Soundcore Boom 2 (A3138) vs Bose SoundLink Plus
Which speaker better fits your phone top-up needs, carry method, and plans to link additional speakers?
Products compared
ASIN B0CQ6WNXKF
Soundcore Boom 2 (A3138)
5W USB-A output is enough for your phone and you want the documented Soundcore TWS or PartyCast setup.
Last observed offer
$89.98
List Price: $129.99
Size: Large
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ASIN B0F7HVC62G
Bose SoundLink Plus
Your phone supports charging from a 15W USB-C supply and that output is useful to you.
Last observed offer
$179.00
List Price: $269.00
Size: 11.17 x 4.11 x 3.4 inches
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Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
Prices are per listed package. Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.
Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-03 · Source checked 2026-10-03 05:00 UTC
The main trade-off
SoundLink Plus documents 15W USB-C charge-out and a strap that can attach to a carabiner or cord; Boom 2 documents 5W USB-A output, a built-in handle, and Soundcore linking modes. These feature differences do not establish sound quality, actual charging speed, or durability superiority.
Quick verdict
Boom 2 fits a buyer comfortable with 5W USB-A phone output who wants Soundcore's documented group modes or a built-in handle. SoundLink Plus fits a buyer who values its documented 15W USB-C output, strap attachment, or Bose speaker linking. These are feature and setup differences, not sound-quality, measured charging-speed, or durability results.
Choose Soundcore Boom 2 (A3138) if
- 5W USB-A output is enough for your phone and you want the documented Soundcore TWS or PartyCast setup.
- You prefer a built-in handle and do not need the strap-to-carabiner/cord method documented for Bose.
Choose Bose SoundLink Plus if
- Your phone supports charging from a 15W USB-C supply and that output is useful to you.
- You want the documented strap attachment option or plan to link one compatible Bose speaker.
When the recommendation changes
- If your phone can use a 15W USB-C supply, Bose documents that output; if 5W USB-A is sufficient, Boom 2 documents that option. Check the phone manual and cable before relying on either speaker as a charger.
- If adding speakers later, choose for the system you expect to use: Boom 2's guide describes TWS for two identical Soundcore speakers and PartyCast for compatible models; Bose documents linking one other compatible Bose speaker at a time.
- If attachment to a bag or cord matters, Bose documents using its strap with a carabiner or cord; Boom 2's guide identifies a built-in handle. The IP ratings are not interchangeable, and Boom 2's IPX7 entry does not establish dust performance.
The differences that matter
| Decision point | Soundcore Boom 2 (A3138) | Bose SoundLink Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Charging While Away From An Outlet | The A3138 manual identifies a USB-A output and rates DC output at 5V/1A (5W); it says the speaker can charge mobile devices or accessories.[1] | Bose documents USB-C charge-out at 15W (5V/3A) for typical phones and tablets; larger devices such as laptops or power banks may not charge, so Bose advises checking the device manual.[2, 3] |
What this changes: This is a difference in documented port and output rating, not a measured charging-speed comparison. Match the port, cable, and output to the phone's own charging requirements before treating either speaker as a power source.[1, 2, 3] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
| Multi Speaker Grouping Workflow | The A3138 guide describes TWS stereo linking between two identical Soundcore speakers and PartyCast linking with other Soundcore models that support PartyCast.[1] | The SoundLink Plus guide describes linking one other compatible Bose Bluetooth speaker at a time. It says same-model speakers can use Stereo mode and different compatible Bose models use Party mode; speakers and the streaming device should each be within 30 ft (9 m) as specified.[3] |
What this changes: If you plan to expand later, buy into the ecosystem you expect to use and check the exact companion-speaker models before pairing. Boom 2's TWS instructions require an identical speaker, while its PartyCast instructions require PartyCast support; Bose documents one compatible Bose speaker at a time with mode depending on whether models match.[1, 3] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
| Environmental Protection And Carry Context | The A3138 guide labels a built-in handle and lists IPX7 as its water-protection rating.[1] | The Bose guide says its strap can be used as a finger loop or attached to a carabiner or cord. It lists IP67 and IP64 and specifies immersion up to 30 minutes at up to 1 m (3.3 ft).[3] |
What this changes: Choose by the carry method you will use: Boom 2 has a documented built-in handle, while Bose documents a strap attachment for a carabiner or cord. For exposure requirements, compare the exact published conditions with your use; the IPX7 listing for Boom 2 does not establish dust performance, and these ratings do not prove comparative durability.[1, 3] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
Best for your routine
A speaker used to top up a phone whose manual permits charging from the Bose's documented 15W USB-C output.
Best fit: Bose SoundLink Plus
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Bose documents 15W (5V/3A) USB-C output for typical phones and tablets, while the Boom 2 manual rates its USB-A output at 5W. Confirm the phone's requirements and cable; this is not a measured speed result.
A buyer expanding an existing Soundcore setup with identical or PartyCast-compatible models.
Best fit: Soundcore Boom 2 (A3138)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
The A3138 manual documents TWS with two identical Soundcore speakers and PartyCast with compatible models. Confirm the companion model's PartyCast support; this is a feature-fit recommendation, not a sound-quality result.
Value and trade-offs
The offers shown are per listed package; check the quantities and current terms on Amazon before comparing totals.
Compare current offers dynamically and pay for the documented charging, carry, or speaker-linking workflow you will use. No price premium or amount is embedded here.
No comparable price-history basis was established; compare current checkout offers and package details before choosing.
Limitations
- No controlled side-by-side sound, battery-runtime, charging-speed, or durability testing was used; published specifications do not establish which speaker sounds better or charges a particular phone faster.
- The Boom 2 A3138 manual lists IPX7 and does not establish a dust rating. Do not read that notation as proof that it lacks dust protection; check with Soundcore if a dust rating is a purchase requirement.
- Soundcore's manual says TWS uses two identical speakers and PartyCast uses PartyCast-enabled models; confirm the exact companion model and hardware revision before expanding a setup.
- Bose says typical phones and tablets can charge from its 15W output but larger devices may not; check your device manual and cable. Bose also says to keep the USB-C port fully dry before charging.
Questions shoppers ask
Can either speaker charge a phone?
Both manuals describe charging external devices. Boom 2's A3138 guide rates USB-A output at 5V/1A (5W). Bose documents 15W (5V/3A) USB-C output for typical phones and tablets, with larger devices potentially unsupported. Check the phone manual and cable; no actual charge-rate test was conducted.
Can I link a Soundcore Boom 2 with a Bose SoundLink Plus?
The cited guides describe Soundcore TWS/PartyCast and Bose speaker-linking within their respective compatible models. They do not document cross-brand linking between these speakers, so do not assume that they can join one group.
What carry and ingress details should I check?
The A3138 guide identifies a built-in handle and lists IPX7. Bose documents a finger-loop strap that can attach to a carabiner or cord and lists IP67/IP64, including immersion up to 1 m for up to 30 minutes. The ratings and carry methods differ; Boom 2's IPX7 entry does not establish dust performance, and neither listing is a comparative durability test.
Methodology and sources
Compared each manufacturer's documented phone charge-out, speaker-linking workflow, and carry/environment information. Recommendations reflect feature fit only; no comparative listening, charging, battery-runtime, or durability test was performed.
Automated research assistance helped organize official documentation and draft this feature-based comparison; no hands-on testing was performed.
View 3 sources
- 1.soundcore Boom 2 Руководство пользователя (A3138)Soundcore · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-03 05:00 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Exact A3138 manual: overview (lines 17–20) identifies the USB-A output, USB-C input, built-in handle and PartyCast button; charging section (lines 32–34) describes charging mobile devices/accessories. TWS (lines 65–78) says two identical Soundcore speakers can link for stereo; PartyCast (lines 80–91) describes linking PartyCast-enabled Soundcore models. Specifications (lines 143–153) list DC output 5V/1A and IPX7. Manual is in Russian; model identifier is exact A3138.: The manufacturer-hosted A3138 guide identifies its ports, handle and PartyCast button; describes external-device charging and exact TWS/PartyCast pairing procedures; and lists 5V/1A DC output and IPX7.
- 2.Bose SoundLink Plus Portable SpeakerBose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-03 05:00 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Bose US black-variant product page. FAQ ‘Can I charge other devices from SoundLink Plus?’ documents USB-C charge-out at 15W (5V/3A), says this suits typical phones/tablets and advises checking the device manual because larger devices (e.g. laptops/power banks) may not charge (lines 399–401).: Bose's US page for the black SoundLink Plus documents 15W USB-C charge-out and explicitly qualifies device compatibility.
- 3.Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker Owner's GuideBose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-03 05:00 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Owner's Guide, section ‘Charge Your Device’ (lines 460–468): USB-C device charging and fully dry port requirement; ‘Link Two Bose Bluetooth Speakers’ (lines 525–560): compatible Bose pairing, one other speaker at a time, same-model Stereo vs different-model Party and separation conditions; ‘Portability—Strap Uses’ and ‘Water and Dust Resistance’ (lines 618–632): finger-loop/carabiner/cord uses, IP67/IP64 and immersion limits.: Bose's SoundLink Plus guide documents the model's speaker-linking limit and modes, USB-C safety condition, carry-strap options and ingress-protection statements.