Nothing Ear (3) vs soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: which to buy?

Our pick

Get the soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

Winner for most people: soundcore Liberty 5 Pro. It is the newer model.

Winner: soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

Get the Nothing Ear (3) only if you want it for workouts, or to save $71.

Battery life (ANC off, one charge)

12 hrs vs 10 hrs

$169.99Soundcore · Checked Nov. 15, 2026

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All the details

Key differences

Water resistance: IP54 vs IP55Nothing Ear (3): IP54 ConfirmedSourcesoundcore Liberty 5 Pro: IP55 ConfirmedSource
Battery life: 10 hrs vs 12 hrs (both ANC off, one charge)Nothing Ear (3): 10 hrs ConfirmedSourcesoundcore Liberty 5 Pro: 12 hrs ConfirmedSource
Weight: 5.2g vs 5.5g (both per earbud)Nothing Ear (3): 5.2g ConfirmedSourcesoundcore Liberty 5 Pro: 5.5g ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

The Nothing Ear (3) Guide names it for calls, noise cancelling and sound quality.Calls: The Super Mic cuts up to 95 dB of background noise on calls and voice notes. Source linkedSourceNoise cancelling: Adaptive noise cancelling up to 45 dB that rechecks your surroundings every 600 milliseconds. Source linkedSourceSound quality: 24-bit Hi-Res Audio over LDAC and an 8-band equaliser in the Nothing X app. Source linkedSource