People have mixed opinions about IKEA. For the handful of affluent, the Swedish manufacturer is a poor man’s store; but for the masses, it is a practical option to furnish their homes without burning a hole in their pocket. The bottom line, IKEA is as affordable as it gets, and the budget-friendly company has introduced yet another low-priced accessory to its lineup.
Priced at just $15, IKEA’s VAPPEBY Bluetooth speaker is silicone-coated and three inches square by two inches thick in size. The waterproof speaker comes with a lanyard cord, making it easy to hang in the shower or strap around your wrist. Available in three colors, black, yellow, and red, the portable speaker connects to your phone, computer, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with an adaptor or a charger, but most of us have a USB-C charger or two handy in a desk drawer, so that shouldn’t be a problem anyway.
Stjepan Begic, the Product Design Developer at IKEA of Sweden states, “The fundamental goal with the new speaker was to offer quality sound in a versatile product that can really be used anywhere.” Talking of audio quality, the waterproof speaker offers punchy sound in albeit its compact size. It certainly isn’t the Bang & Olufsen of the speaker world but does promise 80 hours of total playtime at 50 percent volume which is impressive. Considering the price range, audiophiles shouldn’t be nagging about the quality it promises when compared to the likes of Tribit StormBox Micro 2, JBL Flip 6, or Sony SRS XB13.
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As per IKEA, the Bluetooth speaker is IP67 rated. Meaning it is dust resistant and endures being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. So, you can literally place VAPPEBY by the poolside or your bathtub without the fear of damaging it.
