Short answer: the W-King D8 Mini. It ranks #105 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $38.93; the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 ranks #134 and costs $60, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the W-King D8 Mini offers: 30W output with switchable indoor/outdoor EQ modes. Watch for: Recessed midrange, harsh 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 W-King D8 Mini. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| W-King D8 Mini | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $38.93 | $60 |
| Ranked | #105 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs / 1260 g | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 9.9" x 3.7" x 3.7" (251 x 94 x 94 mm) | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 30W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
W-King D8 Mini: $38.93 Aliexpress
Pros: 30W output with switchable indoor/outdoor EQ modes. IPX6 rated with a 5000mAh battery.
Cons: Recessed midrange, harsh treble. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others.
Full W-King D8 Mini review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.9" x 3.7" x 3.7" (251 x 94 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs / 1260 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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.
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