Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3 vs Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: which should you buy?

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

Our pick: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro - Great overall at around $170.

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

8.5

Noise cancelling

7.0

8.0

Battery

6.5

8.5

Calls

6.5

9.0

Value

7.5

8.0

Price (USD)

$140

$170

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 Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 6.1 against 5.4. It also adds Water resistance IP55 against IP54.

NeoBuds Pro 32026
Liberty 5 Pro2026

What differsNeoBuds Pro 3Liberty 5 Pro

Bluetooth: 5.4; 6.1
Water resistance: IP54; IP55

Level on: Top codec, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C.

Specifications

NeoBuds Pro 3Liberty 5 Pro

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $140; $170
HearWiki score: 71; 84
Released: 2026; 2026
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 2-driver hybrid; 9.2 mm dynamic
Driver type: hybrid; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 9.2 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; -
Impedance: 16 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 92 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.4; 6.1
Codecs: SBC, LHDC, LDAC; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 9 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6 h; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: -; 28 h
Full charge time: 60 min; 60 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 3 h; 5 min → 4 h
Wireless charging: -; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: -; touch
Weight: -; 5.5 g
Water resistance: IP54; IP55
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 8; 10
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; bone-conduction VPU

Specification comparison of Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3 vs Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
Spec	Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3	Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$140	$170
HearWiki score	71 / 100 Good	84 / 100 Great
Released	2026	2026
Audio
Driver	2-driver hybrid	9.2 mm dynamic
Driver type	hybrid	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	9.2 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 40 kHz	-
Impedance	16 Ω	-
Sensitivity	92 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	6.1
Codecs	SBC, LHDC, LDAC	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	9 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6 h	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	-	28 h
Full charge time	60 min	60 min
Quick charge	15 min → 3 h	5 min → 4 h
Wireless charging	-	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	-	touch
Design
Weight	-	5.5 g
Water resistance	IP54	IP55
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	8	10
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	bone-conduction VPU

What reviewers said

Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3 are true wireless earbuds with hybrid dual drivers, active noise cancellation, and support for high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC and LDHC. They feature Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity, a robust 8-hour battery per charge (extending to 24 with the case), and an IP54 rating for sweat and light water resistance.

Pro:Supports high-resolution wireless audio via LDAC and LDHC codecs
Pro:Long total battery life with quick-charge capability
Pro:Hybrid driver setup with dual drivers for detailed sound

Con:Sensitivity is relatively low at 92 dB/mW, requiring higher volume levels
Con:Earbuds weigh 59 grams total, which may feel heavier than some rivals
Con:Charging case takes a full hour to recharge fully

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are feature-packed true wireless earbuds that deliver strong all-around performance, with adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, and a comfortable fit. They excel in voice-call quality and offer a versatile set of controls and app customization, though battery life per charge is modest. Overall, they represent a compelling mid-range option with a few notable strengths and minor trade-offs.

Pro:Excellent voice-call clarity with 10-mic setup
Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency modes work well
Pro:Supports LDAC for high-resolution audio

Con:Battery life per charge is only 6.5 hours
Con:No wear detection for auto-pause
Con:Touch controls may require adjustment for some users

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

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