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Portable speakers have become a staple accessory for music lovers and audiophiles alike. They offer the convenience of taking your music with you wherever you go, whether you're on a road trip, relaxing at the beach, or having a picnic with friends. The Beats Pill is a well-known portable Bluetooth speaker that has been on the market for several years, but with so many options available, it can be challenging to know which speaker is the best choice for you. In this article, we will explore five alternative portable speakers that you might consider over the Beats Pill.
We will examine their features, performance, and price, and help you determine which one might be the best fit for your music listening needs. Whether you're looking for a waterproof speaker, a speaker with longer battery life, or a speaker with superior sound quality, we've got you covered. So, let's dive into the world of portable speakers and find the right one for you.
Best
TREBLAB HD77
Best Beats Pill Alternative
Made For Outdoor Sports And Adventures
Don’t be fooled by the gorgeous looks and cool ambient LED’s of the best garage speakers.
All Day Power On a Single Charge
Treblab HD77 doesn’t play games with PlayXTend energy-saving tech and high-capacity 5200mAh battery for you up to 20 hours of medium volume play per charge.
What You Need to Know About the Beats Pill
The Beats Pill is a portable Bluetooth speaker that is designed to provide high-quality audio in a compact and stylish form factor. The speaker was first introduced by Beats Electronics in 2012 and has since undergone several updates and improvements.
The latest version of the Beats Pill, called the Beats Pill+ was released in 2015 and has the following specifications:
- Dimensions: 63 x 212 x 150 mm
- Weight: 745 g
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio jack, USB-A port
- Battery life: Up to 12 hours
- Speaker system: 2-way active crossover system with four speakers
- Output power: 2 x 12W
- Frequency response: 45Hz - 20kHz
The Beats Pill+ also has a built-in speakerphone for hands-free calls and a mobile app that allows you to control the speaker's features and settings.
Time to Upgrade: Why It's Worth Exploring Other Portable Speaker Options Besides the Beats Pill
There are a few disadvantages to the Beats Pill Plus that may make you want to consider alternative portable speakers. One of the main cons is that the speaker is a bit heavy, which may not be ideal if you're looking for a speaker that's easy to carry around with you on the go. Additionally, the Beats Pill Plus has a limited range of color options, which may not be appealing to those who want a more personalized or unique-looking speaker.
Another disadvantage of the Beats Pill Plus is that it lacks some features that other portable speakers in its class have. For example, the speaker doesn't have NFC, which is a feature that allows for quick pairing between the speaker and your device. It also lacks splash resistance, which means you have to be careful when using it around water.
These disadvantages may be deal-breakers for some people, depending on their specific needs and preferences. For instance, if you're someone who frequently travels with a portable speaker and wants a lightweight option, the Beats Pill Plus might not be the best choice for you. Similarly, if you're looking for a speaker with more features, such as NFC or splash resistance, you may want to explore other options on the market.
Ready for a Change? Get a Sneak Peek at Five Portable Speaker Alternatives to the Beats Pill
We're excited to share with you our top picks for the best alternatives to the Beats Pill. We know that finding the perfect portable speaker can be overwhelming, so we did the research for you! To select these speakers, we looked at statistical information on which speakers are most commonly chosen to replace the Beats Pill. We also checked out the most recommended alternatives by top electronics reviewers and put together a list of 14 speakers that we personally tested.
We're not just relying on technical specs for our recommendations, we've got hands-on experience with each of these speakers. Plus, we reached out to friends and colleagues who have used them too. After thorough testing, we narrowed down our top 5 alternatives that we're excited to share with you! So, get ready to explore each one in-depth and find your new favorite portable speaker.
- Treblab HD77
- Bose SoundLink Revolve
- Ultimate Ears BOOM 3
- JBL Flip 4
- JBL Charge 4
Each of these speakers offers unique features and advantages, and we'll be discussing what sets them apart from the Beats Pill, why they might be a better option, and how they compare to each other. Whether you're looking for a speaker that is more lightweight, has more color options, or more features, this list has you covered. So, let's dive in and explore these alternatives to the Beats Pill.
Treblab HD77: The Beats Pill Alternative That Will Blow Your Mind
The TREBLAB HD77 Bluetooth speaker is an exceptional alternative to the Beats Pill. It is incredibly portable and lightweight, with a sturdy build quality, and is rated IPX6 for water resistance. The speaker features easy-to-use rubberized controls, and emits audible chimes and feedback. It also has a fair sound profile, a fantastic soundstage performance, and is suitable for small spaces. The battery performance is excellent, lasting over 11 hours from a single charge, and it has a power-saving feature. Additionally, the speaker has an AUX input to wire devices, and fair Bluetooth connectivity with fantastic range.
The TREBLAB HD77 is a small, portable Bluetooth speaker that boasts several features and advantages that make it a top choice for those in need of a speaker for their outdoor activities.
+ Pros:
- Portable and lightweight design that's perfect for taking with you on the go.
- Comes with a removable strap and carabiner clip for easy attachment to your backpack or gear.
- Solid and sturdy build quality that is similar to JBL's Flip speakers, ensuring it can handle everyday use and outdoor activities.
- Features two RGB light rings that add a fun and unique touch to your listening experience.
- Rated IPX6 for water resistance, meaning it's protected against direct contact with water for up to three minutes and safe to use outside.
- Easy-to-use rubberized controls, making it simple to play, pause, skip tracks, and more.
- Emit audible chimes and feedback to inform you of important information, like when it's on/off, connected to a device, or when the battery is low.
- Good frequency response accuracy and a neutral sound profile that makes vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix.
- Excellent soundstage performance with directivity that ensures a wide and spacious-sounding soundstage, allowing you to hear your audio from most angles.
- Fantastic battery performance that lasts over 11 hours from a single charge, making it perfect for long listening sessions.
- AUX input to wire your devices to the speaker for even more listening options.
- Cons:
- The speaker's frequency response accuracy is fair, with some unevenness in the mid and treble ranges that can cause certain sounds to sound muddy and dull at times.
- There is no battery indicator to inform you of its remaining battery level, and there's no way to turn off the speaker's RGB light rings.
In the Box:
- The TREBLAB HD77 Bluetooth speaker
- A removable carrying strap
- Micro-USB to USB-A charging cable
- A carabiner clip
- A 3.5mm AUX cable
- User manual
A Better Alternative to Beats Pill: Bose SoundLink Revolve
The Bose SoundLink Revolve is a well-built, portable Bluetooth speaker that makes for a good alternative to the Beats Pill. It features a sleek and simple design and is constructed from metal and rubber-like plastic, making it durable and easy to bring with you on-the-go. It has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, an IP rating for dust resistance, and an IK rating for impact resistance, although we don't currently test for this. Furthermore, it has an impressive set of controls that are easy to use, making it convenient to operate. The speaker's sound profile is well-balanced and neutral, although it lacks a lot of low-bass, making it suitable for listening to vocal-centric content like podcasts and audiobooks. Its battery performance is excellent, lasting over 12 hours off a single charge. However, it doesn't get very loud, and its voice assistant integration performance is disappointing.
+ Pros:
- Sleek, simple design that looks good in most settings
- Portable and easy to bring with you on-the-go
- Well-built with a durable and sturdy feel
- Waterproof and dustproof, making it suitable for outdoor use
- Long battery life of over 12 hours from a single charge
- Neutral and well-balanced sound profile that suits many music genres
- Easy-to-use controls that are responsive and intuitive
- Large and wide directivity for a good listening experience from most angles
- Good voice recognition performance from a distance, even in noisy environments
- Can be paired with two devices simultaneously
- Cons:
- Lacks a lot of low-bass, which can be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy music genres
- Doesn't get very loud, and there's compression present at max volume
- No sound customization options, such as an EQ
- Mediocre stereo soundstage due to downmixing stereo content to mono
- No built-in voice assistant capabilities; only uses the voice assistant of whatever phone it's connected to
- Adequate but not great app, with no EQ or bass/treble sliders
- Disappointing Bluetooth latency with some devices, which can cause syncing issues between audio and visuals when watching videos
Overall, the Bose SoundLink Revolve is a well-built and portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers a neutral and balanced sound profile, making it a good alternative to the Beats Pill. While it may not be the best choice for fans of bass-heavy music or those who need a speaker with high volume levels, its long battery life and easy-to-use controls make it a convenient option for those who want a speaker that's easy to bring with them on-the-go.
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3: The Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Fantastic Build Quality and Customizable Sound Profile
Looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that's easy to carry with you on-the-go? The Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is a great alternative to the Beats Pill. With its built-in hook, this speaker can hang from your bag or backpack, and its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance makes it perfect for outdoor use. Though its out-of-the-box sound profile may be a bit uneven, you can use the graphic EQ and presets in the Ultimate Ears app to adjust the sound to your liking. And with a fantastic soundstage performance and superb battery life, this speaker is sure to impress.
+ Pros:
- Excellent build quality and design, with a variety of color options to choose from.
- Portable and easy to carry with you on-the-go, with a built-in hook for attaching to bags or backpacks.
- Great for outdoor use, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance (although this is not tested by the manufacturer).
- 360-degree design creates an open and spacious soundstage.
- Battery life is long-lasting and impressive.
- Bluetooth connectivity is outstanding, with a great range and low latency.
- Cons:
- Out-of-the-box sound profile is somewhat uneven and lacks low-bass, although the Ultimate Ears app provides graphic EQ and presets to help adjust the sound to your liking.
- Doesn't get very loud, which may be disappointing for some users.
- Controls are somewhat limited, with no way to know the volume level or skip to the previous track.
- No voice assistant support, although this may not be a major concern for all users.
- Cannot be used wired, as it only comes with a micro-USB cable for charging.
Overall, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is a great portable Bluetooth speaker with a stylish design and solid performance. While it may not be the best option for all users, it offers some impressive features and is definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new speaker.
JBL Flip 4: A Worthy Alternative to the Beats Pill
The JBL Flip 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that comes in a wide range of colors, making it easy to choose one that fits your style. This small and lightweight speaker is perfect for bringing your favorite tunes with you on-the-go, and its detachable carrying strap allows you to attach it to your bag. Plus, it has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, which means you can immerse it in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Although it doesn't get as loud as other speakers on the market, it's perfect for small gatherings with friends. The JBL Flip 4 also has a balanced sound profile, making it suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. Check out the list of pros and cons below to see if this speaker is the right choice for you.
+ Pros:
- Portable and lightweight, with a removable carrying strap for easy transportation.
- Good build quality, wrapped in tight fabric that feels durable.
- Comes in a range of color options to suit your style.
- Has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, allowing you to immerse it in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.
- Easy to use controls, with a chime that lets you know when you've reached max volume.
- Passable frequency response accuracy, with a fairly balanced sound profile and clear vocals and lead instruments.
- Plays stereo content when placed horizontally.
- Decent battery life, advertised to last up to 12 hours, although it lasts around 9 hours in real-world usage.
- Can be paired with up to two devices at once, with low latency for watching videos.
- Can access voice assistants via your smartphone, with a decent microphone for picking up commands.
- Cons:
- Doesn't get as loud as some other speakers, making it better suited for smaller gatherings.
- Struggles to reproduce low-bass, so you won't get the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music.
- Its directivity is just okay, making its soundstage perceived as narrow and directional.
- While it can connect to other JBL Connect+ speakers, it can't be paired with PartyBoost-compatible speakers like the JBL Flip 5.
- Doesn't have any sound customization features like presets or a graphic EQ.
- Battery life may vary depending on usage habits.
- No mute microphone button for when you don't want it to pick up commands.
- Setting up voice assistant on the play button disables the play/pause function.
Overall, the JBL Flip 4 is a great alternative to the Beats Pill, especially if you're looking for a portable speaker that can withstand some exposure to the elements. Its IPX7 rating for water resistance is a big plus, and its detachable carrying strap makes it easy to take with you on-the-go. While it doesn't get as loud as some other speakers, it still offers good sound quality with a balanced frequency response, and the option to pair two devices at once is a handy feature. It may not be the best choice for big outdoor parties, but for smaller gatherings or trips, the JBL Flip 4 is a solid choice.
Upgrade Your Audio Game with JBL Charge 4 - The Perfect Alternative to Beats Pill
The JBL Charge 4 is a fantastic alternative to the Beats Pill. This portable Bluetooth speaker has a sturdy build and is available in many colors to match your unique style. It's perfect for outdoor use, thanks to its IPX7 water resistance rating and portable size. Although it may struggle to produce low-bass, its balanced mid-range ensures that vocals and lead instruments are clear and present. The JBL Charge 4 also has an impressive battery life and an excellent Bluetooth performance, allowing you to pair up to two devices and connect with exceptional range. The only downside is that it lacks an EQ for sound customization. However, if you're in need of a portable speaker that delivers quality sound and is built to last, the JBL Charge 4 is an excellent choice.
+ Pros:
- The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that's great for outdoor use thanks to its IPX7 water-resistant rating.
- The speaker comes in many color variants, so you can find a look that suits your style.
- Its build quality feels sturdy, and it has a removable flap that covers its ports to protect them from water damage.
- The JBL Charge 4 is portable, lightweight, and has a comfortable carrying handle, making it easy to take with you on the go.
- It has good battery life, lasting around 13 hours in our tests and has a USB-A port to charge your devices.
- The JBL Charge 4's Bluetooth performance is excellent, with an outstanding range and low latency for watching videos.
- Cons:
- The JBL Charge 4's sound quality isn't as good as some other speakers on the market. It lacks the deep thump and rumble in low-bass that's typically present in bass-heavy music like hip-hop and doesn't have an EQ to help you customize its sound to your liking.
- The speaker's frequency response accuracy is sub-par, and its soundstage performance is disappointing.
- The JBL Charge 4 doesn't get very loud, and there's some compression present at max volume that can degrade audio quality.
- It doesn't have voice assistant integration built-in.
- You can't connect the JBL Charge 4 to JBL's PartyBoost-compatible speakers like the JBL Charge 5 and the JBL Boombox 2.
Overall, the JBL Charge 4 is a great alternative to the Beats Pill. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker that's designed for outdoor use, with an IPX7 rating for water resistance and a sturdy build quality. It comes in a range of colors to suit your style and has excellent battery life, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge. While it has a balanced mid-range that ensures clear vocals and lead instruments, it struggles to reproduce low-bass and has an underemphasized treble range that can make higher-pitched voices and instruments sound dull. It also lacks an EQ to adjust its sound to your liking. Overall, if you're looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker with great battery life and outdoor durability, the JBL Charge 4 is a solid option to consider as an alternative to the Beats Pill.
Summary
Here is a quick rundown of each speaker and what I liked about them.
First up is the Bose SoundLink Micro. This small and portable speaker has a good sound quality and a rugged design, which makes it perfect for outdoor adventures. It also has an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to a meter deep for 30 minutes. However, its bass is not as strong as some of the other speakers on this list.
Next is the JBL Flip 4. This portable Bluetooth speaker comes in several color variants and has an IPX7 rating for water resistance. It's small, lightweight, and perfect for outdoor use. It has a decent build quality and a balanced mid-range, but it struggles to produce a thumping bass, so it's better for smaller gatherings.
The JBL Charge 4 is a cylindrical speaker with a balanced mid-range that can accurately reproduce vocals and lead instruments. It's also IPX7 rated for water resistance, so it's great for outdoor use. Its soundstage performance and dynamics are average, but it has an excellent battery performance of around 20 hours. Unfortunately, it doesn't have an EQ to help you tweak its sound profile.
The Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is a cylindrical speaker that's perfect for parties and outdoor gatherings. It has a fantastic 360-degree soundstage performance and a rugged design that's both dustproof and waterproof. It also has a long battery life of around 15 hours. However, its bass is not as strong as some other speakers, and its treble range can sound a bit harsh.
Lastly, the Treblab HD77 is the best alternative to the Beats Pill. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with a rugged design and a fantastic soundstage performance that provides excellent stereo separation. Its bass is also very strong, making it perfect for genres like hip-hop and EDM. It also has a long battery life and an EQ to help you customize its sound profile.
Overall, these five alternative speakers all have their unique strengths and weaknesses. However, if you're looking for the best alternative to the Beats Pill, I would definitely recommend the Treblab HD77.
FAQ
What speaker is comparable to the Beats Pill?
The Treblab HD77 is comparable to the Beats Pill, and it offers better sound quality, longer battery life, and a more robust and durable build.
What is better than Beats Pill?
All of the speakers we discussed in our article have their own unique strengths and weaknesses when compared to the Beats Pill. Some, like the Treblab HD77, offer better sound quality and more advanced features, while others, like the JBL Charge 4, have excellent battery life and water resistance.
Is Beats Pill discontinued?
Beats Pill+ portable wireless speaker has been discontinued by Apple, with the product no longer appearing on either the Apple or Beats websites. MacRumors also reported the discontinuation of the Beats Pill+ Bluetooth speaker that has been available since 2015, with Apple removing it from the online Apple Store. However, there are some indications that the Beats Pill+ may be making a comeback with a new limited-edition Stussy version, although the specifics of this are not yet clear.
