💸 Best Value
EarFun Air Pro 4
~$69 / $89.99 MSRP
ANCVery Good (50dB)
Battery (bud)11 hrs (ANC off)
Total w/ case~52 hrs
CodecLDAC / aptX Lossless / AAC / SBC
Bluetooth5.4
MultipointYes (2 devices)
IP RatingIPX5
Weight~5g per bud
🔇 Best ANC
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
~$79 / $99.99 MSRP
ANCExcellent (class-leading)
Battery (bud)10 hrs (ANC off)
Total w/ case50 hrs
CodecLDAC / AAC / SBC
Bluetooth5.3
MultipointYes (2 devices)
IP RatingIPX4
Weight~5.5g per bud
If you're shopping for noise-cancelling earbuds under $100, two names come up again and again: the EarFun Air Pro 4 and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. They're genuinely close competitors — both offer adaptive ANC, LDAC hi-res audio, multipoint, wireless charging, and roughly 50 hours of total battery life. On a spec sheet they look almost interchangeable, which is exactly why so many buyers get stuck choosing between them.
But they're not identical, and the differences matter. The EarFun adds aptX Lossless on top of LDAC and usually sells for less, making it the codec-and-value champion. The Soundcore counters with stronger real-world noise cancellation and a more polished app ecosystem. Below we compare them across every category that matters, drawing on published specs and independent measurements from outlets like SoundGuys and Scarbir. Prices below are typical street prices and shift often — always check the current listing.
📋 Want the full picture? See our Top 10 Earbuds Under $100 ranked list — both of these models are featured alongside 8 other top picks.
Round by Round Breakdown
How do they compare across every category that matters?
Round 1
Active Noise Cancellation
Both use adaptive hybrid ANC rated around 50dB, but in independent testing the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC consistently ranks as one of the strongest ANC performers under $100 — reviewers like Scarbir call it best-in-class at this price, especially against low-frequency drone like traffic and AC hum. The EarFun's QuietSmart 3.0 ANC is genuinely good and close behind, handling everyday commute noise well, but the Soundcore edges it in raw cancellation depth. Both depend heavily on getting a proper ear-tip seal first.
Winner
Soundcore
Round 2
Sound Quality
Both ship with a bass-forward default tuning that's fun rather than neutral, and both offer deep EQ customization in their apps to tame it. Reviewers rate the two closely on raw sound quality — the EarFun's 10mm composite driver and the Soundcore's 11mm driver each deliver strong, punchy low end with clear mids. The tie-breaker is codecs: the EarFun supports both LDAC and aptX Lossless (via its Qualcomm QCC3091 chip), while the Soundcore offers LDAC only. On a compatible Android phone, the EarFun has the higher technical ceiling. For most ears in everyday listening, though, they're effectively a wash.
Winner
Tie
Round 3
Battery Life
This one is close to a dead heat. The EarFun is rated up to 11 hours per charge with ANC off (around 7.5 hours with ANC on) and roughly 52 hours total with the case. The Soundcore is rated up to 10 hours per charge with ANC off (around 8 hours with ANC on) and 50 hours total. The EarFun has a slight edge on paper for single-charge longevity; the Soundcore is fractionally better with ANC engaged. Both are excellent and far beyond what most people need in a day — and both support fast charging plus wireless charging cases.
Winner
EarFun
Round 4
Comfort & Fit
Both follow the now-standard AirPods-style stem design and weigh roughly 5g per bud, and both include five sizes of silicone ear tips — one more than many rivals — making a good seal easier to achieve across different ear shapes. Reviewers find both comfortable for multi-hour sessions, though some note the Soundcore can create pressure for certain ear shapes over very long wear, and a few flag the EarFun's glossy plastic as prone to scratches. It's close enough to call a tie; your individual ear shape matters more than the spec difference.
Winner
Tie
Round 5
Connectivity & Codecs
Both support multipoint Bluetooth for connecting to two devices at once, and both pair quickly. The EarFun pulls ahead on connectivity specs: it runs Bluetooth 5.4 (vs the Soundcore's 5.3), and its Qualcomm QCC3091 chip adds aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless plus LE Audio/LC3 and Auracast support — a broader codec stack than the Soundcore's LDAC-focused set. If you own a recent Snapdragon Android phone, the EarFun can tap codecs the Soundcore simply doesn't offer. For iPhone users, note that neither matters much — iOS falls back to AAC on both.
Winner
EarFun
Round 6
Call Quality
Both use 6-microphone arrays with AI noise reduction, and both are solid rather than spectacular on calls. Reviewers describe each as clear in quiet rooms and decent in moderate noise, with some softening of your voice once wind or heavy background noise enters the picture — a common limitation at this price. Neither is a dedicated call earbud (our Jabra Elite 4 pick is the one to beat there), but for everyday calls both pass comfortably. Too close to separate.
Winner
Tie
Round 7
App & Customization
Both apps cover the essentials — full EQ, ANC modes, wear detection, and a fit/hearing personalization test (HearID on the Soundcore, an EQ personalization flow on the EarFun). The Soundcore app is the more mature of the two, with 22 presets and a polished interface that reviewers consistently praise, and it doesn't require an account. The EarFun app is straightforward and reliable with a large preset library of its own. Both are good; the Soundcore's is a touch more refined.
Winner
Soundcore
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | EarFun Air Pro 4 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | ~$69 ($89.99 MSRP) | ~$79 ($99.99 MSRP) |
| ANC | Very Good (~50dB) | Excellent (~50dB, class-leading) |
| Battery per charge (ANC off) | ~11 hours | ~10 hours |
| Battery per charge (ANC on) | ~7.5 hours | ~8 hours |
| Total with case | ~52 hours | ~50 hours |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Audio codecs | LDAC / aptX Lossless / aptX Adaptive / AAC / SBC / LC3 | LDAC / AAC / SBC |
| Multipoint | Yes (2 devices) | Yes (2 devices) |
| IP rating | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Weight per bud | ~5g | ~5.5g |
| Driver | 10mm composite dynamic | 11mm dynamic |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QCC3091 | — |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Auracast / LE Audio | Yes | No |
| EQ presets | Yes (app) | 22 presets + HearID |
| Charging | USB-C + wireless | USB-C + wireless |
| Fast charging | 10 min = ~2 hrs | 10 min = ~4 hrs |
Pros & Cons
✅ EarFun Air Pro 4 Pros
What we love
- +Widest codec support — LDAC and aptX Lossless
- +Usually the cheaper of the two
- +Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast / LE Audio
- +Up to ~11 hrs per charge, ~52 hrs total
- +IPX5 + wireless charging + 5 tip sizes
❌ EarFun Air Pro 4 Cons
What to watch out for
- −ANC slightly behind the Soundcore
- −Glossy plastic scratches easily
- −Bass-heavy default tuning needs EQ
- −Less brand recognition / support history
- −Codecs require a compatible Android phone
✅ Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Pros
What we love
- +Class-leading ANC for under $100
- +Polished app with 22 presets + HearID
- +~50 hours total battery life
- +Wireless charging + fast charge (10 min = 4 hrs)
- +Strong, established brand support
❌ Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Cons
What to watch out for
- −No aptX Lossless — LDAC only
- −Usually costs a little more
- −Bass-heavy default tuning
- −Can create pressure for some ear shapes
- −Bluetooth 5.3, no Auracast/LE Audio
Who Should Buy Each One?
Buy the EarFun Air Pro 4 if...
- You want the lowest price of the two
- You own a Snapdragon Android phone and want aptX Lossless
- You want the broadest codec support (LDAC + aptX + LC3)
- You care about future features like Auracast / LE Audio
- You want maximum single-charge battery life
- You're happy to tweak EQ to dial in the sound
Buy the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if...
- Noise cancellation is your top priority
- You want the more polished, mature companion app
- You prefer a well-established brand with a long track record
- You value the fastest fast-charging (10 min = ~4 hrs)
- You're on iPhone (codec gap doesn't matter — pick on ANC)
- You want 22 EQ presets and HearID sound personalization
Final Verdict
After research, both earbuds earn a strong recommendation — they're two of the best budget ANC options of 2026, and you won't regret either. The right pick comes down to two questions: how much you value noise cancellation, and whether your phone can use the EarFun's extra codecs.
The EarFun Air Pro 4 is the value-and-codecs champion. It usually costs less, supports both LDAC and aptX Lossless on top of Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, and slightly edges out single-charge battery life. If you have a compatible Android phone and want the most features per dollar, it's the smart buy.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wins on the thing many people buy ANC earbuds for in the first place — noise cancellation — where independent testing rates it among the best under $100. Add a more polished app and rock-solid brand support, and it's the pick if quiet matters most or you're on an iPhone (where the codec gap is moot). Both support multipoint, wireless charging, and ~50-hour battery, so those aren't tiebreakers.
EARFUN AIR PRO 4
8.8
Best Value + Codecs
SOUNDCORE LIBERTY 4 NC
8.9
⭐ Best ANC Under $100
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the EarFun Air Pro 4 or Soundcore Liberty 4 NC?
Neither is universally better — they're closely matched. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wins on noise cancellation, where independent testing rates it among the best under $100, and has a more polished app. The EarFun Air Pro 4 wins on value and codecs, usually costing less while adding aptX Lossless and Bluetooth 5.4. Pick the Soundcore for ANC, the EarFun for codec support and price.
Does the EarFun Air Pro 4 have better sound than the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC?
In everyday listening they're very close, with both defaulting to a bass-forward tuning you can adjust via EQ. The EarFun has a higher technical ceiling thanks to aptX Lossless and LDAC support (the Soundcore offers LDAC only), but that only matters on a compatible Android phone. For most listeners, sound quality is effectively a tie.
Which has better battery life?
It's nearly a tie. The EarFun Air Pro 4 is rated up to about 11 hours per charge (ANC off) and roughly 52 hours total with the case. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is rated up to about 10 hours per charge and 50 hours total. The EarFun edges single-charge longevity; the Soundcore is marginally better with ANC on. Both far exceed a typical day's use.
Do either of these work well with an iPhone?
Both work fine with iPhone, but iOS only supports the AAC codec, so the EarFun's LDAC and aptX Lossless advantages don't apply on Apple devices. If you're on an iPhone, the codec gap is irrelevant — choose based on noise cancellation and comfort instead, where the Soundcore has a slight edge.
Which is better value?
The EarFun Air Pro 4 is usually the better value, often selling below the Soundcore while offering broader codec support, Bluetooth 5.4, and IPX5. The Soundcore justifies its slightly higher price with stronger ANC and a more refined app. Both are excellent buys under $100, which is why both feature in our Top 10 ranking. Prices change frequently, so check the current listing before deciding.
📋 Not sure either of these is right for you? Check out our full Top 10 Wireless Earbuds Under $100 — 10 options ranked for every use case and budget.