77

Anker Soundcore 2 Review

True Score

73
70
7

Experts

77
0

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Expert Rankings

Product testers were impressed with the build quality and portability of the Anker Soundcore 2. They also liked its long battery life and long Bluetooth range. However, its max volume was still not loud enough, and its bass levels were lackluster. Its narrow soundstage and missing WiFi connectivity were also disappointing.

$44.99

We’re reader-supported. Commissions finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. Learn more

Product Snapshot

Overview

First released in late 2017, the Anker Soundcore 2 is an introductory Bluetooth speaker designed for outdoor use. The speaker has a 12-Watt output and is available in four colors. Like most of the best-rated speakers around, the Soundcore 2 has excellent battery life, with a playback time of up to 15 hours. It can also be integrated with a voice assistant such as Google Assistant or Siri or used as a speakerphone when linked to a smartphone. As far as portability is concerned, the Soundcore 2 is compact in size and easy to move around with since it weighs only 0.9 pounds. The best-rated Bluetooth speakers are designed with portability in mind, and the Soundcore 2 is no exception. For other compact alternatives, check out our best small soundbar roundup and our best mini bluetooth speaker review.

Consensus

our Verdict

The Anker Souncore 2 had testers praise it for its portability and long battery life. Experts from Tom’s Guide also noted that it was water resistant courtesy of its build quality. They were satisfied with its compact size, and after their storage tests, they confirmed that it was portable. They were also happy with their testing results after using it with voice assistants like Siri and Google, while reviewers from Rtings confirmed that it could last up to 15 hours with one single charge. They also liked its long 88ft Bluetooth connectivity range, but they weren’t blown away with its sound output when watching movies or playing music. For a speaker with much better sound quality, have a look at our Amazon Echo Studio review.

Still, testers felt that the Soundcore 2 did not get as loud as they would have wanted at max volume. They also didn’t like its narrow sound stage and mediocre bass levels.

Reason to Buy

  • Great battery life
  • Great portability
  • Long Bluetooth range
  • Speakerphone functionality
  • Good build quality

Reason to Avoid

  • Low max volume
  • Narrow soundstage
  • Mediocre bass levels
  • No WiFI connectivity

Anker Soundcore 2 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life24 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time3 hrs
SizeSize16.5 cm (w) x 5.6 cm (h) x 4.6 cm (d)
Smart AppSmart AppYes
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage12W
Wireless RangeWireless Range66 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)28
Volume Output (dB)85
Low End Roll Off (Hz)201.587
High End Roll Off (Hz)1,836.523

Get the Winner of the Day Direct to Your Inbox

Product Comparison

Anker Soundcore 2 Review

True Score

73
68
86
77

Ranking

#

77

/

260

#

88

/

260

#

27

/

260

#

62

/

260

Market Context

First released in late 2017, the Anker Soundcore 2 is an introductory Bluetooth speaker designed for outdoor use. The speaker has a 12-Watt output and…

First released in late 2017, the Anker Soundcore 2 is an introductory Bluetooth speaker designed for outdoor use. The speaker has a 12-Watt output and is available in four colors. Like most of the best-rated speakers around, the Soundcore 2 has excellent battery life, with a playback time of up to 15 hours. It can also be integrated with a voice assistant such as Google Assistant or Siri or used as a speakerphone when linked to a smartphone. As far as portability is concerned, the Soundcore 2 is compact in size and easy to move around with since it weighs only 0.9 pounds. The best-rated Bluetooth speakers are designed with portability in mind, and the Soundcore 2 is no exception. For other compact alternatives, check out our best small soundbar roundup and our best mini bluetooth speaker review.

After the Anker Soundcore 2 was released, Anker followed it up with the Anker Soundcore 3, and this included a few updates. The Anker Soundcore…

After the Anker Soundcore 2 was released, Anker followed it up with the Anker Soundcore 3, and this included a few updates. The Anker Soundcore 3 does not come with an EQ preset while the Anker Soundcore 3 does; however, the Soundcore 2 still has a slightly longer 15-hour battery life compared to the Soundcore 3’s 13.6 hours. Take a look at what else the Soundcore 3 has to offer through our Anker Soundcore 3 review.

The Anker Soundcore 2 supports voice assistants while the JBL Flip 5 does not, and the Soundcore 2 can also be used as a speakerphone…

The Anker Soundcore 2 supports voice assistants while the JBL Flip 5 does not, and the Soundcore 2 can also be used as a speakerphone while the Flip 5 cannot. The Soundcore 2 also has a wider soundstage and a longer run time of 15 hours compared to the Flip 5, which lasts up to 8.2 hours.

The Anker Soundcore 2 has speakerphone functionality and supports voice assistants, while the JBL Go 3 does not, and it also has a much longer…

The Anker Soundcore 2 has speakerphone functionality and supports voice assistants, while the JBL Go 3 does not, and it also has a much longer battery life of 15 hours compared to the JBL Go 3, which lasts only 5 hours.

Battery Life

24 hrs

24 hrs

12 hrs

5 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Charge Time

3 hrs

4 hrs

2.5 hrs

2.5 hrs

Size

16.5 cm (w) x 5.6 cm (h) x 4.6 cm (d)

Smart App

Yes

Soundcore

JBL Portable

n/a

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Yes

Yes

n/a

Water Resistant

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Wattage

12W

16W

20W

4.2W

Dig Deeper

Anker Soundcore 3 Review →

JBL Flip 5 Review →

JBL Go 3 Review →

All Stores

Updated every 24 hours

  • $44.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes

Score Card

E

Expert Score

70

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

77

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

73

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Score Breakdown

  • Rtings
    102.6

    Category Trust Score

    54
    The Anker SoundCore 2 delivers better than average sound for the money, is water-resistant and… read more

    By:

    Unknown
  • Techgear Lab
    44.89

    Category Trust Score

    80
    While the sound can’t compete with that of most larger Bluetooth speakers, you’d be hard-pressed… read more

    By:

    Lewis Leong
  • CNET
    42.51

    Category Trust Score

    70
    The Anker Soundcore 2 is okay for outdoor use. It’s well-built, and its 15-hour battery… read more

    By:

    Jon L. Jacobi
  • Techradar
    46.31

    Category Trust Score

    70
    If you’re looking for a reliable, durable Bluetooth speaker at a low price, you can’t… read more

    By:

    David Carnoy
  • Lifewire
    32.27

    Category Trust Score

    84
    A durable, sleek little Bluetooth speaker that can be beaten for sound but has good… read more

    By:

    What Hi-Fi?
  • Techhive
    43.37

    Category Trust Score

    80
    The Anker SoundCore 2 offers a ton of features for the price like water resistance,… read more

    By:

    John Panoryios

Customer Score Breakdown

Learn More About Speakers


Speaker Reviews