“Boring” in the best possible way

Anker’s upgraded original Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is one of the company’s smallest and most affordable speakers, and it has a design that’s surprisingly simple. While it’s not the newest speaker in the company’s lineup, it’s becoming increasingly popular on TikTok and the TikTok Shop, and with the warmer months approaching, I decided to give this sub-$40 speaker a listen.

Ultimately, it was a good reminder that I often pay extra for something that doesn’t actually affect my listening experience: aesthetics. Sure, it doesn’t look as sleek as my acoustically dated UE Boom 2, and it doesn’t come with any lights like the JBL Pulse 5, not even a clip for attaching while on the move.

In an audio world where portable speakers add a lot of extra features, the Soundcore delivers great functionality and value without compromising on sound.

But it does pack a lot of sound into a small box. In an audio world where portable speakers add a lot of extra features, the Soundcore delivers great functionality and value without compromising on sound.

sound quality

Impressive precision and clarity

Whether it’s a smart TV or a new soundbar, I love testing new technology by playing dynamic content. So for my first listen, I turned on the Folklore Long Pond Studio Sessions on Disney+ for an intimate, personal sound. Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner, and Jack Antonoff sound great. Additionally, the songs were rich and layered, showing that the speaker is well-suited to acoustic performances.

Soundcore blends lively banjo on “Texas Hold ‘Em,” acoustic guitar on “Protector” and Italian arias on “Daughter.”

Next I worked on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, which was an ambitious album that included a range of musical styles, instruments, and even spoken word, making it even more complex and dynamic. Soundcore blends lively banjo on “Texas Hold ‘Em,” acoustic guitar on “Protector” and Italian arias on “Daughter.” I can’t comment on this album (I mean, I love it), but I do think it’s important that some of today’s most popular music sounds great when you listen to it. Soundcore provides all the clapping and foot-stomping features you need.

I listened to Metallica’s S&M first and then Massive Attack’s Mezzanine to get a feel for the depth and intensity of the speakers. The bass isn’t too impressive, but it’s noticeable and worthy of a speaker of this size. The songs never feel twisted, they just don’t have the charm you might want when you’re feeling emotional late at night. At maximum volume, you start to get into some problematic territory, and some songs are a little uncomfortable, but I don’t think this is a speaker you want or need to play at higher volumes.

Its size belies its clarity and precision, but its appearance does betray its weaknesses. In short, this is not a party spokesperson.

control and design

Focus on functionality

I opened the little box to reveal a lightweight, rectangular speaker with a soft plastic exterior and rounded edges. Refreshingly, there’s not a lot to it: the speaker is connected via a micro-USB cable, and once I disconnected it, I was immediately lost in a sea of ​​other cables scattered about. The speaker isn’t unusually small, but it’s on the smaller end of the Bluetooth speaker spectrum.

The soft plastic shell extends to five of the six sides and is comfortable to hold, but prone to scuffs or fingerprints.

There are five soft buttons on the top of the device: one for power, another for Bluetooth connectivity, two for volume, and one for starting and stopping music. This last option, while a bit dated, is convenient and not so common that many speakers opt for remote control and eliminate the analog buttons on the speaker itself.

The right side of the speaker offers a charging port as well as a convenient auxiliary input port, which is a boon for me as it allows me to connect to a portable projector.

Charging and battery life

Long life, but no blue light

It makes sense that a company known for rechargeable electronics would make a device with a long-lasting battery. I can’t say for sure how well charged the Soundcore speaker was when I received it, but I only had it plugged in for about an hour before it cracked. I haven’t had to charge it in the week-plus since, and I’ve gotten double-digit usage time without going into low-battery territory. So Anker’s 24-hour battery life sounds about right.

Anker claims to have the most impressive 24 hours of battery life, and that sounds about right.

Like other speakers, the Soundcore has an indicator light to indicate power, which flashes blue when it’s on and flashes red when the battery is low. Initially, I didn’t notice the light, but once I did, it was something difficult to shake due to its off-center position. It’s slightly to the right, creating a visually asymmetrical monster that I couldn’t help but stare at.

Portable size and functionality

Great for taking on the go (with hook)

I took my new little one on a tour of my space to see where it would work best. Its small size and ultra-light weight (approximately 380 kg) make it ideal for travel. Inside, it’s perfect for me at my desk or as background music while playing video games. Based on my testing, it also performs best in a home office, bedroom, or any small to medium-sized room. Ultimately, it can get quite loud indoors without losing clarity.

However, on the outside, it’s a bit lacking. I couldn’t venture too far away from it before the volume was significantly reduced. I think my neighbors would be happy with it, but I don’t think it would hold up to lively late-night outdoor gatherings; it would support more of an intimate setting or a casual get-together. Especially during the day, if I wasn’t around, the audio would be drowned out by city life and nearby buildings, even at high volumes. However, it did continue to rattle along when I left it alone outside for a while in a steady rain.

Still, I’m more than happy to have another speaker for these occasions and reserve this Soundcore for travel and comfort matters. It performs best when alone or with a few other people, where the music isn’t the focus, but it should be playing in the background and sounding good. I like to keep it at my desk or next to my bed, and it’s also great for playing relaxing dinner music. It also gives me some comfort knowing that I can listen to music without headphones while knowing that others around the house won’t be negatively affected by the sound.

Strong connectivity

Reliable over long distances

The strong, stable Bluetooth connection that Anker touts also stands up to scrutiny. I turned on the speaker and my iPhone 13 Pro Max found it and paired immediately. Jumping between devices is also quick; when I was listening with earbuds, I turned on Soundcore and the sound quickly switched sources.

With upgraded Bluetooth 5.0, Anker also demonstrated a connection range of 66 feet. I put the phone at one end of the house and took the speaker to the other end of the backyard. It’s able to keep most connections outdoors, which makes it perfect for patio entertaining.

Conclusion: Is the Anker Soundcore worth buying?

I’d be inclined to say that Anker’s Soundcore is a boring speaker, but in the best possible way. It’s small, simple, functional, and will serve a lot of people well. Its low price is certainly worth it, and I’d be hard-pressed to find a similar speaker that’s practical and easy to use. Provided you can get beyond that misplaced blue light.

Most repeated songs on Soundcore speakers

• beyoncé jolene
• Taylor Swift cardigan
• Massive Attack of Angels
• beyoncé’s bodyguard
• Lola Young is conceited