OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

Ihome IP4 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Audio output power:?Battery life:20 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:?Weight:3400 g

Ihome IP4 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Score components

80%

7.0

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–²Better than 68% of portable speakers
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–²Better than 76%
7.0

Technical score

Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components

32%

7.8

Audio

20%

7.9

Battery

18%

7.2

Durability

16%

5.5

Connectivity

8%

5.5

Controls

3%

5.7

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

â–²Better than 76%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £110
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Ihome IP4

Technical score
Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components:

32%

7.8

Audio

20%

7.9

Battery

18%

7.2

Durability

16%

5.5

Connectivity

8%

5.5

Controls

3%

5.7

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

7.0
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Ihome IP4 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components:

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.9
Audio output power
?
Driver unit size
101.6 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 101.6 mm which is larger than that of 90.6% of portable speakers.
Uses a 101.6 mm primary driver.
Number of drivers
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 4 drivers, which is more than 81.7% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 11.9% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
?
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth audio. 94.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Bluetooth profiles supported
?
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
20 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 20 hours which is longer than that of 80.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.3% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
no
This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. 81.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
?
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
Remote control
yes
This portable speaker includes a remote control. 85.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
yes
This portable speaker supports fast pairing. 77.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
3,400 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 3,400 g which is heavier than that of 83.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.4% of portable speakers.
Height
23.11 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 23.11 cm which is taller than that of 85% of portable speakers.
Width
45.21 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 45.21 cm which is wider than that of 96% of portable speakers.
Depth
12.7 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 12.7 cm which is deeper than that of 71.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Carry options
strap/handle/shoulder
Show more
Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Ihome IP4 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 51.6 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (101.6 mm vs 50 mm).
    Uses a 101.6 mm primary driver.
    101.6 mm vs 50 mm
  • 8 hours longer battery life
    This portable speaker has a longer battery life than the average portable speaker (20 hours vs 12 hours).
    20 hours vs 12 hours
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Has a removable battery
    This portable speaker has a removable battery, while the average portable speaker does not have a removable battery.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 51.6 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (101.6 mm vs 50 mm).
    Uses a 101.6 mm primary driver.
    101.6 mm vs 50 mm
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 8 hours longer battery life
    This portable speaker has a longer battery life than the average portable speaker (20 hours vs 12 hours).
    20 hours vs 12 hours
  • Has a removable battery
    This portable speaker has a removable battery, while the average portable speaker does not have a removable battery.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Includes a remote control
    This portable speaker includes a remote control, while the average portable speaker does not include a remote control.
  • Has an FM radio
    This portable speaker has an FM radio, while the average portable speaker does not have an FM radio.
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • Has a sleep timer
    This portable speaker has a sleep timer, while the average portable speaker does not have a sleep timer.
    A selectable timer can stop playback or power the speaker down.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not support Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio.
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 2,600 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (3,400 g vs 800 g).
    3,400 g vs 800 g
  • 27.11 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (45.2 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    45.21 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • 4.21x less popular
    Ihome IP4 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • Does not support Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio.
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • Does not support auto power-off
    This portable speaker does not support auto power-off, while the average portable speaker supports auto power-off.
    No automatic inactivity-based power-off.
  • 2,600 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (3,400 g vs 800 g).
    3,400 g vs 800 g
  • 27.11 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (45.2 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    45.21 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 10.71 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (23.1 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    23.11 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 4.4 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (12.7 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    12.7 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 8 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2011 vs 2019).
    2011 vs 2019

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

A
audioholics.com
29/05/2012
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 iPod/iPhone Portable Stereo Review - Audioholics
T
the-gadgeteer.com
02/03/2012
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 Portable FM Stereo Boombox Review - The Gadgeteer
Z
zdnet.com
12/04/2012
Summary of the review
Review: iHome iP4Go to product viewer dialog for this item. boombox (Verdict: retro chic)
D
digitaltrends.com
23/08/2019
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 Review Review links and details are sourced from The-Gadgeteer the-gadgeteer.com, ZDNET zdnet.com, Audioholics audioholics.com, iPhoneSpeake...
I
iphonespeakerreviews.com
24/10/2012
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 iPhone-iPod BoomBox Speaker Review
T
thechrisvossshow.com
15/03/2012
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 Portable FM Stereo Boombox For iPhone/iPod Review
I
igen.fr
08/11/2011
Summary of the review
Speakers: iHome iP4 and Yamaha PDX-11
(Translated)Show original
T
the-gadgeteer.com
02/03/2012
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 Portable FM Stereo Boombox Review
(Translated)Show original
A
audioholics.com
29/05/2012
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 iPod/iPhone Portable Stereo Review
(Translated)Show original
Z
zdnet.com
12/04/2012
Summary of the review
Review: iHome iP4 boombox (Verdict: retro chic)
(Translated)Show original
D
digitaltrends.com
23/08/2019
Summary of the review
iHome iP4 Review
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Ihome IP4

  • Distinctive, nostalgia-inducing 1980s retro boombox aesthetic.
  • Surprisingly loud, well-balanced sound with good vocal clarity.
  • Integrated five-band graphic equalizer allows for personalized audio adjustment.
  • SRS TruBass processing noticeably improves audio depth and fullness.
  • Robust build quality with a tough, comfortable rubberized finish.
  • Convenient portability features including a sturdy handle and an included shoulder strap.
  • Clever magnetic storage slot on top keeps the wireless remote secure.

What customers don't like about Ihome IP4

  • Requires six large D batteries for portable use rather than a modern rechargeable battery pack.
  • Will not charge a docked Apple device when operating on battery power.
  • The physical design lacks FM radio station presets.
  • Native dock connector relies on older 30-pin Apple architecture, necessitating an adapter for newer lightning or USB-C devices.
  • FM radio reception can be weak without the separate external antenna wire connected.
  • The overall size is quite bulky and heavy, making it less convenient for long journeys.
  • Bass response can feel a bit underpowered or flat unless the equalizer and TruBass are actively tweaked.

Verdict

The iHome iP4 is a retro-styled portable boombox featuring a flexible 30-pin iPhone/iPod docking station, a Class D amplifier, two 4-inch carbon composite woofers, two 1-inch ferrofluid-cooled dome tweeters, a built-in FM radio, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input. Main pros include its powerful sound enhanced by SRS TruBass digital signal processing, a customizable 5-band graphic equalizer with an LCD display, sturdy rubberized construction with a built-in handle, and a convenient magnetized remote control. However, notable cons include its dependency on six heavy D-cell batteries for true portability due to the lack of an internal rechargeable battery, the absence of FM radio station presets, and a bulkier 7.5-pound frame that lacks modern Bluetooth connectivity.

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