Poly Voyager Free 20 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Comparison
Compare Poly Voyager Free 20 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
Taking calls on a phone and a laptop and want long battery without paying for certification? The Poly Voyager Free 20 are business-focused earbuds with adaptive ANC, three noise-cancelling mics per bud, 10 mm speakers, Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint, Qi charging and up to 8 hours of talk and music with ANC on.
- Best For
- Hybrid workers on a budget
- Launch Price
- $149.95
- Dust/Water Rating
- IP56
- Bluetooth Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- Noise Cancelling
- Adaptive ANC
- Battery (Buds)
- 8 (ANC on), 12 (ANC off)
- Battery (With Case)
- 28 (ANC on), 42 (ANC off)
- Multipoint
- Yes
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
- Poly Voyager Free 206.0/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10Leader
Poly Voyager Free 20
Each bud has three noise-cancelling microphones, which Poly aims at your mouth to separate your voice from typing and background chatter. Poly processing suppresses typing and background chatter well. Without a dongle, laptop calls use standard Bluetooth, which narrows the audio when the mic is active. The Voyager Free 60+ includes a USB adapter for steadier PC calls and certification.
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
- Poly Voyager Free 209.5/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10
Poly Voyager Free 20
Adaptive ANC adjusts its strength to the surroundings, and a transparency mode lets you hear colleagues without removing a bud. Poly keeps the controls simple, with a long press switching between the two modes. Cancellation is good in offices and on commutes, reducing air conditioning hum and distant chatter. It is not as strong as premium consumer buds such as the AirPods Pro 3, but enough to help with focus work.
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
- Poly Voyager Free 209.6/10Leader
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10
Poly Voyager Free 20
Poly quotes up to 8 hours with ANC on and 12 hours off, with 28 and 42 hours total with the case. That is enough for a full workday of calls and music without a top-up. Few business earbuds last as long. The case charges by USB-C or on a Qi wireless pad, so a desk charger keeps it topped up without cables.
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
- Poly Voyager Free 209.0/10Leader
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10
Poly Voyager Free 20
The buds are light and shaped for long wear, with several tip sizes and an IP56 rating for dust and water. Many users can wear them through a full workday without discomfort. The shape stays stable when you talk, which matters on long calls. The case is compact and charges wirelessly on a Qi pad, which suits desk setups that already have a wireless charger.
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
- Poly Voyager Free 2010.0/10Leader
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10
Poly Voyager Free 20
Bluetooth 5.4 supports multipoint, keeping the buds connected to a phone and a laptop at the same time so you do not need to re-pair between devices. Switching between devices is automatic when a call arrives. Poly Lens app on mobile and desktop handles settings and updates. They are not certified for Teams or Zoom, and no USB dongle is included.
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
- Poly Voyager Free 207.9/10
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10Leader
Poly Voyager Free 20
Each bud has a 10 mm speaker, and Poly tunes them for clear voice reproduction. Codec support covers SBC and AAC. For background music while working they are pleasant, but music lovers will prefer consumer-focused buds with richer tuning. The Poly Lens app offers EQ presets that add a little warmth for listening 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 Poly Voyager Free 20 Beats Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (and Vice Versa)
Why Poly Voyager Free 20 beats Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
- Better connectivity & uc integration: 10.0 vs 7.0 out of 10
- Better battery & case charging: 9.6 vs 7.6 out of 10
- Better fit, stability & portability: 9.0 vs 8.0 out of 10
- Dust/Water Rating: IP56 vs IPX4
- Wireless Charging: Yes (Qi) vs No
- Battery (Buds, ANC Off): 12 h vs 10 h
Why Soundcore Liberty 4 NC beats Poly Voyager Free 20
- Better voice & call noise isolation: 9.3 vs 6.0 out of 10
- Better sound & audio quality: 9.7 vs 7.9 out of 10
- Driver Size: 11 mm vs 10 mm
- Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC vs SBC, AAC
- Call Noise Reduction: Yes (AI algorithm reduces background noise on calls) vs Poly noise cancelling
- Battery (With Case): 40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off) vs 28 (ANC on), 42 (ANC off)
Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.
Full Specifications
General
| Poly Voyager Free 20 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Hybrid workers on a budget | Budget buyers who want strong ANC |
| Fit Type | True wireless in-ear | True wireless in-ear |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Launch Price | $149.95 | $99.99 Better |
| Case Weight | 50.96 g | — |
| Water Resistance | — | IPX4 |
| Colors | Black | — |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | — |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB SPL | — |
| 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 | Three per bud | Six with AI processing |
| Mic Frequency Response | 100 Hz - 7.8 kHz | — |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Charging Time | 2 h | — |
| Wireless Range | 30 m | — |
| Google Fast Pair | — | Yes |
| Paired Devices | 8 | — |
| Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HFP, SPP 1.2, AVCTP 1.4, AVDTP 1.3, GAVDP 1.3, RFCOMM 1.2 | — |
| Controls | Touch | Touch |
| Companion App | Poly Lens | Soundcore app |
| Voice Assistant | Yes | — |
| Custom Controls | — | Yes (touch control) |
| In the Box | Wireless earbuds, charging case, USB-C to USB-C cable, XS/S/M/L eartips, quick start guide, warranty card, safety guide, technical support documents | Earbuds, charging case, ear tips (five sizes), USB-C cable |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | — |
| Model Number | Voyager Free 20 | A3947 |
| OS Compatibility | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | iOS, Android |
Voice & Call Noise Isolation
| Poly Voyager Free 206.0/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.3/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| Microphones | — | 6 |
| Call Noise Reduction | Poly noise cancelling | Yes (AI algorithm reduces background noise on calls) Better |
ANC & Transparency
| Poly Voyager Free 209.5/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.5/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC 2.0 |
| Adaptive ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
Battery & Case Charging
| Poly Voyager Free 209.6/10 Better | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.6/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Call Time | — | 4 h |
| Battery (Buds) | 8 (ANC on), 12 (ANC off) | 8 (ANC on), 10 (ANC off) |
| Battery (With Case) | 28 (ANC on), 42 (ANC off) | 40 (ANC on), 50 (ANC off) Better |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (Qi) Better | No |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Battery (Buds, ANC Off) | 12 h Better | 10 h |
Fit, Stability & Portability
| Poly Voyager Free 209.0/10 Better | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.0/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bud Weight | 5.25 g | — |
| Ear Tip Sizes | XS, S, M, L | Five sizes |
| Dust/Water Rating | IP56 Better | IPX4 |
| Case Dimensions | 69.0 x 49.9 x 29.0 mm | — |
Connectivity & UC Integration
| Poly Voyager Free 2010.0/10 Better | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC7.0/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| USB Dongle | — | No |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 Better | 5.3 |
Sound & Audio Quality
| Poly Voyager Free 207.9/10 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC9.7/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC Better |
| Driver Size | 10 mm | 11 mm Better |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Custom dynamic |
| Custom EQ | — | Yes (app and HearID) |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz (media); 200 Hz - 6.8 kHz (speech) | — |
Takeaways
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC costs the least ($99.99), and Poly Voyager Free 20 the most ($149.95).
- Our pick: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, with the highest spec-based rating (4.4/5).
- Choose Poly Voyager Free 20 for hybrid workers on a budget.
- Choose Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for budget buyers who want strong ANC.
Pros and Cons
Poly Voyager Free 20
PROS
- Long battery life
- Multipoint for phone and laptop
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Qi wireless charging
CONS
- No USB dongle included
- Not Teams certified
- Sound is tuned for voice over music
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
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Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.7/10
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Sony WF-1000XM58.9/10Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Quick Verdict
- Poly Voyager Free 20 8.4Leads in Battery & Case Charging, Fit, Stability & Portability, Connectivity & UC Integration
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC 8.7Best overallLeads in Voice & Call Noise Isolation, Sound & Audio Quality




