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Head-to-head · Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) vs Soundcore Boom 3i

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and Soundcore Boom 3i score essentially the same (3.9 vs 3.9). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Ranked #4 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
2 sources$129as of Aug 1

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) keeps the durable, waterproof design of its predecessor and makes minor improvements to the control interface. SoundGuys praised the rugged build and IP67 rating and called it a good match for outdoor use, while noting lackluster EQ options and minimal hardware upgrades from the original. A TechRadar user pointed to its day-to-day reliability and portability. It's a solid choice for anyone who wants a dependable portable speaker for travel or outdoor activities.

Strengths
  • — IP67 rugged build for dust and water resistance
  • — Durable rubberized finish with metal speaker grill
  • — Improved control strip with dedicated Play/Pause button
Watch-outs
  • — Lackluster EQ options
  • — Minimal upgrades from 1st Gen
$129 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Soundcore Boom 3i
Ranked #5 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Soundcore Boom 3i
2 sources$129.99as of Aug 1

The Soundcore Boom 3i is a rugged, bass-forward portable speaker with an IPX7 rating and a carry strap, aimed at pool decks and campsites rather than critical listening. SoundGuys scored it 8.4 out of 10 and called it the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker they had tested; PCMag was markedly cooler at 3.5 out of 5. The split is the story — the durability and the low end are genuinely good, the app and the finer detail in the mids are not. Casual outdoor listeners will be happy; anyone chasing tonal accuracy should not be.

Strengths
  • — Compact and portable design suitable for outdoor use
  • — Solid bass response and overall sound quality for its size
  • — Built-in rechargeable battery with decent runtime
Watch-outs
  • — Companion app support is limited next to rival speakers at the price
  • — No active noise cancellation and little in the way of audio tuning
  • — Mid and high frequencies lack detail, which shows on acoustic and vocal material
$129.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

The Bose SoundLink Flex offers a rugged IP67 build and improved control strip, but lacks the EQ customization of the JBL Charge 6 and the advanced features of the JBL Boombox 4. Compared to the Soundcore Boom 3, it provides better sound quality and durability, though it has minimal upgrades from its predecessor. Unlike the Bose SoundLink Max, it's more affordable but lacks powerful bass and call functionality.

Soundcore Boom 3i

The Soundcore Boom 3 offers a compact design and solid bass for its size, but lacks the advanced app features and water resistance of the JBL Charge 6 and JBL Boombox 4. Compared to the Bose SoundLink Flex, it has less refined EQ options and minimal hardware upgrades, though it's more affordable. Unlike the Bose SoundLink Max, it doesn't offer premium sound quality or call functionality, making it a basic choice for casual users.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)Soundcore Boom 3i
Weight1.3 lb0.71 lb
WaterproofIP67IPX7
BatteryUp to 12 hours—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3, USB-CBluetooth 5.0
Dimensions7.99 x 1.77 x 3.5 in8.27 x 3.35 x 3.09 in
Color OptionsAlpine Sage, Sandstone, Blue Dust, BlackAdventurer Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Jungle Green, Desert Rose Brown
Frequency Response—56 Hz - 20 kHz
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