Distinctions - Anker’s primary contributions to the Soundcore come in solid battery life, an additional port for 3.5mm auxiliary inputs and maximum volume that can fill smaller indoor and outdoor spaces with ease.

Criticisms - The Soundcore suffers from the bane of many budget speakers, that being muddled sound. At low volumes mids and highs blend together into a mash of sound that stifles vocals with instrumentation while the bass is flat and tappy, and at high volumes reverberations through the housing and poor equalization cause distortion and blown out audio. Genres that incorporate heavy basslines or textured sounds will find nuances fading into a singularity. Soundcore also fails to deliver with connectivity, meaning the speaker will only be useful in settings where its sound alone will be able to fill the room, venues like small rooms or softer ambiance in larger spaces.

Distinctions - Anker’s quality is best summarized as simplicity and succinctness in design. The build is not weighty, but still feels strong. The horizontal design compared to more boxy peers allows Anker to sit flatter and flush, giving stability to a design that might otherwise jump around if more vertical.

Criticisms - Anker’s tight looking build is not as tight as it appears, with some flex in-between panels. While the increased size does allow for a larger battery than some peers, mediocrity abounds as the larger space is under utilized for actual audio elements. The larger feeling compared to peers like JBL’s Go line is that peers accomplish more with less, especially from a sound quality perspective. While no part of the material quality is definitely weak, the longer plastic design coupled with a larger size than peers makes it significantly more vulnerable to drops and damage than others with more concise designs married to rounded edges allowing for deflection of impact.

Distinctions - Anker’s Soundcore is unobtrusive, offering a basic matte color and simple, clean, utilitarian design. Raised buttons give a tactile element to the speaker while not adding in dramatic color or design contrast.

Criticisms - Color choices other than black, red and blue, suggest a younger target demographic, while evoking ‘fun’ singularly compared to more subtle or broadly adaptable color options. Strangely slim yet large raised designs on buttons simultaneously monopolize negative space while also feeling like an under-utilization with the rest of the design language attached to the Soundcore. Dark grey color bears some blemishes easily, especially with sharp edges sustaining damage stronger than some peers.

Distinctions - Soundcore arrives with a 3.5mm aux cord, allowing for more use with legacy devices. Stronger battery life assures that Soundcore will remain usable even as the onboard battery gradually loses full capacity.

Criticisms - Soundcore suffers from many of the same problems associated with the field, being not particularly durable or resilient with age. Sound quality arrives weak and diminishes with repeated or intense use, unfortunately never ‘wearing-in’ in a way that feels satisfying. While the plastic housing is recyclable, electronic components are connected in a way that makes separation within recycling challenging.

Distinctions - Anker bestows the Soundcore with greater battery life than most peers. The 3.5mm input means playing legacy audio is a possibility, unlike many exclusively bluetooth contemporaries.

Criticisms - Many other speakers offer better durability and audio quality for a better or equivalent price. The Soundcore is competent for the market’s median ~$20 price point, but other than auxiliary input offering, does not draw attention in any way to distinguish it above its peers. The lack of interconnectivity with other speakers is also frustrating, as it limits the use to primarily personal settings or small groups.