Earbuds / Compare
Skullcandy Method 540 ANC vs soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Product A: Skullcandy
59 of 166 known
Change Skullcandy Method 540 ANC
Product B: soundcore
86 of 166 known
Change soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
72 of 157 fields differ
- 28 different values
- 44 known for one only
- 18 the same
- 67 missing for both
Biggest differences
Each bar uses the scale of all 138 earbuds.
- Quick chargeA: 2hB: 4hsoundcore is 2 h higher.
- Playback per charge with ANC (claimed)A: 9hB: 7.5hSkullcandy is 1.5 h higher.
Weight
0 to 80 g
Weight per bud
A11g
B5.5g
Case weight
A72g
B51g
All 166 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


General
5 of 8 differ
Series
Not available
Model numbers
S2MFW-T001, S2MFW-T987, S2MFW-T7401Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Store product data SKUs: S2MFW-T001 Bone, S2MFW-T987 Primer, S2MFW-T740 True Black.2Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbuds.jsonRead 15 October 2026Store product data SKUs for the three colours.
A3954, A3954ZF1, A3954Z21, A3954ZG14Maker product pageus.soundcore.com/products/a3954-liberty-4-pro-tws-earbuds.jsRead 20 October 2026
GTIN / EAN
Not available
Announced
8 January 20268Press articletechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandys-new-earbuds-put-ai-in-your-ears-but-theres-a-catchRead 15 October 2026Article dated 8 January 2026: the newly launched Method 540 ANC.9Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-reviewRead 15 October 2026Review: unveiled on January 8, 2026 at the annual CES tech conference.
Not available
Status
Available1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Store page has an Add to cart button at 149.99 USD.8Press articletechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandys-new-earbuds-put-ai-in-your-ears-but-theres-a-catchRead 15 October 2026Available now in the US per the article.
Predecessor
Not available
Not available
Successor
Not available
soundcore Liberty 5 Pro11Press articlephileweb.com/sp/news/d-av/202605/27/65209.htmlRead 23 October 2026PhileWeb's launch report names the Liberty 4 Pro as the previous model of the Liberty 5 Pro series.12Press articleexpertreviews.co.uk/technology/headphones-audio/soundcore-liberty-5-pro-reviewRead 23 October 2026Expert Reviews names the Liberty 4 Pro as a predecessor of the Liberty 5 Pro.
Launch price (US)
$149.991Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026US store price 149.99 USD, the same as the launch reporting. Excludes sales tax.8Press articletechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandys-new-earbuds-put-ai-in-your-ears-but-theres-a-catchRead 15 October 2026Available now in the US for 149.99 USD.
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Not available
Markets
US, GB, EU, CA1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026US store. The UK, EU and Canada stores list the same three SKUs in their product data.3Maker product pageskullcandy.co.uk/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbuds.jsonRead 15 October 2026UK store product data lists the same SKUs, priced in GBP. GBP is not stored.4Maker product pageskullcandy.eu/en-de/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbuds.jsonRead 15 October 2026EU store product data lists the same SKUs, priced in EUR. No launch price source was found for the EU, so no EUR price is stored.5Maker product pageskullcandy.ca/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbuds.jsonRead 15 October 2026Canada store product data lists the same SKUs, priced in CAD.
Colours
Bone, Primer, True Black1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Colour selector: Bone, Primer and True Black. TechRadar saw only black and white at its review time.2Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbuds.jsonRead 15 October 2026Store product data: option values Bone, Primer and True Black.
Segment
Design
1 of 4 differ
Form factor
Bud shape
Use one bud alone
RGB lighting
Not available
Not available
Drivers and sound
10 of 17 differ
Drivers per bud
ASkullcandy Method 540 ANC
| Diameter (mm) |
|---|
| 12 |
Source1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Technical Specifications: Driver Diameter 12mm. The page does not state the driver type, the role or the count per earbud.9Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-reviewRead 15 October 2026Review: 12mm drivers with tuning by Bose.
Bsoundcore Liberty 4 Pro
| Type | Role | Diameter (mm) | Count per earbud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic | Woofer | 10.5 | 1 |
| Dynamic | Tweeter | 4.6 | 1 |
Driver type
Not available
Driver size
12mm
10.5mm
Drivers per bud
Not available
2
Diaphragm material
Not available
Frequency response
Impedance
Not available
Sensitivity
Not available
Not available
Sensitivity reference
Not available
Not available
Max sample rate
Not available
Not available
Max bit depth
Not available
Not available
Adaptive EQ
Not available
Not available
Personalised sound
Not available
Onboard EQ
Not available
Not available
Custom EQ bands
EQ presets
Music, Bass Boost, Podcast1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Feature list: 3 Preset EQ modes (Music, Bass Boost and Podcast). The help page adds a Custom mode, which is not stored as a preset.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Preset EQ section lists Music, Bass Boost, Podcast and Custom. One sentence also names movies, which the list does not. Custom is not stored as a preset.
Not available
Volume limit
Not available
Not available
Spatial audio
2 of 2 differ
Spatial audio
Not available
Noise cancelling
6 of 11 differ
Active noise cancelling
ANC microphones in both earbuds
69Press articlemezha.ua/en/2024/10/07/anker-soundcore-liberty-4-pro-is-presented-tws-headphones-with-anc-and-up-to-40-hours-of-battery-life-for-129/ampRead 20 October 2026Mezha describes seven sensors as six microphones and a barometer. Calls also use the six microphones.10Press articlemacerkopf.de/2025/01/07/anker-soundcore-liberty4-pro-ces2025Read 20 October 2026Six noise cancelling sensors plus a barometric pressure sensor for an airplane mode.
Adaptive ANC
Not available
ANC levels
Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Transparency mode
Adjustable transparency
Yes1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Feature list: Adjustable Stay-Aware Mode. The help page describes a slider in the app.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Adjustable ANC and Stay-Aware section: a slider in the app sets the Stay-Aware level.
Automatic ANC and transparency blend
Not available
Not available
Conversation detection
Not available
Measured
4 of 23 differ
Frequency response notes (measured)
Not available
SoundGuys found the default sound follows its headphone preference curve closely across the mids and highs, with more emphasis on bass below 200 Hz.7Measurementsoundguys.com/anker-soundcore-liberty-4-pro-review-125410Read 20 October 2026Objective measurements section. SoundGuys compares the default sound with its headphone preference curve.
Bass amount (measured)
Not available
Not available
Treble amount (measured)
Not available
Not available
Deviation from target (measured)
Not available
Not available
Consistency between fittings (measured)
Not available
Not available
Harmonic distortion (measured)
Not available
Not available
Sound leakage (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise isolation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise isolation, best (measured)
Not available
Not available
Passive isolation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Call quality notes (measured)
Not available
SoundGuys found voices clear in its ideal-conditions demo. In simulated office and street noise some background noise gets through while the voice stays in focus. Simulated wind and reverberant space were handled well. These are qualitative results.7Measurementsoundguys.com/anker-soundcore-liberty-4-pro-review-125410Read 20 October 2026SoundGuys microphone demos in ideal, office, street, windy and reverberant conditions. No numerical speech bandwidth or noise score is stored.
Mic low-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Mic high-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio (measured)
Not available
Not available
Latency (measured)
Not available
Not available
Bluetooth latency, worst (measured)
Not available
Not available
2.4 GHz latency, worst (measured)
Not available
Not available
Latency in game mode (measured)
Not available
Not available
Battery life (measured)
ASkullcandy Method 540 ANC
Not availableBsoundcore Liberty 4 Pro
| ANC | Hours (h) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 5.7 |
Longest tested use per charge
Not available
5.7h
Battery life with case (measured)
Not available
Not available
Full charge time (measured)
Not available
Not available
Weight per bud (measured)
Not available
Not available
Microphones and calls
3 of 7 differ
Voice microphones in both earbuds
Not available
All microphones in both earbuds
Not available
Bone conduction voice sensor
Not available
Not available
Mic noise reduction
AI1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Feature list: Clear Voice Smart Mic. The help page says it uses artificial intelligence to isolate the speaker's voice.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Clear Voice Smart Mic section: artificial intelligence isolates the speaker's voice and reduces background noise.
Call audio bandwidth
Not available
Not available
Mic mute control
Not available
Not available
Connectivity
3 of 18 differ
Chip
Not available
Not available
Connections
Bluetooth
Bluetooth codecs
Not available
Bluetooth profiles
Not available
Not available
LE Audio
Not available
Not available
Auracast
Not available
Not available
Multipoint
Yes1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Feature list: Multipoint Pairing.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Multipoint Pairing section: pair with two devices at once, but they do not play simultaneously.10Reviewsoundguys.com/skullcandy-method-540-anc-gets-skull-ai-151116Read 15 October 2026News article: Bluetooth multipoint.
Multipoint devices
Multipoint with LDAC
Not available
Paired devices remembered
Not available
Not available
Automatic switching between own devices
Not available
Not available
Fast pairing
Google Fast Pair1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Feature list: Google Fast Pair.10Reviewsoundguys.com/skullcandy-method-540-anc-gets-skull-ai-151116Read 15 October 2026News article: Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair and Bluetooth multipoint.
Audio sharing
Not available
Not available
Wireless range (claimed)
Not available
Wireless receiver
Not available
Not available
Receiver connector
Not available
Not available
Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio
Not available
Not available
Latency
1 of 3 differ
Low latency mode
Yes1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Skullcandy help page lists Low-Latency Mode in the app. The product page does not.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026App list: turn on Low-Latency Mode to improve performance for gaming or streaming video. TechRadar also lists it.9Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-reviewRead 15 October 2026Review: the app can turn on low-latency mode.
Not available
Claimed latency
Not available
Not available
Lowest claimed latency
Not available
Not available
Compatibility
2 of 4 differ
Platforms
Not available
Connection per platform
Not available
Not available
Features that need a specific device
ASkullcandy Method 540 ANC
| Feature | Needs |
|---|---|
| Skull AI | Needs the Skull-iQ app. It is free for a limited time and then a monthly or yearly subscription. |
| Spotify Tap | Needs the Spotify app on the phone and an active Spotify account. |
| Multipoint | Two devices stay connected but they do not play audio at the same time. Turn multipoint off in the app before a firmware update. |
| Skullcandy app | Supported on mobile devices only. There is no app support on PC, iPad or MacBook. |
Bsoundcore Liberty 4 Pro
| Feature | Needs |
|---|---|
| LDAC | Android 8.0 or later, enabled as Preferred audio quality in the soundcore app. Not available while connected to two devices. Spatial Audio is off while LDAC is on. LDAC raises power use and shortens playtime. |
| Google Fast Pair | Android 6.0 or later. |
| Head tracking | Spatial Audio Music mode set to head tracking in the soundcore app. Fixed mode has no head tracking. |
| Easy Chat | Enable in the soundcore app. Available only in ANC mode. |
| Touch bar menu | The case menu shows only Ambient Sound by default. Add Spatial Audio, Atmospheric, Find Device and Remote Camera in the soundcore app. |
Official licence
Not available
Not available
Battery and charging
11 of 13 differ
Battery per bud
Not available
User-replaceable earbud battery
Not available
Not available
Claimed battery life
ASkullcandy Method 540 ANC
| Mode | Includes case recharges | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| ANC on | No | 9 |
| ANC on | Yes | 32 |
| ANC off | No | 11 |
| ANC off | Yes | 40 |
Bsoundcore Liberty 4 Pro
| Mode | Includes case recharges | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| ANC off | No | 10 |
| ANC off | Yes | 40 |
| ANC on | No | 7.5 |
| ANC on | Yes | 30 |
| Transparency | No | 7.5 |
| Transparency | Yes | 30 |
| Call | No | 4.5 |
Source1Owner's manualsalesforce-knowledge-download.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/000021411/en_US/000021411.pdfRead 20 October 2026SPECS table: ANC off up to 10 h and 40 h with case, ANC on up to 7.5 h and 30 h. Anker FAQ test was at default settings, normal mode and 50 percent volume. LDAC increases power use and reduces playtime.2Maker product pageservice.soundcore.com/article-description/Different-Playtimes-of-soundcore-Liberty-4-Pro-from-a-Single-Charge-With-the-Charging-CaseRead 20 October 2026Maker FAQ: ANC 7.5 h and 30 h with case, normal 10 h and 40 h, transparency 7.5 h and 30 h. Calls 4 h with ANC, 4.5 h in normal mode and 4 h with transparency. The call row stores the normal-mode 4.5 h. Tested in the Anker laboratory at default settings, normal mode and 50 percent volume.
Longest claimed use per charge
11h
10h
Playback per charge with ANC (claimed)
9h
7.5h
Playback per charge without ANC (claimed)
11h
10h
Total with case (claimed)
40h
40h
Total with case and ANC (claimed)
32h
30h
Talk time (claimed)
Not available
4.5h
Full charge time, buds
Not available
Charging guidance
Not available
The manual gives up to 40 minutes for the earbuds. An empty case takes 2.5 hours by cable and 3.5 hours wirelessly. Case input is 5 V 1 A. The case stops charging the earbuds when its battery drops below 20 percent. Dry the earbuds and the USB-C port before charging.1Owner's manualsalesforce-knowledge-download.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/000021411/en_US/000021411.pdfRead 20 October 2026
Quick charge time
Earbud playback after quick charge
Charging case
5 of 10 differ
Case battery
Not available
User-replaceable case battery
Not available
Not available
Case charging port
Case full charge time
Not available
Wireless charging
Not available
Wireless standards
Not available
Not available
Wireless charging power
Not available
Not available
Speaker in case
Not available
Yes1Owner's manualsalesforce-knowledge-download.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/000021411/en_US/000021411.pdfRead 20 October 2026Reset section says a notification sound plays from the charging case. SoundGuys says the app can play a tone from either the earbuds or the case.7Measurementsoundguys.com/anker-soundcore-liberty-4-pro-review-125410Read 20 October 2026The Find Device section of the app plays a loud tone from either the earbuds or the charging case.
Screen on case
Not available
Case works as audio transmitter
Not available
Not available
Controls
4 of 5 differ
Controls
Touch6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Quick start default controls use taps and a 1 second hold on either bud. TechRadar says the controls are touch. The help page also calls the control a Main Function Button.9Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-reviewRead 15 October 2026Review: each bud has touch controls if you tap on its body.
Earbud volume control
Gestures
Single tap: play or pause, answer a call, Double tap: next track, Triple tap: switch between ANC on, Stay-Aware mode and ANC off, Hold for 1 second: end a call, reject an incoming call, or launch Spotify, Hold for 3 seconds: start pairing mode for a second device6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Quick start default user controls. The page text is flattened, so the mapping of actions to gestures follows its order. A 3 second hold on either bud starts pairing mode in the multipoint steps.
Squeeze once on either earbud: play or pause, or answer a call, Squeeze twice on the right earbud: next track, Squeeze twice on the left earbud: previous track, Tap and hold either earbud for 2 seconds: switch between ANC and transparency, or reject or end a call, Slide up on either earbud: volume up, Slide down on either earbud: volume down, Pinch both earbud stems for 3 seconds: pair a second device1Owner's manualsalesforce-knowledge-download.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/000021411/en_US/000021411.pdfRead 20 October 2026Controls table for dual earbuds. Squeeze controls can be customised in the app. Using a single earbud, squeeze twice plays the next track and there is no previous-track gesture.
Remappable controls
Yes1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Feature list: Customize Button Functions.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026Customize button functions: single, double, triple tap and 1 second hold on both buds can be set in the app. Not every function can be changed.
Voice assistant
Skull AI1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Page: Skull AI voice assistant, activated with OK, Skully.6Owner's manualskullcandy.com/blogs/product-help/method-540-ancRead 15 October 2026FAQ: Skull AI Beta, OK Skully. Free for a limited time and then paid.
Not available
Sensors and health
3 of 9 differ
In-ear detection
Not available
Sensors
Not available
Barometric pressure sensor5Maker product pageankerjapan.com/products/a3954Read 20 October 2026Seven sensors for ANC, with a new barometric pressure sensor that works when Airplane Mode is turned on in the soundcore app.9Press articlemezha.ua/en/2024/10/07/anker-soundcore-liberty-4-pro-is-presented-tws-headphones-with-anc-and-up-to-40-hours-of-battery-life-for-129/ampRead 20 October 2026Seven sensors including one barometer.10Press articlemacerkopf.de/2025/01/07/anker-soundcore-liberty4-pro-ces2025Read 20 October 2026Barometric pressure sensor for the airplane mode. The same article gives a 149.99 euro price at its January 2025 launch while other reports say 129.99, so no euro price is stored.
Heart rate sensor
Not available
Not available
Skin temperature sensing
Not available
Not available
Hearing aid feature
Not available
Not available
Medical clearances
Not available
Not available
Hearing test
Not available
Hearing protection
Not available
Not available
Health features
Not available
Not available
Fit and durability
4 of 7 differ
Ear tips included
Ear tip materials
Not available
Not available
Stabilisers
Fins1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026What's in the box: Fit Fin sizes S, M, L.9Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-reviewRead 15 October 2026Review: fins wedge the buds into the ear.
Not available
Ear tip fit test
Not available
Dust and water rating, buds
Dust and water rating, case
Not available
Not available
Water resistance depth
Not available
Not available
Software
1 of 6 differ
Companion app
App platforms
User firmware updates
Finding network
Not available
Not available
Precision finding
Not available
Not available
Live translation
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
3 of 4 differ
Weight per bud
Bud dimensions
Not available
Not available
Case weight
Case dimensions
Width36Height102Depth29mm(1.4 × 4 × 1.1 in)1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026Product gallery drawing with front and side views: 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide, 1.1 in (2.9 cm) deep and 4 in (10.2 cm) high. Converted exactly to mm. The height excludes the clip ring. TechRadar gives 3.6 x 2.9 x 10.2 cm for the case.9Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/skullcandy-method-540-reviewRead 15 October 2026Review: the case measures 3.6 x 2.9 x 10.2 cm. The axes are not labelled in the text, so the product gallery drawing sets them.
Certifications
1 of 3 differ
Hi-Res Audio
Not available
Hi-Res Audio Wireless9Press articlemezha.ua/en/2024/10/07/anker-soundcore-liberty-4-pro-is-presented-tws-headphones-with-anc-and-up-to-40-hours-of-battery-life-for-129/ampRead 20 October 2026Mezha says the earbuds are Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified.10Press articlemacerkopf.de/2025/01/07/anker-soundcore-liberty4-pro-ces2025Read 20 October 2026Names the Hi-Res Audio Wireless standard.
Communication certifications
Not available
Not available
FCC IDs
Not available
Other certifications
Not available
Not available
In the box
2 of 2 differ
In the box
Method 540 ANC True Wireless Earbuds, Charging Case, Ear Gel sizes: S, M, L, Fit Fin sizes: S, M, L, User Guide1Maker product pageskullcandy.com/products/method-540-anc-noise-canceling-earbudsRead 15 October 2026What's in the box list. The list shows no cable. The help page mentions an included USB-C charging cable.
Earbuds, Charging case, Ear tips in six sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL), size M pre-installed, USB-C charging cable8Retailer pageamazon.com/dp/B0DBHPZLCCRead 20 October 2026Amazon US built-in media list: cable, charging case, XXS/XS/S/M/L/XL ear tips with size M pre-installed, and the earbuds.
Cables included
ASkullcandy Method 540 ANC
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| USB-C charging cable | 1 |
Bsoundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Not availableLinks
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
Not available
Not available
Manual
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
1 of 1 differ
Both are also in the API. Back to all earbuds.




















