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Huawei FreeBuds Neo vs Soundcore Liberty Buds: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Huawei FreeBuds Neo comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Neo - Outstanding overall at around $109.

Score breakdown

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

Huawei FreeBuds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Huawei FreeBuds Neo
  • Soundcore Liberty Buds
HearWiki score
85
73
Sound
8.0
7.3
Noise cancelling
8.0
6.3
Battery
8.0
6.5
Calls
8.0
6.8
Value
9.0
8.7
Price (USD)
$110
$60

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?

Same generation

Both shipped in 2026. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • FreeBuds Neo2026
  • Liberty Buds2026

Level on: Top codec, ANC type, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

FreeBuds NeoLiberty Buds
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$110
$60
HearWiki score
85
73
Released
2026
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
dynamic
11 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
11 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
10 Hz - 48 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
14 Ω
Bluetooth
-
6.1
Codecs
LDAC
LDAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Wireless range
-
15 m
Battery life
10 h
7 h
Battery life (ANC on)
6.5 h
6 h
Battery incl. case
40 h
30 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Weight
4.8 g
4.9 g
Case weight
-
54.1 g
Water resistance
IP55
IP55
USB-C
-
Yes
Model code
-
D1200
Microphones
4
4
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds Neo

The Huawei FreeBuds Neo are lightweight, comfortable true wireless earbuds with adaptive active noise cancellation and a robust feature set for their price. They offer solid call quality, a lively sound signature, and practical extras like transparency mode and app support, making them a versatile mid-range option for travel and daily use.

  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight fit
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC
  • Pro:Good call quality with 4 mics
  • Con:Battery life with ANC is modest
  • Con:May not satisfy audiophiles seeking specialized tuning
  • Con:Touch controls may require adjustment

Soundcore Liberty Buds

The Soundcore Liberty Buds are affordable half-in-ear true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, and a comfortable fit. They deliver a bass-forward but well-balanced sound with a rich feature set, including touch controls, transparency mode, and multipoint connectivity, making them a strong value pick. Their IP55 rating and compact design add to their everyday practicality.

  • Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode
  • Pro:LDAC support for high-resolution audio
  • Pro:Secure, comfortable half-in-ear fit
  • Con:No wireless charging
  • Con:Bass-heavy sound may not suit purists
  • Con:Average ANC for noisy environments

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

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