Short answer: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks #58 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $49.99. The Dayton Audio Boost ranks #123, rated 2.4/5, at $29.98, $20.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. The catch: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
What the Dayton Audio Boost does well: Compact soda-can design, dual passive radiators, IPX5 waterproof, wireless stereo pairing capability, MicroSD card support. Watch for: Some midrange peaks, treble slightly rolled off.
Buy the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $20.01 saving on the Dayton Audio Boost is not enough to make up the difference.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 is rated for 24 hours, the Dayton Audio Boost only 6 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | Dayton Audio Boost | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $29.98 |
| Ranked | #58 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #123 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) | 0.9 lbs (426 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 3.5” x 3.5” x 4.3” (88.9 x 88.9 x 109.2 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | - |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.5” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: $49.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (rated 3/5).
Pros: Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 372 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 99dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bogasing M5
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
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Dayton Audio Boost: $29.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact soda-can design, dual passive radiators, IPX5 waterproof, wireless stereo pairing capability, MicroSD card support. Measured bass extension of 87Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Some midrange peaks, treble slightly rolled off. Not much bass. Same hardware as the Boat Stone 350/352/358
Full Dayton Audio Boost review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 3.5” x 4.3” (88.9 x 88.9 x 109.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.5” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (426 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Marshall Emberton II
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Marshall Emberton III
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Soundcore 2
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Dayton Audio Boost vs Tribit Xsound Go
- See all 14 comparisons