Anker is well-known for its chargers, power banks, and cables, but it also produces some excellent audio products under the Soundcore brand. Its wireless earbuds offer premium sound quality and features at very reasonable prices. Whether users want to go all out with spatial audio tracking, ANC, near audiophile sound quality, or earbuds that work well on a commute and can be picked up for around $50, Anker Soundcore has many options.
Updated on April 24th, 2024 by Marc Storch: Anker Soundcore continues to produce some really exciting earbuds for very affordable prices. Their latest earbuds, the Sleep A20, are still in crowdfunding, but will be released in May to normal retailers. The new Sleep A20 and AeroFit Proopen-ear earbuds are two great options to check out if you haven't yet.
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Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Wireless Earbuds
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wireless earbuds are the newest addition to the Liberty earbuds lineup. They feature a pretty impressive battery life of 10 hours on a single charge and 50 hours with the included carrying case, making it easy to get through a work week without recharging. The Liberty 4 NC has 11mm audio drivers to deliver crisp and clear sound, especially with the adaptive ANC, which blocks out 98.5% of outside noise.
- Battery Life
- 10/50 hours
- Charging Case Included?
- Yes
- Microphones
- Yes
- Brand
- Anker Soundcore
- Supported codecs
- LDAC Hi-Res Audio
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- IP Rating
- IPX4
- Solo bud mode?
- Yes
- Driver Size
- 11mm drivers
- Charging type
- Yes
- Noise Cancellation
- Adaptive ANC 2.0
- LDAC support for Android devices
- Exceptional noise cancellation
- Multipoint connection
- Affordable for its performance level
- Sound profile out of the box is pretty bass-heavy
- Carrying/charging case is quite large
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the perfect blend of superb ANC, excellent sound quality, and a reasonably affordable price. Other earbuds at this price point offer comparable specs in some categories, but very few offer all of these features for under $100. The Liberty 4 Nc are perfect earbuds for anyone looking for an excellent all-around set of earbuds that work well regardless of the use case.
Their most significant selling point is the impressive ANC 2.0, which Soundcore claims blocks out 98.5% of outside noise when the noise-canceling is turned up to the maximum level. In Game ZXC's full review of the Liberty 4 NC, we found these claims to be mostly true, but a large portion of the noise-canceling power is thanks to the passive isolation with a proper fit. Thankfully, Anker includes a good amount of ear tip options to choose from for the best results, but be sure to try out a couple of sizes when first using these earbuds.
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The Liberty 4 NC earbuds have excellent sound quality. Music sounds rich and full without sounding overly sculpted, and games have that punchy bass that makes combat feel impactful. The sound profile out of the box for these earbuds is pretty bass-heavy, which is not always to everyone's liking. But thanks to the app, it is easy to customize the EQ, either using the HearID sound tool, which gives users a series of tones to help create the perfect custom EQ for them, or just using the manual 8-band EQ to dial in the sound.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds produce premium sound with support for Hi-Res codecs and 360° spatial audio. The built-in gyroscope and spatial audio algorithm track the user's head movements to keep them at the center of the sound for a completely immersive experience. Thanks to Soundcore's software, users can create a personalized EQ that sounds excellent automatically; no sound engineering degree is needed.
- Battery Life
- 9/28 hours
- Charging Case Included?
- Yes
- Microphones
- 6 mics, AI noise reduction
- Supported codecs
- ACCAA 3.0, LDAC, aptX
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- IP Rating
- IPX 4 Water Resistant
- Solo bud mode?
- Yes
- Driver Size
- 9.2mm and 6mm dual dynamic driver
- Charging type
- USB-C
- Case battery
- 28 hours
- Noise Cancellation
- Yes
- Amazing spatial audio
- AAC, aptX, and LDAC codec support
- Effective noise cancellation for the price
- Adjustable EQ in app
- Default EQ is a bit bass-heavy
The Soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds are for those people who want to squeeze a bit more performance out of their earbuds and don't mind paying a slightly higher price than the Liberty 4 NC. With 360-degree spatial audio and a vast frequency response range of 20Hz to 40KHz, these earbuds can even impress some of the most discerning audiophiles. Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, the Liberty 4 offers a similar listening experience for about $100 less.
Compared to most other premium earbuds from brands like Sony or Bose, the Liberty 4 is quite affordable, but despite its lower price, these earbuds still feature spatial audio support. While spatial audio can be gimmicky at times when not executed right, the Liberty 4 does a very good job of giving that illusion of moving audio without becoming distracting. It is definitely best when sitting down, watching a movie, or playing VR games because with it on while moving, more features can dip into the annoying aspects of spatial audio.
With a good number of ear tips to choose from, these earbuds can sit comfortably in most people's ears without needing to readjust them constantly. This is nice for runners because the Liberty 4 does have a built-in heart rate monitor that tracks with Soundcore's app. Although it does feel a bit weird to have earbuds track fitness stats.
Anker Soundcore Life P3
The Anker Soundcore Life P3 offers a ton of premium features at an affordable price, like 11 mm composite drivers, ANC, and noise reduction on the six microphones to make the user loud and clear on phone calls. Plus, they come in five fun colorways that will pair well with anyone's style.
- Battery Life
- 7/35 hours
- Noise Cancellation
- Yes
- Mono Listening
- Yes
- Microphones
- 6 mics with noise reduction
- Driver size
- 11 mm
- Amazing noise isolation
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Adjustable ANC and EQ levels
- Finicky touch controls
The Soundcore Life P3 earbuds are perfect middle-of-the-road earbuds that offer fantastic performance and a comfortable fit but can be picked up for around $70. The 11mm drivers deliver a powerful sound out of these tiny earbuds, and when the BassUp setting is turned on, kick drums and bass-heavy songs with knock the socks off of every bass head. Unfortunately, the BassUp setting does cause some loss in clarity for the mids and highs.
When compared solely on audio quality, the Life P3 is at the same level and, in some genres, performs better than the AirPods Pro. The lows are powerful and punchy, and while the high-end is a bit too sculpted at times, they deliver a very accurate and pleasant sound. But where the Life P3 starts to fall behind and show its price a bit more is on the stem controls. They are finicky at best. The touch panels on the stems that can be used to change the volume, skip songs, or play/pause songs are not super responsive, leading to several attempts for the touches to register.
As long as people can get over the finicky touch controls, at $70, the Life P3 earbuds are a solid choice for anybody who wants earbuds that they can rely on for listening to music anywhere.
Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC
The Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC are the perfect budget earbuds for anyone who wants excellent ANC that blocks out 90% of outside noise and sounds terrific regardless of the genre of music or content being watched. The 11mm driver creates a surprisingly robust sound profile with bass-heavy thumps that don't overpower the mids or highs. With 7 hours of playtime and a 35-hour case, the Life A2 NC can make it through 4 charging cycles before being plugged back in.
- Battery Life
- 7/35 hours
- Charging Case Included?
- Yes
- Microphones
- 6 mics with noise reduction
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- Solo bud mode?
- Yes
- Driver Size
- 11mm
- Charging type
- USB-C
- Case battery
- 35 hours
- Noise Cancellation
- ANC
- Compact design
- Well-suited for bass lovers
- Long continuous battery life
- Good noise isolation
- High Bluetooth latency
- Limited on-earbud controls
The Soundcore Life 2 NC might not have the most powerful noise cancelation from the Soundcore lineup, but if people want a pair of earbuds that are just $55 with an incredibly stable connection and bone-rattling bass, the Life 2 NC is the way to go. If you thought the Life P3 from Soundcore was affordable, the Life 2 NC is an even better deal, as long as you are willing to give up some of the creature comforts such as a smaller form factor.
These affordable earbuds rival the bass response of the much more expensive Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, but when it comes to the mids and highs, it does start to lose out. In music where there are heavy bass elements, vocals and higher-pitched elements start to get a loss in the mix. They don't sound muddy exactly, but they do not deliver the same clarity and separation that higher-end Anker Soundcore earbuds have.
The Life 2 NC is a very affordable pair of earbuds that are exceptional at this price point if people want to spend about $60. Of course, if people are willing to extend their budget a bit, they can pick up a pair that has a bit more ANC, like the JLab Epic Air Sport. However, many people will be hard-pressed to find better bass and as stable a connection as the Life 2 NC.
Anker Soundcore VR P10 Wireless Earbuds
The Soundcore VR P10 wireless earbuds are made to be used with the Meta Quest 2, but thanks to the under 30ms latency and USB-C 2.4Ghz dongle, these earbuds can be used for gaming regardless of the system. Plug in and play using the USB-C dongle to connect to Meta Quest 2, Steam Deck, PICO 4, PS4, PS5, PC, or Switch. And don't worry about running low on battery. The dongle has a pass-through charging port to keep gamers playing all day.
- Battery Life
- 6/24 Hours
- Charging Case Included?
- Yes
- Microphones
- Yes
- Brand
- Anker Soundcore
- Supported codecs
- LC3 Codec
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- IP Rating
- IPX4
- Solo bud mode?
- Yes
- Driver Size
- 11mm
- Charging type
- No
- Case battery
- 24 hours
- Fantastic sound quality
- RGB lighting and gamer aesthetics
- 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connection
- Microphone quality is lacking
- Bass heavy sound profile
The search is over for anyone looking for a pair of true wireless earbuds that can game. The Soundcore VR P10 is designed to be used with a Meta Quest 2 VR headset, but thanks to the USB-C 2.4GHz dongle, they are so much more versatile than that. Compared to one of the most popular gaming earbuds, the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless, the VR P10 earbuds have half the latency at 30ms compared to 60ms from Razer.
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Game ZXC's full review of the Soundcore VR P10 found that the mids and highs are accurate and come through wonderfully, but if gamers would rather have a heavier bass sound profile, they can turn on Super Hearing. This feature is meant for FPS gaming and gives gamers super-powered hearing when it comes to steps and shots.
Even outside of gaming, these earbuds are fantastic for daily use, although some people may look at them weirdly because of the RGB lighting accents. These earbuds do not feature any ANC like the more lifestyle-focused earbuds from Soundcore, but they do a decent enough job with passive isolation for commuting and going on walks. Just don't expect to shut off the world with these earbuds. Note the lighting can easily be turned off through the app if users want to disable it.
Anker Soundcore Sleep A20
Building on Soundcore's excellent reputation for the Sleep A10, the A20 aims to maintain that reputation while making some much-appreciated upgrades, like better ANC and battery life. Its flat design and soft-touch material make it perfect for anyone who likes to listen to music while falling asleep or lives in a noisy environment and just needs some peace and quiet while sleeping.
- Battery Life
- 14 hours/ 80 hours with case
- Microphones
- No
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging type
- USB-C
- Comfortable fit for sleeping
- Long battery life
- Bluetooth streaming and ambient mode
- Basic sleep tracking
- Some app features aren't reliable
- Ambient sound creation mode is complicated
For people who can't sleep in noisy environments or like to have white noise while they sleep, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are specifically designed to be worn while sleeping. Some people may remember the Sleepbuds from Bose, but since they have stopped making these, there has been a gap in this niche of wireless earbuds. At the time of writing, the Sleep A20 is still in crowdfunding, but they are scheduled to be released to normal retailers by May.
The predecessor to the Sleep A20, the A10, was quite the hit and, despite its cons, it was popular enough for Anker to make a second generation. The Sleep A20 is well worth the upgrade with its better battery life and better noise isolation. Even if you have the A10 already, these earbuds are worth it.
Unlike other sleep earbuds, the Sleep A20 allows users to both listen to whatever they want via Bluetooth mode and a set of ambient noises through the Soundcore app. The music streaming mode does decrease the battery life a bit, from 14 hours to 10 hours on a single charge, but that will still get users through a whole night's sleep.
These earbuds do not have ANC, which can be a downside. However, for some, sleeping with ANC earbuds can create a lot of inner ear pressure, so passive isolation does a good job of balancing comfort and blocking out distracting noises while you are trying to sleep. With their new design, the Sleep A20 does a great job of drowning out all those noises that could keep you from falling asleep even without audio playing through them.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
The AeroFit Pro open-ear headphones utilize a non-intrusive design to eliminate discomfort and allow you to enjoy a breathable listening experience while leaving your ears open to hear your surroundings. Using air-conduction technology, these earbuds deliver fuller and clearer audio compared to bone-conduction headphones.
- Battery Life
- 14 hours / 46 hours
- Charging Case Included?
- Yes
- Microphones
- 4 mics with AI algorithm
- Supported codecs
- AAC, SBC, LDAC
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- IP Rating
- IPX5
- Solo bud mode?
- Yes
- Driver Size
- 16.2mm
- Charging type
- USB-C
- Secure fit
- IPX5 protection rating
- Allow you to maintain awareness naturally
- LDAC codec support
- Custom EQ is not very powerful
- No "previous track" control option
While ANC earbuds still have their uses, more and more people are looking for options to listen to their music while still being able to stay aware of their surroundings. That is where the AeroFit Pro comes in. With an open-ear design, these earbuds are perfect for runners and cyclists or anyone who doesn't want the driver of earbuds stuffed into their ear all the time.
Using air conduction technology, instead of bone conduction like many other popular earbud options for people who want to leave their ears open, the AeroFit Pro delivers a richer and louder sound than most bone conduction earbuds at this price point. Of course, with the open-ear design, the sound quality is also reliant on your surroundings. While a song might sound amazing while running on a trail, that same song might not live up to the same standards while running next to traffic.
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While the sound quality might not be monumentally better than bone conduction earbuds, the AeroFit Pro's much smaller form factor and comfort are huge pluses. These earbuds come with a magnetic strap to keep them more secure while doing rigorous activities. However, most people will probably find that just using the earbuds works well enough. The soft TPU ear loop does a great job of grabbing onto your ear, but it's not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable.
Which Anker Earbuds Are Right For You?
Picking out a new pair of earbuds can be a bit intimidating. There are so many to choose from, and the specs list is just a bunch of numbers and acronyms most of the time. To make the process easier, keep in mind two vital factors: sound quality and use case.
Sound Quality
The sound quality needed for a pair of excellent earbuds is a matter of personal choice. Some people prefer a bass-heavy sound, and some prefer a flat reference EQ. Thankfully, with all of Anker's earbuds, the EQ is fully customizable, so people don't have to choose a pair based on the default EQ settings. With EQs not playing a huge role, the other significant factor to look for is the frequency response range or how wide the sound stage is.
The frequency response range determines what frequencies the earbuds can produce. Typical earbuds have a response range of 20 to 20,000 Hz; this range will allow users to hear a majority of music and still have excellent sound quality. But some premium earbuds can have an even wider range, like the Liberty 4, which has a response range of 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz. This response range will produce more of what the audio community calls "sparkle."
Use Case
The desired use case of a pair of earbuds will help determine the rest of the specs needed for earbuds to be the perfect choice. For example, if people want a pair of earbuds for commuting, a long battery life and decent ANC are two specs that will put one pair of earbuds over another.
But if the earbuds are meant for gaming, while long battery life and ANC would be nice, they aren't as important as response times. A long delay in audio can be the difference between a win and a loss for gamers, so picking a pair of earbuds with a short response time, like the VR P10, is an excellent way to avoid those annoying delays.
After going through these two factors, picking out the perfect pair of earbuds will be much easier. Headphones, in general, are a very personal experience, so finding a pair that meets all the user's needs and allows people to connect with their music or favorite content more often is a beautiful thing.
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FAQ
Q: Does Anker have good earbuds?
Since Anker took over Soundcore in 2018, they have been producing earbuds and headphones that deliver excellent sound and have a ton of creature comforts at very affordable prices.
Q: Is Anker a cheap brand?
While Anker is a budget-focused brand, they still make products that will last for quite some time and offer pretty excellent performance. From chargers to earbuds, Anker consistently produces outstanding products.