Cheap flat-pack furnishings and high quality hi-fi merchandise could appear unusual bedfellows, however IKEA has been wowing us for a while within the audio sector – simply take a look at its record player collab with Swedish House Mafia, its Sonos-certified Symfonisk Table Lamp Speaker (which additionally is available in a floor-standing version) and its Picture Frame with Wi-Fi Speaker for starters.
So what now – a music-streaming kettle? A solid-state amplifier-slash-egg-poacher? No. IKEA has added to its entry-level Vappeby lineup with a tiny Bluetooth speaker – and if it seems like a cleaning soap on a rope, that is as a result of it was designed primarily for the bathe. The very best bit? It is priced at simply $15 (which will probably be round £12 or AU$22 when it launches globally in April), and it is available now in the US (opens in new tab).
The Vappeby moveable Bluetooth speaker is silicone-coated to attain an IP67 water- and dustproof ranking – it may truly be submerged in water as much as 3 ft / 1m deep and survive for half-hour – and measures simply three inches sq. and two inches deep.
It is obtainable in yellow, purple or black (yellow is my private favourite), and in the event you purchase a second you possibly can create a stereo pair. You could possibly even put one other hook within the bathe for it…
Maybe most stunning is the claimed 80 hours of battery life at 50% quantity although. That determine tramples throughout its closest competitors (arguably the dinky Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, which is superb for the cash however boasts solely 12 hours), to not point out the best Bluetooth speakers available on the market – sure, together with the best waterproof speakers of 2023.
Evaluation: epic battery life within the bathe, examine. However can it ship epic sound? There’s the rub…
If, like TechRadar’s chief sub-editor, your concept of an ‘epic bathe’ could be (and I quote), “standing beneath an Icelandic waterfall whereas a stay opera firm performs Trip of the Valkyries”, this speaker possible will not curiosity you.
But when by ‘epic’ we merely imply ‘lengthy’, (epic hangover, anybody?) this little speaker’s 80-hour battery will see you thru dozens of such showers earlier than it wants a recharge. And that is to not be sniffed at.
The IKEA Vappeby moveable Bluetooth speaker doesn’t come bundled with a USB-C charger; however come on, we have all bought a kind of in 2023 have not we?
As an audio-lover, the rub is at all times the sound high quality. I see no level in buying one thing, nonetheless low cost, if I discover the sound high quality to be actively sporting, bloated, woolly, tinny or annoying. That stated, I actually wish to hear this speaker. I need it to be one of many best Bluetooth speakers on the scene – however I am going to have to order judgement for now.
That stated, for this cash and with this stamina, I predict a stonking nice hit…
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