We were looking for a relatively inexpensive portable wireless Bluetooth speaker to replace a fun –looking Big Lots “boom box” style speaker that lasted for about a year. Our primary use is for streaming music or internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify, and listening by the pool and while having dinner.
My wife and I decided to take a listen to 3 highly reviewed speakers that received mostly positive reviews on Amazon. Here are the 3 speakers tested:
1. Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 (Cost: $27.99)
2. Anker SoundCore (Cost: $35.99)
3. JBL Flip 3 Splashproof ($81.30)
We were really hoping that the less expensive speakers would have been close in sound quality to the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof. Sadly,that just wasn’t the case. Upon the very first look, when opening up the box, you get a sense that Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 is a very no-frills, inexpensive speaker. The packaging, the speaker, the extremely short, tiny USB charging cable. Visually speaking, this speaker screamed no-frills.
Conversely, the Anker SoundCore gave the impression that you were opening up a well-constructed, tiny speaker. It was packaged nicely, easy instructions, it felt a lot more substantial than the Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3. Aditionally, the USB charging cable looked like your average size charging cable for your portable devices.
Last, was the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof. At $81.30, it was a lot more money than we were hoping to spend on a portable pool speaker. It was plain to see that this speaker just looked “ more expensive” than the other two models. Great packaging, a super long and thick USB charging cable that came in an eye-catching orange colored jacket. The speaker itself looked awesome too with its compact cylinder shape.
Enough about the appearance… a speaker is all about ease of use and more importantly -- how it sounds. How did all 3 sound and how easy were they to use?
On all 3 speakers in our test, we used 3 separate Samsung Galaxy 7s phones. We played the same identical songs on each speaker and set the volume identical on all 3 phones. Here were our results-
1. Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3. Unfortunately, this speaker was the least inspiring of the three speakers. The sound was clear. However, it sounded tiny, none to very little bass. It projected a rather flat sound with the various music we played through it. It was though extremely easy to use, and the Bluetooth worked flawlessly. I would generously give it 3 Stars. On sound alone, I’d say it’s more 2 Stars.
2. Anker SoundCore – This speaker was hands-down better than the Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 for just a few dollars more. Lots of great features – all of which worked perfectly. The only downside of the Anker SoundCore was that it lacked bass. The sound coming out of the Anker SoundCore is very balanced and fairly loud for such a small speaker. I would lean more towards the 4 Star mark on the Anker SoundCore simply for delivering a very nice, balanced sound quality, and is capable of filling a small room.
3. JBL Flip 3 Splashproof – At $81.30, we were really hoping that this wouldn’t be a situation where “you get what you pay for”. Unfortunately, it was in the end. Regardless of the song, or the type of music we played through it, it was far superior to the other two speakers. It worked flawlessly and the sound/projection of sound coming out blew away the other speakers. The Flip 3 Splashproof produced a rich, full sound that was extremely clear and thumped just the right amount of bass. It easily fills space with great clarity.
All-in-all, the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof blew away this competition. 5 Stars. If you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with the Anker SoundCore. If you can swing the extra bucks for the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof – go for it! It sounds amazing!
Update: Even though the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof sounds very good, the Bluetooth range is awful. As long as your phone is within a very short distance of this speaker you will be happy. The Bluetooth range on the Anker is WAY better than the JBL.
Make it a bundle
We found 1 bundle with this item:
Upgraded, Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker with IPX5 Waterproof, Stereo Sound, 24H Playtime, Portable Wireless Speaker for iPhone, Samsung and More
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4 stars and above
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From the brand
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soundcore creates audio products that spark emotions through music.
Amplify your listening experience with true wireless earbuds, over-ear headphones, audio glasses, and Bluetooth speakers.
soundcore is now available in more than 50 countries, has over 20 million users, 181 licensed patents, and many exclusive technologies such as ACAA.
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From the manufacturer
Anker Soundcore
Anker Soundcore combines superior sound with precision design and our power management technology to create speakers which put your music first.
Soundcore
Soundcore delivers astonishing sound from a lightweight, portable speaker with incredible build quality.
Boasting an impressive 24-hour battery life to play your soundtrack all day long, Soundcore takes you on an unforgettable journey. Music is no longer lost in the background, it becomes the core of your adventure.
- Astonishing Sound
- 24-Hour Playtime
- IPX5 Waterproof
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Drop-Proof
- Lightweight Design
- Built-In Mic
Anker Soundcore
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Waterproof CasingIPX5-rated protection defends Soundcore against spilled drinks, rain, and other liquids. |
Astonishing SoundDual full-range drivers, a patented bass port, and a fine-tuned Digital Signal Processor present music with rousing highs and deep lows. Even at high volumes, there’s less harmonic distortion resulting in remarkable clarity. |
24 Hour Battery LifeSoundcore synergizes Anker’s power management technology and a high-efficiency battery for up to 24 hours of sublime audio. |
Anker Soundcore
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Connect with AlexaSoundcore connects with Alexa-enabled devices. |
Rock-Solid ConnectionBluetooth 5.0 ensures your devices maintain a strong, stable connection up to 66 ft away for skip-free music. |
Instant SetupUse with phones, tablets and almost any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Soundcore reconnects to the last device used for instant music playback. |
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| Soundcore | Soundcore 2 | Soundcore Boost | Soundcore Motion Boom | Soundcore Motion+ | Soundcore motion boom plus | |
| Sound | Loud Stereo Sound, Balanced Sound Profile | Stereo Sound, Deeper Bass | Stronger Stereo Sound, Deeper Bass | Huge Stereo Sound, Stronger Bass, Pure Titanium Diaphragms | Hi-Res Audio Certification, Enhanced Sound Dispersion, Ultra-Wide Frequency Range, Qualcomm aptX, Customizable EQ | Booming Stereo Sound, Enhanced Sound Dispersion, Extreme Bass, Customizable EQ |
| Playtime | 24 Hours | 24 Hours | 12 hours | 24 Hours | 12 hours | 20 Hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Wireless Stereo Pairing | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Soundcore App | — | — | Four EQ Settings, Software Upgrades | Four EQ Settings, Software Upgrades | Four EQ Settings, Customizable EQ,Software Upgrades | Four EQ Settings, Customizable EQ,Software Upgrades |
| Recommended For | Indoor Bedroom Kitchen Travel | Travel Shower Bathroom | Indoor Bedroom Kitchen | Hiking Boat Beach Camping Picnic | Indoor Bedroom Living Room | Hiking, Boat, Beach, Camping, Picnic |
Customer reviews
Amazing package which punches way above it's weight at $25 bucks! (Very Detailed Review)
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
Anker Soundcore ReviewI bought this device 4 weeks back and have been using it and testing it on a consistent basis. Here’s my review of the Anker Soundcore. I base my review on the following criteria.1. Sound clarity2. Volume3. Durability4. Connectivity5. Battery Life6. LooksPros – Amazing sound clarity, Very good mids and highs, Superb Battery Life, Very LoudCons – Bass can be so-so (but for $25 it can’t get better)1. Sound clarity.I will give you a very realistic assessment of the sound quality of the speakers.Bass - Most speakers in this price range have little to no bass at all. The bass on the Anker Soundcore can surely be a little underwhelming (ignoring the price point for now) but saying it has little to no bass would surely be an understatement. When these speakers are placed near a wall and you are listening to them from upto 2-3 feet, you can hear some bass. This bass is slightly on the higher end of the bass spectrum, so there is not much oomph to it, but it does sound clear. Now taking the price point into consideration, I think Anker has really done an amazing job with the bass. It really doesn’t get better than this at an $25. Sure it doesn’t sound like the $150 JBL Charge 4, but so what? I believe it is not possible to provide amazing bass at this price point, and the Anker Soundcore gets out the best it can for 25 bucks.Mids and Treble – Oh my my! This is where I fell in love with the speakers. The mids sound really good and the treble might give other twice or triply priced speakers a run for its money. I actually bought these speakers to listen to videos and audiobooks (and some occasional music), and its just so damn perfect for this. I absolutely love listening to the mid-range voices coming from the speaker. Additionally, the hihats and other high sounds very crisp.If you have a small budget and are looking to get Bluetooth speakers, please stop reading all reviews, do yourself a favor, and just get one of these, you surely won’t regret.2. VolumeSound clarity doesn’t mean anything if the speakers can’t get loud enough and/or can’t maintain clarity at loud volumes. These speakers surely tick (infact, maybe even double tick) these boxes. I stay in a 1000 sq ft house with two bedrooms. When I play this in the living room (~500 sq ft) at full volume, this fills the entire room and a good amount of the remaining house. It is loud and if you were to not look at this and just listen to it, you would surely feel as if the sound was coming from speakers that are much larger. The small package pushes out a really good volume of sound. The sound maintains clarity at the highest of volumes. So, Loud Volume – Check, Clarity at loud volume – Check.3. DurabilityThe package seems very sturdy and seems like it’s built to last. Haven’t tried to drop it active or put it into water, but the Anker Sound core seems like it could take a lot of abuse if needed. One of the reviewers here was mentioning that they dropped the speaker from a height of 8 feet onto a tile floor but it still worked fine. Please don’t do it, but I think it might last if you were to.4. ConnectivityI have no issues with connectivity in the house. Even when I place the speakers in the corner of the room and take my phone to the other end (with multiple walls in between), I have faced no connectivity issues. For other ranges, I haven’t been able to test it actively. I did some research on amazon and other places online and found out the actual range varies between 40 and 70 feet, with a clear line of sight. This should also be fine enough for this range.5. Battery lifeThis claims to have a battery life of 24 hours. I am not mad enough to test it in reality, but in my experience, I have had to charge it only once in the past four weeks. I listen to it for an hour or two a day. When I used the speakers out of the box, it had a battery about 20%. That battery lasted a week and could have lasted more, if I didn’t choose to charge it because of the annoying low battery sound below 10%. I think this has a really fantastic battery life. No complaints at all.6. LooksI got the blue color and I got my girlfriend the black color. The unit looks sexy AF and I have no complaints in this department at all. Just one little thing, the speakers are slightly prone to finger prints.Final Verdict – Budget below $30? Please stop reading and buy it.P.S. This is an honest review of these. I have not been sponsored by anyone. If you found this review helpful, please select “Yes” below.It would be great if others could access this in-depth review. I fear this review will be lost in the sea of reviews. Anyways, thanks if you read this through
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
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Top reviews from other countries
Moti
I compared this speaker in details and....
Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2020Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I compared this speaker in details and....
Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2020
This speaker had great reviews, so I tried one out - I compared this Anker in detail to some other portable speakers I have. I used my high end Bose Soundlink ($250) and a budget/comparable VTIN R2 (available on Amazon.ca for under $30).Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2020
The Bose was superior, no surprise there , but compared to the cheaper VTIN R2 though, the differences are smaller and harder to see.
Summary:
Overall 3/5
Sound quality - 2/5 - clear voice, good for podcasts, terrible for music with bass.
CLEAR decent mids/highs but TERRIBLE bass. I would have given up some of that highs/mids clarity for some bass.
See video for comparison to VTIN speaker. the VTIN had surprisingly good bass.
Build Quality - 4/5 - This is WELL built , except no covers for the usb/aux ports. But it feels worth more like a $100 speaker than $50. Blue LED is annoying though.
VTIN is not built as well but does have covers for ports, it gets a 2/5.
Battery 4/5 - Pretty decent, ran for hours, but so did the VTIN.
Anker makes some really good products, but probably to get decent portable sound that comes close to expectations of the brand you may want to buy the more expensive $100 speakers and be happy with the sound as well as build quality. For this price range, I would just go cheaper, get a meidong or a vtin and keep your expectations mid/low overall.
Note - All speakers were paid for and owned by me, None of these review/promoted units.
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Gordon Downey
Well made, sounds great, portable.
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2017Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Well made, sounds great, portable.
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2017
I plan on using this speaker on my deck - so small and portable was important as I don't plan on leaving it outside.Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2017
The speaker has a nice solid feel to it - the exterior has a silky soft texture that make it look and feel expensive. The operating buttons are slightly embossed and barely noticeable from a distance (which suits my preference). Power and auxiliary ports are located on the side of the unit - powered via short usb cable (included). The speaker is also equipped with a microphone that will allow you to take phone calls while connected.
I haven't had the product long enough to verify the advertised battery life, but I can try to update once I have had a chance to run it at home.
Edit - battery is exactly as advertised. I honestly plug it in every 5 uses or so just in case (hours of usage). Great speaker. Great value.
Sound quality is as expected for a unit in this price range. Very clear at low volumes, but only packs so much punch when cranked - but that is what you are getting with a speaker this size, so it is more a statement of reality than criticism.
If you want bass output, this isn't going to satisfy you. It has kick, but this isn't going to pump out your house / electronic music the way a larger system will, which should be obvious.
I was able to connect my phone via Bluetooth within seconds of turning the unit on, but you can connect directly using an auxiliary cable if you prefer.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in a nicely constructed portable speaker. My parents recently purchased a Bose mini-link system and after listening to both, and in my opinion there isn't a noticeable difference in sound quality. However, you would be spending $100 less on the Anker speaker.
Great return for the price, would buy again.
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B
Would Buy Again. Better than SoundBot® SB571
Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2017Color: BlackVerified Purchase
