Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks #9 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $41; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 and costs $99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Mini 3 gets right: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. The catch: Rolled off highs.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Micro 2: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. The tradeoff: Lack of clarity.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #9 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Max Volume | 87dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 6W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Vifa City
- JBL Go 4 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Go 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Mini 3: $41 Amazon
Pros: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size.
Cons: Rolled off highs
Full Soundcore Mini 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 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 vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Vifa City
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Marshall Willen II
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Marshall Willen
- See all 15 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 | No |
| 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
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- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Marshall Willen
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- See all 18 comparisons