Soundcore Boom 3i review: The best waterproof Bluetooth speaker?

Plenty of Bluetooth speakers say they’re rugged, but the Soundcore Boom 3i takes it to another level. Not only is it drop-proof and dustproof, but it’s also designed to operate in both fresh and salt water. This thing feels made for adventure, but is it more than just tough? Let’s hit the lake and crank up some summer tunes in this Soundcore Boom 3i review.

What I like about the Soundcore Boom 3i

The Soundcore Boom 3i isn’t made for your living room. It’s built for rowdy beach days, lake hangs, and strapping to a paddleboard for an afternoon on the water. With an IP68 rating, it’s both dustproof and waterproof, but Soundcore also took things a step further with the Boom 3i. While most speakers only promise protection from fresh water, this one can handle salt water too. It also floats, but more importantly, it’s designed to perform while floating. The unit is balanced in a way so the drivers always face upward when floating, meaning your endless summer playlist won’t get lost to the fish below.

It’s even rated to survive a one-meter drop. The shell is tough plastic with chunky rubber bumpers around the edges, which help protect the built-in party lights on its passive radiators. It doesn’t get much more rugged than that. A shoulder strap is also included, so it’s easy to transport if your hands are full or if you want to secure it to your paddleboard or kayak.

I also recommend downloading and using the Soundcore companion app with the Boom 3i. It’s loaded with handy features like a 9-band custom EQ and a bunch of lighting modes to match whatever vibe you’re going for, from an extra colorful “Spring Break” mode to a warmer red and orange “Campfire” mode. And just to prove again that this speaker is built for the beach or the lake, there’s even a “Buzz Clean” feature. If your speaker gets filled with sand or dirt, it plays a loop of a low-end frequency sweep that shakes the drivers and passive radiators to help clear it out. Now that’s a feature I’ve never seen before.

Onto what really matters, the Boom 3i also sounds great. It’s rated for 50W of output and gets decently loud, which is impressive for its compact size, not to mention essential for outdoor listening. For reference, the JBL Charge 6 is rated at 45W, and the Flip 7 at 35W. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the “Soundcore Signature” preset. I find it lacks treble clarity, but with a quick tweak of the 9-band custom EQ, I had the Boom 3i sounding exactly how I wanted it for my lake day.

In my testing, boosting some low-end frequencies and nudging up the 5 kHz and 9 kHz sliders was all it took to bring out the best in bass-heavy, sunny day tracks like “The International Herb” by Culture. The passive radiators were pulsing away, and I had no trouble hearing the vocals or the drummer’s hi-hat pattern, even in an outdoor setting. Did the Boom 3i nail the vibes for my laid-back Sunday at the lake? Absolutely. Whether it’s reggae, yacht rock, or chill acoustic guitar, thanks to that custom EQ, you can dial in the Boom 3i just the way you like.

What I don’t like about the Soundcore Boom 3i

I really don’t have much to complain about regarding the Boom 3i. If anything, my gripes are minor. You will have to be mindful of the adjustable plastic shoulder strap pieces; they’re not fixed to the strap in any way. If you’re not careful taking the strap off or adjusting it, there is potential that one of these plastic clamps could slide right off the strap, and next thing you know, it’s at the bottom of the lake.

As mentioned, I discovered the Boom 3i also needs a little love from the custom EQ to really bring out its full potential. I find it sounds rather dark right out of the box. Fortunately, the 9-band EQ has you covered, so it’s worth experimenting. Pushing 50W, there is undoubtedly more low-end to be had out of this little speaker, too. Just keep in mind that cranking up those bass frequencies means your battery life will take a hit.

Should you buy the Soundcore Boom 3i?

The Soundcore Boom 3i is an easy recommendation if you’re after a rugged, waterproof Bluetooth speaker. It’s small enough to fit into a backpack, sounds great, lets you dial in the EQ to your liking, and the party lights are always a fun bonus. The companion app is packed with useful extras too, so you’re getting plenty of value for your money. Whether you’re out on the lake, the ocean, or just chilling on the beach with friends, the Boom 3i is up to the task of pumping out your favorite summer playlist.

Alternatively, if you need something with a little more output, consider the larger Soundcore Boom 2, which is rated for 80W of output and offers stereo playback. While it’s not dust resistant, it is IPX7, meaning it’s still waterproof, and of course, you still get the sweet built-in party lights. Snag one for $89.99 at Amazon.

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