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Soundcore Boom Go 3i review: A rugged speaker for outdoor adventures
Soundcore Boom Go 3i
Weight: 380g
The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is a palm-sized portable Bluetooth speaker built for the outdoors. With a built-in strap, IP68 dust and water resistance, and customizable RGB lighting, it’s designed to go wherever your next adventure takes you. But is it actually worth bringing along on your next trip? I took it into the mountains to find out in this Soundcore Boom Go 3i review.
Editor’s note: This is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is for anyone who wants an affordable speaker they can toss in a bag and take outdoors. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to clip onto a backpack for hikes, camping, or beach days.
What’s it like to use the Soundcore Boom Go 3i?
The Boom Go 3i is a compact portable speaker that’s easy to bring along on a hike or camping trip. At about 380g, it’s a bit heavier than the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), but clipping it onto a backpack or tossing it into a day bag is still easy enough. The flexible silicone strap makes it simple to attach to a backpack loop, bike handlebar, or even a branch at camp. With its 15W output, it’s plenty for when it’s just you and a friend hanging out outdoors, though it’s still a small portable speaker rather than a full-on party starter.
The design leans heavily into durability. The Boom Go 3i carries an IP68 rating, meaning it’s fully dustproof and can survive being submerged in water. Soundcore also rates it for drops up to one meter, which adds some peace of mind if it slips off a picnic table or falls out of your pack.
Along the side, a small digital display shows battery level and status icons for things like Bluetooth and BassUp mode, making it easy to check what’s going on without opening the app. The speaker also includes customizable RGB lighting that reacts to your music, and if that’s not really your thing, you can turn the lights off in the app to squeeze a little more battery life out of it.
What are the key features of the Soundcore Boom Go 3i?
Most of the Boom Go 3i’s extra features live inside the Soundcore app. From there, you can adjust the EQ, toggle BassUp 2.0, enable Eco Mode, or customize the speaker’s RGB lighting with several beat-synced and ambient effects. The app also lets you remap the Mode button to different actions, such as switching sound profiles or cycling lighting effects. There’s also a voice amplifier feature that lets the speaker project your voice through it. It’s meant more as an emergency or outdoor communication tool than something you’ll use often, but it’s a nice feature to have if you ever need it.
Outside the app, the speaker includes a few practical extras as well. The USB-C port can charge your phone in a pinch, letting the Boom Go 3i double as a small power bank when you’re away from an outlet. It’s not something you’ll use every day, but it’s a handy backup feature if your phone battery starts running low during a trip.
How does the Soundcore Boom Go 3i connect?
The Soundcore Boom Go 3i connects to your device wirelessly via Bluetooth 6.0 and supports both SBC and AAC codecs. It’s also Auracast-ready, can pair with another Boom Go 3i for stereo playback, or connect to three or more devices in Party Mode for synchronized mono playback. A USB-C port lets the speaker double as a small power bank, so you can charge your phone in a pinch.
Pairing the Soundcore Boom Go 3i is easy and follows the usual procedure.
- Power on the device and press the Bluetooth button
- Open the Bluetooth menu on your phone
- Select “Boom Go 3i”
- Download and install the Soundcore companion app for further control of the speaker.
How long does the Soundcore Boom Go 3i’s battery last?
Soundcore says the Boom Go 3i can last up to 24 hours at 50% volume with the lights off and BassUp mode enabled. The company also lists up to 40 hours in Eco Mode, while maximum volume with the lights on is rated for about 6 hours of playback.
To test this, I ran the speaker at 100% volume with the lights on and BassUp mode enabled to match Soundcore’s most demanding scenario. In my test, the Boom Go 3i lasted 5 hours and 55 minutes before shutting down, which is very close to the company’s claimed 6-hour result.
That’s basically spot on with what Soundcore advertises. If you’re listening at lower volumes without the lights running, you’ll probably stretch the battery quite a bit longer.
How does the Soundcore Boom Go 3i sound?
Reviewer’s notes
Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.
First things first, this is a 15W mono speaker, so expectations should stay realistic. It’s designed to be a grab-and-go speaker you can bring on hikes or camping trips, not something meant for critical listening or filling a backyard party. For casual listening with a couple of friends outdoors, it gets the job done, but you’re not going to shake any walls with this one.
No. The Boom Go 3i does not offer a built-in microphone for taking calls, so you’ll have to pick up your phone the old-fashioned way.
Should you buy the Soundcore Boom Go 3i?
If you’re looking for a small speaker you can bring along on outdoor trips without worrying about it too much, the Boom Go 3i makes a strong case for itself. It’s compact, durable, and easy to clip onto a backpack thanks to its built-in strap. The IP68 rating and drop protection mean you don’t have to baby it around water, sand, or rough terrain.
Value is really where this speaker stands out. The Boom Go 3i normally sells for around $80, but Soundcore products frequently go on sale, and it’s already easy to find for closer to $60. At that price, you’re getting a rugged speaker with app support, customizable EQ, RGB lighting, a battery display, and even a USB-C power bank feature.
Sound quality out of the box is just okay, but the custom EQ in the Soundcore app helps bring the speaker to life. Once you boost the bass and treble a bit, it becomes a perfectly enjoyable companion for casual listening outdoors. As long as you go in knowing this is a small 15W mono speaker and not a party starter, the Boom Go 3i is an easy pick for affordable outdoor music.
What should you get instead of the Soundcore Boom Go 3i?
If you like what the Boom Go 3i offers but want more output and stronger bass, the larger Soundcore Boom 3i ($129.99 at Amazon) is the obvious step up. It keeps the same rugged outdoor focus with an IP68 rating and even adds saltwater resistance, making it a better option for beach trips or boating. The larger speaker also delivers higher output and fuller bass while still supporting the Soundcore app and customizable lighting.
Otherwise, be sure to check out our list of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100 for even more portable, affordable, and great-sounding options.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The Boom Go 3i carries an IP68 rating, meaning it’s dustproof and can handle full water submersion for up to 30 minutes.
Yes. The Boom Go 3i can pair with another Boom Go 3i for stereo playback, or connect with multiple compatible speakers using Auracast for synchronized playback.
No. The Boom Go 3i does not include a built-in microphone for calls.
No. The Boom Go 3i connects to devices wirelessly using Bluetooth and does not include a 3.5mm AUX input.
Soundcore rates the Boom Go 3i at up to about 92dB peak loudness with its 15W output.
Yes. The Boom Go 3i can act as a small power bank through its USB-C port to charge a phone when needed.
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