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iFox iF012 Review

Enrest Walugembe Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

80
77
2

Experts

89
21k

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Experts liked the iFox iF012 during their review, and they approved it for music, podcasts, and outdoor use. Testers loved its good soundstage performance and remarkably portable, waterproof construction. However, they despised its mono-channel technology and lack of aux or USB ports.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The iFox iF012 is an entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker released back in 2015, promising excellent music quality and a waterproof design for use in bathrooms and outdoors. Featuring a remarkably compact design, this speaker holds its own against the top-ranking speakers on the market today. It has speakerphone functions and uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology and boasts a good 252.6-foot Bluetooth range. This device weighs just 0.4 lbs and has an IP67-rated submersible waterproof design. A removable suction cup allows mounting this device in the bathroom. Examine the iFox iF012 in detail below and see how it compares with the best Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Product testers adore the iFox iF012, recommending it for podcasts, music, and outdoor use. Lifewire editors loved its balanced sound profile, evidenced by a 0.32 frequency response slope, although the 174.5 Hz to 7.9KHz range is narrow. Check out our Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 review for a wider frequency response range. It has mediocre bass, so it’s not for movie enthusiasts. Check out the ION Pathfinder 280 review for better bass. Analysts at Best Views Reviews liked its speakerphone functions and 1.16 dB directivity index and wide soundstage. Editors loved. With an 81.6 dB maximum SPL, this speaker doesn’t get very loud. It has a good 0.76 dB DRC, maintaining audio quality at the maximum volume. However, it has a high 298 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 275 ms Android latency. This model has an okay 7.8-hour battery life, but lacks voice assistant functions. Explore our JBL Charge 5 review for longer runtime.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Remarkably compact design
  • Wide soundstage
  • Very minimal sound quality deterioration at high volume settings
  • Bluetooth tech
  • Produces fairly balanced sound

Reason to Avoid

  • Lacks voice assistant support
  • High Android and iOS Bluetooth latency
  • Lacks stereo
  • Doesn’t have an EQ
  • Doesn’t get very loud

iFox iF012 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life18 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time2.7 hrs
SizeSize3.4" (w) x 3.4" (h) x 2.6" (d)
Smart AppSmart Appn/a
Speaker PairingSpeaker Pairingn/a
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage5W
Wireless RangeWireless Range33 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)7.8
Volume Output (dB)81.6
Low End Roll Off (Hz)229.565
High End Roll Off (Hz)6,736.397

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Product Comparison

iFox iF012 Review

True Score

80
79
86
NR

Ranking

#

74

/

109

#

86

/

109

#

9

/

109

#

/

Market Context

The iFox iF012 is an entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker released back in 2015, promising excellent music quality and a waterproof design for use in bathrooms…

The iFox iF012 is an entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker released back in 2015, promising excellent music quality and a waterproof design for use in bathrooms and outdoors. Featuring a remarkably compact design, this speaker holds its own against the top-ranking speakers on the market today. It has speakerphone functions and uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology and boasts a good 252.6-foot Bluetooth range. This device weighs just 0.4 lbs and has an IP67-rated submersible waterproof design. A removable suction cup allows mounting this device in the bathroom. Examine the iFox iF012 in detail below and see how it compares with the best Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.

Featuring a more lightweight 0.4-lb design and IP67 waterproof and dustproof construction, the iFox iF012 is more suitable for on-the-go use than the 2.6-lb JBL…

Featuring a more lightweight 0.4-lb design and IP67 waterproof and dustproof construction, the iFox iF012 is more suitable for on-the-go use than the 2.6-lb JBL Pulse, which only has an IPX7 waterproof rating. However, the JBL Pulse 4 speaker features RGB ambiance lighting, unlike the iFox iF012. The JBL device also has a better 11.5-hour battery life than the 7.8-hour battery life of the iFox iF012. Our JBL Pulse 4 review discusses the JBL speaker in detail.

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 has a much better 13-hour battery life than the 7.8-hour runtime of the iFox iF012. Additionally, the Ultimate Ears speaker…

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 has a much better 13-hour battery life than the 7.8-hour runtime of the iFox iF012. Additionally, the Ultimate Ears speaker supports stereo, unlike the iFox iF012. However, the iFox iF012 comes with a removable suction cup for mounting in a bathroom and features speakerphone functions, unlike the WONDERBOOM speaker.

With both devices boasting a waterproof design and 7.8-hour battery life, the iFox iF012 and the iFox iF013 are very similar. However, the iF013 has…

With both devices boasting a waterproof design and 7.8-hour battery life, the iFox iF012 and the iFox iF013 are very similar. However, the iF013 has integrated FM radio functionality, unlike the iFox iF012.

Battery Life

18 hrs

12 hrs

13 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

Yes

n/a

Charge Time

2.7 hrs

3.5 hrs

2.6 hrs

Size

3.4" (w) x 3.4" (h) x 2.6" (d)

8.15" (h) x 3.78" (w) x 3.78" (d)

4.1" (h) x 3.8" (w) x 3.8" (d)

Smart App

n/a

Yes

n/a

Speaker Pairing

n/a

Yes

Yes

Water Resistant

Yes

Yes

Yes

Wattage

5W

20W

100W

Dig Deeper

JBL Pulse 4 Review →

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

77

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

89

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

80

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    53
    The iFox iF012 Bluetooth shower speaker is disappointing for music. When placed flat on its… Read More

    By:

    John Panoryios
  • Lifewire
    50.83

    Category Trust Rating

    84
    If you want a basic, affordable shower speaker that reliably sticks to the wall and… Read More

    By:

    Jeffrey Daniel Chadwick

Customer Scores