What is the best portable Bluetooth speaker on the market? This article will compare two of the most popular speakers in this category, and help you decide which one to buy. Let us have a brief introduction of both speakers.
The Boom 3 by Ultimate Ears is a top-of-the-line speaker that offers excellent sound quality and volume, with an IP67 water resistance rating. It also has a long battery life, it can last 12 hours on a single charge. It was released on August 30, 2018, and was an immediate successor to UE Boom 2.
The Anker Flare 2 is a more budget-friendly option that still offers great sound quality and volume. It has an IPX7 water resistance rating and can last 10 hours on a single charge. It was released on January 21, 2020, and improved a lot over Anker Flare.
The Anker Flare 2 is a more affordable option that still offers great sound quality and volume, with an IPX7 water resistance rating. It also has a decent battery life, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge.
The main difference between UE Boom 3 and Anker Flare 2 is the price. Boom 3 is more expensive than Flare 2, almost 3X the price of the Anker speaker (almost $80).
Now, let us put these two portable Bluetooth speakers against each other and see which one comes out on top.
UE Boom 3 vs Anker Flare 2: General Comparison Table:
| UE Boom 3 | Anker Flare 2 | |
| Release Date | August 30, 2018 | January 21, 2020 |
| Competition | JBL Flip 5, Sony SRS-XB23, Bose Revolve | JBL Flip 4, Bose Revolve, Sony SRS-XB33 |
| Predecessor | UE Boom 2 | Anker Flare |
| Price | Around $150 | Around $80 |
| Check Price on Amazon | Link | Link |
| Shape | Cylindrical | Cylindrical |
| Dimensions | 7.3 by 2.9 inches | 6.4 by 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs | 1.3 lbs |
| 360-degree | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm aux | No | No |
| Water Proofing (Float) | IP67 (Yes) | IPX7 (No) |
| Colors (RGB) | 8 | 2 (Yes) |
| Connect to Multiple Speakers | Yes (150) with PartyUp | Yes (100) with partyCast |
| EQ presets | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Streaming Platform | Amazon Music, Deezer, or Spotify | No |
| App | Boom and MegaBoom by Ultimate Ears | Soundcore |
| Voice Assistant Support | No | No |
| Mic | No | Yes |
UE Boom 3 vs Anker Flare 2: Price and Value
When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, the price is often a major deciding factor. In this regard, the Anker Flare 2 offers a much better value than the UE Boom 3.
Both speakers are now old models and can be found at a discount. The UE Boom 3 typically retails for around $130, while the Anker Flare 2 can be found for as low as $50.
Winner: Anker Flare 2
UE Boom 3 vs Anker Flare 2: Design and Build
The UE Boom 3 has a more rugged design and is available in 8 different colors. The Anker Flare 2 has a simpler design and is available in 2 colors. Both speakers are cylindrical in shape and have a 360-degree sound dispersion. The UE Boom 3 is slightly larger and heavier than the Anker Flare 2.
The buttons on Ultimate Ears Boom 3 are more intuitively placed and easier to find in the dark. The on/off button is on the top, and two large volume buttons are on the side.
The UE Boom 3 has an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. Plus, it can float. The Anker Flare 2 has an IPX7 rating, meaning it offers the same water resistance but doesn’t offer any dust protection. For beach parties, UE Boom 3 is the better choice.
Anker speaker has RGB light that creates an imaginative ambiance. You can control the LED lights with the Anker Soundcore app. The UE Boom 3 doesn’t have any lights.
Winner: UE Boom 3
UE Boom 3 vs Anker Flare 2: Features
The UE Boom 3 and Anker Flare 2 both can connect to multiple speakers simultaneously. The UE Boom 3 can connect to 150 speakers via the PartyUP feature while the Anker Flare 2 can only connect to 100 speakers through the PartyBoost feature.
The UE Boom 3 also has support for Amazon Music, Deezer, and Spotify and you can use the magic button to import your playlists from these services. The Anker Flare 2 does not have support for any streaming platforms.
Both speakers have an app that you can use to control the speaker. The UE Boom 3 uses the Boom and MegaBoom app while the Anker Flare 2 uses the Soundcore app. The Soundcore is more intuitive, it checks all boxes for user experience.
Apart from this, the UE Boom 3 does not have voice assistant support. Though Anker Flare 2 does not have voice assistant support as well, you can connect it to Amazon Alexa Echo dot or Google Assistant Nest. Also, the onboard microphone is useful for making calls.
Winner: Draw
UE Boom 3 vs Anker Flare 2: Sound Quality
The UE Boom 3 and Anker Flare 2 both sound great for their size. The UE Boom 3 has a slightly better bass response and can get a little bit louder. The Anker Flare 2 has slightly better highs and mids.
Anker Flare 2 sound quality suffers at high volumes. There is no distortion at maximum volume but the sound becomes harsh and fatiguing. The UE Boom 3 doesn’t have this problem.
Both speakers struggle to reproduce low bass. As a result, neither speaker is great for music genres that rely on low bass.
Winner: UE Boom 3
UE Boom 3 vs Anker Flare 2: Battery Life & Charging
The UE Boom 3 has a longer battery life than the Anker Flare 2, lasting up to 15 hours on a single charge. The Anker speaker can last for 12 hours
However, it takes almost 2.75 hours to charge Boom 3 from 0 to 100%, while it takes 3.5 hours to fully charge Flare 2.
The battery life of both speakers will depend on the volume at which they are played.
Winner: UE Boom 3
Final Verdict:
The UE Boom 3 is the better speaker overall. It has a longer battery life, better water resistance, and more intuitive controls. However, the major downside, when compared to Anker Flare 2, is the high price tag. We don’t think that the features offered by UE Boom 3 and its sound quality justify the price difference. And therefore, we would recommend the Anker Flare 2 over the UE Boom 3.