I Tested These Viral 'crush-proof' Bluetooth Speakers, And They're Not Your Average Portables

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Turtlebox Original Gen 3 speaker is disposable successful 5 colors, retailing for $430.
• It's considerably much durable beyond waterproofing capabilities, making it a coagulated action for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Despite its unthinkable durability, it lacks immoderate sound customization features.

I often skip outdoor activities considered staples during nan basking Georgia summertime -- mudding, fishing, hunting, aliases reservoir days. If it's not lying retired by nan excavation aliases going down to nan Gulf for a formation trip, I'll pass. 

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But my friends and family who for illustration these excursions often inquire to get 1 of my Bluetooth speakers, and I don't emotion nan thought of my beautiful Beats, Bose, aliases JBL speakers being slung done nan elements, moreover if they tin withstand it. So erstwhile I saw immoderate outdoor surviving TikTok creators praising their "ultra rugged" Turtlebox speakers, I had to effort 1 for myself.

If you've seen these speakers, you cognize their trading is geared toward outdoor enthusiasts searching for a speaker that won't quit. I tried nan Original Gen 3 and nan Ranger speakers, and here's my take.

Turtlebox Gen 3

The Gen 3 is Turtlebox's flagship Bluetooth speaker. It sports a boombox-style shape factor, a grip for portability, 25 hours of playtime, an IP67 h2o and dustproof rating, and reverse USB-C charging capabilities. 

I've seen group online dislike Turtlebox's sound profile, mostly critiquing a seemingly hollow bass response. And I'll agree; I've heard smaller speakers nutrient deeper bass. But judge it aliases not, Turtlebox's sound makes for a awesome outdoor soundscape. It's already harder to execute a considerably heavy bass consequence successful an open-air environment, and you whitethorn want to attraction much connected singing on than being overwhelmed by bass.

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If you're looking for deep, boomy bass, you won't get it pinch nan Gen 3 speaker. However, it does person awesome mids and gets plentifulness loud, which helps you perceive your euphony intelligibly -- particularly nan lyrics -- erstwhile outdoors.

Jada Jones/ZDNET

A awesome drawback is that Turtlebox doesn't person a dedicated app aliases immoderate beingness controls connected nan speaker for EQ settings. So, you're stuck pinch its out-of-the-box sound. However, this speaker is built for a existent outdoorsman, and you're apt to beryllium little concerned astir bass and treble erstwhile you're trying to drawback catfish aliases triumph a crippled of cornhole.

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At $430, Turtlebox asks a steep value for a speaker that has nan aforesaid features arsenic its competitors from Bose, JBL, aliases Marshall, but its highly reliable creation sets it apart. Turtlebox's speakers are made from stainless alloy coated successful ABS, a polymer known for its toughness. It besides features a UV inhibitor for discoloring protection and rubber feet for non-slip properties. And contempt its size, nan Gen 3 floats successful water.

Turtlebox Ranger 

The Ranger's magnetic broadside mounts are perfect for hanging retired connected a tailgate, four-wheeler, aliases play cart.

Jada Jones/ZDNET

The Ranger is Turtlebox's astir portable speaker, and nan 1 I would urge to astir people. It's much affordable, sporting a $250 unit price. It's conscionable arsenic rugged arsenic nan Original Gen 3, but it's overmuch easier to lug around. 

My favourite point astir it is nan beardown magnetic broadside mounts, which are cleanable for group who would instrumentality nan Ranger to a play cart, truck, aliases four-wheeler. Its lighter framework is besides much suitable for hiking, walking, biking, aliases sportfishing and hunting pinch a mini group.

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Due to nan Ranger's smaller size, it has little room for a larger artillery and soul audio components. It promises 12 hours of playtime, an IP67 particulate and waterproof rating, stainless alloy tie-downs and rubber feet, and reverse USB-C charging. Again, nan Ranger stacks up arsenic to its similarly-specced competitors from Bose and JBL, but nan other dollars are successful nan much durable build materials.

Both nan Gen 3 and Ranger speakers are equipped pinch Party Mode, Turtlebox's proprietary audio grouping technology. You tin brace aggregate Gen 3 and Ranger speakers together for synced audio, aliases usage existent wireless mode for left/right stereo sound.

Another title I noticed online is that immoderate customers noticed a breakdown successful capacity aft putting their Turtlebox speaker done mud, saltwater, sand, aliases dirt. Although these speakers committedness to grip nan elements, for illustration each different rugged speakers, they require immoderate aftercare. However, Turtlebox speakers request a small much emotion aft a agelong time outdoors.

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You whitethorn request to lavation your speakers -- each rugged speakers, for that matter -- pinch freshwater aft exposing them to saltwater, chlorinated water, sand, aliases mud. Leaving nan chemicals and particles wrong your speaker tin impact its capacity complete time.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you walk a batch of clip outdoors and haven't recovered a Bluetooth speaker that tin withstand nan elements, nan Turtlebox Gen 3 aliases Ranger are coagulated choices. However, if amended wireless sound value aliases an outdoor speaker that useful conscionable arsenic good indoors are your must-haves, these speakers aren't for you.

If you specify "being successful nan outdoors" arsenic lounging by nan excavation aliases astatine a patio table, you tin get by pinch nan Bose SoundLink Plus or JBL Charge 6.