🏆 Editor's Pick
Sony WF-C700N
$79 / Amazon
ANCExcellent
Battery (bud)10 hrs
Total w/ case15 hrs
CodecAAC / SBC
Bluetooth5.2
MultipointYes (2 devices)
IP RatingIPX4
Weight4.6g per bud
🔋 Best Battery
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
$79 / Amazon
ANCVery Good
Battery (bud)10 hrs
Total w/ case50 hrs total
CodecLDAC / AAC / SBC
Bluetooth5.3
MultipointYes (2 devices)
IP RatingIP54
Weight5.5g per bud
Two of the most popular earbuds under $100 in 2026 happen to cost exactly the same — $79. The Sony WF-C700N has been our overall #1 pick since its release thanks to its class-leading noise cancellation and featherlight fit. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC from Anker punches back with LDAC hi-res audio support, multipoint connectivity, and a staggering 50-hour total battery life. So which one deserves your $79?
We researched both pairs extensively — commuting, at the gym, working from home, and on long flights. Here's everything you need to know.
📋 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
The Sony's ANC is noticeably stronger in real-world use. It handles low-frequency drone noise — planes, trains, AC units — exceptionally well. The Soundcore's ANC is solid and performs well for the price, but the Sony creates a more immersive, isolated listening experience. If you commute or travel frequently, this difference is felt immediately.
Winner
Sony
Round 2
Sound Quality
This is where the Soundcore pulls ahead — but only if your phone supports LDAC. With LDAC enabled, the Liberty 4 NC delivers noticeably richer detail and wider soundstage than the Sony, which is limited to AAC. For casual listening on Spotify, the difference is subtle. For lossless music or audiophiles, Soundcore wins clearly.
Winner
Soundcore*
Round 3
Battery Life
Both deliver 10 hours per charge. But the Soundcore's case holds an additional 50 hours of charge — giving you 38 hours total versus Sony's 20 hours total. For long trips or people who forget to charge, the Soundcore's case is a significant advantage.
Winner
Soundcore
Round 4
Comfort & Fit
The Sony WF-C700N weighs just 4.9g per earbud — one of the lightest in its class. After 3-4 hours of continuous wear, the Sony simply disappears in your ears. The Soundcore at 5.5g is still comfortable but becomes slightly noticeable on very long sessions. For all-day office wear, Sony edges ahead.
Winner
Sony
Round 5
Connectivity Features
Good news — both earbuds support multipoint Bluetooth, letting you stay connected to your phone and laptop simultaneously. However the Soundcore's multipoint implementation is slightly smoother, switching audio between devices more seamlessly. Where the Soundcore truly pulls ahead is codec support: LDAC delivers up to 3x more audio data than standard Bluetooth, a meaningful advantage for Android users listening to hi-res music. The Sony is limited to AAC, which is fine for most listeners but not audiophiles.
Winner
Soundcore
Round 6
Call Quality
Both handle calls well in quiet environments. In noisy settings — street noise, coffee shops — the Sony's microphone does a slightly better job of isolating your voice. Neither is a dedicated call earbud (see our Jabra Elite 4 pick for that), but for everyday calls, both pass easily.
Winner
Sony
Round 7
App & Customization
Both have dedicated apps with EQ controls, ANC modes, and wear detection. The Sony Headphones Connect app is clean and reliable. The Soundcore app offers slightly more EQ granularity and has a heart rate monitoring feature built into the Liberty 4 NC — a unique bonus at this price point.
Winner
Tie
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | Sony WF-C700N | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 | $79 |
| ANC | Excellent | Very Good |
| Battery per charge | 10 hours | 10 hours |
| Total with case | 15 hours | 50 hours |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Audio codec | AAC / SBC | LDAC / AAC / SBC |
| Multipoint | Yes (2 devices) | Yes (smoother) |
| IP rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Weight per bud | 4.6g | 5.5g |
| Driver size | 5mm | 11mm |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitor | No | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Google / Alexa | Google / Alexa |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
Pros & Cons
✅ Sony WF-C700N Pros
What we love
- +Best-in-class ANC at this price
- +Featherlight at 4.6g — barely notice them
- +Exceptional all-day comfort
- +Multipoint — connects to 2 devices
- +Reliable call quality
❌ Sony WF-C700N Cons
What to watch out for
- −No LDAC — AAC only
- −Shorter total battery (15 hrs with case)
- −No wireless charging case
- −Smaller 5mm driver
- −No heart rate monitoring
✅ Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Pros
What we love
- +LDAC hi-res audio support
- +Multipoint — phone + laptop
- +50 hours total battery life
- +Wireless charging case
- +Heart rate monitoring
❌ Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Cons
What to watch out for
- −ANC not quite as strong as Sony
- −Slightly heavier fit
- −LDAC drains battery faster
- −App can feel cluttered
- −Less known brand recognition
Who Should Buy Each One?
Buy the Sony WF-C700N if...
- You commute daily and want maximum noise blocking
- You wear earbuds for 6+ hours a day
- You prioritize comfort above all else
- You make a lot of calls
- You use an iPhone (no LDAC support on iOS anyway)
- You want the lightest, most comfortable budget ANC earbud
Buy the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if...
- You have an Android phone and want LDAC hi-res audio
- You listen to lossless music on Spotify or Tidal
- You travel often and need 50 hours of total battery
- You want wireless charging convenience
- You like tracking fitness with heart rate data
- You want more audio customization (22 EQ presets)
Final Verdict
After research, both earbuds earn a strong recommendation — but for different buyers.
The Sony WF-C700N remains our overall #1 pick under $100 because its ANC is genuinely class-leading, its comfort is unmatched at just 4.6g per bud, and it simply works flawlessly every single day. For most people — especially iPhone users and commuters — it's the right choice.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the better choice if you're an Android user who cares about audio codec quality, want 50 hours of total battery life, or prefer wireless charging. Both earbuds support multipoint, so that's no longer a tiebreaker — the real difference comes down to ANC strength vs. audio fidelity and battery.
SONY WF-C700N
9.1
⭐ Our Overall #1 Pick
SOUNDCORE LIBERTY 4 NC
8.8
Best for Android + Battery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sony WF-C700N or Soundcore Liberty 4 NC better for the gym?
Both have IPX4 or better water resistance, making them suitable for workouts. The Sony is lighter and stays in longer sessions comfortably, while the Soundcore's wingtip design provides a more secure fit during intense exercise. For heavy gym use, the Soundcore edges ahead on stability.
Does the Sony WF-C700N work with Android?
Yes — the Sony WF-C700N works with any Bluetooth device including Android. However, it doesn't support LDAC, so Android users who want hi-res audio will get more from the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
Which has better call quality — Sony or Soundcore?
The Sony WF-C700N has a slight edge in call quality, particularly in noisy environments. Its microphone does a better job isolating your voice from background noise. Both are acceptable for everyday calls, but neither matches a dedicated call earbud like the Jabra Elite 4.
Can I use either earbud with two devices at once?
Yes — both the Sony WF-C700N and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC support multipoint Bluetooth, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices such as your phone and laptop. The Soundcore's multipoint implementation is slightly smoother when switching between devices, but both work reliably for everyday use.
Which is better value for $79 — Sony or Soundcore?
It depends on what you value. The Soundcore offers more features per dollar — LDAC, wireless charging, heart rate monitoring, and a massive 50-hour total battery life. The Sony offers superior ANC, lighter comfort, and is the better all-rounder for most people. Both support multipoint. Neither is a bad choice at $79, which is why both appear in our Top 10 list.
📋 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.