Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bose Soundlink Flex

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 3i for better sound quality, the Bose Soundlink Flex for the lower price. The Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #27 of 136 medium speakers at $110. The Bose Soundlink Flex ranks #34 at $89, $21 cheaper.

On the Soundcore Boom 3i side: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. The catch: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close.

What the Bose Soundlink Flex offers: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Set against that: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.

Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex if the price matters more than sound quality.

Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i at Amazon ($110) →Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex at Amazon ($89.00) →

Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bose Soundlink Flex

Specifications Side By Side

Soundcore Boom 3i Bose Soundlink Flex
Price$110$89.00
Ranked#27 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#34 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputNo-
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz56Hz
Battery Life16 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYesNo
IP RatingIP68IP67
Party ModeNoYes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.34.2
Dimensions8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm)7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm)
Drivers94mm woofer + tweeter1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators
Weight1.7 lbs / 783 g1.3 lbs / 589 g
Output Power50W-
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC-
Built in MicrophoneYesYes
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth Latency-33ms
Max Volume-96dB
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i at Amazon ($110) →Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex at Amazon ($89.00) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

The Two Speakers In Full

Soundcore Boom 3i: $110 Amazon Bhphotovideo

Soundcore Boom 3i ranking card

Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the Charge 5.

Cons: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close. An earlier firmware version had some bass distortion, update your firmware in the Soundcore App

Full Soundcore Boom 3i review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz
Battery Life16 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm)
Drivers94mm woofer + tweeter
EQYes
IP RatingIP68
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power50W
Party ModeNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight1.7 lbs / 783 g
Check current price at Amazon ($110) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →Search eBay for Soundcore Boom 3i →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Bose Soundlink Flex ranking card

Pros: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Around 12 hours of battery at moderate volume.

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail

Full Bose Soundlink Flex review and specifications →

AppYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Latency33ms
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm)
Drivers1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume96dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs / 589 g
Check current price at Amazon ($89.00) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Flex →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.