The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 has carved out a distinctive position in the crowded wireless earbuds market by offering premium features at a mid-range price point. Since their release, these earbuds have attracted attention for their combination of solid sound quality, wireless charging capability, and extensive customization options through the companion app. The Liberty Air 2 delivers balanced audio with enhanced bass, reliable Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and impressive microphone performance, making them a compelling alternative to more expensive options like the AirPods Pro.
Understanding whether these earbuds fit your needs requires looking beyond marketing claims and examining real-world performance. The Liberty Air 2 includes features like IPX5 water resistance, touch controls, and multiple EQ settings that promise versatility for various listening scenarios.
This review examines every aspect of the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2, from their physical design and comfort to their battery life and call quality. You’ll learn how they compare to competing wireless earbuds and whether their feature set justifies the investment in today’s market.
Overview of Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 are true wireless earbuds that compete in the budget-friendly segment while offering features typically found in premium models. They incorporate diamond-inspired drivers, multiple microphones for calls, and wireless charging capabilities.
What Are the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2?
The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 are truly wireless earbuds manufactured by Anker, designed as an affordable alternative to premium options like Apple AirPods Pro. You get a pair of in-ear earbuds with a compact charging case that fits easily in your pocket.
These earbuds feature Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for stable wireless transmission. The design includes silicone ear tips in multiple sizes to help you achieve a proper fit. Each earbud operates independently, allowing you to use one at a time if needed.
The Liberty Air 2 targets users who want reliable wireless audio without spending premium prices. You’ll find them suitable for everyday listening, phone calls, and commuting.
Notable Features
The earbuds use diamond-inspired driver domes that maintain rigidity during high-frequency vibrations. This design provides a 15% larger frequency bandwidth and delivers twice the bass compared to the previous generation.
You get four microphones total across both earbuds, with two microphones per earbud for improved call quality and noise reduction during conversations. The sound profile includes enhanced bass while maintaining balanced mids and treble.
Key features include:
- Wireless charging case with USB-C port
- Companion app for customization and EQ adjustments
- Well-balanced sound signature with extra bass
- IPX5 water resistance rating
- Touch controls on each earbud
The charging case supports both wired USB-C charging and Qi wireless charging standards.
Release Date and Pricing
Anker released the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 at a retail price of $99. This positions them in the budget-to-midrange category of true wireless earbuds.
The pricing makes them accessible compared to competitors that cost $150 or more. You can find them through major retailers and Anker’s official channels. The company occasionally offers discounts during sales events, reducing the price further below the standard MSRP.
Design and Build Quality
The Liberty Air 2 features a plastic construction with a refined finish that elevates it beyond budget expectations. The earbuds and charging case deliver solid tactile feedback with a less plasticky feel compared to the original Liberty Air model.
Material and Finish
The earbuds use a matte plastic shell that resists fingerprints and feels substantial in hand. You’ll notice the finish quality represents a step up from typical budget wireless earbuds, though it doesn’t quite match premium offerings.
The stem design incorporates touch-sensitive controls that blend seamlessly into the exterior. Each earbud weighs approximately 5 grams, making them light enough for extended wear without causing fatigue. The IPX5 water resistance rating protects against sweat and light rain, though you shouldn’t submerge them.
The exterior coating provides adequate grip, reducing the likelihood of drops during removal from the case. The charging contacts are gold-plated and positioned prominently on the bottom of each earbud stem.
Case Design
The charging case features a compact oval shape that fits easily in your pocket. The lid uses a magnetic closure system that opens and closes with satisfying precision.
You get both USB-C and wireless charging capabilities, giving you flexibility in how you power up. The case itself has a smooth plastic exterior with a button on the back for Bluetooth pairing. Four LED indicators on the front display battery status for both the case and earbuds.
The hinge mechanism feels durable enough for daily use. Inside, the earbud cradles use strong magnets to secure the earbuds in place, ensuring they charge properly every time.
Comfort and Fit
The Liberty Air 2 includes multiple ear tip sizes to accommodate different ear canal shapes. The angled nozzle design helps the earbuds sit naturally in your ears without requiring constant adjustment.
The stem length provides leverage for easy removal without being so long that it looks awkward. You’ll find the weight distribution allows for stable positioning during movement and exercise. The ear tips create a decent seal that helps with passive noise isolation and prevents the earbuds from falling out during moderate activity.
Most users can wear these for 1-2 hours without discomfort, though individual ear anatomy varies significantly.
Sound Performance
The Liberty Air 2 delivers a bass-forward sound signature with clear midrange detail and decent treble extension. You get multiple EQ presets and customization options through the Soundcore app.
Audio Quality
The Liberty Air 2 produces a sculpted audio profile that emphasizes lower frequencies while maintaining clarity across the spectrum. Vocals come through with good definition, and instrumental separation is adequate for earbuds in this price range.
The earbuds use 11mm dynamic drivers that handle various music genres competently. You’ll notice the sound leans warm rather than neutral, which works well for modern pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. Higher frequencies remain present without harshness, though audiophiles may find them slightly rolled off compared to premium models.
Call quality stands out as a strength thanks to CVC 8.0 noise reduction technology. The four microphones capture your voice clearly even in moderately noisy environments.
Bass and Treble Response
Bass response is notably pronounced on the Liberty Air 2, giving you substantial low-end impact without significant distortion. The elevated bass adds warmth and energy to bass-heavy tracks but can overwhelm the mix if you prefer a balanced sound signature.
Mid-bass punch feels tight and controlled for casual listening. Sub-bass extension reaches low enough for most listeners, though it lacks the depth found in higher-end models.
Treble maintains decent presence but sits slightly recessed compared to the bass. You won’t experience sibilance or piercing highs, which makes extended listening sessions comfortable. Detail retrieval in the upper frequencies is acceptable but not exceptional.
Custom EQ Options
The Soundcore app provides 22 preset EQ settings covering different music genres and listening preferences. You can switch between profiles like Rock, Classical, or Podcast to match your content.
A custom EQ interface lets you adjust eight frequency bands manually. This gives you precise control over the sound signature if the presets don’t match your preferences. Changes apply in real-time, making it easy to fine-tune the output.
Your EQ settings save directly to the earbuds, so adjustments persist even when connected to devices without the app installed.
Connectivity and Controls
The Liberty Air 2 includes Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and a touch-based control system with customizable options through the companion app. Both features work reliably for daily use, though the touch controls have some limitations in programmable functions.
Bluetooth Performance
The Liberty Air 2 uses Bluetooth 5.0, which provides a stable wireless connection during regular use. You can expect consistent performance within typical range limits, and the connection rarely drops when your phone is nearby or in your pocket.
The earbuds maintain their connection well in most environments. You won’t experience frequent interruptions during calls or music playback under normal conditions. The Bluetooth 5.0 standard also helps with power efficiency, contributing to the overall battery performance of these earbuds.
Touch Controls
The touch-sensitive controls respond to taps and long holds on each earbud. You get four programmable controls total: a double-tap and long hold for each ear. This gives you basic functionality but limits your options compared to earbuds with more gesture support.
You can customize these controls through the Soundcore app to match your preferences. The touch sensors generally register your inputs accurately, though they may occasionally miss a tap or register an unintended touch. The control scheme represents a significant improvement over the original Liberty Air model, making basic operations more reliable for everyday tasks.
Device Pairing Process
Initial pairing with your device is straightforward. You open the charging case, and the earbuds enter pairing mode automatically. Your phone should detect them in the Bluetooth settings menu within seconds.
Once paired, the earbuds reconnect to your last used device when you remove them from the case. This automatic reconnection works consistently, saving you from manually pairing each time. The earbuds remember multiple devices, though you’ll need to manually switch between them through your device’s Bluetooth settings when moving from one to another.
Battery Life and Charging
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 delivers solid battery performance with multiple charging options, including wireless charging capabilities that add convenience to daily use. The earbuds provide enough power for extended listening sessions, while the charging case extends total usage significantly.
Earbuds Battery Life
You can expect approximately 7 hours of continuous playback from the earbuds on a single charge when using them without any special modes enabled. This drops slightly to around 6 hours when you activate features like active noise cancellation or transparency mode.
The battery performance places these earbuds in the competitive range for their price point. Your actual results will vary based on volume levels and which features you keep active during use.
For most users, this translates to getting through a full workday or several workout sessions before needing to return the earbuds to their case. The stable battery life ensures you won’t find yourself constantly checking power levels during normal use.
Charging Case Capacity
The charging case provides multiple full charges for your earbuds, extending the total battery life to approximately 28 hours of combined usage. This means you can go several days between charging the case itself, depending on your listening habits.
The case supports both USB-C wired charging and Qi wireless charging. You can simply place the case on any compatible wireless charging pad for cable-free power delivery. The USB-C option offers faster charging when you need to power up quickly.
The compact case fits easily in your pocket while still housing enough battery capacity to keep your earbuds powered throughout the week for moderate users.
Fast Charging Features
A quick 10-minute charge provides approximately 2 hours of playback time when your earbuds run low on power. This fast charging capability helps you get back to listening quickly during time-sensitive situations.
The case itself takes around 2 hours to fully charge via USB-C connection. Wireless charging takes slightly longer but offers the convenience of drop-and-go charging without fumbling with cables.
You’ll find the charging speeds adequate for daily use, though not the fastest available in the true wireless earbud market. The combination of decent battery life and reasonable charging times means you rarely need to worry about running out of power during typical use.
Microphone and Call Quality
The Liberty Air 2 excels in voice communication, incorporating CVC 8.0 noise reduction technology and multiple microphones per earbud to deliver clear call quality that rivals more expensive options.
Microphone Technology
Each earbud houses multiple microphones designed to capture your voice accurately during calls and voice assistant interactions. The microphone array works together to isolate your speech from ambient noise, creating a focused audio signal for the person on the other end of your call.
The microphone system performs well in various environments, from quiet indoor spaces to moderately noisy outdoor settings. Your voice comes through clearly without significant distortion or muffling. The positioning of the microphones allows them to pick up natural speech patterns effectively, though they work best when you speak at normal conversation volumes rather than whispering.
Noise Reduction During Calls
The Liberty Air 2 uses cVc 8.0 (clear Voice Capture) technology to filter out background noise during phone calls. This system analyzes incoming audio signals and separates your voice from environmental sounds like traffic, wind, or conversations happening nearby.
The noise reduction capability is particularly noticeable in urban environments. You can take calls while walking on busy streets without forcing the other person to strain to hear you. Wind noise does get through at higher speeds, but the system handles light to moderate wind conditions adequately.
The technology reduces background chatter in coffee shops and offices, making your voice the primary focus of the transmission. This feature makes the Liberty Air 2 suitable for remote work scenarios where call clarity matters.
App Integration and Customization
The Soundcore app transforms the Liberty Air 2 from basic earbuds into a highly personalized audio device. You get access to sound customization tools, control settings, and noise cancellation adjustments that significantly expand the earbuds’ functionality.
Soundcore App Features
The Soundcore app is available for both Android and iOS devices. Once connected, you can access HearID 2.0, which creates a personalized sound profile based on your hearing characteristics through a series of audio tests.
The app includes a customizable equalizer with preset options and manual adjustment capabilities. You can modify sound across multiple frequency bands to match your preferences or specific music genres. The interface allows you to save multiple EQ profiles for different listening scenarios.
Key app controls include:
- Noise Cancellation Modes: Transportation, Indoor, and Outdoor settings
- Transparency Modes: Full transparency and vocal-focused options
- Touch Controls: Customizable commands for each earbud
- Battery Indicators: Real-time battery status for both earbuds and case
The touch control customization lets you assign different functions like play/pause, skip tracks, or activate voice assistants to single, double, or triple taps.
Firmware Updates
The Soundcore app handles firmware updates directly through your smartphone. You receive notifications when new firmware versions become available. Updates typically add features, improve stability, or enhance audio performance.
The update process requires keeping both earbuds in the charging case while connected to the app. Updates take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Your custom settings and EQ profiles remain saved after firmware updates.
Noise Isolation and Passive Noise Cancellation
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 does not include active noise cancellation technology. Instead, these earbuds rely entirely on passive noise isolation through their physical design and ear tip seal.
The passive noise isolation performance is quite effective for earbuds in this price range. When you insert the earbuds properly with the right-sized ear tips, they create a seal that blocks out a significant amount of ambient noise. You’ll find they handle mid-to-high frequency sounds particularly well, such as office chatter and keyboard typing.
Noise Isolation Performance by Frequency:
- Low frequencies (plane engines, bus rumble): Moderate blocking
- Mid frequencies (conversations, voices): Good blocking
- High frequencies (keyboard clicks, air conditioning): Very good blocking
The included multiple ear tip sizes help you achieve a secure fit, which directly impacts how much noise gets blocked. A proper seal is essential for maximizing the passive isolation capabilities.
You should note that without ANC, the Liberty Air 2 won’t eliminate low-frequency rumbles as effectively as models with active noise cancellation. However, the passive isolation still performs adequately for commuting and travel situations where you need to reduce background distractions.
The earbuds ship with several ear tip options, allowing you to find the best fit for your ear canal. Taking time to test each size ensures you get optimal noise isolation along with comfort during extended wear.
Water Resistance and Durability
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 carries an IPX5 water resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts and light rain exposure. These earbuds can handle sweat and moisture during daily activities without compromising performance.
IP Rating
The Liberty Air 2 features an IPX5 rating, which protects against water jets from any direction. This means the earbuds can withstand sustained water spray and heavy sweat during intense exercise sessions.
You can’t submerge these earbuds in water, as they lack full waterproofing. The IPX5 rating covers the earbuds themselves but doesn’t extend to the charging case. You should keep the case dry and away from moisture to prevent damage to the charging contacts.
The rating offers sufficient protection for gym sessions, running in light rain, or general outdoor activities. However, you shouldn’t wear them while swimming or showering.
Everyday Usage Scenarios
The Liberty Air 2 performs well during workouts where sweat accumulation is expected. You can use them for running, cycling, or gym training without worrying about moisture damage from perspiration.
Light rain won’t affect functionality, but you should avoid prolonged exposure to heavy downpours. The earbuds maintain their connection and audio quality even when damp from sweat or light moisture.
You need to wipe them dry after particularly sweaty sessions to maintain optimal hygiene and performance. The earbuds’ build quality supports regular daily use, and the IPX5 rating provides adequate protection for most active lifestyles. Just remember to store them in the dry charging case when not in use.
Comparison With Similar Wireless Earbuds
The Liberty Air 2 competes in a crowded market segment where $100 gets you solid features. Understanding how these earbuds stack up against both Anker’s own lineup and competitors helps you make an informed decision.
Comparison With Other Anker Models
The Liberty Air 2 represents a middle-ground option within Anker’s Soundcore lineup. If you’re considering other Anker models, the Liberty Air 2 Pro offers active noise cancellation and improved sound customization, though at a higher price point.
The original Liberty Air lacks some refinements you’ll find in the Air 2, including wireless charging case support and improved microphone quality. The Air 2 made significant improvements in call quality over its predecessor.
Within Anker’s ecosystem, you get access to the Soundcore app across most models. The Liberty Air 2 provides better value than entry-level options while keeping costs below premium variants. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize features like ANC or prefer to save money on core functionality.
Competitors in the Same Price Range
The Samsung Galaxy Buds offer more comfort and slightly longer battery per charge compared to the Liberty Air 2. However, you get better noise isolation and superior overall battery life with the Anker model.
Against the Apple AirPods Pro, the Liberty Air 2 lacks active noise cancellation and premium build quality. You do gain better controls, a more bass-heavy sound profile, and significant cost savings of approximately $150. The AirPods Pro justify their price with superior comfort and build quality.
The Liberty Air 2 delivers approximately 80% of what premium models offer at 40% of the cost. You sacrifice some refinement in materials and advanced features but gain solid performance across core functions like sound quality and battery life.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent microphone quality for calls
- Wireless charging support included
- Stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection
- Well-balanced sound profile with enhanced bass
- Companion app with customization options
- Good battery life performance
- Premium build quality for the price point
- Practical and attractive design
- Better value compared to premium alternatives
Cons:
- Midrange sound can be inconsistent
- Touch controls may respond inconsistently
- Some features lack practical utility
- Design requires minor improvements for optimal fit
The Liberty Air 2 offers you substantial features at a competitive price. You get wireless charging, app customization, and reliable connectivity that matches more expensive options. The sound quality delivers balanced audio with a bass boost that works across multiple music genres.
The microphone stands out as a particularly strong feature if you make frequent calls. Your voice comes through clearly, making these earbuds suitable for work and personal use.
However, you may notice the midrange audio lacks refinement in certain tracks. The touch-sensitive controls don’t always register your inputs consistently, which can frustrate daily use. While the app includes various features, not all of them provide meaningful improvements to your listening experience.
The build quality feels solid, and the charging case provides practical protection for daily carrying. You’ll find the battery performance adequate for standard use throughout your day.
Final Verdict
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 delivers solid performance at a budget-friendly price point. You get excellent microphone quality for calls, decent active noise isolation, and reliable Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity that rarely drops.
The diamond-inspired drivers produce clear sound with good bass response. You can customize your listening experience through the companion app, which offers 22 EQ presets and HearID technology to create personalized sound profiles.
Key Strengths:
- Strong call quality with four-microphone system
- Comfortable fit for extended wear
- Good noise isolation without ANC
- Stable wireless connection
- Competitive battery life
Notable Limitations:
- Technology has advanced since release
- Newer models offer more features
- Bass-forward sound may not suit all preferences
These earbuds work best for you if you prioritize call quality and want true wireless earbuds without spending premium prices. They handle daily commutes well and block out background chatter effectively, though engine noise from planes or trains may still come through.
The Liberty Air 2 remains a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers who need reliable wireless earbuds with good microphone performance. However, if you want the latest features or active noise cancellation, you should consider the Liberty Air 2 Pro or other newer alternatives in this price range. You can get them now here