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The Soundcore Boom 3i is clearly built with water-first trips in mind. It has an IP68 rating, so it’s fully resistant to dust and water, and it’s also designed to handle saltwater, which in itself is pretty rare even for outdoor speakers. That’s the kind of detail that matters if your idea of “outside” means beaches, boats, or time near the ocean. It also floats, and it does so with the speakers facing upward, which keeps the sound usable instead of muffled when it’s bobbing around. In practice, that makes it less annoying to live with than other floating speakers that constantly flip or drift sideways. The Boom 3i normally sits at $129.99, but it’s currently down to $74.99, which is the lowest price it has reached so far, according to price-trackers.
At just over three pounds, this speaker is portable enough to sling across your shoulder with the included strap, but sturdy enough not to feel cheap. It pushes out up to 50 watts of sound, which is more than enough for a beach hang or a camping trip with a small group. You won’t get floor-shaking bass, but the mid-bass hits nicely, and the overall tone stays warm. That said, there’s a BassUp button if you want to dial things up, and the companion Soundcore app has a nine-band EQ, if you want more control. Battery life hovers around 15–16 hours at moderate volume, and it keeps playing while charging over USB-C, which is useful if you’re running it off a power bank.
The Boom 3i also has a Buzz Clean mode that uses a low-frequency vibration to loosen sand and grit stuck inside the speaker. It’s surprisingly effective, though it doesn’t replace a quick rinse after a full day at the beach. You also get an emergency alarm and a voice amplifier, which won’t matter much in everyday use but could come in handy on the water or during group activities. If what you want is a speaker that shrugs off salt, sand, and splashes without interrupting playback, this one makes sense at its current price.
