Short answer: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks #54 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $49.99; the Xiaomi Mi Portable ranks #58 and costs $55, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets. Watch for: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
What the Xiaomi Mi Portable gets right: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. Set against that: A bit of a sharp treble.
Buy the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Xiaomi Mi Portable 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 13 hours for the Xiaomi Mi Portable.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | Xiaomi Mi Portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $55 |
| Ranked | #54 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #58 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W | 16W |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Sony XB33
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Sony XB33 vs JBL Flip 4
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: $49.99 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Sony XB33
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs JBL Flip 4
- See all 9 comparisons
Xiaomi Mi Portable: $55 Amazon
Pros: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. USB-C charging, stereo pairing support.
Cons: A bit of a sharp treble
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB33
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 5
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 4
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB23
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Tronsmart Element Force