By IMONABUDGET
Note: ANC = Active Noise Cancellation (your sanity-saver).
You don’t need to spend $200 for earbuds that mute subway screeches and chatty coworkers. Anker’s Soundcore lineup delivers **legit ANC under $100**, but which model nails the balance of price and performance? We compared the **Soundcore Life A3i** (a $60 overachiever) with the **Liberty 4 NC** (a $99 feature-packed upgrade) to find your perfect match.
The A3i offers **surprising ANC for its price**, 10-hour battery life, and a grippy fit for workouts. The Liberty 4 NC counters with **personalized ANC**, spatial audio, and wireless charging. We tested both for **noise cancellation strength, call clarity, comfort**, and whether they survive a sweaty Peloton session.
Here’s the unfiltered take—**no marketing fluff**, just which buds actually deserve your cash.
Table of Contents
1. Soundcore Life A3i: Budget ANC Hero
The **Soundcore Life A3i** is the **Ramen noodles of noise cancellation**—shockingly good for the price. Its **hybrid ANC** won’t mute screaming babies, but it **dulls airplane hum and office AC** impressively for $60. The **10-hour battery** (35 with case) outlasts many pricier options, and the **IPX5 rating** means rain or spin class won’t kill them.
Sound quality? **Bass-heavy but customizable** via Soundcore’s app EQ. The **stem design** (like AirPods) helps with mic clarity—calls are decent, though windy walks still frustrate. Downsides: **No multipoint pairing** (you’ll manually switch devices), and the plasticky case feels cheap. But for **gym rats or commuters** who want ANC without anxiety about losing expensive buds, these overdeliver.
Pro tip: Use the **‘Transport’ EQ preset** to balance the bass boom.
2. Liberty 4 NC: AirPods Pro Alternative
The **Soundcore Liberty 4 NC** are **ANC earbuds with an identity crisis**—in the best way. For under $100, you get **adaptive noise cancellation** (scans your ear shape for optimized silencing), **LDAC audio**, and **spatial audio** for movies. The **11-hour battery** (50 with case) and **wireless charging** make these a traveler’s dream.
We wore these on a NYC subway: The ANC **obliterated train screeches** nearly as well as AirPods Pro. The **HearID feature** tailors sound to your hearing profile (great for podcasts), and the **pressure-relief vents** prevent that ‘clogged ear’ feeling. Downsides: The **glossy case attracts lint**, and spatial audio only works with select apps. Ideal for **frequent flyers or Netflix bingers** who want premium features without the Apple tax.
Warning: The **‘BassUp’ mode** can overwhelm mids—tweak the EQ!
3. Product Links
Check out these recommended products:
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#ad Life A3i
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#ad Liberty 4 NC