Today, we rely on our smartphones for almost everything. They have become indispensable to us for day to day use whether it be for work or entertainment. However, one thing we reviewers always complain about are the speakers on the smartphones, which have never been the chief focus of developers and thus are often neglected. Infact, some of the best phones are equipped with subpar speakers. However, with a little bit of extra cash, you can easily purchase a portable Bluetooth speaker capable of substantially boosting the quality of sound on your phone. For these reasons, Bluetooth speakers have become all the rage among smartphone users.

Let’s talk about four speakers available in the Nepali market, with a particular focus on the more affordable devices. Here, I have compiled for you a list of the top rated yet affordable speakers currently in the market.

JBL GO 2

The JBL GO 2 is the successor to the popular JBL GO, which was my pick for one of the best Bluetooth speakers last year. The GO was a relatively cheap device and in my opinion, it delivered way beyond what it was worth. Looking to emulate the success of its predecessor is the brand new, GO 2 which boasts a few improvements on the older device, all while maintaining a relatively modest price tag of Rs 4,500.

The JBL GO 2 is very portable, and comes encased in protective rubber. Like its older variant, this device is also IPX7 rated which means you can definitely take it in the shower or a swimming pool, if you want. Aside from being waterproof, the protective layering on its outside also keeps the device secure from minor drops and bumps.

The JBL GO 2 is capable of relaying loud and crisp audio. However, the compactness does affect the performance slightly because were the speaker bigger in size, it would be able to produce better bass. Also, the GO 2 hasn’t really improved in terms of battery life—with a modest 750 mAh battery, you can expect this device to run uninterrupted for four to five hours but no more.

These days, some manufacturers opt for an additional jack to connect their speakers to other devices. JBL too has included a port which will come in handy if your device isn’t Bluetooth enabled.

All in all, the JBL GO 2 is a great portable ultra-compact device that, gets really loud but takes a hit in terms of battery life and the overall sound quality. However, with a price tag of Rs. 4,500, its performance and robust build make the device well worth your money.

JBL GO 2

Battery capacity: 730 mAh

Bluetooth 4.1

Dimension: 71.2 x 86.0 x 31.6 (mm)

Weight: 184 gm

IPX7 Certified

Audio cable compatibility

Price:

Rs 4,500

Anker Soundcore Pro

Chinese Giant Anker has been looking for a foothold in the quite competitive Nepali market. With its latest offering, the Soundcore Pro, the company hopes to do just that. This device is the complete opposite of the JBL GO 2— it weighs in at 764 grams and so, is rather hefty. The large size also means the speaker is backed by a huge 8,000 mAh battery that enables this device to be used for an incredible 18 hours continuously.

The body of the device is housed in a rubberised material up top with a metal rail cloaking the speakers. Inside are two drivers and two tweeters that provide 25W of bass-enriched top audio that true audiophiles will definitely love. According to Anker, there is the Bassup technology embedded on the device which delivers a ‘Superior Bass’ compared to all its market competitors. There is no sound distortion even at the highest volume, and believe me, this speaker can get very, very loud.

The Anker Soundcore Pro is water resistant and has the IPX4 certification. It has the NFC feature with Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity. The large-sized battery also lets users use the speaker as a Power bank, which for me is quite extraordinary, considering how some manufacturers opt for cutting down on the battery size for more portability and compactness. The device also has a port to connect another device via an audio cable.

The Anker Soundcore Pro runs for the price of Rs 5,690. For that price, the device seems to be a steal as it excels in almost every department. It delivers good sound quality with great bass in a sweet, comely body!

Anker Soundcore Pro

25W audio output

Bluetooth 4.2

IPX4 Certified

Battery capacity: 8,000 mAh

Dimension: 204 x 72 x 69 (mm)

Audio cable compatibility

Price: Rs 5,690

JBL Clip 2

Another speaker lauched by JBL this year is the Clip 2, which is priced at just over Rs 7,000 and is available at EvoStore. The device is very conspicuous as it has a carabiner fastened on top. Much like the elastic band on the Braven 105, the caribiner is there so you can latch the speaker to whatever you want and take it with you, wherever you go.

On the outside, the JBL Clip 2 sports a circular design with a synthetic, fabric like material on top. Like every other device on this list, this speaker too is water resistant—to an extent. It has an IPX7 official rating, so you won’t have to worry about getting it a little wet.

The JBL Clip 2 has a 730 mAh battery that delivers around five to eight hours of battery life depending on how you use it. This Bluetooth enabled speaker also supports cable connectivity.  

Like the JBL GO, this device too suffers on the bass front probably due to its compact size. The audio is also prone to distortion after protracted use. So, if you are looking to get this speaker, you may want to stick to playing only simple, acoustic music on it. I know that for some people, that’s no problem at all and if you are one of these people, maybe this device is for you.

JBL Clip 2

Bluetooth 4.2

Battery capacity: 730 mAh

IPX7 Certified

Weight: 184 grams

Audio cable

compatibility

Price: Rs 7,000

Braven 105

The Braven 105 has been around for a long time now, yet in terms of performance it remains second to none. The rounded speaker delivers clear sound, regardless of the timbre and pitch of the songs being played. The device is quite rugged with a premium rubber casing all around. Just by looking at it, you can tell for who this speaker is meant for—the adventurer and hiker. This device is made for outdoor use and comes with a rugged body with water-resistant casing. The elastic strap on the side is for latching the speaker onto your belt or bag and listening to it while on the move.The Braven 105 gives off a good audio with decent bass, but at times, it tends to get distorted depending on the song being played. So, if you are looking for a speaker with top-level bass, you might want to look elsewhere as the Braven doesn’t really deliver on this front—it simply is not made for that purpose. The audio level also doesn’t get as loud as you might always want, which contradicts the outdoor-focussed purpose of the 105, so although affordable and portable this device does have quite a few weaknesses. So, is it worth getting the Braven 105? Well, if you are looking for a powerful speaker that can take a lot of beating and still deliver decent quality sound, this device might be for you. The Braven 105 currently sells for Rs 5,300.

Braven 105

Bluetooth v2.1

IPX7 Certified

Battery Capacity: 800 mAh

Weight: 180 grams

Audio cable compatibility

Action and thread mount

Price: Rs 5,300