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 ION Pathfinder 280 ranks #100, rated 2.2/5, and costs $199.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A fairly light stereo boombox, easy to carry to the beach or park. Its bass reaches about 39Hz before falling 10dB, against 58Hz for the ION Pathfinder 280. At 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) it weighs much less than the ION Pathfinder 280 at 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the ION Pathfinder 280. Watch for: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
The ION Pathfinder 280 is the longer-running option. A wheeled all day event speaker with a very long battery, lights, FM radio and a full graphic EQ that gets loud without strain. It is rated for 100 hours of battery against 20 for the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. The tradeoff: Out of the box, the midrange and treble are uneven enough to sound alternately honky and dull, and the bass does not extend as deeply as better party speakers.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ION Pathfinder 280 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one 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 wheeled all day event speaker with a very long battery, lights, FM radio and a full graphic EQ that gets loud without strain.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | ION Pathfinder 280 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) | Yes (High/Low frequency) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 140W | 120W |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm) | 14.8” x 10.6” x 17.6” (375.9 x 269.2 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters | 2x 4” (102mm) drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
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