Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 36% of 76 Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

36%of 76 owners recommend
36% recommend · 30% neutral · 34% don't
Owners praise
  • Sound quality and bass response are repeatedly called excellent for the price, with many owners saying they rival much pricier headphones
  • ANC is strong and effective, frequently described as 'solid,' 'great,' or among the best owners have used at this price point
  • Seen as exceptional value, with many owners saying they outperform pricier rivals like AirPods Pro, Bose, and Sony at a fraction of the cost
Owners complain about
  • Fit runs shallow for many ears, causing the buds to feel loose, lose seal, or slip/fall out during use
  • Stock ear tips cause discomfort or ear pain, and the proprietary nozzle shape makes finding compatible third-party replacement tips a frustrating, trial-and-error process
  • Microphone and call quality are weak, often described as muffled, quiet, or unusable with wind or background noise
Full owner report →

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

34%of 50 owners recommend
34% recommend · 14% neutral · 52% don't
Owners praise
  • Noise cancellation is best-in-class, making flights, gyms, vacuums, and noisy stores go nearly silent
  • Fit is extremely comfortable for all-day wear and the eartips/wings stay locked in during workouts
  • Sound quality is rich with punchy, deep bass that owners rate above AirPods Pro and similar Sony models
Owners complain about
  • Bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7
  • A faint static, hiss, or high-pitched "mosquito" sound shows up in the left earbud, especially with ANC on
  • Call and mic quality can be muffled or noisy, with people on the other end struggling to hear the caller clearly
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if
  • ✓Budget shoppers who want strong ANC and app customization without flagship pricing
  • ✓Commuters and office workers who value noise cancelling for calls and background noise
  • ✓Bass-focused listeners who enjoy a punchy, warm sound signature
  • ✓Buyers with average ear canal depth who fit well with stock tips
Skip it if
  • Anyone with shallow or unusual ear shape, since stock tips slip and rarely seal
  • Callers who rely heavily on mic clarity in windy or noisy environments
Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
  • ✓Frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation
  • ✓Gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit
  • ✓Bass fans who like an immersive, punchy sound
  • ✓Commuters silencing crowds, restaurants and offices
Skip it if
  • People needing rock-solid Bluetooth after firmware updates
  • Listeners bothered by faint hiss they can't fully disable

What Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC owners say

“Soundcore once again showing why they're the kings.”
— @pickyaudio on YouTube
“My first gen soundcore went through the wash and dryer by accident in its case and still works flawlessly, im sold on this brand now.”
— @inegma29 on YouTube
“This seems to be a bit better from the past, but still definitely not there.”
— @FizzFizzFizzFizzFizz on YouTube

What Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) owners say

“I will be returning my AP3 and just sticking with the Bose gen 2.”
— @triniflyer8685 on YouTube
“They’re my instant new favorite.”
— @Thegonagle on YouTube
“I wish Bose would fix the microphone during calls most people tell me they hear excessive noise when I am on a call if I am in a noisy environment”
— @ait0317 on YouTube

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): frequently asked questions

Is the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 36% of 76 Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Who should get the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC?

Owners point the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC at budget shoppers who want strong ANC and app customization without flagship pricing, and commuters and office workers who value noise cancelling for calls and background noise.

Who should get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation, and gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is fit runs shallow for many ears, causing the buds to feel loose, lose seal, or slip/fall out during use. For the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), it's bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7.