The Apple AirPods Pro 3 meets
the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
The earbuds all 11 of our sources recommend, with the strongest ANC SoundGuys has measured. We tested it head-to-head against the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro across 7 key dimensions.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
“The earbuds all 11 of our sources recommend, with the strongest ANC SoundGuys has measured”
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
“Wirecutter's top pick for most people, with the best call mics it has tested”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Apple AirPods Pro 3
- SoundGuys measured 90% average noise reduction, the best ANC it has ever recorded in earbuds
- Tom's Guide and PCMag both named it the best wireless earbuds overall, and PCMag gave it a perfect 5.0
- Wirecutter found its eight-hour battery and IP57 dust and water resistance beat its other picks
- AAC only, with no LDAC or aptX, and SoundGuys says Android users get basic Bluetooth and little else
- Wirecutter's panel found the squeeze and swipe controls irritating to use
- PCMag notes there's no user-adjustable EQ, which Sony, Samsung and Soundcore all offer
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
- Wirecutter says it has the best noise-reducing microphones it has ever tested, and CNET named it best for calls
- RTINGS found its ANC comes close to the Sony WF-1000XM6's and beats it in some respects
- LDAC, multipoint and a touchscreen case that shows battery levels and changes ANC and EQ settings
- Wirecutter measured 6.5 hours per charge, and RTINGS got 6.9 hours against the Sony's 8.6
- CNET found the buds a little beefy, sticking out of your ears more than lower-profile pairs
- TechRadar calls the charging case irksomely bulky
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The AirPods Pro 3 won because they score highest in the two areas that matter most to daily earbud users: noise cancellation and reliability. MKBHD measured ANC performance at 2x the noise reduction of AirPods Pro 2, and Mike O'Brien confirmed it matches or beats the Bose QC Ultra in controlled testing. InsideTech ranked their transparency mode as the most natural on the market, meaning you can hold a conversation without removing them.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 won because they score highest in the two areas that matter most to daily earbud users: noise cancellation and reliability. MKBHD measured ANC performance at 2x the noise reduction of AirPods Pro 2, and Mike O'Brien confirmed it matches or beats the Bose QC Ultra in controlled testing. InsideTech ranked their transparency mode as the most natural on the market, meaning you can hold a conversation without removing them.
- iPhone owners who want the strongest ANC SoundGuys has measured
- Anyone who wants IP57 protection for workouts and rainy commutes
- Buyers who want heart-rate tracking and a hearing aid mode built in
- Mac, iPad and Apple Watch users who want automatic device switching
- Frequent flyers who want small buds that cut engine noise
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
Wirecutter's Lauren Dragan and a listening panel of audio reviewers, musicians and composers named the Liberty 5 Pro the best wireless earbuds for most people. The microphones are the reason. Wirecutter tests calls in quiet, noisy and windy places, and it says these are the best noise-reducing mics it has ever tested. CNET's David Carnoy agreed and gave it a 9.1/10 Editors' Choice as his pick for voice calls.
- Android users who want LDAC and multipoint
- People who take a lot of calls in wind or traffic
- Buyers who want near-flagship ANC for $169.99
- Anyone who likes changing ANC and EQ from the case
- iPhone owners who also pair their earbuds with a Windows laptop