This summer sped by without much weather befitting of hangouts in the park, but if you’ve got plans for hosting or holidays now the colder months are creeping in, then a speaker to get the party started is a must. Earlier this year Anker — which is known for its affordable audio equipment with hi-res sound — released its latest Soundcore portable speaker, the Boom 2.
It’s Bluetooth, waterproof, comes with an inbuilt light show and has an easy-to-grip handle — and best of all retails at £120, and is on sale currently for £84.99. So it seems like a great time to pick it up to up the ante on your gatherings with music-loving mates.
But is it worth the price tag — and what does it deliver versus other portable speakers on the market? I spent a day pumping music of every genre (at every volume) and taking it around the houses to find out. Here’s your need to know...
Specs
- Size: 296 x 185 x 101 mm
- Colours: Phantom Black, Adventure Green, Explorer Blue
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
- USB-C to C charging
- 24-hour battery life; 5.5-hour charging
- IPX7 water rating
- 1.66kg
- Integrated handle
- Built-in power bank for USB or USB-C
Set-up
Setting up the Boom 2 is breezy. It’s pre-charged to around 50 per cent out of the box, and when you pop it on using the light-up interface, the Bluetooth connection button auto flashes and is detectable on your device — assuming you have the function turned on. Then it’s just a matter of picking the music and hitting play on your device.
The light effects which display on the side speakers are auto-enabled when you turn it on, as is the Bass Up feature — the latter of which you can turn off with a simple press of the button, and the former can be changed between seven settings by holding down the Bass Up button for a second. More on this later.
Design
Anker is quite well known for making portable and waterproof products, both of which are checked off by this edition, and which necessitates a certain look for practicality. The design of the speaker is robust and chunky, with a very grippable, ergonomic, large handle across the length of the top. The speaker covers the front face of the design, and the two side speakers display the light show, which can be changed to alter the colours and mood.
The control panel is simple and sleek, with rubberised buttons for all of its key functions (on/off; Bluetooth connection; pause, which also doubles up as skip forward and back; volume controls; pairing with other Soundcore devices and Bass Up) and you can access more complex commands with the Soundcore app, which you can download from Apple Store or Google Play.
The fact the speaker comes in three colours means you can pick the one that most reflects your style, though they’re all dark and practical shades as opposed to wide-ranging. No popping pinks, pastels or the like here.
Features
The main sell from Anker on this portable speaker is what it claims is “heart-pounding bass”, due to a patented Bass Up 2.0 button. As you can guess: the button pumps up the bass of your tunes. It takes the output from 60W to 80W for what the brand says is “louder and deeper sound”. And yes, you can hear the difference in power and the depth of your music if you have it turned off. It alters the clarity, especially on more mellow music.
On a lower volume, the bass button doesn’t overpower the room, so even if you wanted to chill or have background music, it’s a great addition, and if you were hosting a party or using it outside (I tried it in my London flat’s garden), then it would really come into its own as it cuts through background noise.
The front-facing speaker features a hidden 50W Racetrack Subwoofer to deliver “powerful, deep bass in a compact size”, and Dual 15W Silk Tweeters, which the brand says create “high clarity, crisp, and detailed sound”.
The speaker lasts up to an impressive 24 hours assuming you keep it below 50 per cent volume (and it’s very unlikely you’d pump it higher unless you were somewhere isolated or really want to annoy your neighbours, as it has some serious power) and have the bass and light show turned off.
The brand’s instructions explain that having the bass function and lights on does reduce your battery life, so if you were taking it on adventures far away from a power source, it would be advisable. After around six hours at around 25 per cent volume, my battery had dropped by about 20 per cent according to the app.
As for those light settings, there are seven, from rainbow to flame, to the simple flash, which change the colours and effect, but all beat in time with the music. It’s fun, though a tad distracting. However, it’s a clever function for if the sun or lights go down while you’re on your holiday or outside in the garden — ideal if you have a small outdoor space and haven’t invested in solar lights or a portable lamp.
It’s handy then that you can grab the speaker by its handle to take it where you please. However, it’s not super lightweight, so while it’s good for taking away with you, it can’t be stashed easily in a suitcase or hand luggage, as the handle adds to the bulk. It’s more one for stashing in the back of the car, or if you’re a total bass head, perhaps you’d compromise on clothes or a pair of shoes in order to fit it in your bag.
The speaker takes around 5.5 hours to charge up fully — not bad if you let it do its thing overnight or before your party. It uses a USB-C to USB-C cable, so you’ll need your iPhone port (if you have one of the older models) or an appropriate adapter if heading abroad. The charging port has a USB which means you can also boost your phone battery if you get caught out. Pretty nifty.
You can use the speaker by the pool and on the beach without worrying, as the design is buoyant and waterproof for up to 1.5m (for up to half an hour). I gave it a dunk in the bath to check it did as it promised. It held up fine with little distortion through the depth - and yes, it did bob up to the surface if let go. So add pool parties to the list of places you could tinker with the music. It doesn’t have a dustproof rating though, so as for sandy beach outings. given all the crevices, I’d have reservations about packing it.
Another plus for the speaker is the fact you can move significantly far away from it without the Bluetooth disconnecting or faltering. I went outside of my London flat (around 20m away from where I left it) and there was zero disruption.
Verdict
Soundcore Boom 2 Portable Speaker
As you’d expect from Anker, the Boom 2 is great value, especially at its current reduced price point. It’s got decent sound across a variety of genres, and the Bass Up feature really does up the ante.
The light show is super fun and comes into its own on dance, Afrobeat and techno tracks. So it would be a great gimmick at a party, especially with the bass, which cuts through the chatter inside or the background noise if you’re outside. Plus if you have a huge gathering, it is easy to sync with other Anker speakers for surround sound (up to 100!).
As an everyday speaker, it’s probably not going to be your number one choice, as it isn’t quite as clear and nuanced in sound without Bass Up on or compared to some other higher-end speakers. Plus, the lights would be overkill in a living room or office — though of course, you could simply turn them off in the app.
The other downside is if you’re super design-focused, it’s not exactly a stunner and is quite utilitarian in design, as the look is geared towards its portable nature, waterproof design and maximising the space for sound output. It’s also a little cumbersome for a portable speaker. For example, it’s close to double the weight of the JBL Charge 5, though, that said, the potential sound output is much higher than portable competitors and the handle is useful in spite of adding to the size and weight.
Overall, it’s a very smart purchase for party lovers or those who have a gang getaway planned and are on a budget. It’ll keep the tunes going all night, get the bass pumping and add a little fun with its flashy design.
Buy now £119.99, Amazon
