Under $25 Scores: Skullcandy’s $24 waterproof speaker brings the noise
Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more
Some of the best portable Bluetooth speakers can be purchased for as low as $25. In fact, we’ve tested several. Models like the $14 Ikea Vappeby come with massive playtimes (up to 80 hours) and vibrant sound, while the $25 Anker Soundcore Mini dishes out emphatic audio and has cool features like an SD card slot for onboard storage. It’s time we added another bargain entry to the list: the Skullcandy Ounce.
This $24 mini wireless speaker is built for outdoor listening when you’re camping or at a pool party, but can also be enjoyed indoors. It comes with a built-in carry strap to clip the speaker onto different items like a bag, belt loop or bike handle via carabiner. Skullcandy’s head-rattling bass performance is front and center. A rugged chassis housing a large battery, three multifunctional buttons and signature skull branding on the front completes the package.
Skullcandy Ounce
Skullcandy’s entry-level portable speaker is a steal for bass lovers who want loud and long-lasting sound in a small and sturdy design.
$24 at Amazon
$30 at Skullcandy
How I found the Skullcandy Ounce
The Ounce came highly recommended by a journalist peer, who suggested I request a sample to compare with some of the top Bluetooth portable speakers under $100, including the JBL Clip 4, Sony XB100 and Tribit StormBox Micro 2. Skullcandy’s mostly positive track record with inexpensive audio products encouraged me to move forward, and I’m glad I did.
Why the Skullcandy Ounce is a score
First of all, this speaker blasts music at high volumes. That’s great considering its size. I knew the Ounce was extremely loud the moment pool-goers started gawking at me from my second-floor balcony.
Sound quality was superb. Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” brought energetic vibes to the pool area, thanks to the hard-knocking drum snares. The Ounce’s frequency range caught my attention most on this track, as singer Freddie Mercury’s screaming vocals and the background tambourines were transparent and blended nicely with the punchy low end. Hip-hop bangers like Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang” were well-represented, with a hard-rocking bass line and soaring synths that stimulated rhythmic head nods.
You’ll want to be selective with your tracks, because the bass-forward sound profile doesn’t treat all sonic elements properly (heavy electric guitar riffs sound distorted, for example).
Despite being a light carry at 0.66 ounces, the Ounce is a robustly designed speaker. The exterior is composed of hard plastic that can survive hard spills onto the concrete. IPX7 waterproofing provides even more relief by keeping the speaker safe in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes; you won’t panic if you clumsily dropping it in the bathtub or pool.
One notable design detail is the contoured bumper on the bottom that slightly raises the speaker when placed on a flat surface. According to the company, “it uses the sound pressure otherwise trapped in the enclosure to excite a resonance that makes it easier for the speaker system to create the deepest pitches.” It’s an effective approach that doesn’t compromise sound.
Skullcandy programmed the controls for seamless use. The circle button will play/pause, power on/off or enter pairing mode, while the plus button (+) can raise volume/skip track and the minus button (-) can lower volume/back track. All buttons produce solid tactility that ensures your intended commands are being executed.
Battery life is rated at 16 hours per charge. Listening at high volume reduces playtime by two to three hours, but you still get about two hours more than the Soundcore Mini, StormBox Micro 2 and the widely popular UE Wonderboom 3. Something else the Ounce has over the Wonderboom 3 is USB-C charging, as UE’s speaker still uses micro-USB for some odd reason.
Bluetooth 5.3 was hit or miss. The Ounce provided some of the lengthiest range at its price point (up to 50 feet), but there were wireless issues when my wife was playing music on her own portable speaker; audio scrambled every few seconds. The speaker doesn’t come with a companion app or extra features either, which isn’t surprising for a Bluetooth speaker that costs less than $50.
You can’t fault Skullcandy for the lack of extended functionality and so-so connectivity when accounting for the Ounce’s incredibly low price. The real value lies in the speaker’s bold sound, and it’s grand.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
