Verge reviewer champions Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro as top choice over Apple and Beats

A senior audio reviewer at The Verge has identified three specific earbud models that have consistently met their professional and personal needs over a two-decade career in the industry. The selection, which includes the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, Apple AirPods Pro 3, and Beats Powerbeats Fit, reflects a pragmatic approach to audio hardware, with the Soundcore model emerging as the reviewer’s primary choice due to its superior call quality, sound performance, and value at $170.

The reviewer, who has tested hundreds of devices across roles at Wirecutter, Reviewed, Digital Trends, and IGN, notes that the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro offers exceptional value. While the out-of-the-box bass response is high, the reviewer found that fine-tuning the frequency response via the Soundcore app resolved issues with muddy vocals and muffled snare hits. The earbuds support the LDAC high-res audio codec, though this feature is incompatible with iPhone users. Call quality was cited as the Liberty 5 Pro’s greatest strength, with the reviewer noting its ability to block ambient noise effectively during meetings and calls, even in noisy environments such as a household with a parrot or busy streets.

Despite the Soundcore model’s strengths, the reviewer relies on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 for seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods Pro 3 offer strong noise cancellation, a heart rate sensor that integrates with the iOS Fitness app, and an IP57 water resistance rating. Features such as live translation on supported iPhones, magnetic wireless charging, and Find My functionality are highlighted as key advantages. However, the reviewer expressed dissatisfaction with the fit of the AirPods Pro 3 during physical activity, noting that the stem design and lack of secure retention make them unsuitable for running, despite improvements over the previous Pro 2 model.

For workouts, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are preferred due to their secure wingtip design, which prevents the earbuds from dislodging during movement. The in-ear design also avoids interference with sunglasses, a common issue with the ear-hook style of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Although Beats is owned by Apple, the Powerbeats Fit are not locked into the Apple ecosystem and can connect to Android devices via the Beats app. The reviewer cautioned that the IPX4 water resistance rating requires caution in heavy rain, though it is sufficient for most workout conditions in dry climates.

The review also addressed the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max, which costs $230 and adds AI transcription and summary features to the case. The reviewer advised against this upgrade unless regular recording is necessary, as the earbuds themselves are identical to the standard Liberty 5 Pro. Battery life for the Liberty 5 Pro with active noise cancellation is listed at 6.5 hours, with a total of 28 hours including the case. The reviewer noted that the earbuds can only connect to two devices simultaneously, requiring manual disconnection to switch between more than two paired devices, a limitation that often necessitates falling back to the AirPods Pro 3 for multi-device workflows.