Anker is a reliable name when it comes to high-quality speakers, and its Soundcore range is proof of that. From budget-friendly Bluetooth speakers to dependable and durable outdoor powerhouses, there's something for everyone. But which ones are the best?
Anker Soundcore speakers tend to share a few traits across designs. Most models come with some degree of waterproofing, with plenty being excellent choices for use as a shower speaker. They also tend to perform pretty well when it comes to bass, so that's worth noting if that suits your music taste.
The best Anker speakers at a glance:
• Best overall: Anker Soundcore Motion 100 - View on Amazon
• Best mini speaker: Anker Soundcore mini - View on Amazon
• Best for bass: Anker Soundcore Motion x600 - View on Amazon
These speakers come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Some are exceptionally tiny, making them good picks for travel, whereas others are larger and more powerful, perfect for keeping a party going.
We're plenty familiar with Anker speakers, so we'll help you decide which one is the best for you. We've gathered up a list of our favourite models and noted what they excel at, as well as their pros and cons. Whatever your preferences may be, we're confident that one of these Anker speakers will be perfect for what you need.
The best Anker speakers:
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
For our favourite Anker speaker, consider the Soundcore Motion 100. It's the best balance of budget for performance you can get and has very weak spots. It has two full-range drivers, a solid output of 20W, and a great waterproof rating of IPX7, so it certainly impresses when it comes to specs.
It's lightweight and fairly compact, so it's an excellent choice for those looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker. The 12-hour playtime can be fully charged in roughly five hours, so it's easy to keep it topped up. The Bluetooth 5.3 connection is also worth noting for how reliable it is.
We had one of our tech writers, Kyle Purves, test and review the Soundcore Motion 100, and they had this to say – "Soundcore speakers have often been my go-to choice for mid-budget speakers, but the Motion 100 has completely brought me around to the true budget side.
"While it doesn't quite have the bass coverage of other speakers, it still does a fairly good job, and it's a factor I'm willing to forgive when factoring in the price and size. For your money, you get an exceedingly reliable Bluetooth speaker that is lightweight, very portable, and plenty powerful."
Pros
- Consistently rich audio
- Reliable Bluetooth 5.3 connection
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Cons
- Other Soundcore speakers do bass better
| Drivers | Two full-range drivers |
| Audio power | 20W |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 5 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 20 x 8.8 cm |
| Weight | 0.689 kg |
For pure performance, the Motion x600 is the clear winner. The sound quality is superb, providing clear and crisp audio whether it's music or even a podcast. It truly shines when it comes to bass, pumping out powerful beats that rival larger, much less portable speakers.
The audio projection is notable too. With five drivers and five amplifiers, it's no surprise that this speaker can push its sound across even the largest of rooms.
One of our tech writers, Kyle Purves, reviewed the Soundcore Motion x600 and had this to say – "I listened to a lot of Japanese art rocker Haru Nemuri with this speaker, gaining a whole new appreciation for the guitar and drum work. Frankly, I'm hooked on how much of a quality leap this is from my usual headphones, and every time I leave the house and speaker behind, the albums don't hit quite as hard. Basically, if you like heavy instruments, the Motion X600 really draws out their potential.
"It's not just music in which the Motion x600 excels, as it's also great for listening to YouTube videos and podcasts. Voices came out crisp and clear, so I had no trouble or instances of double-guessing what was said. It's not as mindblowing as the performance when listening to music, but it's still great overall."
Pros
- Very impressive for bass-heavy music
- Great audio projection
- Sound quality is rich and clear
Cons
- Not the best travel option
| Drivers | Drivers x 5, Amplifiers x 5 |
| Audio power | 50W |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 6 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 31.1 x 17.1 x 8.1 cm |
| Weight | 2.35kg |
Listening to music as you shower is great, but you need a waterproof speaker that's loud enough to be heard, and that's where the Motion 300 comes in. It's a great size, being lightweight and small enough that you can have it in your bathroom or take it on the go. It's not our favourite pick for bass, but other than that, it's more than powerful enough.
The battery life is quite impressive for the size. At 13 hours, you won't need to charge it regularly, and even when you do, it goes back to full in a reasonable four hours or so.
When tech writer Kyle Purves reviewed the Anker Soundcore Motion 300, they had this to say about it – "With the focus on the outdoors and parties, the Motion 300 understands the importance of water resistance. With a rating of IPX7, this speaker can easily handle the occasional rainy shower. In fact, it's also a superb shower speaker too. I've used other speakers before for listening to music while I shower, but this is definitely the best size for one I've found. It's not too big whatsoever, with me never struggling to find a place for it. It's also not too small either, running the risk of slipping or somehow rolling away."
Pros
- Solid battery life for its size
- Great waterproofing
- Compact and lightweight enough for travel
Cons
- Bass is outclassed by other Anker options
| Drivers | Two drivers |
| Audio power | 30W |
| Battery life | 13 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 5 x 6 x 7 cm |
| Weight | 0.9kg |
The Motion X500 is another very versatile speaker from Anker that can perform well just about anywhere, but we like it best as a desk speaker. Its build is a bit different than other Soundcore speakers, being a bit more vertical, and as such, it's got a lot of power behind its sound without taking up too much surface space.
The Motion X500 is designed to focus on spatial sound, so you'll always feel immersed in music no matter where you sit in a room. As such, it's a great companion to help focus on work and other tasks.
Tech reviewer Kyle Purves said this when they reviewed the Anker Soundcore Motion X500: "Unlike most other Motion designs, the X500 stands quite tall, almost as much as it is wide. This more square-like design seemed unusual initially, but I grew quite fond of it.
"For me, it hits the perfect balance where it doesn't take up too much surface space while still having plenty of space for its drivers and output. Packing it away could be tricky, but the handle and lightweight build make it easy to carry around, so it never becomes a nuisance."
Pros
- Loud, powerful audio
- Great spatial surround sound
- Doesn't take up too much room
Cons
- The upward-facing driver is a bit small
| Drivers | Full-range drivers x 2, upward-firing driver x 1 |
| Audio power | 40W |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 5 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 22 x 20.2 x 8.1 cm |
| Weight | 2.12kg |
Best mini speaker
AnkerThe Anker Soundcore mini, as its name suggests, is absolutely tiny. It will comfortably sit in the palm of your hand, so don't be afraid to take this with you on a sunny day. It's also incredibly lightweight, so it won't become bothersome either.
What's most impressive about it is the Bluetooth range. Usually, a speaker this size would have a fairly limited range, but the Soundcore mini has no difficulty outranging much larger devices.
Pros
- Tiny build that is very lightweight
- Great Bluetooth range
- Simple controls
Cons
- Driver faces up, might not be for everyone
| Drivers | 5W driver, passive subwoofer |
| Audio power | 5W |
| Battery life | 15 hours |
| Charging time | Unspecified |
| Waterproofing | N/A |
| Dimensions | 6.86 x 6.86 x 6.86 cm |
| Weight | 0.2kg |
Best for outdoors
AnkerThe Motion Boom Plus thrives in the outdoors. Its battery life is more than enough to last a camping trip, and the addition of a built-in power bank means it can even charge your other devices in a pinch. Naturally, it also sports a solid level of dust and waterproofing, so rain and bad weather won't hold it back.
Of course, this is a larger speaker than most on this list, so you'll need to factor that into your travel plans. That said, the carry strap does help out in this regard.
Pros
- Built-in power bank to charge other devices
- Excellent audio power
- Very reliable waterproofing
Cons
- Need to account for its size when travelling
| Drivers | Two 30W woofers and a 10W tweeter |
| Audio power | 80W |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 5.5 hours |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 38.89 x 14 x 19.56 cm |
| Weight | 2.28kg |
Best for playtime
AnkerA playtime of 24 hours is already great, but the fact that the Anker Soundcore 3 can reach a full charge in roughly four hours is nothing short of impressive. You'll basically never be without it or your music. Plus, it's a little more powerful than the Soundcore 2, so you get better sound for longer.
It connects via Bluetooth 5.0, meaning it's a reliable connection that's unlikely to drop or be easily disturbed. As such, this is a great speaker to pair up with other models.
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.0 is very reliable and consistent
- Brilliant battery life
- Charges quite quickly
Cons
- Raised buttons aren't everyone's style
| Drivers | Dual pure titanium diaphragm drivers |
| Audio power | 16W |
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 17.4 x 5.99 x 5.69 cm |
| Weight | 0.37kg |
Best all rounder
AnkerThe Anker Soundcore 2 pretty much does it all. It has a fantastic 24 hours of playtime, connects easily with other devices (especially other Soundcore 2 speakers), and has some solid drivers for its size. It's small enough that you could pack it away in a bag and take it with you somewhere, but it's also powerful enough to use in a party setting.
The Soundcore 2 is a great all-rounder that won't disappoint. Still, if you think you might prefer something stronger in a specific niche, those options are available.
Pros
- Brilliant all-day battery life
- Pairs well wirelessly
- Great bass for the size
Cons
- More powerful options are available
| Drivers | Dual neodymium drivers |
| Audio power | 12W |
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Charging time | Unspecified |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 16.5 × 5.4 × 4.5 cm |
| Weight | 0.35kg |
Best poolside speaker
AnkerThe Anker Soundcore Boom 2 isn't just a waterproof speaker; it's also one that floats. That's right, you can take your tunes to the pool now. An IPX7 rating means that as long as its charge section is secured correctly, it can be submerged without any issue. It's the ultimate summertime companion.
As part of the Boom line, it's well-suited for bass-heavy music, so even if you're using it indoors, it still performs well at parties. You may want to play around with the settings a bit to get things just how you like them.
Pros
- Floats on water
- Easy and reliable to connect with
- Powerful, booming sound
Cons
- Will likely need to play with the settings to get it right for you
| Drivers | 50W racetrack subwoofer and dual 15W tweeters |
| Audio power | 80W |
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Charging time | Unspecified |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 29.6 x 10.1 x 18.5 cm |
| Weight | 1.66kg |
How to choose the best Anker speaker for you: Buyer's Guide
Size and portability
Many of these Anker speakers are designed to take on the go, so it's best to prioritise the one that will match your travel setup.
The x600 suits those with large backpacks or those planning to travel somewhere in the car. If you're going for a walk, a smaller speaker will suit you better. The Motion 100 or 300 are ideal for picnics or camping.
On the other side, if you don't need to prioritise portability, a design like the X500 or Boom 2 might be more your style.
Battery life to match your needs
In a similar vein to portability, you should weigh up the importance of battery life and playtime. If you think the speaker will spend most of its time next to a power outlet, then you can pretty much choose any option. But if you want to avoid added cable clutter, a good battery life can be freeing.
Anker speakers tend to boast respectable playtimes and often have speedy charging times to match, so ultimately you shouldn't have too much to worry about. Nevertheless, if you want to pack light when travelling, choose a speaker with at least eight or more hours of playtime.
FAQs
What is the difference between Bluetooth and wireless speakers?
Although Bluetooth and Wi-Fi may sound like they have the same function, in practice you want them for different purposes.
A Wi-Fi speaker setup has a better overall range and can more easily accommodate extra devices. It's best used for a speaker setup in a home or static location; you could connect a set throughout your house and have the same audio playing. The sound quality also tends to be a little richer than with Bluetooth.
A Bluetooth speaker is your portable and travel pick. Although the range is more limited, it's unlikely to stray far from your phone anyway. There tends to be a bit more latency between the source and the output, but this isn't an issue for just listening to music.
What does the waterproof rating mean?
Short for ingress protection, the IP rating of a speaker measures how well protected it is against dust and debris as well as water. The first number represents its resistance to solid materials like dust and sand, so consider that if you're taking a speaker to the beach. Anything at IP6 or above is effectively dustproof. Since speakers tend to focus on waterproofing, they may leave the first number as an "X" instead.
The second number represents how waterproof the speaker is. IPX5 can handle jets of water, making that and above ideal for a shower speaker. Most waterproof Anker speakers sit around IPX7, meaning so long as the back is sealed per instructions, they can be submerged without issue. Of course, always be sure to double-check before bringing the speaker near water.
So, what's the best?
For our money, we would choose the Soundcore 100. It's our pick for the best overall, with a set of impressive specs for its affordable price. It sounds great and is lightweight and very portable, so we can enjoy our music wherever we go. The only complaint we have about it is that other Soundcore speakers can outshine it in certain other categories and niches, but if you want the best balance of price and performance, this is it.
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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
They're well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They're also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.
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