Our specialty at Swift Moves is side-by-side testing and reviews. But occasionally, a product doesn’t have an immediate competitor, and we just want to review it on its own. The heyday Round Strap Bluetooth Speaker is one of these cases.
After extensive testing of the heyday bluetooth speaker, we have concluded that it is an average, but overall unspectacular, product. When factoring in the low price (MSRP under $30), we rate it as a decent buy.
In the budget price range, the Altec Lansing Baby Boom XL outperforms the heyday round strap speaker in sound quality, durability, and value.
Continue reading for the full heyday round speaker review.
Sound
Sound quality is average, but slightly above average for products in its price range. The heyday is a definite step up from most off-brand, budget speakers, but less than the Baby Boom XL or Clip 3, which we have recently reviewed.
The volume gets spectacularly high for a 5 watt speaker that sells for $30, but sound quality worsens at high volumes. Because the sound quality falls at volumes above 70%, the speaker isn’t great for outdoor use. But it is perfect for a small or medium-sized room. If you are accustomed to listening to music through a phone speaker, the heyday will be a significant step up. On the flip side, if you normally listen to music on a premium JBL, Bose, or Ultimate Ears product, the heyday cannot compete.
The device provides a lot of bass, and with decent quality. High pitches have a slight static sound, and can be abrupt. Listening to talk radio or podcasts, you will notice that spoken voices are lacking in crispness and clarity.
Sound rating: B-
Design
The heyday round strap scores excellent marks for its design. The silicone material gives the speaker a stylish and unique appearance. It also has a nice feel, and makes it easy to grip. The round shape and subtle buttons give the device a sleek appearance, and it will blend in pretty well on a bookshelf or entertainment stand. And I personally like the logo-less look.
The silicone strap opens on one side to reveal the power and bluetooth pairing buttons. This seems pointless, because both of the buttons work well without removing the strap.
On the other side, the strap opens to reveal the charging port. The strap closes firmly, and there is a plug that further waterproofs the charging port. Did we mention that this thing is waterproof? The IPX7 rating is typical for a waterproof speaker, and means that it can be submerged to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.
The heyday is a Target-exclusive product, and can be purchased direct from the Target website. At the time of publishing, the available colors are black, white, and olive green. Heyday used to have more color options (you can find other colors on the used market), but we are unsure whether they will bring back these choices.
Design rating: A-
Durability
The heyday round strap Bluetooth speaker has an IPX7 waterproof rating. As mentioned above, this means it can withstand 30 minutes of submersion at a depth up to a meter. It is not technically rated as dust-proof, but it is well sealed and durable.
For overall durability, we give the heyday portable speaker high marks. The silicone exterior prevents scratches, dings, and scuffs. It also withstands drops from reasonable heights. We didn’t test any drops above 4 feet, so try this at your own risk. The frame of the speaker is round and with no easily-breakable parts, which further improves its durability.
Heyday also provides a one year warranty on the product. Because it is a Target brand, you should be able to trust this warranty. In the budget price range, having a warranty that is fulfilled by Target is actually a big advantage to this product.
Between the waterproof rating, the tough and dent-proof design, and the lack of reported quality issues, we feel confident in giving the heyday a good score for durability.
Durability rating: B+
Power
Battery life for the heyday is rated for up to 8 hours, and our testing showed this number to be fairly accurate. At normal listening volumes, you can expect to get 6+ hours per charge, which is a solid number for a speaker in this price range. A full charging cycle takes around 3 hours, although heyday says it takes 3-4 hours.
Power rating: B
Features & User Experience
The strap is a unique way to hide and waterproof the USB port and buttons on the speaker, and adds some visual interest.
The device was simple to connect to bluetooth, and we experienced no issues with the connection. Heyday advertises a 33 foot bluetooth range, but our testing showed strong connection at longer distances.
One simple feature I liked was the subtle noise when powering the device on/off. Unlike many portable speakers, which have a loud voice or obnoxious ring when turning the device on and off, the heyday had a simple, quiet tune. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but many speakers have jarring and unpleasant start-up noises that play at loud volumes.
The heyday speaker is well-designed, but bulkier than you would want for a true “portable” speaker. The heyday is a bit large to throw into a gym bag or purse, Rather, this speaker is a good size for a computer desk or bathroom counter.
Heyday advertises a “true wireless stereo” that can be accomplished by pairing two heyday speakers. Because we only tested one device, we can’t speak to the quality of this feature.
Overall, the heyday isn’t a feature-packed speaker, but it does a good job for what it is. For a sub-$30 portable bluetooth speaker, this product brings good sound quality, a stylish design, and simple user-friendly operation.
Features rating: B–
Final Thoughts
We have tested some great speakers in the sub-$50 price range that provide a better value. But at the same time, for $30 you could certainly do worse than a heyday. The speaker is well-designed, durable, waterproof, and perfect for a dorm room or shower speaker.
