Outdoor Tech Bolt Camping Bluetooth Speaker

A good tent and sturdy hiking boots make any outdoor experience enjoyable. A camping Bluetooth speaker adds an extra fun factor when relaxing at base camp. I recently tested the Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth speaker and put it through its paces during a trip from Oregon to Arizona for the 2024 Overland Expo West show. Does it sound better than the JBL Clip 3 I bought a few years ago or the original Jawbone Jambox Black Diamond I've owned for years? Let's find out.

Bolt Bluetooth Speaker Stats

The Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth speaker weighs 1 pound and is roughly the size of a pair of ski goggles, measuring 7 ¾ inches long x 3 ¼ inches wide x 1 7/8 inches tall. The speaker has a sturdy magnetic base that attaches instantly to any steel surface; however, it doesn't come with a carrying sleeve or case (I used an old drawstring ski goggle sleeve to protect it while traveling).

The Bolt Bluetooth speaker has a soft black mesh top and a bright red rubber loop for hanging that can be opened and closed, making it convenient for hanging on small tree branches, tent poles, etc. It works well, but the rubber loop and its rubber base can attract lint and debris depending on the type of material it's made of.

This OutdoorTech Bolt Bluetooth speaker can be paired with a second speaker to create a surround sound experience, but we only tested one on a camping trip. In addition to being able to use it as a speaker, the Bolt can also double as a battery bank to power other devices when needed. The built-in 3.7V, 2600mAh rechargeable battery charges in about 2 hours via a USB-C cable (not included). It will run for about 8 hours before being fully depleted.

Ingress Protection Rating

The Outdoor Tech website states that the Bolt is waterproof rated IPX6. However, if you check the Ingress Protection (IP) ratings table, you'll find the following:

• I: Ingress
• P: Protection
• X: This product has not been formally tested for ingress of solid materials and is therefore designated X.
• 6: This product is designed to be protected from high pressure water streams.

The highest waterproof immersion rating is IPX9k, with an IPX6 rating (Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth Speaker) being better than most water resistance levels.

My thoughts

This speaker has been perfect wherever I've had it, whether it's mounted on the wheels of my Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear van, attached to the INEOS Grenade 4×4 I drove on a camping trip, or sitting on a picnic table as I write this article. The Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth speaker pumps out crisp, clear sound from its two 50mm 8W speakers. It can also be made very loud if needed. The Bolt speaker also has a built-in microphone, so it can be used for conference calls and other audio functions.

Although the Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth speaker didn't come with a carrying sleeve to protect it when not in use, it held up relatively unscathed during camping and backpacking trips.

In a side-by-side sound test of the JBL Clip 3 and the original Jawbone Jambox Black Diamond, it was by far the loudest of the three, producing a rich sound that easily enveloped a wide area.

The Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth Speaker handles a wide range of volume levels and produces surprisingly crisp, clean sound from such a small speaker. However, it does lack a bit of bass compared to the JBL Clip 3. Listened to alone, it's not noticeable unless you're playing bass-heavy songs. At higher volumes, certain songs can sound a bit muddy, but this wasn't my primary use case.

summary

If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that's stylish, functional, perfect for camping or traveling, and sounds great for most tunes, consider the Outdoor Tech Bolt Bluetooth Speaker. Personally, I wouldn't use it when it's raining while camping, but it's nice to see that it's more water resistant than other products we've tested in the same system. The sound quality is great, the magnets are super strong, and the oversized loop allows for a variety of hanging methods. Price: $79.95