Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro. It ranks #8 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $30; the Bose Soundlink Micro ranks #19 and costs $90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro: Lights on top. The tradeoff: Rolled off highs.
What the Bose Soundlink Micro gets right: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). The catch: Lack of clarity.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro. 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 Mini 3 Pro is rated for 15 hours versus 6 hours for the Bose Soundlink Micro.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 Pro | Bose Soundlink Micro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 | $90.00 |
| Ranked | #8 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g | 0.6 lbs / 289 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Output Power | 6W | 5W |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.6" (71.1 x 71.1 x 91.4 mm) | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| Max Volume | 87dB | 90dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 50ms |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Tribit PocketGo vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Klipsch Austin
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Marshall Willen II vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Mini 3 Pro: $30 Amazon
Pros: Lights on top. Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size.
Cons: Rolled off highs. Real-world battery life falls well short of the 15-hour claim at higher volumes. Buttons are hard to see (black print on black housing) and it won’t multipoint to two phones at once.
Full Soundcore Mini 3 Pro review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.6" (71.1 x 71.1 x 91.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 6W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Soundcore Mini 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Vifa City
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Marshall Willen II
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Minirig Mini
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- See all 18 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Micro: $90.00 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 | No |
| 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
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- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 5
- See all 22 comparisons


