Liberty 5 wireless earbuds deliver strong value around $90, pairing adaptive ANC, clear call quality, and a comfortable fit with long battery life. While the sound benefits from custom EQ and supports LDAC, the touch controls feel sluggish and the default tuning may need adjustment for full immersion. Overall, they're a practical, feature-rich pick for budget-conscious buyers, especially for work or travel.

  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC for the price
  • Pro:Clear call quality with 6 mics and voice mute option
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for extended wear
  • Con:Touch controls are sluggish and fiddly
  • Con:Sound needs EQ tweaking to sound immersive
  • Con:Design is plain and unremarkable

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

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New comparisonApple AirPods Pro 3Soundcore Liberty 5