Christmas gift season is officially here, which means friends and family have been asking me for a few weeks for my Bluetooth speaker recommendations since they’re great gifts. I like to point them to our list of best Bluetooth speakersbut I also mention that I awarded a CNET Editors’ Choice to Anker Soundcore Boom 2because I think it sounds good and is available at an affordable price, making it an excellent value. Although it typically costs $130, the speaker is now on sale for $90 (Note that the blue and green models are only $30 off.)
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I liked the original Soundcore motion boomwhich made our list of best Bluetooth speakers and has been one of the best mini boom box Bluetooth speakers in recent years, selling for around $80. The 3.75-pound Boom 2 is priced slightly higher but sounds substantially better, with more than double the power rating of the original , so it not only sounds louder but pumps out more bass and offers better clarity at higher volumes (it features two tweeters and a subwoofer). It also has a pair of built-in LED lights to create the party atmosphere.
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Why I like the Anker speaker
The speaker’s design isn’t particularly sleek or eye-catching (you can choose from three color options), but it’s attractive enough and just the right size, not too big or too small. It also seems quite durable, even though it doesn’t have a dust resistance rating. Boom 2 is completely waterproof (IPX7 rating) and will float if dropped into a body of water. Additionally, there is a USB output port for charging your devices.
The speaker features built-in LED lights that pulse to the beat of your music and change colors.
Battery life is also good. The speaker is designed for up to 24 hours of playback at moderate volume levels (it charges via USB-C, which is good), and you can tweak the sound and customize the lighting with the Soundcore app for iOS and Android . Battery life decreases if you turn on the bass boost or turn on the LED lighting.
Read more: Anker Soundcore Boom 2 review
Another Anker speaker to consider
If you’re looking for even more powerful sound, Anker makes the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It’s a larger speaker, puts out more sound with similar features to the Boom 2. However, it costs around $180 and I don’t think it sounds twice as good as the Boom 2 (more better by 25% to 30%). However, it is also good value for money and would make a decent gift.
For more gift ideas, check out our Editors’ Choice awards for giftable technology. We’ve also put together a selection of affordable gifts less than $25, under $50, under $300 AND under $500.
