Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Mini 3 is the better pick: it ranks #9 of 62 small speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5), against #55 (rated 2.5/5) for the Tronsmart Element Groove.
The Soundcore Mini 3 is the better-sounding, lighter pick. Deeper bass than most speakers its size. At 0.5 lbs (249 g) it weighs much less than the Tronsmart Element Groove at 0.9 lbs (423 g). It links with other speakers (PartyCast up to 100 speakers), which the Tronsmart Element Groove cannot. The catch: Rolled off highs.
The Tronsmart Element Groove is the longer-running pick. Rugged IPX7 cube with a rubberized shell that survives rain and dunks. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 15 for the Soundcore Mini 3. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Soundcore Mini 3 lacks. Watch for: Single 58mm driver tuned toward the mids and treble, so bass is thin and it can sound like a shower radio at moderate volume.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two.
About the ratings: the Tronsmart Element Groove’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.2 to 2.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 | Tronsmart Element Groove | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41 Discontinued | $25 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | - |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (249 g) | 0.9 lbs (423 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours | - |
| Amplifier Power | 6W | 10W |
| Dimensions | 2.8” x 2.8” x 3.3” (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 2.2” (103 x 103 x 57 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 1x 58mm full-range driver + passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (lanyard included) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 Discontinued eBay
Older models: the Soundcore Mini (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5) and the Soundcore Mini 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every Soundcore Mini generation.
Pros: Soundcore Mini 3 uses 52mm full-range driver. Its 249 g, claimed 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 87dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Deeper bass than most speakers its size. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification. Rolled off highs. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Mini 3 review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 6W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| 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
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- See all 30 comparisons
Tronsmart Element Groove: $25 Discontinued Estimated eBay
Pros: Rugged IPX7 cube with a rubberized shell that survives rain and dunks. Long claimed 24 hour battery life, aux input, microSD playback and stereo pairing with a second unit. Gets surprisingly loud for its size without audible crackling.
Cons: Single 58mm driver tuned toward the mids and treble, so bass is thin and it can sound like a shower radio at moderate volume. Mono only, no app or EQ. Discontinued and no longer sold new; Tronsmart now offers the Groove 2 in its place.
Full Tronsmart Element Groove review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 4.1” x 2.2” (103 x 103 x 57 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58mm full-range driver + passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard included) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (423 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Old Man/New Tech: Tronsmart Element Groove Micro Bluetooth Speaker Review: Tiny and Mighty?
- TechBroll: Tronsmart Element Groove Review [ENGLISH]
- Atam44: TRONSMART ELEMENT GROOVE VS JBL CLIP 2 VS JBL GO 2 PLUS VS JBL FLIP 3 SE
- Techlink Zone: Tronsmart Element Groove (Force Mini) vs Tronsmart Groove 2 Bluetooth Speakers Comparison.
- Денис Лялин: Tronsmart Element Groove VS JBL GO