DEWALT 20-VOLT MAX BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
I really haven’t been a fan of job-site radios from tool companies for very long. I’m not saying I haven’t bought them over the years because I have. I have actually bought more than one from all the major tool companies. I just haven’t been pleased with he sound quality or radio performance. They all had a serious lack of useful bass and seemed consistently dull on the top end. I had a chance to check out this Dewalt bluetooth speaker and was surprisingly impressed.
Dewalt Job Site Choices
That all changed when Dewalt brought out the Tough System Radio. This is the top performing job-site radio from any tool company. It has crystal clear highs and more bass than any other I have heard. I noticed it still seems to outperform the newer T-Stak radio even though it has a similar compliment of drivers and amplification.
This new Dewalt bluetooth speaker is a totally different animal. It is pretty tiny but has good bluetooth range and decent sound quality. It’s not going to produce bass you can feel but the sound is pleasant and balanced. It’s not overly boxy or dull sounding. It lacks just a little of the top end sizzle of the Tough System Radio but it is clear and clean and still outperforms some of those older job site radios. It actually sounds pretty good for an inexpensive speaker that will run for days on a 20v max battery or forever on a 120v cord.
This unit does not have a built in charger like its bigger brothers but it works on all sizes of 20v max or Flexvolt batteries. I do have to mention it is much better balanced with a 2.0 battery. a 5.0 isn’t too bad but a large flex volt battery will make it back heavy when carrying.
Controls
On the control panel you will find a power button, volume up and down, skip forward and back buttons, pause play button and a bluetooth pairing button. On the side panel you will find a one-eighth inch auxiliary jack and a USB plug. The AC plug is on the back behind where the battery goes.
Tough Construction
I really like the way the rubbery handle is molded. It can hold your phone upright in portrait or landscape mode. It has a nice opening in the handle for you to run your charger cord through without putting undue stress on it.
The overall build quality seems pretty tough. Since it is a tool it will take good hit or survive a fall from a reasonable distance. Yes, we tested it. The plastic molding is heavy and the rubber over-mold will also help. Its handle is flexible enough to not break from a fall but stiff enough to not bend while carrying it even with a 12.0 flex volt battery.
Overall we are pleased with this radio considering the size and price. There are smaller ones out there from DeWalt and others but they sound like garbage and don’t get very loud.
Check it out for yourself at ACME TOOLS
- Lightweight and compact for easy storage
- Durable design able to withstand any tough job-site
- Connect your device via bluetooth up to 100 ft.
funny that everyone is calling this a “radio”, as it has NO radio! it is NOT a radio! haha!
yes, you can connect yr phone to it and use a radio app…
otherwise, looks like a good stereo amp. let’s hope it’s actually loud enough!
I am really interested in this bluetooth speaker from DeWalt.. i own a small green bluetooth radio. This radio does not have the “Bump” that i like. Have several DeWalt tools in the past and they never let me down. Thanks to you the toolpig i will look into this speaker.
IG @tigerwoodwrks
I’ve been trying a few different bluetooth speakers… this looks pretty nice… bigger sound than the small ones… bigger is better? I think so…
IG WOOLDRIDGEHOMES
Sounds awesome. Exactly what we need since ours just crapped out.
Forgot to leave my Instagram name.
@giddygads94
Would love to win this speaker! It would be perfect on the job site!
Instagram: elizabeth_carter14
Good review. Looks like a nice little light weight radio.
Looks fancy. Nice to use hands free without any chords hanging out so that they don’t get broken/wet/dirty while working outside. DeWalt has nice sound quality too
Arris Projects LTD.
Hard to find a job site speaker this size with good bass and clear sound. Interested to hear this one.
Great review. First time visiting this site but have been following on Instagram (gold.coast.audio.video) for a while now. Have had this on my watch list as my little Jawbone Bluetooth speaker just died on me. Need something to keep with me. Not looking to rock the house I’ll leave that to my installs, but good clean sound while working is always appreciated.
this would be great on small remodel jobs.but sucks it doesnt charge
? yes please!!
Not sure if you need it, but @calebkwu is my ig username ?
Hey there toolpig !! As usual a great informative no nonsense review!! Keep em coming!!,… this dewalttough radio looks phenomenal… can’t wait to see how phenomenal it sounds!!! Would absolutely use EVERY DAY!! Facebook is Brian Barefield and Instagram is @barefield1211 ?????
I almost bought this this morning with my Birthday money! But I went for a coffee grinder…. 😛
Thisnliterallymisnin my amazon wish list
Aaaannndddd my auto correct is shot haha
I am fascinated with Bluetooth speakers lately. Right now I have two and I’m constantly looking at them and reading reviews on them. This one would be awesome to try.
Forgot this @giddygads94
@toolpig mine is @giddygads94
It’s nice to see someone finally stepping up the job site radio game. For so long manufacturers just put out a so-so radio because that’s all they had to do since hardly anyone crossed platforms. I could use a new radio for sure. Still have my old 18v Dewalt radio with a Romex antenna.
I’m with on radios not producing good quality sound. I have an old Dewalt radio and it just sounds bad. We use the Milwaukee M18 radios in the shop and they have great sound but lack Bluetooth. I personally have the 12v Bosch in my garage and love it but it too lacks Bluetooth. I think this speaker would be a good fit with its compact size and good sound. ????
Love that it has Bluetooth, our old Makita radio sounds great and takes a beating, but no Bluetooth is really getting old. Great review Paul.
@miillersconstruction
Wasn’t sure on this radio. Always saw it at Home Depot but never pulled the trigger because it doesn’t have the typical radio set up. And other blue tooth radios you get are lack luster at best. But by the sounds of the review it sounds like it’s worth it. Thanks for the review
I like the speaker, I want the speaker, give me the speaker lmao
Looks like a nice little radio! I’d be interested to see how much sound it puts out
IG is dannovogt in case that is needed
Hey Tool pig, I need this on my work cart. IG
@rogg73
Awesome and honest review. I’ve never been impressed with the job site radios so I use my Bose in the shop but I’m sure the dust is no good for it
I was thinking about picking this up during the spring Black Friday since you can get it for free with the purchase of a battery and charger. Still haven’t pulled the trigger because I don’t NEED it, but good feedback in the article. I like that the handle can double as a phone holder. That ought to help keep your phone from getting smashed.