Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Review: Strong ANC, Okay Mics

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC sits in the mid-range part of the true wireless market. It aims to cover most of what a commuter or bass-loving listener wants: adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC support, a long-lasting case and an app with plenty of tuning options. This anker soundcore liberty 4 nc review is based on the manufacturer's specifications and what independent expert reviews report, not hands-on testing. It looks at where the earbuds deliver and where they fall short, so you can decide whether they suit your habits.

In short, they are for budget-minded listeners who want strong ANC, LDAC and bass-forward sound. They are less suited to people who spend a lot of time on calls in noisy places or who want a neutral sound.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC review: what you are getting

The headline feature is Adaptive ANC 2.0, which Anker says adjusts to your ears and your surroundings in real time. The manufacturer quotes up to 98.5% noise reduction. That is a manufacturer claim rather than an independent measurement, so treat it as marketing. What matters more is that reviewers consistently praise the noise cancelling as strong for the price.

The rest of the package supports that. The earbuds use 11mm custom-tuned drivers and support SBC, AAC and LDAC, along with Hi-Res Wireless audio. They add Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, a wireless charging case, IPX4 water resistance and a companion app with HearID 2.0 and a fully adjustable EQ.

Design and build

Each earbud weighs 5.2g without the case. Controls are touch-based, so you tap the earbuds rather than press physical buttons.

IPX4 water resistance means the earbuds are rated against splashes and sweat. It is a sensible baseline for commuting, the gym or light rain, but it is not a rating for submersion. The charging case supports wireless charging. If you already have a Qi pad on your desk or nightstand, you can drop the case on it instead of reaching for a cable.

Fit is the area where reviewers are most mixed. A common criticism is that the earbuds can feel loose in some ears, and that they are not ideal for intense workouts. The app includes a fit test, which is worth running because ANC performance generally depends on a good seal. If you have had trouble keeping earbuds secure before, take this criticism seriously.

Noise cancelling in daily use

Adaptive ANC 2.0 is built to change its behaviour as your environment changes. In practice that suits people who move between a train platform, a carriage, a street and an office in the same day, because you do not need to keep adjusting settings by hand. Reviewers describe the cancelling as strong for the price.

There is a trade-off with battery life, covered below. Running ANC shortens playtime, and running it alongside LDAC shortens it further.

Sound quality and codecs

The Liberty 4 NC supports LDAC, a higher-bitrate Bluetooth codec, and Hi-Res Wireless audio. The frequency response is listed as 20 - 40000 Hz. To use LDAC you need a source device that supports it. Many Android phones do, but check yours before counting on it. Devices without LDAC will fall back to AAC or SBC.

Reviewers describe the tuning as bass-heavy and V-shaped, with sharp treble and recessed mids. For pop, hip-hop and electronic music that can be fun and energetic, which is why the earbuds are often pitched to bass lovers. If you listen to acoustic music, podcasts or vocal-heavy tracks, the recessed mids and sharp treble may bother you. The good news is that the app has a fully adjustable EQ and HearID 2.0 personalisation, so you can tame the tuning to some degree rather than accept it as is. If you like to tinker, that eases the main sound criticism. If you want a neutral sound straight out of the box, it is a reason to look elsewhere.

Battery life and charging

The battery figures depend heavily on how you use the earbuds:

• ANC off: 10 hours per charge, or 50 hours with the case.
• ANC on: 8 hours in the earbuds, or 40 hours with the case.
• LDAC with ANC: 5 hours in the earbuds, or 25 hours with the case.

The last figure is the one to watch. A common criticism is that using LDAC and ANC together drops the earbuds to 5 hours per charge. That is still enough for many commutes, but it is a clear step down from the headline figure. If you want both features all day, plan on topping up the case regularly.

Fast charging helps: a 10-minute charge gives 4 hours of playback, so a short top-up before leaving the house can rescue a flat pair. Wireless charging for the case adds more flexibility.

Connectivity and the app

Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint lets the earbuds connect to 2 devices at once, for example a laptop and a phone. That is handy if you move between a work call and your music. Google Fast Pair is also supported, which simplifies the initial pairing on compatible phones.

Reviewers praise the app as detailed. Beyond the fit test, adjustable EQ and HearID personalisation, the app is detailed, which is a selling point for people who like to customise.

Call quality

The earbuds have 6 microphones and an AI algorithm to improve calls, but this is one of the most consistent criticisms. Reviewers describe the call and mic quality as only average, with muddy voice pickup in noise. They will do for occasional calls in quiet places. If calls are a core part of your day, especially outdoors or in loud offices, this is probably the biggest reason to look at other options.

What the experts say

Across 3 published expert scores, the Liberty 4 NC averages 7.9/10. SoundGuys scores it 8.2/10, Recording Now gives it 8.4/10 and TechHive rates it 3.5/5. That is a solid but not outstanding set of results, which matches the picture above: strong value-led features, with weaknesses in calls, tuning and fit.

Reviewers praise these points:

• strong adaptive ANC for the price
• up to 50 hours of total playtime with the case with ANC off
• LDAC and Hi-Res Wireless support
• the detailed app, with its fit test, EQ and HearID
• multipoint, wireless charging and quick top-ups

The criticisms are just as consistent:

• average call and mic quality
• bass-heavy, V-shaped tuning
• a fit that can feel loose and is not ideal for intense workouts
• the battery drop when LDAC and ANC are combined

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Buy it if you commute or travel and want strong ANC without moving to the top of the market, if you like bass-forward sound, or if you want LDAC and a flexible app with EQ control. The long case battery, multipoint and wireless charging also suit people who juggle several devices and do not want to think about charging.

Skip it if you take a lot of calls in noisy places, since the mic performance is the weakest point. Also skip it if you prefer a neutral, balanced sound, or if you need a secure fit for intense workouts. Anyone who has struggled to keep loose-fitting earbuds in place should be cautious.

How it fits in the wider category

The Liberty 4 NC leans towards features, ANC and battery life, and gives ground on calls and out-of-the-box tuning. If you are comparing noise-cancelling earbuds, our JLab Go Pods ANC review is another place to start. Make sure you weigh each model's call quality, fit and codec support against how you will actually use it.

Verdict

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is easiest to recommend to listeners who value ANC, battery life and customisation over call performance and neutral tuning. Its strengths are the ones that matter on a daily commute: effective noise cancelling, a long-lasting case, multipoint, quick charging and an app that lets you shape the sound. Its weaknesses are real: average mics, a V-shaped sound signature and a fit that does not suit everyone. If your priorities line up with its strengths, it is a well-equipped mid-range option. If calls or workouts are your main use, look elsewhere.

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