When it comes to inexpensive wi-fi earbuds, Anker’s Soundcore line appears to have discovered the cheat code. Models like the corporate’s glorious Space A40 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) provide good sound, flagship options, and severely spectacular noise canceling for as little as a 3rd the price of mega buds from manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, and Apple.

The new Liberty NC are one other shockingly well-appointed pair of earbuds at $100. Think of a function, and these buds most likely have not less than a satisfactory model of it. There are only some exceptions reserved for the cream of the crop, like Apple’s incredible Adaptive Transparency Mode.

With all that bounty at such a low value, there are some compromises right here, together with fussy controls and some options that don’t fairly work as marketed. Still, with this many goodies all wrapped in a suitably comfortable and classy kind issue, it’s laborious to place up a lot of a struggle in opposition to Anker’s new buds.

Slick Style

For funds in-ears, the Liberty 4 NC are notably flashy. They fall wanting Vegas-strip appears, however their number of colorways and touches just like the case’s lighted entrance button and inside lighting set above the buds give a futuristic vibe.

The case’s matte exterior feels well-built and good in your arms, paying homage to the egg-like case you’ll get with Google’s Pixel Buds Pro—one among many rivals that price double or extra at full value. As with the Space A40, I used to be delighted to search out the case is Qi-charging suitable, one thing loads of pricier buds skip.

The buds themselves mimic Apple’s stem-shaped design. They stick out farther for a extra conspicuous look than the AirPods Pro, however their mild weight makes them comfortable for hours, and as soon as once more there’s little right here that stands out as notably funds. The caveat is the 4 pairs of silicon ear suggestions that feel and appear flimsy.

Another funds giveaway, and the one most worthy of pause, is the Liberty 4 NC’s contact controls. Like loads of touchpads from wi-fi earbuds a couple of years again, they’re not at all times correct, probably as a result of Anker doesn’t present a lot house for the contact level. They principally labored for me, however I discovered the right-side controls particularly wouldn’t register at instances, and it’s a must to be very deliberate when urgent. They additionally aren’t as intuitive as what Apple and different premium manufacturers present.

Credit the place it’s due, the controls are totally programmable in Soundcore’s app, permitting for complete management over playback and different options. You can mimic instructions on either side, add quantity adjustment, and just about organize the collection of single, double, or triple faucets (together with a maintain command) as you please.

Fully Loaded

Investigating the Soundcore app additional, you’ll end up with authority over an enormous array of options that simply trump most earbuds at this value.

For starters, you’ll be able to select between adaptive energetic noise canceling, which can modify to your surroundings, or controlling it manually. You’ll additionally discover two variations of transparency mode (vocal and full), and in a parody of Sony’s loaded management system, even a model designed to adapt to completely different transportation modes like trains, planes, and numerous vehicles. Wind Buffering is one among my favourite extras, successfully protecting your ears from getting blown out whereas utilizing transparency mode in a breeze.

There’s additionally a multiband EQ (which positively is useful) and a sound-customization setting that makes use of a type of listening to check, although I’m unsure how efficient it’s at bettering the expertise. Similarly, the 3D audio function à la Apple and Sony didn’t appear to supply a lot sonic enhancement. Some of the Liberty 4 NC’s options appear to simply be … there as a result of others have them.

There are loads extra to go round, although, together with an earbuds finder, a latency reducer for gaming, multi-point audio to connect with two units directly, and LDAC high-resolution streaming for supported Android telephones (although you’ll be able to’t use LDAC and multipoint pairing collectively).

If you’re one to blast tunes past what’s wholesome, there’s a Safe Volume function that tells you ways loud you’re taking part in, together with a swap to restrict playback quantity. If you prefer to tinker, these buds will maintain you busy.

Promises, Promises

Not each Liberty 4 NC function works as anticipated, and that extends to its large battery-playback claims. Soundcore claims 10 hours of playback time and 50 hours whole with the charging case, however this doesn’t keep in mind energy-draining options like noise canceling, wind buffering, and so forth. I received extra like six to seven hours with ANC, and that’s at center or low quantity. That’s nonetheless respectable, and also you’ve received 4 recharges in reserve, however 10 and 50 is a stretch.

I used to be additionally barely aggravated by the shortage of granularity between quantity ranges. I’d typically discover one stage too loud and the extent beneath too quiet. This is a kind of audio nerd annoyances, I admit, however should you’re delicate like me you’ll wish to take word.