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Lifewire
Wireless earbuds have come a long way in the last five years.
Choosing earbuds in this category can be daunting.
Photo:Lifewire
So Im here to help.
First, noise cancellation and audio quality.
Apple has clearly invested countless sums into audio research to provide some of the best adaptive noise cancellation around.
PHOTO: Lifewire / Jason Schneider
Then theres the build quality, fit, and finish.
If you’re looking for active noise cancellation, youll want to focus on Boses line of earbuds.
Its latest offering, the QC Ultra Earbuds, carries that torch silently into most situations.
Lifewire / Jason Schneider
In all cases, the earbuds elegantly blotted out sound without affecting the music I was listening to.
The audio response for rock and pop was solidadding a nice sparkle to Taylor Swifts latest album.
The package on offer is impressive, too.
PHOTO: Lifewire / Jason Schneider
I noticed one or two minor Bluetooth connectivity hiccups when walking around people with many Bluetooth devices.
They are almost half the price of Apples premium offering.
And its no surprise to see that level of focus with a parent company like Anker.
Lifewire / Jason Schneider
The Liberty 4 NCs offer an excellent next generation to this pedigree.
Speaking of battery, this is one of the standout features.
Then theres the sound quality.
PHOTO: Lifewire / Jason Schneider
I wasnt surprised to find a balanced spectrum that perhaps leaned too much into the bass side of things.
I found it particularly effective for rock mixes, providing power and detail.
However, for the price, the Liberty 4s are truly impressive.
Lifewire / Jason Schneider
Whether youre on a budget or not, the Liberty 4 NCs will deliver.
Excellent for audio and video calls.
Fit might take some time to achieve.
Design might not appeal to all.
Beyond fit, the Buds3 Pro deliver excellent sound.
On the other hand, the stem controls are convenient to have but might take some getting used to.
They require a pinching motion that took a little practice to perfect during testing.
Or, eliminate the fuss of any physical inputs by setting up voice commands in the Wear app.
How We Tested
Wireless earbuds are measured on their performance as well as their feature offering.
While this helps me guide readers to make an informed decision, earbuds can be a particularly personal preference.
I also draw on my music technology background and focus on real-world applications to help you decide.
Want to know the best active noise cancellation?
I tested these on trains and busy streets.
Want to have the best possible sound quality?
Ill identify the sound style and where it’s best.
As such, its become more difficult than ever to determine whats most important on the spec sheet.
That would be essential if noise cancellation is crucial for your focus time.
For more advice, see ourearbud buying guide.
