Anker Soundcore 2 Review: Everyday Audio That Doesn’t Miss

By PluggedInPicks • May 12, 2025

Anker Soundcore portable Bluetooth speaker with black body and raised control buttons, displayed on a clean white background.

Most portable speakers promise bass and battery, then stumble on routine use—pairing that takes too long, volume that thins out in normal rooms, and batteries that taper before the day does. If you’re buying at this price, you’re not chasing audio theory; you’re trying to avoid hassle. That’s the only lens that matters here. The question isn’t “how many features”; it’s whether a small box can stay predictable when the setting changes and your attention is elsewhere. With that in mind, we turn to the Anker Soundcore 2 and ask a simpler one: does it behave like something you don’t have to manage?

This page keeps the scope tight. Daily tasks, ordinary spaces, no special treatment. Start, stop, move, repeat—kitchen to shower steam to patio, pockets and backpacks, roommates and background noise. If friction shows up, it will show up there first. If it doesn’t, you’ll see that, too. The goal isn’t to celebrate a budget pick; it’s to decide if the Anker Soundcore 2 clears the basic bar for an uncomplicated, everyday speaker without asking you to think about it.

FeatureDetail
ModelAnker Soundcore 2 (A3105)
Speaker TypePortable Bluetooth speaker
Output Power12W total (2 × 6W drivers)
Bluetooth Version5.0 (approx. 66 ft wireless range)
Water ProtectionIPX7 waterproof rating
PlaytimeUp to 24 hours (5,200mAh Li-ion battery)
Wireless PairingTrue Wireless Stereo (pair two units together)
InputsBluetooth + 3.5mm AUX
MicrophoneBuilt-in (supports hands-free calls)
Frequency Response70 Hz (lower bound listed by manufacturer)
ControlsOn-device: power, volume, Bluetooth/pairing
Charging5V input, approx. 3-hour charge time
Weight~0.91 lb
DimensionsListed as ~4.5″ × 16.5″ × 5.4″ in the Amazon entry (varies by region listing)
Color OptionsBlack, Blue, Navy Blue, Red, White (availability varies)
In the BoxSoundcore 2 speaker, power cable, quick start guide
Warranty18 months (Anker)
ASINB01MTB55WH
CompatibilitySmartphones, laptops, televisions
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
“This speaker is amazing for its size! The sound is clear with strong bass, and it gets surprisingly loud without distortion. The battery lasts a long time, and Bluetooth connection is fast and reliable. It’s sturdy, portable, and perfect for home, travel, or outdoors. Great value for the quality!
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
5 star rating
“Great sound quality, feels premium materials-wise, and the control buttons are large and easy to press, without being pressed accidentally if you, say, squish them inside your bag. It’s easy to pair two speakers together (no app needed!), and it’s overall an outstanding speaker for the price.”

Check latest features, current pricing, and why it’s trending

How the Anker Soundcore 2 Holds Up in Real Use

Reliable All-Day Playback — The battery is designed to handle extended use without forcing mid-day recharges, which matters more than peak volume or novelty features. It can move through several listening sessions across different rooms and environments without requiring attention. This consistency removes the need to track battery levels or plan around runtime.

Stable, Low-Effort Connectivity — Bluetooth 5.0 provides a predictable connection radius suitable for apartments, kitchens, and outdoor seating without the common drop-outs seen in budget speakers. Pairing is fast, reconnection is automatic, and there are no secondary apps or hidden steps. It behaves like a default audio device instead of something that needs managing.

Water and Environment Resilience — The IPX7 rating is meaningful here, not decorative. Steam, splashes, rain, and accidental exposure don’t require caution or protective handling. It can live near sinks, showers, patios, and backpacks without introducing risk or hesitation. The hardware remains usable in the environments where cheap speakers usually fail.

Straightforward Physical Controls — On-device buttons respond immediately and are sized for quick, glance-free use. There is no need to unlock a phone, navigate menus, or depend on software volume controls. The speaker can be adjusted while moving, cooking, showering, or cleaning, and the interaction never interrupts the listening flow.

Compact Footprint, Practical Use — The size allows placement on crowded countertops, ledges, shelves, and bags without demanding space or reconfiguration. It does not aim to fill a room with force; it provides a steady presence that fits everyday listening without drawing attention to itself. Its scale works because it is intended to blend with the environment, not dominate it.

Close-up of the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker outdoors with a tent in the background, highlighting 24-hour battery life.
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker fully submerged in water, showcasing its IPX7 waterproof rating.

Where the Anker Soundcore 2 Falls Short

Limited Low-End Depth — The lower frequency floor is listed at 70 Hz, which places bass output in a lighter range compared to larger drivers or speakers with dedicated low-frequency support. It performs well for spoken audio and general music, but users seeking a deep, weighty low-end presence will find the sound modest by design.

Maximum Volume Has Boundaries — The total output of 12W is appropriate for personal listening and small rooms, but it does not scale to larger spaces or higher ambient noise environments. The speaker maintains clarity at normal levels but does not attempt to compete with higher-output or party-focused models. Its performance is intentionally controlled, not expansive.

Stereo Pairing Requires a Second Unit — The True Wireless Stereo function only takes effect when two Soundcore 2 speakers are used together. A single unit delivers centered audio with no spatial separation. Anyone expecting a wider stereo image or room-distributed sound will need to purchase a second unit to utilize the feature fully.

Charging Uses Micro-USB — The speaker charges through Micro-USB rather than USB-C, which means slower charging and reliance on legacy cables. The port choice does not affect playback performance, but it may require keeping an extra cable type on hand if your other devices have transitioned to newer charging standards.

No Built-In EQ Adjustment — Audio output cannot be adjusted directly from the device, and there is no dedicated app listed for tuning or custom sound profiles. The speaker delivers a fixed sound signature with no onboard shaping. What you hear is the standard output, which may limit personalization for users who prefer to fine-tune frequency balance.

Two Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speakers, one red and one black, wirelessly paired on the sand to demonstrate stereo mode.

Is the Anker Soundcore 2 Worth Adding to Your Setup?

If you want audio that follows you through a normal day without asking for attention, the Anker Soundcore 2 makes the case clearly. It plays when you press play. It handles kitchens, showers, patios, and backpacks without needing to be babied. You don’t have to angle it a certain way, troubleshoot random disconnects, or ration battery life. It simply adds sound to your environment and stays out of the way. That’s the real value: it removes friction where most budget speakers create it.

And at this price, the return on that simplicity is hard to beat. You’re not paying for luxury materials, app ecosystems, or specialized tuning modes you’ll never use. You’re paying for something that works every single day, in the background, without drama. If what you need is reliable, portable audio that just handles itself, the Anker Soundcore 2 doesn’t ask you to think twice. It costs less, lasts longer than expected, and fits into your routine so naturally you’ll forget it’s new. That’s how you know it was the right pick.

Go Anywhere — Anker Soundcore 2 Delivers Clear, All Day Sound

All-day battery. Anywhere.

Anker Soundcore portable Bluetooth speaker with black body and raised control buttons, displayed on a clean white background.

Check latest features, current pricing, and why it’s trending

Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Speaker FAQs

Yes. Bluetooth 5.0 provides enough range for most apartments and small homes. You can generally move between nearby rooms without audio cutting out, though walls and layout can affect stability.

It maintains clear mid-range and voice detail even when played quietly, which makes it practical for nighttime listening, background audio, or shared spaces where volume needs to stay low.

Yes. You can connect via Bluetooth or the 3.5mm AUX port, and the built-in microphone works for everyday voice calls or casual meetings. For professional call quality, an external mic is still better, but this is reliable for normal use.

In typical daily use—multiple short listening sessions across the day—it generally lasts several days before needing a recharge. The 24-hour rating holds up well for everyday routines.

Yes. A single speaker plays normally with left/right channels close together. To create a wider stereo field across a space, you would pair a second unit using the Wireless Stereo Pairing function.

Need Portable Gear That Works Together?

If you’re curious how other compact speakers stack up, the JBL Flip 5 brings punchy bass and premium build in a similar form factor.

Planning to take your tunes outdoors? A solar-powered bank like this one keeps your speaker charged during hikes, camps, or beach days.

PluggedInPicks Team

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