Soundcore, the audio brand from Anker, is back with a new pair of wireless earbuds: the Liberty 5. Priced at $129.99 on Amazon, they follow in the footsteps of the Liberty 4 but with a few noticeable changes. The focus this time is on improved sound, better noise canceling, and longer battery life. Some extra features from the previous model didn’t make the cut, but what’s left might be more in line with what most people actually use.

One of the main highlights here is Soundcore’s updated Adaptive Noise Cancellation, now at version 3.0. The system is designed to adjust in real-time, up to three times a second, to block out distractions around you. If you’re on a plane, walking down a noisy street, or working in a busy café, the Liberty 5 aims to keep outside sounds to a minimum.

Soundcore also says this new version does a better job at reducing voices — a tough type of noise to cancel out — claiming it’s twice as effective as earlier models. Each earbud has three microphones, and together with a bit of AI help, they’re also used to make phone calls clearer, even in windy conditions.

At first glance, the Liberty 5 looks a lot like the Liberty 4 Pro. It keeps the same stem-style shape and adds squeeze controls for music and calls — similar to what you’d find on AirPods Pro. But some things are gone: no swipe gestures for volume and no OLED screen on the charging case like on the 4 Pro.

The Liberty 5 also skips the heart rate sensor that was built into the Liberty 4. That might be disappointing if you used your earbuds as a fitness tracker, but it helps simplify the product. Instead of trying to do everything, the Liberty 5 feels more focused on being, well, a solid pair of earbuds.

Inside, you’ll find a single 9.2mm wool-paper driver — a shift from the dual-driver setup in the Liberty 4. Soundcore says this helps deliver better clarity across different frequencies. There are also special bass tubes designed to give the low end a bit more punch.

Audio codec support includes LDAC for Android users and AAC for iPhones. LDAC means higher-quality wireless sound if your device supports it. On top of that, the Liberty 5 supports Dolby Audio with three selectable modes: Music, Movie, and Podcast. These modes aim to offer a more immersive experience, though enabling Dolby can use up more battery.

The earbuds also connect with the Soundcore app, which has been updated with HearID 4.0 — a feature that customizes the sound to your hearing. You’ll also get access to an 8-band equalizer and plenty of sound presets to choose from.

Battery life is another area where the Liberty 5 steps things up. You can get up to 12 hours of playback with noise canceling turned off, or around 8 hours with it on. With the charging case, that goes up to a total of 48 hours (or 32 with ANC on). If you're in a rush, a quick 5- to 10-minute charge gives you up to 5 hours of listening — handy for when you’re running out the door.

Charging can be done via USB-C or wirelessly, and the case itself is fairly compact, though it doesn’t include any kind of display.

For connectivity, the Liberty 5 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and supports multipoint pairing, meaning you can stay connected to two devices — like your phone and laptop — at the same time. Android users also get the benefit of Google Fast Pair for quicker setup.

As for durability, the earbuds have an IP55 rating, so they can handle a bit of rain, sweat, or dust. They’re fine for workouts or commutes, but probably not the best choice if you’re planning to get caught in a downpour.

You can pick up the Liberty 5 in four colors: Cloud White, Ink Black, Abyss Blue, and Rose Apricot. They’re available now on Amazon, Soundcore.com, and through other retailers in the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. price is $129.99.