Acoustic Solutions Mini Blast
ACOUSTIC SOLUTIONS
First Impressions: Small Speaker, Big Personality
Some Bluetooth speakers try to impress you with size. The Acoustic Solutions Mini Blast takes the opposite approach — it's built to disappear into a beach bag, a bike basket, or the side pocket of a rucksack, then punch well above its footprint the moment you switch it on. This is a speaker designed around one simple idea: sound should follow you, not the other way around. Whether that's a shower singalong, a paddling pool afternoon, or a walk where you'd rather not wear headphones, the Mini Blast is pitched at people who want music without the baggage — literally.
What follows is an honest look at what this little speaker actually delivers, where it shines, and where cheaper corners have been cut, so you can decide whether it fits your specific use case before you spend your money.
Design and Build: Pocket-Sized, Pool-Ready
At under 10cm tall and roughly the width of a soft drink can, the Mini Blast is genuinely pocket-friendly — this isn't marketing spin, it's a speaker you could clip to a belt loop or a backpack strap and forget is even there. The cylindrical shape houses two speaker drivers firing outward in a stereo layout, and the whole unit is finished in black, giving it a low-key look that doesn't scream "gadget" the way some RGB-lit speakers do when the lights are off.
IP67 Waterproofing
The standout build feature is the IP67 rating. In practical terms, that means the speaker is fully dust-tight and can survive being submerged in water up to a metre deep for around 30 minutes. Combined with its floating design, this isn't a speaker that merely tolerates splashes — it's engineered to be dropped in a pool, taken into the shower, or left on a boat deck without a second thought. That's a genuine differentiator from the huge number of budget speakers that claim to be "water-resistant" but really only mean "won't die if it gets rained on."
The Hang Rope
The built-in hang rope is a small but thoughtful touch. It threads through a loop on the body, letting you tie it to a bag zip, a shower rail, a bike frame, or a tent pole. It's a low-tech solution, but it solves a real problem — there's nowhere flat to prop most mini speakers, and this one is built to hang instead.
Sound Performance: What the Numbers Actually Mean
The Mini Blast runs two 8-watt drivers in a stereo configuration, for a combined 16 watts of total output. Watts don't directly translate into "how good it sounds," but they're a reasonable proxy for how loud and how full a speaker can get before distortion creeps in. In this size class — pocket speakers rather than boombox-style units — 16 watts is a solid, above-average figure. It's enough to comfortably fill a bedroom, a garden patio, or a decent-sized bathroom without straining, though it will start to feel thin if you try to power an entire back garden party solo.
The frequency response is rated from 80Hz up to 20,000Hz. The lower figure is the more telling number here: 80Hz is a fairly typical bass floor for a speaker this small, which means you'll get punchy, present low-end for a device this size, but you shouldn't expect the deep sub-bass rumble of a larger unit — physics simply doesn't allow a speaker with this small a driver housing to move enough air for true sub-bass extension. What you can expect is clear mids and highs, since that upper limit of 20kHz covers the full range of human hearing, meaning vocals, cymbals, and detail should come through crisply rather than muffled.
Bluetooth 5.0 handles the wireless connection, which is the more energy-efficient, faster-pairing standard that most phones released in the last several years support natively. In everyday use, that means quicker reconnection to previously paired devices and a more stable link over typical room-to-room distances, compared to older Bluetooth versions. For anyone who'd rather skip wireless altogether — say, connecting to an older MP3 player or an in-car aux port — the 3.5mm input is a welcome inclusion that a surprising number of competitors have quietly dropped.
The TWS Party Trick: Doubling Up for Bigger Sound
One of the more interesting features here is True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing. If you own two Mini Blast speakers, you can link them together to combine their output into a claimed 32 watts of stereo surround sound. This effectively turns two portable speakers into a makeshift stereo system, with genuine left-and-right channel separation rather than both units playing identical mono audio.
This is a smart bit of engineering for a speaker at this price point, because it gives buyers a genuine upgrade path. Buy one now for solo use, add a second later for parties or bigger spaces, rather than having to buy an entirely different, larger product. It's worth noting that this only works with a second Mini Blast — it won't pair with other brands' TWS-enabled speakers, since wireless stereo linking protocols are typically proprietary to each manufacturer.
Battery Life: A Full Day, Not a Full Weekend
The Mini Blast is rated for 12 hours of battery life on a single charge. For context, that's enough to comfortably cover a full day out — a day at the beach, a garden barbecue, or a long walk — without needing to hunt down a power source. It comfortably beats the 6-to-8-hour range you'll find on many entry-level Bluetooth speakers, though it falls short of the 20-plus hour marathon runtimes offered by some larger, heavier competitors that trade portability for endurance.
Charging is handled via USB, and the speaker supports PD (Power Delivery) fast charging — sometimes called "harmonised fast charging." This is a meaningful practical detail: it means a compatible fast charger can top the battery up considerably quicker than a standard 5-watt phone charger would manage. The catch, and it's an important one, is that the speaker does not come with a charging adaptor in the box — only the USB cable is included. You'll need to supply your own plug, and it needs to sit within a 5W to 10W output range to charge properly. If you're buying this as a gift, it's worth mentioning that a charging brick isn't included, so the recipient will need one already at home.
One small caveat worth flagging: some owners have noted that the charging indicator light doesn't always behave exactly as the instructions describe, making it slightly tricky to tell at a glance when the battery has reached full charge. It's a minor usability quirk rather than a functional fault, but worth knowing going in.
Everyday Features That Matter
Beyond the core audio hardware, a few extras round out the package:
Built-in microphone
Allows handsfree calling when the speaker is paired to a phone, useful for taking calls in the kitchen, garage, or garden without reaching for your handset.
Adjustable RGB lighting
Two lighting modes let you set an ambient mood for evening use, though this is a genuine trade-off against battery life, since lit LEDs draw extra power and will shorten your runtime if left on throughout a session.
Compact dimensions
At roughly 9.5cm tall with an 8.4cm diameter, it's genuinely small enough to disappear into a bag pocket rather than taking up dedicated packing space.
USB-C charging port
A modern, reversible connector rather than the older micro-USB standard some budget speakers still use, meaning it'll share a cable with most current phones and accessories.
Who This Speaker Is Actually For
The Mini Blast is aimed squarely at people who prioritise portability and durability over room-filling volume. It makes sense for:
- Swimmers, pool-goers, and beach visitors who want music that can survive getting properly wet
- Commuters or travellers who want a speaker small enough to genuinely forget is in their bag
- Anyone wanting a shower speaker that can handle steam and splashes without anxiety
- Buyers who like the idea of starting with one unit and expanding to a paired stereo setup later
- Gift buyers looking for an affordable, low-risk tech present
It's less suited to:
- Anyone hosting large outdoor gatherings who needs a single unit to fill a big garden or driveway on its own
- Audiophiles chasing deep, room-shaking bass — the compact drivers simply can't move enough air for that
- Buyers who need an included wall charger out of the box, since one isn't supplied
How It Stacks Up in the Compact Speaker Category
Within the affordable, pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker segment, the Mini Blast's combination of IP67 waterproofing, a floating design, and TWS pairing is a genuinely strong feature set — many rivals at this size and price only offer splash resistance (IPX4 or similar) rather than full submersion protection, and fewer still offer a stereo-pairing option. Its 16-watt output and 12-hour battery sit comfortably mid-pack to above-average for the category: louder and longer-lasting than the cheapest "keyring" style speakers, but not competing with larger, heavier Bluetooth speakers that sacrifice pocketability for bigger batteries and drivers.
Where it's a step behind pricier compact speakers is in low-end extension — the 80Hz bass floor means it won't out-thump speakers built around larger passive radiators or dedicated bass drivers — and in not including a charging adaptor, a cost-cutting decision some competitors at a similar price point avoid.
Strengths and Weaknesses, Honestly
Where It Shines
The Mini Blast earns its keep through genuine practicality rather than flashy specs. The IP67 rating and floating design aren't just checkbox features — they solve real problems for anyone who actually wants to use a speaker near water rather than just near a water-adjacent patio. The TWS pairing option adds real long-term value, letting an initial purchase grow into a fuller stereo setup down the line. Battery life comfortably outlasts a typical day out, and PD fast charging support means top-ups are quicker than you'd expect from a device this size, provided you have a suitable charger to hand.
Where It Falls Short
The trade-offs are the ones you'd expect from a speaker built around compactness: bass depth is respectable for the size but won't satisfy anyone chasing a heavier low end, and total volume, while solid for personal or small-group listening, isn't designed to fill large outdoor spaces on its own. The missing charging adaptor is a minor but real inconvenience for buyers who don't already have a spare 5–10W USB charger lying around, and the slightly unreliable charge-status indicator is a small usability wrinkle rather than a dealbreaker.
Final Verdict
The Acoustic Solutions Mini Blast succeeds at exactly what it sets out to do: deliver durable, genuinely portable sound that can go places most speakers can't — into the pool, onto a boat, or through a rainy commute — without the buyer needing to babysit it. If your priority is a rugged, grab-and-go speaker for personal or small-group listening near water, in the shower, or on the move, this is a smart, low-risk purchase, especially given the option to add a second unit later for fuller stereo sound.
If instead you need a single speaker to power a large garden party or you want serious bass weight, look further up the size and price range — but for its intended job, the Mini Blast delivers convincingly.
What People Say
154 commentsAvoid!
I spent a long time deciding on a new small speaker for listening to music at work, as the battery in my old Creative MUVO was running low. I was looking for a round shape speaker. Unfortunately, this one sounds terrible. So what if the diaphragm bounces around like crazy and blares like an ambulance when the sound quality is simply poor? There's absolutely too much bass, the midrange is half-cut, and there's almost no treble. I returned it after a day of testing and trying various equalizer settings. After deep research and in this price range, I bought the Soundcore Select 4 Go. It has a different shape, but the sound quality is superb! Everything is spot on: good highs and mids, pleasant, not overpowering bass. I recommend it!
Plays awful 'tune' when turned on or off
The good: It sounds ok for the price and size, it has a 3.5mm jack (reason for purchase over other bluetooth speakers).
The bad: It is covered with soft-touch plastic, which it inevitably go sticky in a couple of years
The ugly: It plays awful 'tune' when turned on or off, at maximum volume, regardless of what volume it is set to. This renders it useless for what I wanted, which was to play bedtime music from an MP3 player. I have to take it downstairs to turn it off without waking a child. Completely unnecessary and can't be turned off. The LED on the top clearly tells you if it is on or not, so no need for the thumping bass notes. This ruins an otherwise good product.
A mini marvel
I like everything about this speaker - design. Build quality. Sound quality and the price, which is excellent for what you get. The two channel output gives it a crisp stereo sound and even at half volume it is loud. It has always amazed me how mainstream brands give you one internal speaker (occasionally two) and a one channel output, giving you basically a mono sound, (unless you buy two of them) then charge you a fortune for the privilege. Well I’ve got four of those said speakers and quite honestly this little mini blast is just as good, sound wise but with good stereo separation. The changing colours are a nice addition too. For the price, it is an absolute bargain.
Great budget speaker
I bought this a few months ago as a portable speaker to use with Aux. Overall good sound, easy connectivity, and nice design.
However, the only flaw was that the speaker sometimes doesn't turn on when it was previously said a high battery level. However, plugging it in for even one second would restore the battery, so there's a minor fault there.
Bass may be a bit overwhelming, but most people like this.
Aux does have some noticeable latency if you need it to play live sounds (synths, samplers).
Really good budget speaker, most people will compliment the lights and the fact that the small woofer moves a lot.
Great little speaker
I bought this on a whim when I was out of town and the hotel I was staying in had limited TV channels. I wasn’t expecting much for the price, just wanted to play music from my phone that weekend. Since bringing it home, have used around the house and in the garden and find my teenage children have also swiped it to play music in their rooms. The sound is great for a small speaker, with decent bass. It is so good, they have asked for their own models. The only slight bugbear is the loud tone that plays when you switch the speaker on and off - there does not appear to be a way to turn it down.
A great sounding little marvel...
I'm thoroughly impressed with this speaker, the build quality is very good, the audio is superb and it's feature packed. I quite like the ambience of the pulsing lights and the variety of colours too, settings can be changed to alter the lights slightly or they can be turned off completely if you were to find them distracting. I've had no issues whatsoever with connectivity, the built in mic is an added bonus for taking hands-free calls. I can highly recommend this speaker, I'm extremely pleased with my purchase which I firmly believe to be fantastic value. 🙂
Speakers for on the go or static
Bought acoustic solutions Bluetooth speakers about four weeks ago, I've used them on my exersize bike as I can use the loop tie around the handle bars, perfect.
I also use my speakers in the bathroom as they are waterproof. The casing is rubber which is handy because I dropped them off cill into the sink, still work
Fine and unblemished.
The sound quality is excellent and could be improved if you bought a pair. The speakers have an illuminated disk on top for your kids to have some fun.
Great value for money 👍
A Great Portable Speaker
I bought this a few months ago to be able to listen to podcasts and not wear earphones & be attached to my phone while doing things around the house. A great sound quality and good volume. The battery lasts ages as described. The buttons are a good size and easy to use and it connected really easily to my phone. It is a big enough size to not loose it but small enough that it will now go on holidays with me so that I do not have to be constantly attached to my phone
Good value, not the best sound
I bought this to take on holiday as it's smaller and lighter than my old Bose Soundlink which doesnt hold its charge any more. Needless the say the sound quality is not up to Bose stadard but it did the job. Battery life is good and the bluetooth connects easily and has good range. Sound is a bit muffled compared to Bose, but for a 10th of the price you cant expect too much. Lights on top can be switched off and provide a bit of atmosphere if required.
Small but mighty
I bought this on a reccomodation and I'm so glad I did! I was worried that it might be to small to produce decent sound. But boy was I wrong! This gadget packs a punch! As other reviews said, it is better if you hang it up. I hooked it under my parasol, and it can be heard clear in the whole garden. Perfect for BBQ parties. I also use it indoors and I love how portable it is. I was worried about the lights on top being distractive but I don't mind it.
Pocket rocket
Bought this for my sun house thinking it would be just good enough for the price. I'm now expecting an ASBO through from the neighbours any day now as this thing makes some serious noise and I can't help but turn it up. Great sound quality too, I like the little light show on top it's a bit of fun, and the battery lasts all day if you need it to. Don't pay extra for a brand name on the front, go with this one and get more than you bargained for.
Fantastic sound!
I bought this to replace a much smaller, more basic speaker. I was looking for a speaker that had a good sound for playing music, in the garden primarily. This speaker more than fits the bill. Excellent sound with added changing coloured lights! Robust. Showerproof. I love it. The problem is, my husband loves it too and he's used it non-stop since I picked it up. So...we're really thrilled with this speaker. Excellent value for money.
I am not very pleased with this speaker
I am not very pleased with this speaker. Periodically there is a beating and cracking when using it with cable. The problem goes away after the cable is disconnected and connected again. The replacement of the speaker did not help. The new speaker has the same problem. The beating appears about once an hour. I tried to watch a movie with this speaker, but it’s incredibly annoying. Sound normal when using speaker via wi-fi. 🤷🏻♂️
Love it!!!
Amazing powerful mini speaker. Other reviews were great. A few were a little shaky. But I must admit worth every single penny.Sound quality is absolutely amazing.You cannot go wrong with this price was outstanding.Would recommend this to everyone of all ages ages.I am not a teenager , but this is going to be great for my holiday. Nice and light very portable won't take up space. The coloured lights add the expensive touch to it.
Awesome Sound
So, I bought this for my girlfriend for Christmas, but I wanted to test it before I wrapped it. I was astounded by the really deep, rich bass and vibrant sound for such a small speaker, so much so I will now buy one for myself! Really great but subtle lighting effects, which strobe in time or strobe gently with a breathing effect, or off. Like I say, I've only tested it so I cannot comment on durability but yeah, tests well!
Good little speaker
I bought this to replace a much older speaker whose battery life was short. Its just what i needed as I use it around the house for listening to radio programmes (speech) or music and its been great. I like the changing colours on the top, the sound quality is good and I like the headphone jack as I still use an MP3 player so can easily plug this in if needed. I sometimes use this when I don't have good internet connection.
Great. Even better than what I expected.
The sound coming out of this speaker it's just fantastic. It's loud if want it that way. The bass is just great and well balanced. I have heard much more expensive speakers that don't sound half as good as this Acoustic one. The battery last for ages but I tend to turn the lights off and charging times are very acceptable as well . As I said, I.am more than happy with my purchase.
Small speaker, big sound.
I've had this little speaker a month now and it's proving to be a real winner. It has a great sound, lovely bass and really fills the room despite its small size. The battery lasts ages and it works well with my phone to give me music and podcasts wherever I go. My only reservation is that the colour changing LED lights can't be turned off, so it can be a bit annoying at night.
Great little speaker
Very happy. Battery lasts a decent length of time, sound quality is good (not excellent but completely fair), connects quickly and easily, and it's a nice looking little device. Does a great job considering it's about the cheapest I've found. If you want outstanding, grab something more pricey. If you're happy with just a really good little speaker, this is the one.
Great little speaker for the money
And I do mean little, it's a tiny little thing, but for it's small size it packs a surprising punch. Its not gonna blow you away but it has decent clarity and bass; it's perfect for music in the garden or listening to audiobooks. Good battery life (I'd say around 10 hours depending on volume) and apparently it's waterproof and floats but I've yet to test this out.
