Anker Soundcore Playtime Bluetooth Portable Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar

Written by:

Updated 11:25 pm

Expert Rating

90

Established in 2011, Anker is a Chinese company that has developed a very solid reputation for producing the best audio equipment in the market. Its products are popular all around the world, and the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker that we’re about to review here is no exception. Thanks to an impressive 24-hour battery life, you’ll be able to dance to your music for as long as you can, and with its deep bass sound, you’ll find it hard to believe that its speakers only have a 3 Watt output. Stick around to find out more about what the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker has in store, and why we think it’s one of the top-rated Bluetooth speakers around.

Why We Like It – Anker SoundCore Playtime Bluetooth Portable

The Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker is one of the best Bluetooth portables you can get for less than $30 and still be guaranteed superior sound quality, which makes it a leading portable Bluetooth speaker under $100. The speaker Anker has a patented bass port design, a 24 Hour battery life, and a rugged build that’ll make sure it’ll hold together after getting dropped a few times.

Pros
  • 24-Hour Battery Life
  • Built-In Mic
  • 66-feet Bluetooth Range
Cons
  • No water resistance

Performance

Made possible through superior Bluetooth technology, the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker has a Bluetooth range that averages about 20 meters, which is great for controlling your stereo sound music from a distance. Also, from a single charge, you’ll be able to use the little speaker for close to a day courtesy of its 20-hour playtime battery life, but if you opt for the JBL charge 4, you’ll get a full 24-hours. It also features a patented bass port that prevents its two high sensitivity drivers from attempting to reach very low frequencies, and helps deliver a deep bass that lacks any major harmonic distortion. You might be shopping for the ideal desktop speakers for your working or gaming room. Check out our Audioengine A2 speaker review for one of the best options that you can get.

Design

The unibody design of the Anker portable wireless speaker does a lot for it in terms of portability, and its solid, drop-proof build makes it sturdy enough for use outdoors. This is similar to the Bag of Rhythm, which is essentially a boombox in a bag. But for a real boombox-like radio, you’ll want to check out our Sony CFDS70 review.

As for the controls, you’ll find the on-off button on its top panel, alongside the play, skip, and Bluetooth buttons that are there as well. The Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is available in either black, blue, or red, and despite not being as light as the OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth speaker, it’s still unlikely to be a bother to carry around. For a richer experience where you can watch a halo of LEDs pulse, phase, and shine with the music’s rhythm go through our Anker SoundCore flare review. Although, if you want a vintage-looking radio, you need to read our Sangean WR-11 Wood Cabinet review.

Value

Compared to other Bluetooth speakers around the same $30 price point, the Anker Soundcore offers a lot in terms of sound quality, and comes packed with pretty advanced Bluetooth technology. Its built-in mic also allows for seamless connection and interaction with virtual assistants, and since it also includes an auxiliary input, you can also connect non-Bluetooth devices to play your music from. Compared to a more expensive choice in the same category (e.g the Bose SoundLink Color II Bluetooth speaker), you’d be hard-pressed to justify spending more than $30 on a portable speaker. This is why the Anker Soundcore remains a popular choice for users who enjoy listening to their music on the go.

Anker SoundCore Playtime Bluetooth Portable Wrap Up

The Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker offers great sound at a great price, and has all the features that you’d like to have in a portable speaker. Its small size allows for easy handling, and with dual-range drivers, you’ll be able to enjoy the rousing highs and deep lows of your tracks.