Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 3i for the lower price. These rank #31 and #20 out of 164 medium speakers, $24 apart, and the gap is close enough that price could reasonably decide it.
Both speakers chase a similar target but land differently. The Boom 3i’s pros describe it as designed to directly compete with the JBL Charge 5, with a very similar warm, bass-boosted sound profile, and its cons admit it doesn’t quite match the Charge 5 on loudness or balance, though it comes very close. The Xiaomi takes the opposite approach: its pros describe it as sounding pretty balanced overall and more neutral than the Charge 5, though its own cons flag a slightly thuddy 180Hz bass peak at high volume and treble that’s noticeably boosted by default.
Battery life clearly favors the Xiaomi. It’s rated for 26 hours against 16 hours for the Boom 3i, a meaningful gap for all-day outdoor use. Bass extension is close either way, at 54Hz for the Xiaomi and 56Hz for the Boom 3i, both at -10dB.
What the Xiaomi Sound Party adds: Party Connect for up to 100 speakers (the Boom 3i has no party mode at all), a USB-C power bank output, and a 4-driver array (2x 40mm woofers plus 2x 15mm tweeters) versus the Boom 3i’s single 94mm woofer-and-tweeter unit.
What the Soundcore Boom 3i adds: a higher IP68 rating (full submersion-rated) versus the Xiaomi’s IPX7, and AAC Bluetooth codec support on top of SBC.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i if the lower price and full-submersion waterproofing matter more than closing a small sound-quality gap.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party if you want the more neutral, balanced tuning and the longer battery life, and can spend $24 more.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 3i | Xiaomi Sound Party | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $118.99 | $142.99 |
| Ranked | #31 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 50W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 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 | 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
- 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 Bogasing M4
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Xiaomi Sound Party: $142.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: An unusually versatile 1.2kg outdoor speaker: IP67 dust/water protection, USB-C power-bank output, NFC pairing, lights, stereo pairing and a claimed 26-hour battery life. Several independent reviews describe a warm, generally balanced sound with clear vocals and useful bass impact when Bass Boost is off. It is also easy to carry thanks to the retractable handle. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing. One lab review found it loud but flat and unclean with blurred treble, while others hear the Bass Boost mode as boomy upper bass that can bottom out at high volume. It is not the strongest choice for a large party: tested output is around 94dB and rivals such as the Soundcore Boom 2 play louder with deeper bass. SBC is the only Bluetooth codec and there is no aux input.
Full Xiaomi Sound Party review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - first look
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party vs Boom 2 & Helsinki
- Alan Ross: JBL Charge 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Party – Honest No-BS Comparison More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross: Xiaomi Sound Party or Soundcore Boom 2 - 4 db louder?!
- Grimluck: XIAOMI Sound Party Review and Comparison (Jbl charge and Xiaomi outdoor)
- Jefferson C: XIAOMI Sound Party 2025
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