Short answer: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks #54 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $47.99; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 and costs $186.92, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 offers: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. Watch for: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Watch for: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
Buy the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $47.99 | $186.92 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #54 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W | - |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | Proprietary connector |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: $47.99 Amazon
Pros: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets.
Cons: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
Full Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $186.92 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech!
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons