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Ryobi Bluetooth speaker review: why repairable wins
Short answer: most cheap Bluetooth speakers are glued shut, so when the battery dies the speaker dies. The Ryobi radio runs on the same removable batteries as Ryobi tools, is held together with screws and can be repaired, so it lasts much longer. It also sounds loud and can charge your phone.
The problem with glued speakers
I compared it with an Altec speaker with a camouflage cover. I found only two screws; the rest looks glued all the way around. To replace the battery you would have to cut it open, so in practice you can't.
Why the Ryobi is better
With Ryobi tool-style products you see screws everywhere, and the main point: you can remove the battery. Those batteries are sold almost anywhere, and you can check the charge level on the battery itself.
There is a small compartment for a backup battery that only keeps the clock and radio presets. According to the manual you have about 15 seconds to swap the main battery without losing anything. Like Louis Rossmann says: right to repair.
Features and sound
It has AM/FM radio, an aux input for an iPod or similar, a USB port to charge your phone and Bluetooth. Playing music from my phone it is loud enough; at maximum it saturates a bit, but at normal volume it sounds great.
There is a handle to carry it and an elastic strap to hold your phone, which is handy at a customer's site for a big job. The buttons are simple and self-explanatory.
The radio is an afterthought
Reception is not that great; you can pick up some stations. The real reason to buy it is to play music or audiobooks from your phone. The radio is like a freebie.
Size and portability
It is small, almost the size of my phone, but it sounds big. The handle on top makes it easy to carry from the truck to the job, and the elastic strap keeps your phone secure while it plays music.
Who should buy it
If you already have Ryobi tools, you already have the batteries, so this is an easy add-on. If you work on job sites, go to customers for big jobs or just want a speaker that will not end up in the trash when the battery dies, the repairable design is the main reason to choose it over a glued Bluetooth speaker.
The same idea applies to other tool brands: look for a speaker with screws and a battery you can remove and replace, not one that is glued shut.
Battery life and charge level
Because it runs on a tool battery, you can check the charge level right on the battery, something you can't do with the small glued speakers. When it runs low you swap in another charged battery in seconds, and the small backup battery keeps your clock and presets.
How to use it
It is very simple: turn it on, choose AM/FM, aux or Bluetooth with the buttons, pair your phone and play. You can also change what the display shows. Just start pressing the buttons; it is self-explanatory.
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace the battery in the Ryobi speaker?
Yes, it uses removable Ryobi tool batteries you can find almost anywhere.
Does it charge a phone?
Yes, it has a USB port to charge your phone while you play music over Bluetooth.
Is the AM/FM radio good?
It works but reception is not great; the main use is Bluetooth audio from your phone.