Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks #9 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $41; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Soundcore Mini 3 offers: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Watch for: Rolled off highs
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 offers: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life. Watch for: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundcore Mini 3 is rated for 15 hours, the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 only 10 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Soundcore Mini 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Max Volume | 87dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 6W | 8W |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 mm) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- JBL Clip vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Harman Kardon Neo
- JBL Clip 3 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
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 Mini 3: $41 Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
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- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- See all 28 comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 8W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
- See all 29 comparisons