A Lightweight Bluetooth Speaker That Sounds Better Than One Would Expect For $19
Whenever I review popular Bluetooth speakers on Amazon from smaller brands, I always set my expectations low. Let’s be real, oftentimes the quality just doesn’t align with the customer reviews. However, after using this speaker for several days, I can attest to the positive reviews online. This speaker exceeded my expectations and performed far better than I expected from a speaker that is occasionally available for under $15.
Key Takeaways
- Long lasting battery and quick recharge time make it great for travel.
- Water-resistant, but not particularly durable.
- Vocal-forward sound with decent volume.
- Sometimes on sale for under $15, making it a great value buy.
Comiso X26M
What I Like:
- Excellent value for money
- Clear vocals
- Long-lasting battery
- Can easily be attached to a carabiner
What I Don’t Like:
- Some plastic areas which don’t feel particularly high quality
- Sound quality degrades near full volume
- Not much bass
Design: Half The Height And Weight Of A Can Of Red Bull
- Available in 3 different colors (Black, Teal & Peach)
Even though the Comiso X26M is just slightly larger than the Comiso C17, it has a very different design, much closer to the larger Comiso X26, which, of course, makes sense when one considers that this speaker is an alternative, smaller variant of the X26.
It has its controls on the top, and off to the side is a small carry loop. Unlike the smaller C17, its sound doesn’t emanate from the top, instead, its driver is positioned horizontally, meaning it’s easier to direct sound into one particular direction.
Durability: Reasonably Durable, Despite Some Concerns
- IP65 weather resistance
- Plastic parts are prone to damage if dropped
The plastics used on the X26M don’t exactly feel super premium, and I suspect that its likelihood of surviving a fall onto a hard surface would depend on how it lands. The grille that wraps around the center of the speaker is metal, but the top control panel stands out as a potential weak point in the case of an accident.
It’s rated as water and dust resistant, with an IP65 rating, but shouldn’t be submerged in water. With IP65, I’d feel comfortable using it in light to moderate rain, though, which is all one needs most of the time.
One can still use it around the pool or out while hiking in the rain, but don’t think about putting this speaker in the pool. And always make sure that the rear port seal is closed if you’re using it in wet conditions, even light rain.
Portability: Small, Lightweight & Easy To Connect To Carabiners
- Built-in carry strap
- Compact, lightweight design
I love how easy the Comiso X26M is to carry around. Given that it’s both small and light, it’s pretty easy to slip it into one’s pocket, or even attach a carabiner to the carry loop and hang it from one’s belt or backpack.
I’ve been looking for an affordable speaker to take me on birding, to play bird calls while out in nature, and this is exactly the kind of speaker that would excel in that type of scenario.
The carry loop itself is quite small, though, so it’s not something you can thread your finger through. So, adding a carabiner is recommended if you really want to get the most out of it being there.
Controls: Easy To Reach And Covers Everything
Oftentimes, small speakers like this have limited physical controls, but that’s not the case with the X26M. It has five easy-to-reach buttons at the top of the speaker:
- TWS Pairing
- Volume Up
- Volume Down
- Play/Pause
- Power
Some of these buttons also have secondary functions, and holding down the volume up or down buttons will skip tracks forward or backward, respectively. Holding down the play/pause button will trigger the phone call function, calling the previous number you’ve dialed.
I liked the fact that Comiso didn’t just implement the buttons as plastic mechanisms, but rather that they are rubber, which feels more pleasing and makes them feel more durable too.
Multispeaker Pairing: Stereo Sound For Under $40
The support for true wireless stereo pairing is a cool feature, and not something usually found at under $25. Now look, you’re going to get the same benefits as premium speakers with outstanding dynamic range, like in a home stereo setup, but connecting two of these speakers together on either side of your bed or computer monitor gives you a budget stereo setup.
This helps improve panning effects in music and makes music feel more immersive since it does not all come from a single source.
Bluetooth: No Complaints About Performance, But I Had Some Niggles In Getting It Setup
The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.3, a modern version found on the latest releases of speakers. The range itself is quite good, and when testing, I didn’t have any unexpected drops in connection. However, it did take a little while for the phone to pick up the speaker initially in the first pairing, but I found that restarting the speaker fixed that problem.
Testing the connection with a clear line of sight, I found it was able to retain its Bluetooth connection for between 15 and 20 meters, which is very reasonable.
Sound Quality: Vocal-Forward, Bright Sound
- A great replacement for built-in phone speakers, but lacks bass
- 360-degree sound design isn’t entirely accurate
How To Read a Frequency Response Chart
The thing with smaller speakers like this is that it’s important to compare apples with apples. Expecting the same quality as larger speakers is unreasonable, due primarily to constraints in the internal hardware. Larger models often have the advantage of multiple drivers for more dynamic range, or bigger woofers for deeper bass.
Compared to other speakers of a similar size, the Comiso X26M sounds really good. Especially for individuals like myself who favor a vocal-forward sound that is clear. The reason this clear, forward vocal style works for these speakers is that it doesn’t try to produce more bass than it’s physically capable of.
Some smaller speakers try to overdo the bass, which just results in more distortion and a lack of clarity.
What’s great about this sound style is that it’s also very versatile, and in my opinion, this speaker is an outstanding phone speaker replacement. If you’re someone who gets sick of the limited phone volume when watching YouTube or casually listening to music, the Comiso X26M offers an extremely affordable and effective solution to that.
How Effective Is The 360-Degree Sound Design?
While the Comiso is advertised as having a 360-degree sound design, this is only marginally accurate. A true 360-degree design should sound equally as clear and detailed from every angle, but there is distinctly better audio quality when the speaker is facing towards one. You can still hear it fine if you’re on the back, but the detail and clarity are fairly significantly reduced.
Volume: Up To 83.4 Decibel Output
Can the Comiso X26M fill a room with sound? Not really. But it can get significantly louder than most phone speakers, while also retaining much of its audio quality. It’s not the best choice for listening with large groups of friends, but it can easily be used effectively in small groups and has more than enough power to fill a bathroom. Just remember to keep it away from direct water or excessive steam.
We tested the decibel level and found it produced an average of 83.4 decibels at 1 meter distance.
Voice Calls
If you’re tired of having to switch between your phone and speaker when taking a call, the X26M integrates a microphone that can be used to take and make calls through the speaker. The performance is mediocre, but having the option is a nice addition for a pocket-sized speaker.
Battery: Long-Lasting Performance and Fast Charging Time
- 700mAh battery with up to 12 hours of playtime
- Fast-charging USB-C charging port
Powering the Comiso X26M is a 700mAh rechargeable battery that’s rated for up to 12 hours of playtime. This is significant for a small speaker, lasting longer than the more expensive JBL Go 4. This makes it suitable for traveling, camping, or just extended use around the house before charging is required.
To test this, I used the speaker at 50% volume playing tracks through Spotify on my phone. I was able to get 11 hours and 15 minutes of playtime from the speaker, which is actually more than what their Amazon page suggests.
The charging process is also very quick and charges in a little over 2 hours. It can also be charged effectively through a power bank if you’re taking it with you while you travel.
Near the charging port is also a TF card, which, while somewhat gimmicky these days, isn’t without merit, as it lets the speaker be used even without a smartphone.
Value & Alternatives
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the larger Comiso X26, mostly just because at $38, it competes with the JBL GO and Soundcore Select 4 Go, meaning there was better competition for the same price. However, the X26M, being priced at under $20 and often on sale for under $15, has a significant advantage.
So if you’re limited on budget and need a speaker for under $20, the Comiso X26M is a top choice. However, the Soundcore Select 4 Go is also often discounted to around $20 to $25, and if you can scrape together the difference, it will give you a slightly more durable design and a more detailed sound with more volume.
Conclusion
