Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #19 of 157 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $142.99. The Soundcore 3 ranks #62, rated 3.4/5, at $59.99, $83 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. An unusually versatile 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) outdoor speaker: IP67 dust/water protection, USB-C power-bank output, NFC pairing, lights, stereo pairing and a claimed 26-hour battery life. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 10dB, against 60Hz for the Soundcore 3. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 102dB at full volume, against 99dB for the Soundcore 3. The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The Soundcore 3 is the lighter choice. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. At 0.8 lbs (372 g) it weighs much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Xiaomi Sound Party.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $83 you would save on the Soundcore 3 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | Soundcore 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $142.99 | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 16W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 180ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Minirig 4
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Xiaomi Sound Party: $142.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: An unusually versatile 1.2kg outdoor speaker: IP67 dust/water protection, USB-C power-bank output, NFC pairing, lights, stereo pairing and a claimed 26-hour battery life. Several independent reviews describe a warm, generally balanced sound with clear vocals and useful bass impact when Bass Boost is off. It is also easy to carry thanks to the retractable handle. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing. One lab review found it loud but flat and unclean with blurred treble, while others hear the Bass Boost mode as boomy upper bass that can bottom out at high volume. It is not the strongest choice for a large party: tested output is around 94dB and rivals such as the Soundcore Boom 2 play louder with deeper bass. SBC is the only Bluetooth codec and there is no aux input.
Full Xiaomi Sound Party review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - first look
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party vs Boom 2 & Helsinki
- Alan Ross: JBL Charge 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Party – Honest No-BS Comparison More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross: Xiaomi Sound Party or Soundcore Boom 2 - 4 db louder?!
- Grimluck: XIAOMI Sound Party Review and Comparison (Jbl charge and Xiaomi outdoor)
- Jefferson C: XIAOMI Sound Party 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Miatone Boompro
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs JBL Flip 7
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- See all 120 comparisons
Soundcore 3: $59.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Soundcore 3 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 372 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 99dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons