Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Smart Cases, Which Is Best?
The audio market is buzzing with innovation, but few releases capture attention quite like Soundcore’s latest offerings. We’ve spent weeks with the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and its more feature-rich sibling, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max, to determine if their flashy designs are backed by solid performance. While these earbuds aren’t without their quirks, Soundcore has undeniably pushed boundaries, aiming to deliver a premium wireless audio experience. Internally, both models are nearly identical in performance, but key differences in their charging cases and pricing could sway your decision. Let’s dive into what makes these earbuds stand out.
Design & Controls
Soundcore has opted for a unique “bean” style design for the earbuds themselves, a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous round or stem shapes. This organic, flowing aesthetic not only looks good in the ear but also contributes to a comfortable fit. The weight distribution feels balanced, and the ability to “lock” them in place with the included oval tips (five sizes) and soft fins (three sizes, also removable) ensures a secure fit. We found them exceptionally comfortable, staying put even during extended use.
The touch controls on both the Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max are among the most responsive we’ve encountered. There’s minimal latency, providing immediate feedback with even a light tap, and we experienced very few missteps. Customization is extensive, allowing users to assign functions like play/pause, track control, voice assistant activation, or AI translation to single, double, or triple presses. Volume control via a swipe gesture worked flawlessly, eliminating the need to dedicate a tap function to it.
Display Cases: Pro vs. Pro Max
The most striking feature of these earbuds is undoubtedly their charging cases, both of which incorporate a built-in display. This is where the Pro and Pro Max truly diverge.
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Case
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- Shows battery levels for buds and case.
- Allows changing ANC mode.
- Adjusts EQ settings.
- Toggles Dolby audio settings.
- Activates/deactivates Easy Chat.
- Offers camera control (shutter button when paired to phone).
- Includes a “find device” feature to beep lost earbuds.
- Enables pairing mode.
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max Case
The Pro Max case boasts a larger display and includes all the functionalities of the Pro, plus several advanced features:
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- Displays a list of connected devices for multi-point management.
- Activates the translation feature directly.
- Features an AI note-taker.
- Customizable display settings, including wallpaper, brightness, and scrollable widgets.
- Full music control, including track skipping and volume adjustment.
While the Pro Max’s display offers a mini-app experience, the physical design of both cases presents a trade-off. They are not the thinnest on the market, a necessary compromise for the smart technology packed inside. The Pro’s case is easier to open due to its clear front display, while the Pro Max requires a bit of rotation to find the sliding side. The responsiveness of the case displays isn’t on par with a smartphone, with occasional missteps, particularly on the Pro. The Pro Max’s display technology and touch responsiveness are noticeably superior.
Comfort & Durability
The bean-shaped earbuds are designed for extended wear. We found them to be very comfortable, with the option to use or remove the soft ear fins for a personalized fit. The IP55 rating for the earbuds means they are protected against dust and low-pressure water jets, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.
Battery Life & Charging
Soundcore states 6.5 hours of battery life from the earbuds and 28 hours from the charging case. While not class-leading, this is certainly above acceptable for premium earbuds. In real-world testing with ANC active, consuming videos, music, and calls, we observed approximately 4 hours before a low battery chime, indicating they approach the stated 6-hour mark. Both models support wireless charging and quick charging, providing 4 hours of listening from just a 5-minute charge.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) & Transparency
Soundcore truly excels in noise cancellation. Both the Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max deliver excellent ANC, effectively reducing noise across all frequency ranges. We’d confidently place them in a “Tier S” category for noise cancellation, capable of silencing everything from road noise in a car to the clatter of a mechanical keyboard. The white noise generated by the ANC is minimal.
The accompanying app and smart case allow users to switch between various ANC modes: noise canceling (with a manual slider for intensity and multi-modal options for specific environments like flights or cars), adaptive mode, normal, and transparency. Both ANC and transparency modes benefit from a wind noise reduction feature, which is particularly useful in windy environments. The adaptive mode intelligently switches between ANC and transparency based on ambient noise levels, performing remarkably well during walks.
Transparency mode is equally impressive, allowing all frequencies to pass through naturally without occlusion or noticeable white noise. We were able to hold conversations comfortably while wearing the earbuds, even in bustling environments.
Sound Quality & Customization
Out of the box, the sound profile tends to be bass-forward, which can sometimes result in a slightly dark or muffled presentation. However, Soundcore offers extensive customization options to tailor the sound to individual preferences. Users can take a “preference test” to fine-tune the sound based on their favorite genres or a “Hear ID test” which acts like a personalized hearing test, even offering flat or warble tones to assist users with tinnitus. The app features a 10-band custom EQ, along with several EQ presets like “Soundcore Signature,” “Clear Vocals,” and “Bass.”
An AI sound enhancement feature is available to upscale low-resolution audio. Both models also support Dolby audio with head tracking, though enabling the high-quality LDAC codec will disable this feature. The LDAC codec is present on both models, offering the best possible sound quality when enabled.
Microphone Performance
The microphone performance on both the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max is simply incredible. Our voices maintained integrity even in noisy and windy conditions, with zero complaints from call recipients. The ambient noise reduction is highly effective, often making it seem as if we weren’t in a noisy environment at all. Call controls directly from the earbuds include answering, hanging up, and volume adjustment, though there’s no direct mute control or ANC mode switching from the buds themselves (these can be managed via the smart case or app).
To hear the raw microphone samples, check out the video here!
Connectivity & Smart Features
These earbuds boast “triple point” multi-point connectivity, allowing them to connect to three devices simultaneously. While this feature is rare and incredibly useful for users with multiple devices (e.g., two phones and a laptop), enabling it will disable the LDAC codec. We found the multi-point functionality to work remarkably well, with automatic pausing on one device when playing audio on another. Occasional glitches, such as audio playing from an unintended device after a call, were minor and easily resolved. The Pro Max case, unlike the Pro, displays the list of connected devices, adding to its convenience.
Additional smart features include “pull connect,” which allows seamless switching back to a previously connected device without re-pairing, and “smart voice control.” This feature enables hands-free control of volume, playback, and ambient modes using simple voice commands, working surprisingly well without a specific wake word. “Easy Chat” automatically lowers volume and activates transparency mode when it detects speech, but we found it to be overly sensitive, triggering from grunts or sighs. Wearing detection for automatic play/pause also functions reliably.
Finally, the “ear translation” feature, accessible via the app, offers real-time and face-to-face translation, with one person wearing the earbuds and the other speaking into the phone. This worked effectively in our tests.
AI Note-Taker (Pro Max Exclusive)
A standout feature exclusive to the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max is its AI note-taker. This allows the case to record audio, generate a transcript, identify speakers, and even create a one-page summary. We tested this during a 14-minute discussion, and it accurately transcribed the conversation, identified two speakers, and provided a coherent summary. The ability to edit the transcript and listen to specific audio segments is also a plus. This feature transforms the earbud case into a discreet and powerful recording device, eliminating the need for separate specialty gadgets often used for note-taking in meetings or lectures.
Tech Specs
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
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- Price: $170
- IP Rating (buds): IP55
- Battery Life (buds): 6.5 hours
- Battery Life (case): 28 hours
- Colors: 4
- Codec: LDAC
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max
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- Price: $230
- IP Rating (buds): IP55
- Battery Life (buds): 6.5 hours
- Battery Life (case): 28 hours
- Colors: 2
- Codec: LDAC
Final Verdict
Both the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are solid contenders in the premium earbud market, offering exceptional ANC, transparency, and microphone performance, coupled with highly customizable controls and a comfortable fit. The primary differences lie in their price and the advanced functionalities of the Pro Max’s larger display case.
For those prioritizing value and a slightly thinner case, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro is the more sensible choice. It delivers the core audio experience and smart features at a lower price point.
However, if you frequently juggle multiple devices, appreciate the convenience of seeing connected devices on your case, or have a specific need for an integrated AI note-taker, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max justifies its higher price. Its comprehensive display and exclusive AI features make it a compelling option for tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. Ultimately, both are excellent products, but the Pro Max offers a more feature-rich and customizable experience for those willing to invest.
Pros and Cons
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
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- ✅ Excellent ANC & Transparency
- ✅ Highly responsive controls
- ✅ Comfortable, secure fit
- ✅ Incredible call quality
- ❌ Case is a bit thick
- ❌ Bass-forward sound profile
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max
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- ✅ Feature-rich display case
- ✅ AI note-taker functionality
- ✅ Triple-point connectivity
- ✅ Excellent ANC & Transparency
- ❌ Higher price point
- ❌ Case can be tricky to open
Products Discussed
===DISCLOSURES===
✅ The video was sponsored by Anker
✅ Affiliate shopping and merchandise links above earn us commission.
