The Anker Soundcore 2 is an impressive budget Bluetooth speaker that has earned its reputation for delivering quality sound at an affordable price. Priced at around $40, this speaker offers a great balance between performance and portability, making it a solid choice for casual listeners.

Anker Soundcore 2: Design and Build Quality

    The Soundcore 2 is compact, with a sleek, minimalist design that easily fits into a bag, making it perfect for on-the-go use. It's also IPX7 waterproof, which means it can withstand rain, splashes, and even short submersion in water—ideal for outdoor adventures.

    The Anker Soundcore 2 boasts solid build quality, featuring a sturdy metal grille that shields the drivers and a rubberized exterior that feels durable in hand. Although the rubber material tends to attract fingerprints, it can be easily cleaned with a quick wipe. The speaker is rated IPX7 for dust and water resistance, adding to its durability, though it lacks an impact resistance rating. According to the manual, it's advised to handle the speaker with care to avoid drops.

    The controls are straightforward and functional. Positioned on top of the speaker are buttons for power, volume adjustment, audio play/pause, and Bluetooth pairing. You can double-tap the play button to skip to the next track, but unfortunately, there’s no option to go back to the previous track. Holding the play button allows you to activate the voice assistant. Additionally, you can press the play button to answer incoming calls and hold it to end them.

    The Anker SoundCore 2 has compact dimensions of 165mm x 54mm x 45mm, making it small enough to easily slip into a bag without worrying about damage. Its bar-shaped design ensures it’s both portable and space-efficient, and its lightweight build means you can carry it comfortably without any hassle.

Anker Soundcore 2: Sound Quality

    For a small speaker, the Soundcore 2 packs a punch. It features two 6W drivers and a bass port, providing clear mids and highs with surprisingly deep bass. While it may not match the audio quality of more expensive models, it offers impressive clarity and volume for its size, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

    The Anker Soundcore 2 falls short in frequency response accuracy. Much like other compact speakers, such as the Sony SRS-XB12, it struggles to deliver deep bass, so you miss the rich thump in bass-heavy tracks. While vocals and lead instruments are clear and prominent in the mid-range, the upper harmonics of these sounds can be somewhat subdued, and sibilants like S and T sounds lack clarity. If you're looking for a speaker with a customizable sound profile, consider the Anker Soundcore 3 as an alternative.

    In terms of volume, the Anker SoundCore 2 falls short of our expectations. It delivers adequate sound levels in a quiet environment, but struggles to compete with background noise, reaching its volume limit quickly. When compared to the UE Wonderboom, the SoundCore 2 was significantly outperformed, with the UE Wonderboom offering much higher maximum volume and better handling of distortion.

Anker Soundcore 2: Battery Life

   One of the standout features of the Soundcore 2 is its battery life. Anker claims up to 24 hours of playtime on a single charge, thanks to its 5200mAh battery. This makes it one of the longest-lasting speakers in its price range, perfect for extended listening sessions.

    An excellent battery life duration for its price range. While the manufacturer claims up to 24 hours of battery life, actual performance may vary based on usage. Additionally, the speaker features an auto-off function that activates after around twenty minutes of inactivity, helping to extend battery life.

Anker Soundcore 2: Connectivity

    The Soundcore 2 offers Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, which provides a stable connection up to 66 feet away. It also includes an aux input for wired connections, giving you flexibility in how you use it. Pairing is simple, and the speaker remembers the last connected device, making re-connection hassle-free.

    The Anker Soundcore 2 offers solid Bluetooth connectivity, though it only supports pairing with one device at a time, which may be a limitation for some users. Its latency is minimal with both Android and iOS devices, making it suitable for watching videos and movies. However, the way different apps handle latency can affect your experience. If you need a speaker that can connect to two devices simultaneously, the JBL Flip 5 might be a better option.

Is Anker Soundcore 2 Worth Buying in 2024?

    The Anker Soundcore 2 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a reliable, budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker. It offers solid sound quality, exceptional battery life, and robust waterproofing—all at an affordable price. Whether you’re using it at home or taking it on the road, the Soundcore 2 delivers on its promises, making it a top contender in its category.