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Head-to-head · Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) vs Soundcore Boom 3i

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 3i comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.0). Soundcore Boom 3i is best for: budget-conscious casual listeners. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Ranked #5 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
2 sources$159as of Oct 30

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) keeps the durable, waterproof design of its predecessor and makes minor improvements to the control interface. SoundGuys praised the rugged build and IP67 rating and called it a good match for outdoor use, while noting lackluster EQ options and minimal hardware upgrades from the original. A TechRadar user pointed to its day-to-day reliability and portability. It's a solid choice for anyone who wants a dependable portable speaker for travel or outdoor activities.

Strengths
  • — IP67 rugged build for dust and water resistance
  • — Durable rubberized finish with metal speaker grill
  • — Improved control strip with dedicated Play/Pause button
Watch-outs
  • — Minimal upgrades from 1st Gen
  • — Lackluster EQ options
$159 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Soundcore Boom 3i
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Soundcore Boom 3i
2 sources$59.99as of Oct 11

The Soundcore Boom 3i is a rugged, bass-forward portable speaker with an IP68 rating and a carry strap, aimed at pool decks and campsites rather than critical listening. SoundGuys scored it 8.4 out of 10 and called it the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker they had tested; PCMag was markedly cooler at 3.5 out of 5. The split is the story — the durability and the low end are genuinely good, the finer detail in the mids is not. Casual outdoor listeners will be happy; anyone chasing tonal accuracy should not be.

Strengths
  • — Compact and portable design suitable for outdoor use
  • — Solid bass response and overall sound quality for its size
  • — Built-in rechargeable battery with decent runtime
Watch-outs
  • — Mid and high frequencies lack detail, which shows on acoustic and vocal material
$59.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) weighs 1.3 lb, against 2.18 lb for the JBL Charge 6 and 4.7 lb for the Bose SoundLink Max. It shares the SoundLink Max's IP67 rating, and its battery runs up to 12 hours against 20 hours for the Max and 24 for the Charge 6. Its EQ options are lackluster, where the Charge 6 has a 7-band customizable EQ, and it costs less than the SoundLink Max.

Soundcore Boom 3i

The Soundcore Boom 3i is rated IP68, against IP67 for the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and IP68 for the JBL Charge 6. It weighs 0.71 lb, lighter than the SoundLink Flex at 1.3 lb and the Charge 6 at 2.18 lb, and it costs less than both. Its companion app has a fully user-adjustable EQ, and the Charge 6 offers a 7-band customizable EQ through the JBL Portable app.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)Soundcore Boom 3i
Weight1.3 lb0.71 lb
WaterproofIP67IP68
BatteryUp to 12 hours—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3, USB-CBluetooth 5.0
Dimensions7.99 x 1.77 x 3.5 in8.27 x 3.35 x 3.09 in
Color OptionsAlpine Sage, Sandstone, Blue Dust, BlackAdventurer Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Jungle Green, Desert Rose Brown
Frequency Response—56 Hz - 20 kHz
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