Short answer: the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It ranks #2 of 50 small speakers at $59.99, while the Micro 2 ranks #18 at $129. That is a big gap in measured sound quality for less money, not much of a real tradeoff.
The Boom Go 3i is an exceptionally rugged, feature-loaded mini speaker for its price. It carries an IP68 rating for full submersion and dust protection, roughly 24 hours of battery life, app EQ, RGB lighting synced to music, a battery display, and USB-C power bank output with Auracast and TWS linking. Independent testing found it lasts nearly six hours at maximum volume with lights and BassUp enabled, matching its demanding claim. Its own notes are candid that this is still a 15W mono speaker: bass impact and stereo width are limited, and the upper treble can sound piercing or metallic to critical listeners, with a peak around 10kHz.
The Micro 2’s sound quality notes are more concerning than its predecessor’s. Its own notes describe a lack of clarity, an overly boosted bass that causes thudding and can overdrive or distort at higher volumes, and call it worse in this regard than the first-generation Micro. Turning down bass and treble in the app EQ is recommended just to tame it, and the notes place it clearly behind rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
The Micro 2 does have real design upgrades over its predecessor. It replaces the original hook clip, which was prone to breaking, with a fabric strap for mounting to bags or bikes, and its own notes say it sounds surprisingly good when mounted outdoors that way. It also holds a 1m, 30-minute submersion rating and adds AAC and aptX codec support that the Boom Go 3i lacks.
Everything else favors the Boom Go 3i: double the battery life, a built-in microphone, USB-C power bank output, and a higher IP68 rating versus IP67.
Buy the Soundcore Boom Go 3i for better measured sound quality, longer battery life, and more features at a lower price.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 only if the bike-mount strap and AAC/aptX codec support matter more to you than overall sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom Go 3i | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $129.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (380 g) | 0.7 lbs (329 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 15W | - |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 1.7” (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore Boom Go 3i compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- Minirig Mini vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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 Go 3i: $59.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: An exceptionally rugged 380g mini speaker with IP68 protection, a floating sound-forward design, app EQ, RGB lighting, a battery display, USB-C power-bank output and Auracast/TWS linking. It reaches about 92dB and independent testing finds it lasts nearly six hours at maximum volume with lights and BassUp enabled, matching its demanding claim.
Cons: This is still a 15W mono speaker: bass impact and stereo width are limited, and critical listeners may find the upper treble piercing or metallic. It is directional by design, so the sound changes off-axis, and independent reviews note it lacks a built-in microphone; it is far better for rugged outdoor background music than a large gathering.
Setup: Try out Oluv’s EQ which slightly improves the sound
Full Soundcore Boom Go 3i review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 15W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (380 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom Go 3i - first look More from Oluv’Sone →
- Techder Audios: Soundcore Boom Go 3i - Soundtest HOW GOOD IS 15W? WITH BASS UP 2.0!? More from techderaudios →
- Storytripper HD: Bose Micro 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Micro 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Gi Rides: Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 Binaural Audio
- TecH Moe: Soundcore Boom Go 3i: The Mini Speaker to Buy! More from TecHMoE →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Minirig Mini 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Minirig Mini
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3
- See all 61 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $129.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Micro (ranked lower, 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 | Yes |
| 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 53 comparisons