Short answer: the Nothing Ear. It ranks #339 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $59; the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC ranks #428, rated 2.6/5, and costs $79.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: These true wireless earbuds pack active noise cancelling, LDAC for higher bitrate streaming from Android phones, and IPX4 splash resistance. Watch for: A peak of 8.6 dB near 8.7 kHz adds sharpness to cymbals and sibilance, while the upper mids and presence region sit about 2 dB low, so vocals sound recessed behind the bass and treble.
The Nothing Ear is the better-sounding choice. A smooth response in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, at a 1.8 dB standard deviation and a preference score of 71, with every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target. Watch for: A 6.2 dB dip near 10.5 kHz trims some top end sparkle, and a 4.5 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can add a little edge to sibilance.
Buy the Nothing Ear. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | Nothing Ear | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $59.00 |
| Ranked | #428 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #339 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 71 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.15 dB standard deviation | 1.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm driver | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.2 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (4.62 g) per earbud |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (50 with case, Manufacturer specified) | 8.5 hours (40.5 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Nothing Ear:
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Nothing Ear
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Anker Soundcore Space A40
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Sony WF-C510
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Anker Soundcore P20i
- KZ ZAX vs Pula Unicrom
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: $79.99 TWS Amazon $79.99 eBay
Pros: These true wireless earbuds pack active noise cancelling, LDAC for higher bitrate streaming from Android phones, and IPX4 splash resistance. Battery is rated at 10 hours per charge and 50 with the case. The tuning suits fans of a bassy, V shaped sound, with bass about 6 dB above target in hobbyist measurements averaged across seven units.
Cons: A peak of 8.6 dB near 8.7 kHz adds sharpness to cymbals and sibilance, while the upper mids and presence region sit about 2 dB low, so vocals sound recessed behind the bass and treble. The low mids are also elevated by 2.6 dB, which adds some muddiness to guitars and male voices.
Full Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (50 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 3.15 dB standard deviation |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm driver |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.2 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Nothing Ear: $59.00 TWS Amazon $59.00 eBay
Pros: A smooth response in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, at a 1.8 dB standard deviation and a preference score of 71, with every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target. A touch of extra low midrange warmth suits warm and bassy tastes without muddying the sound. LDAC and LHDC 5.0 support high bitrate streaming from compatible Android phones, and active noise cancelling, IP54 and 8.5 hours per charge (40.5 with the case) cover the rest.
Cons: A 6.2 dB dip near 10.5 kHz trims some top end sparkle, and a 4.5 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can add a little edge to sibilance. Its high bitrate codecs do nothing on iPhones, which stream over AAC.
Full Nothing Ear review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8.5 hours (40.5 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4.62 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons