Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 for the lower price. The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 ranks #89 of 136 medium speakers at $109. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $29 cheaper.
The case for the Soundcore Flare 2: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. The catch: Rolled off treble.
On the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 side: 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.
Buy the Soundcore Flare 2 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Flare 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Flare 2 | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $109.00 |
| Ranked | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 91Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 87dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g | 1.3 lbs / 608 g |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 2" active drivers + 2x 2" x 4" passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 20W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | - | 7.2" x 2.9" (184 x 73 mm) |
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- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Ultimate Ears Boom 3: $109.00 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
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- 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 27 comparisons