Anker Soundcore is a leading brand in the portable speaker market, and it offers a wide range of products to choose from. The company offers a range of Bluetooth speakers for different usage, but its core product remains to be the original Soundcore Series.
The speakers in this lineup are all priced below $50 and compete with the likes of JBL, Bose, and Ultimate Ears.
If you’re looking for an Anker Soundcore portable speaker, then you may be wondering which one is the best option: the Soundcore 1, Soundcore 2, or Soundcore 3?
In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the three speakers to help you decide which is the best for you.
| Anker Soundcore 1 | Anker Soundcore 2 | Anker Soundcore 3 | |
| Brand | Anker | Anker | Anker |
| Model | Soundcore 1 | Soundcore 2 | Soundcore 3 |
| Check Price on Amazon | Link | Link | Link |
| Release Date | October 21, 2015 | January 15, 2017 | June 17, 2020 |
| Suitable For | Indoor, Bedroom, Kitchen, Travel | Travel, Shower, Bathroom | Bedroom, Shower, Beach |
| Successor | Soundcore 2 | Soundcore 3 | None |
| Predecessor | None | Soundcore 1 | Soundcore 2 |
| Colors | Red – Blue – Black | Red – Blue – Black – Teal | Red – Blue – Black – Gray |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, USB | Wireless, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Auxiliary |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Speaker Type | Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker | Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker | Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker |
| Playtime | 24 Hours | 24 Hours | 24 Hours |
Anker Soundcore 1 vs Soundcore 2 vs Soundcore 3: Price
The new Soundcore 3 is the most expensive of the three, with a price tag of $49.99. but have better features than the remaining two.
Soundcore 3
However, the Soundcore 2 is $10 cheaper than the Soundcore 3 and offers almost the same features with a few exceptions.
Soundcore 2
The Soundcore 1 is the cheapest of the three, selling for just $27.99.
Soundcore 1
Anker Soundcore 1 vs Soundcore 2 vs Soundcore 3: Design
| Anker Soundcore 1 | Anker Soundcore 2 | Anker Soundcore 3 | |
| Weight | 0.79 lbs | 0.79 lbs | 0.82 lbs |
| Dimension | 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.9 inches | 6.5 x 2.2 x 1.8 inches | 6.85 x 2.36 x 2.24 inches |
| Colors | Red – Blue – Black | Red – Blue – Black – Teal | Red – Blue – Black – Gray |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Build Material | Metal & Rubber | Rubberized Matt Finish | Metal & Rubber |
The main difference in design among Soundcore 1, Soundcore 2, and Soundcore 3 is of water resistance, build material, and color options.
The Anker Soundcore 1 is a great option to use Indoor, Bedroom, Kitchen, and Travel due to its lightweight design and portable size. It also has a water-resistant rating of IPX5, meaning it can be used in light rain without issue. Additionally, the Soundcore 1 is made of metal and rubber, making it durable enough to handle some abuse. Soundcore 1 comes in 3 colors Red, Blue, and Black.
Whereas, Soundcore 2 has the same weight as its predecessor but features the same water resistance as its successor. However, the build material of the Soundcore 2 is different, as it is made of Rubberized Matt Finish. Moreover, Soundcore 2 is suitable for Travel, Shower, and Bathroom and has more color options than Soundcore 1: Red, Blue, Black, and Teal.
When comes to Soundcore 3, it is the latest and most advanced product of the three. It is made of a metal body that is covered by rubber material which gives it a premium look and feel. Additionally, Soundcore 3 is IPX7-rated meaning that it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. And lastly, Soundcore 3 is available in four colors: Red, Blue, Black, and Gray.
Anker Soundcore 1 Vs Soundcore 2 Vs Soundcore 3: Sound Quality:
| Anker Soundcore 1 | Anker Soundcore 2 | Anker Soundcore 3 | |
| Drivers Output | 3W×2 | 6W×2 | 8W×2 |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz to 20kHz | 70Hz to 20kHz | 20 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Bluetooth Pairing Mode | None | Wireless Stereo Pairing Mode | Partycast: Link 100+ Speakers |
| Sound Profile | Loud Stereo Sound, Balanced Sound Profile | Stereo Sound, Deeper Bass | Powerful Stereo Sound, Deeper Bass, Pure Titanium Diaphragm Clear |
The main difference in sound quality among Soundcore 1, Soundcore 2, and Soundcore 3 is of Drivers Output.
The Soundcore 1 is the entry-level speaker from Anker that has 3W*2 drivers which produce a lot of distortion at high volumes and have a frequency response only ranging up to 20kHz similar to Soundcore 2 while Soundcore 3 offers a frequency response of 40kHz. However, Soundcore 2 and 3 have 6W*2 drivers that produce a much cleaner sound.
When it comes to Bluetooth pairing mode, the Soundcore 1 does not have one. This means that you have to manually connect your phone or laptop to the speaker using the 3.5mm audio cable. Whereas Soundcore 2 features the Wireless Stereo Pairing Mode, and Soundcore 3 has Party cast Mode which allows you to connect multiple Soundcore speakers together wirelessly.
Finally, the sound profiles of the three speakers are quite different. The Loud Stereo Sound profile on the Soundcore 1 is great for blasting music at parties, whereas the Stereo and Deeper Bass Sound Profile on the Soundcore 2 provides a more balanced and natural sound. However, the Soundcore 3 has Powerful Stereo Sound, Deeper Bass, Pure Titanium Diaphragm Clear Sound profile which gives you the best sound quality out of the three.
Overall the clear winner is the Anker Soundcore 3 with its superior sound quality and multiple sound profiles to choose from, followed by the Soundcore 2 which has a more balanced sound.
Anker Soundcore 1 Vs Soundcore 2 Vs Soundcore 3: Features
| Anker Soundcore 1 | Anker Soundcore 2 | Anker Soundcore 3 | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Range | 66 ft | 20m/66ft | 15m/49ft |
| Soundcore App | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Socket For A 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supports A Remote Smartphone | No | No | Yes |
| Sleep Timer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Prompts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The main difference in features among Soundcore 1, Soundcore 2, and Soundcore 3 is that Soundcore 3 comes with a remote smartphone. Whereas, Soundcore 1 and 2 don’t support it.
Soundcore 1, 2, and 3 all have some similarities and differences in their features. The Soundcore 1 has Bluetooth 4.0 and a 66-foot Bluetooth range. It does not have the Soundcore App, but it does have a socket for a 3.5mm audio jack as well as aux input. It does not support a remote smartphone.
The Soundcore 2 has Bluetooth 5.0 and a 66-foot Bluetooth range like the Soundcore 1. It also lacks the Soundcore App and the socket for a 3.5mm audio jack, but it does have aux input.
Lastly, the Soundcore 3 has Bluetooth 5.0 and a 49-foot Bluetooth range. It also has the Soundcore App and supports a remote smartphone. The Soundcore 3 also has sleep timer and voice prompts features.
Anker Soundcore 1 Vs Soundcore 2 Vs Soundcore 3: Battery Life
| Anker Soundcore 1 | Anker Soundcore 2 | Anker Soundcore 3 | |
| Play Time | About 24 hours on 80% volume | About 24 hours on 80% volume | About 24 hours on 80% volume |
| Charging time | 5 hours | 3 hours | 5 hours |
| Battery Capacity | 4400mAh | 5,200mAh | 5,200mAh. |
| Battery Type | Li-ion battery | Li-ion battery | Lithium Polymer battery |
| Charging Type | Micro USB charging port | Micro USB charging port | USB-C port |
One of the major differences among Soundcore 1, Soundcore 2, and Soundcore 3 is of charging type.
When it comes to battery life, Soundcore 1, 2, and 3 all have a 24-hour playback time but Soundcore 2 takes less time to get fully charged, which is about 3 hours.
The battery capacity of Soundcore 1 is 4400mAh while that of Soundcore 2 and 3 are 5,200mAh. Li-ion battery is used in Soundcore 1, 2 whereas a polymer battery is used in Soundcore 3.
Soundcore 1 and 2 use a Micro USB cable to charge, while Soundcore 3 uses a USB-C connection.