When facing the great outdoors, it pays to be prepared. And that’s true whatever conditions you’ll be facing- a day on the beach or a trip through the rain. You might not be out on the patio enjoying a sunny day right now, but soon enough it’ll be time for picnics and concerts and festivals. Which means that you can start planning your perfect playlists and testing out your gear so you’ll be ready with music when the time comes.
The new Braven Balance is a fairly straightforward portable wireless Bluetooth speaker, wrapped in a nice-looking waterproof exterior and featuring a rechargeable battery that can keep the party going for up to 18 hours. It’s certified IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can be fully submerged in up to a meter of water for up to thirty minutes, and weighs in at only about two pounds- quite a bit by portable standards but still easy enough to grab for the road. We’ve seen other Braven gear in the past, like their backup battery packs, and always liked the blend of style and substance- they do hold up well to adventure.
As with many other similar models, this one comes with a built-in speakerphone and the ability to charge your smartphone or other small device via the internal battery (in this case, a sizable 4000mAh one). The durable rubberized coating means you can drop it, throw it in a bag, or . There’s a boost mode too- engaged by pressing the power and plus buttons simultaneously- and it does make a difference but still won’t provide enough power for a big room or a loud party. As you might expect, weatherproof speakers do tend to muffle sound a bit, losing a little from every piece of the spectrum- and the Balance is no different really.
We liked that it was available in so many color options- from bright yellows, pinks, and blues to the more staid black and white choices. And the handy LED indicators give you a sense of battery life remaining. One note- it does require plugging into a wall to charge, while competitors may be able to charge via USB. Available now, online and in stores for just under $100, the Braven Balance is a solid, mid-range choice for anyone in need of an outdoor-ready wireless speaker.