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【Hardcore Gadget Geek's Review】Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Review: JPY 26,990 With About Twice the Noise Cancelling of Its Predecessor, LDAC and 3-Device Pairing
The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro packs noise cancelling rated at about twice the Liberty 4 Pro's, LDAC and 3-device pairing into buds of about 5.9g each. It went on sale May 27, 2026 at JPY 26,990 (tax included). It is my approachable pick if earbuds near JPY 40,000 make you hesitate.
Key points
- Release date: May 27, 2026. JPY 26,990 tax included (the Pro Max is JPY 36,990)
- About 5.9g a bud, about 68.5g with the case. With noise cancelling on: 6.5 hours on the buds, up to 28 hours with the case
- Noise cancelling is about twice the Liberty 4 Pro's. Supports LDAC and multipoint (up to 3 devices)
[Released May 27, 2026] Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
The Liberty 5 Pro is an approachable flagship with twice the noise cancelling
Flagship true wireless earbuds now often cost around JPY 40,000. The Liberty 5 Pro brings noise cancelling, LDAC and multipoint for JPY 26,990.
It is the first model with Anker's own AI chip, "Thus", and its "Ultra Noise Cancelling 4.0" is rated at about twice the strength of the Liberty 4 Pro.
As an IT consultant (SE), I read the footnote before the headline number. "About twice" is a comparison with the previous model, and I read battery under the noise-cancelling-on condition.
How I judged it
First, battery with noise cancelling on: 6.5 hours on the buds and up to 28 hours with the case. At 3 hours a day, that is about 9 days with the case (28 ÷ 3 = 9.3).
Next, price. The gap to the Pro Max is JPY 10,000, about 37% of the Pro's price (10,000 ÷ 26,990). The only difference is the AI voice recorder in the case.
If you can't decide, take the Liberty 5 Pro. The reason: for JPY 26,990 the noise cancelling doubles over the last model, and you still get LDAC and 3-device pairing.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
When did the Liberty 5 Pro come out? Price and specs
| Item | Liberty 5 Pro |
|---|---|
| Release date | May 27, 2026 |
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 26,990 |
| Weight | About 5.9g a bud / about 68.5g with the case |
| Playback (noise cancelling on) | Up to 6.5 hours on the buds / up to 28 hours with the case |
| Connection | Bluetooth 6.1, multipoint (up to 3 devices) |
| Codecs | SBC / AAC / LDAC |
| Driver | 9.2mm dynamic |
| Calls | 8 mics plus a bone-conduction sensor |
| Case | With a display (battery, modes, noise-cancelling level), wireless charging |
For sound, it supports Dolby Atmos-optimized spatial audio and LDAC hi-res playback. For calls, Anker says it removes the noise of station platforms and cafes well enough to earn a Guinness World Record.
How does it differ from the Liberty 5 Pro Max?
| Item | Pro | Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 26,990 | JPY 36,990 | +JPY 10,000 (about +37%) |
| Weight with case | About 68.5g | About 85.5g | +17g (about +25%) |
| AI voice recorder | None | Built into the case | ― |
| Wireless charging | Supported | Magnetic type supported | ― |
| Playback and driver | Same (6.5 hours on the buds, 28 with the case, 9.2mm) | No difference | |
Sound and battery are the same. What differs is the AI voice recorder in the case and the magnetic wireless charging. If you record on another device, the Pro is enough.
If you want meeting recording in the same unit, there is the Pro Max.
Strengths and things to note
Strengths
Strong noise cancelling. About twice the last model's strength for JPY 26,990. With LDAC and 3-device multipoint on top, you rarely feel a feature is missing.
Strong calls. Eight mics and a bone-conduction sensor carry your voice through noisy places.
Things to note
With noise cancelling on, the buds last up to 6.5 hours, which is not long, so they go back in the case more often. For a commute both ways, one charge is enough.
Who is it for?
People who use noise cancelling a lot on trains or at home. People who want sound quality (LDAC) and call quality for under JPY 30,000. It also suits anyone hopping between a phone and a PC.
If you want recording in the earbuds too, the Pro Max has an AI voice recorder in its case.
Price and where to buy
JPY 26,990 at Anker's official Rakuten store and others. Over a year, that is about JPY 74 a day (26,990 ÷ 365).
If you can't decide, take the Liberty 5 Pro. The reason: about twice the last model's noise cancelling, plus LDAC and 3-device pairing, for JPY 26,990.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
For earbuds from the same period, see the best wireless earbuds. For open ears, read the best ear-cuff earbuds, and if you want recording too, the best AI voice recorders.
FAQ
When did the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro come out?
It went on sale May 27, 2026, at JPY 26,990 (tax included).
What is the difference between the Liberty 5 Pro and the Pro Max?
The Pro Max is JPY 36,990, with an AI voice recorder built into the case and magnetic wireless charging. Sound and battery figures are the same.
Does the Liberty 5 Pro support LDAC?
Yes. Its codecs are SBC, AAC and LDAC, and it pairs with up to 3 devices at once.
About the writer and sources
Written by a gadget nerd who works as an IT consultant (SE). At work, I read the footnotes behind a spec before the headline number, and I built the tables here the same way.
Release dates and prices were re-checked on Oct 26 against the makers' announcements and Rakuten Ichiba listings. Sources are listed below.
