OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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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

Skullcandy Barrel Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£220Audio output power:60.00 WBattery life:12 hoursIP rating:IPX5Bluetooth version:5.3Weight:5440 g

Skullcandy Barrel 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.

Skullcandy Barrel
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 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 75% of models
Score components

80%

6.9

Technical score

20%

8.3

User score

â–²Better than 75% of portable speakers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 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 68% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

â–²Better than 68%
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 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 68% of models
Score components

32%

6.3

Audio

20%

7.5

Battery

18%

7.2

Durability

16%

6.8

Connectivity

8%

7.5

Controls

3%

3.9

Design

3%

7.6

Smart features

â–²Better than 68%
8.3

User score

User score
8.3/ 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–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 75%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 Skullcandy Barrel

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 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 68% of models
Score components:

32%

6.3

Audio

20%

7.5

Battery

18%

7.2

Durability

16%

6.8

Connectivity

8%

7.5

Controls

3%

3.9

Design

3%

7.6

Smart features

6.9
User score
User score
8.3/ 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–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.3
Popularity
Popularity
7.1/ 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–² Better than 72% of models
Popularity:
Skullcandy Barrel has a popularity score of 7.1 points, which is higher than 71.9% of products in this category.
7.1
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 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 68% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

7.8
Audio output power
60 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 60 W which is higher than that of 79.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.5% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
48 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 48 mm which is smaller than that of 56.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.3% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
3
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 3 drivers, which is more than 70.1% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 11.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
50 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 50 Hz which is lower than that of 59.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.1% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
5.3
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 5.3 which is newer than that of 78.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.6% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP; HSP; SPP
Bluetooth LE Audio
?
Show more
Battery life
12 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 12 hours which is longer than that of 47.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 15.7% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
4,400 mAh
Market range: <900 mAh – >6.6k mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 4,400 mAh which is larger than that of 74.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 2.4% of portable speakers.
Charging time
3 hours
Market range: <2 hours – >5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 3 hours which is shorter than that of 35.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 35.1% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
IPX5
This portable speaker has an IP rating of IPX5 which provides worse ingress protection than 62.3% of portable speakers and the same ingress protection as 15.3% of portable speakers.
Water resistance
yes
This portable speaker is water resistant. 38.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
yes
This portable speaker is dust resistant. 48.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
?
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
5,440 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 5,440 g which is heavier than that of 89.8% of portable speakers.
Height
30 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 30 cm which is taller than that of 90.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Width
56.01 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 56.01 cm which is wider than that of 99.1% of portable speakers.
Depth
24.384 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 24.384 cm which is deeper than that of 93% of portable speakers.
Carry options
strap/handle/shoulder
Show more
Companion app name
Skullcandy
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
OTA; App
Voice assistant support
?
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Skullcandy Barrel vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 40 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (60 W vs 20 W).
    60 W vs 20 W
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 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.
  • 1,800 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (4,400 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    4,400 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Supports aptX
    This portable speaker supports aptX, while the average portable speaker does not support aptX.
  • Has a power bank function
    This portable speaker has a power bank function, while the average portable speaker does not have a power bank function.
  • 1 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (3 vs 2).
    3 vs 2
  • 3.5% higher user score
    User score
    8.3/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Skullcandy Barrel
    the average portable speaker
    Skullcandy Barrel has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (8.28 vs 8).
    8.28 vs 8
  • 40 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (60 W vs 20 W).
    60 W vs 20 W
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 1 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (3 vs 2).
    3 vs 2
  • 10 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (50 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    50 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Supports aptX
    This portable speaker supports aptX, while the average portable speaker does not support aptX.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This portable speaker has more USB ports than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a USB Type-C port
    This portable speaker has a USB Type-C port, while the average portable speaker does not have a USB Type-C port.
    Has a physical USB-C port.
  • 0.3 Bluetooth levels newer
    This portable speaker has a newer Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (5.3 vs 5).
    5.3 vs 5
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • 1,800 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (4,400 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    4,400 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Has a power bank function
    This portable speaker has a power bank function, while the average portable speaker does not have a power bank function.
  • 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 party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Includes a travel bag
    This portable speaker includes a travel bag, while the average portable speaker does not include a travel bag.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 2,000 Hz lower maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 4,640 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (5,440 g vs 800 g).
    5,440 g vs 800 g
  • 37.91 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (56 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    56.01 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 16.08 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (24.4 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    24.384 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 17.6 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (30 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    30 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 2.44x more expensive
    Skullcandy Barrel is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£220 vs £90).
    £220 vs £90
  • 2 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (48 mm vs 50 mm).
    48 mm vs 50 mm
  • 2.44x more expensive
    Skullcandy Barrel is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£220 vs £90).
    £220 vs £90
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 2,000 Hz lower maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 2 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (48 mm vs 50 mm).
    48 mm vs 50 mm
  • 4,640 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (5,440 g vs 800 g).
    5,440 g vs 800 g
  • 37.91 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (56 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    56.01 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 17.6 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (30 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    30 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 16.08 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (24.4 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    24.384 cm vs 8.3 cm

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
consumerreports.org
Unknown
Summary of the review
Skullcandy Barrel XT Wireless & Bluetooth Speaker Review
D
digitaltrends.com
15/11/2024
Summary of the review
Skullcandy Barrel review: a boombox that won't blow up your wallet

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Skullcandy Barrel

  • Excellent value for money, especially when purchased on sale compared to more expensive alternatives
  • Delivers very strong volume and loud, room-filling sound quality
  • Punchy and deep bass performance, particularly when the Bass Boost mode is activated
  • Long-lasting battery life that reliably lasts through extended use or day-long events
  • Highly portable and easy to carry using the integrated handle and included nylon shoulder strap
  • Fun, dynamic LED light show that synchronizes nicely with the music beat
  • SKDY Multi-Link technology allows quick and easy pairing of up to 99 speakers
  • Sturdy, heavy-duty build quality that feels durable for outdoor party use
  • IPX5 water-resistance protects the unit well from splashes and rain

What customers don't like about Skullcandy Barrel

  • Audio quality can sound muddy or poorly separated when playing certain genres like rock music
  • High frequencies and treble can become harsh, crackly, or distorted at lower or maximum volumes
  • The 12-pound chassis feels quite heavy and bulky for some users to transport comfortably
  • Exterior plastic shell does not have a rubberized finish, giving it a somewhat cheap or cheesy appearance
  • Lacks a dedicated smartphone companion application to customize EQ settings
  • Some users reported shipping issues with incorrect, low-voltage chargers included in the box
  • Battery drains significantly faster when simultaneously charging external devices and using the lights

Verdict

The Skullcandy Barrel is a heavy-duty portable Bluetooth 5.3 boombox speaker engineered with a 60W rated power output, featuring one 6.5-inch woofer and two 2.25-inch drivers to deliver loud, full-frequency sound. Designed for outdoor events, it boasts an IPX5 water-resistant rating, dynamic LED light bars that sync to the music, and SKDY Multi-Link technology capable of connecting up to 99 compatible speakers wirelessly. Key advantages include an integrated power bank utilizing USB-A and USB-C outputs to charge mobile devices, a dedicated Bass Boost mode, and a solid 12-hour battery life that fully recharges in 3.5 hours. However, it is quite bulky and heavy at approximately 12 lbs, depends on a proprietary AC barrel adapter for charging rather than standard USB-C input, lacks dedicated smartphone app support, and some users note a slight lack of deep sub-bass extension at higher volumes.

Compare Skullcandy Barrel with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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