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Head-to-head · Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

Bose SoundLink Max 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

Bose SoundLink Max comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.1). Bose SoundLink Max is best for: outdoor users wanting premium sound. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Bose SoundLink Max
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Bose SoundLink Max
7 sources$399as of Oct 30

The Bose SoundLink Max pairs excellent sound quality with an enjoyable user experience in a premium, outdoor-friendly package. What Hi-Fi? praised the rugged design, the powerful bass, and the lively audio, while noting it lacks transparency and has no built-in microphone. At $399 it sits in premium territory next to competitors like the Dali Katch G2 and Sonos Move 2. Buyers who want a durable, high-performing portable speaker for outdoor use will be satisfied; anyone who needs call functionality won't.

Strengths
  • — Rugged, ergonomic design with silicone wrapping and carry handle
  • — Powerful, tight bass response
  • — Lively, energetic sound quality
Watch-outs
  • — Not the most transparent-sounding
  • — No built-in mic for taking calls
$399 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Soundcore Boom 3i
Ranked #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 Max

The Bose SoundLink Max is rated IP67 against the JBL Charge 6's IP68, and its 20-hour battery compares with the Charge 6's 24 hours. At 4.7 lb it is heavier than the Charge 6 at 2.18 lb and the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) at 1.3 lb. It costs more than the Charge 6, the SoundLink Flex and the Soundcore Boom 3i, and it has no built-in microphone for calls.

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 MaxSoundcore Boom 3i
Weight4.7 lb0.71 lb
WaterproofIP67IP68
Battery20 hours—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.4, USB-C, 3.5mm AUXBluetooth 5.0
Dimensions10.4 x 4.72 x 4.09 in8.27 x 3.35 x 3.09 in
Color OptionsBlack, Blue Dusk, Apricot, Hyper Citron, Carbon Blue, Chilled LilacAdventurer Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Jungle Green, Desert Rose Brown
MaterialPlastic—
Frequency Response—56 Hz - 20 kHz
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