Polaroid Bluetooth Speakers Review – Top 3 Picks, FAQs, Pros, Cons & More

How to pick the best Bluetooth speaker

Check the following things before buying one:

• Audio quality

Judging the audio quality can be done by checking how low the total harmonic distortion is. The preferred aim is 1%, as the lower the better. Most speakers do not offer them so you should keep an ear out for the audio and affordable prices.

The second thing to consider is the frequency. The audio quality differs from speaker to speaker due to frequency. The lowest point is 100 Hz which is very important since some people cannot listen to a very high frequency especially when getting older. 

The top frequency is considered 20k Hz. Thus, consider the products which fulfill the requirement.

• Battery life

This is also a key feature to consider along with brand reputation when purchasing the speakers. Some of the smaller speakers have a smaller cell which does not last long. 

The average battery life of speakers is from 4 to 10 hours on a full charge. Some even last 24 hours which have greater popularity in the market.

A factor to consider is that the louder you play the music, it will use more current thus have shorter battery life. Moreover, the ones with a Lithium-ion power package like to be charged before fully drained. 

However, go for the products with good reviews.

• Size

The sizes for speakers range from small to larger ones. The small ones are built-in conical or cylindrical shapes to make them easier for carrying around. 

However, the larger ones have better audio quality. They have a cylindrical or rectangular shape and feature a more operational life.

• Waterproof

Portable speakers need to be waterproof. Many companies have taken the road to make their speakers waterproof and it has become widely common. Besides, some are even submersible in water and do not get ruined.

• NFC

NFC stands for near field communications which is bypassing the settings process on NFC enabled speakers by connecting to your device automatically and start playing music. You can connect it to Bluetooth on your device simply by tapping the two.

This is most compatible with Android devices. Even though it is enabled on the iPhone, but used for Apple Pay. Thus, NFC has been devoted to only this for security reasons.

• Bluetooth version

Bluetooth versions have updated over the years and the 2.0v can be seen widely. Most devices also see versions of up to 4.0v and even 5.0v.

Now the Bluetooth version affects the audio quality hence should be thoroughly considered. It has a file called EDR which stands for Enhanced Data Rate. This gives a big jump to the audio quality as it allows wireless connections to carry more data which gives amazing audio representation. 

Therefore, you need to have a 2.1v or higher. The higher versions provide additional features like data collections from other sensors or fitness trackers.

Where will you use the speaker the most?

When purchasing a product you need to consider where and how you will be using it to consider the features accordingly. If you are using it indoors then consider one that blends in with your decor.

If you want one for outdoor purposes or if you want to take it in the shower or at the beach, go for one that is waterproof. The one that will be exposed outdoors will require a waterproof sturdy exterior to withstand the environmental conditions.

The third thing to consider is the operational life for when you need to take it along with you for camping or other outdoor activities. You will require a longer running time in case you do not have access to a charging port for a long period.

Important features to consider before buying Polaroid Bluetooth speakers

• Frequency response

The frequency response is the measurement done in Hertz and lies between the range of 10-20,000 Hz and affects audio quality results. The wider the range the better the audio quality will be. 

However, it also depends on the perceiver’s ear which varies widely from person to person. Older people cannot hear higher frequencies as this quality diminishes with age.

The bass is usually formed around the frequency range of 20-250 Hz. The mid-range where instruments like guitar and piano are heard is 250-4000 Hz. 

• Drivers

The drivers are the most important central feature of any speaker so it’s necessary to get one with a decent size. It is noteworthy that the larger size of the driver means an increase in the size of the speaker as well. Typically most of them have a 40mm driver.

The total number of drivers and their placement greatly affect the results of the audio quality. In smaller speakers, there is only one driver and it is placed facing upwards or downwards for maximum audio output. Many speakers have twin drivers which are noticeably louder.

The smaller ones do not have space for a woofer so instead passive radiators are installed to produce bass.

• Connectivity

Having a wireless connection is the best but you should also consider an auxiliary wire for connection. It is termed as an “Aux-In” and is beneficial if you wish to save power on your device or speaker and can help give better audio quality.

Some also have NFC which allows easy Bluetooth authentication. Some have built-in microphones and buttons that perform functions to take and end calls as well as ask for weather updates and use your assistant.

• Charging style

Having one with a USB port is convenient as you can charge it if you’re outdoors or away from the wall socket. Some people prefer having the micro-USB port to connect to power banks and easily charge without much hassle.