In the ever-evolving world of portable audio, two speakers have captured significant attention: the new Ultimate Ears MINIROLL ($80) and the established Anker Soundcore Mini ($60). Let's explore how these compact audio solutions stack up against each other and help you make the best choice for your needs.
Portable Bluetooth speakers have come a long way since their early days of tinny sound and unreliable connections. Modern speakers pack impressive audio technology into increasingly smaller packages, with features like waterproofing and extended battery life becoming standard. The key challenge remains balancing size, sound quality, and price.
The MINIROLL represents Ultimate Ears' latest innovation, released in September 2024. It showcases modern features like Bluetooth 5.3 (which provides better range and stability than older versions) and a focus on sustainable materials. In contrast, the Soundcore Mini has been around longer but maintains popularity through its versatility and value proposition.
Both speakers employ clever engineering to maximize sound from small enclosures, but their approaches differ significantly:
The MINIROLL uses a relatively large 45.6mm active driver paired with a precisely tuned 37.75mm x 65mm passive radiator. This combination helps it achieve impressive bass response for its size. The passive radiator acts like a speaker cone that moves in response to air pressure from the main driver, enhancing low frequencies without requiring additional power.
The Soundcore Mini takes a different route with its 5W driver system and separate passive subwoofer. While effective, this older design can't quite match the clarity of the MINIROLL's more modern implementation, particularly when pushing volume levels near maximum.
In practical use, these technical differences manifest in several ways:
The MINIROLL's Bluetooth 5.3 provides about 131 feet of range and better stability compared to the Soundcore Mini's Bluetooth 4.0 with 66-foot range. This newer Bluetooth version also means better battery efficiency during playback.
A key differentiator is their approach to durability:
The MINIROLL features:
The Soundcore Mini offers:
Despite being newer, the MINIROLL actually offers slightly less battery life at 12 hours compared to the Soundcore Mini's 15 hours. However, the MINIROLL's USB-C charging is notably faster than the Mini's older Micro USB system.
At $80, the MINIROLL commands a premium over the $60 Soundcore Mini. This price difference reflects:
The MINIROLL excels here with its waterproofing and mounting strap. Whether attached to a backpack during hiking or sitting poolside, it's built for outdoor adventures.
The Soundcore Mini shines in this environment, where its multiple input options and longer battery life become more valuable. The FM radio feature can be particularly useful for news and sports fans.
Both speakers are travel-friendly, but the MINIROLL's more robust construction makes it better suited for rough handling in bags or exposure to weather.
Consider these key factors:
The MINIROLL represents the latest in portable speaker technology, offering superior sound quality and durability in a premium package. The Soundcore Mini counters with versatility and value, providing more features at a lower price point.
Choose the MINIROLL if:
Choose the Soundcore Mini if:
Both speakers represent solid choices in their respective price brackets, with the final decision largely depending on your specific needs and use cases.
| Ultimate Ears MINIROLL | Anker Soundcore Mini |
|---|---|
| Price - Total investment required | |
| $80 (premium pricing) | $60 (better value option) |
| Sound Output - Determines volume and clarity | |
| 86dBC with clearer highs and stronger bass | Lower output with some distortion at max volume |
| Battery Life - How long between charges | |
| 12 hours playback | 15 hours playback |
| Water Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 rated (fully waterproof) | No water resistance rating |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects range and stability | |
| Bluetooth 5.3 (131ft range) | Bluetooth 4.0 (66ft range) |
| Driver Size - Impacts sound quality | |
| 45.6mm driver + 37.75mm x 65mm passive radiator | 5W driver with passive subwoofer |
| Extra Features - Additional functionality | |
| PartyUp multi-speaker pairing, integrated strap | FM radio, SD card slot, AUX input, built-in mic |
| Build Materials - Durability and sustainability | |
| 40% recycled plastic, drop-proof to 4 feet | Standard plastic construction |
| Charging Port - Affects charging speed | |
| USB-C (faster charging) | Micro USB (older standard) |
| Weight - Portability factor | |
| 279g | 200g |
| Release Date - Indicates technology age | |
| September 2024 (newest tech) | 2017 (mature product) |
| Warranty Coverage - Purchase protection | |
| 2-year limited warranty | 18-month warranty |
For home theater use, the Ultimate Ears MINIROLL ($80) offers better sound quality and clarity, making it more suitable as a supplementary speaker. However, neither speaker is specifically designed for home theater applications, and you'd be better served by dedicated home theater speakers for primary audio.
The Ultimate Ears MINIROLL costs $80, while the Anker Soundcore Mini is priced at $60, making it $20 less expensive.
The Anker Soundcore Mini offers 15 hours of playback, while the MINIROLL provides 12 hours. Both are sufficient for most uses, but the Soundcore Mini has a slight advantage for longer sessions.
The MINIROLL is specifically designed for outdoor use with IP67 waterproofing and dust resistance. The Soundcore Mini lacks water resistance and is better suited for indoor use.
The MINIROLL delivers superior sound quality with clearer highs and stronger bass, thanks to its newer driver technology. The Soundcore Mini offers good sound but can distort at higher volumes.
The MINIROLL features PartyUp mode for connecting multiple speakers together. The Soundcore Mini doesn't offer this capability.
Both are highly portable, but the Soundcore Mini is slightly lighter at 200g compared to the MINIROLL's 279g. However, the MINIROLL includes an integrated strap for easier carrying.
Both speakers offer universal Bluetooth compatibility, but the MINIROLL uses newer Bluetooth 5.3 technology for better range and stability, while the Soundcore Mini uses older Bluetooth 4.0.
The MINIROLL offers better audio clarity and bass response, making it more suitable for movie watching. However, for serious home theater use, consider dedicated home theater speakers instead.
The Soundcore Mini includes a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, while the MINIROLL doesn't offer this feature.
The Soundcore Mini offers more versatility with FM radio, SD card support, and AUX input. The MINIROLL only supports Bluetooth connections.
The MINIROLL comes with a 2-year warranty and is built with more durable materials, while the Soundcore Mini offers an 18-month warranty. Both are well-built but the MINIROLL's weather resistance suggests better longevity for varied use.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - businesswire.com - bestbuy.com - stuff.tv - ultimateears.com - target.com - youtube.com - ultimateears.com - ultimateears.com - outeraudio.com - soundcore.com - youtube.com - unwiredforsound.com - community.anker.com - youtube.com - soundcore.com - community.anker.com
