Welcome to my UE Wonderboom 2 vs Anker Soundcore Flare Review.
I’ll be honest – if you don’t use the right speaker, you won’t enjoy your music.
This is a gross oversimplification, but I think it will be handy. Get UE Wonderboom 2 if you want a lightweight, waterproof, long connection range with loud and superb sound quality. While get Anker Soundcore Flare if you’re going to bump your next pool party.
|
Specifications |
Anker Soundcore Flare |
UE Wonderboom 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Battery Life |
12 hours full charge |
13 hours full charge |
|
Recharge Time to Full Charge |
3.5 hours |
2.4 hours |
|
Weather Proof Rating |
IPX7 |
IP67 |
|
Bluetooth Range |
20 feet |
100 feet |
|
Built-in Microphone |
Yes |
No |
|
Shock Proof Rating |
N/A |
5 feet |
|
Size |
3.5 in x 3.5 in x 5.95 in |
4.1 in x 3.7 in x 3.7 in |
|
Weight |
530 grams |
420 grams |
|
360 Sound |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LED Lighting built-in |
Yes |
No |
|
AUX input |
Yes |
No |
|
Overall Rating |
||
|
Price |
When searching for a solid portable speaker at a more comfortable price point, you will likely run into both of these contenders. At this size, price, and feature level, you will need to take a deeper dive to figure out which will suit your needs best.
That is why we took the time to make a side by side comparison to help you answer the question, which is better, UE Wonderboom 2 vs Anker Soundcore Flare?
Anker Soundcore Flare
Anker is a Chinese-based company that began not long ago in 2011. They originally focused on replacement batteries and external battery options for cellphones and laptops and became well regarded for their durability and quality. Anker consists of 4 main brands to bring their products to market, with Soundcore being their speaker-specific brand.
The Anker Soundcore Flare is the first of Soundcore’s Flare product line. The Flare line is meant for aesthetic purposes first and foremost, while also offering a higher grade listening experience. With an emphasis on water protection, the Soundcore Flare is well suited to bump at your next pool party.
Specifications:
- 360 degree sound
- IPX7 waterproof
- 12-hour battery life with light and sound
- 5 customizable LED light modes
- Bluetooth version 4.2
- Bluetooth range: 20 feet
- 530 gram weight
- Dimensions: 3.5 in x 3.5 in x 5.95 in
- Integrated microphone
Pros:
- LED lighting options gives your function some dazzle
- Built-in microphone gives you smart AI options, such as Amazon Alexa
- Dedicated AUX input just in case you need it
- Larger size and weight for more sturdiness
Cons:
- Shorter Bluetooth reception range
- Less portability due to weight, size, and durability rating compared to UE Wonderboom 2
The Anker Soundcore Flare comes packed with features that any music lover needs to have with their portable setup plus a few bonus ones. With it’s solid battery life, waterproof qualities, and LED lights, this product has features sure to apply to everyone’s needs. Without breaking the bank, you will get quality, durability, and aesthetics.
UE Wonderboom 2
The Ultimate Ears brand is a United States-based company that was formed in 1995. Their roots began as an IEM (in-ear monitor) designer for stage performance, but have since expanded to speaker systems of many kinds. With such an emphasis on quality audio reproduction in its history, UE created the Wonderboom to do that for a more modest audience.
The Wonderboom 2 has a target audience of people who need loud, quality speakers while on the go. When we say on the go, we mean it, as in rugged situations from dust to drop to water. With a minimalistic design and actual size, this portable speaker appeals to those who want a speaker to last, and not necessarily for all the flash.
Specifications:
- 360 degree sound
- 13-hour battery life
- 2.4 hour charge time
- Micro USB charging system
- Bluetooth range: 100 feet
- Dimensions: 4.1 in x 3.7 in x 3.7 in
- Weight: 420 grams
- IP67 water and dustproof rating
- 5 feet drop height rating
Pros:
- Top-end durability from IP67 rating + shock resistance
- Minimalist design gives maximum portability
- Outdoor EQ boost provides higher loudness with clarity
- Longer battery life and shorter charging time compared to Anker Soundcore Flare
Cons:
- No microphone to allow for smart AI ability
- No LED lighting, function is emphasized over form
Features Face-to-Face
These two products are very similar in what they offer, and the consumer they aim to target. In our opinion, both options are worthy of getting, but I will help you pick the one that suits your needs. We will compare them side by side to show you the specialties of each, that way, you can decide which option fits your buying criteria better.
Battery Specs
Both options give you a similar amount of battery life. Where they differ is the recharge time as well as the things they power up.
The battery in the Anker Soundcore Flare gives you 12 hours of battery life on a full charge. The battery powers both the speakers and the integrated LED light. This is significant as lighting can be a big draw on the battery. It has a recharge time of 3.5 hours to get back to full charge.
The battery in the UE Wonderboom 2 will give you 13 hours of battery life on a full charge. Where it beats the Soundcore Flare is the recharge time, coming in at around 2.4 hours to get back to full charge.
Both utilize a Micro USB charging cable system.
With the overall longer battery life and quicker recharging capabilities, we have to hand this category to the UE Wonderboom 2. Though the length of battery life with both audio and lighting on in the Flare is noteworthy.
Winner: UE Wonderboom 2
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Design and Looks
This is a very subjective category because everyone is different and likes separate things. So we will go off of the baseline of the shared minimum, then anything added will be weighed to make the determination.
They both have an athleisure knit fabric wrap and dedicated volume buttons.
The UE Wonderboom 2 has the volume buttons largely printed on the side in contrasting colors to the main fabric. It also has a woven-in hang loop for holding security.
The Anker Soundcore Flare has an integrated LED lighting tube on the bottom of the cylinder with 5 different color and cadence options.
The Wonderboom 2 is smaller, with a pop-art bubble cylindrical appearance. The Soundcore Flare is slightly larger with a vintage vase-like design.
Due to the LED lighting, and more robust sizing and weight, we think that the Anker Soundcore Flare will turn more heads at a function for its quirks. Thus, we have to give this category to the Flare.
Winner: Anker Soundcore Flare
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Durability and Portability
Both options offer some amount of waterproofing protection, though only one guarantees the dust proofing. Both are generally lightweight and have a small enough size to carry around with you. But there are some key differences to note depending on your specific needs.
The Anker Soundcore Flare contains IPX7 water and dustproof rating. That means the speaker can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and receive no water damage, so long as the product is in top factory condition. It has had no testing done on its dust proofing, so it is unknown how well this product will hold up.
The UE Wonderboom 2 comes in with an IP67 rating. This means that it also can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes with no water damage to the internal components. It has had dustproof testing done, and it is dust-tight – meaning no dust damage will come to the speaker if it is in working factory condition still.
The Anker Soundcore Flare weighs in at around 530 grams, with larger dimensions too, at 3.5 in deep x 3.5 in wide x 5.95 in tall.
Meanwhile the UE Wonderboom 2 measures in at around 420 grams, with smaller dimensions also, at 3.7 in deep x 3.7 in wide x 4.1 in tall. It also has a hanging loop built into the device so that you can clip it to anything or loop your finger through it for more security in transit.
The UE Wonderboom 2 has a shockproof rating of at least 5 feet, so you can have your small accidents, or clip it to your hiking backpack, and still have a functioning speaker after.
Both products have great waterproofing abilities, but where the separation comes is in the extra dust and shockproof. Not to mention the hanging loop to add superb portability convenience. The clear cut winner here is the UE Wonderboom 2.
Winner: UE Wonderboom 2
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Bluetooth Functionality
When we’re talking about portable speakers, the Bluetooth system has to get the job done, no doubt about that. It’s very frustrating when the sound cuts in and out, or if your device has a hard time even connecting in the first place. Both speakers have Bluetooth built-in, but the capabilities they have do differ.
The Anker Soundcore Flare operates off of Bluetooth 4.2 technology. That is one step down from top-end Bluetooth tech, so no worries there. It has a 20 foot Bluetooth reception range and an easy button pairing function. Two speakers can be paired together and provide synchronicity with the lighting and sound.
The UE Wonderboom 2 has Bluetooth technology built-in, but the company website does not specify which version of the tech. It claims a 100-foot reception range, and an easy button pairing function too. Up to two speakers can be synced together, and the other cool thing is that you can connect two input sources (i.e., music playing devices) simultaneously to share DJ duties.
Thanks to the much larger reception range, and the simultaneous connection of two inputs, we think the Bluetooth functionality head-to-head has to go to the UE Wonderboom 2.
Winner: UE Wonderboom 2
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Stand Out Features
At the risk of sounding repetitive, there will be topics in this section we have already discussed. But it is what we believe are the defining features that make each product unique and worthy of your consideration.
In an overall sense, we see the Anker Soundcore Flare as being a versatile, any party vibing type of portable speaker. You won’t feel out of place in a social gathering with this speaker.
- Sturdy, heavier design gives a more stable impression
- LED lighting tube along the bottom provides synchronicity to the sounds being played
- You can use a smart AI to be the DJ for you
- Pair two of them together for a stereo, synced up sound and light experience
Meanwhile, the UE Wonderboom 2 doesn’t care all that much about pizzaz, preferring a customer who cares about a product that is built around reliability while surviving many difficult situations along the way.
- It has top-end dust and waterproofing – an IP67 rating
- There is an attached hanging loop for greater portability and safety
- Shock proofing to help it survive a fall of up to 5 feet
- You can have two inputs connect to the device at the same time, allowing for switch offs in the DJ department
- The Bluetooth range reaches up to 100 feet away
The Soundcore Flare has a built-in AUX port, in case Bluetooth isn’t getting the job done. The Flare also has an integrated microphone to allow voice commands to use smart AI technology, similar to a Google Echo or something of the sort.
The UE Wonderboom 2 has the outdoor boost EQ setting for when you’re in a loud situation, or need it to project a greater distance. For those on the move, like hiking or beachgoing, these features will come in especially handy.
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Final Thoughts
Use the Anker Soundcore Flare if:
- You care to have a more integrative audio-visual listening experience
- You want a speaker with a bit more beef, in size and stature
- You need to have an AUX input just in case
- You plan to use a smart AI along with the speaker
- You need your portable speaker to be mainly waterproof
Use the UE Wonderboom 2 if:
- You need a high dust proofing to go with the waterproofing
- You need shock resistance in case the speaker is on the move consistently
- You prefer a portable speaker be lighter weight, and smaller in size
- You need a long Bluetooth range distance
- You would like to be able to connect two inputs on the same speaker simultaneously
- You need an additional EQ setting to give it a boost in loud, exterior situations.
- You need a built-in loop to clip your speaker to a backpack
Both are very good portable speakers which offer their advantages, and each is distinctly suited to specific needs. So once you identify which situations you need the speaker to work in most, the choice should be pretty clear!
