Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It ranks #39 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $169.99; the EcoXGear Defender ranks #84, rated 2.5/5, and costs $299.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is the better-sounding choice. A fairly light stereo boombox, easy to carry to the beach or park. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the EcoXGear Defender lacks. It links with other speakers (PartyCast 2.0), which the EcoXGear Defender cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the EcoXGear Defender. Watch for: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
The case for the EcoXGear Defender: A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank. The catch: Its single front-facing driver layout has narrow dispersion: clarity and detail drop noticeably when you move off-axis, and the soundstage is limited.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality than the EcoXGear Defender and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A fairly light stereo boombox, easy to carry to the beach or park.
A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | EcoXGear Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 140W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm) | 6.7” x 15.4” x 9.6” (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters | 52mm full-range driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
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