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.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Can play stereo content.
- Some compression artifacts at max volume.
- 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.
- Can play stereo content.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Some compression artifacts at max volume.
- 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.
- Remarkably portable.
- Balanced mid-range.
- Some compression artifacts at max volume.
- 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.
- Balanced mid-range.
- Some compression artifacts at max volume.
- 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.
- IPX7 rating for water resistance.
- Remarkably portable.
- Can play stereo content.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Some compression artifacts at max volume.
- Narrow-sounding soundstage.
Changelog
- 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.
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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.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
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 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 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 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.
Test Results
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