Portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days. With so many options on the market, it can be tough deciding which one best suits your needs and budget.
Two of Anker’s most popular portable Bluetooth speaker models are the Motion Boom and Motion Plus. But what exactly sets these two apart? Here’s an in-depth comparison of the Soundcore Motion Boom Vs. Motion Plus to help you determine the right choice.
A Brief Comparison Table
Specs | Motion Boom | Motion Plus |
Size | 13 x 5.7 x 4.7 in | 6.5 x 2.6 x 2.2 in |
Weight | 2.4 lbs | 1.2 lbs |
Drivers | Dual 3.5” woofers, dual 1.75” tweeters | Dual 2” full range |
Output | 30W | 20W |
Battery Life | 24 hrs | 13 hrs |
Waterproof Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 with aptX | 5.0 |
USB Ports | USB-C, USB-A | None |
Extra Features | Power bank, PartyCast | PartyCast |
Price | $99.99 | $79.99 |
Overview And Design
The Motion Boom and Motion Plus have a similar cylindrical design common among portable Bluetooth speakers. But the Motion Boom is considerably larger at 13 x 5.7 x 4.7 inches compared to the more compact 6.5 x 2.6 x 2.2 inches of the Motion Plus.
Despite its smaller size, the Motion Plus still packs an impressive punch. It’s lightweight at just 1.2 pounds making it super easy to throw in a bag and carry anywhere. The Motion Boom is heavier at 2.4 pounds but has a built-in strap for toting it around.
Both speakers feature rubberized finishes and are available in black or blue color options. The Motion Boom looks sleeker with its mesh fabric grille while the Motion Plus has a more rugged appearance.
For controls, the Motion Boom keeps things simple with just power, Bluetooth, play/pause, and volume buttons. The Motion Plus adds track skip buttons into the mix.
Sound Quality
Room-filling sound is what you can expect from the Motion Boom speaker. It employs two 1.75” tweeters and two 3.5” woofers with a combined 30W output. Anker’s BassUp technology provides enhanced bass response too.
Despite having smaller 2” full range drivers, the Motion Plus still impresses with its 20W stereo output. Like the Motion Boom, it has BassUp tech for amplified bass. But the Motion Boom produces louder and richer sound with greater stereo separation that carries farther.
Both speakers support PartyCast which lets you pair multiple Soundcore speakers together for synchronized multi-room audio. SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs are supported on each model. But only the Motion Boom includes aptX for higher quality streaming.
For added utility, the Motion Boom functions as a power bank to charge up your devices with its built-in USB-A port. The Motion Plus lacks this feature.
Battery Life
With their large batteries, both the Motion Boom and Motion Plus offer impressive battery life. The Motion Boom runs for a whopping 24 hours at moderate volume levels. The Motion Plus isn’t far behind with an estimated 13 hour battery life.
Charging time for a full charge is roughly 4.5 hours on the Motion Boom and 3.5 hours on the Motion Plus. Quick charge support gives you around 4.5 hours of playback from just 20 minutes of charging the Motion Boom. The Motion Plus gets you 2.5 hours from a 5 minute charge.
Durability
The Motion Boom and Motion Plus both have solid IPX7 waterproof ratings. That means both can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes without damage.
This makes them ideal outdoor speakers that can withstand splashes, rain, and spills. Neither model is fully waterproof though, so it’s not recommended to toss them in a pool.
Connectivity And Voice Control
Connectivity options are robust on both the Motion Boom and Motion Plus. Bluetooth 5.0 provides reliable wireless pairing up to 100 feet away. The lower latency makes them great choices for watching videos or gaming.
NFC one-touch pairing is supported on both models too for quick connections with compatible devices. Voice control is available through Siri or Google Assistant.
An Aux-in port allows wired connections on each speaker. But the Motion Boom also has a USB-C port for wired input and charging.
Also Read: Is Bose Portable Smart Speaker Better Than Revolve Plus 2?
Price
As you’d expect based on its larger size and enhanced features, the Motion Boom carries a higher $99.99 retail price. The Motion Plus costs notably less at just $79.99.
Both models are likely to be available at discounted prices though during seasonal sales events. So keep an eye out for deals!
Key Differences
- The Motion Boom is bigger with louder sound quality and extra bass.
- Motion Plus is more compact and portable.
- Motion Boom has longer 24 hour battery life Vs. 13 hours for Motion Plus.
- Motion Boom can charge devices, Motion Plus can’t.
- Motion Boom has Aux-in and USB-C ports, Motion Plus only has Aux-in.
- Motion Boom supports aptX codec for higher quality streaming.
Also Read: Differences Between Skar And Memphis Car Audio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
According to most redditors, the general consensus seems to be that the Motion Boom is the better speaker overall. Users praise its powerful sound with lots of bass, long battery life, and utility as a power bank.
The larger size and stereo separation provide an immersive listening experience. Many mention the Motion Boom as one of the best Bluetooth speakers for the money.
That said, some redditors do prefer the smaller more portable design of the Motion Plus. It loses some audio quality and volume compared to the Boom, but still sounds great for its compact size. If you mainly need a speaker for personal listening on the go, the Motion Plus gets high marks for value and performance.
For most users, the Motion Boom is definitely worth the extra cost over the Motion Plus. You get significantly louder, richer sound that fills larger rooms thanks to the improved drivers and radiators. The integrated strap, waterproofing, and 24 hour battery also make it a great outdoor speaker.
If you need to charge devices on the go, the built-in USB-A port on the Motion Boom is a handy extra feature. And it looks sleeker than the Plus too. Unless ultra portability is your top concern, the Motion Boom represents a worthwhile step up.
The Motion Select Pro and Motion Boom are both larger Bluetooth speakers from Soundcore. Key differences include:
The Motion Boom is bigger and delivers more powerful audio with 30W output Vs. 20W on the Select Pro.
Motion Select Pro lacks the BassUp technology of the Boom for enhanced bass.
Battery life is 24 hours on the Boom, just 12 hours on the Select Pro.
Motion Boom has USB-C and USB-A ports, Select Pro has no USB ports.
Motion Select Pro is IPX5 splashproof, while Motion Boom is IPX7 fully waterproof.
Motion Boom has PartyCast for multi-speaker pairing that the Select Pro lacks.
Overall, the Motion Boom is the better performing speaker with much longer playtime, improved water resistance, extra connectivity, and superior sound quality with bass boost. But the Motion Select Pro costs less while still providing great audio.
Yes, you can pair the Soundcore Motion Plus and Motion Boom together using the PartyCast feature. This allows you to sync the audio between the two speakers for simultaneous streaming. It’s useful for providing wider stereo separation or filling larger areas with sound.
To pair them, turn on both speakers and enter PartyCast mode by pressing the buttons on each one simultaneously. The speakers will connect and you’ll hear a confirmation. Then just start streaming audio from your phone or tablet and the sound will play from both in sync. The combined audio power provides an expansive immersive listening experience.
So while they differ in size and power, you can combine the Motion Plus and Motion Boom to get the benefits of both models in tandem. Take the compact Plus on the go or pair it with the Boom at home for boosted sound. With PartyCast, you’ve got flexible options.
Also watch the video!
Final Verdict
It’s clear the Motion Boom is the more powerful speaker with richer sound, extra ports, and longer playtime. If you want room-filling immersive audio for home use, the Motion Boom is easily the better pick. Plus it makes a great outdoor speaker for parties or camping.
But if ultimate portability is priority, then the smaller Motion Plus gets the win. It provides impressive sound quality from a compact rugged design. The Motion Plus is also easier on the wallet.
Really it comes down to your specific needs and budget. For larger spaces and gatherings, the Motion Boom is worth the extra cost. But the Motion Plus packs a punch for personal listening in a super portable form factor. Either way, you can’t go wrong with these great Bluetooth speakers from Soundcore.