In this week’s “Is it good enough to earn Amazon’s #1 Best Seller” title, we are going to review the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker. It is tops when it comes to speakers in the Portable Line-In Speaker category and has an average 4.6/5 star rating from over 6,000 consumers. Is the speaker worth the $35.99 price tag and the #1 rating?
Let’s find out.
The Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker falls into the budget category of wireless accessories and is one of the main reasons behind its success. The market for high-priced speakers is limited, especially when there are viable options for under $50. I’ve tested dozens of wireless speakers over the years, and very few have ever been as good as the Soundcore in its price category. It comes in the shape of a candy bar and measures at 1.77 x 6.5 x 2.13″ and weighs just .79 pounds. It is made out of metal that is coated in a rubber material to protect it from scratches, dirt and the occasional drop. A perforated metal grill protects the dual high-performance drivers and passive subwoofer that create the sound from the Anker Soundcore. Typical power, fast forward/rewind, Bluetooth, and play/pause buttons line the top of the device with the microUSB charging port off to the side. Lastly, like many other wireless speakers, it has a built-in microphone for taking phone calls.
I’ve been enjoying my experience with the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker from the moment I unboxed it. Surprisingly, it has a rich and detailed sound signature typically found in devices three times its price. From classical to rap, it has the dynamic range to please any consumer who demands the most from their speakers. It can dial up the bass with its unique spiraled bass port, and it can bring the detail in the mids and highs with its dual high-performance drivers.
The shape makes it easy to pack into laptop bags, purses or briefcases but you probably won’t want to carry it in your pockets due to the weight at .79 pounds. The weight is explained by large magnets that power the drivers and a large battery. With a 24 hour battery life rating, it’s a wireless accessory that can get through a full weekend of use without needing to find a wall outlet. Or in my case, it’s enough to power my music throughout the week at three to four hours of usage per night. At 60-75% of max volume, which is quite loud, I managed to get by on two recharges throughout testing. That’s much better than 90% of the speakers I’ve testing in the portable size category.
I’m not a huge fan of blatant branding, and Anker didn’t do much to please me with a huge label on the front of the speaker. Although, the huge Anker brand on the front of the speaker didn’t affect the performance and can probably be covered up with a simple Sharpie marker.
The Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is a #1 seller for line-in speakers while the Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3 is the #1 seller for wireless portable speakers. The OontZ Angle 3 is a little cheaper at $27.99, but the sound from the Anker Soundcore is much better. However, the OontZ Angle 3 is a lighter in weight and is water-resistant making it slightly better for outdoor usage. The OontZ Angle 3 also gets about 20-30% louder, but again, the sound is less rich and detailed when compared to the Soundcore.
In this evaluation, we agree with the 6,000+ reviewers on Amazon who gave the Anker Soundcore high marks. Its affordable price tag, excellent build and overall sound quality make it one of the best buys on Amazon when it comes to portable and wireless speakers. For those of you who are looking for the highest performance for your dollar, look no further than the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker.
Check out the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker at Amazon.