“What if this milk carton could play music?” is probably what the engineers over at Nothing asked themselves when they designed the CMF Speaker M. The M is Nothing’s budget sub-brand’s venture into the world of portable speakers, and for the most part, it’s a triumph. It’s beautifully (and whimsically) designed, comes with handy features like IP68 waterproofing, and delivers great sound (for the most part).

But few things in life are perfect, and the M isn’t one of them. It struggles with heavy tracks so I can’t, in good conscience, call it udderly delicious (see what I did there?). Battery life isn’t class-leading either, which makes the M’s price a hard pill to swallow.

To find out if this is the best Bluetooth speaker for you, read my full CMF Speaker M review.

CMF Speaker M review: Specs

CMF Speaker M review: What I like

• Whimsical, colorful design
• IP68 waterproof, NFC Fast Pair, and other features
• Great sound (for the most part)

There’s a lot to love about the CMF Speaker M. Its whimsical and colorful design is easily lovable, while its sound quality is great (for the most part). Throw in a user-friendly companion app and useful features, like IP68 waterproofing, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Design

I’ve tested my fair share of Bluetooth speakers and I have to say, most of them look the same. Black rectangles or squares that don’t look appealing, per se, like the EarFun UBoom L ($79) and the Tribit XSound Go ($39). So when a funky-looking speaker lands on my desk, like the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 ($49) or the Sodapop ($68), I’m over the moon.

The CMF Speaker M is one such gadget, and boy does it look good. Well, it looks like a milk carton, but it’s a good-looking milk carton. There’s a handle on top for easy transport, and a round volume dial that looks like a milk carton’s cap.

If you’re after a speaker that doesn’t just come in black or white, the M is for you. Alongside your run-of-the-mill colors, it comes in Turquoise or Orange, and having tested both, these look fantastic. The front panels can also be removed (by pushing the unlock button on the rear) if you want to mix and match colors.

Measuring 8.6 x 3.4 x 2.1 inches, the M is highly portable and doesn’t take up much space in your day bag. It weighs 1.3lbs so it’s heavier than the EarFun UBoom L (1.4lbs) and the Sodapop (10.6 ounces), but not too heavy that it weighs you down. If you want an ultra-portable speaker, you can’t go wrong with the JBL Go 5 ($54, 8.16 ounces), or the CMF Speaker S ($59), the M’s smaller sibling.

The M is a fairly stripped-back, minimalist speaker. There’s no flashy RGB lighting or loud branding. As CMF’s first portable speaker, it’s an aesthetic home run.

Features & connectivity

One of the CMF Speaker M’s biggest selling points is its rugged design. The speaker is IP68-rated, which is the highest possible rating a consumer-focused gadget can be assigned. That makes it waterproof and dustproof, so you can use it at the beach, in the shower, and even in a sandy desert. This is the same rating you’ll find on the JBL Go 5 and the pricier JBL Xtreme 5 ($399).

The M is well-connected, too. It utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 with support for AAC and SBC codecs, and there’s LC3 for Auracast multi-speaker pairing. There’s a Stereo Mode and a Party Mode. For Stereo Mode, you’ll need two Ms, which pair through the Nothing X app. Party Mode, on the other hand, enables you to connect two or more Auracast-enabled speakers by pressing their respective Auracast buttons. CMF sent me two review units and I found toggling both modes a breeze.

Alongside Google and Microsoft Fast Pair, one of the M’s edges is fitted with an NFC Fast Pair tag. This is a short-range wireless technology that lets electronic devices (so the speaker and your phone) share data when they are placed within a few centimeters of each other. I held my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL against it and within 10 seconds, I got a notification to pair my phone with the speaker.

I haven’t seen this feature on a speaker before, and I love that it simplifies (and speeds up) the pairing process. You can see how this works in the video above, where I tap a Samsung phone against the M's NFC tag.

Sound quality

For the most part, the CMF Speaker M sounds good, especially if you don’t listen much to heavy rock or metal. It’s got a slightly neutral tuning, and its 2.6-inch woofer and 0.6-inch tweeter deliver a 35W power/bass output. To test the speaker, I listened to my array of testing tracks on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

Little Simz’s vocals in “Fear No Man” sounded deliciously detailed and textured, with her voice sitting front and center. The different percussion instruments, like the nine-piece bata drum ensemble, sounded bright but never overzealous or fatiguing. Her words didn’t bleed into one another either, making for an enjoyable listening experience.

“Two Suns in the Sunset” by Pink Floyd sounded beautiful, too. The soundstage felt wide and spacious as the saxophone and piano spread around. While the M doesn’t quite recreate the expansive depth of a larger speaker, like the JBL Xtreme 5, it keeps the track feeling engaging.

However, heavy tracks are a struggle. The guitar riffs, bass and percussion in “Unamerican” by Dead Sara blended into one another and fell flat. The low-end sounded suppressed, and Emily Armstrong’s vocals sounded shrill and tinny. Enabling the Ultra Bass EQ preset salvaged some of it, but even so, the track continued sounding like a muddy wall of sound.

For songs that aren’t very heavy and don’t feature rock ‘n’ roll elements, the M is a good shout and warrants a recommendation. But if you want a speaker that can handle anything you throw at it, the JBL Go 5 is the way to go.

Listen along to my review with the CMF Speaker M testing playlist:

App

The CMF Speaker M is accompanied by the Nothing X app which I’m a big fan of — I’ve previously sung its praises in my Nothing Headphone (1) Pro and Nothing Ear (3) reviews. The app sports a clean interface and is extremely intuitive to use.

It enables you to customize the M’s controls, toggle Stereo or Party Mode, choose an EQ preset, and most importantly, customize the equalizer to your liking (something missing from the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2). In a nutshell, the Nothing X app is great and doesn’t give you much to complain about.

CMF Speaker M review: What I don’t like

• Middling battery life
• A little expensive

As I mentioned earlier, the CMF Speaker M’s sound quality is great but it struggles with heavy tracks. Battery life isn’t the best either, and the speaker itself is expensive.

Battery life

The CMF Speaker M’s battery life is neither the best nor the worst. When playing at 50% volume with the Ultra Bass EQ preset enabled, the M is rated for 18 hours. Your mileage will naturally depend on volume, EQ and other playback settings. I left it running, playing at 60% volume, and the speaker promptly died after about 17 hours.

There are quite a few similarly priced or cheaper speakers that last longer than the M, like the Tribit XSound Go (24 hours), the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 ($64, 24 hours), the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 (30 hours), and the Sodapop (30 hours). But there are also speakers that the M upstages, like the Marshall Willen II ($99, 17 hours), the EarFun UBoom L (16 hours), and the JBL Go 5 (10 hours).

Price

With middling battery life and lack of LDAC support, does the CMF Speaker M do enough to justify its price? It retails for $109 at Amazon U.S. / £99 at Nothing U.K., making it pricier than most of our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers — though a speaker like the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 ($129) does cost more. At $54, the JBL Go 5 comes in at half the M’s price and is, arguably, the compact speaker to get. If the M had been cheaper with a price tag of, say, $70, it would have made a more compelling case for itself.

CMF Speaker M compared

When it comes to visual aesthetics, there’s no other speaker like the CMF Speaker M. Most of its rivals, like the JBL Go 5 and the EarFun UBoom L, look like plain Janes (no offence to the Janes of the world). It also features NFC Fast Pair one-tap pairing which none of its competitors do, and just like the JBL Go 5, it’s IP68 dustproof and waterproof.

The M sounds better than a lot of its rivals, too, like the Tribit XSound Go, the Sodapop and the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. But that doesn’t mean its sound quality is peerless — the JBL Go 5 upstages it there as the M struggles with heavy tracks. When it comes to battery life, the M is neither the best nor the worst, as it lasts longer than the JBL Go 5, the Marshall Willen II, and the EarFun UBoom L, but shorter than the likes of the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2.

At the end of the day, if you want full-bodied sound with plenty of low-end impact, I’d recommend the JBL Go 5 if you’re on a budget, or the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 if you can spare an extra $20. But if you’re after a speaker that looks much, much better than most others out there, the M is a no-brainer.

Who should buy the CMF Speaker M?

As with most Nothing products, if you care about owning a gadget that looks otherworldly, then the CMF Speaker M is for you. It’s stylish, sleek, colorful, and whimsical. It’s highly portable and IP68-rated, so if you enjoy taking a speaker to the beach, this is the one to get. As for sound quality, the M sounds great across most genres.

I say “most” because the speaker struggles with heavy rock and metal tracks, which is somewhat salvageable by customizing the EQ via the user-friendly companion app. And while battery life isn’t outright awful at 18 hours, the M’s competitors offer longer playtimes — especially at lower prices. If neither of those are dealbreakers for you, the M deserves a place on your coffee table or bookshelf.

How do you pack ground-shaking bass, a wide soundstage, and 40 hours of battery life into a portable party speaker? Ask the Marshall Bromley 150. Marshall’s latest party speaker is a triumph, boasting incredible sound and a plethora of features. It’s IP55-rated, so it’s dust-resistant and waterproof, and its long battery life keeps the party going all day long.

With a range of wired and wireless connectivity options, the Bromley 150 is perfect for party hosts and musicians on the move as it doubles as an amp and karaoke machine. Drool-worthy looks, classy LED lighting, and tactile controls make the Bromley 150 one of the best Bluetooth speakers today. Though its app could have been better and LDAC support would have been appreciated, these minor issues are overshadowed by everything else on offer.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Marshall Bromley 150 review.

Marshall Bromley 150 review: Specs

Marshall Bromley 150 review: What I like

• Drool-worthy, amp-like design
• Powerful bass and detailed soundstage
• Chock-full of features, including 360° sound and 40-hour battery
• IP55 waterproof and dustproof

The Marshall Bromley 150 completes the brand’s party speaker lineup, and it gives you little to complain about. Classy looks, a range of useful features, and ground-shaking bass and refined sound quality make it a winner.

Design

There’s no denying that Marshall knows how to make a good-looking speaker, and the same is true for the Marshall Bromley 150. Just like its bigger siblings, the Bromley 450 ($799) and the Bromley 750 ($1,299), the Bromley 150 sports an amp-like design. It comes in black with brass accents, and it looks drool-worthy.

The well-defined front grille houses the integrated and customizable LED stage lights, and the branding on the front looks classy and premium. That extends to the tactile buttons and amp-like knobs, too, which are well-signposted and straightforward to understand. The dials and buttons let you adjust the bass, treble, and swap between sources. You don’t really need the companion app as you can control basically everything via the onboard controls themselves — which bodes well as it’s not very good, but more on that later.

As Marshall’s smallest party speaker, the Bromley 150 is cube-like, measuring 11.69 x 11.42 x 8.19 inches, so it can comfortably sit on your TV stand or even kitchen counter. It’s much smaller and more portable than the Sony ULT Tower 5 ($448), too, as it weighs just 13.9lbs. There’s an integrated and luxurious-feeling handle located on the Bromley 150’s top plate for easy transport — and I haven’t had any issues carrying it from A to B. Overall build quality is phenomenal, and the Bromley 150 doesn’t give you anything to complain about in the design department.

Features & connectivity

There’s no dearth of features on the Marshall Bromley 150. Let’s start with connectivity first. For wireless playback, you get Bluetooth 5.3 with support for AAC, SBC and LC3, as well as Auracast for multi-speaker pairing. Thanks to Auracast, you can daisy-chain an unlimited number of Bromleys together — now it’s a party!

Wired connectivity is in spades, too. There are USB-C and 3.5mm jacks for wired playback. The Bromley 150 doubles (or triples, even) as a karaoke machine and an amplifier as there are two XLR/6.35mm combo jacks for plugging in mics and instruments. There’s no RCA jack, though, for DJ controllers and turntables, like on the bigger Bromley 450 and Bromley 750, and the Sony ULT Tower 5 — but it’s a minor drawback in the grand scheme of things.

Features next. First, the Bromley 150 is IP55-rated, which makes it highly resistant to dust and water, so you can use it on your balcony even when it’s raining, for instance. Marshall’s party speaker is more durable than the Sony ULT Tower 5 which is only IPX4-rated, so it isn’t dustproof. You also get Marshall’s stunning True Stereophonic 360° sound, and its front and rear speakers create an immersive listening experience regardless of where you’re standing.

Sound quality

Though it’s small, it’s mighty. The Marshall Bromley 150 packs a 200W power output, driven by its 6.5-inch 40W woofer, dual 2-inch 6W full-range drivers, and a 7.5-inch passive radiator. It delivers ground-shaking bass, as you’d expect from a party speaker, and its expansive soundstage makes for an immersive listening experience. I tested the speaker by listening to my favorite tunes on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

This is a party speaker, first and foremost, so the first song I listened to was “Von Dutch” by Charli xcx. The Bromley 150 packs a party-ready sound, and the song sounded bold with a lively presentation that captured the atmosphere of a packed club. I could feel the bass vibrating the floorboards under my feet, but it sounded tight and controlled throughout. Other aspects of the soundstage weren’t sacrificed either, as the high-frequency synths remained distinct.

Listening to “Unamerican” by Dead Sara through the Bromley 150 revealed a bold, energetic sound that suited the track’s raw alt-rock character. The overall soundstage felt lively and spacious, with the guitars, vocals and driving rhythm section occupying individual spaces. The guitar riffs were the real highlight as they came through with plenty of bite and grit. The Bromley 150 excelled at giving the power chords a convincing weight, and delivering punchy sound.

The Bromley 150 is suited to detailed listening, too, as I found when playing “Nova” by Four Tet. Individual clicks, taps and repeating patterns sounded well-defined, and the soundstage felt open enough to give each element room to breathe. The Bromley 150 allowed the finer details to emerge without losing sight of the overall hypnotic quality.

Overall, the Bromley 150 is an outstanding, powerful speaker that’s suited to virtually any genre. Whether you’re a low-end fan who wants to feel the bass in their soul, or someone who appreciates subtle details, the Bromley 150 is sure to impress.

Listen along to my review with the Marshall Bromley 150 testing playlist:

Battery life

One of the Marshall Bromley 150’s biggest selling points is its long battery life. Just like the Bromley 450 and the Bromley 750, the Bromley 150 has a 40-hour battery life. For a speaker its size, that’s phenomenal. Your mileage will naturally depend on playback settings, such as volume, Bluetooth codecs, LED lighting and bass/treble tuning, but having tested nearly every modern Marshall product, that 40-hour figure is quite reliable.

The Bromley 150 blows its competition out of the water when it comes to playback time. The Sony ULT Tower 5 is rated for 20 hours, while the JBL PartyBox 130 ($449) lasts just 15 hours. There’s also the JBL Xtreme 5 ($399) which is a little cheaper than the Bromley 150 and lasts only 28 hours.

Similar to the other Bromleys and the Sony ULT Tower 5, the Bromley 150’s battery pack is user-replaceable. You can also use the Bromley 150’s USB Out port to charge your phone, laptop and other devices.

Marshall Bromley 150 review: What I don’t like

• Underwhelming companion app
• No LDAC (even though other Marshall speakers have it)

There are a couple of things I wish the Marshall Bromley 150 had. LDAC support would have been a good addition, and I wish the companion app was more robust.

Underwhelming companion app

This is a complaint I’ve had with both the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Bromley 750, and turns out third time isn’t the charm, as the problem persists with the Bromley 150. The speaker is accompanied by the Marshall Bluetooth app which is quite underbaked and really basic.

The app itself looks good and functions well, with a stripped-back interface and no intrusive pop-ups — but it doesn’t allow you to change much about the Bromley 150. You can tune into an Auracast channel, customize the speaker’s ‘M’ button to toggle strobe lighting, and set a power-off timer. But that’s it, and it’s quite disappointing that there isn’t more functionality.

In comparison, the Sony Sound Connect app for the Sony ULT Tower 5 enables you to customize the speaker’s 10-band EQ, add live audio effects while playing music or singing through the mic, and more. Marshall can easily solve this issue by having the Bromleys use the Marshall app, which its Homeline speakers, like the Acton IV ($299), and soundbars, like the Heston 60 ($699), already do. Oh well.

No LDAC

While not a massive drawback or outright dealbreaker, the Marshall Bromley 150 doesn’t feature support for LDAC, as its codec support is limited to SBC and AAC. LDAC is a proprietary lossy Bluetooth audio codec that handles audio up to 32-bit / 96KHz. It essentially lets you stream hi-res audio over Bluetooth. The Sony ULT Tower 5 features LDAC, but none of the Bromleys do — though Marshall’s home speakers, the Acton IV and the Stanmore IV ($399) do.

Now, the reason why this isn’t a dealbreaker: the Bromley 150 is a party speaker that focuses more on powerful, bass-heavy sound rather than detailed listening. It’s worth considering the Sony ULT Tower 5 if you absolutely need LDAC, but there’s not much in it.

Marshall Bromley 150 compared

The Marshall Bromley 150’s closest competitor is the Sony ULT Tower 5, which is Sony’s smallest party speaker. At $448, it costs a little less than the Bromley 150, and features RCA input for turntables, LDAC support, and a better companion app. The reason to get the Bromley 150 over it? A smaller form factor, more tasteful LED lighting, and classier looks. In terms of sound quality, both speakers are fairly close, though the Tower 5 has a 300W power output as opposed to the Bromley 150’s 200W.

Then there’s the JBL PartyBox 130, which is also $50 cheaper than the Bromley 150. I’m not a massive fan of the PartyBox 130’s design, as the RGB lighting looks garish and loud. It’s also not as portable as the Bromley 150. But the Tower 5, the PartyBox 130 and even the JBL Xtreme 5 don’t last as long as the Bromley 150.

Personally, I’d get the Bromley 150 for the design alone. No other brand comes close to Marshall’s superior design philosophy. And it’s highly portable and easy to carry around — especially compared to the JBL and the Sony.

Who should buy the Marshall Bromley 150?

If you want a supremely good-looking speaker that’s easy to transport and doesn’t compromise on sound quality, the Marshall Bromley 150 is for you. It looks stunning, sporting Marshall’s usual good looks and reactive LED lighting. It’s highly portable thanks to a built-in handle, and it sounds bigger than it looks. Plenty of low-end impact and a spacious soundstage that makes for an immersive listening experience, it’s the quintessential party speaker.

The Bromley 150 is great for gigging musicians, too, given its dual XLR ports. IP55-rated, the speaker is highly waterproof and dustproof. Though the Sony ULT Tower 5 features a more refined companion app and LDAC support, the Bromley 150 excels where it matters most: it delivers room-shaking bass and looks oh-so-good doing it.

Whether you're hosting a dinner party, having a cozy evening playing board games, or you like performing karaoke in the shower, you need one of the best Bluetooth speakers. October Prime Day sales have slashed the prices of many, but given that you're spoiled for choice, it can be difficult to determine which you should buy.

Lucky for you, I've sifted through hundreds of deals to find the ones that are actually worth your money. I test Bluetooth speakers for a living, and I've either personally reviewed or at least spent a good chunk of time listening to the following speakers.

My favorite deal is on the JBL Go 5 which is currently down to its lowest ever price of just $39. I awarded it 4.5-stars in my JBL Go 5 review, and it's a tiny yet powerful speaker for taking on the go. If you want a bigger and classier-looking speaker, the Marshall Emberton III is 44% off right now, and at that price, even I'm tempted to buy it.

Here are the seven best Bluetooth speaker deals I've found this October Prime Day, starting at just $27!

Quick links

• Shop all October Prime Day sales now
• Tribit StormBox Mini+: was $39 now $27
• JBL Go 5: was $54 now $39
• 8BitDo Retro Cube 2: was $49 now $39
• Tribit StormBox Micro 3: was $64 now $47
• Marshall Emberton III: was $179 now $99
• Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): was $159 now $99
• Marshall Bromley 450: was $799 now $599

Best October Prime Day speaker deals

• shop all October Prime day deals
• YETI sale: deals from $10
• Amazon devices: deals from $12
• Anker Smart Display Charger: was $39 now $23
• Skechers: from $25
• TV sale: deals from $69

Bluetooth speakers are some of the most popular tech products on Amazon Australia, and Prime Big Deal Days has brought sizeable discounts to several of the online retail giant's best-selling models. Whether you're after a rugged speaker for outdoor adventures or something compact for everyday listening, now's a great time to buy.

While there are stacks of Bluetooth speakers on sale right now, the standout deals for me are the JBL Flip 6 and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). The former received 4.5 stars in our review, while the latter earned a respectable 4-star rating.

Right now, you can snag the excellent JBL Flip 6 for just AU$169.95 AU$99.95, saving you a cool AU$70 on the RRP, while the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is down to AU$249.95 AU$147.25 for Prime members — that's a hefty AU$102.70 discount.

Both speakers combine strong sound quality with rugged waterproof designs, making them easy recommendations for anyone looking for a portable audio upgrade. They're far from the only deals worth considering, though, with Amazon's best-seller rankings also featuring popular options from Soundcore, Harman Kardon and Ultimate Ears across a range of budgets.

That's what makes this year's Prime Big Deal Days speaker deals worth a closer look. I've rounded up the best offers below, but you can also browse Amazon AU's current best-selling speakers to see what's proving most popular with shoppers right now.

More from Tom's Guide

• Amazon AU's October Prime sale is bringing the heat with some smokin' air fryer discounts — save up to 66% off the RRP
• Blink and you'll miss it: this 70% off 4-pack camera deal will have your indoor and outdoor home security sorted
• Early Amazon Prime Day Skechers deals — shop up to 56% off men's and women's sneakers, sandals and slides

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days kick off next week, running from October 6 through October 7, but there are already deals to be had. I've tested dozens of speakers here at Tom's Guide, and the one I always recommend to my friends is currently on sale.

I've talked about the Tribit PocketGo before, and I won't shut up about it because it's the speaker that can do it all. Whether you listen to rock, rap or country, with a few tweaks to the EQ using the Tribit app, you get awesome, balanced sound.

The speaker has already had its price reduced, so you can get the Tribit PocketGo at Amazon for $22 instead of the usual $29.

• shop all early deals at Amazon

Aside from the portable design, I think the best thing about this speaker is the whopping 20 hours of battery life it holds. I've taken it with me on weekend-long trips without needing to charge it once.

This kind of battery life is pretty hard to come by in this price range since this speaker is what I would call ultra-cheap. You could spend over $100 on a speaker from big-name brands such as Bose or Sonos, but the value for money with the Tribit and its balanced sound is unbeatable.

Shop more deals

More from Tom's Guide

• The real reason why iPhone Duo will beat all Android foldable phones
• 5 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV and more (Sept. 29-Oct.5)
• I walked 5,000 steps with the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Garmin Forerunner 570 — here’s which watch came out on top

Sony knows how to make a party speaker that doesn’t give you much to complain about — just look at how outstanding the ULT Tower 7 is. This is a fantastic speaker if you want to bring Earth-shaking sound to your next gathering without breaking the bank. The Tower 7 delivers room-filling bass, and packs 30 hours of runtime as well as lovely LED lighting.

Extensive app control, a plethora of party features, and robust input options make the Tower 7 a dream for hosts, DJs, and karaoke lovers alike. But unlike its smaller sibling, the Tower 5, the Tower 7 has a couple of drawbacks. It’s a little awkward to wheel around, and the 360° sound isn’t that immersive. The treble is slightly overzealous too, but this is easily fixable via the app.

Is this still one of the best Bluetooth speakers for you? Read my full Sony ULT Tower 7 review to find out.

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: Specs

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: Price & availability

The Sony ULT Tower 7 is one of three speakers in the second generation of Sony’s party speakers — the Tower 5 ($448) and the Tower Max ($1,499) being the other two. All three speakers were announced in September 2026, and the Tower 7 is the mid-range choice, retailing for $648 / £499 at Amazon. As you’ll soon see, it offers excellent value for money.

There’s no shortage of competition in the Tower 7’s price range. You’ve got heavy hitters like the Marshall Bromley 450 ($799) and the JBL PartyBox 330 ($629), and the Soundboks Mix ($799) is great for those after ground-shaking bass (though it has its flaws). The Tower 7 faces fierce competition from its cheaper sibling, the Tower 5, too, a portable party speaker I awarded 5/5 stars to. While the Tower 7 isn’t as good as the Tower 5, it’s still a standout choice for those after rumbling bass.

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: Design

All three speakers, the Tower 5, Tower 7 and Tower Max, share similar design philosophies. The Tower 7 looks like a taller, chunkier version of the Tower 5. It sports an all-black finish, a stripped-back top panel with basic controls, and sophisticated reactive lighting. The large front grille houses a circular ULT button, located in the top-left corner. One of the biggest visual (and acoustic) differences between the Tower 5 and the Tower 7 is the presence of two rear tweeters on the latter (more on that shortly).

Just like the Tower 5 and Tower Max, the Tower 7 features an LED strip that runs along the length of the front grille, and it produces cyan, blue and purple gradients. It’s also highly customizable via the excellent Sony Sound Connect app, but I’ll discuss that in detail later. The LED lighting might not be to everyone’s taste as it isn’t as lovely to look at as the Marshall Bromley 450’s integrated stage lights, but it’s more tasteful than that on the JBL PartyBox 330.

Like I said before, the Tower 7 is tall and chunky, measuring 27.95 x 16.57 x 13.66 inches, and at 50.26lbs, it weighs a lot more than the Tower 5 — almost double, in fact. To make it easier to transport the Tower 7, you’ll find four integrated handles on the top and bottom, and there are two wheels on the bottom, too.

Annoyingly, though, you have to grasp the top edge above the slit on the rear side of the speaker, and it’s awkward and uncomfortable to roll the speaker around like this. I never managed to get a decent grip on the Tower 7, and neither did my coworkers. I wish Sony had a suitcase-style pull-out handle to make this easier, like on the Marshall Bromley 750 ($1,299).

Weatherproofing

Just like the Tower 5 and the JBL PartyBox 330, the Tower 7 is IPX4-rated, so it’s splash-proof but not protected against dust and dirt (that’s what the ‘X’ in IPX4 means). Also like the Tower 5, the IPX4 protection is active in the vertical position only, as the rear port cover is completely sealed but the sides aren’t. The Marshall Bromley 450 and Soundboks Mix feature better weatherproofing as they’re IP55- and IP65-rated respectively.

Controls

Controls on the Tower 7 are identical to those on the Tower 5. Located on the top are three (self-explanatory) buttons: power, Bluetooth, and playback. There’s a circular ULT button on the front grille — it’s quite big so you can’t miss it — and this lets you swap between EQ presets, or it can be rotated to adjust the volume.

The rest of the buttons are located on the speaker’s rear panel, just under the backward-facing tweeters. These give you control over features like Party Chain (multi-speaker pairing), Light (lighting effects), Key Control (for swapping between flat and sharp keys), and more. Again, these are the same as on the Tower 5 and in that vein, it doesn't take long to get a hang of them.

Connectivity

Like the controls, connectivity options are the same on the Tower 7 and the Tower 5. For wireless playback, there’s Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, and multipoint connectivity for pairing two devices simultaneously. Party Chain is available, too, which utilizes an Auracast broadcast to connect to 100 compatible Sony speakers. Having listened to 10 of the Tower speakers together, I’ve seen this happen at scale and can confirm this feature certainly works.

There’s no shortage of ports on the Tower 7 either. All ports are protected by a rubber flap for protection against splashes. There’s a USB-C port for playing music directly from your smartphone or phone, and a USB-A port for playing from a USB stick. There’s a 6.3mm mic/instrument jack, RCA line input, and a balanced XLR input and an XLR output for a second device or PA system. That’s more than enough for connecting instruments, mics for karaoke, DJ turntables, and more. You’ll also find a similar level of connectivity on the Marshall Bromley 450.

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: Sound quality

The Sony ULT Tower 7 has a commendable acoustic configuration and on paper, it sounds like a beast. You get a total power output of 420W, an 11-inch woofer, two 4.7-inch mid-range drivers, and four 2-inch tweeters (two on the front, two on the back for 360° sound). You can use the ULT button to swap between ULT 1 (deep bass), ULT 2 (attack bass), Flat (neutral) and Live sound profiles, too, and there’s a 10-band equalizer available via the app if you want more control.

But how does the speaker sound straight out of the box? I listened to some of my favorite tunes on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles, to test it out. Bass is naturally the Tower 7’s forte as this is, first and foremost, a party speaker, and MGMT’s ‘Little Dark Age’ highlighted the strong, Earth-shaking low-end reproduction. The pulsing synth-bass had impressive weight and depth as the Tower 7’s large woofer gave each note a physical, room-filling quality. Each bass pluck was loud and clear even at the lowest (and highest) volume, and the lowest frequencies added a dark, resonant foundation. The groove felt visceral without completely swallowing the mid-range.

‘Catch These Fists’ by Wet Leg felt expansive and physical through the Tower 7. The driving chunky bassline anchored the soundstage with weight, while the guitars spread across the room at an almost concert-like scale. The vocals remained distinct, whether they were quiet in the verses or loud in the chorus, and they didn't get drowned out by the rhythm section. The Tower 7’s rear-facing tweeters shone here, too, as they made the track sound wider than a conventional forward-firing speaker, like the Soundboks Mix.

While most of the soundstage sounds great, I’ve been disappointed by the Tower 7’s treble. The fast-moving percussion layers, like the snares and claps, in the Afro-tech infused ‘Open Arms’ by Little Simz ft. DEELA sounded overzealous and a little too sharp. While the Tower 7’s multiple tweeters are designed to deliver crisp high frequencies, they make the treble feel edgy rather than smooth.

This was prominent in ‘One Inch Punch’ by Yin Yin, too, where the cymbals felt pushed forward, dominating the soundstage a bit too much and taking away from the track’s otherwise relaxed character. You can salvage this by playing around with the 10-band equalizer, of course, but I wish the Tower 7 sounded just as well-rounded as the Tower 5, straight out of the box.

The Tower 7 features 360° Party Sound, too, which, as the name suggests, is 360° surround sound that’s meant to make songs sound the same regardless of where you’re standing. In theory, this sounds great, but I didn’t find the 360° sound on the Tower 7 as convincing or immersive as on the Marshall Bromley 450. The Tower 7’s rear tweeters deliver clear sound but because there’s no rear woofer, the bass sounds a little thin. I guess Sony had to give you a compelling reason to splurge on the Tower Max which does feature an 11-inch rear woofer.

Listen along to my review with the Sony ULT Tower 7 testing playlist:

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: App

You’ll need to download the Sony Sound Connect app on either iOS or Android if you want to customize your Sony ULT Tower 7. The app is extremely easy to use and everything is signposted clearly. You get extensive control over the Tower 7’s LED lighting and 10-band equalizer, to name a couple.

All three of Sony’s ULT Tower speakers, including the Tower 7, have a Party Pad function within the app. This lets you trigger live audio effects, like a flanger or sampler, while playing music, performing karaoke, or playing live. It lets you add DJ-style effects, like robot, drums, rhythm, audience voices, and more.

The Sony Sound Connect app is much more impressive than the Marshall Bromley 450’s and the Soundboks Mix’s, as their companion apps don’t give you a lot of control of their settings and features.

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: Battery life

A compelling reason to buy the Sony ULT Tower 7 over the Tower 5 is the longer battery life. The Tower 7 runs on either a power supply from an AC outlet or on its built-in rechargeable battery, which is rated for up to 30 hours. That’s 10 more hours over the Tower 5. The Tower 7 trumps the JBL PartyBox 330 which is rated for just 18 hours, but it falls short of the Marshall Bromley 450’s and the Soundboks Mix’s 40-hour playback times.

Of course, how much power the speaker consumes depends on the Tower 7’s settings and features, like the LED lighting, EQ presets and volume. I listened at varying volume levels with different presets toggled, and after four hours of testing, I had 80% battery left. Like on the Tower 5 and Tower Max, Stamina mode can be activated via the dedicated button at the back, and this disables power-hungry features to prolong battery life.

Similar to the Tower 5, the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Soundboks Mix, you can use the Tower 7’s USB-C or USB-A ports to charge your smartphone, laptop or other devices.

Sony ULT Tower 7 review: Verdict

The Sony ULT Tower 7 is an absolute blast of a party speaker. Is it perfect? Not quite, as it’s awkward to wheel around and the 360° sound isn’t that immersive. But the ground-shaking bass, distortion-free sound at all volume levels, and massive audio scale make those minor grievances fade into the background.

You also get 30 hours of battery life with the Tower 7, as well as extensive connectivity options for mics, instruments and DJ turntables. It’s a two-in-one karaoke machine and party speaker. For just under $650, the Tower 7 is on par with its pricier rivals, and in some cases, it even outshines a few of them, like the Soundboks Mix. If you want high-energy, impactful sound that keeps the party alive all weekend, the Tower 7 is a standout choice.

Sony is back on top of the party speakers game with the ULT Tower 5 — and the audio giant hit a home run with this one. Compact and portable thanks to four handles, the Tower 5 is an excellent speaker for on-the-go musicians, karaoke enthusiasts, and everyone in between. The speaker features an array of ports for hooking up instruments and mics, as well as Bluetooth connectivity that also enables you to sync up 100 speakers together.

Sound quality is where the Tower 5 comes into its own. Room-filling and ground-shaking bass, airy and refined treble, and an expansive soundstage make it a standout choice. For just under $450, the Tower 5 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy today, and Sony takes the fight to Marshall and JBL and emerges victorious.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Sony ULT Tower 5 review.

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: Specs

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: Price & availability

Announced in September 2026, the Sony ULT Tower 5 is part of the brand’s second generation of party speakers which also includes the Tower 7 ($648) and the Tower Max ($1,499). The Tower 5 is the cheapest of the three, retailing for $448 / £349 at Amazon. It’s actually only a smidge pricier than the JBL Xtreme 5 ($399)!

The Tower 5 is priced similarly to the JBL PartyBox 130 ($449), and is cheaper than the Soundboks Mix ($799) and the Marshall Bromley 450 ($799). Frankly speaking, the Tower 5 is ridiculously good value for money given its compact form factor, mahoosive 300W power output, great design, and wide range of connectivity.

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: Design

Sony has redesigned its Tower lineup and the second gen speakers, including the Tower 5, look more sophisticated with classier reactive lighting, cleaner top panels, and easily understandable controls. The Tower 5 features a large front grille that houses a circular ULT button in the top-left corner, and the speaker has a lovely matte black finish.

An LED strip frames the front grille, producing cyan, blue and purple gradients, and it looks fantastic. This is what gives the speaker its distinctly neon, party aesthetic. Though I still prefer the Marshall Bromley 450’s integrated stage lights, the Tower 5’s lighting is tasteful and doesn’t look as garish as on the JBL PartyBox 130.

The Tower 5 is the smallest and most portable of Sony’s ULT speakers, measuring 21 x 14.1 x 11 inches. It’s still quite heavy, though, weighing 28lbs. Sony has happily installed four carry handles so you can pick it up and carry it around. I’ve found these handles useful when moving the Tower 5 up and down the stairs. In comparison, both the JBL PartyBox 130 and the Marshall Bromley 450 feature single handles.

Weatherproofing

The Tower 5 is IPX4-rated (in the vertical orientation only), which means it’s splash-proof, but the ‘X’ in that rating means it doesn’t have an official rating for dust protection. This is the same level of waterproofing as the JBL PartyBox 130, but it’s worse than the Marshall Bromley 450’s IP55 and the Soundboks Mix’s IP65 ratings. Both the Bromley 450 and the Mix are, then, better for outdoor use.

Controls

The Tower 5 features a stripped-back, minimal control scheme. On the top, you’ll find buttons for turning the speaker on and off, Bluetooth, and playback. The circular ULT button on the front grille is customizable via the companion app and can be used to swap between EQ presets, and it can be rotated to adjust the volume.

More buttons are located on the speaker’s rear, and they give you control over features like Party Chain (for multi-speaker pairing), Key Control (for swapping between flat and sharp keys), and Stamina (to reduce power consumption). There are a few other buttons but they’re all easy to understand and get a hang of.

The buttons and dials on the Tower 5 give you ample control over the speaker’s settings, and you don’t really need the companion app, which is excellent. The controls give good tactile feedback, and I found them responsive in my testing.

Connectivity

There’s no dearth of ports or connectivity options on the Tower 5. If you want wireless playback, the Tower 5 utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs. It features multipoint connectivity, too, so you can pair it with two devices simultaneously, and the speaker will automatically switch between them when you start playback on either device.

All three speakers in the ULT Tower range — the Tower 5, Tower 7 and Tower Max — feature Party Chain, which essentially utilizes an Auracast broadcast to connect the speakers with compatible Sony speakers. Pressing the Party Chain button on the Tower 5 pairs it with… wait for it… up to 100 speakers. One hundred! I don’t know who might own 100 of the Towers, but I’ve listened to 10 of them together, so I know this feature works well at scale.

Then there’s wired connectivity. On the Tower 5’s rear panel, you’ll find a USB-C port for playing music directly from your smartphone or phone, and a USB-A port for playing from a USB stick. There’s also a 6.3mm mic/instrument jack, RCA line input, and a balanced XLR input and an XLR output for a second device or PA system. That’s a lot! There are more than enough ports for hooking up your instruments, mics for karaoke, and other devices. This is a similar level of wired connectivity you’ll find on the Marshall Bromley 450.

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: Sound quality

Let’s talk details first. Though the Sony ULT Tower 5 is small-ish, it packs a lot of power. It’s got a total power output of 300W, powered by one 9-inch woofer, two mid-range drivers, and dual 2.3-inch tweeters. The ULT Tower speakers have been tuned to deliver ground-shaking bass, and that’s exactly what the Tower 5 does.

As this is a bass-first speaker, I listened to a few hip-hop, electronic and heavy rock tracks on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles — starting with ‘Come Around’ by 070 Shake. Through the Tower 5, the rumbling synths hit me with force as soon as the song started, and the low-end was deep, heavy and physical. The sub-bass felt weighty, and the Tower 5 ensured that each note felt punchy and room-filling. I could feel the ground rumbling under me, even when the speaker was playing at just 50% volume. Even with the volume pushed close to 100%, the bass felt tactile and controlled, never muddy.

This was with the ULT 1 sound profile enabled, which delivers deep bass that you can feel, and it maintains clarity at even high volumes. You can swap to ULT 2 by pressing the ULT button on the front grille if you want extra energy and drive. I listened to ‘Von Dutch’ by Charli xcx, and ULT 2 made the electronic beat feel bold and aggressive, and the Tower 5 laid the bass on thick. The club-like reproduction felt immersive, vibrating through the room without overwhelming the vocals. I couldn’t help but bob my head along!

Heavy rock tracks, like ‘Two Faced’ by Linkin Park, are handled with precision by the Tower 5, too. The Flat sound profile (also toggled via the ULT button) makes songs sound neutral and close to the original production, but it still packs plenty of punch. ‘Two Faced’ highlighted the speaker’s wide, energetic soundstage, as the guitars spread across the room with strong separation, while the drums sat firmly in the centre with impressive weight. Vocals sounded expansive and expressive, and Emily Armstrong’s screams didn’t overwhelm the speaker either, and they didn't pierce through the soundscape.

Finally, treble. ‘Life Itself’ by Glass Animals is driven by layered snappy percussion, including crisp hi-hats and tambourines. The Tower 5 reproduced these textures brilliantly, and the treble sounded airy and lively. The speaker kept up with the song’s energetic beat, and the overall sound didn’t feel thin or pushed back.

I’ve been extremely impressed with the Tower 5’s performance. Don’t let its tiny stature fool you: this thing is an absolute beast when it comes to raw performance.

Listen along to my review with the Sony ULT Tower 5 testing playlist:

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: App

Sony Sound Connect is your one-stop shop for customizing your headphones, earbuds and the ULT Tower speakers, too, including the Tower 5. Available for free on iOS and Android, the app sports a clean interface, and gives you extensive control over the Tower 5’s settings. You can customize the 10-band equalizer as well as the LED lighting’s colors.

You also get access to Party Pad which lets you trigger live audio effects, like a flanger or sampler, while playing music. Live musicians and even karaoke enthusiasts will surely appreciate this feature as it lets you add DJ-style effects, and I had a lot of fun playing around with it. There are effects for almost everything — drums, rhythm, robot, you name it.

Compared to the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Soundboks Mix whose companion apps don’t give you a lot of control over the speakers’ settings, the Tower 5 (and the Tower lineup) sets a new standard for what a party speaker can really do.

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: Battery life

The Sony ULT Tower 5 is capable of running on either a power supply from an AC outlet, or on its built-in rechargeable battery. On a single charge, the Tower 5 can last up to 20 hours, according to Sony. It upstages the JBL PartyBox 130’s 15-hour battery life, though it pales in comparison to the Marshall Bromley 450’s massive 40-hour playback time — but the Bromley 450 is also pricier than the Tower 5.

Your mileage will naturally depend on the LED lighting, EQ presets, volume level, and other speaker settings. I listened at varying volume levels with different presets toggled, and after five hours of playback, I had 70% battery remaining. If you want to extend the battery life, you can toggle Stamina mode via the dedicated button on the back. This turns off energy-hungry features like the LED lighting. Bass naturally loses its power, but it’s handy if you’re in a pinch.

Similar to the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Soundboks Mix, you can use the Tower 5’s USB-C or USB-A ports to charge your smartphone, laptop or other devices.

Sony ULT Tower 5 review: Verdict

There isn’t a lot wrong with the Sony ULT Tower 5. In fact, the only drawback I can think of is that it’s IPX4 waterproof only, but that’s about it. The Tower 5 nails every aspect, and it’s a well-rounded party speaker that delivers where it matters most: meaty bass that you feel in your soul; crisp, airy treble that doesn’t become fatiguing; and an expansive soundstage that makes every genre sing.

The Tower 5 sports a visually pleasing design, too, utilizing tasteful LED lighting and an all-black matte finish. It’s portable, and can be carried easily thanks to the integrated handles. There’s a plethora of ports and connectivity options. What more could you ask for? Pound for pound, the Tower 5 is the best portable party speaker of 2026.

I’ve tested my fair share of Bluetooth speakers, and I’m always impressed when it comes to Bose. I personally love the sound its speakers make, and the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 is no exception to that fact.

It delivers a balanced sound that can be turned up without distortion, is compact and lightweight for easy portability, and is waterproof and dust-resistant for any outdoor activities. There are loads of color choices too, and the useful connectivity options mean you can pair multiple speakers for a bigger sound.

However, there are far cheaper options on the market that can save you half the price and give you comparable sound and better battery life. To find out more about what I think about the speaker, you can keep reading this full Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review.

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: Specs

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: Price & availability

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 is available to purchase from Best Buy in the U.S. for $129, but can frequently be found on sale for as low as $79. In the U.K., you can purchase the speaker for £119 from Amazon. You can purchase the speaker in a variety of colors, including Sunset Peach, Sandstone, Black, Petal Pink, Blue Dusk, Dewdrop Mint and Twilight Blue.

Bose also offers the bigger SoundLink Flex, which is only $20 more at $149, offering the same durability specs in a slightly less portable package. The SoundLink Micro 2, by contrast, fits in the palm of your hand, making it better for travelling.

When it comes to small, portable speakers, you can certainly pick up cheaper options, but you won’t be getting the full-bodied sound you get with the Bose. The$39 Tozo PE1 is a decent option if you’re on a very tight budget, but the battery drains fast, and the sound becomes tinny at higher volumes.

Staying on the micro side, the $64 Tribit StomBox Micro 3 is around the same size as the SoundLink Micro, but has a higher IP68 durability rating. I love the sound you get from the Tribit, and I find myself reaching for it regularly. It’s half the price of the Bose and, in my opinion, performs just as well.

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: Design

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 is a devilishly handsome speaker that comes in a variety of colors. The wide range of colors means you can choose one that complements your style, but I prefer the understated black variant.

Micro-sized speakers are very portable, and this one is about the size of my hand at 4.1 x 4.1 x 1.7 inches. It only weighs 11.2 ounces, so it didn’t add any noticeable weight to my bag when taking it out and about. The Tozo PE1 is lighter at just 8 ounces.

Bose says this speaker is built to bounce, so I obviously had to put it to the test. I dropped it from chest height (I’m 5’2”), and it quickly rebounded off the ground with no marks in sight, so it is very sturdy. This speaker has an IP67 durability rating, meaning it is fully protected against dust and can be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Since I mostly use Bluetooth speakers when I’m out in the garden, it’s great to know that the SoundLink Micro 2 is protected. I took the speaker on vacation with me and had it poolside where it was subject to splashes from the pool, and it was completely unfazed.

Controls

The Bose SoundLink Micro uses button controls, which are very responsive. On the right, there is a shortcut button. This is programmable through the Bose app. I decided to set it so that it would play music from my Spotify account without me selecting it on my phone. This was useful as I could leave my phone inside, minimizing distractions.

Connectivity

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 uses Bluetooth version 5.4. The Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 uses Bluetooth 6.0, a more advanced version, but for everyday listening I don’t think it makes much of a difference. The Bose speaker supports multipoint connectivity for up to two devices, which allowed me to easily transition between two phones. This worked well for my family when we couldn’t decide who should be in charge of the music.

Bose’s Party Mode is supported by the speaker too, so you can connect two of their SoundLink speakers and sync up the audio for an even bigger sound. You can also enable stereo mode here and turn them into left and right speakers to immerse yourself in the sound.

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: Sound quality

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 was the perfect way to soundtrack my vacation as it gave me great volume with total balance over the bass, mids and treble. Though it may be small in stature, don’t let that fool you when it comes to the sound capabilities.

To test the bass performance, I listened to Let’s Go Crazy by Prince. This track has a lot going on in the high end, so when I listen just using my phone speakers, the driving bass line is often lost in a sea of synth effects. However, when listening with the SoundLink Micro 3, I was impressed by how clear the bass guitar was, and it allowed the song to perform to its full potential.

When evaluating the mid-range performance, I listened to Graceland Too by Phoebe Bridgers, which is an acoustic track filled with strings and a delicate vocal performance. The plucking of the string instruments was clear, but you could still hear the vocal harmonies clearly, showing strong tonal separation.

Finally, to test out the treble, I listened to It’s Amazing To Be Young by Fontaines D.C. for its leading drum riffs and lead guitar. The speaker replicated these tones with ease, and I didn't experience any tinniness. Again, I was impressed by the instrument separation across guitar and drums.

You certainly get the classic Bose sound here and I prefer the sound profile to the Tozo PE1, which sounds a lot cheaper, but I would say it’s on par with the Tribit StormBox Micro 3.

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: App

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 speaker is compatible with the Bose app, which you can use to customize the sound or simply control it. It’s easy to navigate, and I felt like I had a lot of control. I prefer using this to the Tribit app for the StormBox Micro 3.

There are custom EQ adjusters to fine-tune the bass, mid-range and treble, or you can use the EQ presets in the app. I like the default EQ of this speaker, but increasing the bass makes it pretty ground-shaking.

As I mentioned earlier, there’s a shortcut button on the speaker that can be altered on the speaker and used to launch Spotify Tap, or sync with other Bose speakers to activate Party Mode. The app is certainly a helping hand throughout the listening process, and it’s not at all complicated.

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: Battery life

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 comes with a USB-C to A cable for charging, which takes around three hours. The speaker holds 12 hours of battery life, which lasted me around three days before I needed to juice up again.

I would have liked a little more battery life for longer trips since rivals prove it can be done, even in such a small package. The Tribit StormBox Micro 3, for example, has 24 hours of battery life, and the Tribit PocketGo (which is even smaller) holds 20 hours of battery.

Bose SoundLink Micro 2 review: Verdict

The Bose SoundLink Micro 2 impressed me by delivering clear and balanced sound with zero distortion, even at louder volumes. It’s very lightweight and compact, making it a great option for taking with you on trips, as I did. There are loads of color options to choose from, so it can certainly be a style-minded purchase, and the connectivity features unlock ways to get an even bigger sound. Meanwhile, the IP67 durability rating makes it a good option for anyone who likes to listen to music outdoors.

As much as I like the speaker, there are cheaper options on the market that also provide great sound and even have stronger battery life. But if you’re a fan of the classic Bose sound, this speaker is a no-brainer.

Jabees PEACE Duo Speaker: Review in brief

I'm someone who can't sleep without listening to something in order to drown out the distracting sound of my noisy street. After months of wearing earbuds every night I began to experience a level of irritation that left my ear canals too sore to wear even the best sleep headphones to bed.

Instead of earbuds, I've been getting my noise masking from white noise machines, the bedtime sound setting on my sunrise alarms, and even a tabletop fan cranked up to the highest speed. However, one thing that I never considered was an under-the-pillow speaker — until I came across the Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker, now $49.99 (was $59.99) at Jabees.

The Jabees PEACE Duo Speaker is designed for side sleepers like me who need to listen sound in order to fall asleep, but don't want to wear earbuds or disturb anyone else. Does it work? After three weeks of testing, here's what I think...

Jabees PEACE Duo Speaker review: Cheat sheet

What is it? An under-the-pillow speaker that relies on bone conduction technology to deliver private nighttime listening.
Who is it for? Side sleepers who want to listen to sleep sounds without disturbing a partner or roommate and find earbuds uncomfortable.
What does it cost? $59.99 at full price, but it's often $10 off at Jabees and Amazon.
What do we like? Side-sleeper friendly design, portability, private sound, intuitive controls, choose between wireless streaming or phone-free Micro SD soundscapes.
What don’t we like? Too muffled to listen to guided meditation or sleep stories; incompatibility with foam pillow and poor sound quality for back sleepers.

Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker review: Price and deals

• The PEACE Duo is $59.99 at MSRP but is usually $10 off
• Jabees offers a 1-year warranty and free shipping on orders over $50
• Free delivery and 30-day returns at Amazon

The Jabees Pillow Duo Speaker may cost $59.99 at full price, but I've yet to see it on sale without a $10 discount. At Jabees, the sale price is $49.99 (a little crafty considering that you need to spend at least $50 for free shipping), and comes with a one-year warranty. The return window is really narrow at just one week from delivery.

Over at Amazon, you'll find the PEACE Duo with the same discount. While Jabees's one-year warranty isn't guaranteed at a third-party seller, the return window stretches to one month instead of a week. Plus, shipping is free.

The Jabees Pillow Duo Speaker isn't a budget option, especially when you consider the prices of its rivals. For instance, the Sangean PS-300 Pillow Speaker, now $29.96 (was $39.99) at Amazon, and the Kinglucky Upgraded X50 Pillow Speaker, now $22.49 (was $24.99) at Amazon, are two of the most popular pillow speakers in America and are both under $30 when on sale.

Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker review: Design and features

• Bluetooth streaming and SD card playback available
• Timer options allow speaker to turn off while asleep
• Cordless, portable design has two compact speakers

The PEACE Dup Speaker gets its name from it's dual design, featuring two speakers for left and right stereo separation. These two speakers are joined by a single flexible strip, and you can snap the two speakers together to turn the device off (and pull them apart to turn it back on).

The control panel is located on the right-hand speaker, and features just three buttons, two of which are volume buttons.

On the underside of the left speaker, there's a switch that let's you toggle between Bluetooth Mode and Micro SD mode. The latter allows you to go phone free and access hours of preloaded, soundscapes (including ocean wave sounds and wind ambience).

In Bluetooth mode, simply pair up your speaker with your phone for wireless streaming. This mode allows you to listen to podcasts, sleep apps, and any other sounds you want to access.

If you need sounds to help you drift off but don't want the speaker to play all night, you can set a timer by clicking the + volume button three times to switch between a 30-minute timer, a 1-hour timer, or a 2-hour timer.

As for portability, the PEACE Duo has a light, cordless design that can pretty much be taken anywhere, making it a great travel companion (and a much better alternative to bulky nightstand sound machines).

The Peace DUO speaker comes in two colors: sunshine yellow or mist green, and you can also add touch of customization with the PEACE Duo Personalized Faceplates, now $15.99 at Jabees.

Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker review: Performance

• Side sleepers won't feel the speaker through the pillow
• Inaudible to others for private listening
• Great for ambient sounds but not for guided meditation

I used the Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker under the Helix Down and Feather Pillow for over three weeks. The PEACE DUO isn't compatible with thick foam pillows (especially memory foam pillows) as they tend to absorb sound more than other pillow types.

Luckily, Feather and Down pillows are compatible with the PEACE Duo, as are polyester fill and cotton fill pillows. However, my pillow has a high loft, so I was initially sceptical that the sound could penetrate though the thick material.

I needn't of worried, as I could hear clearly as soon as I placed my head against the pillow. For the first week of use, I stuck to ambient soundscapes from both the Micro SD card and my BetterSleep app.

I found the speaker to be a great option for listening to background noises like wind sounds and colored noises like brown and white noise. If, like me, you're the type of person who finds sounds like whale calls or ceiling fans soothing, you'll enjoy it.

However, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who likes to listen to guided meditation, breathwork instruction, or sleep stories. The sound quality is just too muffled for clear instructions or following a bedtime story.

However, I will say that if you like to fall asleep with the TV on in in the background, then the PEACE Duo Speaker is a great alternative. I listened to the intentionally boring Sleep With Me podcast one night, and the slightly muffled voices replicated the comforting feeling of falling asleep on the sofa. It put me to sleep within 10 minutes.

As for the "private nighttime listening" claim, the PEACE Duo lives up to its promise. I couldn't hear a single thing as soon as my head left the pillow, and I didn't have to worry about waking up my light-sleeping roommates.

Finally, I want to talk about sleep comfort. The whole point of a pillow speaker is to eliminate the discomfort of earplugs, and I think the PEACE DUO succeeds in doing so. I never felt the speaker through my pillow when side sleeping or back sleeping, though it bares repeating that back sleepers that they won't hear the audio as well as side sleepers.

Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker review: Battery life

• Lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge
• A USB-C cable comes with the PEACE Duo
• Takes around 2 hours for a full charge

The Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker has a similar battery life to most of the leading pillow speakers, including the Kinglucky Upgraded X50 Pillow Speaker.

The PEACE Duo has a battery life of up to 10 hours, which means it will last an entire night and then some. With this battery life, the speaker will last more than a week on a single charge if you set the timer to switch the audio off after and hour of playback or streaming.

To go from 0% to 10%, you would have to charge the speaker for two hours, which is a relatively short time. It uses a simple USB-C cable the type that the iPhone 15 and later models use.

Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker review: User reviews

• Reviews at Jabees and Amazon are mostly positive
• Users praise the clear audio and travel-friendly design
• Complaints mostly come from foam pillow owners

Currently, the PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker holds a 3.9/5 overall star rating based on over 20 reviews at Jabees's website. Over at Amazon, it holds an overall star rating of 41/5 based on over 25 reviews.

Positive feedback (which is the majority) praises the PEACE Duo's sound quality, with customers saying they could hear the audio clear and loud enough. Users also praise the lightweight, travel-friendly design and how it's a less intrusive alternative to earbuds.

Criticism mostly comes from those who own foam pillows, which the brand explicitly states the speaker is unsuitable for. Aside from that, some users find the volume too low and soft for podcasts and stories, which reflects my experience.

Jabees PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker review: Should you buy?

The PEACE Duo Pillow Speaker is a great sound machine for side sleepers who want to listen to ambient sleep soundscapes without disturbing others or wearing uncomfortable earbuds.

I recommend it to couples, co-sleepers, or college students sharing a dorm. It allows you to create your own private sound at home or on the go, thanks to its travel-friendly, cordless design. Plus, its build is non-obtrusive so you won't feel it through your pillow.

That said, I have to deduct some points for the fairly wide range of people who I wouldn't recommend the PEACE Duo to. For instance, I don't think back sleepers will get as much mileage out of the speaker as side sleepers, and the same goes for those who sleep on memory foam pillows.

Also, if you're planning on listening to guided sleep meditation or bedtime stories, the audio isn't clear enough. Listening to pink noise or rainfall, however? The PEACE Duo is a great option.

At $49.99 on sale, there are cheaper options out there. However, the set-up is easy, the controls are intuitive, and the you can choose between wireless streaming and screen-free SD playback.

Tribit has made some of the best cheap portable speakers in recent years, and I bet it was hoping for a homerun with the XSound Go. Sadly, it falls just short of greatness — but it’s not all bad. The XSound Go sports a humble, inconspicuous design and boasts up to 24 hours of battery life. Treble is vibrant, while vocals sound loud and clear, making the speaker good for acoustic tracks.

But the non-existent bass is a chink in the XSound Go’s armor. There’s no companion app or custom EQ to salvage it either, and the speaker isn’t dustproof. Oh, and it's prone to scratches and fingerprints. Even though it costs just $39, I think it’s worth spending a little extra on a more competent speaker, like the JBL Go 5.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Tribit XSound Go review.

Tribit XSound Go review: Specs

Tribit XSound Go review: Price & availability

The Tribit XSound Go first came out in August 2017, and since then, Tribit has released upgraded versions with internal hardware improvements. The 2026 version features Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C connectivity. The price has remained the same, and the latest version costs just $39 / £39 at Amazon. We’ve also seen it drop to as low as $24 / £31 in the past.

This makes the XSound Go one of the cheapest Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested. It’s priced similarly to the Tribit StormBox Mini+ ($39) and the Tozo PE1 ($36). It’s also cheaper than the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 ($49), the JBL Go 5 ($54), and the Sodapop ($68). There's also the pricier version of this speaker, the Tribit XSound Plus ($69).

Pound for pound, I’d recommend the JBL Go 5 above all else — yes, including the XSound Go. Let me tell you why.

Tribit XSound Go review: Design

The Tribit XSound Go sports a simple, humble, generic pill-shaped design. The speaker is available in black, blue and beige colors. I tested the black model and it looks… fine. It fits right into most spaces, and doesn’t look out of place on a coffee table. Branding is minimal, with ‘Tribit’ written across the front metal grille in off-white on the black version. If you want a more eye-catching speaker, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 takes the cake.

The outer shell features a matte, rubberized coating that gives the XSound Go a soft-touch, grippy feel. Frustratingly, though, this coating is prone to picking up fingerprints, marks and smudges. After unboxing the XSound Go and playing around with it a bit, I noticed my fingerprints were all over it. I put the speaker in my backpack to take it home, and the speaker looked scuffed. Quite annoying. I’d recommend picking up the JBL Go 5 instead if cosmetic wear-and-tear bothers you.

Aesthetics aside, the XSound Go is a highly portable speaker, measuring 6.7 x 2.3 x 2.2 inches and weighing 13.44oz. I’ve had no trouble carrying it in my day bag, and if you’re wearing a winter coat, you should be able to slip it into your pocket, too. The XSound Go is certainly more pocket-friendly than the bulbous Tribit StormBox Mini+.

Weatherproofing

The XSound Go is IPX7-rated which means it’s waterproof and can be submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. This means that you can use it poolside without any worries. That’s decent waterproofing but the XSound Go isn’t dustproof, so I’d advise against using it on dusty hikes or in the desert.

This is the same waterproofing as the Tribit StormBox Mini+ and the Tribit StormBox 2 ($67). If you want a dustproof speaker that can even withstand tumbles and falls, I’d recommend spending more on the IP68-rated JBL Go 5 or the IP67-rated EarFun UBoom L ($79).

Controls

Controls on the XSound Go are extremely straightforward. The physical buttons are located on the top, and are self-explanatory. You can use these to play/pause music, initiate Bluetooth pairing, swap between input sources, and of course, power the speaker on and off. I found them responsive in my testing, and all my commands were registered instantaneously.

Connectivity

As I mentioned earlier, the XSound Go utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the SBC codec. There’s no AAC, like on the Tribit StormBox Mini+, or LC3 like on the JBL Go 5. LC3 is a more advanced codec that streams high-quality sound at lower bitrates, making the JBL Go 5 the better choice. You get multipoint connectivity, at the very least, which enables you to connect up to two devices to the XSound Go at the same time.

If you buy two XSound Gos, you can pair them together to create stereo sound. It works exactly as it does on the Tribit StormBox Mini+ and Tribit XSound Plus. If you buy directly from Tribit, you can get two speakers for $71 / £71, saving you $9 / £9.

There’s also a 3.5mm port located around the back and protected by a rubber flap, and this can be used for wired playback.

Tribit XSound Go review: Sound quality

The Tribit XSound Go is fitted with two 40mm drivers and a passive radiator, and it’s got a total power output of 16W. That’s enough for listening in a small room, or at an intimate picnic or dinner party. Treble and mids are the XSound Go’s strong suits, and as I’ll discuss below, bass is severely lacking. To test the speaker, I listened to my favorite testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

Good things first. ‘Open Arms’ by Little Simz ft. DEELA proved to be a great track to test the XSound Go’s ability to handle treble. The Afro-tech infused track features fast-moving percussion layers, and the XSound Go handled the sharp snares and claps extremely well. Each element sounded clean, and didn’t muddle together into a hiss. The aggressive hi-hats that maintain the track’s fast-paced energy didn’t sound too harsh, and they didn’t pierce through the rest of the soundstage either. The treble didn’t sound fatiguing at all.

I then listened to ‘Ice In My OJ’ by Hayley Williams, and was impressed with the speaker’s wide dynamic range. Hayley’s vocals sat front and center. Instead of becoming a messy blur with the frantic backing instrumentation, they sounded adequately separated. Her “I’m in a band” screams in the chorus didn’t sound harsh or painfully sibilant either.

Now let’s talk about the area the XSound Go really struggles in — and that’s bass. The speaker has a frequency response range of 80Hz to 20KHz, so it isn’t surprising that it fails to produce deep, rumbling sub-bass. But I felt like the easier bass was non-existent, too, which is disappointing. The distorted alternative R&B electronic bassline in ‘Baby Driver’ by 070 Shake lacked the low-end impact and oomph that drives the song. Through the JBL Go 5, for instance, the bassline sounds powerful and meaty, but I could barely hear or feel it through the XSound Go.

Similarly, the propulsive and consistent bassline in ‘One Inch Punch’ by Yin Yin sounded like it was pushed into the background. It sounded muddy, suppressed and like it was bleeding into the lower-mids, rather than tight and controlled. The otherwise crisp, rhythmic definition was lost, and this made the track lose its agility and groove. It’s surprising that the XSound Go struggles so much, when its sibling, the Tribit StormBox Mini+, doesn’t.

If you want a speaker that doesn’t sacrifice any aspect of the soundstage, I really can’t recommend the JBL Go 5 enough. It breezes past the XSound Go with its overall refined sound.

Listen along to my testing playlist on Qobuz, our favorite music streaming service for audiophiles.

Tribit XSound Go review: App

Though the Tribit app exists on iOS and Android, the XSound Go isn’t compatible with it. This means that you don’t get access to a custom equalizer or EQ presets. If you want a budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker with custom EQ, I’d recommend the Tribit StormBox Mini+, the JBL Go 5 or the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 ($64).

Tribit XSound Go review: Battery life

Tribit says the XSound Go can last up to 24 hours on a single charge and while playing on a “moderate” volume. This is the same as the pricier XSound Plus. Under typical use, the XSound Go should last you between 18 and 20 hours, according to the brand. To test the XSound Go’s battery life, I played music at 50% volume and after about 20 hours, I was prompted to charge it.

The XSound Go, then, trumps its competition when it comes to sheer mileage. In our testing, the JBL Go 5 lasted nine hours; the Tribit StormBox Mini+ died after 13 hours; and the Tozo PE1 netted 15 hours of playback time. The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 outperforms the XSound Go with its 30-hour battery life, but you’d be sacrificing waterproofing if you went with the 8BitDo.

Tribit XSound Go review: Verdict

The Tribit XSound Go isn’t the worst speaker I’ve tested… but it’s also not the best. Don’t get me wrong: the speaker gets a few things right. The inconspicuous design helps it fit into most spaces, and it packs up to 24 hours of playtime. It doesn’t make treble sound fatiguing, and vocal-heavy tracks are a piece of cake for the XSound Go.

But the XSound Go sacrifices the bass. Lows feel non-existent or like they’ve been pushed into the background. Annoyingly, there’s no custom equalizer (as there’s no companion app) to fix it. The speaker isn’t dustproof either, when many of its competitors are, and it’s a fingerprint magnet.

If you want a better, fuller sound, I’d recommend its sibling, the Tribit StormBox Mini+. If you can swing a few extra dollars, the JBL Go 5 is a no-brainer as it’s better in nearly every aspect.

Today, on 1 September 2026, Sony introduced three new party speakers: Sony ULT Tower 5, Sony ULT Tower 7, and Sony ULT Tower Max. They build on the success of the previous generation of ULT Tower speakers, like the Tower 10, while introducing new, fun features that bring parties, DJ sets, and karaoke sessions to life.

The second generation features a new design philosophy and more sophisticated reactive lighting, a new ULT button on the front of each speaker (for changing EQ presets), 360° sound, and better, more powerful drivers. Battery life has been improved across all three speakers, too, as has durability and portability.

I love testing party speakers because I love headbanging to my favorite tunes. Could the ULT Towers make me love them more than I adore the Marshall Bromley 750 and the Marshall Bromley 450? While I haven't had time to do full reviews of the new speakers, I've spent just under an hour listening to them at a pre-launch event. In fact, I listened to 10 of them together. My first impressions? Quite positive, so allow me to share with you what I think of the Tower 5, Tower 7 and Tower Max.

Meet the ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5

The Sony ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 are bass-first party speakers that, according to Sony, deliver the most powerful bass yet in the brand's ULT Power Sound series. All three speakers are designed for music lovers, and they combine deep bass, high sound pressure, and party features for an unforgettable experience.

Regardless of the speaker you buy, you'll be getting XLR, RCA, USB-C and USB-A connectivity for hooking up mics for karaoke, DJ mixers, as well as instruments — making the ULT Towers perfect for nearly every occasion. Each speaker is also fitted with four handles and wheels for easy transport... though you may still need another pair of hands to help with the gargantuan Max.

The Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 are IPX4-rated so they're splash-proof. I'm surprised that they aren't more water-resistant, like the IP54-rated Marshall Bromley 750. That will limit the speakers' use outdoors — but really, you shouldn't be using electronic devices in the pouring rain anyway.

Sony has worked with four acclaimed (and Grammy-nominated) hip-hop sound creators — Dot Da Genius, Daru Jones, DJ Dready, and Dennis "ROC.am" Jones — to fine-tune the ULT Towers' driver setup and sound profile. As a result, the speakers deliver distortion-free sound across the volume scale.

The Tower Max packs three 280mm woofers, two mid-range drivers, and four tweeters, so you're getting a lot of power. The Tower 7 is fitted with a single 280mm woofer, two mid-range drivers, and four tweeters, too. Lastly, the Tower 5 features a 230mm woofer, two mid-range drivers, and two tweeters. That's a lot for the lineup's smallest speaker!

You also get a customizable 10-band equalizer with all three speakers, and the new ULT button on the front grille now lets you swap between EQ presets. These include ULT1 (deep bass, low frequency sound), ULT2 (rumbling bass), Flat (true-to-source), and Live (spacious).

There's really no dearth of features, which is excellent. And the ULT Towers sound like great value for money, too, as they aren't that expensive. I was personally quite surprised when the Sony representatives shared the retail prices with me. The Tower Max is the most expensive of the lot, at $1,499 / ~ £1,300; the Tower 7 is the mid-range option, at $649 / ~ £600; and the Tower 5 is the cheapest option, at $449 / ~ £400.

So, what do they sound like?

Driver sizes and specifications are all for naught if the speakers don't sound great — and in my short time with the Sony ULT Towers, I thought they sounded fantastic. At the pre-launch event, the Sony representatives played songs from different genres to show what the Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 were capable of.

Regardless of the song they played, I found myself grinning from ear to ear. All three speakers sounded beautiful. The bass sounded rich and meaty with plenty of low-end impact, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ULT2 EQ preset which made me feel the bass in my chest, temples and deep within my soul.

The Sony representatives played a song by Dua Lipa, too, and though I'm personally not a huge fan of hers, I couldn't help but tap my feet and bob my head along to the tune. I believe that's a true sign of a competent party speaker. If it can make you dance to artists you don't care for, it's done its job.

I also listened to two Tower 7s together in stereo mode with left and right channels. When 'Money' by Pink Floyd started playing and the sound of cash registers and coins traveled between the speakers, I was left extremely impressed. The high-pitched coins didn't sound like they were piercing through the soundstage. The treble sounded shiny and vibrant but not overzealous or fatiguing.

Finally, I listened to an electronic track on 10 ULT Towers all at once. It's not everyday you get to do something like that — how many of us have such extravagant setups in our basements, eh? The wall of speakers sounded phenomenal. The room-shaking bass made me feel like I was at a gig or a music festival.

Looking ahead...

So, Sony's latest generation of party speakers sounds excellent — on paper and in real-world use. The Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 offer something for everyone, and given how affordable they are (especially the Tower 5), they offer bang for your buck. That's based on my first impressions, of course, and it's subject to change when I do my in-depth testing.

Speaking of, I'm really looking forward to putting the Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 through their paces. Do these party speakers sound like they'd be up your street? Let me know in the comments below!

The Sony ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 will be available to buy from Amazon U.S. and U.K., Best Buy, or directly from Sony.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested the Marshall Bromley 450 and the Marshall Bromley 750 party speakers — and the winner surprised me
• There's no better party speaker on the planet than the brand-new Marshall Bromley 450
• As a guitarist and an audiophile, this is the all-in-one speaker I’ve been waiting for

Marshall has been on a roll in 2026, adding to its lineups of headphones, home speakers, and now, portable Bluetooth speakers. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been testing the Marshall Stockwell III which succeeds the seven-year-old Stockwell II — and it has quickly become my go-to speaker for almost everything.

The Stockwell III improves on its predecessor by doubling the battery life (over 40 hours now), being more waterproof thanks to its IP55 rating, and delivering punchier bass, brighter treble, and incredible 360° sound. Though a little expensive and slightly heavy for a portable speaker, those feel like minor issues in an otherwise compelling (and beautiful) package.

So, is this the best portable Bluetooth speaker for you? Read my full Marshall Stockwell III review to find out.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Specs

Marshall Stockwell III review: Price & availability

The Marshall Stockwell III was first announced on 9 June, 2026, over seven years after its predecessor, the Marshall Stockwell II. Available to buy from 18 August, the Stockwell III has a retail price of $249 / £199 — same as the second-gen model at launch in 2019. The Stockwell III comes in Black or Cream, and both have brass accents.

This is a premium portable Bluetooth speaker, and it finds itself competing with the likes of the Ultimate Ears Everboom ($249) and the Sonos Play ($299). Though a little expensive, it’s still cheaper than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen which costs a whopping $399. The Stockwell III is worth the investment if you want 40+ hours of battery and beautiful sound stuffed into a compact (and stunning) package.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Design

The Marshall Stockwell III is, in a nutshell, a ridiculously sexy speaker, and the portable speaker to get if you care about aesthetics above all else. Not much has changed between the Stockwell III and its predecessor when it comes to portability. The third-gen model measures 7.1 x 6.4 x 2.9 inches and weighs 2.9lbs. To make it easier to carry around, Marshall has included a guitar-esque, velvet carry strap in the box, which can be attached to the Stockwell III’s sides.

Given its hefty weight, the Stockwell III isn’t the most portable speaker around. The Ultimate Ears Everboom is lighter at 2.1lbs, as is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen which weighs 1.27lbs. The Stockwell III’s strap makes it slightly easier to carry around, but if you want an even lighter speaker but with Marshall’s looks, the Emberton III ($149, 1.5lbs) is a standout choice.

The Stockwell III looks more premium compared to its predecessor, too. While the Stockwell II featured white accents, the Stockwell III now features brass branding (on either black or cream), keeping in line with the brand’s other current-gen speakers — and headphones, too, like the Milton ANC ($229) and the Monitor III ($349). I much prefer this look as the black/cream and gold combo makes the speaker stand out in a crowded market.

Build quality is solid, thanks to metal mesh grilles and the textured silicone outer sleeve. You’re getting bang for your buck with the Stockwell III.

But why should you buy the Stockwell III instead of Marshall’s other more portable (ergo, lightweight) speakers? The Stockwell III is a mid-sized, premium Bluetooth speaker that’s clearly designed for both home (given the Placement Compensation feature within the app) and light outdoor use (given its IP55 rating).

It’s got a more luxurious feel to it than the ultra-portable Emberton III, for instance, but it’s smaller than a massive party speaker, like the Bromley 450 ($799). If you want a small speaker to travel with, and one that can withstand the elements, get the IP67-rated Emberton III. But if you want a mid-sized speaker that isn’t as expensive or bulky as the Kilburn III ($379), get the Stockwell III.

Weatherproofing

Marshall has made significant improvements to the Stockwell III’s durability as the third-gen model is now IP55-rated — the Stockwell II was only IPX4-rated. IP55 means the Stockwell III is protected from dust and is fairly water resistant, though you can’t submerge it underwater like you can the IP67-rated Ultimate Ears Everboom.

IP55 should suffice for most scenarios, but be mindful of using it in wet conditions repeatedly as any gadget’s waterproofing wears down over time.

Controls

All the buttons and dials are located on the Stockwell III’s top plate, and you’ll be familiar with them if you’ve used any of Marshall’s other speakers, like the Acton IV ($299). Even if you aren’t, getting to grips with the controls is quick and easy. All the buttons and dials give great tactile feedback when pressed or turned.

There’s a Source button for swapping between Bluetooth and AUX, and a customizable ‘M’ button that, by default, activates Spotify Tap so you can start playing music without opening the app on your phone; playback joystick; and three amp-like knobs for adjusting volume, treble and bass. Alongside these, Marshall has also added a handy battery indicator.

Connectivity

The Stockwell III features a 3.5mm jack and a USB-C port for wired playback, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. Over Bluetooth, you get support for SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs — the latter delivers high efficiency and better sound quality at low bitrates. This also gives it a leg-up over the Ultimate Ears Everboom which supports SBC and AAC only.

While the Stockwell II featured traditional multi-speaker pairing with other Stockwell IIs, the Stockwell III is Auracast-enabled — and that’s better as it enables multiple devices to connect to a single audio source without pairing. The third-gen model utilizes Bluetooth LE to essentially connect to an unlimited number of other Auracast-enabled Marshall speakers, such as the Emberton III or other Stockwell IIIs.

You also get multipoint connectivity, which means that you can connect two different Bluetooth devices to the Stockwell III simultaneously. I did this with my MacBook Air M2 and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and it worked seamlessly.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Sound quality

The Marshall Stockwell III is very loud for its size — it’s one of the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speakers around. Under the hood, the Stockwell III is fitted with a 65W Class D amplifier to power its 3-inch woofer, and two 31W Class D amplifiers for its dual 1.75-inch wide-band drivers (versus two 5W tweeters and a single 10W woofer on the Stockwell II). The speaker covers a frequency response range of 54Hz to 20KHz.

Marshall has clearly spared no expense when it comes to stuffing the Stockwell III to the brim — and the result is simply outstanding sound. To test the speaker, I listened to a range of songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles. ‘2515’ by Wasia Project, which has a strong, pulsating bassline acting as the track’s backbone throughout, sounded sublime. The song’s dark electronic pulse came through with real weight, while the bass remained tight and controlled, and never became muddy — even at high volumes.

This is where Marshall’s ‘Dynamic Loudness’ comes into play. The Stockwell III borrows this from the Stanmore IV ($399) and the Acton IV, and it basically ensures that sound remains balanced and distortion-free regardless of the volume. Playing ‘2515’ at 80% volume didn’t overwhelm the speaker, as the lows maintained their warmth and richness.

I then listened to ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’ by Lana Del Rey to test the soundstage — and sure enough, the Stockwell III didn’t falter. Lana’s vocals sat front and center, with her words remaining clear and never bleeding into one another. There was a great balance between her remarkable vocals and the acoustic guitar and piano, and the strings sounded textured and defined. Also, the True Stereophonic 360° — found on the Bromley 750 ($1,299) and Bromley 450 party speakers — filled the room and the song sounded consistent when I moved around, giving the track an effortless sense of space and depth.

Lastly, I played ‘Papua New Guinea’ by The Future Sound of London, an electronic, ambient techno track. The driving basslines, swirling synths, breakbeat-style percussion and oscillating keyboard loops all came together to create a layered production, and the Stockwell III reproduced the dreamy nature extremely well. The treble felt vibrant and nuanced without becoming fatiguing. My partner and I couldn’t help but move along to the song, like we were at a rave.

Listen along to my review with the Marshall Stockwell III testing playlist:

Marshall Stockwell III review: App

The Marshall Stockwell III is accompanied by the Marshall Bluetooth app, available for free on iOS and Android. It’s the same app used by the British brand’s headphones and earbuds, and it’s your one-stop shop for adjusting the EQ or choosing a preset, updating the firmware, enabling Auracast, and customizing the ‘M’ button. The app sports a clean interface and is extremely easy to use.

You also get Placement Compensation, where you can select whether the speaker is close to an edge or corner, or flush against a wall. Once you’ve chosen your desired settings, the Stockwell III then corrects itself for any nearby reflective surfaces that may affect the sound quality. This feature has been borrowed from the Stanmore IV and Acton IV, which are plug-in home speakers. It’s handy to have if you’re keeping the Stanmore III in one place but given that it’s a portable Bluetooth speaker, I highly doubt you’ll be keeping it stationary.

There’s a Source Mix option, too, which is new. It basically enables you to play music over Bluetooth and via USB-C at the same time. I can’t really think of a use case for this, but I suppose if you want to feel like a DJ, you can.

One thing I find surprising, though, is that the Stockwell III uses the Marshall Bluetooth app and not the new Marshall app (came out in 2026 before the Stockwell III) which its fourth-gen home speakers utilize. Wouldn’t it make sense to have all of its speakers in one app? I’m personally not a fan of having two separate apps for different devices. Maybe it’s because the Stockwell III was actually created before the Stanmore IV and Acton IV were. Perhaps this is something Marshall will fix later. This isn’t a complaint, anyway, just an observation.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Battery life

Marshall has fitted a bigger battery into the Stockwell III, and the speaker can now run for over 40 hours on a single charge. That’s double the Stockwell II’s battery life. The Stockwell III trumps its competition too, as the Sonos Play is rated for 24 hours, and the Ultimate Ears Everboom is rated for 20. Even the pricier Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen is rated for just 24 hours.

In my testing, I played at 50% volume over multiple listening sessions. The total time it took for the Stockwell III to run out of battery was just over 40 hours, keeping in line with Marshall’s claims.

Similar to the Sonos Play, the Stockwell III doubles as a power bank and you can use a USB-C cable to charge your smartphone, laptop and other devices. This is a great feature to have in a portable speaker as you don’t need to worry about finding a socket to charge your phone if you’re, say, out on a hike.

Marshall Stockwell III review: Verdict

Just when I thought Marshall speakers couldn’t get any better, the iconic amp manufacturer comes out with something like the Stockwell III. This is an excellent portable speaker that delivers far more sound than its compact design suggests. Though it isn’t cheap — just shy of $250 — its combination of rich bass, vibrant treble and clear mids make a strong case for the price.

The Stockwell III also packs 40 hours of battery life, IP55 durability, and immersive 360° sound into a slim profile. While it’s still not the lightest portable speaker around, the included velvet strap makes it easier to carry around.

I can’t help but describe the speaker’s sound as genuinely astounding. If I had to take one speaker with me on my travels or to picnics outdoors, it would be the Stockwell III. At the time of writing, it’s Marshall’s best portable Bluetooth speaker right now.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3, and it probably won’t be the last. It’s the best-sounding Bluetooth speaker I’ve tried, and it delivers amazingly big sound considering its small size. I didn’t think I was that big of a music fan, but this Bluetooth speaker has me totally converted.

Right now you can pick up the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 for $64 at Amazon. Every now and then it goes on sale for $49 or less, so keep an eye out for deals!

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 is so small that it easily fits into my palm. But it gets amazingly loud. Cranked up to full volume, I can hear it through my whole house, and potentially bother my neighbors. The sound is detailed, too. Every track I listened to felt like it had more layers and dimension through this speaker. My phone’s built-in speakers sound tinny and thin in comparison; I just can’t go back to listening to music the old way.

This mini speaker is also incredibly convenient to take around. There’s a flexible built-in strap that’ll wrap around a range of objects. It’s ideal for attaching to a bike handle or backpack. Alternatively, it has a built-in magnet, so when I’m in the house, I take it with me everywhere, because I can stick it on any magnetic surface with ease. Cooking in the kitchen? Stick it on the fridge door. My desk is extremely messy, but I can save space on the desktop by sticking it to my desk’s metal leg.

The battery life is excellent and outperforms rivals like the JBL Go 5 (10 hours.) It’s rated for 24 hours of playtime at medium volume, so you can keep the party going all day and into the night. Personally, I’ve only charged it once since I got it and it’s still going strong. That’s pretty impressive. And not only does it last for a long time, it can also be used as a power bank to charge your phone or other devices in a pinch.

The speaker has a cool, modern look and comes in three color options — black, blue and gray. Can we get pink as an option next, please? The good design extends to the controls, which are easy to use. You can control volume and playback with the large face buttons, while other features like Bluetooth pairing and Bass Boost have dedicated buttons on the side.

Don’t stick with bad sound quality — grab yourself a Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 ASAP.

There are lots of brands vying for your attention in the Bluetooth speaker space right now — so many, in fact, that it can be easy to ignore the lesser known ones in favor of the names you already know. But venturing beyond those obvious brands can reap some rewards, like discovering a range of great value speakers that offer dynamic, punchy audio and deep bass on a budget.

Such is the case with Tribit, which has become known for producing tough, compact Bluetooth speakers that often clock in at well under $50. These feature-packed speakers don't compromise on sound, despite their generally small size.

I've picked out six of my favorite Tribit speakers below, models that demonstrate what this great brand is capable of. What's more, four of these models are currently on sale, meaning you can get a great quality new speaker whatever your budget.

Summer is here — and with it comes plenty of beach days and pool parties! If you need a bluetooth speaker that can keep up with all the fun vibes, you've come to the right place.

I've been scouring Amazon for affordable speakers and to my surprise, I found a bunch that are under $100. Even better? They come from top brands like Bose, JBL and Anker. Plus, several hold top spots on Tom's Guide's list of best waterproof bluetooth speakers we've tested.

If you're ready to upgrade your bluetooth speaker without depleting your wallet, keep scrolling to check out my favorite Amazon speaker deals starting at just $22.

Quick Links

• shop all speaker deals on Amazon
• Tribit PocketGo: was $29 now $22
• Anker Soundcore 2: was $45 now $33
• JBL Go 5: was $54 now $44
• Ultimate Ears WonderBoom 4: was $99 now $51
• Bose SoundLink Micro: was $129 now $79
• JBL Flip 6: was $129 now $83
• Soundcore Boom 2: was $129 now $90
• Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2): was $149 now $99

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I test a lot of audio gear, including speakers. Not just Bluetooth speakers, of course: smart speakers, home speakers, you name it. Sometimes, when I test a speaker and notice that it costs the same as another speaker, my mind can't help but pit them against one another. I'm a tech reviewer, after all, that's my job! But what happens when one's a Bluetooth speaker and the other is a mains-powered home speaker?

That's what happened this week when I reviewed the beautiful Marshall Stanmore IV. It's a mains-powered speaker and the latest addition to the fourth iteration of Homeline, Marshall's series of indoors home speakers. I awarded it 4.5-stars and the coveted Editor's Choice Award in my review. And you know what else received the same score?

The JBL Xtreme 5. Though I didn't review it — my colleague Erin did — I've listened to it and I agree with everything she said in her review. The Xtreme 5 costs the same as the Stanmore IV: $399 in the U.S. Of course, the Xtreme 5 is a rugged speaker that can be used outdoors, which is quite the opposite of the Stanmore IV. So, if you had to choose one, which is right for you? I know which is right for me, so let's get into it.

Outdoors or at-home listening?

The biggest question to ask yourself when deciding between the JBL Xtreme 5 and the Marshall Stanmore IV is this: "Am I taking it outdoors, or leaving it at home?" If the answer is outdoors, then the Xtreme 5 is the natural choice.

This speaker is extremely rugged, capable of surviving drops and falls. It's IP68-rated, making it waterproof and the most durable speaker on the market right now.

In terms of portability, the Xtreme 5 weighs 6.4lbs and features a carry strap, so you can lug it around on your shoulder. And just because it's designed for the outdoors doesn't mean you can't use it indoors either. Bluetooth 6.0 wireless and lossless USB-C wired playback make it the speaker that can do everything, really.

But I wouldn't be so quick to write off the Stanmore IV either. Sure, you can't really use it away from a plug but if it's pure power and rock 'n' roll sound you're after, this is the speaker to get. The main advantage of a mains-powered speaker is that it delivers consistently high volume, as the mains power drives the internal amplifiers at full capacity, delivering a great dynamic range. Battery-powered Bluetooth speakers, on the other hand, often try to conserve energy so they can't always play at consistently high volumes.

The Xtreme 5 can get loud, but the Stanmore IV can get very loud. I've soundtracked dinners on my balcony with the Stanmore IV. Even when it's been playing indoors, it's been loud enough to hear outside. Dynamic Loudness, which is Marshall-speak for fine-tuned frequencies that sound the same regardless of the volume, plays a key role here too, as you can listen at the highest volume without any noticeable distortion. Marshall's 'Made of Loud' motto makes a lot of sense now.

There is another...

To quote the great philosopher Yoda, "There is another." The Marshall Stanmore IV isn't the only new kid on the block, or addition to the Marshall Homeline IV, if you will. There's also the Marshall Acton IV, which is basically a smaller (and cheaper) version of the Stanmore IV. It looks near-identical and its internal hardware is almost the same too — except that it has a smaller, 4-inch woofer compared to the Stanmore IV's 5-inch woofer.

In a similar vein, the JBL Xtreme 5 isn't the only speaker that dropped in March 2026. I reviewed the JBL Go 5 when it came out and I absolutely loved it. It quickly became my go-to for taking outdoors, as I loved its pocketable form factor.

Just like the Xtreme 5, the Go 5 is also IP68-rated and drop-proof. If the Xtreme 5 is out of your budget, the Go 5 is a fantastic sub-$60 speaker. And this is a nice segue into why we're all here: the speaker I'd choose...

We have a winner

This is a personal take, but I'm not a fan of carrying around big speakers when I go on a picnic with my partner or friends. Thing is, I'm never going to be blasting my tunes outdoors — I don't like disturbing the local wildlife. All I want is a portable speaker that's loud enough to soundtrack a small gathering without disturbing anyone else.

The JBL Go 5 does just that — and truth be told, many other small speakers do, too, like the Tribit StormBox Mini+ (which, since reviewing, I still use today). If push came to shove and you asked me to choose between the JBL Xtreme 5 and the Marshall Stanmore IV, I'm going with the Stanmore IV. I love having a speaker that's plugged in all the time, and playing tunes on it when my partner and I are cooking, or she's making art and I'm playing a video game.

If I had to spend $399 on one speaker, the Stanmore IV would be an easy decision for me. It's got the retro looks, the loud and ridiculously stunning sound, and connectivity in spades, and it feels like the perfect home speaker. The Xtreme 5 is no doubt awesome in its own right, but it's just not for me. My ideal combination is a powerful home speaker and a tiny pocketable speaker — so I'm sticking with the Stanmore IV and the Go 5 for as long as I can.

More from Tom's Guide

• The JBL Go 5 is one of the best budget speakers I’ve tested, and it offers stellar sound for just $54
• ‘Easy on the eyes and ridiculously stunning sound’ — I tested the Marshall Stanmore IV home speaker and it’s coming for Sonos’ crown
• JBL Xtreme 5 review: The most rugged, bassiest, and gnarliest Xtreme yet

The deals just keep coming! Yes, Amazon's Prime Day sales may be over, but Best Buy is already running a huge 4th of July sale that's offering lots of great bargains. We covered the Best Buy TV sale earlier and now we're rounding up the best Bluetooth speakers, which you can get right now with some pretty deep discounts.

Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of price points to match. We've started our selection with some good value Soundcore and Marshall offerings that are ideal for taking to the beach or lounging by the pool. We've then turned our attention to some feature-packed offerings from the likes of JBL before rounding out with some seriously high-end speakers from the likes of Sony and Klipsch.

For more amazing deals, make sure to check out our guide to the best 4th of July sales.

I recently got my hands on the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3. I popped it out of the box, charged it up and switched my music on. Not only did it sound amazing, I’ve been using it for weeks since and still haven’t had to recharge.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, because Tribit consistently makes some of the best Bluetooth speakers. And since it’s Prime Day right now, you can score a saving on it that makes it an even better value.

I know Bluetooth speakers aren’t a new concept, but I’m the kind of person who always uses my phone’s speaker for music. I wasn’t expecting to feel such a real difference from a device that’s not much larger than my phone and costs about twenty times less money.

When I was testing it out, I was blasting tunes so loud that they could be heard all through my house. And probably down the street, too. It brought a new dimension to the tracks I was listening to and a truly 3D-feeling soundscape. My soundtrack of choice the first time I used it was from Pikmin via the Nintendo Music app, and the naturalistic environmental sounds surrounding my ears from every direction made me feel like I was out experiencing the world right alongside the bite-sized creatures from the video game.

It’s rated for 24 hours of battery life. I’ve been using it for an hour or so a day for weeks since I got it, and the battery still hasn’t died on me. And reminder — this tiny speaker measures just about the same size as the palm of my hand.

A magnetic design (literally)

One of my favorite features about the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 is that it’s magnetic. I’m always short on desk space, so I struggle to fit even this tiny speaker amongst my other stuff. But thanks to this speaker, I discovered that my desk has magnetic metal legs. Boom, better music and less clutter on my desktop all in one. It’s also great that I can stick it on my fridge door while I’m cooking in the kitchen. And if you’re outdoorsy, you could also mount it on your bike’s handlebars, or attach it to your backpack using the rubber strap.

I’m not the only person at Tom’s Guide who loves this speaker. My colleague Ashley Thieme wrote about it in her Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 review and had a ton of praise for its strong, bassy sound. I’m not too bothered about tweaking EQ for my music (sorry, audiophiles,) but take note that it is possible with this speaker. Use the Tribit app and you can tweak the sound exactly to your preferences.

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 has impressed me so much that I’d recommend it to just about anyone. In fact, multiple members of my family have already said they’re going to steal it off of me. So I guess I’ll either have to keep my speaker under lock and key or pick up a few more of them to hand out in the coming weeks.

As I write this, I'm listening to Noah Kahan's new album with the Tribit StormBox Micro 3. That's because it's quickly become one of my favorite Bluetooth speakers that can cope with anything I throw at it (including the current 100ºF weather here in the U.K).

It's one of many budget speakers I've come to love after hundreds of hours of testing, and it's reached its lowest price since release for Amazon Prime Day. But it's not the only one — many of the speakers I use regularly have had their prices slashed too.

I've compiled a list of all of my favorite budget here, and they're all under $50 — bargain!

Best cheap Bluetooth speaker deals: Quick links

• Tribit StormBox Micro 3: was $64 now $47 @ Amazon
• Tribit PocketGo: was $29 now $18 @ Amazon
• Tozo PE1: was $29 now $18 @ Amazon
• Anker Soundcore 2: was $45 now $31 @ Amazon

We're tracking all the best Prime Day audio deals

I don't know about you, but I love listening to music whenever possible. Though I usually use earbuds or headphones to do so, I like jamming to my favorite tunes by listening to them through the best Bluetooth speakers too, especially if I'm hanging out with my partner. Or soundtracking a party. Or performing karaoke in the shower. Or dancing to Tame Impala while I cook.

Technology has come leaps and bounds, and today, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to speakers. With so many choices, where do you even start? Luckily for you, I review speakers for a living, and this Amazon Prime Day, I've handpicked my top deals, starting from just $27.

Yep, the Tribit StormBox Mini+ is down to just $27! It's the speaker I use at home, and for its size, it can get very loud. But what about those who don't want a small speaker and want a big, boombox-style one with Earth-shaking bass? You're in luck: the JBL Xtreme 4 is 34% off right now, and this deal saves you $130.

Fans of rock 'n' roll may want to consider picking up the Marshall Acton III, available for just $179 this Prime Day, and its drool-worthy looks and tactile amp-like controls are a sight to behold. Or if you want a party speaker that doubles as a guitar amp and karaoke machine, how about the Marshall Bromley 750, which is down to its lowest-ever price of $999 right now?

And there's a lot more where that came from! Keep reading for the best Prime Day speaker deals you can grab this week.

Meet your Bluetooth speakers deals expert

Quick links

• Shop all Amazon Prime Day deals now
• JBL Flip 7: was $149 now $94
• JBL Xtreme 4: was $379 now $249
• JBL Charge 6: was $199 now $159
• JBL Go 5: was $54 now $44
• Bose SoundLink Max: was $399 now $279
• Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): was $139 now $99
• Marshall Emberton III: was $179 now $99
• Marshall Acton III: was $299 now $179
• Marshall Stanmore III: was $399 now $249
• Marshall Bromley 750: was $1,299 now $999
• Tribit StormBox Lava: was $139 now $94
• Tribit StormBox Micro 3: was $64 now $47
• Tribit StormBox Mini+: was $34 now $27
• EarFun UBoom L: was $79 now $52
• 8BitDo Retro Cube 2: was $55 now $49

Best Prime Day JBL deals

Best Prime Day Bose deals

Best Prime Day Marshall deals

Best Prime Day Tribit deals

Best Prime Day miscellaneous deals

We're tracking all the best Prime Day speaker deals

Small, portable Bluetooth speakers can sound really good, but let's be honest: if you're soundtracking a large gathering or party, a small one isn't going to cut it. You need a proper party speaker for that, one that gets incredibly loud and makes your guests feel like they're at a concert. How about one that hits a staggering 121dB, then?

The Soundboks Mix is perhaps the loudest speaker I've tested yet. It's loud, but even at the highest volume, music doesn't sound too distorted, and the treble and mids remain surprisingly clear. Bass is nothing short of Earth-shaking, and the room-filling sound leaves you drooling. But...

Yeah, there's always a "but." It's part and parcel of testing and reviewing products, because few (if any) are perfect. The Mix is no different. Even though I love its sound profile, its drawbacks have left me feeling shortchanged — and when $799 is on the line, you want bang for your buck. There is one speaker out there that's great value for money, and sadly, it ain't the Mix.

Shake the ground

One of the Soundboks Mix's biggest selling points is that it's get ridiculously loud. At a whopping 121dB, the Mix sounds loud enough to vibrate a glass off a desk if you're indoors, or shake the ground when you're outdoors. Metaphorically speaking, of course — I didn't actually manage to drop a glass off a countertop.

All that's to say is that you can certainly be the life of the party with the Mix. Whether you're head-banging to bass-heavy rock or dancing to electronic dance music, the Mix has you covered. Two 72W Class D amplifiers powered by a 10-inch woofer and a 1.2-inch dome tweeter cover a frequency response range of 40Hz to 20KHz — typical for a speaker of its demeanour.

Regardless of the tune I listened to, I was impressed. Lana Del Rey's vocals in ‘First Light’ sat front and centre and sounded remarkably clear. The warmth, texture and emotional nuance were reproduced accurately, while subtle details in her delivery found themselves in the spotlight without sounding too clinical. The treble in rock tunes, like ‘Elma’ by Yin Yin and ‘Echoes’ by Pink Floyd, shone and sounded vibrant without cutting through the rest of the soundstage.

None of that would matter, however, if the Mix didn't do what a party speaker is designed to do: make you dance to electronic tracks, and it manages to do so. The bass in ‘Lights Burn Dimmer’ by Fred Again and Jaime T sounded controlled and tight with the EQ set to Indoor. It didn't overpower the rest of the soundstage. Switching the EQ preset to Bass+ made me feel the song in my bones. It was loud and made the ground beneath me shake. I could feel my teeth chattering.

Turning the volume all the way up to 10 (as you might do if you're hosting a party outdoors) revealed a weakness, though. The bass was still room-filling, but it sounded wobbly and uncontrolled, like the Mix was struggling to keep up with it, or was feeling overwhelmed by it. Truth be told, that's not great news for a party speaker — especially for one that costs just under $800... which, very nicely, brings me to my next point.

Nowhere to hide when the competition is so good

When I was testing the Soundboks Mix, I couldn't help but think to myself, "This speaker could be the best party speaker around... if it wasn't competing with the Marshall Bromley 450." The Bromley 450, Marshall's second-ever party speaker, is a top-notch product that doesn't skimp on features on sound quality. I've thoroughly tested that speaker too, and knowing what it offers for the same money has further highlighted the Mix's flaws to me.

One of the first things I noticed about the Mix was its lack of ports. All you get is a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm jack for wired playback. The Bromley 450 goes above and beyond here, with two XLR/6.35mm combo ports for microphones and acoustic/electric guitars, and RCA ports for keyboards and turntables. It essentially doubles (or triples) as an amplifier and a karaoke machine.

You've then got the Mix using an old version of Bluetooth: 4.2. That's not bad, per se, but it isn't good either for a speaker that came out in March 2026. Bluetooth 4.2 is an old version at this point. That means shorter range and no way to stream LE or hi-res audio, so you're stuck with the basic SBC codec.

The Bromley 450 has yet another ace up its sleeve: 360° True Stereophonic surround sound, which means that regardless of where you're standing in a room, you'll hear the same exceptional sound. This makes listening to your favorite tunes more immersive, something the Mix can't achieve.

Combine all of this with the wobbly bass and you've got yourself a clear winner. The Mix costs $799 / £599, and the Bromley 450 retails for $799 / £549, and for the same price, you get versatile connectivity options, better Bluetooth and LE audio, 360° sound, and even integrated stage lights that react to the music.

I know which speaker I'd personally buy. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested Soundboks’ portable party speaker — and it’s so close to be being great
• I just tested the ‘best party speaker of 2026’ — here's why you should buy the Marshall Bromley 450
• Forget Bose — there's no better party speaker on the planet than the brand-new Marshall Bromley 450

Sometimes, a small speaker isn’t loud enough to soundtrack an evening with friends or a big party. You need a party speaker for that, and the Soundboks Mix is a solid choice. Soundboks’ portable party speaker is built extremely well and is protected against the elements, thanks to its IP65 rating. The sound? Nearly exquisite. The Mix delivers powerful, Earth-shaking bass, vibrant treble, and precise, balanced mids.

But is it the best Bluetooth speaker for the money? It costs $799 and features some noteworthy flaws, such as wobbly bass at high volumes, Bluetooth 4.2 only, no 360° sound, and more. If those are compromises you’re willing to make, then the Mix could be perfect for you. Trust me, it sounds really, really good.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Soundboks Mix review.

Soundboks Mix review: Specs

Soundboks Mix review: Price & availability

Launched in March 2026, the Soundboks Mix is the Soundboks 4’s smaller sibling, and it effectively replaces the Soundboks Go as the brand’s most portable party speaker — it’s priced as such too. While the 4 costs $999, the Mix retails for $799 / £599 at Amazon. Given how loud it gets, the Mix is a great party speaker for anyone who doesn’t want to spend nearly a grand on the bigger model.

The Mix is Soundboks’ answer to the Marshall Bromley 450 ($799) and the JBL PartyBox 520 ($879). It’s got the specs and sound to go toe-to-toe with the Bromley 450, too, but is it worth buying instead of the Marshall? I've reviewed both, so let’s find out.

Soundboks Mix review: Design

The Soundboks Mix looks very similar to the Soundboks 4 — similar to how the Marshall Bromley 450 and Marshall Bromley 750 ($1,299) share design philosophies. You’re getting bang for your buck here as the Mix feels very well-built, featuring an ABS and polycarbonate cabinet, silicone ball corners to protect it from getting damaged, and a detachable steel grill. All in all, it feels sturdy and durable.

The Mix doesn’t sport any garish LED lighting that makes it look tacky, like on the JBL PartyBox 520 — although I do wish it had some integrated stage lights, like the Bromley 450 does. Branding is fairly minimal too, with the logo sitting in the top left corner. You can buy the speaker in black only, which is no bad thing; the Bromley 450 and PartyBox 520 come in single colors too.

As Soundboks’ most compact party speaker, the Mix doesn’t feel too heavy and doesn’t take up much space either. It measures 18.9 x 13.4 x 10.6 inches and weighs 21.38lbs, so it’s about 5lbs lighter than the Bromley 450. To move it around, you can use the built-in carry handle, which is fine, but because there’s only one located in one corner, the Mix feels a little unwieldy to move around. This problem could have been easily solved by installing a suitcase-style handle smack dab in the middle of its side, à la Bromley 450.

But hey, you can buy a strap to turn the Mix into a backpack… for $59. And it doesn’t come with a charger... which you can also buy separately for $59. The Mix feels to speakers what EA is to gaming: full of microtransactions.

Weatherproofing

If you want a rugged party speaker that you can use outdoors without worrying too much about it getting rained on, the Mix is a great choice. The speaker is IP65-rated which means it’s fully dust-tight and protected against rain and moisture. That’s slightly better than the Marshall Bromley 450 which is IP55-rated. When I was testing the Mix outdoors, it started drizzling and knowing that the speaker was IP65-rated reassured me.

Controls

There isn’t a lot going on in terms of controls on the Mix. All the physical buttons and volume dial are located on the speaker’s right edge, and these include the volume knob, TeamUp button for wirelessly linking up to five Soundboks speakers together, and the power button for, well, turning the speaker on and off. That’s about it. The buttons give good tactile feedback when pressed, and are fairly straightforward to understand.

Connectivity

The Mix utilizes Bluetooth 4.2 to connect wirelessly to your smartphone, laptop or other devices, and it features multipoint connectivity for simultaneously connecting up to two devices. Bluetooth 4.2 is disappointing, though, as it means there’s limited codec support, so you only get the standard SBC codec. No AAC and no LE audio, unfortunately.

This older version also limits the speaker’s maximum operating range to 40m only. Not great for a party speaker. What if you’re soundtracking a big gathering and you’re far away from the speaker, and the connection drops when you move out of range? That’s one way to kill the mood.

In comparison, the Marshall Bromley 450 utilizes the newer Bluetooth 5.3 with support for AAC and LC3, and sports many more connectivity options, such as RCA and two XLR/6.35mm combo jacks for plugging in instruments or microphones. One thing the Mix and Bromley 450 have in common, though, is 3.5mm wired playback. But if you want a versatile party speaker, I’d choose the Bromley 450 any day.

Like I alluded to earlier, there's a TeamUp button on the Mix for wirelessly connecting up to five Soundboks speakers. There's also a Bond button with arrows, located right under the TeamUp button. When it lights up in green, it means the speaker is connected to another speaker it has been linked to in the past. You can also become the "Host" when other speakers are connected to yours, and control them via the smartphone app (more on that shortly).

Soundboks Mix review: Sound quality

There’s no dearth of tech squeezed into the Soundboks Mix’s portable body. It packs two 72W Class D amplifiers powered by a 10-inch woofer and a 1.2-inch dome tweeter. It can go all the way up to 121dB — a little louder than the Marshall Bromley 450 (100dB). The Mix covers a frequency response range of 40Hz to 20KHz, which is typical for party speakers as it delivers crisp highs and deep bass, perfect for pop, rock, EDM, what-have-you. I listened to my usual mix of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

To test the Mix’s midrange performance, I listened to ‘First Light’ by Lana Del Rey, and I was instantly impressed. Lana’s vocals sat front and centre with remarkable clarity, and the speaker captured and accurately reproduced the warmth, texture and emotional nuance that define the James Bond theme song. Subtle details in her delivery, such as her short, sharp breaths, shone without sounding too clinical or like they were piercing through the soundscape. I also appreciated the Mix preserving the tonal balance even at the highest volume — the track never once sounded distorted, and it still sounded engaging and cinematic.

There’s nothing the Mix can’t handle, and it manages to deliver vibrant treble without making it sound too overzealous. The psychedelic/electronic guitar notes landed with impressive clarity and shimmered in ‘Elma’ by Yin Yin, while the drums’ hi-hats added depth to the track without becoming harsh or fatiguing.

Similarly, in Pink Floyd’s ‘Echoes,’ I thoroughly enjoyed the delicate balance between cymbal work and the ambient or atmospheric sound effects. The Mix added a brilliant airiness to the track, making me feel like I was there with the band as they recorded the song at Pompeii.

But this is a party speaker, after all, so I had to test it by listening to an electronic track you can dance to. ‘Lights Burn Dimmer’ by Fred Again and Jaime T highlights the Mix’s greatest strength: bass. With the EQ set to Indoor, the bass sounds very controlled and tight, giving the track a great backbone without overpowering the rest of the soundstage. I then tried the Bass+ EQ preset which turns the bass all the way up to 10.

While the song still sounded powerful and the bass was room-filling, I couldn’t help but notice that the bassline sounded wobbly, like it was too much for the Mix to handle. This was indoors so I tried this preset outdoors, and the bass still sounded slightly muddy — an issue I never encountered when testing the Marshall Bromley 450.

It’s also important to note that the Mix doesn’t feature 360° surround sound, which means that you can only really appreciate music when standing directly in front of the speaker. If you want a more immersive listening experience, and want your party guests to be able to hear your tunes regardless of where they’re standing, I’d recommend the Bromley 450 which features True Stereophonic 360° sound.

Listen along to my review with the Soundboks Mix testing playlist:

Soundboks Mix review: App

The Soundboks Mix is accompanied by the brand’s app for all its speakers, and it’s available for free on iOS and Android. This is one area in which the Mix upstages the Marshall Bromley 450. The Bromley 450’s app is decent but not great, and the Mix offers a lot more in terms of customization.

Via the user-friendly app, you can make adjustments to the five-band custom equalizer, choose one of three EQ presets, control other Soundboks speakers you’ve paired with the Mix, control the volume, and, of course, update the firmware. I also like that the EQ presets have quirky descriptions. For instance, the Bass+ preset is described as, “More bass, just like you wanted. Yes, you.” I dig it.

Soundboks Mix review: Battery life

The Soundboks Mix offers superb battery life as it can last up to 40 hours between charges. Battery life will naturally depend on the volume and EQ presets, and happily, the app tells you how long the speaker will last when certain EQ presets are active. If you’re playing at full volume or have the Bass+ preset enabled, the battery life drops to eight hours. You can use any USB-C cable to charge the Mix.

Both the Marshall Bromley 750 and the Marshall Bromley 450 also pack 40-hour batteries. The Mix upstages the JBL PartyBox 520’s 15-hour and the Sony ULT Tower 9’s 25-hour batteries, too.

Similar to both the Bromleys, the Mix’s battery pack is removable and it can even be used to charge your smartphone, laptop and other devices. This is a handy feature to have especially if you’re out and about and not near a charging outlet.

Soundboks Mix review: Verdict

The Soundboks Mix isn’t without its compromises, but when it comes to sound quality, it still delivers a wonderful listening experience. Party speakers need to put out big sound, and the Mix can get incredibly loud without distortion. Earth-shaking bass is balanced well with detailed treble and mids, and though the bass can get a little wobbly at high volumes, it’s still enjoyable.

Designed to withstand the elements, the Mix is IP65-rated and is reinforced to stand the test of time. That said, for the same price of $799, the Marshall Bromley 450 offers better value for money. More ports for hooking up instruments, better connectivity thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, and 360° sound.

If all you want is full-bodied sound, the Mix is a great choice, but the extra versatility of similarly-priced rivals stops it achieving one of our very highest scores.

As a reviews writer here at Tom's Guide, I get my hands on a lot of the latest tech, including some of the best Bluetooth speakers. And funnily enough, some of my favorites have been some of the cheapest offerings.

Tribit is a budget audio brand, but its Bluetooth speakers always turn out to be some of my favorites. I recently tested the Tribit StormBox Micro 3, and it totally earns it's 4.5 star rating.

The speaker is only $64, and can often be found on sale for even less. Like right now, it's down to $49 at Amazon U.S.

Excellent audio performance

Of course, sound is the most important thing to consider when buying a new Bluetooth speaker, and the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 nails it. For such a small speaker, it creates a big sound.

And when the BassX setting is deployed, you have home-filling sound. I love using this feature in the house or just in the backyard while taking care of some chores. You can also switch up the EQ settings in the Tribit companion app, but the BassX button on the speaker makes switching up the sound incredibly easy, and it suits most music genres.

Top choice for durability

With a durability rating of IP68, this speaker can take on anything. With this rating, the speaker can actually withstand water submersion and is completely dust-tight.

You don't need to worry about dropping it, either, as it's been rated to survive falls from as much as four feet. I'm the world's worst butterfinger, so I did end up dropping the speaker a few times, and it was completely fine.

All-day battery

The 24-hour battery life is one of the best things about this speaker. It's double the battery life of some competitors, and it doesn't suffer too much at high volumes.

If using the BassX settings, the battery drains faster, but I was still able to get a good 18 hours, which is very impressive.

Not exactly "micro"

Though the StormBox Micro 3 is small, Tribit actually makes smaller speakers than this. The Tribit PocketGo, for example, is a lot smaller, and I find it far easier to carry around with me.

It's also surprisingly heavy, but that's down to the speaker being magnetic. This feature is incredibly convenient, and in some ways makes it worth the extra weight.

To find out more about the Bluetooth speaker and what it can do, you can read my full Tribit StromBox Micro 3 review.

More from Tom's Guide

• Tribit has done it again — the brand-new StormBox Micro 3 rivals JBL for under $70
• You can take a portable Bluetooth speaker with you camping, but here's why it's not the best idea to use it on your hike
• Ever wonder why ChatGPT is free? The answer is far more calculated than you might think

I’m a big fan of Tribit’s speakers, and the Tribit Strombox Micro 3 has joined the ranks as one of the best Bluetooth speakers I’ve tested. It has seriously excellent audio performance for a variety of genres, EQ customization, and simple controls. On top of that, it’s waterproof, dustproof, and dropproof. The 24-hour battery life is the cherry on top, and it can even be used as a portable charger for your phone in a pinch.

The only downside is that some of the EQ presets, such as ‘Rock’, compress the sound, and you lose the full effect of the wide soundstage.

Some people may not love the basic appearance, but I don’t mind it as I think it fits in any situation.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Specs

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Price & availability

The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 is available to purchase from Amazon for $64 / £62. It comes in three different colors, including black, blue and grayish white. This is the third iteration of Tribit’s StormBox and is only slightly more expensive than the Tribit StormBox Micro 2, which costs $59.

The StormBox Micro 3 is also more expensive than the Tribit PocketGo, which has become my most reliable portable speaker. The PocketGo costs $34 and has huge sound without a huge price tag.

While the StormBox Micro 2 is a cheap offering in the Bluetooth speaker world, there are even cheaper options: The cheapest Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested is the Tozo PE1, which costs $29, but it’s worth spending more for the better bass performance offered by the StormBox Micro 3.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Design

At 4.4 x 4.3 x 1.8 inches and 0.7 pounds, I think the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 is a little big to call itself ‘micro,’ but it’s still small enough to fit nicely into your backpack. It also has a flexible strap on the back so it can be attached to anything with a diameter of under 1.1 inches, such as handlebars on a bike.

It was a lot heavier than I expected, but because it has a magnet inside, it can be mounted to any magnetic surface, which is probably the best way to carry it around.

I tested the black color, which has white buttons and a mesh overlay in front of the speaker. It looks a lot like the previous StormBox Micro speaker, but with more rounded edges, which softens the rugged look.

The speaker has a durability rating of IP68, meaning it is completely waterproof and dustproof. It’s also been military drop-tested up to a height of four feet.

Controls

The controls on the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 are very simple, and since I’ve used Tribit speakers in the past, including the Tribit StormBox Lava ($129) and the Tribit PocketGo, the controls felt very natural to me.

On the side of the speaker, you'll find a power button, a Bluetooth connection button, a BassX EQ preset button, and a TWS (True Wireless Stereo) button for linking speakers.

On top, there are larger buttons for volume, play, and pause. I like that these buttons are big and easily accessible, as they're the ones you'll reach for most.

Connectivity

The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 uses Bluetooth 6.0. The speaker has a connection range of nearly 150 feet, so I was able to walk away from the speaker all the way into my garden without the connection breaking up.

The speaker also has TWS (True Wireless Stereo, not to be confused with True Wireless), which means you can connect multiple speakers together at the same time to create a stereo setup.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Sound quality

For such a small speaker, the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 creates a big sound. I think the speaker’s signature sound with the BassX setting already sounds great, but I got the best sound when using a custom EQ setting.

To test bass performance, I listened to Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy) by The 1975 using the BassX EQ. The punchy bass drives this song, and the speaker did a good job of keeping it controlled. It sounded clean while not overpowering the other components of the song, which still sounded sharp and balanced.

I then turned to the mid-performance of the speaker by listening to Ok Love You Bye by Olivia Dean. This track has a lot of layers that played perfectly with Tribit's signature EQ. The woodwind and brass instruments were very prominent throughout, and the vocals remained strong. I could hear how broad the soundstage is when listening to this song, and I was impressed by the performance.

Finally, I tested out the treble by listening to In Bloom by Neck Deep. This track is very bright with a complex percussion rhythm from the drums. For this track, I made a U-shaped Custom EQ. There were no issues with muddy sounds, and although there’s a lot going on, the instrument separation was excellent.

Overall, I was impressed with the way it played my favorite songs, but I wouldn’t recommend using the EQ presets, as some caused a lot of compression.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: App

The StormBox Micro 3 can be used with the Tribit app, which is available to download for free.

In the app, you’ll find six EQ presets you can choose from, or you can make your own custom EQ settings.

The EQ uses nine bands, so there’s a lot of scope to make changes to the sound to fit your personal preference.

You can also set a sleep timer for automatic shut-off of the speaker, which is pretty useful, as well as see the remaining battery on the speaker.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Battery life

Speaking of battery life, the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 has a rated battery life of 24 hours when used at half volume. This is plenty loud enough for casual listening, but if you’re using the speaker outdoors and need to listen a little louder, the battery will then drain faster.

Still, 24 hours is plenty of battery, and four more hours than you get with the Tribit PocketGo. This battery life is far superior to the JBL Go 5, which only has 10 hours.

Should you find yourself out of juice and in need of a quick boost, just 15 minutes of charging time with the included USB-C cable provides three hours of playback while a full charge takes around two hours.

Just like the Tribit StormBox Lava, the Micro 3 has reverse charging, which means you can use it as a portable charger in a pinch if you need to charge your phone.

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 review: Verdict

Tribit has managed to make me love a budget speaker yet again. It's waterproof, dustproof, and drop-proof, making it an ideal option for anyone who wants to use the speaker outdoors.

Its companion app can be used for EQ customization, and the simple controls make it a breeze to use even without your phone nearby. The 24 hours of battery life mean you can listen all day, and the speaker can even be used as a portable charger in a pinch. But most importantly, the audio performance really is excellent.

For something slightly lighter, you could consider the JBL Clip 5 for $79. This speaker also has a more sturdy clip at the top, rather than a flexible strap. The JBL Go 5 also gives beautiful sound for $54. The UltimateEars Miniroll costs $79 and also has a strap attachment at the back. This speaker is even lighter but is around the same size as the StormBox Micro 3.

For its price, however, the StormBox Micro 3 is tough to beat.

For me, hiking is a form of escapism. Getting out into nature is one of the easiest ways to switch off from the stressors of day-to-day life and reflect on what's happening, or block it out altogether.

But another way I like to unwind is by listening to music. It seems only natural to want to combine the two pastimes.

When I head to a campsite for the weekend, I usually like to bring one of the best Bluetooth speakers with me, like the Tribit PocketGo or the Tribit StormBox Micro 3. And while it can be tempting to take the speaker into the woods to soundtrack a hike, that's probably not the best idea. Here's why.

Sound travels farther than you think

Even though it's just you and your speaker walking the trail, the sound it's making travels a lot farther than you'd think. In an open area, there's not much around to stop the sound from traveling, and not to mention the echo that can be caused by the shape of the landscape.

Many people, including myself, like to sit and listen to the sounds of their surroundings when on their walk. When the sound carries, it can disturb other people on their trail appreciating these sounds — or, worse, disturb the sleeping habits of nocturnal animals.

To combat this, it's best to use some of the best over-ear headphones to keep the listening party private.

Better safe than sorry

This probably goes without saying, but when you're out walking, hiking, or running, you need to stay aware of your surroundings. Depending on the difficulty of the trail, it's important to stay aware of all of the sounds around you.

When you block out environmental sounds, you can miss out on important safety cues like wild animals, falling rocks, or even someone nearby who needs help. Even when listening at lower volumes, it can block out these ambient sounds.

I always think it's best to take in the sounds of nature too. As I mentioned, it helps me clear my mind and can be very good for lowering stress hormones.

A nice compromise here are open earbuds like the Sony LinkBuds Clip, Soundcore AeroClip or Bose Ultra Open. These earbuds let you listen to your music without disturbing nearby wildlife as well as let you keep an ear out for potential danger.

Impact on wildlife

Most importantly, if you care about wild animals' wellbeing, playing music out loud on trails can disrupt local wildlife. This can have a detrimental effect on the entire ecosystem and even lead to entire species being driven out of an area.

It impacts predators and prey in the wild alike, disrupting the food chain in the areas as well as breeding patterns.

The United States government's National Park Service states that sound plays an important role in ecosystems: "Activities such as finding desirable habitat and mates, avoiding predators, protecting young and establishing territories all depend on the acoustical environment."

Many speakers are marketed for use in the outdoors, and they do a good job at projecting sound when outside. If you're at the beach with friends or having a picnic they're great to have on-hand, but we should be mindful about where we use them.

Next time you're on the trail, keep the speaker back at camp and throw on a pair of headphones or open earbuds. Mother Nature will thank you for it.

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It isn't often that I come across a product that makes me say, "Damn, I want to keep that on my desk forever."

That very thing happened last week, when I tested the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2, one of the best Bluetooth speakers around. I took one look at it and said, "Mine! Mine!" like the seagulls from Finding Nemo.

Up until that point, I was using the JBL Go 5 to blast my favorite tunes, but now, I'm not sure I want to go back to the JBL — for a few good reasons.

JBL is arguably one of the biggest names in the audio sphere and when it comes to pure, full-bodied sound, the Go 5 upstages the Retro Cube 2.

8BitDo, on the other hand, is known for making retro-looking gaming and computing peripherals, and isn't a big player in the audio world.

So why do I still want to stick with the Retro Cube 2? Allow me to tell you why.

A 10/10 NES-inspired design

When it comes to design, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is easily the winner. Sure, the JBL Go 5 looks sleek and attractive, and doesn't draw eyeballs, but does it have an NES-inspired design? D-pad-style controls? A charging dock that's good-looking and practical? No, but the Retro Cube 2 does.

The Retro Cube 2's design is inspired by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and it comes in a combination of beige, red and black. It looks utterly fantastic, and it's the cutest, quirkiest speaker I've tested so far. If you have an 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, there's no better speaker to complement it.

Unlike any other speaker I've used, it comes with a charging dock so you can keep the speaker powered at all times. What's more, the charging dock has a slot for the Retro Cube 2's 2.4GHz dongle so that you don't lose it — neat!

But perhaps my favorite stylistic choice on the Retro Cube 2 is its D-pad-like buttons to control playback. They give great tactile feedback when pressed, and given how much fun they are to press, it's like having a fidget toy and speaker all-in-one.

The best part? When you power on the speaker, it sings, “8BitDooooo.” Does the Go 5 do that? No way.

The Go 5 naturally has a couple of aces up its sleeve — waterproofing and a rugged design, as well as better Bluetooth connectivity and support for advanced codecs. But given just how lovely the Retro Cube 2 looks, I'm OK living without them.

All-day listening? Yes, please

One of the key differences between the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 and the JBL Go 5 is the battery life — and truth be told, it isn't even close.

The Go 5 is rated for just 10 hours, while the Retro Cube 2 achieves thrice that. At 30 hours, the Retro Cube 2 lasts a long, long time, and as it comes with a charging dock, you can keep it powered on at all times.

Question is, would you want to listen to music through the Retro Cube 2 all day long? Yes and no. Given that JBL dominates the audio space, it's not surprising that it sounds better than the Retro Cube 2 — but that doesn't mean the Retro Cube 2 is all bad. Treble is crisp and shiny without overpowering the rest of the soundstage, while the midrange is refined and tuned to make songs sound spacious.

The only real complaint I have with the Retro Cube 2's sound profile is the bass, which sounds muted. It's true that small speakers struggle to reproduce powerful bass, but the Go 5 does just that. The bass packs plenty of low-end impact on the Go 5, which feels non-existent on the Retro Cube 2. And as someone whose favorite bit of a song is the bass, the Retro Cube 2 left me wanting more.

You can read my in-depth sound quality analysis in my full 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review.

The price is right

Given everything I've said so far, I think it's pretty clear that I adore the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. It looks fantastic, it sounds almost great, and it can comfortably last an all-day listening session. In fact, because of how beautiful it looks, the Retro Cube 2 has earned a permanent spot on my desk. Unlike most products that I promptly box up when I'm done testing them, the Retro Cube 2 is here to stay.

And the price is just right. The Retro Cube 2 is available for just $49 / £39 at Amazon, making it an affordable and attractive speaker-cum-centerpiece package. As I write this, I'm listening to Lana Del Rey on the Retro Cube 2, and playing with those outstanding D-pad buttons.

Don't know about you, but I love my 🎶 8BitDooooo 🎶.

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I’ve tested many of the best Bluetooth speakers in my time, but most of them look either the same or they sport bland or uninventive design. Not the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. It’s the cutest, quirkiest speaker you can buy today, and not for a lot of money as it costs just $49. An NES-inspired design and D-pad-style buttons make the Retro Cube 2 a joy to look at and use.

In addition to its simply fantastic design, the Retro Cube 2 boasts long battery life with up to 30 hours of playback time. It comes with a practical wireless charging dock too. Sound quality is great, with treble that shines and strong dynamics. However, given the speaker’s size and limited frequency response, the bass is a little lacking. It isn’t waterproof either, and its underbaked companion app doesn’t do it any favors.

Should you still buy it? Read my full 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review to find out.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Specs

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Price & availability

The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is the successor to the first-gen speaker, which first came out in 2019. The 2026 iteration is priced similarly, and is available for $49 / £39 at Amazon. It’s available in one color only, at the time of writing: N Edition, which is a combination of beige, red and black.

If it’s a budget Bluetooth speaker you’re after, the Retro Cube 2 is perfect for you. It’s cheaper than the JBL Go 5 ($54) and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 ($64). It’s a little pricier than the Tribit StormBox Mini+ ($39) and the Tozo PE1 ($39) but it’s still in the same ballpark. So, why should you buy the Retro Cube 2 from a brand that isn’t as well-known for audio gear as it is for its retro-style peripherals? The design and long battery life, for starters, and we’ll get into the details next.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Design

I’ve tested a lot of Bluetooth speakers in my time, but I’ve never seen one as cute as the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. Sporting a design inspired by the NES, the Retro Cube 2 fits right in with the brand’s other retro-style products. If you own the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard like I do, or the 8BitDo 64 N64-styled gamepad, the Retro Cube 2 is the perfect accompaniment, thanks to its beige, red and black colors.

The Retro Cube 2 is, as the name suggests, a cube. Four red speaker grilles are located on each face, and the top of the cube hosts the D-pad physical buttons, which I’ll talk about shortly. With subtle branding, the Retro Cube 2 is minimalist and good-looking, and is sure to draw eyeballs (in a good way). There’s no flashy RGB lighting, which I like, and the only bits that light up are the setting indicators on the top.

It’s quite small too, measuring just 3.47 x 3.45 x 3.45 inches. The Retro Cube 2 weighs 15.87oz so it’s a little heavier than the JBL Go 5 (8.16oz), but lighter than the Tribit StormBox Mini+ (19.2oz). A wireless charging dock is included in the box so you can keep the speaker powered at all times. Both the speaker and the dock host grippy rubbers to keep them from being unintentionally knocked about.

Weatherproofing

8BitDo doesn’t specify an IP rating for the Retro Cube 2, so it isn’t waterproof or dustproof. Given that this speaker is designed for indoor use, this isn’t a massive drawback, but something to keep in mind before you choose to take it outdoors, or use it in the shower. For a rugged waterproof speaker, I’d recommend the JBL Go 5 (IP68) or the Tribit StormBox Mini+ (IPX7).

Controls

The playback controls are in the form of an NES D-pad, and are unlike any other buttons you may have seen on other speakers. The four physical buttons enable you to adjust the volume, play/pause playback, and initiate Bluetooth pairing. All buttons give great tactile feedback when pressed.

To add to the speaker’s quirkiness, when you press the power button to, well, power on the speaker, the speaker sings, “8BitDooooo.” 10/10, no notes.

Connectivity

The Retro Cube 2 utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the standard SBC codec. There’s no AAC or LC3, like on the JBL Go 5. You do get multipoint connectivity, though, so you can connect two devices simultaneously. I did this with my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and my MacBook Air M2 and it worked seamlessly.

In addition to Bluetooth, the Retro Cube 2 comes with a 2.4GHz dongle for virtually lag-free audio in games and music. The dongle can be stored in a slot located on the charging dock’s underside, which is a neat feature as it keeps it from getting lost. There’s wired playback too, via the USB-C port located around the back.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Sound quality

If you want a speaker to soundtrack your workday, gaming session, or an intimate dinner party, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is up to the challenge. It has a power output of 10W (5W x 2) and covers a frequency response range of 125Hz to 15KHz. Given that it goes down to just 125Hz, the sub-bass and bass in general are a little lacking, but I’ll talk about that later. Good things first.

To test the Retro Cube 2, I listened to my usual selection of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res, over Bluetooth. I kicked things off with ‘One Inch Punch’ by Yin Yin. This track highlighted the Retro Cube 2’s treble clarity, as the song’s bright surf-guitar riffs, crisp hi-hats and intricate percussion came through with plenty of energy and definition. The track sounded lively and the guitar notes cut cleanly through the mix, while percussion retained its texture without becoming harsh.

The Retro Cube 2 features a surprisingly capable midrange too. Lana Del Rey’s vocals in ‘Taco Truck x VB’ sat front and centre, sounding clear, intimate and well-defined which allowed the emotional nuances in her performance to come through effortlessly. The guitars blended smoothly without becoming congested, and the Retro Cube 2 lent the midrange elements a natural warmth that flattered the song’s laid-back, hazy production style.

But the only disappointing bit about the Retro Cube 2 is its limited bass capabilities — something commonplace in small speakers. I played ‘No Chances’ by Twenty One Pilots to test the speaker’s bass extension. While the track’s ominous low-end pulse and deep synth bass were present, they lacked the weight and physical impact that lend the song much of its tension — something you won’t experience when listening to it through the JBL Go 5. The song’s cinematic foundation, then, felt noticeably reduced, and while the kickdrums had definition, they didn’t hit with the chest-thumping force the song demands.

Overall, the Retro Cube 2 performs well but doesn’t provide a sound as full as the JBL Go 5, so if you want powerful bass, you may want to consider the JBL instead. But if cute looks matter more to you, then the Retro Cube 2 is a no-brainer.

Listen along to my review with the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 testing playlist:

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: App

The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 doesn’t have a mobile companion app, so you can’t customize the speaker on the fly. Well, you can’t customize the speaker full stop. While the Retro Cube 2 is compatible with the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 macOS and Windows app, the only thing you can do is update the speaker’s firmware.

This means that there’s no custom EQ or way to remap the buttons. If you want customizable EQ, I’d recommend spending a little extra on the JBL Go 5, or getting the cheaper Tribit StormBox Mini+.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Battery life

One of the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2’s biggest selling points is its long battery life, which is class-leading. 8BitDo says that the speaker can last up to 30 hours, and can go from zero to 100% in three hours. In my testing, the Retro Cube 2 ran out of battery around the 29th hour mark when it was playing at 50% volume.

The Retro Cube 2 outclasses most other speakers in its weight class. The JBL Go 5 offers a maximum playtime of 10 hours, while the Tribit StormBox Mini+ can last up to 12 hours. The Tozo PE1 has a rated battery life of 32 hours at low volume, and we found that it drained really quickly at high volumes. Given that, the Retro Cube 2 is your best option in the battery life department.

Unlike any other tiny Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested, the Retro Cube 2 comes with a wireless charging dock to keep it powered at all times.

8BitDo Retro Cube 2 review: Verdict

Few Bluetooth speakers are as attractive as the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2. This cute little thing sports an NES-inspired design that’s sure to impress retro gamers. Its D-pad-style buttons not only give good tactile feedback when pressed, but they add to the Retro Cube 2’s charm too. Throw in 30 hours of battery life and a wireless charging dock with dongle storage and you’ve got yourself a winner.

But how does it sound? The Retro Cube 2 boasts great sound dynamics with the ability to make the treble sparkle. However, the bass is a little lacking, given that the speaker doesn’t have a wide frequency response range. It doesn’t have a custom EQ either, and it isn’t waterproof.

Should those drawbacks stop you from getting the Retro Cube 2? Depends on what you’re after. If you want a full-bodied sound, the JBL Go 5 is clearly the superior option. But if you want a $49 speaker that makes for a great addition to your setup, or as a coffee table centerpiece, the Retro Cube 2 is sure to please you. Its retro aesthetics have won me over, and it's become a permanent fixture on my desk. I’m vibing to the “8BitDoooo” startup sound.