Short answer: the Soundcore 3. It ranks #69 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $44.99; the Soundcore Select 3 ranks #87, rated 3.3/5, and costs $49.88, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Soundcore 3 is the lighter choice. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. At 0.8 lbs (372 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Select 3 at 1.3 lbs (576 g).
Why pick the Soundcore Select 3: Two 1.5 inch drivers give genuine stereo in a small box, with BassUp for extra punch. The catch: A retailer exclusive refresh of the Soundcore Select 2 formula, so bass depth is limited by the small drivers and BassUp compresses at high volume.
Buy the Soundcore 3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Soundcore Select 3 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Worth knowing: the Soundcore Select 3 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.0 to 3.5, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3 | Soundcore Select 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.99 | $49.88 |
| Ranked | #69 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #87 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) | 1.3 lbs (576 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 16W |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 38mm (1.5”) full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore 3 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs Soundcore 3
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore 3
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore 3
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore 3
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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: $44.99 Amazon $44.99 eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (ranked lower, rated 3/5). See every Soundcore 2 and 3 generation.
Pros: Soundcore 3 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. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore 3 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus - Best £50 speaker More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boost vs Soundcore 3 - Best small bluetooth speaker❓
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Anker SoundCore 3 Vs. SoundCore Select 2 Bass Sound Test
- Techder Audios: Anker Soundcore 3 Vs Soundynamic Twinkle Vs Xiaomi Mi 16w More from techderaudios →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Select 3: $49.88 Estimated Walmart $49.88 eBay
Pros: Two 1.5 inch drivers give genuine stereo in a small box, with BassUp for extra punch. 20 hour battery, full IPX7 waterproofing, a carry strap and PartyCast linking to other Soundcore speakers, all for about $50.
Cons: A retailer exclusive refresh of the Soundcore Select 2 formula, so bass depth is limited by the small drivers and BassUp compresses at high volume. No aux input and no app EQ confirmed. Mostly sold through Walmart, Costco and Verizon rather than Amazon.
Full Soundcore Select 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (576 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- TechFix Reviews: Soundcore Select 3 Review | Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Under $50
- Speaker Sound Battle: Bass Up Tech Vs JBL Bass!! Anker Soundcore Select 3 Vs JBL Flip 6 | Sound Battle Speaker Bluetooth
- Speaker Sound Battle: Anker Soundcore Select 3 Vs Tribit XSound Plus 2 | Sound Battle Bluetooth Speaker Portable Wireless
- Speaker Sound Battle: Soundcore Select 3 Vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | Sound Battle 🔊 Bluetooth Speaker Portable Wireless
- Speaker Sound Battle: Tribit Always Pricey? Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 Vs Anker Soundcore Select 3 | Close Sound Battle
- Speaker Sound Battle: Anker Soundcore Select 3 vs Sony SRS-Xb100 - Sound Battle Indoor Speaker Bluetooth Portable
- Head-to-Head Comparisons