The Anker Soundcore 3 is a rectangular Bluetooth speaker with a similar design to its predecessor, the Anker Soundcore 2. It promises a solid build quality to go with its IPX7 rating for water resistance. Unlike the Soundcore 2, it comes with a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets that adjust the speaker's sound, which is rare at this price point. It also comes with a carrying strap you can attach to its side, which can come in handy when you want to take it on the go.
Our Verdict
The Anker Soundcore 3 is passable for music. Even with its 'Bass Up' feature turned on, it struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble in low bass that's often present in bass-heavy music like hip-hop or EDM. However, this is normal for a small speaker. Its mid-range is relatively balanced, ensuring vocals and lead instruments sound clear. However, its underemphasized treble range can cause higher-pitched vocals and instruments to sound dull and veiled. Thankfully, its companion app features a graphic EQ and presets that can customize the speaker's sound.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Can play stereo content.
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Some compression artifacts at max volume.
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Narrow-sounding soundstage.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is disappointing for watching videos and movies. This speaker doesn't get very loud and has some compression artifacts at max volume. It also has poor directivity, so audio won't sound consistent across all listening angles. Additionally, it struggles to reproduce low bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble of action-packed scenes. However, you can use the graphic EQ in its companion app to adjust its sound. It also has low AV synchronization error with Android devices, though some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary.
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Can play stereo content.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Some compression artifacts at max volume.
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Narrow-sounding soundstage.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is okay for podcasts. This outstandingly portable Bluetooth speaker has a relatively balanced mid-range that ensures vocals and lead instruments sound clear. This makes it suitable for vocal-centric audio content like audiobooks or podcasts. However, its underemphasized treble range can make higher-pitched voices sound somewhat veiled. It doesn't get very loud and has some compression artifacts at max volume. It also has poor directivity, so your audio won't sound the same from all angles.
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Remarkably portable.
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Balanced mid-range.
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Some compression artifacts at max volume.
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Narrow-sounding soundstage.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is bad for voice assistants. It doesn't have any assistants built-in, so it relies on those available on your smartphone. It struggles to register voice commands, even in quieter settings without ambient noise.
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Balanced mid-range.
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Some compression artifacts at max volume.
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Has trouble understanding you.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is alright for outdoor use. This decently built speaker is rated IPX7 for dust and water resistance. It's exceptionally portable, and its battery life is suitable for long days of listening. That said, it has poor directivity, so audio will sound different depending on how you're positioned around the speaker. It also doesn't get very loud and has some compression artifacts at max volume that can cause your audio not to sound clean and clear during louder listening sessions.
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IPX7 rating for water resistance.
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Remarkably portable.
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Can play stereo content.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Some compression artifacts at max volume.
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Narrow-sounding soundstage.
- 6.1 Music
- 5.4 Videos/Movies
- 6.5 Podcasts
- 3.3 Voice Assistant
- 6.9 Outdoors
- Updated Oct 07, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Anker Soundcore Select 2S in the Dynamics section.
- Updated Feb 21, 2024: We've updated this review for accuracy and clarity, adding mentions of new color variants. We've also added relevant comparisons to other speakers.
- Updated Jan 15, 2024: Added market comparison with the EarFun UBOOM L in the App box.
- Updated May 06, 2021: Review published.
- Updated May 03, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 23, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 23, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Apr 21, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Anker Soundcore 3 comes in four color variants. 'Black', 'Gray', 'Blue' and 'Red. We tested the 'Black' variant but expect all color variants to perform similarly. You can find the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across other variants, let us know in the forums so we can update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a rectangular speaker with a similar design to the Anker Soundcore 2. However, the Soundcore 3 can reproduce a more extended low bass than its predecessor, and it also comes with a companion app that features a graphic EQ and presets you can use to tweak the speaker's sound. It has a longer continuous battery life than newer Anker Speakers, like the Anker Soundore Motion 300, but lacks updated features like Bluetooth multi-device pairing.
See our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best cheap speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The JBL Flip 6 is slightly better than the Anker Soundcore 3, though they have different strengths. The JBL's default sound profile is better balanced, and the speaker can get slightly louder with less compression at max volume. It has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. It's better built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be both dust-tight and immersible in a meter of water for 30 minutes. However, the Anker can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. With its 'Bass Up' feature enabled, it can produce a slightly more extended low bass than the JBL. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 2 overall. The Soundcore 3 can produce a more extended low bass than the Soundcore 2, and its companion app comes with a graphic EQ and presets you can use to customize the speaker's sound to your liking. Though the speakers can't get very loud, the Soundcore 3 has fewer compression artifacts at max volume. That said, the Soundcore 2 is better built and comes with an AUX input, unlike the Soundcore 3.
The JBL Flip 5 and the Anker Soundcore 3 are similar speakers with different strengths. The JBL is better built and has a slightly better-balanced sound profile than the Anker. It also has a PartyBoost feature to pair it to multiple other PartyBoost-compatible speakers, which is handy when you want your audio to fill a large room. The Anker features a Graphic EQ you can use to tweak its sound to your liking. It can also support voice assistants through your smartphone and has a longer battery life, though this can vary depending on usage, so your experience may differ.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Go 3. The Anker can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and comes with a graphic EQ and presets you can use to customize its sound to your liking. It also has a longer battery life, though this can depend on your usage habits, so your experience may vary. That said, the JBL is smaller and more portable. It's also better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.
The Anker Soundcore Motion+ is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3 overall. The Motion+ can get louder with slightly fewer compression artifacts at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner during louder listening sessions. It also has a wider sounding soundstage than the Soundcore 3, and you can pair it with another speaker to create a stereo pair. It's slightly larger and heavier than the Soundcore 3, which also comes with a carrying strap to help transport it.
The JBL Charge 5 is a slightly better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3. The JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low bass than the Anker out-of-the-box. It can also get louder and has a wider-sounding soundstage. However, the Anker is smaller and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive.
The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 and the Anker Soundcore 3 are both lightweight, portable speakers with small form factors. While the Soundcore 3 has a longer continuous battery life, the Motion 300 is better in most other aspects. It features Bluetooth multi-device pairing and a better voice assistant performance. It also gets louder without as many compression artifacts.
The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is a better speaker overall than the Anker Soundcore 3. The Flare 2 is better built and has amazing directivity, so your audio sounds clear from most angles. You can also connect it to another speaker to create a stereo pair. The Soundcore 3 is slightly smaller and comes with a carrying strap, making it easy to take it with you when you're on the move. It also has a slightly larger Bluetooth range, so your paired device can stay connected even if it's far from the speaker.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Clip 4 overall. The Anker has a customizable sound profile, thanks to the graphic EQ and presets available in its companion app. It can get louder than the JBL and has a longer battery life, though this can vary depending on usage. However, the JBL is smaller and more portable than the Anker. The JBL is also better built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in a meter of water for 30 minutes.
The Anker Soundcore 3 and the Sony SRS-XB100 are portable Bluetooth speakers that address slightly different needs. The Sony is designed with portability in mind, so it's smaller and more lightweight. It has a built-in strap, too, so it's easier to bring along with you. Plus, its battery life lasts longer. However, the Anker offers more sound customization tools, including a graphic EQ in its companion app. It offers stereo sound, too.
The Anker Soundcore Select 2S is a cheaper alternative to the Anker Soundcore 3, with comparable performance and features. Though both feature Anker's 'Bass Up' function, neither speaker is capable of outputting much bass. The Soundcore 3 has a more balanced sound profile overall, though, and features some rudimentary voice assistant implementation. The two have comparable battery lives and a similar build quality; however, the Soundcore Select 2S has a better dynamics performance
The Anker Soundcore Motion Boom is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3 overall. The Boom can get louder with less compression present at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner at louder volumes. It can also produce a more extended low bass with its BassUp feature turned on, and it has a longer battery life, though the latter can vary depending on your usage. The Soundcore 3 is smaller, making it more portable than the Boom.
The Anker Soundcore 3 and the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 are both budget portable speakers. While the Soundcore 3 is lighter, the Boom 2 features a built-in carrying handle, which can make it easier to carry around. The Soundcore 3 is cheaper, but the Boom 2 justifies its higher retail price with a better overall performance. It's better built, has a more balanced sound overall, and it can get louder with less compression at max volume. It also lets you pair with another Anker speaker for true wireless stereo via the app. The Soundcore 3 has a slightly longer continuous battery life, so it's a good choice for weekend trips.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3 overall. The Bose has a better-balanced, more neutral sound profile and can produce a deeper bass than the Anker. It can also get a bit louder with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. However, the Anker has a longer-lasting battery life of over 13 hours. Battery life can vary depending on your usage, and your experience may differ.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker in almost every regard than the Anker Soundcore 3. The Anker has a companion app, voice assistant compatibility, and a more comprehensive control scheme. However, the Ultimate Ears is better built and features fewer compression artifacts at maximum volume. It also has significantly better directivity, thanks to its barrel-shaped design.
The JBL PartyBox 310 is a better overall speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce deeper bass. It can also get much louder than the Anker, with fewer compression artifacts at max volume. However, the Anker is much smaller and more portable than the JBL. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone.
The Marshall Emberton is a somewhat better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3. The Marshall has a slightly better-balanced sound profile and an excellent soundstage that you can perceive as wide and spacious-sounding. However, unlike the Soundcore 3, it has no audio customization features you can use to tweak its sound to your liking. It also doesn't support voice assistants.
The Anker Soundcore 3 and the EarFun UBOOM L are both portable Bluetooth speakers available for less. The Anker is the better of the two, as it has many more customization features, like a graphic EQ. Also, it has a longer-lasting battery life and a smaller size that may be more ideal for some users.
The Sony SRS-XB33 is a slightly better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3. The Sony is better built, and you can pair it with up to two devices at once, so you can easily switch between audio sources. It can also produce a more extended low bass than the Anker. The Anker is smaller, making it a bit more portable than the Sony.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sony SRS-XB12 or the Anker Soundcore 3. The Sony has better directivity, resulting in a natural and open-sounding soundstage. It has less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner during louder listening sessions. However, the Anker can produce a more extended low bass with its 'Bass Up' feature enabled. Thanks to the graphic EQ and presets featured in its companion app, you can customize its sound to your liking.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Charge 4. The Anker has a better-balanced sound profile and features a graphic EQ and presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. That said, you can pair the JBL to two devices at once, which is handy when you need to switch between audio sources quickly. You can also pair it with another speaker to create a stereo pair or multiple other speakers when you want your audio to fill a large space.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sony SRS-XB13 or the Anker Soundcore 3. The Sony is better built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It also has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box and has significantly better directivity than the Anker, resulting in a more open-sounding soundstage. That said, the Anker is more customizable thanks to the graphic EQ and presets featured in its companion app. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and can get louder than the Sony.
The Sony SRS-XB23 is slightly better than the Anker Soundcore 3. Thanks to its 360-degree design, the Sony has better directivity, resulting in a more open-sounding soundstage, so your audio sounds clear from most angles. You can also pair it with another speaker to create a stereo pair or multiple speakers when you want your audio to fill a large room. That said, while both speakers feature a graphic EQ, the Anker comes with presets you can use to customize its sound. It also has a longer battery life, though this can depend on your usage, so your experience may vary.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3 overall. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it offers a fantastic soundstage that you'll perceive as wide and natural-sounding. It can get louder with less compression present at max volume. It's also better built, with an IPX67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Anker is more customizable with a graphic EQ and presets to tweak its sound to your liking.
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a better speaker than the iFox iF012 overall. With BassUp enabled, it offers a better-balanced sound profile to produce a more extended low bass than the iFox. It comes with a graphic EQ and presets you can use to customize its sound to your liking, and it supports voice assistants through your smartphone. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. However, the iFox offers a wider and more open-sounding soundstage and has less compression present at max volume, so your audio quality doesn't degrade as much at louder volume levels. Some users may also prefer that it comes with a removable suction cup to help place it in the shower.
Test Results
The Anker Soundcore 3 is a small, rectangular Bluetooth speaker with a similar design to the Anker Soundcore 2. It comes with a carrying strap you can attach to its side, making it easy to take when you're moving around. For a speaker with a removable carabiner clip and suction cup, check out the iFox iF012 shower speaker.
This speaker is incredibly portable. Its small, lightweight design makes carrying it in one hand easy. It even comes with a detachable carrying strap to help transport it when you're moving around. Additionally, this speaker is battery-powered, so you can take it outdoors without worrying about plugging it into a power outlet.
This speaker is decently built and is rated IPX7 for water resistance, meaning you can submerge it in water for up to 30 minutes. Its body is made of durable materials, and the buttons atop it are texturized. Aside from the metal grille protecting its drivers, its body is surrounded by a rubber-like contour that's unfortunately susceptible to collecting fingerprints. If you're looking for a similar speaker that's even better built, check out the Bose SoundLink Flex.
It has a great selection of controls. You can use its multifunction button to play and pause your music and accept, reject, and end phone calls. You can also double press it to skip to the next track, triple press it to skip back to your previous track, or press and hold it to activate your voice assistants.
It has + and - buttons you can use to adjust its volume to your liking, and has a Bluetooth button you can use to pair it to your devices, as well as to connect it to multiple other speakers with the PartyCast feature. Aside from the voice assistant feature, all the buttons trigger the same chime, which may confuse some users as it doesn't indicate which command has been registered.
- Anker Soundcore 3
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- Detachable carrying cord
- Quick Start guide
This speaker has mediocre frequency response accuracy. With its 'Bass Up' feature turned on, it struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble that fans of bass-heavy music tend to enjoy. Its treble range is also underemphasized, making higher-pitched vocals and instruments sound dull and veiled. That said, its somewhat balanced mid-range makes vocals and lead instruments sound clear, making it suitable for listening to dialogue-centric content like audiobooks and podcasts. Its companion app also features a graphic EQ and presets to tweak the speaker's sound to your liking.
This speaker's soundstage is acceptable. Although this speaker can play stereo content, it has poor directivity, which can cause its soundstage to sound narrow instead of wide and spacious, and your audio won't sound consistent from all angles. Check out the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II for a speaker with better directivity.
The dynamics are sub-par. This speaker doesn't get very loud and has some compression artifacts at max volume, so your audio won't sound as clean and clear during louder listening sessions. For an Anker speaker with a better dynamics performance, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom or the Anker Soundcore Select 2S.
This speaker has excellent battery performance. The manufacturer advertises that it can last up to 24 hours from a single charge, but we found in our tests that it could last over 13 hours. Battery life can vary depending on your usage habits, so your experience may differ. It also has a power-saving feature that you can set to automatically shut the speaker off after 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes of inactivity. However, when you plug the speaker into a power source, it doesn't automatically turn off but instead goes into Standby Mode after a period of inactivity.
This speaker has a terrible voice assistant performance. Since it has no built-in voice assistants, it uses the ones available on your smartphone. It's compatible with Siri and Google Assistant but doesn't support Alexa. It struggles to pick up and register voice commands, even in quieter environments like your home.
This speaker is one of the few available at this price point to offer a companion app. It has fewer features than more premium speakers, but it still gives you some flexibility in setting up its sound. For example, it offers a PartyCast mode that you can use to connect up to 100 identical Soundcore speakers to play the same audio. There's also a graphic EQ that you can use to switch up its sound, giving you more control than with similarly-priced speakers like the EarFun UBOOM L.
This speaker has no ports you can use to connect devices via an analog connection. It has a USB-C port, which is only for charging the speaker.
This speaker has a good Bluetooth performance. It has an outstanding range, so your paired device can stay connected even when it's far from the speaker. It also has low AV synchronization error with Android devices, making it suitable for watching movies and videos. However, its performance isn't as good with iOS devices, which may disappoint some Apple users as there will be lip-synching issues between the audio and video. Some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary.
The manual states you can pair the Anker Soundcore 3 to two devices at once by pressing the Bluetooth button and re-entering pairing mode. However, we've found in our tests that re-entering pairing mode disconnects the currently paired device, so we couldn't connect two devices simultaneously. That said, changing connections between devices is still somewhat easy to achieve.