I’ve been rotating both the EarFun Air Pro 4 and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC through commutes, office sessions, gym workouts, and long podcast binges for a few weeks now. Both do a lot right. Both have quirks. And depending on what you actually need from daily earbuds, one of them will suit you noticeably better than the other.
Here’s the short version: the EarFun Air Pro 4 wins on codec support and sheer tech-per-dollar value. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC edges ahead on ANC depth and raw battery stamina. Neither is a clear knockout but after using both, I do have a preference.
Let’s get into it.
Quick Specs Comparison
| Feature | EarFun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 10mm composite dynamic | 11mm custom-tuned dynamic |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QCC3091 | Not disclosed |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC, LC3 | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| ANC | Hybrid adaptive, up to -50dB | Adaptive ANC 2.0, up to 98.5% noise reduction |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Battery (buds) | 11h (ANC off) / 7.5h (ANC on) | 10h (ANC off) / 8h (ANC on) |
| Battery (total) | 52h (ANC off) / 35h (ANC on) | 50h (ANC off) / 40h (ANC on) |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| App | EarFun Audio App | Soundcore App |
| Price (approx.) | ~$62–$79 | ~$79–$99 |
Is the EarFun Air Pro 4 Good?
Short answer: yes, and it’s genuinely impressive for what you’re paying.
The Air Pro 4 is EarFun’s flagship TWS, and it shows. The Qualcomm QCC3091 chip brings Bluetooth 5.4, LC3 codec support, Auracast compatibility, and most notably aptX Lossless alongside LDAC. That’s a codec list that beats earbuds twice its price.
I’ve been using these mostly on my commute and at the gym, alternating between LDAC and aptX Adaptive depending on whether my Android was nearby. With LDAC active, the sound signature opens up noticeably more air in the highs, more texture in the mids. It’s not transformative, but the difference is real enough that I kept LDAC switched on.
What I Like
- aptX Lossless + LDAC in one earbud under $80. That’s almost absurd value.
- Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio more stable pairing, noticeably fewer dropouts on the subway.
- Hybrid ANC rated to -50dB blocks HVAC hum, road noise, and keyboard clatter well.
- 11h ANC-off battery I went three full workdays on one charge without stressing.
- IPX5 rating a step above most competitors here. Rain and sweat don’t worry me.
- Case lid snaps shut cleanly small thing, but satisfying every time.
- Wear detection works reliably I’m not hunting for the pause button mid-gym set.
What Could Be Better
- The case is a bit chunky fits fine in a jacket pocket, but gym shorts? It’s noticeable.
- Treble is slightly rolled off vocals and acoustic guitars sound smooth, maybe a touch too smooth. Some folks will love it; I occasionally wanted a little more edge.
- Touch controls in sweaty hands they don’t always register cleanly after a run.
- Transparency mode feels processed works fine for awareness, but it doesn’t sound natural. Voices have a slightly hollow quality.
- LDAC drains battery faster expected, but worth knowing: 8.5h ANC-off with LDAC, not 11h.
Pros & Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best-in-class codec support at price | Slightly chunky case |
| aptX Lossless for bit-exact CD quality | Treble a touch relaxed |
| Bluetooth 5.4 + LE Audio + Auracast | Touch controls unreliable when sweaty |
| Strong hybrid ANC | Transparency mode sounds artificial |
| IPX5 water resistance | LDAC cuts into battery |
| Great battery life across modes | Mic struggles in windy outdoor settings |
Personal Recommendation
If you’re an Android user who cares about codec quality and you want the most technology per dollar the EarFun Air Pro 4 is genuinely hard to beat. Audiophile-adjacent performance at a very non-audiophile price.
Rating: 8.7 / 10
Is the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Good?
Also yes but for different reasons.
The Liberty 4 NC was built with one clear priority: noise cancellation. Soundcore’s Adaptive ANC 2.0 uses a high-sensitivity in-ear sensor combined with 11mm drivers and an acoustic isolation chamber to claim up to 98.5% noise reduction. That’s a marketing number, but from actual usage it’s not far off.
On the train, this thing creates a real bubble. I could listen at 50% volume with the ANC cranked and have a genuinely quiet experience. Compared to the EarFun on the same commute, the Liberty 4 NC consistently felt quieter for sustained low-frequency rumble.
What I Like
- ANC depth is legitimately impressive best in this price tier for consistent low-end rumble blocking.
- 10-hour ANC-on battery is the real headline that’s exceptional.
- HearID 2.0 personalized EQ a short hearing test that actually shapes the sound around you. It sounds gimmicky. It isn’t.
- 11mm driver with solid mid-bass response punchy without being overbearing on most tracks.
- Soundcore app is well-designed 22 EQ presets, customizable controls, adaptive ANC modes, safe volume monitor. Thorough without feeling overwhelming.
- Google Fast Pair pairing on Android is instant.
- 50h total battery with wireless charging I barely think about charging.
What Could Be Better
- LDAC + ANC together cuts battery to 5 hours a significant drop that limits the headline combo.
- Slightly heavier earbuds fine for seated use, but I noticed them during runs over 40 minutes.
- Bass can feel thick on certain tracks hip-hop and EDM sound great; classical and jazz sometimes feel congested.
- No aptX or aptX Adaptive iOS users won’t care, but Android users losing aptX support in favor of LDAC-only is a real tradeoff.
- Case lid feels a bit plasticky compared to its price minor, but the EarFun’s case feels slightly more premium.
Pros & Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Class-leading ANC at the price | LDAC + ANC battery drops to 5h |
| 10h ANC-on battery per charge | No aptX or aptX Adaptive |
| HearID 2.0 personalized sound | Bass can crowd busy mixes |
| Google Fast Pair | Slightly heavier for running |
| 22 EQ presets + manual EQ | Case feels basic for ~$99 |
| Adaptive ANC with wind mode | Transparency less natural than premium buds |
Personal Recommendation
For frequent commuters, office workers in open-plan environments, or anyone who needs ANC to actually work reliably the Liberty 4 NC is the better choice. The battery life and ANC combination is genuinely class-leading at this price.
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Detailed Head-to-Head Comparison
Sound Quality
The EarFun Air Pro 4 has a broadly neutral-leaning signature with some warmth in the bass. LDAC and aptX Lossless sharpen instrument separation you’ll hear it most clearly in well-recorded jazz and acoustic tracks. Treble is a bit shy, which makes long sessions comfortable but occasionally feels like a slightly closed window on the music.
The Liberty 4 NC leans warmer. The 11mm driver brings real presence in the mid-bass range, which makes pop, R&B, and hip-hop genuinely fun. HearID 2.0 is a nice touch after a brief test, it adjusted the EQ to my hearing in a way that made vocals feel clearer without me touching the manual sliders.
✅ My Take: Balanced listeners and codec enthusiasts lean toward the Air Pro 4. If you want warmth and a V-shaped signature that’s immediately enjoyable, the Liberty 4 NC is more accessible.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 8.5/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.3/10
Bass Performance
Neither of these is a bass-heavy pair by any measure, but the Liberty 4 NC thumps more than the Air Pro 4. On bass-forward tracks it adds a layer of physical presence that the EarFun doesn’t quite match.
The Air Pro 4’s bass is tighter and more controlled. It doesn’t rumble as much, but it doesn’t bleed into the mids either.
✅ My Take: For bass lovers, Liberty 4 NC wins. For cleaner low-end, Air Pro 4 edges it.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 8.0/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.5/10
Comfort & Fit Stability
Both are in-ear stem-style earbuds, both come with multiple ear tip sizes. The Air Pro 4 is slightly lighter and found a secure fit faster. The Liberty 4 NC is a fraction heavier I noticed it more on extended runs.
For desk work or commuting, both are comfortable for 2–3 hour stretches without pressure buildup. That said, I did find the Liberty 4 NC slightly harder to re-seat after it shifted during a longer run.
✅ My Take: Air Pro 4 has a slight edge for active use. Liberty 4 NC is fine for seated/commute wear.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 8.5/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.0/10
ANC Performance
Here’s where it gets interesting. The EarFun Air Pro 4 is rated to -50dB hybrid ANC and it handles HVAC noise, street rumble, and office chatter well. It’s good. Genuinely good for under $80.
But the Liberty 4 NC’s Adaptive ANC 2.0 consistently felt quieter during sustained testing on the subway. The in-ear sensor adjusting to my specific ear canal shape seems to make a real difference. Plus, the manual ANC strength slider and dedicated wind reduction mode give more control than the EarFun’s setup.
✅ My Take: Liberty 4 NC wins ANC head-to-head. The gap isn’t enormous, but it’s consistent.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 8.0/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 9.0/10
Battery Life
Both are excellent. The Air Pro 4 lasts longer with ANC off (11h vs 10h) but slightly shorter with ANC on (7.5h vs 8h). The Liberty 4 NC’s LDAC + ANC combination drops to 5h, which limits that particular use case.
Total case battery is similar 52h vs 50h (ANC off). Wireless charging is on both.
✅ My Take: Liberty 4 NC wins for ANC-on daily use. Air Pro 4 wins for ANC-off or LDAC-only sessions.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 9.0/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 9.0/10
Call Quality
I tested both during calls on a busy street and in a quiet home office. Neither mic is outstanding outdoors wind interference gets through on both. The Liberty 4 NC’s 6-mic array sounded slightly cleaner to callers in a controlled environment; voice isolation was more natural.
The Air Pro 4 has trouble separating voice from background in noisy environments — something a few other reviewers also noted. It’s not bad, just not a priority spec.
✅ My Take: Liberty 4 NC is the better call earbud for hybrid workers.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 7.5/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.0/10
App Support
Both apps are solid, but they serve different audiences.
The EarFun Audio App covers EQ, codec switching, ANC modes, touch controls, and firmware updates. It’s functional and clean. The EQ presets feel a bit similar to each other some variation would help.
The Soundcore app goes deeper: HearID 2.0 personalized EQ, 22 presets, safe volume monitor, gaming mode, manual ANC tuning. More options, more complexity. If you enjoy dialing in your audio, the Soundcore app rewards that.
✅ My Take: Soundcore app is more feature-rich. EarFun app is simpler but gets the job done.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 8.0/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.7/10
Durability & Water Resistance
IPX5 (Air Pro 4) vs IPX4 (Liberty 4 NC). The EarFun handles more water technically rated to withstand low-pressure water jets, while the Liberty 4 NC is rated for sweat and light rain only.
In practical terms, neither is going to die from a sweaty gym session. But if you run in the rain regularly, the IPX5 rating on the Air Pro 4 is genuinely more useful.
✅ My Take: EarFun wins on water resistance.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 8.5/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.0/10
Value for Money
This is where the EarFun Air Pro 4 pulls ahead clearly. At roughly $62–$79, it packs aptX Lossless, Bluetooth 5.4, LC3 / Auracast, solid ANC, and IPX5 into a package that punches hard. The Liberty 4 NC typically runs $79–$99 and doesn’t match the codec range.
That said, if ANC performance and battery are your top priorities, the Liberty 4 NC earns its price. You’re paying the premium for what it does best.
✅ My Take: Air Pro 4 wins on straight value. Liberty 4 NC is worth the premium for its specific strengths.
- EarFun Air Pro 4: 9.5/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: 8.5/10
Full Category Comparison Summary
| Category | EarFun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Quality | 8.5 | 8.3 | EarFun |
| Bass | 8.0 | 8.5 | Liberty 4 NC |
| Comfort/Fit | 8.5 | 8.0 | EarFun |
| ANC | 8.0 | 9.0 | Liberty 4 NC |
| Battery Life | 9.0 | 9.0 | Tie |
| Call Quality | 7.5 | 8.0 | Liberty 4 NC |
| App | 8.0 | 8.7 | Liberty 4 NC |
| Water Resistance | 8.5 | 8.0 | EarFun |
| Value | 9.5 | 8.5 | EarFun |
Overall Verdict
These are genuinely two of the best earbuds available under $100 right now and recommending one without context isn’t fair.
Buy the EarFun Air Pro 4 if:
- You’re on Android and want the best codec support at this price (aptX Lossless + LDAC + LC3)
- You do gym/outdoor workouts and want IPX5 protection
- Tech value matters more to you than maximum ANC silence
- You want Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast for future compatibility
- Budget is closer to $60–$70
Buy the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if:
- You commute daily on trains, buses, or busy city streets
- ANC performance is the single most important feature
- You want 8 hours of ANC-on battery without compromise
- You like a deeper app experience with HearID 2.0
- You want the best noise isolation without spending $200+
My personal daily driver for commuting is the Liberty 4 NC the ANC is just that bit more convincing on a packed train. But if someone asked me which one to buy as a general recommendation for an Android user on a budget? I’d point them straight at the EarFun Air Pro 4. The value is hard to argue with.
Full Technical Specifications
| Spec | EarFun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 10mm composite dynamic | 11mm custom-tuned dynamic |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QCC3091 | Not disclosed |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3 | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| ANC Type | Hybrid adaptive, up to -50dB | Adaptive ANC 2.0, up to 98.5% noise reduction |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Battery — Buds (ANC off) | 11h | 10h |
| Battery — Buds (ANC on) | 7.5h | 8h |
| Battery — Buds (LDAC + ANC) | 8.5h (LDAC only, ANC off) | 5h |
| Total Battery (ANC off) | 52h | 50h |
| Total Battery (ANC on) | 35h | 40h |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Charge | Yes | Yes (4h in 10 min) |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Wear Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 6-mic array | 6-mic array |
| App | EarFun Audio | Soundcore |
| Auracast | Yes | No |
| LE Audio / LC3 | Yes | No |
| Price (approx.) | ~$62–$79 | ~$79–$99 |
FAQs
Q: Which has better ANC EarFun Air Pro 4 or Soundcore Liberty 4 NC?
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC edges ahead for active noise cancellation. Its Adaptive ANC 2.0 with an in-ear sound sensor provides more consistent low-frequency blocking, especially on transit. The EarFun Air Pro 4 is still strong at -50dB hybrid ANC, but the Liberty 4 NC consistently feels quieter during sustained commute testing.
Q: Can the EarFun Air Pro 4 really do aptX Lossless?
Yes. The Qualcomm QCC3091 chip enables aptX Lossless, which is reportedly capable of bit-exact CD-quality Bluetooth audio. You’ll need a compatible Android device and to enable it manually through the EarFun app. For most casual listening, the difference is subtle — but it’s genuinely there on high-quality source material.
Q: Is the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC good for working out?
It’s fine for gym sessions and light jogging the IPX4 rating covers sweat easily. That said, the earbuds are a fraction heavier than the Air Pro 4, which some people notice during longer runs. For intense workouts or running in rain, the EarFun Air Pro 4’s IPX5 rating gives it a practical edge.
Q: Which earbuds have better battery life?
It depends on how you listen. With ANC off, the EarFun Air Pro 4 lasts slightly longer per charge (11h vs 10h). With ANC on, the Liberty 4 NC runs longer (8h vs 7.5h). If you use LDAC with ANC together, the Liberty 4 NC drops to just 5h the Air Pro 4 handles that combination more efficiently.
Q: Do either work well with iPhone?
Both work with iPhone, but you’ll lose LDAC on iOS (Apple restricts it). The Liberty 4 NC doesn’t support aptX either, so iPhone users are limited to AAC on both. The EarFun Air Pro 4’s extra codec depth mostly benefits Android users. For iPhone users specifically, the Liberty 4 NC might actually be the smarter pick since the ANC and battery advantages carry over regardless of platform.
Q: Which app is better EarFun or Soundcore?
The Soundcore app is more feature-rich: HearID 2.0 personalized EQ, 22 presets, gaming mode, wind reduction controls, and a safe volume monitor. The EarFun app is cleaner and simpler, with solid EQ and codec switching. If you like tinkering with your audio setup, Soundcore is the deeper experience. If you want to set it and forget it, EarFun’s app is less overwhelming.