Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Nintendo Switch 2 MacBook Air M4 Amazon Spring Sale Best Mattress Wordle Today Bluetooth Speakers I just tested Soundcore’s newest boombox speaker — and it's the best I've ever heard (and felt) for the price Perfect for party campsites or parties Erin Bashford 1 April 2025 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Recommended (Image: © Tom's Guide) Tom's Guide Verdict Despite the disappointing battery life and the plasticky design, I can’t deny that the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus boombox speaker is a pretty punchy gadget. The bass was shaking my floors and walls, which may not be as enjoyable to my downstairs neighbors, but I was having too good a time to care. TODAY'S BEST DEALS $179.99 at Amazon $249.99 at Walmart $249.99 at Macy's Balanced sound even at low volumes Floor-shaking bass — with ‘BassUp’ and EQ Clear and vibrant vocals Carry strap and handle Not as heavy as other outdoor speakers No dustproofing Design is very plasticky Unimpressive battery life Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. Cheat sheet Price & availability Features & connectivity Sound quality Battery life The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has a lot to live up to. I am a new Soundcore convert, as I fell utterly in love with the Space One Pro headphones when I tested them a month or so ago. I’ve been doing my fair share of boombox speaker testing, too, so I was eager to see if the Boom 2 Plus lives up to the hype. The Boom 2 Plus is the newest iteration of the Boom lineup, succeeding the Boom 2. While the Boom 2 Plus actually sees a loss of battery life (20 hours down from 24), the booming bass and bombastic sound quality work hard enough to make up for it. So, is the Boom 2 Plus one of the best bluetooth speakers you can get? Well, it’s pretty pricey at $249, but I think that’s for good reason. The bass will shake the floor, and the light show is pretty enrapturing, even though it’s not particularly rhythmic. I’ll discuss everything from design, to battery life, to sound quality in this Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus (Black) at Amazon for $179.99 Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Cheat sheet What is it? A speaker for those boom boom boom songs Who is it for? Campers who love annoying everyone else at the campsite, or house parties intended to irritate neighbors — in the best way possible What does it cost? $249 / £199 What do we like? Bass x100, balanced sound, plus the included carry strap and handle What don’t we like? Its design is plasticky, it isn’t dustproof and the battery life is unimpressive Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally $249 / £199 Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 / aux IPX7 (and it can float) 20 hours (USB-C rechargeable, USB-C output charging) 17.4 × 5.9 × 8.9 inches Black, blue, green/LED lights Compatibility iOS, Android Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Price & availability The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus speaker is $249 from Amazon U.S. and £199 from Amazon U.K., which is a pretty reasonable price for an outdoor Bluetooth speaker, as some can go for upwards of $300. Although not technically a boombox speaker, the JBL Xtreme 4 comes in as one of the priciest Bluetooth speakers I’ve reviewed at a massive $379. But oh boy, it’s so darn good, that I almost think that’s a reasonable asking price. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) However, if you’re looking for a great speaker and $379 is a little too much, then the $299 Tribit StormBox Blast 2 could be on the table. This is the speaker I use at home, and its bass is everlastingly impressive. For just an extra $50, you’ll get a much feistier, complex bass than the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. The Tribit would always be my go-to recommendation. If you’re on a serious budget, then the $189 EarFun UBOOM X might be a better choice than all of the above. No, its audio prowess isn’t that impressive, but it’s very cheap (all things considered), and it still sounds good. For me, though, I’d save up longer and get the Tribit. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Design 2x 50W woofers Customizable LED light show Plasticky body The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus’s design will delight some and disappoint others. The body is made from a hollow-sounding plastic that looks dull and cheap. It looks similar to that of the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, but feels rougher than the former. Again, this is to be expected of a budget speaker, and is likely a necessity for its impressive IPX7 rating. The front of the speaker is stamped with a huge ‘soundcore’ logo and zig-zag wide mesh. Personally, I much prefer the looks of the JBL Xtreme 4, but that’s $130 more expensive than the Boom 2 Plus. On either side of the speaker are two vertical, oblong LED lights that are supposed to dance to the beat of music. Well, they have about as much rhythm as a drunk uncle at your distant cousin’s wedding. I found myself staring into their depths to figure out if they were on time or not. I felt like a seer trying to glean meaning from an oracular orb; let me tell you, the future was not bright. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) These LED lights simply cannot find the beat. They were always a millisecond off. Yeah, they look nice, and there’s a huge range of color options (I did like the default ‘rainbow’ the best), but they definitely are not “beat-driven”, to quote Soundcore’s marketing. There are some great design features, though, like the carry strap, the carry handle (complete with finger ridges), the aux port, and the USB-C port for both in-and-out charging. This would be a great choice for pool parties or day trips, when your phone might need a little extra juice. It’s also not as heavy as other outdoor speakers I’ve tested — it’s 8.4 pounds as opposed to the EarFun UBOOM X’s 9.1 pounds, and the absolutely monstrous Tribit StormBox Blast 2’s 19 pounds. However, the JBL Xtreme 4 is just 4.3 pounds, and packs a major bass punch in that relatively compact size. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Features & connectivity Custom 9-band EQ PartyCast with other Soundcore speakers Aux input as well as Bluetooth 5.3 The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus speaker, like the Tribit StormBox Blast 2, can charge phones using the USB-C charging output. This is a really nice touch for those super long day trips where you don’t have access to a power outlet. The Boom 2 Plus runs via Bluetooth 5.3, which means the range can go up to 800 feet. In testing, I was able to go outside onto the street while my phone was still connected — I could also hear the music from my apartment’s window, which was pretty cool. When’s the Street Party? (Image credit: Tom's Guide) There’s also 3.5mm aux playback for house parties, which is as easy to use as every other aux audio gadget. Unfortunately, you can’t control the speaker via the mobile app if you’re using aux, but you can still activate BassUp mode for that booming bass. Speaking of booming bass, the Soundcore app has a 9-band customizable EQ, where I was able to pump up the bass even louder. While the bass never quite reached the Everest heights of the StormBox Blast 2, it would still be enough to attract the ire of my neighbours. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any other Soundcore speakers on hand, so I couldn’t check out the PartyCast feature. This is basically the same as AuraCast, where you can link up multiple speakers for a stereo sound experience. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Sound quality Pumping bass with BassUp and customized EQ Slick, sonorous vocals even with hefty bass Not the right type of speaker for detail listeners To test out the Soundcore Boom 2, I listened to music on one of the best music streaming services for hi-res playback, Qobuz. To test out the bass, I put on my classic bass-testing track, ‘flight fm’ by Joy Orbison. I enabled ‘BassUp’ and put the bass on max on the Soundcore app (which I’ll go into in full detail later). Oh man oh man, the bass shook the floor — at just volume 2 on my iPhone 16 Pro. I upped the volume once, and my eardrums started vibrating. This would be excellent for grimy DnB parties, or heavy rock music. However, detail is lost at the expense of bass — but this is to be expected with these types of speakers. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) No boombox speakers will be able to play music with supreme details, as that’s quite literally the nature of them. These speakers are designed to be floor-filling, wall-shaking, party machines. As they’re outdoor speakers, the sound needs to travel through the air adeptly. Next, I played ‘Taste’ by Sabrina Carpenter on Qobuz. Sabrina’s vocals were a little muffled, but, again, that’s the nature of these types of speakers. Again, when listening to ‘Starburster’ by Fontaines D.C., the vocals were a little muffled, but the bass was utterly thumping. My desk was trembling. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) I played ‘Kill V Maim’ by Grimes, which has a really unique bassline and cacophonous percussion. The drums were extremely loud and almost threatened to overpower Grimes’ vocals, but it actually made the song sound better for some bizarre reason. I wanted to get up and dance to the bass. In the same vein of synth-heavy bass-heavy alt-pop, I played ‘Image’ by Magdalena Bay, which is a bassy pop track with high, airy vocals. Again, the vocals were a little quiet in the bass-heavy speaker, but that’s exactly what you want if you’re playing outside, which is less forgiving than at home, or if you’re having a house party. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) To test high-frequency sound effects, I played ‘Money’ by Pink Floyd, which obviously starts with the eponymous money clinking and tinkling. Yes, these delicate sound effects were a little lost in the melee, but I was too busy grooving to the bassline to care. To round off my testing, I played ‘Backstreet Freestyle’ by Kendrick Lamar, which is built over a pulsing baritone bass and percussion that sounds like (cool and trendy) Alpine cows. I could hear the bass and the percussion easily, and Kendrick’s ad-libs were not lost in the depth of the bass. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) I was really impressed with the sound quality here. I think this speaker excels at hip hop, DnB, and bassy synth pop like Magdalena Bay and Grimes, but it doesn’t do so well with pop and indie. Again: this is not a high-fidelity, detail-oriented speaker. It’s a loud, unapologetic, bass speaker. If you’re into detail listening, I’d recommend something like the JBL Authentics range. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: App Easy-to-use app with a range of customization tools Adjust EQ or choose from Soundcore’s presets Change color show I was a little disappointed not to see HearID on the Soundcore app, which was my favorite aspect of the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones ($199) I tested recently. However, this is a speaker, not a set of headphones, so what sounds good to me might not sound good to my fellow listeners, and I forgave the app pretty quickly. (Image credit: Future / Soundcore) As you can see, you can adjust things like EQ, sort out firmware upgrades, and select from pre-determined light shows. As I said above, these light shows are kind of like toddlers playing soccer, in that they have no idea what they’re doing, but it’s good that the option to play around with the effects is there. I really like that the speaker image in the app has color-changing LEDs that match what is playing in real life — it’s a super considerate touch. However, you don’t need the app to use the speaker. I was able to change the color show using the sun icon on the actual speaker, and turn on the BassUp feature with the ‘Bass’ icon. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Battery life Just 20 hours Pretty middling battery life Tribit StormBox Blast 2 is 30 hours (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Considering this speaker is just $50 cheaper than the Tribit StormBox Blast 2, I was expecting around a 25-hour battery life. However, it’s just 20 hours. This is pretty disappointing in 2025, as many Bluetooth speakers can reach 30 hours. The $379 JBL Xtreme 4 plays for 24 hours, which is pretty disappointing given its premium price tag. However, the Ultimate Ears Everboom ($249) plays for just 20 hours, too, so the Boom 2 Plus isn’t completely alone. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Verdict Despite the semi-ugly design and the out-of-sync LED lights, I can’t help but like this speaker. It sounds majorly impressive without custom EQ, and then with BassUp and bass EQ, it’s enough to shake the floor. I would recommend this speaker for outdoor listening, given the fantastic bass will travel across campsites. It will also perform well inside, and could even be the ideal party speaker under $250. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) While it’s not quite as good as the JBL Xtreme 4 and the Tribit StormBox Blast 2, it’s really trying to get there, and for that, I commend it. With a longer battery life and a less muffled midrange, this could truly knock some of the best speakers off their podiums. Considering the price is just $249 (but often on sale), the Boom 2 Plus’s awesome bass should definitely not be forgotten. Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: Price Comparison $179.99View $249.99View $249.99View $249.99View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by Erin Bashford Social Links Navigation Staff Writer, Reviews Erin Bashford is a staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia and 7 years of experience writing music, events, and food reviews. Now she’s turned her attention to tech for Tom’s Guide, reviewing everything from earbuds to garlic crushers. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Latest in Bluetooth Speakers I just tested Soundcore’s newest boombox speaker — and it's the best I've ever heard (and felt) for the price Fender x Teufel Rockster Cross review Tribit StormBox Blast 2 review: The perfect party speaker for less Turn it up! My favorite Bose Bluetooth speaker is 42% off for Cyber Monday I have the best music taste in the world and it's time for my neighbors to know about it — the JBL Xtreme 4 speaker is $80 off Early Black Friday sale on JBL audio at Amazon — 7 deals I'd get now from $29 Latest in Reviews I just tested Soundcore’s newest boombox speaker — and it's the best I've ever heard (and felt) for the price Goodbye Oura — I tested the new $79 Amazfit Bip 6 for a week and was seriously impressed I just tested an out-of-this-world gaming chair with battery-powered backrest and lumbar controls This Spigen car mount makes mounting your phone effortless — and it’s one of the first vent mounts I actually like These budget headphones are a lesson in how to make talented musicians sound like they’re doing nightclub karaoke I just tested these high-fidelity wired earbuds — and I won’t be going back to wireless anytime soon Naturepedic unveil new mattress toppers that promise to add organic, cloud-like comfort to your bed 'House of the Dragon' season 3 begins filming with some new cast members Hulu top 10 movies — here's what you need to stream right now See more latest Most Popular Samsung QN90F hands-on review: is this the Mini-LED TV to beat in 2025? Goodbye Oura — I tested the new $79 Amazfit Bip 6 for a week and was seriously impressed I just tested an out-of-this-world gaming chair with battery-powered backrest and lumbar controls This Spigen car mount makes mounting your phone effortless — and it’s one of the first vent mounts I actually like Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow review 2025 I finally found a robot vacuum that never tangles — and it's surprisingly affordable These budget headphones are a lesson in how to make talented musicians sound like they’re doing nightclub karaoke I just tested these high-fidelity wired earbuds — and I won’t be going back to wireless anytime soon The JBL Tune 305C are a cheap way of streaming hi-res audio — but they have crucial flaws that are hard to ignore Keydous NJ98-CP V2 HE review: So close to being my dream keyboard LATEST ARTICLES Hulu top 10 movies — here's what you need to stream right now Last chance! 19 best deals you can still shop from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale I was burnt out on 'Black Mirror' — but the new season 7 trailer has me seriously excited for the show's return Samsung QN90F hands-on review: is this the Mini-LED TV to beat in 2025? Stop everything and update your iPhones, iPads and Macs — Apple issues critical fix for zero-day exploits Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Accessibility Statement Advertise with us Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...