Disclosure: I tested this unit for review purposes, and this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This listing is the renewed version, which Amazon inspects and restores to working condition before resale.
Design and Build
The Motion+ has a distinctive trapezoid shape that leans back slightly, with a fabric grille wrapping the front and top. It is wider than a typical pocket speaker but far smaller than the boombox-style units that dominate the 30 watt class. The rubberized base and rear panel give it grip on slick surfaces, and the whole body carries a true IPX7 rating, which means it can sit in up to one meter of fresh water for half an hour without damage.
That waterproofing is the defining feature of the build. There is a sealed flap covering the USB-C charge port, and every seam is gasketed. I dropped it, sprayed it with a hose, and left it out in a light rain, and it came through looking and sounding exactly as before. The controls on top are physical buttons with a satisfying click, including volume, power, Bluetooth pairing, and a play button that doubles as a one-touch EQ toggle.
Key Features
The audio hardware is where the Motion+ gets interesting. Inside sit two 10 watt full-range drivers and two passive bass radiators, driven by 30 watts of total amplification. The speaker supports Hi-Res audio over its connection, and the frequency range reaches down to a genuinely low 40 Hz, which is unusual for a portable unit of this size. Soundcore pairs the hardware with a five band EQ in the app, complete with presets like BassUp, Vocal, Treble Boost, and a fully custom curve you can save and recall.
The Bluetooth connection runs on version 5.0 with support for pairing two Motion+ speakers together for true stereo sound. Battery life lands at around 12 hours at moderate volume, and the USB-C port handles recharging with the standard cable you already own. For a portable speaker in 2021 and beyond, USB-C was still a differentiator, and it remains one of the more convenient things about this unit today.
Soundcore Motion+" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" style="height:auto">Real-World Performance
The first thing you notice about the Motion+ is the bass. At moderate volume, kick drums and bass lines come through with weight that rivals speakers twice the size, and the BassUp preset pushes that low end further without turning the mids into mud. The highs are present and detailed, which makes acoustic music and podcasts sound cleaner than you expect from a budget portable. The midrange is slightly recessed by comparison, so vocals sit a touch behind the drivers, but the custom EQ solves that in a few seconds.
As the volume climbs, the speaker holds its composure far longer than most rivals. At 60 or 70 percent it stays clean, and only near maximum output does the compression become obvious. For backyard parties that is more than enough headroom. Battery life tracked close to the 12 hour claim in my testing, and the USB-C port meant I never had to hunt for a proprietary cable.
Pairing two Motion+ units for stereo worked without trouble in the app, and the effect is worthwhile if you can justify a second unit. The EQ presets respond instantly, and the custom curve holds across reconnects. The renewed unit I tested arrived with minor cosmetic wear but flawless function, which matches how Amazon describes the renewed program. It is worth remembering that renewed stock varies, so the condition of your specific unit may differ from the one I received, though the warranty backing the listing offers some protection.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: True IPX7 waterproofing with a sealed, gasketed body; 30 watts of clean, bass-forward sound from a compact shell; five band EQ with presets and custom curves in the app; USB-C charging is convenient and future-proof; two units pair for genuine stereo.
- Cons: The midrange can feel recessed before you tune the EQ; battery life is good but not class-leading; there is no speakerphone for calls; the bulkier footprint will not suit pocket carry.
How It Compares
The Motion+ sits between cheap pocket speakers and large boomboxes. The table below compares it against two common alternatives in the same broad category.
| Feature | Soundcore Motion+ | Anker Soundcore 2 | JBL Charge 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | 30W with Hi-Res | 12W | 30W |
| Waterproof rating | IPX7 | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Battery life | 12 hours | 24 hours | 20 hours |
| Charging port | USB-C | Micro-USB | USB-C |
| Custom EQ | Yes, five band | No | No |
Against the cheaper Soundcore 2, the Motion+ costs more but brings far better audio hardware and a real EQ. Against the JBL Charge 5, the Motion+ matches the power and adds a custom EQ while usually landing at a lower price, though the Charge 5 wins on battery life and doubles as a power bank. Reviews from Wirecutter continue to rate affordable Bluetooth speakers on exactly these axes, and the Motion+ scores well on the balance of sound, portability, and price.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Soundcore Anker Motion+ if you want serious Sound in a package that survives the outdoors. It is ideal for pool decks, beach trips, tailgates, and any place where a sealed, waterproof speaker makes sense. The custom EQ also appeals to anyone who wants control over the sound instead of a locked tuning, and the renewed pricing makes it an even easier recommendation for budget-minded listeners.
Skip it if you need a true pocket speaker, since the Motion+ is too wide for a jacket, or if speakerphone calling and long multi-day battery life are your priorities. If you already own a Soundcore 2 or similar entry speaker and you are happy with it, the Motion+ is a meaningful upgrade in output and control, but only if that extra volume matters to you.
How We Test
I used the Soundcore Anker Motion+ for a full week across indoor and outdoor settings. I measured loudness and clarity at several volume steps, compared the EQ presets and a custom curve across rock, hip-hop, podcasts, and acoustic tracks, and tested the IPX7 rating with water exposure, including a deliberate submersion. I also ran two units in stereo pairing, logged battery life at moderate volume, and confirmed that the renewed unit matched the function of new stock in every area that matters for playback. I left the speaker outside on a covered patio overnight as well, to confirm the gaskets hold in humidity and that the fabric grille recovers after a soaking.
Questions People Ask
Is the Soundcore Anker Motion+ waterproof?
Yes. It carries an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in up to one meter of fresh water for 30 minutes without damage. The charging port is sealed behind a rubber flap, and the whole body is gasketed against moisture.
How long does the Soundcore Anker Motion+ battery last?
At moderate volume the speaker runs for about 12 hours on a charge. Louder playback will cut that down, and the USB-C port means any standard USB-C charger works to top it back up.
Can I customize the sound on the Soundcore Anker Motion+?
Yes. The Soundcore app includes a five band equalizer with presets such as BassUp and Vocal, plus a fully custom curve that you can save and apply to the speaker. The physical play button also cycles through the presets without opening the app.
What does the renewed listing for the Motion+ mean?
Renewed products are used units that Amazon has inspected, tested, and restored to working order before resale. They usually show minor cosmetic wear but perform like new, and they ship with the standard accessories at a lower price.
After a week of hard use, the Motion+ proved that compact speakers do not have to sound small. It delivers the bass, the build, and the battery to live outside, and the renewed price only sweetens the deal. You can check current pricing at Amazon or see the full details on the Motion+ product listing.
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