Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 3i. It ranks #31 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $118.99 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #134 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Soundcore Boom 3i is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the JBL Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Flare 2. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Flare 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Not quite as good as a JBL Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close.
The Soundcore Flare 2 is the lighter choice. Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. At 1.3 lbs (600 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Boom 3i at 1.7 lbs (783 g). It links with other speakers (PartyCast up to 100 speakers), which the Soundcore Boom 3i cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Soundcore Boom 3i. The catch: Rolled off treble.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Soundcore Flare 2 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 3i | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $118.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #31 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Boom 3i: $118.99 Amazon $118.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the JBL Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the JBL Charge 5. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not quite as good as a JBL 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 →
| Released | Jun 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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
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- Picky Audio: Compact Speaker BEAST! 🔥 soundcore Boom 3i More from pickyaudio →
- Clinch Audio Bass: Mirtune C3 Plus 50w VS SoundCore Boom 3i 50w
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart T6 Plus upgraded edition vs Anker Motion Plus and Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
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