In-depth review
Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Speaker Review (2027)
The Anker Boom 2 pairs a subwoofer with lights and a floatable body. Our research-based verdict on the value party portable.
Anker Boom 2 Outdoor Speaker, 80W, IPX7
The value party portable: a dedicated subwoofer, lights for the evening, and a floatable body at a mid-range price.
Our verdict
The Boom 2 is the party portable for buyers who will not pay flagship money: a dedicated subwoofer gives it bass punch rivals at the price lack, the body floats, the battery lasts a day, and lights make an evening gathering feel like an event. Its bass-forward tuning needs EQ taming for quieter music, the port cover must be sealed before water use, and the lights will not suit a calm patio. For a value party speaker, those are fair trades, clearly stated.
What we like
- Dedicated subwoofer plus two tweeters, with BassUp 2.0 lifting output for outdoor gatherings
- IPX7 waterproofing and a floatable body suit pools, lakes and rain without a protective case
- Up to 24 hours of playtime plus a powerbank function keeps phones and music going through a long day
- Custom EQ in the app and PartyCast pairing for over a hundred compatible speakers suit big group setups
What to watch out for
- Bass-forward tuning can dominate acoustic music and podcasts unless the EQ is adjusted
- Port cover must be sealed properly before water exposure, and owners sometimes forget the step
- RGB lights divide opinion and cannot be mistaken for a discreet patio speaker once evening falls
What owners report: Anker Boom 2 Outdoor Speaker, 80W, IPX7
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Bass punch for the price impresses owners most, since the subwoofer gives the speaker a party feel rivals lack.
- Floating body gives pool owners confidence, because a knock off the edge ends with retrieval, not loss.
- Long battery life plus phone charging makes it the speaker groups reach for on all-day outings.
Common complaints
- Bass-heavy default tuning overwhelms quieter music until owners learn the app EQ controls.
- Port cover sealing is easy to forget before a pool session, which undermines the waterproof promise.
- Light show feels gimmicky to buyers who wanted a plain speaker for a calm patio evening.
Who it is for
Budget-conscious party buyers who want bass, lights, a long battery and a floatable body without flagship pricing.
A subwoofer changes the party
Most portables at this price use a single full-range driver and fake bass with tuning. The Boom 2 uses a dedicated subwoofer plus two tweeters, so bass has a driver of its own and the high end stays clear while the low end works. BassUp 2.0 lifts output further for outdoor gatherings, which is where the speaker earns its party reputation, even if the default tuning needs taming for acoustic listening.
Lights, battery and the float test
RGB lights divide buyers, but for evening gatherings they turn a speaker into a centrepiece, and the app lets owners adjust them rather than endure a fixed show. The 24-hour battery and powerbank function cover all-day outings, and the floatable IPX7 body means a pool knock ends with a retrieval, provided the port cover was sealed before the session, which is the one habit owners must learn.
The EQ is not optional for quiet music
Out of the box, the Boom 2 is tuned for parties, and acoustic music, podcasts and jazz can sound bass-heavy until the app EQ is adjusted. Owners who learn the EQ controls report a far more balanced speaker, while owners who never open the app judge it only on its party tuning. That gap between default and tuned sound is the speaker's main caveat, and it is fixable in minutes.
Key specifications
- Output
- Up to 80 watts with BassUp 2.0, 60 watts standard (maker rating)
- Playtime
- Up to 24 hours
- Weather sealing
- IPX7 waterproof, floatable
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Pairing
- PartyCast 2.0 multi-speaker pairing
- Extras
- Custom EQ app, RGB lights, USB-C powerbank
Also consider
JBL Charge 5 Portable Speaker, IP67 Waterproof
The all-round portable: strong bass for its size, a powerbank for the phone, and sealing that shrugs off pool splashes.
Why consider it: The more balanced JBL alternative, with cleaner default tuning and IP67 dust sealing for beach use
- Output: 40 watts (maker rating)
- Playtime: Up to 20 hours
JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Speaker, IP67, 24-Hour
The big portable: two woofers, two tweeters, a shoulder strap and the volume to hold a whole yard gathering.
Why consider it: The larger, louder JBL for gatherings where the Boom 2 runs out of headroom, with a shoulder strap
- Playtime: Up to 24 hours, plus Playtime Boost hours (maker rating)
- Weather sealing: IP67 waterproof and dustproof
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Can the Boom 2 go in the pool?
It is IPX7 rated and floatable, so a pool knock ends with retrieval. Seal the port cover before water exposure, retrieve the speaker promptly, and rinse off chlorine or salt water before charging.
Can I turn the Boom 2 lights off?
Yes, the app controls the RGB lights, including turning them off for a calm evening. Buyers who dislike light shows should check the app controls on first setup rather than judging the speaker on its default display.
Is the Boom 2 good for podcasts and acoustic music?
Yes, once the EQ is adjusted away from the bass-forward default. With a flatter EQ setting, vocals and acoustic instruments come through clearly, though the speaker's character remains party-first rather than studio-neutral.
Every guide on Outdoor Speakers15 pages
- Topic hubOutdoor Speakers
- Best ofThe Best Outdoor Speakers (2027)
- This ranking includes only speakers that can genuinely get wet, and it ranks them on the water question first: what happens when the speaker goes in, not just near, the water. Submersion survival, floating ability and dust sealing outrank raw volume, because a loud speaker at the bottom of a pool is a sunk cost in both senses.The Best Waterproof Outdoor Speakers (2027)
- Landscape sound is not about one loud box; it is about even sound across a space where people move, sit apart and talk over the music. This ranking favours pairs that spread sound, mounts that aim precisely, and cabinets that survive seasons mounted outside, with portables included only where they genuinely serve a patio rather than a trail.The Best Outdoor Landscape Speakers (2027)
- Portable means carried, not just battery-powered, so this ranking weighs size and weight alongside sound. A speaker that stays home because it is heavy has failed as a portable, whatever its output, while a tiny speaker that travels everywhere earns its place even with modest bass.The Best Portable Outdoor Speakers (2027)
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