Skip the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro: Here are 2 look-alikes I'd buy for less

Let’s be honest: nobody buys an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker expecting room-filling sound. These speakers are built to be strapped to a bike or tossed into a beach bag, which is why I can’t justify paying $129 for the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen).

Instead, I’d save the money and buy one of these palm-sized speakers. They sound surprisingly good, pack in more features, and leave you with an extra $50 to $65 in your pocket.

Why I’m skipping the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen)

The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) took eight years to arrive, and while it sounds better than the original, it also loses a feature. Bose removed the built-in microphone, so you can no longer take calls or use your phone’s voice assistant through the speaker. It also replaced the original silicone strap with a fabric one. That’s not necessarily a downgrade, but I preferred the old design because I never had to think about getting it wet or dirty.

Then there’s the app. Bose only offers a basic 3-band EQ, while the speakers below let you fine-tune the sound, save custom presets, and unlock features that Bose simply doesn’t offer. If I’m spending more money, especially after waiting eight years for a new model, I expect a better overall experience. Ultimately, I don’t think the Bose delivers enough anymore.

You can’t beat the value of the Tribit StormBox Micro 3

If you want the best value, buy the Tribit StormBox Micro 3. At just $64.99 at Amazon, I kept waiting to find the catch. I never did.

The StormBox Micro 3 sounds great. When I used it alongside the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), I never felt like I was missing out. The Tribit gives vocals better midrange presence, and the bass keeps its punch as I turn up the volume. The Bose has a little more treble out of the box, but the Tribit app makes matching that sound easy. The 9-band EQ gives you far more control than Bose’s basic 3-band EQ, and the ability to save custom presets is a nice bonus.

The little things make a difference, too. Tribit kept the built-in microphone, while Bose removed it from the second generation. I also prefer the silicone attachment strap because I never worry about getting it wet, and the IP68 rating means I don’t have to baby this speaker around the beach, pool, or campsite. The magnetic mount surprised me, too. You can slap it onto a fridge, your car at the campsite, or just about anything else made of metal.

I don’t think many people would guess that the Bose costs nearly twice as much in a blind listen. For the price of one Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), you can almost buy two Tribit StormBox Micro 3 speakers. Pair them in proper stereo, and you’ve got an even better listening experience for about the same money. I’d take that setup any day over a single Bose.

The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is simply more fun

The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is the speaker I enjoy using the most. It gets a little louder than the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) and delivers surprisingly good bass for a speaker this small. A little love from the EQ and BassUp mode goes a long way if you want even more low end.

What really sold me were all the little extras. I didn’t think I’d care about the digital battery display, but instead of guessing how much battery I had left, I knew exactly where I stood. The customizable RGB lights also up the party vibes a bit without overdoing it, reminding me that speakers like this are built for fun, not for critical listening.

The Boom Go 3i can even charge your phone in a pinch. Add IP68 protection and plenty of customization options, and it becomes a really easy speaker to recommend. At around $80, it’s already a great value, and if you’ve ever shopped for Soundcore gear before, you know it’s worth keeping an eye out for a sale. The only real downside is the extra weight. It’s a little heavier than the Bose, but I stopped noticing the difference pretty quickly.

Which speaker should you buy?

If you asked me which speaker I’d spend my own money on, I’d grab the Tribit StormBox Micro 3. At $64.99 at Amazon, it delivers incredible value, sounds great, and packs in features that Bose simply doesn’t offer.

If you’re after something with a little more personality, the Soundcore Boom Go 3i is hard to beat. The digital battery display, RGB lights, and excellent companion app make it the speaker I had the most fun using.

The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is still a good speaker, and I’d still recommend it if you already own other Bose products like the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and want to expand a SimpleSync setup. For everyone else, I don’t think it’s $130 good anymore. You can save a significant amount of money without making any meaningful compromises.