IKEA has been impressing us in the audio industry for some time; just take a look at its record player work with the Swedish House Mafia. Its Sonos-certified Symfonisk Table Lamp Speaker (which also comes in a floor-standing version), and its Picture Frame with Wi-Fi Speaker, to name a few are some decent works that the company has done over the years. What’s next, a kettle that streams music? A solid-state egg-poacher and amplifier? No. IKEA has added a tiny Bluetooth speaker to its entry-level Vappeby collection. The Ikea waterproof Bluetooth speaker resembles a bar of soap on a rope because it was made mainly for the shower. The best part? It costs only $15 and is already available in the US. It will cost about £12 or AU$22 when it launches globally in April.
The tiny, silicone-coated, IP67-rated Vappeby portable Bluetooth speaker is only three inches square and two inches deep. It is able to endure immersion in water up to three feet (one meter) deep for a period of 30 minutes. It comes in three colours—yellow, red, or black—and if you purchase a second one, you can make a stereo pair. Even better, add another hook to the shower for it.
The promised 80 hours of battery life at 50% loudness, though, maybe the most startling. That number destroys its nearest rival (perhaps the diminutive Tribit Stormbox Mini 2, which is great value but only offers 12 hours of playback time), not to mention the best Bluetooth speakers now available, including the best waterproof speakers of 2023.
Epic battery life with epic sound
Is there anyone that doesn’t like good music while in the shower? There is none. That’s just a wild assumption, probably a few people don’t. However, music in the shower is a big deal for several people. The selling point of this device is easily its 80-hour long battery life. This is no doubt an epic device.
But, if by “epic” we just mean “long,” this little speaker’s 80-hour battery will last you through hundreds of such baths before it needs to be recharged. And that’s certainly not negligible. Although a USB Type-C charger is not included with the IKEA Vappeby portable Bluetooth speaker, let’s face it—we all own one by 2023, don’t we?
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The issue for me as an audiophile is always the sound quality. Even if something is cheap, I won’t buy it if the sound is grating, bloated, fuzzy, tinny, or otherwise irritating. Having said that, I’m eager to hear this speaker. Without a proper review, we can not tell if it will join the league of “great speakers”. No doubt, for its niche (bathroom speakers), it is most likely a “king”.
Ikea speaks on its new waterproof Bluetooth speaker
In a press release, the product design developer, Stjepan Begic said
“The speaker was designed with simplicity and clear functions in mind making it a very user-friendly solution”. He adds … “We hope customers will embrace the speaker, and we hope it adds value to their lives by enabling them to enjoy sound experiences from anywhere. “We are delighted to introduce the new waterproof VAPPEBY portable Bluetooth speaker. The fundamental goal with the new speaker is to offer quality sound in a versatile product that can really be used anywhere”.
This April, the brand-new waterproof VAPPEBY portable Bluetooth speaker will hit all markets across the world. For more info on product availability, kindly get in touch with your local market.
What do you think about the brand new Ikea Vappeby waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker? For only $15, will you like to own a unit? Let us know your thoughts about this device in the comment section below.
