Take Bose's Soundwear Companion, for example. It's ergonomically shaped to sit on your shoulders and give you immersive sound with the upward-facing speakers. We've compiled nine more wearable speakers which you can hang, clip, even use as a cap, and added a buying guide to help you get started in choosing the best wearable speakers.
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Table of Contents
Wearable speakers come in numerous shapes and worn on different body parts. The decision you make should be based on your activity type and level of comfort.
The speaker units in neckbands face upward so that only you hear the music without disrupting those around you. We recommend reading through reviews as users often share if a particular model ensures privacy or is too loud for others in the same room.
Another consideration to keep in mind when choosing neck speakers is their weight. You might not be keen on keeping something near your collarbone for extended periods. However, many people have shared that it's easy to forget a good pair of neck speakers because they are properly weighted and designed to minimize pressure on your shoulders.
Other types of wearable speakers great for outdoor use include caps or sunglasses with a built-in sound system. The speaker units are located on the rim for caps, while the sound comes from the side frames for sunglasses. These versatile devices protect you from the heat while letting you listen to your music and even answer calls on the go.
For example, a metal carabiner should be fully integrated into the design of the speaker to limit the hook detaching from the speaker's body. Meanwhile, a clip-on speaker should be tight and preferably made with durable materials that won't easily snap.
It is also important to note that depending on where you decide to wear it on your clothing, a hanging speaker can tug in a way that isn’t very comfortable such as pulling down on your shirt collar. On the other hand, these versatile devices can accompany you even through strenuous activities like hiking without limiting your range of movement.
To get the most out of your wearable speaker, there are a few considerations to remember in sound quality, such as the number of speaker units, output, and type of sound, whether stereo or mono. You might not be an audio technician looking for the perfect sound quality, but at a minimum, the speakers shouldn't be tinny and should reach high and low frequencies.
Generally speaking, bigger drivers deliver punchier bass, but a large size isn't something you can achieve with a wearable speaker. On the other hand, you can compromise with more speaker units; some neckbands are equipped with two on each side for an immersive surround sound experience.
Most wearable speakers of today offer stereo sound, meaning that the sound flows independently from two or more speakers, giving you better quality overall. For an extra kick in bass frequencies, you can go for speakers equipped with a passive radiator, albeit the device will be bulkier.
Many wearable speakers also give up huge drivers and complex sound systems to favor a streamlined design that is light and comfortable to wear. With that in mind, wearable speakers usually weigh around two ounces to over half a pound.
Lastly, we will cover loudness, which is categorized in watts. The larger the watt capacity, the higher the volume reached by your speakers. Most wearable speakers come in a range of three to five watts and are usually enough for personal enjoyment. Go for higher wattage if you plan on sharing the tunes with those around you.
As with any electronic device, longer battery life is usually better. After all, having your music or call cut off midway isn't ideal. However, a longer battery life means larger batteries and a heavier, bulkier wearable speaker.
For a feasible middle ground, we recommend looking for a speaker with about a ten-hour battery life. This will give you enough power to last a day of wear while keeping your device as light as possible.
If you don't plan to use your speaker every day or find yourself pausing and playing frequently, it's also a good idea to check for standby time. This refers to the longest time a device will run on a single charge while connected but not in active use. The standby time should be as long as possible without draining power for actual use.
This industry-standard rating refers to how well an electronic device can keep environmental factors like liquids, dust, or dirt out.
The Ingress Protection (IP) levels go from IPX0 to IPX8 - the highest number means complete protection from submersion in water. Meanwhile, the "X" means that the product hasn't been certified against dust protection. An IPX4 rating means it can withstand water splashing, which is technically enough for a run involving sweat or rain.
The latest Bluetooth version on the market is 5.2, and with this, you get the best pairing and range capabilities between your speaker and audio device. Wearable speakers often come with Bluetooth 4.0 to 5.0, giving you a wide range without distortion in sound quality or intermittent connection.
Given that you will be wearing the speakers, we recommend going for one of the latest Bluetooth versions so that you have an extended range of distance away from your audio source without compromising your call or music quality. Furthermore, you might want to look at multiple pairing capabilities so that you can jump from one device to another conveniently.
These speakers provide a safe way to listen to music while staying alert to your surroundings. It is compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device and has a lightweight and comfortable design. The speakers sit on your shoulders through a soft rubber base. It even comes with a radio and SD card slot for pre-loaded tunes.
A few reviewers commented that it came with a hard-to-read user manual. It was also too loud or had a poor FM reception. Still, many others said the speakers produced clear sound quality. It has some weight at first but can quickly become unnoticeable. The device sits comfortably around the neck, said users.
You can pair this speaker watch with any two ANCwear portable speakers for a boost in your sound experience. It comes with a detachable wristband, clip, and clip with a hanger for a versatile way to wear the speakers. The design also gives you 360-degree stereo sound and can be used even in harsh environments, thanks to its IPX6 rating.
The speaker wasn't powerful enough for a few users who noted the sound could get tinny at times. The battery also drains quickly, they added. Still, many thought the sound quality was decent for the price. It's perfect for personal use in areas where headphones can't be worn.
The speakers of these sunglasses are located on the sides, which surround you in a deep, rich sound. You get stylish sunglasses while listening to music that only you can hear. What's more, it's equipped with a microphone for calls on the go.
A few reviewers didn't like the frame's cheap plastic material, while some thought the bass was non-existent. Meanwhile, many others loved the versatile device, noting it was super easy to use and produced great quality sound. Users were skeptical at first but ended up using the sunglasses at all times.
This speaker has a fully integrated metal carabiner to protect the device from drops or falls. You can also hook it to any loop easily. It's fully Immersible in water and boasts noise and echo-canceling capabilities for clear calls on the speakers.
Some complained that the front cover can detach after a few bumps. The speaker can be muffled and tinny, said a few users who listen to a wide genre of music. On the other hand, many liked that the speaker can withstand outdoor use and was easy to operate and pair with devices. It's small but loud, said reviewers.
Free your ears and hands with these wearable speakers that hang on the neck comfortably. You can listen to music or answer calls without compromising awareness of your surroundings. What's more, it comes with a micro SD slot that can accommodate up to 32GB of your favorite tunes.
A few reviewers complained that the manual uses a faded font that makes it difficult to read. Some experienced the sound quality dropping during calls. Still, many others thought the sound was amazing, and it really focuses the transmission to only the user without disturbing others in the room. Users added the battery life is impressive.
These speakers might be ultra-thin, but it comes packed with four-speaker units, boosting a six-watt system and two bass diaphragms for an immersive sound experience. Meanwhile, those around you don't get disturbed because the speakers are positioned only for your enjoyment. You also get Bluetooth 5.0 with a range of 33 feet for a seamless connection.
A few reviewers weren't satisfied with the battery life, while others had the speakers shutting off during use. On a positive note, many others commented how well they could hear the music and stay aware of their surroundings while not disturbing others around them. It has a great stereo and surround-sound, plus calls were crisp and clear.
It may look like a cap, but this versatile accessory doubles as a speaker. The sound is emitted at the front while the controls are conveniently sewn onto the side and look like a hat decal. The cap even has sound isolation capabilities and a built-in microphone for hands-free calling.
The sound quality was distorted and not loud enough for a few users. Some complained that the cap's rim was too wide. However, many others commented that the cap was comfortable to wear, and the music sounded great. The Bluetooth connects quickly to any device, and the cap controls were easy to operate.
A few reviewers noted that the watch could be bulky, especially for smaller wrists. Some had trouble pairing the device with a smartwatch or phone. Still, many others were surprised at how soft the watch was. It has a simple look and was very easy to use, said users. They also shared that the sound quality was impressive.
Whether it's a run outdoors or a relaxing bath at home, you can keep your favorite music closeby with these speakers and audio equipment that match the environment.
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