I bought the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds at an Anker store in Tokyo, which made the purchase a little more memorable than ordering another pair online.
After spending time with them, there is a lot I genuinely like. The sound quality is excellent, they fit comfortably, the microphone performs very well, and the active noise cancellation is especially effective in loud environments like the gym.
Unfortunately, there is one issue that keeps me from recommending them without qualification: a noticeable hissing or background noise when ANC is turned on.
Watch My Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Review
In the video, I share my full experience with the earbuds, show the case and controls, and explain why the ANC issue is so frustrating.
Buying the Liberty 5 Pro in Tokyo
I picked these up while visiting Tokyo, Japan at an Anker retail store. Buying tech in Tokyo is always fun, and it gave this pair of earbuds a little extra personal connection for me.
Did I need another pair of earbuds? Probably not. But apparently walking into an Anker store in Tokyo makes that decision easier.
Sound Quality and Fit
The Liberty 5 Pro sound very good out of the box. Music has plenty of detail and bass, while voices remain clear. The Soundcore app also gives you EQ and customization options if you want to fine-tune things.
The fit has also been excellent for me. They feel secure without creating uncomfortable pressure, which makes them especially useful during workouts.
Microphone and Call Quality
The microphone has been one of the biggest surprises. I’ve asked people how I sound during calls, and the feedback has consistently been very positive.
Some earbuds sound great for music but struggle with voice calls. In my experience, the Liberty 5 Pro does both well.
The Charging Case Is Excellent
The charging case is another standout feature. The design feels premium, and the integrated display and controls make it feel like part of the product rather than just a place to store and charge the earbuds.
It’s not essential, but it’s one of the details that makes the Liberty 5 Pro feel more interesting than many competing earbuds.
Active Noise Cancellation: Excellent With One Big Catch
This is where my Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review gets complicated.
The active noise cancellation itself is very effective. In a busy gym, it does an excellent job reducing music, conversations, ventilation noise, and general background sound.
But when ANC is enabled, I can sometimes hear a noticeable hissing or electronic background noise.
In loud environments it may be easy to ignore. In quieter situations, it becomes much more noticeable.
That is frustrating because when ANC is turned off, the earbuds sound great.
What I Like
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Very good microphone performance
- Strong ANC in loud environments
- Excellent charging case design
- Useful customization through the Soundcore app
What I Don’t Like
- Hissing/background noise with ANC enabled
- The issue is more noticeable in quiet environments
- It undermines an otherwise excellent ANC experience
Are the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Worth Buying?
Overall, I really like the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro. They sound great, fit well, perform very well for phone calls, and are excellent for blocking noise in the gym.
The biggest question is whether the ANC hiss will bother you.
If you primarily use the earbuds with ANC disabled, there is very little I dislike. If noise cancellation is one of your main reasons for buying premium earbuds, however, this is something I think you should know about.
Final Thoughts
The Liberty 5 Pro is an excellent pair of earbuds with one frustrating flaw.
The sound, fit, microphone, case, and ANC performance are all strong. I just wish the noise cancellation worked without introducing that extra hiss.
If Soundcore can improve that issue, these become much easier to recommend.
If you own the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, let me know: Do you hear the ANC hiss, or has your experience been different?