Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs. Bose SL Micro 2: Which small speaker is the better buy?

Choosing the best mini portable Bluetooth speaker depends on where you want to take it. However, in my extensive testing of wireless speakers, I’ve found the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 to be one of the best for travel and daily use.

The latest competitor to the Micro 2 is Soundcore’s Boom Go 3i. It mimics its size and shape almost exactly, but it adds lights and a tiny screen to battery life. I spent some time comparing these small portable wireless speakers to see which one was the better buy in 2026. Here’s what I found.

Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Bose SoundLink Micro 2: Features

In a lot of ways, the Bose SoundLink Micro 2nd Gen and the Soundcore Boom Go 3i are evenly matched. The sound, size, and strap all match up well. The Go 3i just goes much further when it comes to all the features included.

The most obvious thing is the front lights, which can move to the music or just vibe more casually. The other thing is the tiny screen that can show how much battery life is left, and whether bass boost or eco modes are active.

The Soundcore app takes the features even farther. The mobile app allows you to use the Go 3i as a loudspeaker by talking into your phone’s microphone. It can also play loops of your recorded voice. There’s a built-in sound machine for playing ambient noises. The whole app feels expansive and full-featured.

The Bose app allows you to make minor tweaks to the speaker, most notably adjust the EQ. There’s nothing wrong with the Bose app, but it does seem lacking compared to the Soundcore one.

Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Bose SoundLink Micro 2: Sound

Using the default settings for both speakers, I think the Soundcore Go 3i has a touch more clarity and punch than the Bose Micro 2. The Go 3i was more trebly and bright-sounding out of the box, while the Micro 2 had more muddled mids and more soft.

When I boosted the mids and got the sound to be as close as possible on the two speakers, they both sounded great for their size. Both have enough bass to sound full and meaty—again, relative to their size.

The area where the Go 3i really shines is in its power and volume. The company advertises 15 watts of power. I couldn’t find a spec listed for the Micro 2, but it’s clear that it has to be turned up much higher to match the volume of the Go 3i.

The Bose Micro 2 still has enough power to fill a living room or outdoor patio. It’s not weak for a casual, personal setting, but it’s just not as loud as the Go 3i.

Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Bose SoundLink Micro 2: Price

The Soundcore speaker retails for $80, while Bose’s full price is $130. Having a $50 price gap is pretty hard to overcome for a smaller purchase like this. As part of the Go 3i launch, the speaker has been discounted to $60. A $70 price difference is that much harder to overcome.

If the Go 3i sounded terrible or was deeply flawed in some way, it would be much easier to recommend splurging on the Micro 2. But in this case, Soundcore’s portable speaker sounds just as good or better than Bose’s. I like the Micro 2’s form factor enough to recommend it over a lot of other speakers, but the Go 3i copies it almost perfectly, which leaves very little not to like about it.

Which small speaker should you buy?

Both of these wireless Bluetooth speakers are ideal for travel. They’re small enough for a suitcase or backpack. But neither one of them will weigh your bag down. Also, despite being a petite size, they still pack enough volume and fullness to do your music justice.

The edge has to go to the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. Despite it’s cumbersome name, the speaker has a nice, crisp sound, plenty of useful features, and a reasonable price. If you can find the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 on sale it’s not a bad buy. But with all things considered, I think the Soundcore Boom Go 3i is the winner between the two.