The three sets of earbuds I reach for
The Verge • • general
Key Points:
- The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds, priced at $170, are praised for their excellent sound quality after app-based tuning, secure fit, strong noise cancellation, and exceptional call quality that blocks out ambient noise effectively.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 offer seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, improved ANC, longer battery life, and features like live translation and heart rate monitoring, but have fit issues during workouts and a stem design that can be cumbersome.
- Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds provide a secure and comfortable fit for workouts due to their wingtip design, good sound, and transparency mode, though their IPX4 rating makes them less ideal for heavy rain or sweat-heavy exercise.
- While all three earbuds reviewed are strong contenders, the reviewer prefers the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro for their versatility, affordability, and superior call quality, with the AirPods Pro 3 as a solid option for users deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem.