Roskachestvo, together with international consumer testing institutes, has updated the rating of portable speakers, which now includes 46 models. A total of 11 new models by JBL, Bose, Sony and other brands were tested.
The manufacturers overestimate the battery life
During the tests, experts found that speaker manufacturers overestimate the battery life listed in the description of the devices. And the difference between the claimed time and the real time can differ two times. For example, the manufacturer specified 10 hours of working time for Sonos Roam, while during the tests it was discharged much faster – just over 5 hours. Similar discrepancies were found in the leader of the overall rating – JBL Charge 5: instead of the claimed 20 hours, the device discharged after 11.6 hours.
“Battery life is one of the most important criteria when choosing portable speakers. The difference in operating time between speakers can vary greatly: the best speakers work for more than a day, while others work for just a few hours. Our research among other things is aimed at finding such discrepancies with the claimed performance of the manufacturers” – explains the head of the department of international research Roskachestvo Marina Borovkova.
According to Roskachestvo tests, the maximum battery life is shown by JBL Boombox 2 speaker. Playing content without recharging the device can be just over 25 hours.
Roskachestvo names the best portable speakers for 2022
The first five of the overall rating of Roskachevo, which now includes 46 models of portable speakers, consisted of four brands: JBL, Sonos, Bose and Dali. The speakers from one brand can be on the top of the list as well as the outsiders. “Thus, the tests show that you should not rely only on the brand when choosing: one manufacturer can have both more successful and less successful models – said Marina Borovkova. – In addition, model lines can vary greatly in design, price, features and battery capacity. When choosing, it is better to consider the totality of factors”.
Depending on the specific purpose of use the main parameters for choosing a portable speaker can be: weight and size, power, design, the presence of backlighting, battery, resistance to moisture and dust, as well as durability.
According to the results of Roskachestvo tests JBL Charge 5 recognized as the best portable speaker, released in 2021. The device has become a new leader in the overall rating of 46 models . As the experts noted, the Charge 5 has generally clear sound and good vocal reproduction, the upper and middle frequencies are played without problems, there are no big dips in sound. The speaker from JBL is also waterproof and dustproof according to IP67. However, despite the powerful battery – 7500 mAh, the operating time of the speaker is very modest – 11.6 hours. At the same time, as tests have shown, the actual operating time was almost twice less than the 20 hours claimed by the manufacturer JBL.
Note that the JBL Charge 5 weighs almost 1 kg – 960 g.
Expert: What speaker under 10 thousand Dollars to choose
Tests Roskachestvo showed that inexpensive speakers up to 10 thousand Dollars , playing at low volume, quite suitable for everyday tasks, but expect high quality sound from them not worth it. “As a rule, the speakers in the lower price segment do not shine in sound quality, they are small in size, and the main difference between them is battery life,” – emphasizes Marina Borovkova.
According to the combination of criteria, the experts noted the Sony SRS-XB13 speaker for 4 thousand Dollars. In addition to the size and moisture protection, this speaker has two undeniable advantages. First, an impressive battery life – 16 hours, and secondly, a built-in microphone that allows you to speak on the phone hands-free with the speaker.
Experts have also paid attention to the JBL Flip 6 speaker for 9 thousand Dollars, the main advantage of which – mobility weight 546 g and the ability to play content from two devices alternately via Bluetooth 5.1.
At the same time, as emphasized by experts during tests, you should not expect decent sound quality from these devices. The speakers do not hold high frequencies, the sound lacks volume, the bass is bloated and boomy. Playing content at high volume on these speakers is not recommended.
Are there any reliable portable speaker manufacturers that provide accurate information about the actual runtime of their devices?
Do portable speaker manufacturers intentionally overestimate the battery runtime of their devices to attract more customers?
Do portable speaker manufacturers often exaggerate the runtime of their devices? It would be helpful to know if the stated battery life is indeed accurate or if it tends to be overestimated. This information would assist in making an informed decision before purchasing a portable speaker.