Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus: Two-minute overview
The Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus is a Bluetooth speaker that does precisely what it says on the tin. It blasts onto the scene with booming bass output, excessive quantity ranges and blaring LED lights – this factor is under no circumstances refined! And at $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99 it’s under no circumstances low cost, both – so let’s discover out if the Increase 2 Plus is definitely worth the money.
It solely appears proper to begin with the primary attraction: bass. With BassUp 2.0 activated you’re going to get deep pumping low-end output, ideally suited for genres corresponding to EDM or hip-hop, and for events corresponding to home events. With out it, chances are you’ll discover that bass is a contact underwhelming, so it’s value toggling it on for while you actually wish to ramp up any low-frequency audio. Nonetheless, I didn’t discover the Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus may supply fairly as ground-shaking bass because the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2.
All-round sound high quality is up-to-scratch, too. I discovered mids and highs to be clear and freed from tinniness – an enormous reduction. On high of that, there’s a nine-band EQ so you may get a extra impartial sound if that’s what you’re after. The Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus isn’t going to produce the outstanding consideration to element that among the best Bluetooth speakers can supply, but it surely does embrace the AAC codec this time round, so it is just a little higher for Apple customers specifically.
This speaker comes with a pleasant set of options, all of which might be accessed through the free-to-download Soundcore app. You’ll be able to choose from preset or customized EQ calibrations, toggle BassUp, and alter gentle settings. The LED lights hooked up to the facet of the speaker can sync as much as audio output for a extra immersive listening expertise, and watching them rumble because the speaker pumps bass is extremely satisfying.
The lights have been one in every of many options already included within the authentic Anker Soundcore Increase 2. Now, don’t get me mistaken, the standard-sized mannequin is an honest price range choice, however the Increase 2 Plus is an improve in virtually each means. You get extra energy – as a lot as 140W for hitting excessive volumes – a extra curved, quality-looking design, and a strap for carrying the speaker over lengthy distances.
However the Increase 2 Plus isn’t with out its drawbacks. After all, its far dearer – but nonetheless solely has the IPX7 waterproof ranking, that means it nonetheless lacks a dustproof rating. On high of that, the Increase 2 Plus really presents much less playtime than the usual Increase 2, with simply 20 hours on supply. Now, that’s not too dangerous, however contemplating rivals just like the Earfun UBoom X can muster 30 hours, chances are you’ll be left wanting extra.
However total, the Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus continues to be an adept social gathering speaker. You’re getting loads of bass and loads of methods to personalize each its sound and look. For those who can seize it at a cut-price, I’d argue it is an choice well-worth contemplating, however sadly there’s some actually stiff competitors on this value vary. And in case you’re in a position to stretch your price range just a little bit additional, I’d suggest going for the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 as an alternative, which finally packs extra of a punch and higher safety towards the weather.
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Value and launch date
- $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99
- Launched in Could 2024
The Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus is considerably pricier than the usual Increase 2 mannequin, coming in with a listing value of $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99. That’s in comparison with the same old Increase 2’s launch value of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$219.99. I’ve noticed it on sale for round $200 / £170, although, so preserve your eyes peeled for a cut price.
This 2024-issued mannequin is on the market in a variety of shade choices – all of which price the identical. The colorways obtainable to you’re: Journey Inexperienced; Explorer Inexperienced; and the variant I examined, Phantom Black.
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Specs
| Weight | 8.4lbs / 3.8kg |
| Dimensions | 17.4 x 5.9 x 9 inches / 442 x 150.9 x 228.1mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3; aux-in |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
| Speaker drivers | 2x 50W woofers; 2x 20W tweeters |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 |
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Options
- 9-band customized EQ
- Customizable LED lights
- 20-hour battery life is first rate, however nothing particular
When it comes to options, the Soundcore Increase 2 Plus is nearly an identical to its standard-sized sibling. Button controls allow you to toggle on the low-end-boosting BassUp choice, sift by gentle present settings and pair to a second speaker through PartyCast 2.0. And as soon as once more, there’s a USB-C port which allows the Increase 2 Plus to change into an influence financial institution.
For those who obtain the Soundcore app, nonetheless, you get entry to much more options. The standout is EQ adjustment, which grants entry to a 9 band equalizer and a small number of presets: Soundcore Signature, Voice, Treble Enhance and Balanced (in addition to BassUp). I’d perhaps have favored to see just a few genre-specific choices, however there’s nonetheless loads of customizability right here.
The app additionally allows you to personalize the Increase 2 Plus’ lights remotely. There are six results obtainable: Flash, Flame, Lightning, Scan, Cyclone and Bounce. On high of that, you may mess around with a shade wheel to get an much more tailor-made look to the speaker’s LEDs. The lights are on passive radiators which rumble violently throughout bass-heavy tracks, and this was pleasurable to observe, particularly in darkish rooms. They sync as much as sound output, which makes for an immersive audiovisual expertise, but when that’s to not your style, you may change them off completely.
One good thing about going lightless is that you simply’ll avoid wasting battery life. And that is likely to be helpful, as a result of the Soundcore Increase 2 Plus really presents much less playtime than the usual Increase 2. That’s just a little disappointing and given rivals such because the Earfun UBoom X can serve up a powerful 30 hours, its honest to say this speaker’s battery life is a bit unimpressive. 20 hours is under no circumstances dangerous, but it surely’s value noting that BassUp – just like the lights – will contribute to quicker drainage.
One factor you do recover from the usual version, nonetheless, is an aux-in port, which allows wired listening – fairly neat. In any other case, you’ll be counting on Bluetooth 5.3, which is a lot ok, and there’s additionally Google Quick Pair for a speedy setup.
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Sound high quality
- Booming bass with BassUp 2.0 on
- However gained’t supply massively subtle all-round audio
- Spectacular quantity ranges because of max 140W energy output
Simply by listening to this speaker’s identify, you in all probability know precisely what you’re going to get right here. And in case you guessed large, booming bass – congrats, you have been proper. Effectively, that’s when you have BassUp 2.0 turned on – with out this bass isn’t really that impactful for a speaker of this dimension. However don’t get me mistaken, having BassUp 2.0 on will certainly imply the low-end soaks up many of the limelight. For a celebration speaker, although, that’s not essentially a foul factor.
When tuning in to Favorita by kryptogram, I used to be impressed by the speaker’s bass output with impactful, deep drum kicks immediately grabbing my consideration. Equally when listening to a home monitor, Dasha – Tour Maubourg Remix by Fusion Affair, the speaker showcased stable low-frequency response, with dominant, pumping bass. After I threw on Diva Bonita by bbno$, the monitor’s imposing sub-bass got here by with authority, one thing that you simply’ll miss out on from a number of cheaper fashions.
After I put the Increase 2 Plus subsequent to the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, nonetheless, I did discover the latter provided significantly weightier energy within the low finish – even with its XBass function turned off. After all, that mannequin is a bit more costly, however in order for you final bass efficiency, I’d suggest it over this Soundcore speaker.
Regardless, the Increase 2 Plus can get very loud. That’s partly because of its excessive most energy output of 140W – 100W of which comes from the 2 50W woofers, with the rest stemming from the speaker’s twin 20W tweeters. Pair that with the Increase 2 Plus’ competence within the bass division and also you’re taking a look at a speaker that’s primed for events or outside occasions, the place you wish to energy by extra noise.
In order for you a speaker able to delivering a extremely nuanced hear, although, this isn’t a high choice. Positive, you get AAC this time (that means any tracks performed in AAC on a suitable machine will probably be performed with out conversion or different inteference – most notably for Apple Music customers on Apple units) reasonably than SBC (the usual Bluetooth codec) alone, and there’s a nine-band equalizer that may assist you to tune a extra balanced sound – however I nonetheless discovered there was an absence of element, notably within the mid and treble frequency vary.
When listening to I Need You by Molko, I wasn’t struck by a true-to-life cymbal crash or notably natural-sounding, breathy vocals. The speaker additionally wasn’t extremely able to managing this monitor’s densely layered combine, so chances are you’ll wish to flip to a mannequin just like the Edifier D32 in case you’re on the lookout for stronger instrument separation.
After all, that’s not one thing this mannequin has to excel in. In the end, that is designed to be a celebration speaker that leans into its low-frequency skills and it does that properly. Additionally, even when they’re missing a little bit of element, mid-range and treble frequency sounds not often sound tinny or harsh, even at larger volumes. I additionally discovered that I may get a reasonably balanced sound profile out of this speaker after turning BassUp off in Soundcore Signature and barely tweaking EQ.
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Design
- Extra curved, premium wanting design this day out
- Nonetheless solely IPX7 rated
- Eye-catching LED lights
When it comes to appears to be like, the Soundcore Increase 2 Plus is a large improve on its standard-sized sibling. It’s much less stubby and blocky wanting, now donning a wider, extra curved look. On high of that, the metallic speaker grille has a extra premium really feel and look, making a far cleaner aesthetic total.
After all, a lot has remained the identical – the LED lights on the facet of the speaker are nonetheless daring and vibrant – they’ll additionally sync as much as bass output for a extra immersive listening expertise. And the button controls on high of the speaker are once more well-proportioned, clear and responsive.
However with this speaker’s added size comes added bulk – that means Anker has needed to make a change right here. That’s proper: this mannequin comes with a strap included, which might be hooked up to hooks on the deal with. That is fairly fundamental; there’s no shoulder pad or something, but it surely’s nonetheless a pleasant addition in case you’re going to hold the Increase 2 Plus over longer distances. That is additionally welcome because the Increase 2 Plus is greater than twice as weighty as the usual mannequin, coming in at 8.4lbs / 3.8kg – although that is nonetheless pretty light-weight total.
One thing that, maybe disappointingly, has remained a lot the identical, although, is that this speaker’s ingress ranking. Like the usual Increase 2, that is IPX7 rated. Now, the constructive right here is that the speaker might be submerged in as much as a meter of water for so long as half-hour – one thing we’d anticipate from the entire best waterproof speakers. It is floatable too if you wish to take it into the pool with you, for example.
The dangerous? This factor skips on a dustproof ranking once more, that means it may not be the finest beachside companion. In order for you a extra tough and prepared mannequin, search for the IP67 ranking, which a ton of rivals have, together with the improbable Bose SoundLink Max.
However sufficient moaning. I did just like the small rubber tab on the reverse facet of the Increase 2 Plus. Merely flick this up or down and also you get entry to the USB-C charging port – which can be utilized to cost the speaker or exterior units – in addition to the aux-in in order for you wired listening.
I used to be additionally a fan of the a number of shade choices obtainable. You’ll be able to seize the Increase 2 Plus in Phantom Black, Explorer Blue or Journey Inexperienced – all of those look neat and are discreet sufficient to carry out the perfect of sunshine options in darkish rooms.
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Worth
- Significantly dearer than customary mannequin
- However does supply improved audio and design
- Sadly rivals supply higher bang in your buck
The Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus has a listing value that’s virtually double that of the usual mannequin. So, with added value, you’re going to anticipate a large enchancment. Do you get that? In some ways, sure. I’d argue that this mannequin is much better wanting and, maybe unsurprisingly, has bassier, cleaner audio. In order for you an all-out social gathering speaker, it’s no contest – the Increase 2 Plus is much superior.
On the identical time, you get a smaller battery life and there are some lingering points corresponding to the dearth of a dustproof ranking. Maybe a bigger downside for the Increase 2 Plus, although, is that it’s sitting in an ungainly spot price-wise. For those who go cheaper, you may seize the Earfun UBoom X, which additionally packs loads of bass, in addition to extremely customizable audio. And in case you can push your price range just a bit extra you may get the mighty Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, which is a top-tier social gathering speaker in my e book – it will possibly additionally double up as a karaoke machine in case you’re into that kinda factor!
In its personal proper, although, the Soundcore Increase 2 Plus continues to be a stable Bluetooth speaker and lots ok to maintain the social gathering transferring. If you may get it for lower than $200 / nearer to the £150 mark, it’s a mannequin properly value contemplating. Nonetheless, there’s some stiff competitors, which might’t be ignored.
Ought to I purchase the Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus?
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Options | Customizable lights, nine-band EQ, pretty common battery life. | 4/5 |
| Sound high quality | Booming bass with BassUp on, not probably the most detailed however presents clear audio. | 4/5 |
| Design | Upgraded appears to be like with enticing lights however lacks a dustproof ranking. | 4/5 |
| Worth | A very good speaker in its personal proper however similarly-priced rivals are higher worth. | 3.5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: Additionally take into account
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus | Earfun UBoom X | Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99 | $189.99 / £189.99 (round AU$280) | $299.99 / £257 (about AU$490) |
| Weight | 8.4lbs / 3.8kg | 9.2lbs / 4.2kg | 19.2lbs / 8.7kg |
| Dimensions | 17.4 x 5.9 x 9 inches / 442 x 150.9 x 228.1mm | 15.7 x 5.9 x 8.5 inches / 400 x 150 x 217mm | 18.8 x 10.2 x 7.6 inches / 477.5 x 259.1 x 193mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3; aux-in | Bluetooth 5.3; aux-in | Bluetooth 5.4, aux-in; mic ports |
| Battery life | 20 hours | 30 hours | 30 hours |
| Speaker drivers | 2x 50W woofers; 2x 20W tweeters | 2x 4-inch (102mm) woofers, 2x 0.79-inch (20mm) tweeters | 2x 45W mid-range drivers; 2x 15W tweeters |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 | IP67 | IP67 |
Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus overview: How I examined
- Examined over the course of 1 week
- Primarily used at our music testing facility at Future Labs
- Predominantly listened to tracks through Tidal
I listened to the Anker Soundcore Increase 2 Plus for hours at our music testing facility at Future Labs. I blasted a bunch of tracks from my very own music library alongside tunes from the TechRadar testing playlist, which we use to evaluate audio efficiency throughout quite a lot of genres. I related to the Stormbox Blast 2 with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and primarily listened to songs through Tidal.
Additional to this, I performed a podcast episode on Spotify and watched video content material on YouTube with a purpose to assess vocal readability throughout completely different platforms. When applicable, I used the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 to check components like sound, design and ease of use.
- First reviewed: February 2025
- Learn extra about how we test