Short answer: the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It ranks #2 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 and costs $99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Boom Go 3i offers: IP68 rated (full submersion + dustproof). ~24 hour battery life. RGB light strip syncs to the music. The catch: Sounds a bit piercing and metallic. Bass knocks a little bit. Peak at 10khz.
On the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 side: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore Boom Go 3i is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Micro 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom Go 3i | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 15W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 92dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Teufel Boomster Go vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Marshall Willen II vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Mifa Tango vs Muzen Wild Mini
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Boom Go 3i: $79.99 Amazon Aliexpress
Pros: IP68 rated (full submersion + dustproof). ~24 hour battery life. RGB light strip syncs to the music. USB-C port doubles as a power bank for charging your phone.
Cons: Sounds a bit piercing and metallic. Bass knocks a little bit. Peak at 10khz
Setup: Try out Oluv’s EQ which slightly improves the sound
Full Soundcore Boom Go 3i review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 15W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 380 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom Go 3i - first look
- Techder Audios: Soundcore Boom Go 3i - Soundtest HOW GOOD IS 15W? WITH BASS UP 2.0!?
- Storytripper HD: Bose Micro 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Micro 2
- Gi Rides: Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 Binaural Audio
- TecH Moe: Soundcore Boom Go 3i: The Mini Speaker to Buy!
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boom Go 3i Review
- 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 19 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $99.00 Amazon
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 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 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
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- See all 22 comparisons