Why You Can Trust CNET AmazonBasics Ultra-Portable Micro Bluetooth Speaker BTV4 review: A low-budget micro-Bluetooth speaker that fits in your pocket
This Bluetooth speaker is worth considering if you're shopping for a portable Bluetooth speaker and don't have a lot of money to spend.
Although it won't exactly shake your windows, the AmazonBasics Ultra-Portable Micro Bluetooth Speaker is a hot seller online thanks its budget price tag. For the uninitiated, AmazonBasics is the company's generic in-house brand that bypasses the middleman and pushes cost savings to the customer. This BTV4 "Micro" model is the smallest of the speaker line, followed by the ""="" shortcode="link" asset-type="review" uuid="13c888f2-eda9-4c25-a0f4-972e0374d231" slug="amazonbasics-ultra-portable-mini-bluetooth-speaker-btv2" link-text="BTV2 " section="products" title="Amazon's ultraportable Bluetooth speaker has a price your wallet will love" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"13c888f2-eda9-4c25-a0f4-972e0374d231","slug":"amazonbasics-ultra-portable-mini-bluetooth-speaker-btv2","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"speakers"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":"In Depth","hubTopicPathString":"Audio^Speakers","reviewType":"In Depth"},"section":"reviews"}"> and the larger BTV1 .
AmazonBasics Ultra-Portable Micro Bluetooth Speaker BTV4
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
The BTV4 is regularly $25 but discounted to $20 right now on Amazon (£18.49 in the UK), which is about the cheapest we've seen for a wireless speaker, even less than the Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Curve and the Philips BT2500B that both sell for $10 more.
The size and shape of the BTV4 bears resemblance to a hockey puck, but it's significantly lighter at 0.25 pounds so you can easily travel with it in your pocket or purse. While in transit, you can use the supplied felt carrying case to protect the plastic exterior (available in black, blue, red, white and grey) from scratches.
The build quality is what I expect for $20 -- the plastic has a notable flex to it and although I can't officially speak to its long-term durability, it's safe to assume that this won't survive a ton of abuse.
The speaker is designed to sit facing up and a black plastic grille on top protects the single 3-watt speaker inside. The bottom of the BTV4 has a ring of sticky rubber that prevents it from scooting around on a table while eliminating sonic vibrations.
The side of the unit has three buttons: one in the center for power and two more on either sides for volume. Next to that you'll see a small Blue LED to indicate power and connectivity, and two additional ports around back for Micro-USB charging and an auxiliary port for playing music from an external source (3.5mm cable not included).
Amazon provides a Micro-USB to USB adapter for recharging the battery, which can supposedly last 10 hours if you're playing music at half volume. However, your mileage may vary if you pump it up to the highest setting.
Reviewers on Amazon are in favor of the sound quality, but it's important to temper your expectations while keeping in mind the budget price tag. Its single-firing speaker direction doesn't have the stereo separation of the $30 AmazonBasics BTV2, but it does a good job at amplifying the volume of your music.
On the other hand, the bass response and clarity don't compare to the Oontz Curve and the BT2500B. There's a certain hollowness to its sound profile caused by an inability to reproduce lower frequency tones, and it's no surprise that you're sacrificing fidelity for portability and price.
Conclusion
The AmazonBasics BTV4 is a great deal for a wireless speaker if you're using it at appropriate volumes. As long as you're not expecting room-filling sound or heavy bass bumps, you and your wallet will both be happy with the BTV4.