80

Anker Soundcore Flare 2 Review

Enrest Walugembe Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:28 PM

True Score

78
76
9

Experts

89
1,076

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Top analysts were impressed by the Anker Soundcore Flare 2, approving it for music, podcasts, and small outdoor parties. They liked its portable design, decent battery life, and excellent soundstage. However, they were disappointed that it didn’t doesn’t very loud.

$74.99

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020, promising water-resistant qualities and RGB lighting parties and outdoor use. Featuring Bluetooth tech and a graphic EQ, this device is similar to some of the most popular speakers on the market. It has RGB lights to enhance the mood at any party. The device has an excellent soundscape, producing good stereo audio. Read to the end of this Anker Soundcore Flare 2 review and see how it measures up against the top-rated Bluetooth speakers today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Reviewers were impressed by the Anker Soundcore Flare 2, endorsing it for outdoor use, music, and podcasts. Testers at TechRadar lauded its portable 1.3-lb construction and submersible iPx7 design. Analysts at CNN loved its USB-powered and battery-powered design and the 8.2-hour battery life. This model has speakerphone functionality. Critics recorded a 60.8Hz to 13.7kHz frequency response range with a good 0.22 slope, although the treble and low-bass are under-emphasized. This unity supports stereo and has a good soundstage, boasting a directivity index of just 2.17 dB. Testers were happy with its dual-pairing Bluetooth 5.0 tech with a 159 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 147 ms Android latency. However, with an 84.9 dB SPL at the highest volume, this speaker doesn’t get very loud, and the mediocre 3.81 dB DRC shows that the audio quality deteriorates at high volume settings. Check out the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom review for a louder device. The Flare 2 supports voice assistants via a smartphone, but the performance is erratic.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Supports voice assistants via a smartphone
  • Good battery life
  • RGB ambiance lighting
  • Excellent soundscape
  • App-based EQ with presets

Reason to Avoid

  • Outstanding mid-range sounds
  • Doesn’t get very loud
  • Sound compression at high volumes
  • So-so low-bass and treble
  • Poor voice control accuracy

Anker Soundcore Flare 2 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life12 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time3.5 hrs
DepthDepth3.5"
HeightHeight6.3"
IPX RatingIPX RatingIPX7
Smart AppSmart AppSoundcore
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage20W
WidthWidth3.5"
Wireless RangeWireless Range20 m

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)8.2
Volume Output (dB)84.9
Low End Roll Off (Hz)93.773
High End Roll Off (Hz)10,093.191

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    Product Comparison

    Anker Soundcore Flare 2 Review

    True Score

    78
    78
    82
    78

    Ranking

    #

    80

    /

    109

    #

    67

    /

    109

    #

    35

    /

    109

    #

    72

    /

    109

    Market Context

    The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020, promising water-resistant qualities and RGB lighting parties and outdoor use. Featuring…

    The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020, promising water-resistant qualities and RGB lighting parties and outdoor use. Featuring Bluetooth tech and a graphic EQ, this device is similar to some of the most popular speakers on the market. It has RGB lights to enhance the mood at any party. The device has an excellent soundscape, producing good stereo audio. Read to the end of this Anker Soundcore Flare 2 review and see how it measures up against the top-rated Bluetooth speakers today.

    Featuring a better 2.17 dB directivity index, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 has a better soundstage than the Anker Soundcore 3, which has a 6.83…

    Featuring a better 2.17 dB directivity index, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 has a better soundstage than the Anker Soundcore 3, which has a 6.83 dB directivity index. However, the Anker Soundcore 3 is smaller and comes with a carrying strap, unlike the Anker Soundcore Flare 2. Our Anker Soundcore 3 review discusses the Soundcore 3 in detail.

    With a 2.17 dB directivity index, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 has a better soundstage performance than the JBL Flip 5, which has a 3.29…

    With a 2.17 dB directivity index, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 has a better soundstage performance than the JBL Flip 5, which has a 3.29 dB directivity index. While the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 supports stereo, the Flip 5 is a mono device. Additionally, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 has a graphic EQ and presets and supports voice assistant via a smartphone, unlike the Flip 5.

    The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 produces deeper extended low bass than the Sony SRS-XB23. It also boasts a 360-degree design, offering a better 2.17 dB…

    The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 produces deeper extended low bass than the Sony SRS-XB23. It also boasts a 360-degree design, offering a better 2.17 dB directivity index than the 3.98 dB index of the Sony device. However, the Sony speaker supports dual-device pairing, unlike the Anker Soundcore Flare 2.

    Battery Life

    12 hrs

    24 hrs

    12 hrs

    12 hrs

    Built In Microphone

    Yes

    Yes

    No

    Yes

    Charge Time

    3.5 hrs

    4 hrs

    2.5 hrs

    4 hrs

    Depth

    3.5"

    2.36"

    2.71"

    Height

    6.3"

    2.24"

    2.9"

    IPX Rating

    IPX7

    IPX7

    IPX7

    Smart App

    Soundcore

    Soundcore

    JBL Portable

    Yes

    Speaker Pairing

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    Dig Deeper

    Anker Soundcore 3 Review →

    JBL Flip 5 Review →

    Sony SRS-XB23 Review →

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    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    76

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    89

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    78

    Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

    Expert Scores

    • Rtings
      100.6

      Category Trust Rating

      64
      The Anker Flare 2 is fair for music. Out of the box, it offers a… Read More

      By:

      Ste Knight
    • PC Mag
      43.6

      Category Trust Rating

      70
      A durable, sleek little Bluetooth speaker that can be beaten for sound but has good… Read More

      By:

      Christopher Null
    • Which?
      55.2

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      The Anker SoundCore Flare 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker designed to bring the party…. Read More

      By:

      Unknown
    • Techradar
      43

      Category Trust Rating

      90
      Anker does it again with the Soundcore Flare 2. They impressed Matthew recently with their… Read More

      By:

      What Hi-Fi?
    • Best Buy Blog
      44.2

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      These days, everyone can use a wireless Bluetooth speaker. The audio from our smartphones and… Read More

      By:

      Andy Baryer
    • Consumer Reports
      15.6

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

      By:

      Unknown