SoundBot Bluetooth Speakers Review: Which One Should You Buy?

In this SoundBot Bluetooth speakers review, I’ll be telling you what makes people such fans of SoundBot’s Bluetooth speakers. Reviewers mention their ‘rugged dependability’ and ‘quality components,’ while others rave over their ‘funky design’ and ‘great sound.’ But there’s more, so read on.

Soundbot is based in Southern California. Over time their range of Bluetooth speakers has swelled to well over a dozen different models. One problem with this ever-shifting range is that often it can be hard to find the best Bluetooth speaker for your needs.

Speakers like the Soundbot SB517 and the SoundBot SB520 look good but often aren’t in stock. The same goes for the epic SoundBot SB517pro. Basically, the pro is two SoundBot SB571’s paired together, which, as you’ll be finding out in this review, most people don’t need, anyway. 

So, to find out just what makes SoundBot so unique, I’ll be examining three of their most popular models that you can easily buy on Amazon.

  • SoundBot Bluetooth speaker SB571
  • SoundBot Bluetooth speaker SB572
  • SoundBot Bluetooth speaker SB510

Judging by reviews, the SoundBot SB571 has a lot of fans. Am I among them? Well, let’s see.


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What do I like about the SoundBot SB571?

  • Rugged construction
  • 12-hour battery life
  • Decent bass

What don’t I like about the SoundBot SB571?

  • Distortion at max volume – although to be fair, most speakers at this price point and above will distort when pushed.
  • Sometimes the first few seconds of a song are missed off when changing songs – I don’t know if this is down to the slow response of the buttons on the unit or down to my Bluetooth connection.
  • No FM radio – but then again, that would have pushed the price up, and most people will use it paired with their phone.

What do you get alongside the SoundBot SB571 in the box?

  • Micro-USB charging cable
  • 3.5 mm audio cable
  • User guide 

How well is the SoundBot SB571 built and designed?

In a word, “tough.” Made from durable polycarbonate top and bottom with a mesh speaker grill, it can withstand plenty of knocks and drops. Importantly, It also looks funky and comes in a range of colors:

  • Black
  • Black/red
  • Black/silver
  • Blue
  • Red
  • Gray

My pick is the black/red version. 

It is truly portable as well. At only 6.4 x 2.4 x1.7 inches, it is easy to slip into a bag, and at 12 ounces, it won’t weigh you down. 

In keeping with its minimalist look, there aren’t too many controls making it a cinch to operate. All the main buttons are on the top: 

  • Play/pause
  • Previous track
  • Next track
  • Volume down
  • Volume up
  • Answer/end call – for hands-free calling – a nice touch.

There’s also an LED indicator and built-in microphone at the front and an On/Off switch, 3.5mm line-In audio jack, and micro-USB charging port at the back.

What does the SoundBot SB571 sound like?

The heart of this little unit is the two, 40mm premium drivers putting out a combined 12 watts. These deliver a clean, crisp sound with a sharp, high register and a surprising bass for such small speakers.

So it’s great for all types of music, although if you’re a drums and bass enthusiast, you might find it a little lacking.

Another small niggle is if you’re the type of audiophile who likes to turn it up to the max, you’ll notice some distortion. You’ll probably need to ease it down a notch otherwise, unless distortion is your thing, of course.

And speaking of volume, the most critical question is ‘will it fill a medium-sized room with enough sound for a party?’ And the answer is yes. The SB571 is up to the job. You don’t need the SoundBot 571pro I mentioned earlier unless you live in a Beverly Hills Mansion.

Overall you get a fantastic performance from such a small unit so long as you don’t push it too hard.

How long does the SoundBot SB571 battery last?

The SB571 is powered by a 2000mAh rechargeable battery, which gives a stated 12 hours of music streaming. Pretty stellar. 

However, that’s if you’re using the supplied micro USB cable. If you’re using Bluetooth, that reduces to around 10 hours or so, which is still good.

How long it takes to recharge depends on how much juice is left in the battery. Like most rechargeable batteries, it’s best not to run it completely flat. If you do, it can take up to 3 hours to fully recharge.

Often though, you can just pop it on charge and an hour or so is plenty. The only exception is when you first charge the SoundBot SB571 battery out of the box, and then you’ll need to wait 6 hours.

A rather neat feature is that if you connect the SB571 to your iPhone or iPad, the screen shows you how much charge the battery has left.

Is the SoundBot SB571 waterproof?

In a word, no. However, it will probably shrug off a few drops of rain without too many problems. If your SoundBot speaker is likely to get wet, you’re better off buying the SoundBot SB572.

How do I connect my SoundBot SB571 Bluetooth speaker?

The SoundBot comes with a built-in 3.5mm audio line, which allows it to connect to devices, with or without Bluetooth. 

If your device does have Bluetooth, then the SB571 is equipped with Bluetooth 4.1, which is universally compatible with Android, iPhone, iPad, tablets, smartphones, iPods, MP3, MP4, radio players, and other Bluetooth enabled digital devices.

Connecting is easy. Simply set your Bluetooth device to ‘visible’ or ‘discoverable’ and turn on your SB571. The LEDs will flash between red and blue, which shows your speaker is keen to pair up. Then look for ‘SB571’ on your device, select it, and you’re done.

Once paired successfully, the LED indicator lights will turn blue and blink twice every three seconds.

A neat touch is that once connected to your iPhone or iPad; you can use Siri. Hold the ‘talk’ button down for 3 seconds, and once you hear the Siri alert, you can talk to it via your speaker. 

Is the SoundBot SB571 good value?

Compared to similar speakers around the same price bracket, such as the Anker SoundCore 2 or the Jawbone Mini Jambox, the SB571 stands out as the best overall value. 

The second contender in this Soundbot Bluetooth speakers review, the SoundBot SB572, has over 70% of users giving it 4 or 5 stars, so SoundBot must be doing something right. 


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What do I like about the SoundBot SB572?

  • Shock and water-resistant construction
  • 12-hour battery life
  • Great sound

What don’t I like about the SoundBot SB572?

  • Some distortion at full volume
  • Only comes in black
  • “Pairing” and “pairing not completed” voice messages can be irritating

What do you get in the box alongside the SoundBot SB572?

  • MicroUSB Charging Cable
  • 3.5mm Audio Cable
  • User Guide

How well is the SoundBot SB572 built and designed?

This SoundBot speaker comes in a silicon finish that makes it water and shock-resistant. Ideal if you intend to take it on camping holidays or simply don’t want to have to stop the party for a light shower.

Again, it’s a funky design, but, unlike the SB571, it only comes in black. At 6.8 x 3.8 x 3.5 inches, it’s a little larger than the SB571, but weighs pretty much the same at 12 ounces, so it’s no drag to take with you.

The buttons are also silicon coated and located at the top. They feel robust and easy to use and include: 

  • Power on/off
  • Play/pause music – answer/end phone call
  • Next track/volume up
  • Previous track/ volume down

There’s a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and a 3.5mm line-in audio jack and a recharging point at the bottom protected by a silicon flap.

What does the SoundBot SB572 sound like?

The SB572 speaker employs one 52mm driver, which pumps out 6 watts. Overall there is excellent treble and bass separation, with the bass being better than I expected, as with the SB571.

Again, the only minus point is that there was some distortion at maximum volume, but even allowing for this, it can fill a medium-sized room with your favorite sounds.

How long does the SoundBot SB572 battery last?

The SoundBot 572 comes with a built-in rechargeable 3.7V lithium-ion battery that, when fully charged, gives up to 12 hours of music streaming. Like the SB571, however, don’t expect that if you’re using Bluetooth. 8-10 hours is more realistic.

If you completely flatten the battery, (which I mentioned before isn’t a great idea), it’ll take about 3 hours to recharge fully.

Is the SoundBot SB572 waterproof?

SoundBot states that it is water-resistant, and with its heavy-duty rubber coating, it should stand up to a fair amount of water attack. That said, don’t leave it out in the rain or use in the shower – see the SoundBot SB510 below for that.

How do I connect the SoundBot SB572 Bluetooth speaker?

It’s much the same as the SB571, so that I won’t repeat it here. It’ll connect to pretty much any Bluetooth device or any device using a 3.5mm audio jack.

Is the SoundBot SB572 good value?

Compared to other speakers in the same range, the SB572 holds its own. Especially when compared to the JBL Flip 5 on Amazon at approximately the same price. The rugged build gives it the edge if you want to take your music into the big outdoors. 

Who is the SoundBot SB572 best for?

People who want a high-end musical experience indoors and out with the added convenience of Bluetooth connectivity. And who doesn’t want to have to worry about their speakers every time there’s a light shower.

Buy the Soundbot SB572 on Amazon

Everyone can sing in the shower with a Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

The last contender in this SoundBot Bluetooth speakers review is the SoundBot SB510. Like the SB571 and 572, it has a lot of fans who rate it highly. So let’s find out what’s good and bad about it.


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What do I like about the SoundBot SB510?

  • I can use it in the shower 
  • The price
  • The funky design

What don’t I like about the SoundBot SB510?

  • It doesn’t come with an AC wall charger – but many people would probably never use one.
  • No radio – but the SoundBot SB510FM has one
  • Suction cup needs to be more ‘sucky’ – it fell off a few times

What do you get in the box alongside the SoundBot SB510?

  • USB charging cable (AC wall charger not included) 
  • User manual
  • Suction cup comes with the SoundBot speaker

How well made and designed is the SoundBot SB510?

Made from sturdy plastic, the SoundBot 510 seems durable enough.

Although you’re unlikely to be carrying it around with you, it still needs to be sufficiently strong to withstand the occasional drop onto a tiled floor (unless you’ve carpeted your shower). The good news is, it is.

The other good news is that it comes in a range of funky colors to match your bathroom, so long as it’s one of these colors:

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Pink
  • White
  • Yellow
  • Green

Its size and weight aren’t as important as with the other two SoundBot speakers.

However, it’s 2.25 X 3.25 inches and only weighs 1.6 ounces, so it’s the lightest and smallest of the three speakers.

The controls are easily accessible on the front and consist of:

  • Power on/off
  • Play/pause music
  • Next song/volume up
  • Previous song/volume down
  • Answer/end phone call

There’s a built-in microphone and a mains charging point on the side that’s water protected.

What does the SoundBot SB510 sound like?

Okay, so I thought this SoundBot Bluetooth shower speaker was a bit of a gimmick, but I was wrong. It’s a proper piece of kit that you can hear even with the average power shower going. The same goes if you use it for hands-free dialing while under the water.

And if you’re having a pool party, it will pump out plenty of volume. But dropping it in the pool is a no-no because it will stop working. It’s water-resistant, not waterproof.

How long does the SoundBot SB510 battery last?

The SB510 requires a 3.7V 400mAh lithium battery, which gives 6 hours playback. Recharging takes 3 hours if entirely flat.

Is the SoundBot SB510 Waterproof?

If you want a proper SoundBot Bluetooth waterproof speaker, the SB510 is for you. You can even use it in the shower. The buttons are protected, as is the recharging point and the speaker itself.

Don’t, however, put it directly under the showerhead or let your little sister drop it down the toilet. As I said, it’s water-resistant, not waterproof.

How do I connect the SoundBot SB510 Bluetooth speaker?

Bluetooth 3.0

Again, this is the same as the SoundBot SB571 above. The main difference is that you can’t connect a device using a 3.5mm audio jack, you have to use Bluetooth.

Is the SoundBot SB510 good value?

There’s plenty of competition to the SoundBot 510, such as the INSMY IPX7. However, for the price, the SoundBot 510 edges ahead of its opposition on both build and sound quality.

Who is the SoundBot SB510 best for?

People who love singing along in the shower. Or those who want to enjoy their music at the pool or the beach. It’s also perfect for anglers, boaters, and kayakers.

Buy the SoundBotSB510 on Amazon

Which SoundBot speaker is right for you?

Okay, let’s round-up this SoundBot Bluetooth speakers review.

Whichever of the three SoundBot speakers you choose – the SB571, 572, or 510, you’ll get the same rugged dependability and quality components.

If you don’t intend to use your SoundBot Bluetooth 4.1 wireless speaker in damp conditions or on a budget, the SoundBot SB571 on Amazon is the right choice.

If you’re going to be venturing out into the wilds with your SoundBot speaker, or you’ve got a bit more money to spend, I’d go for the SoundBot SB572 on Amazon.

And finally. If you’re want to enjoy your music mostly in or around water, the SoundBot SB510 is your best choice. Look at it on Amazon.

And if you want to check out more Bluetooth speakers under $50, here is my top ten list for 2020.

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