Two popular Anker Bluetooth speakers sold exclusively on Amazon are subject to a recall due to a fire risk. Here’s how to know which speakers are affected.
These Anker SoundCore and PowerConf Bluetooth Speakers Are Being Recalled
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Anker is recalling its SoundCore (A3102) and PowerConf Bluetooth (A3302) speakers because of a manufacturing defect that might cause their batteries to catch fire. About 69,000 Bluetooth speakers with the model codes A3102016, A3302011, and A3302031 sold in America (with 9,764 more sold in Canada) are affected.
To verify if your device is part of the recall, you can type in your speaker’s serial number in Anker’s form to check. You can find the 16-digit serial number at the bottom of your device, underneath the warning and certification icons.
The company says that only the black version of Anker SoundCore is affected. So, if your speaker is colored red or blue, or if you have the later Anker SoundCore 2 or Soundcore 3 [sic], you can rest easy as you’re not part of the recall. Aside from that, the company said that it’s already reached out to customers who bought the product from Amazon between March 1, 2023, and June 6, 2024. But even if you haven’t received an email from the company, it’s still wise to check to avoid any untoward incident.
After verifying that your speaker is indeed affected by the recall, Anker said that it will send you a new one as a replacement. In the meantime, you should switch off the speaker immediately and follow the disposal guidelines that its customer service representative will send you.
Alternatively, you can check out our e-waste management guide, which will show you how safely throw away old electronics with lithium batteries. Do not just chuck the recalled speaker in the recycling or trash bin, as its battery could catch fire and cause a bigger incident.
This isn’t the first time that Anker is saddled with a recall this year. It had to recall several MagSafe iPhone power banks in late September, with their battery cells prone to overheating as the primary reason. However, cases like these aren’t unique to Anker, as another popular manufacturer, Belkin, also had to recall its BoostCharge Pro power bank for the same issue late last month.
While these recalls might be concerning for some consumers, it’s actually a good thing that companies are being proactive if they have a potentially dangerous product. So, if you ever come across a recall notice in your inbox (or while reading the news), don’t ignore it as it could help keep you and the people around you safe.
