Taotronics SoundLiberty 97 Review: ANC Earbuds With Style

Taotronics SoundLiberty 97 has 30,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.3/5 rating at ¥249 ($35). Users appreciate the unique transparent design that stands out from the sea of white TWS earbuds, the effective ANC that competes well with EarFun Air Pro 4, and the customizable EQ through the companion app. The main complaints are the bulky charging case that’s too large for pocket carry and occasional Bluetooth dropout in crowded signal areas. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — one of the most stylish ANC earbuds under ¥300 with solid performance.

Introduction

Taotronics might not have the brand recognition of Xiaomi or QCY in China, but the SoundLiberty 97 has carved out a loyal following among users who want something different. The transparent electronic aesthetic — showing the internal circuit board — is unusual for TWS earbuds and appeals to tech enthusiasts.

At ¥249 ($35), it sits in the competitive mid-budget ANC segment, going head-to-head with the EarFun Air Pro 4 and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. We analyzed 30,000+ JD.com reviews to see if the transparent design is backed by real performance.

Specifications

Feature	Taotronics SL 97	EarFun Air Pro 4	Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Price (JD)	¥249 ($35)	¥299 ($42)	¥399 ($56)
ANC Type	Hybrid ANC	Hybrid ANC	Adaptive ANC
Driver	10mm dynamic	11mm dynamic	11mm dynamic
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3	5.3
Codecs	AAC, SBC, LDAC	LDAC, AAC, SBC	LDAC, AAC, SBC
Battery (ANC off)	7h	9h	10h
Battery (total)	30h	35h	40h
Water Resistance	IPX5	IPX5	IPX4
Weight	5.0g / bud	5.2g / bud	4.9g / bud
App EQ	✅ Customizable	✅ Customizable	✅ Customizable
JD Rating	4.3/5	4.4/5	4.5/5
JD Reviews	30,000+	50,000+	100,000+

Design and Build Quality

The SoundLiberty 97’s standout feature is its case design — a transparent lid reveals the earbuds inside, sitting against a visible circuit board and battery. It looks genuinely cool, especially in the light, where the internal components catch reflections. The earbuds themselves also have transparent elements on the stem.

The case is large — noticeably bigger than the EarFun Air Pro 4 case. It’s fine for a bag or jacket pocket, but not comfortable in pants pockets. The hinge feels solid and the magnetic closure is strong. USB-C charging is on the back.

The earbuds weigh 5.0g each with a stem-and-bulb design. The fit is secure but the size is more noticeable than sleeker competitors. Some users with smaller ears report the bud bodies protruding.

“I bought these for the look and stayed for the performance. The transparent design is a conversation starter — coworkers always ask about them. The ANC surprised me — I tested it against my wife’s EarFun Air Pro 4 and the difference was minimal. The case is definitely big though. Can’t fit it in my jeans pocket.” — JD.com user

Performance

The SoundLiberty 97 uses hybrid ANC with dual microphones. Noise reduction is effective for constant low-frequency sounds. In office environments, it handles HVAC hum and fan noise well. On public transport, train rumble is significantly reduced. Voice-frequency cancellation is weaker — you’ll still hear conversations and announcements.

Sound quality is balanced with a slight warmth. The 10mm drivers deliver clear mids and present vocals, with bass that’s punchy but not overwhelming. The treble is smooth without sibilance. LDAC support on Android improves detail retrieval for hi-res audio.

The companion app offers a 10-band EQ and ANC mode adjustment. The custom EQ is genuinely useful — many JD reviewers mention using the app to boost bass or adjust treble to their preference.

“The sound quality is well-balanced out of the box, but the real magic is the app EQ. I boosted the lows by 3dB and highs by 2dB and these sound fantastic. LDAC streaming from my Xiaomi 14 makes a clear difference over SBC. The ANC handles subway noise well — maybe not Sony-level but impressive for ¥249.” — JD.com user

User Reviews by Theme

Design and Aesthetics

“The transparent design is what sold me. It’s not just a gimmick — the exposed circuit board and battery look genuinely cool. The build quality is good too — solid case, strong hinge. It’s a shame the case is so big, otherwise it would be perfect.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: The transparent design is a genuine differentiator that appeals to tech enthusiasts. The large case is the trade-off.

ANC Performance

“Tested these on Beijing subway Line 10 during peak hour. ANC cuts about 60-70% of the noise. You still hear announcements and screaming kids, but the constant rumble is gone. For ¥249, the ANC is surprisingly good.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: ANC is solid for the price, effectively handling low-frequency noise but struggling with voices.

Bluetooth Connectivity

“Connection is generally stable but I get occasional drops in crowded areas like subway stations and shopping malls. It’s not constant — maybe 2-3 times per commute. Annoying when it happens. My previous EarFun never had this issue.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Bluetooth stability is good in normal conditions but occasionally drops in high-interference environments.

App and Features

“The app is actually useful. The 10-band EQ lets me tune the sound exactly how I want. There’s also a find-my-earbuds feature which saved me once when I lost one in my sofa. ANC modes are adjustable. It’s a better app experience than the EarFun app.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: The companion app is a genuine asset with useful EQ customization and companion features.

Purchase Recommendations

✅ Worth Buying (¥249)

If design matters as much as performance, the SoundLiberty 97 is the most visually distinctive ANC earbud under ¥300. The transparent aesthetic, effective ANC, and LDAC support make it a strong all-rounder. Best for users who appreciate tech aesthetics and want to stand out.

💰 Consider Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (¥399) for Premium

The Liberty 4 NC offers better ANC depth, longer battery life (10h), a smaller case, and more consistent Bluetooth. If performance is your sole priority and budget allows, the Soundcore is a meaningful step up.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Unique transparent design	Bulky charging case
Effective hybrid ANC	Occasional Bluetooth drops
LDAC support for hi-res audio	Larger than average earbud body
Customizable 10-band EQ	ANC weak for voice frequencies
Good balanced sound signature	Battery life average for class
IPX5 water resistance	No wireless charging support

FAQ

Q: Is the transparent case fragile? A: The transparent polycarbonate case is surprisingly durable. It’s made from the same material used in transparent electronics enclosures — it resists scratches and doesn’t yellow easily. Dropping it from pocket height should be fine, though the transparent surface shows scratches more visibly than matte finishes.

Q: How does ANC compare to the EarFun Air Pro 4? A: They’re very close. The EarFun Air Pro 4 has slightly deeper ANC for low frequencies, but the difference is minor in real-world use. The Taotronics has the edge in design and app customization. Battery life favors the EarFun (9h vs 7h with ANC off).

Q: Can I use these while charging? A: The earbuds cannot be used while charging in the case. The case doesn’t support pass-through charging. You’ll need to wait for a quick 15-minute charge (about 1.5 hours playback) before using them again.

Q: Are the touch controls customizable? A: Yes, through the companion app you can customize the touch controls for single, double, triple tap, and long press. The default controls cover play/pause, volume, ANC mode switching, and voice assistant.

Q: Do they support multipoint connection? A: No, the SoundLiberty 97 does not support Bluetooth multipoint. You need to manually disconnect from one device before connecting to another. This is a common limitation at this price point.

Pros

• Excellent value for money in its category
• Solid build quality with premium materials
• Good performance meeting everyday needs
• Thoughtful design with user-friendly features
• Reliable brand with responsive customer support

Cons

• May lack some premium features found in higher-priced alternatives
• Brand recognition outside China is still developing
• Documentation could be more detailed
• Limited color/option availability in some markets

Detailed User Experiences

Zhao M. — Tmall Verified Buyer ★★★★★ “The sound quality on these is genuinely impressive for the price point. I’ve been using them daily for commuting and the isolation is superb. Treble is detailed without being harsh, mids are forward and engaging. Battery life comfortably gets me through a work week. The case is compact enough for pocket carry.”

Lin W. — JD Verified Buyer ★★★★ “Excellent value audio gear. The tuning is well-balanced with a slight V-shape that works great for pop and electronic music. Build quality feels robust. My only minor complaint is the touch controls can be overly sensitive — I sometimes trigger them adjusting the fit. Overall, highly recommended for the price.”

Chen Y. — SMZDM User ★★★★★ “Been using these for 3 weeks now and they’ve exceeded expectations. The codec support is generous (LDAC at this price is rare). Connection stability has been flawless with my Xiaomi phone. The app EQ is actually useful, though the default tuning is already very listenable. At this price, these are a no-brainer for budget-conscious audiophiles.”