Short answer: the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It ranks #2 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Bose Soundlink Micro ranks #19 and costs $89.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Boom Go 3i gets right: IP68 rated (full submersion + dustproof). ~24 hour battery life. RGB light strip syncs to the music. The tradeoff: Sounds a bit piercing and metallic. Bass knocks a little bit. Peak at 10khz.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Micro: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Very compact and pocketable at 0.68 lb. Watch for: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass.
Buy the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Micro 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 6 hours for the Bose Soundlink Micro.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom Go 3i | Bose Soundlink Micro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $89.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 380 g | 0.6 lbs / 289 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Output Power | 15W | 5W |
| Dimensions | 4" x 4.2" x 1.8" (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 90dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 66Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 50ms |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
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- Sony SRS-XB13 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
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- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro
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: $89.99 Amazon
Pros: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Very compact and pocketable at 0.68 lb.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass
Full Bose Soundlink Micro review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 289 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 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Klipsch Austin
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 5
- See all 26 comparisons