Most budget Bluetooth speakers compete for portability and features. These are affordable products and may not have any overt quirks, gimmicks, or standout features, but when it checks off all the basic boxes, it gets hard to argue with your shopping impulses.
Pick the Anker SoundCore 2 if you’re just looking for something simple and reliable. Its clarity, volume and design ruggedization arguably place the SoundCore 2 well above its purchase price. That’s without even considering the long battery life or effective range!
Equally well equipped is the Tribit XSound Go and this is where it gets confusing. Go through our list of comparisons to see which speaker will suit you best.
Design and Features
Available in black, blue, and red, the original SoundCore 2 boasts a sturdy rectangular design, and big, easy-to-press buttons (although they can be a little hard to make out given that they’re identically colored with the rest of the chassis). A tiny flaw: the sharp edges, make it a bit untenable when trying to shove it into an overstuffed bag.
On the other hand, The XSound Go is extremely similar to the Beats Pill, the only difference being a speaker grille is on the rear while the XSound Go is solid. The grille has the Tribit logo hiding the drivers. The size is ultra-compact to slip into most bags, as it’s barely longer than an iPhone. (A hook on the speaker helps connect a strap to the XSound Go to your bag, if you like to play music on the go)
In the upgraded SoundCore 2, the ports are uncovered, which is potentially problematic if you plan on taking your portable speaker on a lot of dusty or drippy outings, you may want to find one that’s sealed up a little better. As for inputs, there’s a micro USB and aux-in at one end, covered by a little rubber plug to keep them waterproof. Five raised control buttons across the top are tactile and self-explanatory.
Meanwhile the XSound Go offers two input options: Bluetooth and ⅛-inch AUX if you want to connect some non-Bluetooth audio source. The AUX and charge inputs are located behind a waterproof seal to protect against water and debris. You can’t use the AUX input or charge the speaker when using the XSound Go near water. Around the back is a silicone flap hiding the micro USB charging port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- At just 13 ounces you barely notice you’re carrying the Anker SoundCore or the Tribit XSound Go.
- The XSound Go is fully waterproof (IPX7 certified). This rating offers protection for complete submersion to a depth of 1 m for up to 30 minutes. Meanwhile the SoundCore is only water resistant (IPX5 certified).
- On top of the XSound Go is a 5-button control panel which looks very similar in style and layout to the SoundCore. Buttons include power on/off, Bluetooth, play/pause, volume up, and volume down.
- The XSound Go and Anker SoundCore 2 feature a built-in microphone which offers both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality. The speakers have a built-in mic for talking to Siri, Google Assistant or for making hands-free calls, plus a 20 m Bluetooth range. Voice activated dialing is also available for some devices. Call features include answer, end and reject.
- The XSound Go and Anker SoundCore 2 both feature Bluetooth 4.2.
Audio Performance
Anker Soundcore 2 is designed with dual neodymium drivers and an advanced digital signal processor. So, you may forget about sound distortions and enjoy music at high volume. In addition, Anker Soundcore 2 is provided with bass up technology and a patented spiral bass port for impressive bass.
This Bluetooth speaker also comes with weather sealing. It has IPX5-protection to safeguard it against dust, snow, rain and even spills. The only cons are not a lot of thumps and it sounds a bit tinny at high volumes.
On the other hand, the XSound Go features two 1.5″ full-range drivers coupled to a center-mounted passive bass radiator. Each speaker delivers 6 W of power for a total of 12 W of power. The speaker is loud enough to fill up a medium-sized room, and at full volume, there’s only a little distortion on the highs. At full volume, there’s only a little distortion on the highs. Bass is good for a speaker of this size but don’t expect it to shake your table. Deep, powerful bass can only be achieved with bigger speakers. If you’re a fan of balanced sound with a broader range, Anker Soundcore Motion+ is an an amazing choice.
The only con of the XSound Go would be that the mid-range mids are slightly muddy (kind of similar to other pill shaped speakers like the Beats Pill or JBL Flip 4) and the distortion creeps in at 80% volume but offer enough clarity for most music genres.
Portability
The range of the XSound and Anker SoundCore is an ideal 66 ft via Bluetooth which is perfect for such a compact speaker as per our testing during a pool party. Both are compact and small enough to slip into a laptop bag or an already stuffed suitcase.
Final verdict
In conclusion, both speakers are inexpensive and the brilliance of these budget speakers lie in their portability. However, the XSound Go has a better sound quality right out of the box: it has a better bass, is somewhat louder, and has less distortion at high volume. It also has an extended battery life.
The XSound Go is fully waterproof (IPX7 certified) while the SoundCore is only water resistant (IPX5 certified). SoundCore Flare from Anker’s line gives you better 360-degree sound which is largely preferable to a cone of sound.
