Short answer: the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021. It ranks #13 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 ranks #89 and costs $129.90, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 offers: A great sounding neutral speaker. Watch for: This old version has micro-usb charging. Only IPX5.
What the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 offers: Rich and warm bass without muddying mix, crisp highs, excellent 15-hour battery life, stable Bluetooth connectivity, IP67 rated and floats, rugged fabric shell, can pair up to 150 speakers via PartyUp Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2021. Lots of mentions of failing batteries on amazon. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 Discontinued | $129.90 |
| Ranked | #13 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g | 1.3 lbs / 608 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 1.75" x 2 active drivers + passive radiator | 2x 2" active drivers + 2x 2" x 4" passive radiators |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) | - |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 91Hz |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Dimensions | - | 7.2" x 2.9" (184 x 73 mm) |
| Max Volume | - | 87dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs JBL Flip 7
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- JBL Flip 7 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 Boost “original model” pre-2021: $60 Discontinued eBay
Pros: A great sounding neutral speaker.
Cons: This old version has micro-usb charging. Only IPX5. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.75" x 2 active drivers + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs JBL Flip 6
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs JBL Flip 7
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs JBL Charge 6
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs B&O Beosound A1
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- See all 73 comparisons
Ultimate Ears Boom 3: $129.90 Amazon eBay
Pros: Rich and warm bass without muddying mix, crisp highs, excellent 15-hour battery life, stable Bluetooth connectivity, IP67 rated and floats, rugged fabric shell, can pair up to 150 speakers via PartyUp
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2021. Lots of mentions of failing batteries on amazon. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Boom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 91Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.9" (184 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" active drivers + 2x 2" x 4" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 608 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Sony SRS-XB20
- See all 77 comparisons