Computer Station Nation is reader-supported.
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Quick Answer: The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wins if you want better noise cancellation, LDAC audio, wireless charging, or a heart rate monitor. The JLab Go Air Pop wins if you want the absolute lowest price — it’s one of the best earbuds under $30. These two serve very different budgets.
Introduction
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and JLab Go Air Pop are both popular true wireless earbuds, but they’re not really competing for the same buyer. The Liberty 4 NC at ~$70 is a feature-packed mid-range earbud. The Go Air Pop at ~$30 is a budget champion. But they end up in the same conversation because people want to know if it’s worth spending more than twice as much for the Soundcore.
The answer depends entirely on whether you care about noise cancellation and hi-res audio — because that’s where the gap lives.
Quick Comparison
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | JLab Go Air Pop | |
|---|---|---|
| ANC | Yes — Adaptive ANC ✅ | No ❌ |
| Hi-Res Audio | LDAC ✅ | SBC only ❌ |
| Wireless Charging | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Multipoint | Yes (2 devices) ✅ | No ❌ |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Battery (total) | 28–35 hours | 32 hours |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP44 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Price | ~$70 | ~$30 |
Noise Cancellation — Liberty 4 NC vs Go Air Pop
The Liberty 4 NC has active noise cancellation. The JLab Go Air Pop does not. This is the biggest functional difference between these two earbuds. If you commute, work in open offices, fly, or spend time in noisy environments, ANC is genuinely useful — and the Liberty 4 NC’s adaptive ANC performs well, reducing background hum and low-frequency noise noticeably. The Go Air Pop relies on passive isolation from the silicone tip seal alone, which is decent but can’t match active cancellation.
Winner: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — ANC is a genuine advantage over any earbud without it.
Sound Quality — Liberty 4 NC vs Go Air Pop
The Liberty 4 NC supports LDAC, which transmits up to 990 kbps wirelessly — essentially hi-res quality if your Android phone supports it. The Go Air Pop is SBC-only, which is fine for casual listening but represents a meaningful ceiling. In terms of the tuning itself, both lean slightly warm with enhanced bass — the Liberty 4 NC gives you more control via the Soundcore app’s 22-band EQ, while the Go Air Pop has three EQ modes but no app.
Winner: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — LDAC codec and extensive EQ customization.
Battery Life — Liberty 4 NC vs Go Air Pop
The Go Air Pop actually has a slight edge here: 8 hours per earbud vs 7–9 for the Liberty 4 NC (depending on ANC mode), and 32 hours total vs 28 hours (ANC on) or 35 hours (ANC off) for the Liberty 4 NC. In practice both will last through a full workday and then some — the difference is minimal. The Liberty 4 NC adds wireless Qi charging as a bonus, which the Go Air Pop lacks.
Winner: Tie (slight Go Air Pop edge on raw battery; Liberty 4 NC wins on wireless charging)
Features & Extras — Liberty 4 NC vs Go Air Pop
The Liberty 4 NC is loaded: heart rate monitor, in-ear detection, 6-mic call quality, multipoint connection, full app control, and Qi wireless charging. The Go Air Pop is bare-bones by comparison — three EQ modes and a charging case. If feature count matters, it’s not close.
Winner: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — significantly more features.
Price & Value — Liberty 4 NC vs Go Air Pop
The Go Air Pop is one of the best value earbuds ever made for $30. The Liberty 4 NC is one of the best value earbuds for $70. They’re both exceptional at their respective price points — the question is whether the $40 difference is worth ANC, LDAC, and wireless charging for your use case.
Winner: Depends on budget — Go Air Pop for pure budget value; Liberty 4 NC for feature value.
Use Case Breakdown
Buy the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if:
- You commute or work in noisy environments where ANC helps
- You stream hi-res audio from an Android phone (LDAC)
- You want to connect two devices at once (laptop + phone)
- You want wireless charging convenience
- You care about heart rate tracking during workouts
Buy the JLab Go Air Pop if:
- Your budget is firmly under $35
- You mostly listen in quiet environments where ANC isn’t needed
- You want a throwaway pair for gym use or travel without worry
- You just need basic wireless audio without extra features
Verdict
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the better earbud. It’s not close in terms of feature set. But the JLab Go Air Pop is a remarkable $30 product that punches well above its price, and if your budget is the determining factor, it’s a completely defensible choice. Spend the extra $40 if you want ANC, LDAC, and wireless charging — it’s worth it. Stay with the Go Air Pop if you just need simple, reliable wireless earbuds for cheap.
Where to Buy
Also check the JLab Go Air Pop at Walmart for current pricing.
FAQ
Does the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC work with iPhone?
Yes, but LDAC is Android-only. On iPhone you’ll connect via AAC, which still sounds excellent — you just won’t get the highest-resolution Bluetooth codec. ANC, wireless charging, and all other features work on iOS.
Is the JLab Go Air Pop waterproof?
The Go Air Pop is rated IP44 — protected against splashes from any direction. It’s fine for sweat and light rain, but not submersion. The Liberty 4 NC is IPX4 — splash resistant only, no dust protection rating.
Can both earbuds be used independently?
Yes, both support single-earbud mono use — useful when you want to stay aware of surroundings. The JLab Go Air Pop does this particularly well for a budget product.
