Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks #9 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $41; the Bose Soundlink Micro ranks #19 and costs $90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Soundcore Mini 3 side: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Set against that: Rolled off highs.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Micro: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). The tradeoff: Lack of clarity.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3. 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 is rated for 15 hours versus 6 hours for the Bose Soundlink Micro.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 | Bose Soundlink Micro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41 | $90.00 |
| Ranked | #9 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) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | 50ms |
| Max Volume | 87dB | 90dB |
| 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 Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 6W | 5W |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Minirig Mini vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Marshall Willen II vs Soundcore Mini 3
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 4
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: $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
- 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 22 comparisons


