Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Comparison

Compare Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.

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Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds in Porcelain
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Launch price $229
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC product image
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Launch price $99.99

At a Glance

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Using an Android phone and want Google's own ANC earbuds? The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are compact noise-cancelling earbuds with Google's Tensor A1 chip, Silent Seal 2.0 ANC, 11 mm drivers, Gemini voice features and a battery rated for 8 hours per charge with noise cancelling on.

Best For
Pixel and Android users
Launch Price
$229
Dust/Water Rating
IP54
Bluetooth Codecs
SBC, AAC, LC3
Noise Cancelling
Silent Seal 2.0 ANC
Mics per Bud
3
Battery (Buds)
8 h
Battery (With Case)
30 h
Multipoint
Yes
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

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
Mics per Bud
—
Battery (Buds)
8 (ANC on), 10 (ANC off)
Battery (With Case)
40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off)
Multipoint
Yes

Review Scores Compared

How we score

Expert Score

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.9/10 Leads
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.7/10

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10 Leads

ANC & Transparency

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.7/10
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10 Leads

Battery & Case Charging

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10 Leads
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10

Fit, Stability & Portability

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10

Connectivity & UC Integration

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10 Leads
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10

Sound & Audio Quality

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10 Leads

Editorial Reviews Comparison

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10Leader

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Beamforming microphones and Clear Calling on Pixel phones reduce background noise and boost your voice. A wind-blocking mesh covers the mics. Hybrid workers who spend hours on laptop calls get a steadier experience from the Poly Voyager Free 60+ and its USB adapter, which keeps call audio wideband on Windows and Mac.

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

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.7/10
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10Leader

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Silent Seal 2.0 runs on the Tensor A1 chip, and Google claims it cancels about twice as much noise as the first Pro. Transparency and Conversation Detection, which pauses audio when you speak, are included. The fin-style stabiliser twists to lock the buds in place, which also improves the seal and therefore the cancellation.

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

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10Leader
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google quotes up to 8 hours with ANC on, or 12 hours off, and up to 30 hours with the case using ANC. That is among the best in premium earbuds. A full workday of music and calls is easy, and the case recharges over lunch. Five minutes of charging gives about an hour of playback.

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

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Each bud weighs about 4.7 g, among the lightest in this group, and the twist-to-adjust fin keeps them steady during walks or workouts. Google includes four tip sizes. The small size makes them comfortable for long sessions, and they barely protrude from the ear. That also helps with lying on a pillow or wearing a hat.

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

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10Leader
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The buds connect over Bluetooth 5.4 with two-device multipoint, LE Audio and Fast Pair for one-tap setup. On Android the buds appear in settings without a separate app download. Gemini integration lets you talk to Google's assistant hands-free, which is handy on the move for messages, reminders and directions. Find My Device locates lost buds and the case on a map.

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

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10Leader

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Each bud has an 11 mm dynamic driver, unusually large for such a small earbud. Codec support covers SBC, AAC and LC3 for LE Audio, with no aptX or LDAC. The tuning is lively and bass forward, with clear vocals. The Pixel app's five-band EQ lets you calm the low end for podcasts and calls between meetings.

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 Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Beats Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (and Vice Versa)

Why Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 beats Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

  • Better battery & case charging: 9.7 vs 7.6 out of 10
  • Better fit, stability & portability: 9.3 vs 8.0 out of 10
  • Dust/Water Rating: IP54 vs IPX4
  • Water Resistance: Sweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds) vs IPX4
  • Wireless Charging: Yes (Qi) vs No
  • Battery (Buds, ANC Off): 12 h vs 10 h

Why Soundcore Liberty 4 NC beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

  • Better anc & transparency: 9.5 vs 8.7 out of 10
  • Better voice & call noise isolation: 9.3 vs 8.8 out of 10
  • Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC vs SBC, AAC, LC3
  • Noise Cancelling: Adaptive ANC 2.0 vs Silent Seal 2.0 ANC
  • Call Noise Reduction: Yes (AI algorithm reduces background noise on calls) vs Clear Calling (Pixel)
  • Battery (With Case): 40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off) vs 30 h

Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.

Full Specifications

General

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Best ForPixel and Android usersBudget buyers who want strong ANC
Fit TypeTrue wireless in-earTrue wireless in-ear
Release Year20242023
Launch Price$229$99.99 Better
Case Weight65 g—
Water ResistanceSweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds) BetterIPX4
ColorsPorcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, Peony—
Case Water RatingIPX4—
Hi-Res Certified—Yes
Lossless Audio—Hi-Res Wireless (LDAC)
Hearing Health FeaturesLoud-sound protection (dampens sudden loud noises)—
ANC Levels—5 noise-cancelling levels, 4 travel modes (Plane, Train, Bus, Taxi), 2 transparency modes
Microphone SetupBeamforming microphonesSix with AI processing
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
LE Audio / AuracastYes—
Google Fast PairYesYes
ControlsTouchTouch
Companion AppPixel Buds app (Android)Soundcore app
Wear DetectionYes—
Voice AssistantGemini—
Custom ControlsYes (tap and swipe)Yes (touch control)
Find My / LocateYes (Find My Device)—
In the BoxEarbuds, charging case, ear tips, USB-C cableEarbuds, charging case, ear tips (five sizes), USB-C cable
Warranty1-year limited—
Model NumberPixel Buds Pro 2A3947
OS CompatibilityAndroid 8+; basic Bluetooth on iOS and WindowsiOS, Android

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10 Better
Mics per Bud3—
Microphones66
Wind Noise ReductionYes (wind-blocking mesh)—
Call Noise ReductionClear Calling (Pixel)Yes (AI algorithm reduces background noise on calls) Better

ANC & Transparency

Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.7/10Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10 Better
Noise CancellingSilent Seal 2.0 ANCAdaptive ANC 2.0 Better
Adaptive ANCYes (Adaptive Audio)Yes
Transparency ModeYesYes
Active Noise CancellingYesYes

Battery & Case Charging

Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10 BetterSoundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10
Call Time—4 h
Battery (Buds)8 h8 (ANC on), 10 (ANC off)
Battery (With Case)30 h40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off) Better
Wireless ChargingYes (Qi) BetterNo
Fast ChargingYes (5 min = about 1 h)Yes
Battery (Buds, ANC Off)12 h Better10 h

Fit, Stability & Portability

Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 BetterSoundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10
Bud Weight4.7 g—
Ear Tip SizesFour sizesFive sizes
Dust/Water RatingIP54 BetterIPX4
Ear Hooks / WingsYes (twist-to-adjust stabiliser)—
Case Dimensions49.9 x 63.3 x 25 mm—

Connectivity & UC Integration

Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10 BetterSoundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10
USB DongleNoNo
MultipointYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.4 Better5.3

Sound & Audio Quality

Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10 Better
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LC3SBC, AAC, LDAC Better
Driver Size11 mm11 mm
Driver TypeDynamicCustom dynamic
Custom EQYes (five-band)Yes (app and HearID)
Spatial AudioYes (supported Pixel phones)—

Takeaways

  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC costs the least ($99.99), and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 the most ($229).
  • It's a tie on our rating (4.4/5) between Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, so choose on the rows that matter most to you.
  • Choose Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 for pixel and Android users.
  • Choose Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for budget buyers who want strong ANC.

Pros and Cons

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

PROS

  • Small, light buds with a twist-to-adjust fin
  • Strong ANC for the price
  • Deep Android and Gemini integration
  • Long battery life

CONS

  • Best features need Android
  • No aptX or LDAC
  • No dongle for PC calls

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

Similar Comparisons

Quick Verdict

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 8.9Best overallLeads in Battery & Case Charging, Fit, Stability & Portability, Connectivity & UC Integration
  • Soundcore Liberty 4 NC 8.7Leads in Voice & Call Noise Isolation, ANC & Transparency, Sound & Audio Quality