Is it a rugged speaker worth buying?

With a plethora of Bluetooth speakers out there, the challenge is more than offering a competitive and affordable price tag; you also have to make something as mundane as a Bluetooth speaker interesting to the average joe.

In the case of Havit’s M22, their offering speaker is not just made for the outdoors: the M22 comes with two powerful speakers and a hefty battery that can go a long way for music lovers out there.

What is it?

The M22 is a rugged Bluetooth speaker—a huge one at that. The hefty size is due to two things: a large 4000mAh battery that lets you use the M22 for up to 20 hours, and two 10-watt speakers. The 20-watt total output of the speakers means that it can go really loud, making it an ideal speaker for outdoor events and parties.

The M22 comes with an IPX5 rating, which means that it can handle being in the rain, though it cannot be submerged into water. Aside from the liquid resistance, the M22’s silicone body can also handle drops and can handle elements like dust as well.

Other unique features include a MicroSD slot so that you can play music on the M22 without needing a separate music player, and a USB-A port that lets you charge up your devices in case you need to do so.

While the M22 is huge, Havit includes a detachable strap that lets you conveniently carry the speaker with your hands. You can choose to attach the straps in a vertical or horizontal orientation.

Is it easy to use?

It is pretty straightforward to use the M22. In Bluetooth mode, you just need to pair your device with the M22 to start playing music. As for the controls, the volume controls double as playback buttons: Just do a long press to the volume controls to skip tracks.

The power button also doubles as a media switch button: If you have a MicroSD card inserted into the M22, just press the power button to switch from MicroSD playback to Bluetooth/auxiliary playback, and vice-versa. There’s an indicator light on the top right part of the M22 to tell you if the speaker is in Bluetooth mode, or if it is running out of power.

Handling the speaker is easy even if it is heavy thanks to its detachable handle. If you choose to place it on a flat surface, the M22’s rubber cups (which is also detachable) has enough grip to prevent the M22 from slipping off.

How’s the sound quality?

It is impressive! The two 10-watt speakers produce a 360-like sound range, giving it a full, vibrant soundstage. It can go really loud with little to no distortion, though it’s best to set the volume at around 80%. Lows and highs are impressive with the M22, and audio quality is richer and more dynamic compared to similarly-priced rugged Bluetooth speakers.

Whether you play bubblegum pop, electronica, rock, or acoustic with the M22, this rugged speaker delivers in terms of overall sound quality, making it a pleasure to use for the outdoors.

 

How long can it last on a full charge?

With a 4000mAh battery, the M22 definitely has long legs. Havit advertises the M22 to last for 20 hours on a full charge, and it mirrors our usage. We used the M22’s Bluetooth function for around an hour a day and its standalone music player function for the same duration per day.

Depending on your usage, the M22 can last for several days. The battery life is longer when using the standalone music player function and auxiliary port compared to using it wirelessly via Bluetooth.

 

Wait, it doubles as a power bank?

You read that right. The M22 has a USB-A port that supplies a 5V/1A current, which translates to 5 watts. While it may not have any form of quick charging, it’s still unique for a Bluetooth speaker to double as a power bank. There’s a blue indicator light beside the USB-A port that tells you if it is charging a device.

Since you are not likely to consume the M22’s 4000mAh battery in a day or two, its power bank function is a welcome feature for your devices—from phones to wearables—when you are out in a place where there’s no socket to plug in.

 

Should you buy it?

At Php 3,700, you are getting more than just a large rugged speaker: The M22 can function independently as a boombox-on-the-go with its built-in MicroSD card slot. On top of that, its huge battery doubles as a power bank to charge up your devices, which makes the M22 a savior to your devices in need of a top up.

With all of those features present, the M22 is a recommended purchase for those who need a Bluetooth speaker, a power bank, and a standalone music player that can withstand the elements.