Sony WF-C710N vs Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Quick take: The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC costs $20 less; the Sony WF-C710N lasts longer per charge (8.5 hrs).
Which one to buy
On paper the Liberty 4 NC wins without trying. It costs $75 against Sony's $95, and it adds LDAC, wireless charging, an 11mm driver and a case that holds 50 hours total against 30. If you buy by spec sheet, stop there.
Owners keep pointing to something the spec sheet hides, which is that the Anker's results depend on how it fits. The flat oval stems leave many average ears with a loose seal, and a loose seal deflates both the bass and the ANC that make it worth buying. A real share of owners report the protruding shell making their ears ache within one or two hours, and a bumped stem can knock a bud out. The Sony is the opposite trade-off. Its stem length and deep fit are praised by people who usually worry about fit, though the C710N did get a little chunkier than the C700N it replaces. Both have strong ANC, with each drawing "Bose for a fraction of the price" comments from owners, so the one that seals in your ears is the one with better noise cancelling for you.
Away from fit, the Sony's transparency mode is unusually natural for the price (except in wind) and its multipoint works without any catch. The Anker makes you choose between LDAC and multipoint because it can't run both at once. The Anker's mics are bluntly called pretty bad by owners, and the Sony's are only average outdoors, so neither is a calls headset. Build is the Sony's most repeated complaint, with buds and case that feel cheap for the money, while the Liberty's equivalent gripe is a glossy case that scratches fast. iPhone users lose nothing with either one's codec support, which makes the Liberty's LDAC irrelevant for them.
Sony WF-C710N
If a secure, comfortable fit and natural ambient sound matter more than features. Wait for a sale under $100 and you won't need to fiddle with tips.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
If you're on Android, want LDAC and wireless charging, and are willing to try foam tips to get a seal. At its frequent sub-$60 price it is very hard to beat if it fits.
| Spec | Sony WF-C710N | Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$95 | ~$75 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | ANC | Adaptive ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 8.5 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 30 hrs | 50 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 5 min = 1 hr | 10 min = 4 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 5 mm | 11 mm |
| Weight | 5.2 g | 5.7 g |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | No | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Sony WF-C710N
- ✓Best sub-$100 ANC tier with dual noise sensors
- ✓8.5-hour ANC battery outlasts the flagship WF-1000XM5
- ✓Multipoint and touch controls fix C700N gripes
- ✓Translucent Glass Blue finish went viral
- ✓Sale prices land well under the $120 list
- ✓Feature-rich Sound Connect app EQ
- ✗SBC/AAC only — no LDAC still stings on a Sony
- ✗No wireless charging or spatial audio
- ✗Chunkier than the C700N — smaller ears notice
- ✗App pushy about accounts and notifications
- ✗Owners say build and case feel cheap for $100
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
- ✓Claimed 98.5% noise reduction genuinely delivers
- ✓HearID builds a custom EQ profile that works
- ✓LDAC, multipoint, and wireless charging under $75
- ✓10-minute charge buys four hours
- ✓11mm drivers with a 50-hour total
- ✓Street price dips to $57 on sales
- ✗LDAC and multipoint can't run simultaneously
- ✗Glossy pill case scratches fast
- ✗Soundcore app nags with promos and firmware pushes
- ✗Flat oval stems seal loosely, undermining the ANC
- ✗Battery fade reports around the one-year mark
Sony WF-C710N vs Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: common questions
Is the WF-C710N more comfortable than the bulkier Liberty 4 NC for long sessions?▾
The Sony, for most people. The Liberty 4 NC's bulky shell is its most common complaint, with owners reporting sore ears after 1-2 hours. The C710N's deep stem fit gets praised, though smaller ears may feel it on long sessions.
Does the Liberty 4 NC's LDAC make it sound better than the Sony?▾
Only on Android, and only once the seal is right. Owners do notice LDAC over AAC, but a loose fit makes the Liberty sound flat whatever the codec. On an iPhone neither one uses anything better than AAC.