When shopping for wireless earbuds in the $100 range, two popular options that often come up are the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and the 1More Evo.
Both offer active noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, and a host of features at relatively affordable price points.
But which one is the better buy for your needs? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs 1More Evo: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | 1More Evo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $169.99 |
| Colors | White, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Pink, Black | White, Black |
| Drivers | 11mm dynamic drivers | 10mm dynamic + balanced armature |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes, adaptive with multiple modes | Yes, multiple modes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes, two modes |
| Battery Life (ANC on) | 8 hours (earbuds), 50 hours (with case) | 5.5 hours (earbuds), 28 hours (with case) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Earbud Weight | 5.7g each | 5.7g each |
| App Support | Yes, Soundcore app | Yes, 1More Music app |
| EQ Options | 22 presets, 8-band custom EQ | 12 presets, 10-band custom EQ |
Design and Comfort
The Liberty 4 NC sports a sleek, stemmed design reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods. Available in five color options (white, light blue, navy blue, pink, and black), they offer some nice variety to suit different tastes. The buds have a glossy finish with a touch-sensitive area for controls
Comfort-wise, the Liberty 4 NC performs well for most users. The earbuds are relatively lightweight at 5.7g each. While they may not be the most secure fit for intense workouts, they should stay put for general use and light exercise. Soundcore includes multiple ear tip sizes to help you find the best fit.
The 1More Evo takes a different approach with a more compact, stemless design. Available in either white or black, the Evo has a stylish look with a polished ceramic touch panel and bronze accent rings. However, the earbuds are on the larger side, which could cause fit issues for those with smaller ears.
Some users report mild discomfort after a couple hours of use due to the Evo’s size. The earbuds can be a bit tricky to remove from the case as well. That said, once in place, they tend to create a good seal and stay put.
Winner: This category largely comes down to personal preference, but the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC gets a slight edge for its lighter weight and generally more comfortable fit for a wider range of users.
Sound Quality
The Liberty 4 NC delivers impressive audio performance, especially considering its price point. It uses 11mm drivers to produce a well-balanced sound signature with punchy bass, clear mids, and detailed highs. The default tuning tends to emphasize bass, which many listeners enjoy for popular music genres.
One of the Liberty 4 NC’s standout features is its extensive EQ options. The companion app offers 22 preset EQ options and an 8-band customizable EQ, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your liking. There’s also a HearID Sound feature that creates a personalized EQ based on your hearing profile.
The 1More Evo uses a hybrid driver system combining a 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature driver. This setup aims to deliver detailed highs alongside impactful lows. Out of the box, the Evo’s sound is relatively neutral, which some audiophiles may prefer.
The Evo also offers EQ customization through its companion app, with 12 preset options and a 10-band graphic EQ. While not quite as extensive as the Liberty 4 NC’s options, it still provides good flexibility for tweaking the sound.
Winner: Both earbuds offer great sound quality, but the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC takes this round thanks to its more extensive EQ options and personalization features.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Liberty 4 NC boasts impressive noise cancellation capabilities, especially for its price range. It offers multiple ANC modes, including an adaptive option that adjusts based on your environment. Users report that it does an excellent job blocking out low-frequency noises like airplane engines or air conditioners.
The Liberty 4 NC also includes a transparency mode for when you need to hear your surroundings. A standout feature is its wind noise reduction mode, which works well for outdoor use.
The 1More Evo offers decent noise cancellation, though it’s not quite as strong as some competitors. It provides multiple ANC modes (Strong, Mild, Wind Noise Reduction, and Adaptive) to suit different situations. The Evo does a good job with low-frequency sounds but may struggle more with higher-pitched noises.
The Evo also includes two transparency modes: a standard pass-through and a voice enhancement mode. However, some users report that the difference between these modes is minimal.
Winner: The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC takes this category with its more effective noise cancellation across a wider range of frequencies.
Battery Life and Charging
The Liberty 4 NC offers impressive battery life, with up to 10 hours of playback from the earbuds themselves (with ANC off) and a total of 50 hours including the charging case. With ANC on, you can still expect around 8 hours from the buds. The case supports both USB-C and wireless charging, adding convenience.
The 1More Evo falls a bit short in this department, offering about 5.5 hours of playback with ANC on, or 8 hours with it off. The case provides additional charges for a total of 28 hours. While not bad, it’s notably less than the Liberty 4 NC. The Evo’s case does support wireless charging, which is a nice touch.
Winner: The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the clear winner here, offering significantly longer battery life.
Connectivity and Codec Support
The Liberty 4 NC uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. LDAC support is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for high-resolution audio streaming on compatible devices (mainly Android phones). The earbuds also support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously.
The 1More Evo uses Bluetooth 5.2 and also supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. Like the Liberty 4 NC, it offers multipoint connectivity for easy switching between devices.
Winner: This category is essentially a tie, with both earbuds offering similar connectivity options and codec support.
Additional Features
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC:
- IPX4 water resistance rating
- Wear detection for automatic play/pause
- Extensive app with features like find my earbuds and hearing protection
- Gaming mode for reduced latency
1More Evo:
- IPX4 water resistance rating
- Wear detection
- SoundID personalization (similar to Liberty 4 NC’s HearID)
- Gaming mode
Winner: While both offer a good set of additional features, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC’s more comprehensive app gives it a slight edge.
Price and Availability
The Liberty 4 NC typically retails for around $99, though sales can bring it even lower. Considering the features and performance, it offers exceptional value for money.
The 1More Evo is usually priced at $169, putting it in a slightly higher price bracket. Not after some discount it will available for just $85.
Winner: The 1More Evo offers better overall value, providing similar or better features at a significantly lower price point.
Best Deals:
| Liberty 4 NC | 1MORE Evo |
|---|---|
| View on Soundcore | View on Soundcore |
| View on AliExpress |
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs 1More Evo: Which Should You Buy?
Both the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and the 1More Evo are quality earbuds that offer a lot for their respective prices. However, for most users, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC emerges as the better overall choice.
The Liberty 4 NC offers:
- Better comfort for most users
- Equally good (if not better) sound quality with more extensive EQ options
- Superior active noise cancellation
- Much longer battery life
- Similar connectivity features and codec support
- A more comprehensive companion app
- All at a significantly lower price point
The 1More Evo does have some advantages. Its more compact design might appeal to those who dislike stems on their earbuds. Some users may also prefer its out-of-the-box sound signature. However, given the price difference and the Liberty 4 NC’s superior performance in most categories, it’s hard to recommend the Evo over the Liberty 4 NC for most buyers.
That said, if you find the 1More Evo on a significant sale that brings it closer to the Liberty 4 NC’s price, it becomes a more compelling option. Both are solid choices in the mid-range true wireless earbud market.
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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.
