Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Beats Studio Buds Plus: Which Should You Buy in 2026?

If you are shopping for noise cancelling earbuds in 2026 without spending $250 on flagship models, two options dominate the conversation: the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and the Beats Studio Buds Plus. Both land in the budget to midrange tier, both promise active noise cancellation, and both work across Apple and Android phones. But they were built with different priorities. Soundcore packs in features and battery life at an aggressive price. Beats focuses on refined sound and a polished, brand-backed experience. This comparison covers every category that matters so you can pick the right pair.

Specs at a Glance

Specification	Soundcore Liberty 4 NC	Beats Studio Buds Plus
Drivers	11mm custom-tuned dynamic	Custom dual-element dynamic
Active noise cancellation	Adaptive ANC 2.0, up to 98.5% noise reduction	ANC with transparency mode
Battery (earbuds, ANC on)	Up to 8 hours	Up to 6 hours
Battery (total with case)	Up to 50 hours (ANC off), 40 hours ANC on	Up to 36 hours (ANC off), 24 hours ANC on
Fast charging	10 min for 4 hours playback	5 min for about 1 hour playback
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Bluetooth	5.3, multipoint, LDAC support	5.3, multipoint
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
App and EQ	soundcore app, 22 presets plus custom EQ, HearID	Limited, no full custom EQ
Spatial audio	3D surround in app	Spatial audio support
Typical price	Around $100, often less on sale	Around $100 to $130 on sale, $169 list

Sound Quality

Sound is where the Beats Studio Buds Plus pulls ahead. Reviewers consistently describe its tuning as more balanced and refined, with better instrument separation, deeper and more controlled bass, and crisper treble. It avoids the overly boomy low end that some people associate with the Beats name, and the result is a pair of earbuds that sounds genuinely pleasant straight out of the box across most genres.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is no slouch. Its 11mm drivers produce a crisp, detailed sound, and it supports LDAC for higher resolution streaming on compatible Android phones. The bigger story is customization: the soundcore app gives you 22 EQ presets plus a fully adjustable custom EQ and HearID, which tailors the sound to your hearing. That means even if the default tuning is not your favorite, you can shape it to taste. Out of the box the Beats sounds better, but a few minutes in the soundcore app can close much of that gap for the Liberty 4 NC.

Noise Cancellation

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wins here. Anker rates its Adaptive ANC 2.0 system at up to 98.5% noise reduction, and it adjusts in real time to your ear canals and surroundings. You also get five levels of noise cancelling, two transparency modes, and four transportation-specific modes for plane, train, bus, and taxi. That level of control is unusual at this price.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus does include ANC and a transparency mode, and it is a clear improvement over the original Studio Buds. It handles steady background noise like office fans and air conditioning well. However, multiple reviews note that it struggles more with louder, lower-frequency noise such as airplane engines and subway rumble. If quiet is your top priority, especially for commuting or flying, the Liberty 4 NC is the stronger performer.

Battery Life

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC has a clear edge on battery. With ANC off it reaches up to 10 hours from the buds and 50 hours total with the case, and even with ANC on you get around 8 hours per charge. A 10-minute quick charge delivers about 4 hours of playback. That is excellent stamina for the price.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers up to 9 hours from the buds with ANC off and around 36 hours total with the case, dropping to roughly 6 hours per charge and 24 hours total with ANC enabled. Its 5-minute fast charge gives about an hour of playback. Those are respectable numbers, but the Liberty 4 NC simply lasts longer in every mode, and it adds wireless charging that the Beats case lacks.

Comfort, Fit, and Build

Both pairs are compact in-ear designs that should disappear during long listening sessions, and both come with multiple ear tip sizes to dial in a secure seal. The Beats Studio Buds Plus has a small, low-profile shape that many people find comfortable and discreet, and its transparent colorway has become something of a signature look. The Liberty 4 NC uses an ergonomic shape with an ear-wing-free design that most users find stable and comfortable for hours. Both are rated IPX4 for sweat and splash resistance, making either fine for workouts and rainy commutes. This category is essentially a tie, and the better fit will come down to your individual ear shape.

Features and App Experience

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the more feature-rich pair. The soundcore app is one of the best in the budget category, offering the custom EQ and presets, HearID tuning, gaming mode for lower latency, 3D surround sound, ambient sound modes, and firmware updates. Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint lets you stay connected to two devices at once, and LDAC support is a bonus for Android listeners who want higher quality streaming.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus counters with smooth cross-platform integration. It is designed to work cleanly with both Apple and Android, including one-touch pairing on each, plus features like Find My on Apple devices and a Beats app on Android. It supports spatial audio and multipoint as well. What it lacks is deep customization, since there is no full custom EQ. If you want to fine-tune your sound, Soundcore wins. If you want a polished, low-fuss experience that just works across your phone and tablet, Beats delivers.

Pros and Cons

Best For Recommendations

Best overall value: The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. It out-features the Beats on ANC, battery, wireless charging, and app depth, usually for less money.

Best for sound quality: The Beats Studio Buds Plus. Its balanced, refined tuning is the more satisfying listen straight out of the box.

Best for commuters and travelers: The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. Stronger ANC, transport-specific modes, and longer battery life make it the better travel companion.

Best for users who switch between Apple and Android: The Beats Studio Buds Plus. Its cross-platform pairing and features feel seamless on both systems.

Best for tinkerers: The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. The custom EQ, HearID, and presets give you real control over how your music sounds.

Check Liberty 4 NC Price on Amazon
Check Beats Studio Buds Plus Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has better noise cancellation, the Liberty 4 NC or the Studio Buds Plus?

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC has better noise cancellation. Its Adaptive ANC 2.0 is rated at up to 98.5% noise reduction and offers more control, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus handles steady noise well but struggles more with loud low-frequency sounds like airplane engines.

Do the Beats Studio Buds Plus work with Android?

Yes. The Beats Studio Buds Plus is designed to work with both Apple and Android, including one-touch pairing on each platform and a dedicated Beats app for Android users. Cross-platform support is one of its strengths.

Does the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC support wireless charging?

Yes. The Liberty 4 NC case supports wireless charging, which the Beats Studio Buds Plus case does not. The Liberty 4 NC also offers a longer total battery life of up to 50 hours with the case.

Which earbuds sound better?

Out of the box, the Beats Studio Buds Plus sounds better, with a more balanced and detailed tuning. However, the Liberty 4 NC offers a full custom EQ and 22 presets through the soundcore app, so you can tailor its sound and close much of the gap.

Are these earbuds good for the gym?

Both are good for workouts. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and the Beats Studio Buds Plus are each rated IPX4 for sweat and splash resistance, and both have secure in-ear designs that stay put during exercise.

Is the Liberty 4 NC worth it over the Studio Buds Plus?

For most buyers, yes. The Liberty 4 NC typically costs less while offering stronger ANC, longer battery life, wireless charging, and a deeper app. The Beats is worth the premium mainly if sound quality and polished cross-platform features matter most to you.

Final Thoughts

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Beats Studio Buds Plus both belong on any shortlist of noise cancelling earbuds under $150, but they win for different reasons. The Liberty 4 NC is the value champion. It gives you stronger ANC, longer battery life, wireless charging, and a genuinely useful app, usually for around $100 or less. The Beats Studio Buds Plus asks for a bit more money and gives back a more refined sound and a smoother experience across Apple and Android. If you want the most capability for your dollar, the Liberty 4 NC is the smart buy. If pristine out-of-the-box sound and seamless pairing are worth a premium to you, the Studio Buds Plus earns its place.

For more audio comparisons, see our guides on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM5 and the JBL Charge 6 vs Bose SoundLink Flex if you are weighing a portable speaker instead.

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