Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #29 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality at $118.99; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $129.
Why pick the Soundcore Boom 3i: 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.
Why pick the Bose Soundlink Micro 2: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. The tradeoff: Lack of clarity.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i at $118.99 for a medium speaker, or the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 at $129 for a small speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 3i | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $118.99 | $129.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 1.7” (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) | 0.7 lbs (329 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Soundcore Boom 3i:
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Boom 3i: $118.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs JBL Charge 5
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Cleer Audio Scene
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Teufel Rockster XS
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bogasing G4
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- See all 116 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $129.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Micro (rated 3.5/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Compact fabric strap for clipping to bags/bikes - replaces the 1st-gen’s hook clip, which was prone to breaking. USB-C charging. Surprisingly good bass when mounted outdoors, like on a bike.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass that causes some thudding, and can overdrive/distort at higher volumes - worse in this regard than the 1st-gen model. Overly boosted treble, turn down bass and treble in the EQ. Falls clearly behind the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 4.1” x 1.7” (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (329 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Tozo PE1
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- See all 52 comparisons