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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• XIAOWTEK A40 — biggest strength: It's a full audio solution: 12mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.3, active noise cancellation, an IPX7 waterproof rating and up to 50 hours of total playtime, all in one package.
• XIAOWTEK A40 — biggest trade-off: It's a half in-ear, plastic-and-silicone design with touch controls, so fit and finish lean casual rather than premium — and it's earbuds only, with no separate hard shell beyond the charging case itself.
• RLSOCO Hard Case — biggest strength: A compact 3.11 x 3.03 x 1.97-inch hard EVA shell with a polyester exterior, water-resistant, dust-resistant and scratch-resistant, backed by a two-year warranty and RoHS/SGS-certified materials.
• RLSOCO Hard Case — biggest trade-off: It's a case only — no earbuds, no cable, no charging gear — and it's built specifically around Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro / Liberty 5 Pro Max, so it won't fit just any earbuds.
• Who XIAOWTEK A40 is for: Buyers who need working earbuds right now for workouts, calls, gaming and commuting.
• Who RLSOCO Hard Case is for: Liberty 5 Pro or Liberty 5 Pro Max owners who want to stop tossing their charging case loose into a bag.
The A40 is the "everything you need in the box" option. XIAOWTEK packs in 12mm dynamic drivers tuned to a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz range, and the in-ear acoustic structure is designed to balance internal and external air pressure so the sound stays stable and voices cut through noisy rooms. For phone calls and video, Bluetooth 5.3 is the headline: the newer chip is meant to pair faster and hold a stronger, steadier signal than older Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds, with minimal lag so audio stays lined up with on-screen action.
Then there's the durability and battery story. IPX7 waterproofing means sweat, rain and splashes aren't a worry, which matters if you run, lift or commute in bad weather. XIAOWTEK rates playtime at up to 50 hours with the charging case, and a full charge takes about 1.5 hours. The buds are wireless-only (no headphone jack), work with both Android and iOS, and connect over Bluetooth up to roughly 10 meters. In the box you get the charging case, S/M/L ear tips, a Type-C cable and a manual, plus a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants a single purchase that covers music, calls, gaming and workouts, and who values battery life and water resistance over premium materials. Who should skip it: if you already own high-end earbuds and just need protection for them, or if you insist on a deep in-ear seal or metal-and-glass build quality, this isn't the pick.
RLSOCO Hard Case: Who It's For
The RLSOCO case solves a much narrower problem, and it solves it well. It's a hard-shell storage case designed for the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max, sized to hold the earbuds, their charging case, charging cables and small accessories. That "hard shell" detail is the whole point: a semi-rigid pouch lets your charging case rattle around and take knocks, while this one is built from high-density EVA with a polyester exterior to absorb shock and resist scratches.
The materials story is unusually specific for a case. RLSOCO says the fabric, lining and EVA compartments are certified under RoHS and SGS, and that it uses a thicker grade of EVA than typical storage cases so the shell doesn't deform easily. It's also described as resistant to odors, water and dust. Whether or not you care about certifications, the practical takeaway is a case that should hold its shape in a backpack instead of collapsing.
Portability is clearly a design priority. At roughly 3.11 x 3.03 x 1.97 inches, it's compact enough to drop into a purse, pocket, backpack or handbag — useful for daily carry, travel and the gym bag. The purple colorway makes it easy to spot at the bottom of a bag, which sounds trivial until you've dug through a dark backpack for a black case. RLSOCO backs it with a two-year warranty, which is a longer coverage window than the one-year warranty on the A40 earbuds.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for actually listening to music → XIAOWTEK A40. The RLSOCO case makes no sound at all; it's storage only.
• Best for long battery life → XIAOWTEK A40, with up to 50 hours of playtime via the charging case.
• Best for workouts and rain → XIAOWTEK A40, thanks to its IPX7 waterproof rating.
• Best for protecting gear you already own → RLSOCO Hard Case, with its hard EVA shell and scratch-, dust- and water-resistant build.
• Best for travel and bag carry → RLSOCO Hard Case. Its compact dimensions and hard shell are built for the bottom of a backpack.
• Best for low-latency gaming and video → XIAOWTEK A40, which uses Bluetooth 5.3 for a steadier signal and minimal audio delay.
• Best for earbuds-agnostic buyers → XIAOWTEK A40. The RLSOCO case is tailored to Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro / Liberty 5 Pro Max only.
• Best for warranty length → RLSOCO Hard Case, at two years versus one year for the A40.
In my opinion, most shoppers searching these two names should buy the XIAOWTEK A40, because it's the only one of the two that's a complete product — earbuds, charging case, cable, ear tips and a one-year warranty. It covers calls, music, gaming and sweaty workouts with IPX7 protection and up to 50 hours of playtime, and you can use it the day it arrives.
I'd only steer you to the RLSOCO Hard Case if you already own Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro or Liberty 5 Pro Max earbuds and your real problem is protection, not sound. In that scenario the hard EVA shell, compact footprint and two-year warranty make it the smarter buy. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your situation before you commit.
FAQ
It's built specifically for the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max. Other brands and models aren't listed as compatible, so fit isn't guaranteed. If you own a different pair, measure before buying.
Yes — they carry an IPX7 waterproof rating, which is designed to handle sweat, water and moisture. The half in-ear shape with three ear-tip sizes also helps you find a stable fit for exercise.
XIAOWTEK rates them at up to 50 hours of playtime using the charging case, with a charge time of roughly 1.5 hours. They connect over Bluetooth 5.3 with a range of about 10 meters.
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