Swedish furniture retailer, Ikea, has built a reputation for offering aesthetically pleasing products at affordable prices. However, the company has outdone itself with its latest product offering, a Bluetooth speaker that is competitively priced and may give even Amazon a run for its money.
The Vappeby portable Bluetooth speaker, which is diminutive in size, waterproof, and impressively inexpensive at just $15, is making waves. Encased in a silicone covering and measuring a mere three inches square and two inches thick, the speaker is as compact as an iPhone 14 in portrait mode.
A lanyard cord accompanies the device, enabling users to suspend it in the shower, as shown in Ikea’s promotional images, or wear it on their wrists. The speaker comes in a trio of hues: yellow, black, and red, and, when two of them are purchased, they can be paired to create a stereo effect.
IKEA’s Vappeby waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker boasts an outdoor LED lamp that doubles as a Spotify-enabled Bluetooth speaker, delivering a 360 sound with an IP65 dust/splash rating. Additionally, Ikea offers the Symfonisk lineup of Sonos speakers, which includes a bookshelf speaker, floor lamp/speaker, and a wall art/speaker combination.
However, the most remarkable feature of the new Vappeby speaker is its exceptional battery life, which lasts up to 80 hours on a single charge when played at 50% volume. Considering its incredibly low price, this speaker is a fantastic value for anyone looking for high-quality audio and lighting options.
Although the Ikea Vappeby speaker is a bargain at just $15, it does have one notable drawback: the package does not include a charging cable or power adapter. Therefore, buyers will need to either provide their own USB-C cable or purchase one from Ikea for a nominal fee.
On the positive side, the Vappeby boasts an IP67 rating, meaning that it can withstand exposure to small particles like sand without suffering any damage, and it can be submerged in water up to one meter deep for as long as 30 minutes.
Given its compact size, it’s not realistic to expect audiophile-quality sound from this speaker, but for the price, it’s difficult to resist the appeal of a versatile, $15 gadget that can be used virtually anywhere.
