Ears on review with the ADO Mate 3 NFC speaker


ado m3 speaker review

Bluetooth wireless speakers are a must have accessory for Summer, and with a huge 1800mAh battery the ADO Mate 3 would make your perfect audio companion.

I do like to listen to music when I have a chance, so I am pretty happy today that I get to type this ears on of the new ADO Mate 3 while listening to some summer tunes.

The market has been flooded with small, super portable mobile speakers this year. Most all models offer a similar compact size, Bluetooh connectivity and adequate audio performance to bring a little music to any environment.

Joining the market is Chinese accessory maker ADO, whose ADO Mate 3 brings a little more in the way of design, and hardware to the table (quite literally) with built in NFC, monstrous 1800mAh battery and 4.3w speaker (around 30% larger than similar models). It even comes with an English user manual, which is odd for a Chinese accessory.

ADO Mate 3 NFC Spekaker- Design

ado m3 speaker review

If the design and build of the ADO M3 is anything to go by then ADO might well be my accessory maker of choice from now on (they have more products in the pipeline). The simple white cube features the a main speaker directing your music out of the top, while the white rubberised sides feature a single power button (with blue LED indicator), and a single USB for charging.

ado m3 speaker review

The base features a thicker grey rubber foot to prevent the speaker from sliding around on uneven surfaces and together with the weight of the device keeps any annoying vibration at bay.

I like the white rubberised body a lot. Its the type of finish (and design) that really looks great anywhere to place it. Next to the pool, in the garden, living room, kitchen or even bathroom (but take care as it isn’t waterproof) it looks and works great just about anywhere.

The rubberised finish also means you can pick the device up with oily sunscreen slick hands at the beach without needing to worry about loosing grip.

ADO Mate 3 NFC Speaker – Hardware

As already mentioned the ADO Mate 3 boasts a massive 1800mAh battery. We’ve seen phones in the past with 1800mAh batteries and they have screens, antenna, data, processors and cameras to power! The 1800mAh battery in the ADO M3 simple has to keep Bluetooth connected, operate NFC and the blue LED and pump tunes to the large 4.3w speaker.

ado m3 speaker review

ADO claim the Mate 3 can run continuously from 15-20 hours on a single charge depending on the level of volume and other factors. The fact is the battery of your phone is more likely to run out first than the one powering the M3.

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I’m happy to see NFC has been included in the speaker. As long as you have a phone with NFC (sorry OP2 users) all you need to do is hold your phone close to the speaker and the two will pair allowing audio to flow through the little white box.

Connection is handled by Bluetooth, so even if you don’t have NFC you can pair to the speaker the connectional way via your Bluetooth settings. It just takes a few additional steps to set it all up thats all.

Once you are connected the ADO M3 has an operating range of 15 meters allowing you to leave the speaker in situ while you carry your phone around as usual.

ADO Mate 3 NFC Speaker – Perfomance

I’m pretty astonished by this little speaker. Pairing to my Asus Zenfone 2 was super fast via NFC, and it didn’t take too much longer through the Bluetooth menu on the LeTV Le 1.

ado m3 speaker review

Once paired the connection remained rock solid. No matter where I happened to be in the house, music just kept flowing as it should with no hicoughs of interruptions.

The first time we turned the Mate 3 on and had music playing others in the office came through to see where the music was coming from. The look of surprise that the whole room was being filled with music by this tiny white box was priceless, more so when I indicated I had the volume at just 3/4.

ado m3 speaker review

At max volume you can easily fill a good size room with music, plus any connecting room too! At Max volume there is enough power to annoy your neighbours and risk a visit from the Police for disturbing the peace!

Not only is the ADO M3 loud but it also has surprisingly good bass and mid range too. Don’t get me wrong, you aren’t going to be able to hold a Drum and Bass gig with the speaker, but if you wanted some quality audio to accompany your day at the office or evening BBQ the M3 does better than you could imagine.

ADO Mate 3 NFC Speaker – Conclusion

At $22.99 you would be mad to complain about this little speaker. It has the power to fill a large room or even small garden with music, it boasts amazing battery life and looks stylish all the while doing it.

ado m3 speaker review

There are Bluetooth speakers out there that do offer more bass, but they are much much larger and less portable, and can cost more than $100, for that money I would much prefer to have 4 ADO Mate 3 mate filling my home with music.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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66 Comments

  1. Atomicrus
    August 6, 2015

    Too many logos( I prefer minimalistic view of Mi bluetooth speaker

    • Dante
      August 6, 2015

      Lol there are only 2

  2. RoS
    August 6, 2015

    You can’t change song without touching phone ?

    • August 6, 2015

      Nope 🙁 not even the volume.

  3. sunny
    August 6, 2015

    Very good, I like the style, Andi, pls tell us which website sell it?

    • August 6, 2015

      the link is on the price

  4. vijay sud
    August 6, 2015

    It is very nice…in such reviews..link to buy should be given…

  5. sinnerz2000
    August 6, 2015

    Where can I get this in India? All I could find is a very similar looking speaker with similar specs on Amazon with the brand name Anker but that was a 3W speaker.

    • Dante
      August 6, 2015

      Anker is an ok brand i oftenly saw it in american retail/online stores

  6. Tremaine Underwood
    August 6, 2015

    Hey Andi, I was just wondering have you ever tried the EARSON ER-151 speaker. I bought one recently and was pretty blown away by the output. I also got for around the $22 price range. If you have come across it, how does this one stack up against it?

    • August 6, 2015

      nope not tried it sorry

  7. Atomicrus
    August 6, 2015

    Too many logos( I prefer minimalistic view of Mi bluetooth speaker

    • Dante
      August 6, 2015

      Lol there are only 2

  8. Guest
    August 6, 2015

    You can’t change song without touching phone ?

    • Yash Garg
      August 6, 2015

      Nope 🙁 not even the volume.

  9. Guest
    August 6, 2015

    Very good, I like the style, Andi, pls tell us which website sell it?

    • Andi Sykes
      August 6, 2015

      the link is on the price

  10. vijay sud
    August 6, 2015

    It is very nice…in such reviews..link to buy should be given…

  11. sinnerz2000
    August 6, 2015

    Where can I get this in India? All I could find is a very similar looking speaker with similar specs on Amazon with the brand name Anker but that was a 3W speaker.

    • Dante
      August 6, 2015

      Anker is an ok brand i oftenly saw it in american retail/online stores

  12. Tremaine Underwood
    August 6, 2015

    Hey Andi, I was just wondering have you ever tried the EARSON ER-151 speaker. I bought one recently and was pretty blown away by the output. I also got for around the $22 price range. If you have come across it, how does this one stack up against it?

    • Andi Sykes
      August 6, 2015

      nope not tried it sorry

  13. hans
    August 6, 2015

    sorry to OP2, sorry to a lot of new chinese phones

  14. Rob de Vries
    August 7, 2015

    BT only 2.1 makes me hesitate.

  15. August 7, 2015

    The first thing that came to mind when I saw this was the Nokia Play 360° speaker. The innovative thing about the Nokia Play 360° though, is that you can buy two and pair them up for true stereo.

  16. Guest
    August 7, 2015

    sorry to OP2, sorry to a lot of new chinese phones

  17. Jay
    August 7, 2015

    @andi, looks like the LeTV phone has become your daily driver 😉

    • August 7, 2015

      Yup, love it. Waiting for the LetV Max to arrive now (customs have it …..)

  18. Rob de Vries
    August 7, 2015

    BT only 2.1 makes me hesitate.

  19. 10basetom
    August 7, 2015

    The first thing that came to mind when I saw this was the Nokia Play 360° speaker. The innovative thing about the Nokia Play 360° though, is that you can buy two and pair them up for true stereo.

  20. Oz
    August 7, 2015

    I have the Xiaomi Box and it also quiet good on the One+. Sound is warm and clear – much better than the phone speaker.

  21. Jay
    August 7, 2015

    @andi, looks like the LeTV phone has become your daily driver 😉

    • Andi Sykes
      August 7, 2015

      Yup, love it. Waiting for the LetV Max to arrive now (customs have it …..)

  22. Oz
    August 7, 2015

    I have the Xiaomi Box and it also quiet good on the One+. Sound is warm and clear – much better than the phone speaker.

  23. Manjurul Islam
    August 7, 2015

    Ask oneplus how to use this on their new oneplus 2 fucktard phone, I want to hear what Carl Pei gives in response.

    • trapchan
      August 7, 2015

      by using standard bluetooth pairing sir. your welcome.

  24. Manjurul Islam
    August 7, 2015

    Ask oneplus how to use this on their new oneplus 2 fucktard phone, I want to hear what Carl Pei gives in response.

    • trapchan
      August 8, 2015

      by using standard bluetooth pairing sir. your welcome.

  25. DC
    August 7, 2015

    Sorry but at 50 mm width and 48 mm H really skeptical ………..

  26. DC
    August 8, 2015

    Sorry but at 50 mm width and 48 mm H really skeptical ………..

  27. Hapu
    August 8, 2015

    I have etekcity t12 bluetooth and nfc speaker order from amazon. It has dual 3w speaker with a mini subwoffer in a small package. The sound is just awesome with solid base. Battery easily runs up to 12 hrs on 70% volume and even more with less volume. And it just cost me 35 canadian dollars. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00IY316WQ/ref=pd_aw_sbs_23_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=15EE72NBTVE5AYRKEW1R

  28. prisko
    August 8, 2015

    How would you compare sound quality to nationite bq2 that you’ve tested?

  29. Hapu
    August 8, 2015

    I have etekcity t12 bluetooth and nfc speaker order from amazon. It has dual 3w speaker with a mini subwoffer in a small package. The sound is just awesome with solid base. Battery easily runs up to 12 hrs on 70% volume and even more with less volume. And it just cost me 35 canadian dollars. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00IY316WQ/ref=pd_aw_sbs_23_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=15EE72NBTVE5AYRKEW1R

  30. Guest
    August 8, 2015

    How would you compare sound quality to nationite bq2 that you’ve tested?

  31. James Macey
    August 13, 2015

    No Bluetooth portable speaker compares to a Minirig for quality, volume, build or battery life. (www.Minirigs.co.uk). They are not cheap, but are astonishing. Over the last 5 years or so, I have bought loads of these cheap little speakers, from Kitsound , square and round from Xiaomi, Jawbone etc etc. Should have just bought the minirig in the first place (I have two older wired Minirigs, a sub and the bag, which makes for one hell of a setup!) new Minirigs come with aptx Bluetooth and an app for control. I take one with me everywhere. I know this a site predominantly for cheap chides phones and tech, but you really have to try and review a Minirig!

    • agunrunner
      August 16, 2015

      Minirig cost 140 pounds you can buy cheaper look up 3 inch driver Bluetooth speaker

      • James
        August 17, 2015

        Yes, you can. I have owned lots. I agree that the Minirig is expensive, £140 is no small outlay (I bought my non-bluetooth Minirigs at £95 each and prior to recieving them, though that was quite expensive too).

        The Minirig is the only one I haven’t been disappointed with on some way. Usually they are either too big, sound bad or have poor battery life.

        I think the following quote applies:-

        “The quality will remain long after the price is forgotten” -Sir Henry Royce

  32. JM
    August 13, 2015

    No Bluetooth portable speaker compares to a Minirig for quality, volume, build or battery life. (www.Minirigs.co.uk). They are not cheap, but are astonishing. Over the last 5 years or so, I have bought loads of these cheap little speakers, from Kitsound , square and round from Xiaomi, Jawbone etc etc. Should have just bought the minirig in the first place (I have two older wired Minirigs, a sub and the bag, which makes for one hell of a setup!) new Minirigs come with aptx Bluetooth and an app for control. I take one with me everywhere. I know this a site predominantly for cheap chides phones and tech, but you really have to try and review a Minirig!

    • agunrunner
      August 16, 2015

      Minirig cost 140 pounds you can buy cheaper look up 3 inch driver Bluetooth speaker

    • James
      August 17, 2015

      Yes, you can. I have owned lots. I agree that the Minirig is expensive, £140 is no small outlay (I bought my non-bluetooth Minirigs at £95 each and prior to recieving them, though that was quite expensive too).

      The Minirig is the only one I haven’t been disappointed with on some way. Usually they are either too big, sound bad or have poor battery life.

      I think the following quote applies:-

      “The quality will remain long after the price is forgotten” -Sir Henry Royce

  33. agunrunner
    August 16, 2015

    I see they are $15.45 now could you use two at the same time

  34. agunrunner
    August 16, 2015

    I see they are $15.45 now could you use two at the same time

  35. tpy
    August 17, 2015

    Looks like a nice speaker, but I would have liked it better if it had an AUX in. I know, bluetooth works most of the time, but from now and then I would want hook up another device which doesn’t have bluetooth such as an old MP3 player I still have lying around.

  36. DC
    August 18, 2015

    Does this thing play mono or stereo?

    • August 20, 2015

      It’s mono only but it does sound really good. I enjoyed it when I reviewed it.

  37. tpy
    August 18, 2015

    Looks like a nice speaker, but I would have liked it better if it had an AUX in. I know, bluetooth works most of the time, but from now and then I would want hook up another device which doesn’t have bluetooth such as an old MP3 player I still have lying around.

  38. DC
    August 18, 2015

    Does this thing play mono or stereo?

    • Home Theatre Life
      August 20, 2015

      It’s mono only but it does sound really good. I enjoyed it when I reviewed it.

  39. Mattias
    September 8, 2015

    I just bought one, works ok. But has a humming sound from it on low volumes (on high aswell but you cant hear it then). Looks like this inside: http://sv.tinypic.com/r/v7wb29/8

  40. Mattias
    September 8, 2015

    I just bought one, works ok. But has a humming sound from it on low volumes (on high aswell but you cant hear it then). Looks like this inside: http://sv.tinypic.com/r/v7wb29/8

  41. Oliver Portuguez
    September 9, 2015

    Hi, I got mine as cheap as $16.00 here http://goo.gl/A0rqhv. Really good sound quality for it’s price.

  42. Oliver Portuguez
    September 9, 2015

    Hi, I got mine as cheap as $16.00 here http://goo.gl/A0rqhv. Really good sound quality for it’s price.

  43. Onur Demirbilek
    September 11, 2015

    Hi Andi, i´ve received my ado mate 3 yesterday and really a bit disapointed. I Have bought it for 22 $ shipment from China. I dont understand your Review. U gave 9.5 Points. 7.5 would do it. I Have a Anker Pocket for Same or lower Price (now 18 € at Amazon) and it has much more better Sound Quality and much better bass.Audio Should be at 7.5 and ist one of the important thinks which has more value. Ado mate 3 is ok, but i would not recommend it to buy. There are much better boxes in same priceclass…

  44. Onur Demirbilek
    September 11, 2015

    Hi Andi, i´ve received my ado mate 3 yesterday and really a bit disapointed. I Have bought it for 22 $ shipment from China. I dont understand your Review. U gave 9.5 Points. 7.5 would do it. I Have a Anker Pocket for Same or lower Price (now 18 € at Amazon) and it has much more better Sound Quality and much better bass.Audio Should be at 7.5 and ist one of the important thinks which has more value. Ado mate 3 is ok, but i would not recommend it to buy. There are much better boxes in same priceclass…