gotchanewsdaily.com 
Rating — 3/5
Portable Bluetooth speakers allow you to take your music anywhere, offering convenience, wireless freedom, and quality sound without being tied down by cords. Since the market is overflowing with portable Bluetooth speakers, making it tough to find the perfect one. HP recently introduced the HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 in India. Priced at Rs 2,999, the speaker promises to offer a blend of affordability and performance, delivering portability, and seamless wireless connectivity for audio experience on the go.We used the device for some time and here’s our review.
Design
The HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 stands out with its design that merges aesthetics with practicality. Our review unit features a Silver body which gives a near-to-premium finish. With a cylindrical form factor, the speaker has just the right size to fit comfortably in your room without taking too much space. Its small size makes it an ideal companion for desks, shelves, or even a travel bag when you’re on the go. The device has a plastic body with a modern, stylish look. Its lightweight build and water-resistant design (IPX4 rated) mean it’s ready to accompany you on outdoor adventures.
On top is the speaker grille/mesh. The control panel is placed at the bottom with rubberized buttons for power, volume, and answering a call. The rubberized finish offers a satisfying, tactile response. The speaker’s base features a non-slip surface, ensuring stability on any surface. On the rear side of the speaker is the charging port and the old-style 3.5mm audio jack to connect with other devices.
One of the best things about the speaker is that it features a USB Type-C charging port. Since most devices now come with a Type-C port, you won’t need to carry an extra cable just for the speaker. The box, nevertheless, has a USB Type-C charging cable too.
The speaker dons a power light that turns white and warm yellow (amber) while pairing and charging, respectively. Overall, the speaker has a minimalist design, combined with portability and a sturdy build.
Performance
The HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 is equipped with Bluetooth 5 for wireless connectivity, allowing us to quickly pair it to our devices. The dedicated power button on the top can be pressed to turn it on. Once it’s powered up, the speaker automatically enters pairing mode, making it easy to connect. Next, turn on the Bluetooth on your smartphone or laptop that you wish to pair the speaker with. Look for the speaker in the Bluetooth device list and connect. The speaker will play a notification tone to notify that the pairing is successful.
Talking about the audio quality on the speaker, it manages to deliver a clear sound for its size and its price point. It can handle a variety of genres well, whether you’re listening to soothing acoustic tunes, vibrant pop anthems, or even podcasts. We listened to songs like Saude Bazi – composed by Pritam, Satrangi – sung by Sony Nigam and others to check the audio quality. While it is not one of the best, the output is only satisfactory. Vocals come out clear, but the sound of musical instruments in the songs sometimes felt a bit subdued and overshadowed. But overall, it does a good job of amplifying the sound, ensuring it reaches everyone in the range.
The HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 features a dedicated button for answering calls. The button is tactile and responds well while answering a call. When a call comes in, you simply press the designated call button on the speaker, and the audio seamlessly switches from your device to the speaker. You can also press and hold the call button to decline a call. There are dedicated buttons to volume up or down. These buttons can also be used to jump to the next song or play a previous track.
With five in-built microphones, the speaker offers good clarity during calls. However, the experience for the caller on the other end may not be quite as clear. They could hear a noticeable echo and/or background noise.
Battery life
As previously mentioned, the speaker features a USB Type-C port for charging. To charge, simply plug in the device. The light at the bottom-front will turn warm yellowish when the speaker is put on charge. The HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 features a battery indicator, so you can easily monitor the remaining battery life.
The light will start blinking in case the battery level drops below 20%. It takes about two hours for the speaker to charge fully. Once completely charged, the speaker gave us around 12 hours of listening time but it may vary as per users’ listening habits.
Verdict
At Rs 2,999, the HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 combines a stylish design with practical features, making it a suitable companion for both home and outdoor use. The speaker’s sleek cylindrical shape, lightweight build, and IPX4 water resistance enhance its portability, allowing users to enjoy music on the go without worrying about space or durability. If you are looking for a portable speaker on a budget for small get together and family outings, the HP Bluetooth Speaker 360 is a good choice.
