The wireless earbuds market has never been more crowded, but now and again, a new player comes along and makes some serious waves. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 is one of them—delivering high-end audio, active noise canceling, and long battery life, all at a price that won’t hurt.
Design and Comfort: Secure Fit, Smarter Case
Liberty 5 has a good first impression. Featuring a known stem-style design, the earbuds fit snugly and naturally in the ear, even with exercise or extended listening sessions. Anker ships six ear tips with the box—more than most others—which ensures a perfect fit comes easily. Comfort is high, especially for listeners who have had issues with larger earbuds or memory-foam tips.
The case also goes about things in a slightly different way. Rather than having the standard flip-top, it has a slide-open mechanism that’s more resilient and less likely to accidentally open up. The case is slightly larger than some competitors, but its flat, thin shape makes it simple to throw in a bag. Wireless charging is thrown in—a nice addition—and the construction feels robust enough to withstand regular use.
Audio Quality: Dolby 3D Sound and Bold Bass
Sound quality is where the Liberty 5 truly excels. Every earbud contains a 9.2mm wool paper diaphragm and dual bass tubes, producing robust, well-balanced audio with solid lows, clear mids, and sharp highs. Sure, it won’t unseat the very highest-end audiophile brands, but it performs remarkably well against similarly priced—and even pricier—models.
What truly elevates the experience is Dolby Audio support. It brings spatial depth to your music and movies, simulating a cinematic, 3D listening environment. You’ll notice the difference most with Dolby-optimized content, but even standard playlists benefit from the wider soundstage and added clarity.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency: Smart, Responsive, and Effective
One of the Liberty 5’s standout features is Anker’s Adaptive ANC 3.0—a technology that readjusts every 0.3 seconds to accommodate your environment. It isn’t quite as perfect as Sony’s premium ANC, but it’s remarkably close to it, given the price tag. It silences a broad spectrum of sounds effectively, from rumbling traffic to the piercing chatter of a crowded coffee shop.
Transparency mode is also robust. It admits just sufficient ambient noise to remind you that you are aware of your surroundings without being tinny or fake. There is a very slight white-noise hiss in extremely quiet environments, but it is minimal and simple to disregard.
Battery Life: Designed for the Long Days
Battery life is a victory for the Liberty 5 as well. With ANC enabled, you’re getting up to 12 hours of playback from a single charge, and up to 32 hours with the charging case. Disable ANC, and that doubles to 48 hours. A 10-minute quick charge will yield you about 5 hours of playtime—perfect for those hectic days when you’re running out the door.
Connectivity and Codec Support: A Treat for Android Audiophiles
Bluetooth 5.4-capable, the Liberty 5 provides low-latency, reliable connections and speedy pairing. It also supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. Android users will be especially fond of LDAC’s high-res audio features, though aptX fans will have to look elsewhere. Pairing is speedy and easy, and even novices should have no issues getting up and running.
Features and App: Tuned to Your Liking
The Soundcore app remains among the more competent companion apps out there. It features selectable EQ settings, hearing tests to customize your sound profile, and switches for Dolby Audio, gaming mode, and ANC controls. The earbuds’ squeeze controls are responsive, albeit with a firm press that may take some adjustment.
One downside: there’s no onboard volume control. You’ll need to rely on your phone or the app for that. Still, the touch features are otherwise intuitive and easy to use.
The earbuds also come with an IP55 rating, meaning they are dust-resistant and water-resistant, ideal for exercise or outdoor use. The only thing the Liberty 4 lacks is heart rate monitoring, though in light of the overall improvements, most users probably won’t notice.
Value: Premium Features at a Mid-Range Price
At about $130, the Liberty 5 isn’t the most affordable earbuds available, but they could be the most affordable in their category. You don’t get features such as Dolby Audio, advanced ANC, extended battery life, LDAC support, and a solid app experience with other earbuds in this price range.
Anker has consistently established itself as a maker of powerful audio products without the luxury price, and the Liberty 5 is no exception. Sure, there are some minor trade-offs here—like the thicker case and absence of volume control—but they are easily forgotten given the overall package.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 is a leader of the mid-range wireless earbud crowd. It gets the basics right and adds some premium bells and whistles that make the experience that much better. If you’re commuting, exercising, or just want music with greater immersion, these earbuds make a compelling argument, particularly for Android users seeking high-end features without the high-end price tag.
