Head-to-head · Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

Anker Soundcore 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 3.4). Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker is best for: people who want a loud, bass-heavy party speaker with long battery life. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

Anker Soundcore 2

3.4

4 sources$29.99as of Oct 11

The Anker Soundcore 2 is the best budget pick under $100, delivering around 24 hours of battery and IPX7 water resistance for a price that's often well under $50. It's a remarkable value. The sound can strain at high volume and it still uses micro-USB, but as an affordable, long-lasting everyday speaker it's hard to argue with.

Strengths

— Outstanding battery life rated around 24 hours
— Excellent value, frequently available for well under $50
— IPX7 water resistance handles rain and splashes

Watch-outs

— Overall sound quality trails pricier rivals and can sound strained when loud
— Bass lovers will still want more low-end punch
— Older micro-USB charging rather than USB-C

$29.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker

4.0

2 sources$100as of Oct 17

The Soundcore Boom 2 is a mini boombox-style Bluetooth speaker with a carry handle, an 80 W peak output, IPX7 waterproofing and a claimed 24-hour battery. CNET found it delivers impressive sound for its size and gave it an Editors' Choice award for 2024, while TechGearLab measured 33 hours 48 minutes of playback and a peak of 99.8 dB. Both note it has no dust-resistance rating, and TechGearLab heard compression at full volume and found the highs a little dull. It suits people who want a loud, bass-heavy speaker for parties, the pool or a campsite; anyone who wants something pocketable or a neutral, detailed sound should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Ran for 33 hours 48 minutes in TechGearLab's battery test, beating its 24-hour rating
— Measured 99.8 dB at full volume, loud enough for a mid-sized gathering
— IPX7 waterproof and floats if it falls into water

Watch-outs

— Weighs 3.7 lb and takes up about half a backpack
— Sound compresses and distorts at the highest volume
— No dust-resistance rating

$100 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Anker Soundcore 2

It trades the IP67 toughness of the JBL and Sony picks for slightly lower IPX7 water resistance and lacks their USB-C charging.

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker

The Boom 2 is much larger than the JBL Clip 5: TechGearLab measured 3.7 lb against 0.6 lb, and the Clip 5 carries an IP67 dust and water rating where the Boom 2 is IPX7 waterproof only. In exchange, TechGearLab measured the Boom 2 at 100 dB to the Clip 5's 87 dB and recorded 33.8 hours of battery against 8.8. It is a bigger, louder alternative to the Sony SRS-XB100 and Anker Soundcore 2 for users who do not need a speaker that fits in a pocket.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Anker Soundcore 2	Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker
Drivers	Dual drivers + spiral bass port	—
Power Output	12W RMS	—
Battery Life	Up to 24 hours	—
Waterproofing	IPX7 (water resistant)	—
Bluetooth	5.0	—
Stereo Pairing	Yes (two units)	—
Charging	Micro-USB	USB-C, with USB-out port
Weight	414 g	—
Peak Output	—	80 W
Water Resistance	—	IPX7, floats
Measured Weight	—	3.7 lb
Dimensions	—	12.0 x 4.0 x 7.0 in
Claimed Battery Life	—	24 hours
Speaker Linking	—	PartyCast 2.0
Connectivity	—	Bluetooth, multipoint pairing

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