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Tom's Guide
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just tested this $68 Bluetooth speaker — and for its tiny size, it's actually impressive
Have you ever put your smartphone in a glass or mug to amplify its speaker's volume and sound? I have, and I just tested a speaker that utilizes that very idea. Three Norwegian friends ran with it and came up with the Sodapop Bluetooth speaker. It's unlike any other speaker I've seen, featuring a screw-on design and a plastic bottle which makes the speaker much louder and delivers better bass. While I found the bass to be hit-or-miss in my testing as it varied from song to song, I did find the vocals to be clear and detailed. The Sodapop's also got a long battery life and it's extremely portable, but it's let down by its IPX5 rating which makes it less waterproof than most of its rivals. If you're wondering if this is the best Bluetooth speaker for you, read my full Sodapop review to find out. Specs Sodapop Bluetooth speaker Price $68 / £59 Colors Black, Sunburn (orange), Skinny Dip (blue), Green Size 6.1 x 2.87 x 2.87 inches Weight 10.58oz Battery life (rated) 30 hours Connectivity Bluetooth 5.0 Waterproofing IPX5 Sodapop is a brand new company, based in the beautiful country of Norway, and the Sodapop Bluetooth speaker is their first-ever product. The Sodapop costs $68 / £59 directly from the brand's e-store. It comes in a few colorways: Black, Sunburn (orange), Skinny Dip (blue), and Green. Given its price, the Sodapop faces fierce competition from the likes of the Tribit StormBox 2 ($67), the Tribit XSound Plus 2 ($69) and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 ($59). It's slightly pricier than the (also) Scandinavian Happy Plugs Joy ($49), but I believe it offers better value for money as it sounds way better. I'm not exaggerating when I say the Sodapop Bluetooth speaker is unlike any other speaker I've seen before. It's made of two units: a hard plastic bottle and the speaker itself. The speaker, measuring 3.81 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches, is enclosed within the bottle, measuring 6.1 x 2.87 x 2.87 inches, so it's very portable. I was able to slip it into my cargo pants' pocket and carry it around with ease. Neither did it feel like it was weighing me down, as it weighs just 10.58oz. It's half the weight of the EarFun UBoom L (22.92oz, $79) and the Tribit StormBox 2 (20oz), and it's even lighter than the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (16oz). Now, onto the setup. To access the speaker, you need to twist off the base at the bottom of the bottle. The base includes a passive radiator to enhance the Sodapop's bass response (and it's also fun to watch when listening to a bass-heavy track). Then, you need to unscrew the cap at the top of the bottle — as you would while opening a bottle of soda — and remove the rubber flap on the speaker. Then, you need to screw the speaker onto the bottle. I know it sounds complicated when I put it into words, but in use, it really isn't. This is the way the manufacturer intended for the Sodapop to be used, as it delivers punchier bass (or 'double the bass and an overall superior sound' according to Sodapop) by increasing it by 10 decibels. You can use the speaker without the bottle too. With the rubber flap covering the screw-on chamber, bass response is weaker but it still works, as I'll discuss in more detail later in the review. Also, thanks to the screw-on chamber, Sodapop says that you can attach the speaker to any regular-sized bottle, so that's what I did. I bought a bottle of Coca Cola and screwed the speaker on, as you can see in the photo above, and it worked like a charm. It didn't create a seal as strong as the OG bottle, but it still sounded good. Controls are fairly straightforward and minimal too, which you'll find located around the back. The power button doubles as the Bluetooth pairing button when kept pressed, and it's accompanied by volume up and down buttons. That's it. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. The Sodapop Bluetooth speaker features stereo mode, so you can synchronize two Sodapops together if you're at a social gathering or party. I, unfortunately, was sent only one sample unit so I couldn't test this feature. One of the Sodapop's cons is that it's IPX5-rated only. This means that the speaker is protected against powerful jetting water from any direction. This is a rather disappointing rating as it means you'll need to be careful if you're using it poolside, at the beach or in the shower — which I'd advise against. Also, on a personal note, I really wanted to fill the bottle with water. Both the Tribit StormBox 2 and the Tribit XSound Plus 2 have higher durability ratings of IPX7, which means they can be submerged in a meter of water for 30 minutes. If you want a dustproof speaker, it's worth spending extra on the EarFun UBoom L or the JBL Clip 5 ($79), both of which are IP67-rated, making them dustproof and waterproof down to 3 feet. The Sodapop Bluetooth speaker utilizes Bluetooth 5.0 to seamlessly connect to your smartphone, laptop or any other Bluetooth-enabled device — but not simultaneously as there's no multipoint connectivity. It's surprising that the Sodapop uses an older Bluetooth version, considering Tribit's speakers utilize Bluetooth 5.3 which ensures a more reliable connection — but still, I didn't experience any connectivity issues with the Sodapop. Hey, at least it doesn't use the outdated Bluetooth 4.2 like the (much pricier) Bose SoundLink Flex ($149)! There's also a 3.5mm aux port located near the controls, as well as a USB-C port for charging, both of which are protected by a rubber flap that keeps dust out. At the time of writing, though, the Sodapop's companion app is currently in development, so I will update this review when I have access to it. For its tiny size, the Sodapop Bluetooth speaker is loud and impressive, with vocals sounding clear and detailed, making it great for acoustic music — but audiophiles may be left feeling shortchanged as it isn't ideal for bass-heavy or electronic tracks. To test the speaker, I listened to an array of genres — indie, pop, rock, metal, etc. — on Qobuz which is one the best music streaming services for hi-res audio. Let's talk about the positives first. When the Sodapop is screwed onto the accompanying bottle, it makes music sound much louder and clearer, and I love how acoustic/vocal-heavy tracks sound. Listening to 'Labour' by Paris Paloma and 'Henry, Come On' by Lana Del Rey was a treat. In both songs, vocals sounded clear, and I especially loved how I could hear the vibrato in Paris Paloma's voice in the first track. As multiple voices kicked in on the bridge, I could distinctly hear each individual vocalist. Similarly, in 'Henry, Come On,' Lana's high notes in the chorus never sounded piercing or too high-pitched. Her voice also had a lovely warmth to it throughout the song. The Sodapop is also good at making a percussion/string instrument like the piano sound detailed. 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel sounded fantastic through the speaker, with every piano note clearly discernible throughout the track, and well-balanced with the other instruments. No one instrument overpowered the others, and neither did the vocals. Bass through the Sodapop is hit or miss, really. If you want punchier lows and mids regardless of the genre playing, I'd recommend the EarFun UBoom L or the JBL Clip 5, both of which deliver jaw-shaking bass. The issue arises when playing heavy rock, metal or electronic tracks through the Sodapop. Iron Maiden's 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' didn't stand a chance here. All the instruments and voices seemed to blend together, resulting in an overall muddy sound. I also noticed this in many other tracks, including 'Mean Girls' and 'Von Dutch' by Charli XCX, which sounded unpleasant. The electronic instruments sounded like they were piercing my ears. As I mentioned up top, the brand says that the Sodapop's screw-on bottle design helps double the bass, which is true, as without the bottle, bass sounds — no offence — downright terrible. The bottle is its saving grace. Basslines aren't always the cleanest, as the bass in Alt-J's 'Every Other Freckle' sounded too distorted (more than the band intended). In 070 Shake's 'Elephant' though, the bass sounded powerful and, in a way, how it did when I saw her at an indoor gig. Bass through the Sodapop is hit or miss, really. If you want punchier lows and mids regardless of the genre playing, I'd recommend the EarFun UBoom L or the JBL Clip 5, both of which deliver jaw-shaking bass. One thing to also note is that the speaker can go very loud, volume-wise, which is the opposite of the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, whose highest volume was too low. For a speaker that costs less than $70, the Sodapop Bluetooth speaker boasts phenomenal battery life, rated at 30 hours on a single charge. For context, this is better than the Tribit StormBox 2 (24 hours), the Tribit XSound Plus 2 (24 hours), the EarFun UBoom L (16 hours), and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (12 hours). I was skeptical about the Sodapop's battery life when I read how long it lasts according to the manufacturer, so I put it to the test by leaving it playing music at 50% volume for 18 hours, combined with seven hours of actively listening to music, so 25 hours in total, and the speaker died after that — so not too bad! For the brand's first speaker, the Sodapop isn't a bad starting point at all. If anything, it's a triumph. The speaker's unique design sets it apart from other speakers in the market which, let's be honest, look alike (more often than not). I think the screw-on design is clever as it makes the speaker much louder and you can use it with any regular-sized bottle. Vocals sound clear and detailed through the Sodapop, and its long battery life means you can keep listening for hours. However, the Sodapop lacks punchy and consistent bass response, and metal, electronic and rock tracks tend to sound tinny, which may be disappointing for many listeners. And when it comes to durability, the Sodapop is outdone by its rivals, like the EarFun UBoom L or the JBL Clip 5, which are more waterproof and dustproof. If you don't mind these shortcomings, or you're primarily a country, pop or acoustic listener, then you'll be happy with the Sodapop. If nothing else, you'll sure as hell have people coming up to you, asking why your water bottle sounds so good.
Global News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
12 Bluetooth speakers that'll get your summer party started
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Tired of listening to distorted audio through the tiny, tinny speaker on your phone? Then it's probably time to invest in a portable Bluetooth speaker. We've rounded up a dozen favourites, from JBL's wee, padlock-shaped Clip 5—perfect for clipping to purses—to Bose's feature-packed SoundLink Max, which boasts beautiful sound and maximum durability. Whether you're looking for a multi-speaker music system for your next outdoor party or just something for listening to podcasts, you'll find it in our curated list. Best affordable Tribit StormBox 2 Working on a budget? It'll be hard to beat the StormBox 2. For just 90 bucks you get 34W of power, up to 24 hours of playtime per charge, IPX7 waterproofing, and a range of up to 50m for Bluetooth connectivity. Plus, the free Tribit app lets you tinker with your tunes, applying six equalization presets designed for a variety of listening milieus. $89.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Best aesthetic Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 We think this small, simple puck—available in six hues and sporting a built-in leather tote cord— is the prettiest portable speaker around. It looks great anywhere, from living rooms to hot tubs. And it's waterproof, so no worries if it falls in! Bang & Olufsen's legendary engineering is evident via the 13cm driver that delivers warm bass and a clear high range. And you can enjoy your music for an incredible 42 hours per charge at low volume. $358.75 on Amazon Best for parties Soundcore Boom 2 It's a bit industrial in design, but the Boom 2 is actually a wild party machine. It pumps out powerful bass (up to 80W), and has a built-in passive radiator to deliver colourful light shows. It can also be synced with more than 100 additional speakers to ensure the music reaches every nook and cranny of your jamboree. Plus, it floats! $179.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Best compact JBL Flip 7 Compact and cute, JBL's latest Flip is available in nine colours, from a pretty coral pink to combat camouflage. It delivers clear, non-tinny highs and robust lows, using AI to analyze your music and apply equalization in real time to prevent distortion. And Auracast lets you connect with other nearby JBL speakers to level up your soirée. $169.98 on Amazon (was $189.98) $169.99 at Best Buy Canada Best portable JBL Clip 5 If portability is your primary shopping criteria, JBL's Clip 5 should be at the top of your list. It's not much bigger than a phone. And its clever padlock-style design—available in 16 colour schemes—lets you clip it to just about anything, from handlebars to purses. The small size means just 12 hours of battery life at normal volume, but the Playtime Boost button adjusts settings to give you an extra three hours. $99.98 on Amazon $99.99 at Best Buy Canada Story continues below advertisement Best design Beats Pill Apple's portable speaker (which also works with Android devices) is sleek, simple, and sounds great. The pill-shaped shell—available in red, black, and champagne gold—looks great in any setting, and sports just four cleverly configured buttons that make it easy to control playback, adjust volume, take calls, and activate your voice assistant. Plus, the Beats By Dre sound pedigree is evident in every falsetto note and throbbing drumbeat $149.99 on Amazon $149.99 at Staples Canada You may also like: Solar String Lights – $49.99 Rattan Patio Furniture Set – $252.99 Story continues below advertisement Ninja FrostVault 45qt Wheeled Cooler – $399.99 Best durable Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 Ultimate Ears says this IP67-rated is 'virtually indestructible.' We're pretty sure we could come up with a few ways to break it, but why would we want to? The Megaboom 4's cylindrical design means it pumps out 360 degrees of sound, reaching everyone in the room. And the patented Magic Button makes playing from almost any source—from Spotify to Apple Music—a snap. $279.99 on Amazon Best stereo experience Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 The niftiest thing about this affordable little speaker is that if you buy two you can pair them and get a true stereo experience. It's waterproof, shockproof, and has an EQ mode that cranks things up for outdoor listening. Cooler still, it also has a voice enhancement setting that makes it ideal for podcasts. $119.99 on Amazon (was $139.99) Story continues below advertisement Best bass Brane X The Brane X is all about that bass. It's the first portable speaker in its class to feature a true subwoofer, and the difference it makes is exponential. You get ten times the sub-bass of other portable speakers, meaning you'll actually feel (and not just hear) each pounding beat. The tradeoff? It's a bit of a beast. Chunky, heavy, and not waterproof. I guess bass aficionados can't have everything. $698.99 at Staples Canada Best EQ Sonos Roam 2 Sonos is known for high-tech features and high quality audio, and the American spreaker maker brings both to this small but powerful sound machine. It constantly measures how soundwaves reflect off nearby surfaces and alters the EQ accordingly to ensure an ideal listening experience. Plus, it's integrated with Amazon's Alexa, meaning you can control both the speaker and other smart home devices with your voice. $171 on Amazon (was $229) $171.99 at Best Buy Canada Story continues below advertisement Best for camping Sony ULT Field 1 No portable speaker list would be complete without an entry from Sony, a true pioneer in portable music. The ULT Field 1 sits in the affordable wireless speaker pile, with features like a detachable tether, IP67-rated durability, and a bass boost button. The forest green model is a good pick for campers and hikers. $109.99 on Amazon (was $119.99) $179.99 at Staples Canada Best splurge Bose SoundLink Max Up for a splurge? Then you can stop reading now and just order the Bose SoundLink Max. It checks all the boxes. Rich, pulsing bass. Long battery life. An AUX jack so you can connect turntables and MP3 players. The ability to act as a charger for other devices. And it's waterproof, dustproof, and shock resistant, to boot. It's pretty much the pinnacle of portable speakers. $459 on Amazon (was $549) $459.99 at Staples Canada Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Long Box Planter – $179.99 Outdoor Side Tables – $54.99 Patio Umbrella – $479.00
