Turtlebox Ranger Speaker Review: Sound Quality and Magnetic Personality

Turtlebox has made a name for itself with its ruggedized name A lunchbox style Bluetooth speakerknown for its loudness and being a good choice for boaters looking for a “marine grade” portable speaker. That original speaker is still there 3rd generation.

Recently, Turtlebox released a big one Turtlebox Grande ($730) and The Turtlebox Ranger. The Ranger, with an integrated handle and strong magnets for quick mounting to the metal surface, delivers incredibly solid sound with its compact, durable design. Although it’s more expensive at $250, it’s one of the best small Bluetooth speakers out there right now.

Read more: The best Bluetooth speakers right now

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Turtlebox Ranger design

Weighing 2.4 pounds and measuring 8.1 by 3.2 by 3.2 inches, the Ranger is slightly heavier than the 2.2-pound JBL Charge 6. Although it’s obviously a vertical speaker, you can place it on its side or place it on a metal stand to give it its own shape. Like most Bluetooth speakers these days, it has an IP67 rating, which means it’s waterproof and dustproof, although it’s not waterproof. A rubber gasket covers the USB-C charging port.

The Turtlebox also claims to be shockproof, and its base and sides have thick rubber grips. The only problem is that the rubber finish (also on the handle) can attract dust, dirt and hair, although it’s easy enough to wash, especially since the speaker is waterproof and can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes.

Beyond the magnets, which are quite strong, there is a built-in anchor (a small metal bar) hidden under the speaker that allows you to fasten it so it doesn’t go anywhere.

Turtlebox Ranger limited edition feature set

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, the Ranger doesn’t have many features beyond being able to pair with other Turtlebox speakers to expand the sound or create a stereo pair with another Ranger. There’s no Turtlebox app to adjust the volume or adjust the brightness, although its buttons are illuminated in blue when the speaker is on (useful for nighttime use). It also doesn’t have a sound mode button to boost bass or speakerphone performance.

The speaker is equipped with physical buttons to adjust the volume and advance tracks forward and backward. One button lets you create a stereo pair, and the other lets you combine multiple Turtlebox speakers.

Bluetooth speakers usually have a pretty limited feature set, although it’s common these days not to have a compatible operating system, at least, that allows for firmware updates.

Turtlebox Ranger sound quality and battery life

I spent some time comparing the Ranger to the Bose SoundLink Pluspriced at $279 and won a CNET Editors’ Choice Award, as well JBL Payment 6 ($200). Of the three, the Bose Soundlink Plus arguably comes out on top for sound with a slight edge (it sounds smooth and well-balanced overall). But the competition is close, and the Ranger and Charge 6 also sound impressive for their size.

The midrange and vocals on the Charge 6 are a little off compared to the Ranger, but the JBL’s bass is a little more energetic and a little deeper. That said, the Ranger delivers the most powerful, punchy bass for a speaker this size and has a good overall tonal balance.

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While most of the time the Bose came out on top when I ran on my test tracks, I did experience some variation from track to track, and sometimes the Charge 6 or Ranger delivered a higher sound.

You can get a little distortion at high volumes from all of these speakers, and when listening to more complex tracks with lots of layered instruments, I heard some clipping at certain frequencies as the different speakers’ DSPs (digital signal processors) do their best to resolve the sound and keep it from distorting. In other words, when it comes to sound quality, none of these speakers are flawless, and you can expect some times when you think they sound great and other times where they fall short.

While I listen to most of my material around the house, all of these speakers are designed for outdoor use and do well in producing loud, expansive sound, given their compact size. As expected, the Ranger sounds even better when you pair two of them wirelessly and create a stereo pair that delivers true stereo separation.

As for battery life, the Turtlebox Ranger is rated for up to 25 hours of playtime at medium volume. I tested it during the week and I don’t need to charge it.

Turtlebox Ranger final thoughts

The Turtlebox Ranger went under the radar after its release last year — at least with tech reviewers like me. I’ve already seen some affordable knock-offs from Amazon (see Krocx Travor), which is what usually happens when a Bluetooth speaker is ringing. For example, i Bose SoundLink Flex has inspired several copies over the years.

While the Ranger has a great sound for its size and competes against other premium Bluetooth speakers like the Bose SoundLink Plus and JBL Charge 6, what really sets it apart is its design, especially its built-in magnets. I’ve tried several other integrated magnet speakers aimed at golfers and boaters, including Rokform G-Rok ($100), but the Ranger plays better and sounds better. Although it is a little expensive, it is easy to recommend.