In some respects, the Fugoo Bluetooth speaker is a much more ambitious product than the JBL Charge 2+ I’m comparing it to. Read my hands-on reviews for more detailed analysis. If you want a more balanced musical experience or want something that can withstand the elements-including being submerged in water for a short time-the more expensive Fugoo ($180, $200, or $230, depending on which enclosure you start with) is the device you’ll want.
If you like lots of bass, are working with a smaller budget, and don’t think you’ll deliver too much punishment to your portable speaker, JBL’s Charge 2+ is a really great product at $150. When it’s done right, you get something like the JBL Charge 2+ and the Fugoo Sport reviewed here. When it’s not done well, you end up with something like the sub-optimal TDK Trek Flex. Fugoo rates its speaker at IP67 and says it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes.ĭesigning a speaker to withstand exposure to the elements is a tricky job that inevitably leads to some compromises in its ability to reproduce music.
JBL doesn't provide an IP code for its Charge 2+ speaker, but says it can be cleaned under running water from a faucet. IP codes are not mandatory, however, so if the manufacturer doesn’t provide that information (Fugoo does for its speaker JBL does not for its Charge 2+) you’ll need to rely on the company’s description. The best way of knowing just how much exposure an electronic device can withstand is to determine its IP code (the acronym stands for International Protection Marking).
Bluetooth has become the de facto standard for streaming music from smartphones and media players such as the iPod touch, and it can actually deliver relatively high-quality sound these days-provided the speaker you’re streaming to is up to the task.Ī portable speaker needs to be able to withstand getting knocked around, and it should also be able to resist damage from both liquids (from rain, poolside splashes, or being dropped in the snow) and solids (dirt and sand, for instance). Earbuds make great travel companions when you’re traveling solo, but you need speakers to party with friends and family.