ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Turtlebox Original Gen 3 speaker is available in five colors, retailing for $430.
- It’s considerably more durable beyond waterproofing capabilities, making it a solid option for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Despite its incredible durability, it lacks any sound customization features.
I often skip outdoor activities considered staples during the hot Georgia summer — mudding, fishing, hunting, or lake days. If it’s not lying out by the pool or going down to the Gulf for a beach trip, I’ll pass.
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But my friends and family who like these excursions often ask to borrow one of my Bluetooth speakers, and I don’t love the idea of my pretty Beats, Bose, or JBL speakers being slung through the elements, even if they can withstand it. So when I saw some outdoor living TikTok creators praising their “ultra rugged” Turtlebox speakers, I had to try one for myself.
If you’ve seen these speakers, you know their marketing is geared toward outdoor enthusiasts searching for a speaker that won’t quit. I tried the Original Gen 3 and the Ranger speakers, and here’s my take.
Turtlebox Gen 3
The Gen 3 is Turtlebox’s flagship Bluetooth speaker. It sports a boombox-style form factor, a handle for portability, 25 hours of playtime, an IP67 water and dustproof rating, and reverse USB-C charging capabilities.
I’ve seen people online dislike Turtlebox’s sound profile, mostly critiquing a seemingly hollow bass response. And I’ll agree; I’ve heard smaller speakers produce deeper bass. But believe it or not, Turtlebox’s sound makes for a great outdoor soundscape. It’s already harder to achieve a considerably deep bass response in an open-air environment, and you may want to focus more on singing along than being overwhelmed by bass.
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If you’re looking for deep, boomy bass, you won’t get it with the Gen 3 speaker. However, it does have great mids and gets plenty loud, which helps you hear your music clearly — especially the lyrics — when outdoors.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
A major drawback is that Turtlebox doesn’t have a dedicated app or any physical controls on the speaker for EQ settings. So, you’re stuck with its out-of-the-box sound. However, this speaker is built for a true outdoorsman, and you’re likely to be less concerned about bass and treble when you’re trying to catch catfish or win a game of cornhole.
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At $430, Turtlebox asks a steep price for a speaker that has the same features as its competitors from Bose, JBL, or Marshall, but its extremely tough design sets it apart. Turtlebox’s speakers are made from stainless steel coated in ABS, a polymer known for its toughness. It also features a UV inhibitor for discoloring protection and rubber feet for non-slip properties. And despite its size, the Gen 3 floats in water.
Turtlebox Ranger
The Ranger’s magnetic side mounts are ideal for hanging out on a tailgate, four-wheeler, or golf cart.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
The Ranger is Turtlebox’s most portable speaker, and the one I would recommend to most people. It’s more affordable, sporting a $250 retail price. It’s just as rugged as the Original Gen 3, but it’s much easier to lug around.
My favorite thing about it is the strong magnetic side mounts, which are perfect for people who would stick the Ranger to a golf cart, truck, or four-wheeler. Its lighter frame is also more suitable for hiking, walking, biking, or fishing and hunting with a small group.
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Due to the Ranger’s smaller size, it has less room for a larger battery and internal audio components. It promises 12 hours of playtime, an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, stainless steel tie-downs and rubber feet, and reverse USB-C charging. Again, the Ranger stacks up equally to its similarly-specced competitors from Bose and JBL, but the extra dollars are in the more durable build materials.
Both the Gen 3 and Ranger speakers are equipped with Party Mode, Turtlebox’s proprietary audio grouping technology. You can pair multiple Gen 3 and Ranger speakers together for synced audio, or use true wireless mode for left/right stereo sound.
Another complaint I noticed online is that some customers noticed a breakdown in performance after putting their Turtlebox speaker through mud, saltwater, sand, or dirt. Although these speakers promise to handle the elements, like all other rugged speakers, they require some aftercare. However, Turtlebox speakers need a little more love after a long day outdoors.
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You may need to wash your speakers — all rugged speakers, for that matter — with freshwater after exposing them to saltwater, chlorinated water, sand, or mud. Leaving the chemicals and particles inside your speaker can affect its performance over time.
ZDNET’s buying advice
If you spend a lot of time outdoors and haven’t found a Bluetooth speaker that can withstand the elements, the Turtlebox Gen 3 or Ranger are solid choices. However, if better wireless sound quality or an outdoor speaker that works just as well indoors are your must-haves, these speakers aren’t for you.
If you define “being in the outdoors” as lounging by the pool or at a patio table, you can get by with the Bose SoundLink Plus or JBL Charge 6.
