Short answer: the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL. It ranks #128 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $49.04; the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 ranks #134 and costs $60, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL offers: IPX7 rated with a carry strap. Watch for: No bass, very rolled off treble.
What the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 offers: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 135 medium speakers instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 is rated for 30 hours versus 14 hours for the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.04 | $60 |
| Ranked | #128 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| App | Yes | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (Terrain XL only) | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" (190 x 89 x 89 mm) (7.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches) | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| Output Power | Not specified | 80W |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs / 0.85 kg | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
| Max Volume | 95dB SPL | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Boat Stone 350/352/358 vs Doss Soundbox Pro
- Walla Sound vs Limitless Innovations TikiTunes
- Beats Pill+ vs Doss Soundbox
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL
- W-King D8 Mini vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL: $49.04 Amazon
Pros: IPX7 rated with a carry strap. Reasonable battery life across the lineup (14-18 hours depending on model).
Cons: No bass, very rolled off treble. Distortion in the treble. Just doesn’t sound good
Full Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (Terrain XL only) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" (190 x 89 x 89 mm) (7.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 95dB SPL |
| Output Power | Not specified |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs / 0.85 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- FishBee Product Reviews: Why is NO ONE Buying the New Skullcandy Speakers??
- GYMCADDY: Skullcandy Terrain & Terrain Mini Review
- Flossy Carter: All The New SkullCandy Bluetooth Speakers
- Reddit Search for Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3: $60 Amazon
Pros: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. IP67 rated; doubles as a power bank. Universal mounting clip for a bike, kayak, or backpack.
Cons: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews. Gets distorted with a lot of bass. The entire Altec Lansing Bluetooth speaker line likely also sounds similarly bad.
Full Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 🦨 (2022 Version) How Many Versions Have They Made❓ How Bad Is It❓
- Ivan T: Altec lancing lifejacket 3
- Altec lansing bass test: bass test altec lansing lifejacket 3 (mambo lambo crazy bass)
- Fewishaツ: Altec Lansing Life Jacket 3 Bass Test
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 3
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Flip 5
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 4