Short answer: the Marshall Emberton II, if you are buying new. The Soundcore Glow ranks higher than it (#46 vs #106 of 145 medium speakers, 3.6/5 vs 2.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Marshall Emberton II is still sold new at $159.99.
The Marshall Emberton II’s strengths: A 30-hour battery life, among the best in its class, with a 20-minute quick charge good for 4 hours, plus an IP67 rating and a durable rubbery build made from 50% recycled plastic. But: it has a strange, unnatural echo-like coloration, bass that doesn’t dig as deep as competitors, sound that only fires front and rear rather than truly 360 degrees, and it isn’t very loud.
In its favor, the Soundcore Glow: A nice light show, with the treble boosted about 7db, though it isn’t technically a 360 speaker, only firing front and rear. Against it: its bass falls off quickly at louder volumes leaving mostly treble with distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume, the light effects and bass boost noticeably shorten battery life, and the USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging.
Buy the Marshall Emberton II, since the Soundcore Glow is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Battery life favors the Marshall Emberton II: rated for 30 hours against 18 hours for the Soundcore Glow.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton II | Soundcore Glow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #106 of 145 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 145 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 30W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Glow:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Glow
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Emberton II: $159.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Emberton III, ranked higher, rated 2.7/5.
Pros: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud.
Full Marshall Emberton II review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs Marshall Stockwell 2 - little guy goes louder?? 🤓 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Minirig MK3 and Marshall Emberton - best bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Marshall Emberton review - mono or pseudo surround sound? 🤷♀️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Passione Speaker: Bass Test Marshall Emberton 2 vs Emberton 3
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Emberton II vs Marshall Emberton III
- Marshall Emberton II vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Marshall Emberton II vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Marshall Emberton II vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Marshall Emberton II vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Marshall Emberton II vs Soundcore Flare 2
- Marshall Emberton II vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Marshall Emberton II vs W-King D8 Mini
- See all 115 comparisons
Soundcore Glow: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume. Light effects and bass-boost noticeably shorten battery life. USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Glow review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Glow vs JBL Pulse 5
- Soundcore Glow vs W-King D320
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Soundcore Glow vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Soundcore Glow vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Soundcore Glow vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 71 comparisons