Elac NAVA100 Portable Speaker Review: Weak Battery and Overpriced for 2026 Market

Elac’s NAVA100 portable speaker stumbles with a laughably short battery life and a price tag that doesn’t match its performance.

Elac’s Bold Leap Into Portable Speakers

When a century-old audio powerhouse like Elac decides to jump into the portable Bluetooth speaker scene, expectations soar. As a fan of high-fidelity sound and long-time admirer of their traditional audio gear, I was genuinely curious about how their first foray into this fast-paced market would turn out.

The new Elac NAVA100 portable speaker promised a marriage of classic Elac audio heritage with modern, sleek design. Equipped with a 7.6 cm full-range driver and two passive radiators, Elac claimed this little device would deliver “rich, dynamic sound.” Supporting Bluetooth 5.3 and capable of pairing two units for stereo bliss, it sounded like a promising package.

Yet, as I dug deeper, it became clear that Elac’s debut portable speaker wasn’t quite the home run many of us hoped for.

The Battery Life That Left Me Scratching My Head

Here’s where things get tricky. Elac advertises the NAVA100 can run up to 15 hours on a full charge. Sounds decent, right? But—and this is a big but—this duration plunges to a mere 6 hours at max volume. In 2026, that’s just not competitive.

To put it bluntly, many rivals in this space offer multiple times that battery life, especially at higher volumes. For a portable speaker, battery longevity is king, and this feels like a glaring misstep from a brand that usually nails audio craftsmanship.

Design and Charging: The Silver Lining

If the battery leaves much to be desired, at least the charging setup isn’t a letdown. The NAVA100 uses a USB-C port, offering a full charge in just two hours. That’s fast and convenient.

Physically, the speaker weighs 1.4 kg and measures a compact 15 x 7.8 x 12.8 cm. Its aluminum casing gives it a sturdy, premium feel — a hallmark of Elac’s commitment to quality. Color options include classic black and a cream variant, the latter created through a collaboration with clothing brand Adsum, adding a touch of style for the fashion-conscious audiophile.

Pricing and Market Position: Is It Worth It?

Now, the kicker — the price. The NAVA100 retails at £199 (roughly $245 USD). Considering the battery performance and the fiercely competitive landscape of portable speakers, this price feels steep.

Elac’s reputation in the Hi-Fi world is impeccable, which is why this uncertain step into portable audio feels so surprising. Why buy a pricey speaker with mediocre battery life when there are plenty of better and more affordable options out there?

A Missed Opportunity for a Legendary Brand

All in all, the NAVA100 is a puzzling product. It boasts solid design and decent sound hardware on paper but falls short in the one department that matters most for a portable device — battery endurance. It makes you wonder if Elac bit off more than they could chew with this one.

For fans of portable speakers, the Elac NAVA100 might not make the cut. But hey, every brand has to start somewhere, and maybe this is just the first draft in Elac’s portable saga.

Elac — a company with an impeccable reputation in the Hi-Fi world — took an extremely unsure first step into the world of portable audio.

FAQ

• What is the battery life of the Elac NAVA100 at full volume?
  The battery lasts up to 6 hours at maximum volume, which is quite short compared to competitors.
• How long does it take to fully charge the NAVA100?
  It takes approximately 2 hours to fully charge via USB-C.
• What sizes and weight does the speaker have?
  The speaker weighs 1.4 kg and measures 15 x 7.8 x 12.8 cm.
• Can you pair multiple NAVA100 speakers?
  Yes, two NAVA100 speakers can be connected to form a stereo pair.
• What colors are available for the Elac NAVA100?
  It comes in classic black and cream, the latter created with fashion brand Adsum.

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