Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 3i. It ranks #27 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $110; the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ ranks #46 and costs $230, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ side: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand. Watch for: Overly boosted bass, warm sounding.
What the Soundcore Boom 3i gets right: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. The tradeoff: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ is discontinued, but it still ranks #46 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Boom 3i at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ at IP55 (water jets).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve+ | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 Discontinued | $110 |
| Ranked | #46 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 56Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.91 kg | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 91mm fullrange | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 7.2" x 4.1" (105 x 184 x 105 mm) | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Output Power | - | 50W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II vs JBL Flip 4
- B&O Beosound A1 vs JBL Charge 5
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Revolve+: $230 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand. Built-in carry handle, useful even with wet hands; can hang from a hook via carabiner. ~12 hour battery at medium-high volume.
Cons: Overly boosted bass, warm sounding. Boosted mids. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve+ review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 7.2" x 4.1" (105 x 184 x 105 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 91mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.91 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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Soundcore Boom 3i: $110 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the Charge 5.
Cons: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close. An earlier firmware version had some bass distortion, update your firmware in the Soundcore App
Full Soundcore Boom 3i review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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