soundcore Boom 2 vs Boom 2 Plus - Which Speaker Should You Buy?
- Boom 2 suits you if you want a speaker that is easy to carry, runs longer on a charge, and plays for a small group.
- Boom 2 Plus suits you if you want wider outdoor coverage, deeper bass, a wired AUX input, and quicker recharging.
- Go with Boom 2 if you'll be carrying it around, and Boom 2 Plus if it needs to fill a big outdoor space.
A backyard BBQ for six and a beach bonfire for thirty need different things from a speaker, so the soundcore Boom 2 vs Boom 2 Plus choice mostly comes down to which of those you host more often. Buy more speaker than you need and you end up hauling extra weight to every picnic. Buy too little, and the people at the far end of the group can barely hear the music. At list price, the Plus costs $110 more, and pairing needs a check of its own, since only Boom 2 and Boom 2 Plus units from the November 2025 hardware update onward support Auracast (a Bluetooth feature that links several compatible speakers to one phone).
The sections below compare output, battery life, charging, weight, water protection, and multi-speaker pairing before matching each speaker to common outdoor plans, and if you're open to other sizes, the full lineup of soundcore Bluetooth speakers is worth a look too.
Note: Prices may vary and are subject to change. Check the product page for current pricing.
Boom 2 vs Boom 2 Plus Specs Side by Side
Boom 2 comes out ahead on weight and rated playtime, and Boom 2 Plus leads on most of the rest.
| Spec | soundcore Boom 2 | soundcore Boom 2 Plus |
| List price | $139.99 | $249.99 |
| Output, standard / BassUp 2.0 max | 60W / 80W | 100W / 140W |
| Drivers | 1 woofer and 2 tweeters (2.1 channel) | Dual 50W woofers and dual 20W tweeters (2+2 channel) |
| Rated playtime | Up to 24 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Full recharge | About 5.5 hours | About 3 hours |
| Charge-out to other devices | 5W | 10W |
| Weight and carry | 3.7 lb, built-in handle | 8.4 lb, shoulder strap and handle |
| Water protection | IPX7, floatable | IPX7, floatable |
| AUX input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, SBC | 6.0, SBC and AAC |
| Multi-speaker | TWS and Auracast | TWS and Auracast |
| Light effects | 7 presets | 8 presets |
If you often carry your speaker from the car to a campsite, beach spot, or picnic area, weight and playtime matter before most other specs.
Sound and Power Outdoors - 80W vs 140W
Boom 2 Plus has more power with BassUp on or off. BassUp 2.0 deepens the bass and raises output, taking Boom 2 from 60W to 80W and Boom 2 Plus from 100W to 140W, so the Plus at its standard level already outputs more than Boom 2 at its peak. Extra watts give more room to turn the volume up when a group spreads out across a beach. They say little about how clean the sound is, though. Driver layout and placement shape that too, and our guide on what speaker wattage means explains how.
Outdoors, the second woofer in the Plus makes the bigger difference. With no walls to reflect low frequencies, bass fades quickly in open air, and two woofers help it reach the far side of the group. Boom 2 Plus gets as loud as 103 dB, and its frequency response extends down to 40Hz. For a patio, a campsite, or a garage gym, Boom 2's single woofer and two tweeters are enough, and listeners who put low end first can compare more bass speakers from soundcore.
Battery and Charging Across Both Speakers
Boom 2 plays longer on a charge, while Boom 2 Plus refills faster, and both have a built-in power bank for your phone.
Both playtime ratings are up-to figures measured at 50% volume with BassUp and the lights off. At that setting, Boom 2's extra four hours cover roughly one more evening of background music, while higher volume, BassUp, custom EQ, the light show, and the content you play all cut into either speaker's runtime.
Boom 2 Plus supports USB-C Power Delivery fast charging and needs a little over half of Boom 2's charge time, which helps when you only get a short stop at an outlet between a morning at the lake and an evening cookout. Boom 2 is better left on the charger overnight. Neither box includes a wall charger, only a USB-C to USB-C cable, so plan to use one you already own.
Portability, Waterproofing, and Outdoor Use
Boom 2 is the speaker you can carry a long way without thinking about it, and Boom 2 Plus is designed for a short carry and a long stay in one spot.
A built-in handle makes Boom 2 easy to grab for a backyard BBQ, a garage workout, or a car camping trip. The Plus weighs more than twice as much, so soundcore gives it a shoulder strap along with its handle. That weight is fine for the walk from a parking lot to a tailgate, a beach bonfire, or a group gathering in the park, though it gets tiring on a trail. When the group keeps growing, larger party speakers are the next step up.
Both models carry an IPX7 rating, and both float. Either one can go on a pool deck, a rainy campsite, or a dock. Smaller waterproof Bluetooth speakers from soundcore cover the trips where even Boom 2 feels like too much to pack.
TWS, Auracast, PartyCast, and Hardware-Version Limits
Boom 2 and Boom 2 Plus can play together as a party group as long as both are Auracast units, but they cannot split left and right channels with each other.
The two speakers offer two different multi-speaker modes. TWS (True Wireless Stereo) pairs two identical speakers of the same version into left and right channels. Auracast links several speakers to one phone, and that is the mode that connects a Boom 2 with a Boom 2 Plus.
Only Boom 2 and Boom 2 Plus units from the hardware update released in November 2025 onward support Auracast. Earlier units support PartyCast 2.0 only, and Auracast units cannot pair with them or with other older PartyCast speakers such as Motion Boom Plus. An Auracast Boom 2 links with Boom 2 Plus and Rave 3S, and when Rave 3S joins, Boom 2 needs to be set as the secondary unit.
If you plan to add a new speaker to one you already own, check that yours supports Auracast before you order. Our walkthrough on how to connect multiple Bluetooth speakers covers setups beyond these two models.
App EQ, RGB Lights, AUX, and Power-Bank Differences
Boom 2 Plus adds an AUX input and a stronger power bank, while app EQ and RGB lights work on both speakers.
A wired input lets you play from a laptop at a tailgate, a portable media player, or any source without Bluetooth, and for some buyers that port settles the choice. Boom 2 has no AUX jack, so everything it plays has to arrive over a wireless connection.
As a power bank, Boom 2 Plus puts out twice the wattage of Boom 2, enough to keep a phone topped up while it streams the playlist, and Boom 2 keeps one alive until the drive home.
Both speakers work with the soundcore app, where Pro EQ lets you adjust the sound to taste, such as pulling back the bass for a podcast at the campsite.
Both speakers sync their light effects to the beat, with seven presets on Boom 2 and eight on Boom 2 Plus. On Boom 2, holding the BassUp button for about two seconds changes the effect, and a double-click on that same button turns the lights off. The lights and BassUp both draw extra power, so switching them off when the battery runs low buys more playtime on either speaker.
Which One Should You Buy
Most people who carry their speaker to where they listen will be happier with Boom 2. Boom 2 Plus justifies its higher price when the group is large, the setting is open, or you need its AUX input and faster charging.
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
| Hiking in or carrying gear a long way | Boom 2 | 3.7 lb and longer rated playtime |
| Backyard BBQ or small group | Boom 2 | Enough output for small spaces at a lower price |
| Beach bonfire, tailgate, big group | Boom 2 Plus | 140W max, 2+2 drivers, 103 dB |
| Need a wired source (AUX) | Boom 2 Plus | Boom 2 has no AUX input |
| Need fast top-ups or to charge a phone | Boom 2 Plus | About 3-hour recharge and 10W charge-out |
| Already own older PartyCast speakers | Check version first | Auracast units cannot pair with older PartyCast devices |
For more options sorted by use, our roundup of the best outdoor speakers covers the wider soundcore range.
Choose Boom 2
Boom 2 fits a picnic blanket, a hike-in campsite, or a patio where the speaker sits a few steps from everyone. A cooler in one hand and the speaker in the other is a realistic load, and the lower price leaves room in the budget for a second unit later. If that sounds like most of your weekends, the soundcore Boom 2 is the one to get.
Choose Boom 2 Plus
Boom 2 Plus fits a beach afternoon where the group spreads across the sand, a friend wants to plug in a laptop, and phones run low by sunset. The shoulder strap takes some of the weight off the walk from the car. For large outdoor gatherings, the soundcore Boom 2 Plus is the better match.
Conclusion
Carry distance is usually what settles this choice. People who bring music on foot tend to get more out of Boom 2, while a crowd within a short walk of the car is where Boom 2 Plus makes sense. To see how both compare with other sizes and styles, browse soundcore outdoor speakers and pick the one that suits your next trip.
FAQs
Which is better for camping, Boom 2 or Boom 2 Plus?
Boom 2 suits most camping trips, especially when you hike in or stay several nights away from power. At a tent site, its longer rated playtime matters more than extra volume. Boom 2 Plus fits drive-up group sites where the car is close and more people gather, and if the campground has outlets, its faster recharge gets it ready again during a short stop.
Can soundcore Boom 2 and Boom 2 Plus connect to each other?
Yes, as long as both are Auracast units. Connect one speaker to your phone and leave the other unpaired, then press the Auracast button on each speaker until you hear the confirmation tone. The two then play as a group, but a Boom 2 and a Boom 2 Plus cannot be set up as a left and right stereo pair.
Can two Boom 2 speakers play true stereo?
Yes, two Boom 2 speakers of the same version can pair as a left and right stereo set through TWS (True Wireless Stereo), and two Boom 2 Plus units can do the same. Turn both on and hold the Bluetooth button on each until the light flashes white. A tone confirms the pair, and the main speaker's light turns blue while it plays the left channel, with the secondary speaker on white for the right.
What charger is needed to fast-charge Boom 2 Plus?
A certified 30W USB-C Power Delivery wall charger. That is what Boom 2 Plus needs to reach its roughly 3-hour full charge, and a lower-wattage phone brick will take longer. A short pause before the charging light comes on is normal while the charger and speaker settle on the right power level. Boom 2 is rated with a certified 15W (5V/3A) charger.
What should you check before using either speaker near water?
Seal the waterproof cover tightly before the speaker goes near a pool, a lake, or the rain. soundcore gives this step for both models before they go into water. Both are IPX7 rated and float, so a speaker knocked off a dock stays on the surface where you can reach it.
