Beats Pill review: much easier to swallow this time

Beats Pill (2024): A Surprisingly Solid Comeback

After a long hiatus, the Beats Pill is back in the portable speaker game, bringing with it a familiar design but a whole new set of features and improvements. With a sleek design, lasting battery life, and surprisingly well-rounded sound, the Pill looks set to challenge the reigning champions in the compact speaker market.

A Familiar Face with a New Heart

Gone are the days of the iconic pill-shaped design; the new Beats Pill retains the recognizable cylindrical shape with a metal grille protecting the speakers and a silicone exterior for added durability, but this time around, the focus is on what’s under the hood. Gone is the stereo configuration of its predecessor, the Pill Plus, and the new model delivers a mono audio experience.

But don’t let the mono designation discourage you. While stereo audio offers a wider soundscape, the new Pill sports improved drivers and a redesigned woofer that deliver a surprisingly robust and clear sound signature, making it a solid performer for its size, particularly for the genre of music often played on portable speakers—pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.

More than Just Bluetooth

The Pill is more than just a Bluetooth speaker, it’s a versatile audio hub. Beyond standard Bluetooth connectivity, it boasts USB-C support, enabling lossless audio playback and a dual-function USB-C port, allowing you to charge external devices or receive a charge from a laptop.

This versatility is further accentuated by the Pill’s IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring that it can handle the elements and survive any impromptu outdoor adventures. A detachable lanyard adds to the portability, making it hassle-free to take along on trips or hikes.

Smart Features That Matter

One of the most significant steps forward for the Pill is its integration with both Android and iOS devices. The one-tap setup process is a breeze, and the speaker seamlessly integrates with the Find My Device/Find My app. This means you can locate your Pill if you misplace it, adding a level of peace of mind that’s rarely seen in this category of speakers.

While it lacks the convenience of hands-free voice commands like "Hey Siri" or "Hey Google," the Pill does offer dual-voice assistant support, allowing you to use either Siri or Google Assistant through the speaker by double-pressing the central button.

Sound Quality: A Pleasant Surprise

The Beats Pill delivers a clear and balanced sound signature that leans towards the energetic and bass-heavy. It’s not a speaker that excels in delivering nuanced sound, but it holds its own against many other compact speakers in its price range.

Don’t expect high fidelity from a speaker this size, but the Pill consistently delivers a punchy and enjoyable audio experience. It even manages to crank out decent volume levels, especially when paired with a well-mixed track. While there’s always the potential for mono mixes to sound slightly less immersive, the Pill proves its worth on the majority of the tracks I’ve tested.

The Takeaway: A Worthy Contender

The Beats Pill is a solid entry in the crowded compact speaker market. Its sleek design, impressive battery life, versatile features, and surprisingly capable sound make it a competitive contender in the sub-$150 price bracket.

While it doesn’t push the boundaries of audio fidelity or feature a stereo configuration, the Pill delivers exactly what most users are looking for in a portable speaker: effortless connectivity, a reliable and capable sound, and enough features to make it a valuable companion on any adventure.

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