Is the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro worth the upgrade from the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3 to the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro buys you 12.7 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in calls (6.5 to 9.0), battery (6.5 to 8.5) and sound (7.5 to 8.5). On paper: battery life 9 h to 12 h, bluetooth 5.4 to 6.1 and microphones 8 to 10. Worth checking: drivers per side goes 2 to 1. That costs $28 more, or about $2 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.58.5
- Noise cancelling7.08.0
- Battery6.58.5
- Calls6.59.0
- Value7.58.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | NeoBuds Pro 3 | Liberty 5 Pro | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 9 h | 12 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, LHDC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 6.1 | |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Microphones | 8 | 10 | |
| Quick charge | 15 min → 3 h | 5 min → 4 h | |
| Driver | 2-driver hybrid | 9.2 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "NeoBuds Pro 3 to Liberty 5 Pro". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.