- Great sound quality
- Effective ANC
- Comfy fit
- IP55 water resistance
- Stable Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint
- Affordable price
- Pinch controls less intuitive
- No volume adjustment on stems
Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds offer superb sound with Dolby Audio, strong ANC, and a comfortable IP55-rated design. Wireless charging and Bluetooth 5.4 add value. Pinch controls and no volume adjustment are minor cons, but these earbuds remain a top choice for budget-friendly, high-quality audio.
I’ve always been a fan of Soundcore audio gadgets, as they consistently deliver exceptional value-for-money products. True to their reputation, I had high expectations for the new Soundcore Liberty 5 wireless earbuds.
Does it live up to my expectations, and would I recommend it?
In this article, I’ll share my personal experience with the Liberty 5, diving into its sound quality, features, and performance to help you decide if it’s worth your purchase.
Soundcore Liberty 5 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Audio Drivers | 9.2mm Wool-Paper Diaphragm with Bass-Enhancing Tubes |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz |
| Noise Cancellation | Real-Time Adaptive ANC 3.0 with 2x Stronger Voice Reduction, 5 Manual Levels, Airplane and Car Modes |
| Transparency Mode | Dual Microphones per Earbud for Natural Ambient Sound |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC (Hi-Res Audio Wireless) |
| Connectivity Features | Multipoint Connection, Google Fast Pair |
| Battery Life (ANC Off) | 12 Hours (Earbuds) + 36 Hours (Case), Total 48 Hours |
| Battery Life (ANC On) | 8 Hours (Earbuds) + 24 Hours (Case), Total 32 Hours |
| Battery Life (ANC + Dolby Audio) | 5 Hours (Earbuds) + 15 Hours (Case), Total 20 Hours |
| Charging | USB-C, Wireless Charging, 10-Minute Charge for 5 Hours (ANC Off) |
| Microphones | 6 Microphones with AI Noise Cancellation and Wind-Resistant Algorithm |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP55 (Earbuds Only) |
| Weight | 4.6g per Earbud (0.16 oz), 51.7g with Case |
| Controls | Pinch Gestures (Customizable via Soundcore App) |
| App Features | HearID 4.0, 8-Band Custom EQ, 22 EQ Presets, Preference Test, Adaptive Sound Leakage Compensation, Low-Latency Gaming Mode, Firmware Updates |
| Additional Features | Dolby Audio (Music, Movie, Podcast Modes), In-Ear Detection, Safe Volume Limiter, Fit Test |
| Colors | Black, White, Navy Blue, Pink |
| Dimensions (Case) | 2.3 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches |
Sleek Design, But a Wobbly Case
Right out of the box, the Soundcore Liberty 5 feels premium. The charging case has a smooth, matte finish that looks sleek and resists scratches. It’s got the Soundcore logo on top, a USB-C port in the back, and a flat base for wireless charging—super handy!
But here’s the catch: the sliding lid is a bit wobbly, unlike the rock-solid lids on the Liberty 4 and 4 Pro. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it feels less luxe than expected.
The earbuds themselves are comfy as heck. They come with six ear tip sizes (even XXS for small ears), so finding the perfect fit is easy.
With an IP55 rating, they’re sweat- and water-resistant, making them great for workouts or rainy days. I wore them for hours—running, chilling, you name it—and they stayed snug without any fuss.
The glossy stems use pinch controls for play, pause, or switching modes. They work well, but I’d prefer tap controls for quicker access.
Also, there’s no volume control on the stems, which is a bummer. On the bright side, the in-ear sensors pause music when you take them out and play when you pop them back in—smooth and reliable.
One thing I wish Soundcore included? A protective pouch or case. The Liberty 4 Pro had a cool screen on its case, but the Liberty 5 skips that, probably saving it for a future 5 Pro model. Still, a little extra protection in the box would’ve been nice.
Sound Quality That Blows You Away
Holy cow, the sound quality on the Liberty 5 is unreal! Powered by 9.2mm dynamic drivers and bass tube tech, these earbuds deliver a punchy, balanced sound.
The sub-bass is deep and aggressive—Daft Punk’s “Doin’ It Right” sounded insane. Mid-bass has a solid thump, blending perfectly with mid-range vocals that are slightly forward but super clear. The highs sparkle without being harsh, making every song pop.
The Soundcore app lets you tweak the sound with the HearID preference test, which customizes the audio to your taste. I played with it and found a slightly more forward vocal setting that I loved.
Dolby Audio for music, podcasts, or movies takes things to another level, adding immersive depth, though it uses more battery. Even without Dolby, the Soundcore Signature preset sounds fantastic.
Using LDAC mode adds a touch of clarity, but honestly, standard codecs like AAC or SBC are already amazing, so you don’t need to drain extra battery.
Volume-wise, 45-70% is perfect for most listening, with no distortion. Above 80%, it gets too loud for me, but the earbuds stay stable with no rattling. For the price, the Liberty 5’s audio is top-notch, rivaling even pricier earbuds.
Noise Cancellation That’s Almost Perfect
The Liberty 5 boasts ANC 3.0, and it’s a beast, scoring a near-perfect 9.9/10. Soundcore claims 2x better voice reduction, and it delivers.
Airplane cabin noise, road sounds, and crowd chatter? Almost gone, especially with soft music playing. In a café test, a tiny bit of noise sneaked through, but it was barely noticeable.
The app offers five ANC levels, plus airplane and car modes tuned for specific environments, which work like a charm.
Transparency mode is just as good, letting you hear your surroundings clearly with no lag. I love that you can turn on wind noise reduction alongside ANC or transparency—most earbuds make you pick one or the other.
The ANC feels natural, with no weird ear pressure, making it comfy for long sessions.
Connectivity and App Features
The Liberty 5 rocks Bluetooth 5.4 for a rock-solid connection. It supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, plus Hi-Res Wireless certification, so the audio quality is crisp on compatible devices.
Multipoint connectivity lets you switch between your phone and laptop seamlessly, and I never had dropouts. The gaming mode in the app slashes latency, making videos and games sync perfectly—no delays here!
The Soundcore app is a dream. It shows battery levels for the earbuds and case, color-coded to match your pair. You can tweak ANC, enable Dolby Audio, or customize sound with HearID, presets, or an 8-band EQ.
Cool extras include a fit test, safe volume settings, and a take photo control option (yep, you can snap pics with a pinch!).
The app also handles firmware updates and multi-point settings. My only gripe? You have to dive into the app to toggle gaming mode—would’ve been nice to map it to a pinch.
Call Quality Holds Up
The Liberty 5’s microphones are solid for calls. In a quiet room, my voice came through clear and natural.
With simulated background noise, the mics did a great job keeping things clear, though super loud environments might challenge them a bit. For everyday calls or voice notes, they’re more than good enough.
Price and Availability
The Liberty 5 launched at $130, down from the Liberty 4’s $149 and matching the Liberty 4 Pro’s original price.
For the upgrades in sound, ANC, and battery life, it’s a killer deal. Toss in discount codes for a free case, and the value skyrockets. These earbuds punch way above their weight.
Final Verdict
I’d say almost perfect. With jaw-dropping sound, near-perfect ANC, and a beefy battery, they’re hard to beat in 2025.
The wobbly case and missing screen are minor hiccups, but the audio quality, app features, and comfort make up for it.
Until the Liberty 5 Pro drops, these are the king of budget earbuds. If you’re hunting for awesome wireless audio, grab the Liberty 5—you won’t be disappointed!
Got thoughts on the Liberty 5? Drop a comment below! And if you’ve got questions, I’m here to help.
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Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
