Anker PowerConf S3 Review

TL;DR: A no fuss, hardware mute first wireless speakerphone that stays connected wherever I wander.

What it is and why I use it

The PowerConf S3 is a compact Bluetooth speakerphone with a 6 microphone array, voice enhancement DSP, and full duplex Double Talk so overlapping speakers do not get clipped. It is rated for small rooms and personal workspaces, with a claimed 24 hours of talk time from a 6,700 mAh battery. AnkerWork

Setup and everyday use

Setup was turnkey. I paired it once to my laptop and phone and started taking calls. Day to day I bounce between home office, garage, and other DIY spaces. I can leave the computer on my desk, carry the S3 with me, and keep talking.

From a Human Factors lens, the on device mute is the star. Tap the dedicated button and the ring turns bright red, which is an immediate, high salience signal that I am muted. That reduces error states, especially when I am away from the screen. The manual also documents the LED behavior for mute and other states.

Range and roaming

Bluetooth range has been better than I expected. I can move freely around my office or garage and even roam to another floor in my older house, which has unfriendly RF conditions thanks to aluminum in some walls, and stay intelligible. The product spec calls out Bluetooth 5 for a stable connection, which tracks with my experience.

Noise handling that works with how I work

On my PC, I pair the S3 with NVIDIA Broadcast to strip out fans and shop noise. On phone and tablet, I have not had complaints about background noise or clarity. The S3’s DSP is doing some work here too, but Broadcast plus a good mic array is a simple way to keep my audio clean for others.

Multipoint and moving between devices

I often keep the S3 connected to my laptop and phone and it just behaves the way I want. Official support says the PowerConf series, including S3, supports multipoint with two Bluetooth devices at a time. In practice, switching has been automatic for my use.

Battery life and charging

With 5 to 6 meetings a day and a nightly power off, I go a week or more between charges. That lines up with the advertised 24 hour talk time rating and the 6,700 mAh battery capacity. The S3 can also top up a phone in a pinch via its USB A charge out port, which is a nifty feature (albeit one i've never tried out).

Build and portability

The unit feels solid and the buttons are easy to locate by feel. I usually just carry it from room to room, but there is a travel case if you want it - I ended up throwing mine out because it seemed unnecessary.

Recall PSA

Anker announced a voluntary recall for specific A3302 PowerConf S3 units due to a potential lithium ion battery fire risk. If you own one, check your serial number on AnkerWork’s recall page and follow the instructions. Regulators also published notices with the same guidance. If your serial is in the affected range, stop using it and follow the replacement or refund process. Check out the Recall Details and Instructions here