Introduction
The budget ANC earbuds market has matured to the point where $80 can buy you performance that would have cost $250 just three years ago. And two names keep rising to the top of every recommendation list: Earfun and Soundcore (by Anker).
The Earfun Air Pro 4 costs $80. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC costs $99. That $19 gap puts them in slightly different value segments, and the decision is harder than it looks.
Most reviews treat these as direct competitors. They’re not quite — each makes different trade-offs. This article breaks down exactly where your money goes and which one matches your actual listening habits.
The Verdict First
Choose Earfun Air Pro 4 if: You want the best ANC performance under $100, excellent sound quality with LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and don’t mind a slightly larger case. It’s the best value ANC earbud on the market right now.
Choose Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if: You prefer Soundcore’s more refined companion app with customizable EQ and ANC modes, want slightly better build quality for the case, and prioritize Anker’s proven customer support over raw specs.
The honest take: The Earfun Air Pro 4 delivers more raw features for the price. The Soundcore delivers a more polished overall experience. Neither choice is wrong — but your priorities determine the winner.
Spec Comparison
| Feature | Earfun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Price | $80 | $99 |
| ANC Type | Hybrid ANC (up to -48dB claimed) | Adaptive ANC (up to -45dB) |
| Driver Size | 11mm wool composite | 11mm custom |
| Audio Codec | LDAC, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | Yes (2 devices) | Yes (2 devices) |
| Total Battery | 52h (with case, ANC off) | 50h (with case, ANC off) |
| Earbud Battery | 10h (ANC off) / 7.5h (ANC on) | 10h (ANC off) / 6.5h (ANC on) |
| Fast Charge | 10 min = 2h play | 10 min = 2h play |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Ear Tip Type | Silicone (multiple sizes) | Silicone + ear wings |
| App Support | Earfun Audio | Soundcore by Anker |
Design and Comfort
Earfun Air Pro 4
The Air Pro 4 follows a familiar stem-style design similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro. The earbuds are lightweight at roughly 5g each, making them comfortable for extended wear. The stems are touch-sensitive for controls (play/pause, volume, ANC mode toggle, voice assistant).
The charging case is slightly larger than average — about the size of a large pebble. It supports wireless charging and USB-C. The lid hinge feels solid for the price point.
IPX5 rating means they can handle heavy rain or gym sweat without issues.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Soundcore’s Liberty 4 NC earbuds have a more compact, stemless design with silicone ear wings that help them grip inside your ears. This makes them feel more secure during active movement — a genuine advantage for running or gym use.
The case is smaller and more pocket-friendly than the Earfun’s. Soundcore’s build quality is consistently good — the case hinge, lid magnets, and earbud finish all feel slightly more premium than the Earfun.
IPX4 rating means splash resistance only. Less protection against heavy rain or intense workouts.
ANC Performance
Earfun Air Pro 4
Earfun claims -48dB of noise cancellation, which is aggressive at this price point. In real-world testing by reviewers:
- Airplane cabin noise: Significant reduction — not quite Sony WF-1000XM5 level, but close enough that most listeners won’t feel shortchanged
- Office chatter: Impressively quieted — voices become a distant mumble
- Wind noise: Handled reasonably well in full ANC mode
- Transparency mode: Natural and usable — not quite class-leading but serviceable for brief conversations
The AI-powered ENC (environmental noise cancellation) for calls is surprisingly effective for a budget earbud. The six-mic setup does a good job isolating your voice from background noise on phone calls.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Soundcore uses adaptive ANC — the earbuds automatically adjust cancellation level based on your environment. In practice:
- Airplane cabin noise: Very good — tested against the Earfun, the Liberty 4 NC is slightly behind but still excellent for the price
- Office chatter: Effective but lets marginally more sound through than the Earfun
- Wind noise: Handles wind better than the Earfun, thanks to the adaptive system detecting windy conditions
- Transparency mode: Soundcore’s HearID transparency is more adjustable via the app, but less natural-sounding out of the box
Winner: Earfun Air Pro 4 — marginally better raw ANC depth for the price.
Sound Quality
Earfun Air Pro 4
The 11mm wool composite drivers produce a warm, slightly V-shaped sound signature. The bass is punchy without being overwhelming — it’s present enough for pop, EDM, and hip-hop without bleeding into the mids.
With LDAC support (on Android), the Earfun can deliver high-resolution audio streaming. On AAC (iPhone), sound quality is clear with good detail retrieval.
The soundstage is wider than expected for sub-$100 earbuds. Separation between instruments is decent — not audiophile-grade, but impressive for $80.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Soundcore’s 11mm drivers produce a slightly more balanced sound signature. Soundcore offers HearID EQ — a feature that runs a hearing test and creates a personal EQ profile tailored to your ears. For listeners who care about tonal accuracy, this is a genuine advantage.
LDAC is supported on Android here too. Soundcore’s sound tuning is slightly more neutral than the Earfun — less bass emphasis, more mid-range clarity.
Soundstage is comparable to the Earfun — slightly wider but less detailed.
Winner: Tied — Earfun wins for bass lovers. Soundcore wins for balance and personalization via HearID EQ.
Battery Life
| Scenario | Earfun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Earbuds (ANC off) | 10h | 10h |
| Earbuds (ANC on) | 7.5h | 6.5h |
| Total (ANC off, with case) | 52h | 50h |
| Total (ANC on, with case) | ~40h | ~36h |
| Fast Charge | 10 min = 2h | 10 min = 2h |
Both offer excellent battery life that outlasts most competitors in the $150+ bracket. The Earfun has a small edge with ANC on — 7.5 hours per charge vs. 6.5 hours — which can mean the difference between a long-haul flight without charging or needing to top up mid-trip.
Total Cost of Ownership (2-Year View)
| Item | Earfun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Retail price | $80 | $99 |
| Eartip replacement (if needed) | $5-10 | $5-10 |
| 2-year total | $85-90 | $104-109 |
| Cost per year | $42-45 | $52-55 |
The Earfun saves roughly $19-44 over the first two years depending on whether you replace eartips. Neither requires a subscription for core features.
Pros and Cons
Earfun Air Pro 4
Pros:
- Outstanding ANC for $80 — rivals $150+ competitors
- LDAC support for high-res Android streaming
- Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint (2 devices)
- 7.5h battery with ANC on (best in class)
- IPX5 water resistance (rain and gym friendly)
- Wireless charging case
- Six-mic ENC for clear calls
Cons:
- Larger charging case than Soundcore
- Touch controls can be sensitive at times
- Companion app is less polished than Soundcore’s
- Bass-heavy tuning may not suit purists
- No ear wings for running security
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Pros:
- Excellent companion app with HearID EQ
- Adaptive ANC adjusts to environment well
- Compact case, easy to pocket
- Ear wings provide secure fit for active use
- More neutral sound signature
- Anker’s proven customer support
- Slightly more premium overall build
Cons:
- ANC slightly behind Earfun Air Pro 4
- IPX4 means less weather protection
- Bluetooth 5.2 (vs 5.3 on Earfun)
- 1 hour less earbud battery with ANC on
- $19 more expensive
Best For / Skip If
Buy Earfun Air Pro 4 if:
- Maximum ANC at minimum price is your priority
- You need IPX5 for running or commuting in the rain
- You value long single-charge battery life (7.5h ANC on)
- You listen to bass-heavy music on Android (LDAC + warm tuning)
- You want Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity
Buy Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if:
- You want secure-fit ear wings for active use
- You enjoy customizing sound via a polished companion app
- You prefer a more neutral, balanced sound signature
- You prefer a compact charging case
- You trust Anker’s warranty and support experience
Skip Earfun Air Pro 4 if:
- You need the smallest possible case for pocket carry
- You prefer lean, neutral sound over warm bass
- You want ear wings for gym security
Skip Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if:
- Maximum raw ANC is more important than app customization
- You need IPX5 for regular rain/weather exposure
- $99 stretches your budget too far — Earfun offers comparable performance for $80
Bottom Line
The Earfun Air Pro 4 and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC both represent incredible value in the sub-$100 wireless earbud market. But they target slightly different buyers.
The Earfun Air Pro 4 at $80 is the pure value champion. Better ANC, longer battery with ANC on, Bluetooth 5.3, IPX5 water resistance, LDAC, and multipoint — all for less than the Soundcore. If you prioritize performance per dollar, this is the pick.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC at $99 is the refined choice. Better build polish, more customizable sound via HearID EQ, secure ear wings for active use, a compact case, and Anker’s reputation for customer support. If you value the complete experience over raw specs, the extra $19 is well spent.
Earfun wins on specs and value. Soundcore wins on polish and support. Either way, at $80 or $99, you get ANC quality that punches well above its price class — though Sony and Bose still hold the edge in wind handling and transparency naturalness.
Buy smart. Get more value.
