Beats Pill Review — Stylish Bluetooth Speaker with Outstanding Sound

The Beats Pill 2024 brings fresh style and impressive sound to the Bluetooth speaker scene, blending sleek design with powerful audio.

The Return of an Iconic Capsule

Remember the original Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker from 2012? That famously sleek capsule-shaped Bluetooth speaker certainly marked its territory back then, but it’s been over a decade since its debut. Apple’s Beats brand has toyed with a few iterations over the last 12 years, but the last model, the Beats Pill+ from 2015, was discontinued in early 2022. This left a glaring gap in Apple’s Bluetooth speaker lineup.

Fast forward to June 25, 2024: after some celebrity teases and whispers (classic Beats style), the new Beats Pill finally dropped—and it’s priced lower than the 2012 original! But hang tight on the pricing talk; there’s plenty to unpack before we get there.

A Design Makeover Worth Talking About

The new Beats Pill is a serious glow-up. It’s more rounded, smoother to the touch, and honestly, you’ll want to show it off rather than hide it away. The metal grille feels premium—almost like it ought to sport the Bang & Olufsen logo instead of Beats. This speaker looks like it should cost way more than it does.

Underneath that stylish exterior is a reworked acoustic architecture featuring a single new oval woofer. Remember, the 2015 Pill+ had two woofers, but this fresh model powers its sound with beefier neodymium magnets. Apple claims the motor is 28% stronger, pushing 90% more air. I didn’t have the old Pill+ handy for a side-by-side, but wow—the new Pill fills a room with sound that feels far bigger and richer than its slender shape suggests. Hosting a small party of six? No problem.

The highs come courtesy of a redesigned single tweeter tucked inside its own chamber. The entire speaker array, including the metal grille, tilts upward at a 20-degree angle, aiming sound directly at you. Oh, and it's 10% lighter than before, shaving off about 68 grams—handy when you’re on the move.

Sound That Packs a Punch

Let’s cut to the chase: the sound is genuinely impressive. The Beats Pill earns a solid four-star rating for sound quality alone. Take the opening bongos on Shed Seven’s Dolphin—listening on a quality FLAC file via USB-C from my laptop, the delicate bongos come through perfectly quiet and authentic. Rick Witter’s vocals cut through crisply, and the mix lets every instrument shine—from ringing guitars to Alan Leach’s driving drums.

John Frusciante’s Omission from the Shadows Collide with People album plays with grace and detail even over Bluetooth 5.3 (the Pill supports SBC and AAC codecs only, no Hi-Res). Tambourines, female backing vocals, synths, and percussion all come alive with remarkable texture and separation. And if bass is your jam, Shift Sync delivers a juicy, thumping low end that really grooves.

Of course, if you’re willing to shell out about $30 more for the JBL Charge 5, you’ll get a slightly denser, wider, and more dynamic sound. But that hefty Charge 5 is 332 grams heavier (feels like lugging a sack of flour) and offers only 20 hours of battery life versus the Pill’s impressive 24 hours. Plus, the Pill doubles as a speakerphone—a feature sadly missing from many modern Bluetooth speakers, including the JBL.

What Beats Pill Excels At — and What It Doesn’t

JBL takes the crown for multi-speaker setups via PartyBoost, allowing you to wirelessly connect dozens of speakers for a massive soundscape. The Beats Pill’s pairing is more modest, allowing two speakers to link in either "Amplify" or "Stereo" mode. So, if you dreamed of scattering eight Pills around your home, you might be left wanting more.

Instant pairing works seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices, complete with "Locator" (iOS) and "Find Device" (Android) features. You’ll find the setup instructions via a QR code on the packaging, but an iOS app would be a welcome addition. This is Apple’s handiwork under the Beats hood, meaning it benefits from ecosystem perks like iCloud syncing and seamless audio handoff to Apple Watch when your iPhone is out of range.

However, there’s a snag: no dedicated equalizer for fine-tuning sound, and checking the battery charge requires a quick press of the power button, which summons a pop-up on iPhone showing the percentage. I did find the Beats-themed volume slider on iPhone a nice branded touch after pairing.

Android users can install the Beats app (Android 8.0+ required), but iOS is left to rely on system integrations alone. That’s a bit of a mixed bag—AirPods manage just fine without a separate app, but given the Pill’s complexity, a companion app might smooth out some quirks.

Charging, Controls, and the USB-C Bonus

One of the Pill’s standout features is its USB-C port. Not only does it charge the speaker, but you can also use it to power other gadgets or connect directly for lossless audio playback from your laptop or phone. This alone feels like a win for audiophiles craving better sound fidelity.

That said, the control scheme is where things get a little tricky. The top panel sports only four buttons: volume up/down, power/pairing, and a multi-function center button. The power button alone juggles six different actions based on how long you press it—checking battery status, powering on/off, Bluetooth pairing, and enabling USB-C audio mode. It’s a lot to remember, and I often found myself accidentally triggering Bluetooth pairing when I just wanted to turn the speaker off. USB-C audio connection worked only after several tries, as the Pill seemed confused about my intent.

There’s no 3.5mm jack, and USB-C adapters to headphones didn’t work, so it’s pure digital USB-C audio here.

Playback control is straightforward: one press on the center button pauses or plays; two presses skip forward; three presses go back. Holding the center button simultaneously with another Pill (if you have a second speaker) sets up stereo pairing. I didn’t get to test this stereo mode, but an app showing connection status would definitely make life easier.

Price and Availability: A Pleasant Surprise

At $149.99 (roughly $150), the new Beats Pill costs $50 less than the original 2012 model. For that price, you get a stylish, well-equipped Bluetooth speaker with a robust IP67 waterproof rating, putting it among the best in splash-resistant speakers today.

I’m personally smitten with its size and look. Available in red, black, or a stunning "Champagne Gold," it’s a speaker you’ll pull out of your bag with pride, unlike the more utilitarian fabric-wrapped competitors at similar price points. Fans of the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) or Beosound Explore will find plenty to love here.

Specs at a Glance

Market Competition and Comparisons

The Beats Pill launched on June 25, 2024, stepping into an intensely competitive market. Let’s size up the main rivals:

• Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2020): A more expensive and sophisticated design rival, but pricier.
• Sonos Roam 2 (May 2024): Slightly smaller, $179 price tag, integrates into Sonos ecosystem, but only 10 hours battery life.
• JBL Flip 6 (2022): Cheaper at about $109, IP67-rated, supports PartyBoost for linking many speakers, but lacks speakerphone and USB-C audio features.

JBL Flip 6 Snapshot

Although older (Nov 2021), the JBL Flip 6 offers IP67 protection and wireless link-up to as many as 100 JBLs. Battery life is half that of the Pill, and it lacks speakerphone functionality. It feels more "rugged and functional" than "sleek and premium."

Sonos Roam 2 Snapshot

The Sonos Roam 2 can join a Sonos home system, managed via a polished app—something Beats could learn from. It’s more compact but pricier and offers less battery life, so the Pill holds a strong value position.

"Beats Pill sounds much larger and more spacious than its slender form suggests—perfect for sharing music with friends." — Reviewer insight

Final Thoughts on Beats Pill

For $149.99, you get a sharp-looking, strong-sounding, well-rounded Bluetooth speaker that’s water-resistant and packed with thoughtful features like speakerphone and USB-C lossless audio. The controls could use a bit of simplification, and a dedicated iOS app would smooth out the user experience, but overall, Beats Pill makes a triumphant return.

FAQ

• How long does the Beats Pill battery last?
  Up to 24 hours on a single charge, which is excellent for a portable speaker.
• Can the Beats Pill connect with multiple speakers?
  Yes, but only two speakers can be paired in Amplify or Stereo mode, unlike some competitors supporting many more.
• Does the Beats Pill support high-resolution audio?
  It supports lossless audio playback via USB-C but only SBC and AAC codecs over Bluetooth.
• Is the Beats Pill waterproof?
  Yes, it features an IP67 rating, making it dustproof and waterproof enough for most outdoor adventures.
• Does it work as a speakerphone?
  Absolutely! The built-in microphone enables clear hands-free calls, a rare feature in modern Bluetooth speakers.

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