Beats Studio Buds + vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Comparison
Compare Beats Studio Buds + vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.
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At a Glance
Need mid-priced ANC earbuds that work with both iPhone and Android? The Beats Studio Buds + are stemless true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, a transparency mode, six voice-targeting microphones, Bluetooth 5.3 and one-touch pairing on both iPhone and Android.
- Best For
- Users who switch between iPhone and Android
- Launch Price
- $169.99
- Dust/Water Rating
- IPX4
- Bluetooth Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- Noise Cancelling
- Active noise cancelling
- Battery (Buds)
- 6 (ANC on), 9 (ANC off)
- Battery (With Case)
- 24 (ANC on), 36 (ANC off)
- Multipoint
- No
Want adaptive ANC and multipoint for under 100 dollars? The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are budget earbuds with Adaptive ANC 2.0, 11 mm drivers, LDAC Hi-Res wireless support, Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint and up to 10 hours of playback per charge.
- Best For
- Budget buyers who want strong ANC
- Launch Price
- $99.99
- Dust/Water Rating
- IPX4
- Bluetooth Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Noise Cancelling
- Adaptive ANC 2.0
- Battery (Buds)
- 8 (ANC on), 10 (ANC off)
- Battery (With Case)
- 40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off)
- Multipoint
- Yes
Review Scores Compared
Expert Score
Voice & Call Noise Isolation
ANC & Transparency
Battery & Case Charging
Fit, Stability & Portability
Connectivity & UC Integration
Sound & Audio Quality
Editorial Reviews Comparison
Voice & Call Noise Isolation
- Beats Studio Buds +6.0/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10Leader
Beats Studio Buds +
Each bud has three microphones, for six in total, with voice-targeting processing to reduce background noise on calls. For laptop calls they connect as standard Bluetooth headsets. Without multipoint, switching between phone and laptop means re-pairing, which slows down hybrid workers. On Android the Beats app at least shows which device the buds are paired with, which helps when moving between them.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Six microphones with AI processing handle calls. Voice pickup is clear in quiet rooms and acceptable in offices. In wind or on busy streets, background noise and voice artefacts become noticeable. For short calls it is fine, but daily meeting users should choose a business earbud. Laptop calls use standard Bluetooth headset audio, which narrows the sound compared with music playback.
ANC & Transparency
- Beats Studio Buds +8.7/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10Leader
Beats Studio Buds +
Active noise cancelling and a transparency mode are switched with a press of the Beats logo. Beats claims a 1.6 times improvement in ANC over the original Studio Buds. Cancellation is effective against steady noise such as fans and engines, and fine for an office. It lets in more voices and sudden sounds than Sony and Bose flagships.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Adaptive ANC 2.0 measures the ear canal and surroundings to adjust cancellation. Transparency mode is also included. For under 100 dollars, ANC is impressive, cutting engines, fans and traffic well. It cannot match the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds on voices, but the gap is smaller than the price suggests. Getting a good seal with the right tip size matters most.
Battery & Case Charging
- Beats Studio Buds +8.0/10Leader
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10
Beats Studio Buds +
Beats quotes up to 9 hours per charge with ANC off, or 6 hours with ANC or transparency on. The case extends that to 36 or 24 hours. Six hours with ANC covers a long commute and a few calls. Fast Fuel gives about an hour of playback from five minutes of charging.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Soundcore quotes up to 10 hours per charge, or 8 hours with ANC on, and up to 50 hours with the case. With LDAC, that falls to about 6 hours. That is excellent for the price and outlasts many premium earbuds. A full week of commuting is possible before charging the case.
Fit, Stability & Portability
- Beats Studio Buds +8.3/10Leader
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10
Beats Studio Buds +
Each bud weighs about 5 g and sits flush in the ear without a stem. Beats includes three ear tip sizes, and the buds are rated IPX4. The small, rounded shape stays comfortable for long sessions and suits smaller ears. There are no wing tips, so very active workouts may loosen the fit.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
The stem-style buds are light and rated IPX4 for sweat and splashes. Soundcore includes five tip sizes. The stems make them easy to remove and adjust, though the shape is less distinctive than pricier rivals. The case is compact with a sliding lid, which is easy to open with one hand.
Connectivity & UC Integration
- Beats Studio Buds +4.9/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10Leader
Beats Studio Buds +
Bluetooth 5.3 Class 1 offers good range. One-touch pairing works on iPhone, and Google Fast Pair works on Android, with Find My support on both platforms. There is no multipoint, so the buds connect to one device at a time. Automatic switching between Apple devices is also missing, unlike AirPods.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Bluetooth 5.3 supports multipoint, so the buds stay connected to a phone and a laptop at the same time. Multipoint is rare at this price and useful for hybrid workers who take calls on both devices. The Soundcore app handles EQ, ANC modes and firmware. Note that LDAC and multipoint cannot be used together on some firmware versions.
Sound & Audio Quality
- Beats Studio Buds +6.9/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10Leader
Beats Studio Buds +
Beats uses custom acoustic drivers with codec support for SBC and AAC. Tuning is energetic, with punchy bass and clear vocals. Spatial audio with head tracking is not supported, unlike the AirPods Pro 3. For everyday listening the sound is good for the price.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Each bud uses an 11 mm custom driver, and the buds support LDAC Hi-Res Wireless Audio on compatible Android phones, plus SBC and AAC. Default tuning is bass heavy, which some will enjoy on a commute. The app's EQ presets and HearID personalisation calm the low end and bring vocals forward. iPhone users get AAC rather than LDAC; Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are the iPhone-native alternative.
Why Beats Studio Buds + Beats Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (and Vice Versa)
Why Soundcore Liberty 4 NC beats Beats Studio Buds +
- Better voice & call noise isolation: 9.3 vs 6.0 out of 10
- Better sound & audio quality: 9.7 vs 6.9 out of 10
- Better connectivity & uc integration: 7.0 vs 4.9 out of 10
- Better anc & transparency: 9.5 vs 8.7 out of 10
- Driver Type: Custom dynamic vs Custom acoustic platform
- Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC vs SBC, AAC
Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.
Full Specifications
General
| Beats Studio Buds + | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Users who switch between iPhone and Android | Budget buyers who want strong ANC |
| Fit Type | True wireless in-ear | True wireless in-ear |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Launch Price | $169.99 | $99.99 Better |
| Case Weight | 49 g | — |
| Water Resistance | Sweat and water resistant (IPX4, earbuds) | IPX4 |
| Colors | Black/Gold, Ivory, Transparent | — |
| Hi-Res Certified | — | Yes |
| Lossless Audio | — | Hi-Res Wireless (LDAC) |
| ANC Levels | — | 5 noise-cancelling levels, 4 travel modes (Plane, Train, Bus, Taxi), 2 transparency modes |
| Microphone Setup | Six (three per bud) | Six with AI processing |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Recharges | 3 | — |
| Google Fast Pair | Yes (Android) | Yes |
| Controls | Physical button | Touch |
| Companion App | Beats app (Android) | Soundcore app |
| Voice Assistant | Hey Siri; on-device voice assistant button | — |
| Custom Controls | Yes | Yes (touch control) |
| Find My / Locate | Yes (Apple and Google) | — |
| In the Box | Earbuds, charging case, ear tips (three sizes), USB-C cable | Earbuds, charging case, ear tips (five sizes), USB-C cable |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | — |
| Model Number | Studio Buds + | A3947 |
| OS Compatibility | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Works With | iOS, Android | — |
Voice & Call Noise Isolation
| Beats Studio Buds +6.0/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| Microphones | — | 6 |
| Call Noise Reduction | Voice-targeting processing | Yes (AI algorithm reduces background noise on calls) Better |
ANC & Transparency
| Beats Studio Buds +8.7/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancelling | Active noise cancelling | Adaptive ANC 2.0 Better |
| Adaptive ANC | Yes (ANC adapts to personal fit) | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
Battery & Case Charging
| Beats Studio Buds +8.0/10 Better | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Call Time | — | 4 h |
| Battery (Buds) | 6 (ANC on), 9 (ANC off) | 8 (ANC on), 10 (ANC off) Better |
| Battery (With Case) | 24 (ANC on), 36 (ANC off) | 40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off) Better |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Fast Charging | Yes (Fast Fuel) | Yes |
| Battery (Buds, ANC Off) | 9 h | 10 h Better |
Fit, Stability & Portability
| Beats Studio Buds +8.3/10 Better | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bud Weight | 5 g | — |
| Ear Tip Sizes | Three sizes | Five sizes |
| Dust/Water Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Ear Hooks / Wings | No | — |
| Case Dimensions | 7.2 x 5.1 x 2.55 cm | — |
Connectivity & UC Integration
| Beats Studio Buds +4.9/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| USB Dongle | No | No |
| Multipoint | No | Yes Better |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 Class 1 | 5.3 |
Sound & Audio Quality
| Beats Studio Buds +6.9/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC Better |
| Driver Size | — | 11 mm |
| Driver Type | Custom acoustic platform | Custom dynamic Better |
| Custom EQ | — | Yes (app and HearID) |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | — |
Takeaways
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC costs the least ($99.99), and Beats Studio Buds + the most ($169.99).
- Our pick: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, with the highest spec-based rating (4.4/5).
- Choose Beats Studio Buds + for users who switch between iPhone and Android.
- Choose Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for budget buyers who want strong ANC.
Pros and Cons
Beats Studio Buds +
PROS
- Works well with iPhone and Android
- Compact stemless design
- Up to 36 hours with the case
- Transparent design option
CONS
- ANC weaker than flagships
- No wireless charging
- No multipoint
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
PROS
- Strong ANC for the price
- LDAC support
- Multipoint connection
- Long battery life
CONS
- Bass-heavy default tuning
- Mics struggle in wind
- Stem design is plain
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Quick Verdict
- Beats Studio Buds + 7.1Leads in Battery & Case Charging, Fit, Stability & Portability
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC 8.7Best overallLeads in Voice & Call Noise Isolation, ANC & Transparency, Connectivity & UC Integration




