If Das Boot had a Bluetooth speaker blaring over the U-boat’s intercom, this would be it. The Anker Soundcore Boom 3i isn’t just ready for summer, it’s ready for naval warfare. Built like a depth charge and twice as loud, this saltwater-resistant beast floats, blasts, and shrugs off sand like it’s been through basic training. This is not your cousin’s beach speaker that gives up after one splash and a little sunscreen. This is the Kriegsmarine of waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
With an IP68 rating, the Boom 3i can be fully submerged and still come back playing MC5 like nothing happened. And thanks to an industry-first Floating Playback design, it doesn’t just float it stays upright and keeps the sound aimed at your ears, not the seabed. Paddleboarding with Wagner? You bet. Kayaking to Ride the Lightning? Absolutely.
The self-cleaning Buzz Clean feature might sound like it was borrowed from a sci-fi submarine, but it’s very real and surprisingly useful. With the press of a button, it shakes off sand, water, and the aftermath of your latest beach disaster. Need stamina? You’ll get up to 16 hours of playback at 50% volume. Need bass? The Boom 3i delivers 50 watts of low-end thunder with BassUp 2.0, reaching down to 56Hz. And with saltwater resistance rated at 5x the industry standard, you could toss it into the ocean and reel it back in hours later without a single spot of rust.
Whether you’re hosting a poolside rebellion, kayaking into the unknown, or just annoying your neighbors with German industrial techno, this thing’s your floatable fortress of sound–and we all need some of that right now.
Built Like a Brick Subwoofer: Survives Salt, Sand, and Stupid Decisions
The Soundcore Boom 3i isn’t just rugged, it’s borderline indestructible. It laughs in the face of dust, dirt, and full submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Whether it’s getting dunked in the deep end or buried in beach sand, it keeps the music going like nothing happened.
Its reinforced casing and corrosion-resistant coating can handle relentless saltwater, sweat, and seaspray—staying rust-free for up to three years. That’s more than we can say for most beach chairs and boat anchors. And thanks to drop testing onto concrete from over 3 feet, it’s not afraid of a little gravity either.
This speaker’s idea of a bad day? Being used gently indoors.
Outdoor Safety Ready: Built-In Emergency Alarm and Voice Amplifier for Adventure and Survival
The Voice Amplifier lets you record a message via the app and blast it through the speaker just in case you get lost in the Ozarks and need to scream, “Wendy, this is your fault!” without alerting the cartel. Sure, it only works if you’ve still got your phone and aren’t currently drowning in a muddy riverbank, but when you’re deep in Langmore country, any backup plan is better than none.
The real star of this backwoods survival kit? The emergency alarm. Hold down the BassUp button for five seconds and you’ll unleash a 96dB sonic flare. That’s loud enough to slice through the Ozarks’ thick woods, the hum of a bass boat, or Wyatt philosophizing about life on a dock. It’s audible from up to 100 meters away and might just be the difference between getting rescued… or ending up on an FBI Missing Person’s flyer tacked to a gas station corkboard next to a homemade jerky ad.
Key Features:
- Floating Playback keeps the speaker upright and blasting in water
- IP68 Rated: Fully waterproof, dustproof, and sweatproof
- 5x Saltwater Resistance: Rust-proof and built for brutal beach days
- 50W Output with BassUp 2.0: Deep, punchy bass down to 56Hz
- Self-Cleaning Buzz Clean Mode: Dries and cleans itself—yes, really
- 16 Hours of Playtime + voice amplifier, emergency alarm, and app control
- Detachable Strap for hands-free hauling across surf and sand
The Bottom Line
The Soundcore Boom 3i might not have the boutique sheen of Devialet, the name recognition of JBL, or the audiophile polish of DALI. But when the waves kick up, the trail disappears, or you’re stuck in the Sinai with a busted Jeep and no cell service, guess which speaker is still playing and calling for help? This thing isn’t just loud, it’s useful. At a fraction of the price of its prettier competitors, it’s built to survive what they wouldn’t dare attempt: saltwater, sandstorms, concrete drops, and full-on wilderness meltdowns.
Looks and sound are nice, but when the world gets unpredictable, the Boom 3i is the one you want in your go-bag.
Where to buy:
Related Reading:
- WTF is an IP (or IPX) Rating?
- Review: Brane X vs. Soundboks Go vs Devialet Mania Portable Bluetooth Speakers
- Ultimate Ears Refreshes BOOM Series Portable Bluetooth Speakers and Introduces EVERBOOM
Anton
July 13, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Are people really gonna use all of those features? I do like the audible alarm if you’re traveling with little children.
What is the sound quality like for the price, I’m not expecting much.
Ian White
July 13, 2025 at 6:25 pm
I can only speak for myself on this one. I like the emergency features; especially as someone who actually goes on 5 mile hikes in state parks and other destinations. I also live by the ocean in 3 different places and can see this getting a lot of use. My kids already want one.
IW