Portable Bluetooth speakers have come a long way since their early days of tinny sound and unreliable connections. Today's market offers impressive audio quality in increasingly compact packages, with two standout options released in 2024: the ultra-portable $77 MINIROLL from Ultimate Ears and the premium $149 Beats Pill.
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what makes a great portable speaker. The key factors haven't changed much over the years, but the technology delivering them has improved dramatically:
The MINIROLL and Pill represent two distinct philosophies in portable audio. The MINIROLL takes the ultra-compact approach, weighing just 279g (about as much as a large smartphone) with a clever disc-shaped design that easily slips into a jacket pocket. Its built-in strap adds versatility - I've found it particularly useful for attaching to bike handlebars or hanging from tree branches during picnics.
The Beats Pill, while still portable, prioritizes sound quality over ultimate compactness. At 680g, it's more than twice the weight of the MINIROLL but remains manageable. Its cylinder shape (hence the "Pill" name) fits nicely in backpack water bottle holders and car cupholders, making it more suitable for planned outings rather than spontaneous adventures.
Here's where things get interesting. Both speakers employ clever engineering to overcome the physical limitations of their size, but they take different approaches:
The MINIROLL uses:
The Pill features:
In real-world use, the difference is noticeable. The MINIROLL punches above its weight class, delivering surprisingly full sound for its size, but physics can't be denied - it struggles with room-filling volume and deep bass. The Pill, with its larger drivers and more sophisticated acoustic design, provides richer, fuller sound that works better for small gatherings or outdoor parties.
Both speakers feature IP67 ratings (meaning they're dustproof and can handle being submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes), but there are subtle differences in their implementation:
The MINIROLL's more compact design and fewer seams make it slightly more resistant to real-world abuse. I've seen it survive drops onto concrete and extended exposure to sand without issues. The Pill, while still durable, has more potential points of failure due to its larger size and more complex construction.
Battery technology has improved significantly in recent years, and both speakers benefit from modern efficiency:
Both use USB-C charging, but the Pill adds the ability to charge other devices - a handy feature for emergency phone charging during outdoor adventures.
The price difference between these speakers ($77 vs $149) reflects their different target markets and capabilities. The MINIROLL offers exceptional value for those prioritizing portability and durability, while the Pill justifies its premium price through superior sound quality and additional features.
Both speakers incorporate recent technological advances:
The MINIROLL features:
The Pill includes:
Choose the MINIROLL if:
Go for the Pill if:
Both speakers represent the current state of the art in portable audio, but they're approaching it from different angles. The MINIROLL shows how much sound quality can be packed into an ultra-portable package, while the Pill demonstrates what's possible when portability is balanced against acoustic performance.
As technology continues to advance, we'll likely see these categories converge further, but for now, they serve distinct needs in the portable audio market. Whether you choose the ultra-portable MINIROLL or the more powerful Pill, both represent significant improvements over their predecessors and offer compelling features for their respective price points.
Remember, the best speaker is the one that fits your specific needs and use cases. Consider how and where you'll most often use it, and choose accordingly. Both options excel in their intended roles - it's just a matter of matching those capabilities to your requirements.
| Ultimate Ears MINIROLL | Beats Pill |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial investment consideration | |
| $77 (excellent value for ultra-portable use) | $149 (premium pricing for better sound) |
| Size & Weight - Impacts true portability | |
| 122.67 x 105 x 48.15mm, 279g (pocket-friendly) | 218.4 x 71.1 x 71.1mm, 680g (backpack-sized) |
| Battery Life - Critical for extended use | |
| 12 hours (sufficient for daily use) | 24 hours (ideal for weekend trips) |
| Sound Output - Determines usable environments | |
| 86dBC max (personal to small group listening) | Higher output suitable for room-filling sound |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Affects outdoor usability | |
| IP67 (fully waterproof, more robust design) | IP67 (water resistant but larger seams) |
| Speaker Configuration - Impacts sound quality | |
| 45.6mm driver + passive radiator (good for size) | Custom racetrack woofer + dedicated tweeter (superior audio) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality | |
| 5.3 with AAC, SBC, LC3 codecs | 5.3 with standard codecs |
| Special Features - Adds versatility | |
| Built-in strap, PartyUp multi-speaker mode | Removable lanyard, device charging capability |
| Construction - Environmental impact | |
| 40% recycled materials, sustainable design | Standard materials, premium build quality |
| Best Use Case - Primary purpose | |
| Ultra-portable personal audio, outdoor activities | Small gatherings, home/office use, better sound quality |
The Beats Pill is significantly better for home theater use due to its superior bass response, room-filling sound, and 24-hour battery life. However, neither speaker is an ideal home theater solution compared to dedicated soundbars or surround systems.
Yes, both can connect to Smart TVs via Bluetooth, but the $149 Beats Pill offers better clarity for dialogue and a wider soundstage. The $77 MINIROLL lacks the power needed for most TV viewing scenarios.
The Beats Pill delivers noticeably better sound quality with stronger bass, clearer highs, and more volume. The MINIROLL offers good sound for its size but can't match the Pill's audio performance.
The MINIROLL is significantly more portable at 279g versus the Pill's 680g. Its disc shape easily fits in pockets, while the Beats Pill is better suited for backpacks or bags.
The Beats Pill offers 24 hours of playback, while the MINIROLL provides 12 hours. Both use USB-C charging, but only the Pill can charge other devices.
Both speakers are IP67 rated for water and dust resistance. The MINIROLL is more durable for outdoor activities, while the Beats Pill provides better sound for outdoor gatherings.
The MINIROLL offers better value at $77 if portability is your priority. The Beats Pill at $149 justifies its higher price through superior sound quality and features.
The MINIROLL offers PartyUp mode for connecting multiple speakers. The Beats Pill can pair two speakers for stereo sound.
The Beats Pill is better for movies with its superior bass response and clarity. The MINIROLL isn't powerful enough for immersive movie watching.
The Beats Pill works better for gaming due to lower latency and better sound quality. The MINIROLL may experience noticeable audio delay during gaming.
Both speakers use Bluetooth 5.3, but the MINIROLL offers 40 meters range compared to the Beats Pill's standard 30 meters.
Both work well for background music, but the Beats Pill offers more balanced sound at lower volumes. The MINIROLL is ideal for personal listening spaces.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - businesswire.com - bestbuy.com - stuff.tv - ultimateears.com - target.com - youtube.com - ultimateears.com - ultimateears.com - bestbuy.com - staples.com - connection.com - otza.com - target.com - quill.com - jumpplus.com - beatsbydre.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - beatsbydre.com - vipoutlet.com
