In my opinion Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is best overall...
Hey there! If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re in a bit of a pickle trying to decide between two top-notch models – Google Pixel Buds Pro vs Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro. Believe me. I know how tough it can be to choose when so many options are available.
Let me tell you, both earbuds have a lot going for them. The Pixel Buds Pro hit the market in July 2022, while the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro was released in October 2021. Both are packed with features and boast impressive brand value.
To help you make the right decision, I delved deep into these two models, reviewing reviews from YouTube experts with hands-on experience with both earbuds.
Armed with all that information, I’ve come up with my opinion on which beauties will come out on top.
So, without further ado, I urge you not to miss a single word of this article. By the time you reach the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make a truly informed decision. Let’s get started!
| Features | Google Pixel Buds Pro | Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| SBC | SBC | |
| AAC | AAC | |
| LDAC (Android only) | ||
| Bluetooth range | 42 feet / 13 meters | 37 feet / 11 meters |
| Single-user mode | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-point connectivity | Yes (up to 2 devices) | Yes (up to 2 devices) |
| Audio switching | Yes | No |
| Latency | Minimal | Minimal |
| Slightly worse in gaming | Slightly better in gaming | |
| Low latency mode | No | No |
| Battery life (with ANC) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 3.5 hours |
| Battery life (without ANC) | Up to 11 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Charging case | Up to 31 hours | Up to 32 hours |
| Comfort | Small, ergonomic | Larger wing and tip design |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Price | Check Latest Price | Check Latest Price |
Connectivity
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro features Bluetooth 5.2, while the Google Pixel Buds Pro features Bluetooth 5.0. While the difference in Bluetooth versions may not be a significant dealbreaker, it is notable.
Both earbuds support the SBC and AAC codecs. This makes them compatible with iOS and Android devices. The Liberty 3 Pro is helpful over the Pixel Buds Pro for Android devices.
It also supports LDAC for high-resolution audio.
This feature allows the Liberty 3 Pro to deliver a higher-quality audio experience for Android users.
Overall, the Liberty 3 Pro's win for LDAC is a significant connectivity and audio quality advantage.
Bluetooth range
The Liberty 3 Pros are giving you 37 feet, or 11 meters, with the Pixel Buds Pro coming in at 42 feet or 13 meters. These numbers will vary depending on how many obstructions or walls you put between the device.
Both of these offer single-user mode. That’s where you can use each earbud individually while charging the other in its case—no issues with that whatsoever.
They also offer multi-point connectivity that can support up to two devices. Now, the Pixel Buds Pro also offers audio switching. You can move from device to device on the same Google account.
In my opinion, while the Bluetooth range of the Pixel Buds Pro is slightly better, it may not make a noticeable difference in everyday use. The single-user mode and multi-point connectivity are standard features available in most earbuds. The audio-switching feature may be a helpful addition for those who switch between devices. But it's not a game-changer feature.
Latency
Both earbuds showed minimal latency when watching videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix. When it came to mobile gaming, there was a noticeable difference between the two.
The Liberty 3 Pro performed better playing games like Call of Duty Mobile. But I don’t recommend either earbud for high-performance mobile gaming.
Unfortunately, neither earbud offers a low latency mode. That could have improved their performance in gaming. But, most true wireless earbuds aren’t suitable for gaming, and their performance may not be optimal.
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro wins in latency. The slightly better latency performance during gaming is also a plus. The difference between the earbuds may need to be more significant to impact the user experience.
The Battery Life
The Pixel Buds Pro outperforms the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro on battery life. The Pixel Buds Pro offers up to 5 hours of playback time with noise cancellation turned on, while the Liberty 3 Pro only offers up to 3.5 hours.
The Pixel Buds Pro can last up to 11 hours with noise cancellation turned off. While the Liberty 3 Pro only offers up to 8 hours. That means you can enjoy your music longer without recharging your earbuds.
The Liberty 3 Pro wins over the Pixel Buds Pro in the charging case by 1 hour. The charging case for Liberty 3 Pro lasts 32 hours of playtime. At the same time, the charging case for Pixel Buds Pro lasts 31 hours of playtime.
A longer playback time is more important for me. So, I prefer the Pixel Buds Pro for its long battery life. Additionally, the battery life will decrease if you activate LDAC on the Liberty 3 Pro. So the Pixel Buds Pro is the winner in this category.
Comfort
Based on the reviewer’s experience, the Google Pixel Buds Pro and the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro are comfortable earbuds. They also mention that both earbuds are comfortable for their large ears.
They noted that the Pixel Buds Pro is smaller and more compact earbuds. And their ergonomic shape makes them more comfortable.
On the other hand, the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is slightly larger and has a wing and tip design. That provides better grip and stability. This feature makes them more suitable for physical activities such as jogging, workouts, and sports.
I believe comfort is subjective and can vary from person to person. Some reviewers has found the Pixel Buds Pro more comfortable due to their smaller size and ergonomic shape. Others reviewers prefer the larger size and different shape of the Liberty 3 Pro. It ultimately depends on the individual's ear size, shape, and preferences. The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is the clear winner of stability and grip. The wing and tip design provides a better grip and helps the earbuds stay in place during physical activities. That is a significant advantage if you focus on using earbuds during workouts or sports.
App support
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro offers third-party app support for iOS and Android devices. But, the Google Pixel Buds Pro provides custom settings built into the Bluetooth settings for Pixel devices.
And there’s a Pixel Buds app available for non-Pixel Android devices. But, there’s currently no app available on the Apple App Store for the Pixel Buds Pro.
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro provides more extensive customizability and settings. It allows users
- Full control over EQ
- Active noise cancellation transparency mode
- Touch control customization.
Many reviewers believe the Liberty 3 Pro wins in this category by offering more customization options.
I believe the availability of third-party app support can be a significant advantage for Liberty 3 Pro. It allows for more extensive customization and control over the device’s settings.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro does not have an app for iOS users in the apple store. This is a disadvantage for iPhone users. There must be an app on the Apple App Store for Apple users.
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro's more extensive customizability and settings could make it more attractive for those prioritizing customization options. So Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is the winner here.
Performance
In transparency mode, the Liberty 3 Pro is the winner for providing a more natural-sounding mode. The earbuds also offer dual modes with voice amplification.
But, the Pixel Buds Pro transparency mode is muffled and quieter with no adjustability.
The reviewer used silicone and foam ear tips to test active noise cancellation. Both earbuds test with 85 decibels of airliner cabin noise and 75 decibels of crowd noise.
In their testing, the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro outperformed the Pixel Buds Pro in blocking lower and mid-range frequencies. The reviewer concluded that the Liberty 3 Pro performed better in active noise cancellation.
I think transparency mode and active noise cancellation are essential for earbuds. For users who focus on blocking out external noise or staying aware of their surroundings. At the same time, the Pixel Buds Pro may have a decent transparency mode and active noise cancellation. The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro performs better in both categories. The earbuds give users a more natural-sounding transparency mode and better active noise cancellation.
Sound
Everyone knows volume is an essential aspect of any earbuds. The Google Pixel Buds Pro and Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro offer impressive volume levels.
The Pixel Buds Pro outperformed the Liberty 3 Pro with a 1.1-decibel advantage. So it makes Pixel Buds Pro the winner in this category. It’s worth noting that both earbuds provide enough volume for most users.
Both earbuds offer excellent sound. But the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is the winner in this category, which is the reviewer’s opinion.
The Pixel Buds Pro provides a warm, rich sound with an impressive bass response. The treble falls off too soon, which may leave some users wanting more.
Unfortunately, there is no native EQ adjustability. But you can use third-party apps like Wavelet for EQ adjustments.
On the other hand, the Liberty 3 Pro’s hybrid driver design provides a distinct hardware advantage over the Pixel Buds Pro.
With a dedicated, dynamic driver for bass and mids and a balanced armature for treble, the Liberty 3 Pro offers a sound stage, vocal clarity, and bass. That the Pixel Buds Pro can’t match now.
The HearID settings, custom EQ, and various presets give the Liberty 3 Pro an edge in this category.
I agree with the reviewer's assessment that the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is the winner for sound quality in this direct comparison.
Final verdict
In the end, I can say that the reviewer did a pretty good job in this. According to them, the Google Pixel Buds Pro and Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro are top-tier competitors offering impressive performance for their price range.
If you’re looking for peak performance across the board and budget-friendly earbuds, then the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro is the obvious choice.
If you’re interested in spending over $100 on earbuds and want top-tier performance, then the Google Pixel Buds Pro is a solid choice.
James Dimento is a Chief-in-Editor of SoundUnify. He is a headphone enthusiast and creative writer passionate about audio technology. He has three years of experience writing about headphones and sound quality and is responsible for creating reviews and taking care of all administration.
