What you're actually getting
Let's be straight: this is a budget Bluetooth speaker. It's not going to embarrass your Sonos or anything. But for £22, the Anker Soundcore does a lot right. The 24-hour battery claim is close enough to real-world use that I wouldn't argue with it. I've had one of these sitting in a kitchen for two years, gets knocked around, occasionally wiped down after a cooking disaster, still going. That's the pitch, really.
IPX5 waterproofing means splashes and rain are fine. Don't submerge it. But for a garden speaker, a bathroom shelf, or chucking in a bag for a weekend away, it holds up without fuss.
The sound, honestly
It's not half bad for the size. Bass is modest, which is expected from something this compact, but the mids are clear enough that podcasts and spoken word content sound decent. Music is fine at low-to-medium volume. Crank it and it gets a bit thin, but you knew that going in at this price point.
Personally, I'd say this is a speaker for background listening, not critical listening. If you're hoping to fill a room with rich, warm audio, mate, that's not what this is.
Who should buy it
This is for someone who wants a reliable, waterproof, portable speaker and doesn't want to spend proper money. A teenager's bedroom. A camping trip. A spare room. It's also a decent gift for someone who's never owned a Bluetooth speaker and doesn't know where to start.
If you already own something halfway decent, you won't be impressed. But as a no-nonsense everyday speaker, it earns its keep.
