Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review

Anker is continuing to rebrand its outdoor-oriented portable Bluetooth speakers with the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. Essentially the bigger brother to the Soundcore Boom 2 and replacing its previous generation, the Motion Boom Plus, Anker has crammed two 4.5-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters into this floatable speaker design, not to mention dual LED lights on the passive radiators. With the ability to push 140 watts of energetic beach party power, read on to find out if the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has what it takes to make your job “just beach.”

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus?

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus arrives in an adventure-ready, robust plastic housing. Our test model features a Phantom Black finish, which is more dark grey but the unit is also available in Adventure Green and Explorer Blue.

This floatable party speaker features an IPX7 water-resistance rating, and an aluminum grill protects two 1-inch tweeters and two 4.5-inch woofers. The control buttons sit almost flush in the housing, and even the LED party light passive radiators on the side are recessed for protection. Durability-wise, it’s safe to say that the Boom 2 Plus can handle the occasional tumble or two, not to mention falling overboard if you and your friends get a little too carried away listening to Spotify’s Yacht Rock playlist.

Sporting a massive handle and removable carrying strap, the Boom 2 Plus requires a dedicated hand (or shoulder) to move around. While not an issue in your backyard, you might have to make an extra trip to get this speaker from your car to the waterfront once you get to the beach. As you may know, hauling around a larger speaker is the trade-off if you want some substantial low-end at your next get-together.

How do you control the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus?

You control the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus via physical controls at the top of the speaker’s enclosure. Once powered on, the power and Bluetooth buttons are backlit and easy to find, but the volume, play/pause, and light show buttons are not. Below is a breakdown of how the buttons operate.

You can also control some features through the Soundcore app, including volume, EQ, and LED settings, and modify some of the speaker’s default settings, such as adjusting the auto timer off.

Should you use the app for the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus?

Downloading and installing the Soundcore app will let you customize your sound and light show. You can select from four preset EQ options or create your own with the full 10-band custom EQ. The app also provides several variations on the lighting effects, including dimming or turning them off to save battery life. Of course, you’ll also need the app to download any firmware updates.

How does the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus connect?

The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3 and only supports SBC. If you have two Boom 2 Plus speakers, you can pair them for proper stereo performance.

PartyCast 2.0 connects up to 100 Soundcore PartyCast 2.0-supported products simultaneously! If you, by chance, know 100 people with 100 Soundcore PartyCast 2.0-supported speakers, please send the party invite to my email.

How long does the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus’s battery last?

Anker states 20 hours of playback at 50% volume with BassUp and light effects turned off. Our battery tests are still ongoing; check back soon for official results!

How does the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus sound?

The Boom 2 Plus will keep a sizeable outdoor party or backyard BBQ moving thanks to the low-end provided by the built-in subwoofers and the “BassUP 2.0” technology; BassUP mode will boost the subwoofer’s output from 35w to 50w each, while the two 1-inch tweeters also increase their power from 15W to 20W for a total of 140 watts.

The stock Soundcore Signature EQ preset is a great place to start with the Boom 2 Plus; don’t waste time with the Voice, Treble Boost, or Balanced presets, as they subtract a substantial amount of low-end. Kicking this party off with Andrew W.K.’s Party Hard, the steady pulse of the four-on-the-floor kick drum hits hard, and the bass guitar is front and center without completely overpowering the mix, all while the LED passive radiators are firing on all cylinders and pulsing like a Bat out of Hell.  The distorted guitars are a little distant but still plenty audible, not to mention you can still hear the percussive plink of the rock and roll piano keys accompanying this motivational track.

As with the Boom 2, the graphic EQ is the key to unlocking a healthy (or unhealthy) dose of low-end from the Boom 2 Plus. Listening to Why Can’t This Be Love by Van Halen while increasing some low frequencies around 70Hz enhances the kick drum. A boost at 150Hz also helps amplify the helicopter-like tremolo synth line to my preferred level. The full-band EQ allows you to select and boost frequencies as low as 48Hz, so there is room to tweak; it’s worth experimenting!

Can you use the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for phone calls?

Answering your phone while blasting some tunes would be a huge party foul, but yes, you can take phone calls while connected to the Boom 2 Plus, thanks to its built-in microphone. In ideal conditions, you get decent clarity. It’s plenty usable for a quick chat if needed.

Should you buy the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus?

If you like to entertain and want a larger Bluetooth speaker with a little something extra for your get-togethers, whether in your backyard or at the lake, the Boom 2 Plus is a great buy. It’s durable, loud, and has plenty of bass with an overall customizable sound. Clearly, it’s not the most portable speaker out there, but if you want that low-end, an increase in weight and size is the price you pay.

With the Boom 2 Plus taking care of the audio-visual portion of a party, add a BBQ —and maybe a Yeti cooler full of ice-cold drinks—and you’ve got yourself a decent shin-dig in the works.

What should you get instead of the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus?

If you’re keen on plenty of low-end and fun LED lights but want to save some real estate, the regular Soundcore Boom 2 ($89.99 at Amazon) is more portable and still provides a good amount of bass. You still get the same IPX7 protection rating, floatable design, and companion app with EQ options, but the Boom 2 maxes out at 80 watts, compared to the Boom 2 Plus, which maxes out at 140 watts.

If you’re after something more stylish, Anker’s Soundcore Motion X600 ($149.99 at Amazon) is worth a look. With five drivers, including one that fires upward, the Motion X600 can deliver a reasonably immersive listening experience with a decent amount of low-end in a modern-looking package. You still get the built-in handle for portability, IPX7 water resistance rating, and the ability to personalize your sound with the same Soundcore app.

Frequently asked questions