if you looking for top-quality earbuds with an affordable price range then the Nothing Ear (2024) and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are two great options.
Each offers a stem-style look and claims top-notch features, but which one should you spend your money on?
Let’s take a close look at these two earbuds comparing their design sound quality active noise cancellation (ANC), and overall value for money.
Price and Availability
The Nothing Ear (2024) is currently available for purchase, priced at $149. You can choose between two classic color options: Black and White.
In contrast, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers a more budget-friendly option at $99.99, positioning itself as an attractive alternative in the premium earbud market.
The Liberty 4 NC also provides a wider range of color choices, including Velvet Black, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Clear White, and Pastel Pink, catering to diverse personal styles.
Both models are readily available, with the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC’s competitive pricing and expanded color palette potentially giving it an edge in terms of value and customization options.
Best Deal:
Nothing Ear: View on AliExpress
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: View on AliExpress | View on Soundcore
Nothing Ear vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Nothing Ear (2024) | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 11mm | 11mm |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | 5.2 hours | 10 hours |
| Battery Life (with Case) | 24 hours | 50 hours |
| Weight (Earbuds) | 4.62g | Not specified |
| Weight (Case) | 51.9g | Not specified |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth |
| Frequency Response | 20-40,000Hz | Not specified |
| Waterproofing | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Color Options | White and Black | Velvet Black, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Clear White, Pastel Pink |
| Price | $149 | $99 |
Design and Comfort
The Nothing Ear (2024) continues the brand’s signature transparent look, giving users a peek at the inner workings of the earbuds. This unique aesthetic sets them apart in a crowded market.
On the other hand, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC opts for a more traditional but still attractive two-tone finish, with a gray body accented by baby blue details. The Liberty 4 NC has slightly longer stems, which might affect how they feel in your ears.
Both earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes to help you find the perfect fit. I found that switching to larger ear tips on the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC provided a better seal. This experience reminds us how important it is to experiment with different sizes for the best comfort and sound isolation.
Sound Quality
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC impresses with its powerful and bright sound. These earbuds can get very loud, which brings out more detail in the mids and highs. The bass is punchy and impactful, especially noticeable in bass-heavy tracks.
However, at higher volumes, I noticed that the mids and highs can overpower the bass in some songs, requiring careful volume adjustment to maintain balance.
The Nothing Ear (2024) delivers a more balanced sound right out of the box. They offer crisp and clear audio across all frequencies, with good separation between instruments and vocals. The soundstage is open and detailed.
Interestingly, I observed that while the initial bass impact was strong, it seemed to decrease in intensity as bass-heavy songs progressed. This could be due to some internal processing or speaker protection mechanism.
Both earbuds support high-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC, ensuring excellent audio fidelity when paired with compatible devices. They also offer customizable EQ settings through their respective apps, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their liking.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC performed well in real-world ANC tests. When faced with traffic noise and wind, the earbuds significantly reduced ambient sounds. While not completely eliminating all noise, they effectively minimized traffic sounds and wind noise. I found the ANC performance to be suitable for most everyday environments.
The Nothing Ear (2024) also showed competent ANC capabilities. When tested against various noise sources including air conditioners, traffic, and nature sounds, the earbuds effectively reduced much of the ambient noise. I’d rate the ANC performance as a solid six out of ten, indicating good but not class-leading performance.
Both earbuds offer adjustable ANC levels and transparency modes, giving users flexibility in how much environmental sound they want to let in.
Battery Life and Charging
The Nothing Ear (2024) advertises up to 8.5 hours of playback with ANC off (6.5 hours with ANC on), while the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC boasts up to 10 hours of playback with ANC off (8 hours with ANC on).
Both cases support wireless charging for added convenience. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC has a slight edge in overall battery life when including the charging case, offering up to 50 hours of total playback compared to the Nothing Ear (2024)’s 40 hours.
Additional Features
Both earbuds come with companion apps that allow for customization of sound profiles, touch controls, and ANC settings.
They also support features like in-ear detection for automatic play/pause and Bluetooth multipoint for connecting to multiple devices simultaneously.
The Nothing Ear (2024) offers some unique features like “Clear Voice Technology” for improved call quality and low-latency mode for gaming.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC counters with its HearID ANC technology, which personalizes the noise cancellation to your ear shape and environment.
Nothing Ear (2024) Earbuds vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Which Should You Buy?
Both the Nothing Ear (2024) and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC represent excellent choices in the premium wireless earbud market.
They offer strong sound quality, effective ANC, and attractive designs. Your final decision may come down to subtle differences in sound preference, design aesthetics, and budget considerations.
However, the choice between these two excellent earbuds will largely depend on your personal preferences and priorities.
Choose the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if:
- You prefer a brighter, more energetic sound signature
- Bass impact and volume are important to you
- You want strong ANC performance at a more affordable price point
- Longer battery life is a priority
Choose the Nothing Ear (2024) if:
- You value a unique, eye-catching design
- You prefer a more balanced sound signature out of the box
- The slightly more compact form factor appeals to you
- You’re interested in Nothing’s ecosystem and software features
You might like:
- Earfun Air Pro 4 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Who is Winner?
- CMF Buds Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear (a): Prepare to Be Surprised!
- Nothing Ear vs Nothing Ear (a): Which is Right for You?
- Audio Bargains Compared: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs 1More Evo
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.
