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Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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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

Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Audio output power:?Battery life:6 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:?Weight:1320 g

Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning 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.

6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 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–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

80%

6.3

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 73% of portable speakers
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 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–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 71%
6.3

Technical score

Technical score
6.3/ 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–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

32%

7.2

Audio

20%

5.6

Battery

18%

6.7

Durability

16%

5.7

Connectivity

8%

5.7

Controls

3%

7.8

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 63%
?

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 Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning

Technical score
Technical score
6.3/ 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–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components:

32%

7.2

Audio

20%

5.6

Battery

18%

6.7

Durability

16%

5.7

Connectivity

8%

5.7

Controls

3%

7.8

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

6.3
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:
Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning 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
7.4/ 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–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.4
Audio output power
?
Driver unit size
46 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 46 mm which is smaller than that of 59.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.9% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
?
Frequency response tolerance
3 dB
Market range: <3 dB – >6 dB
This portable speaker has a frequency response tolerance of 3 dB which is lower than that of 23.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 69.2% of portable speakers.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 20 Hz which is lower than that of 84.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 14% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
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
?
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
6 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 6 hours which is shorter than that of 84.2% 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
no
This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant. 51.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
?
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
yes
This portable speaker includes a remote control. 85.1% 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
1,320 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 1,320 g which is heavier than that of 62.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Height
?
Width
33 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 33 cm which is wider than that of 85.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.6% of portable speakers.
Depth
?
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
Soundfreaq Remote
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 40 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (20 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    20 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Includes a subwoofer
    This portable speaker includes a subwoofer, while the average portable speaker does not include a subwoofer.
    Has an integrated active subwoofer driver.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 40 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (20 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    20 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Includes a subwoofer
    This portable speaker includes a subwoofer, while the average portable speaker does not include a subwoofer.
    Has an integrated active subwoofer driver.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 1 more EQ presets
    This portable speaker has more EQ presets than the average portable speaker (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 6 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (6 hours vs 12 hours).
    6 hours vs 12 hours
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 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 include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • 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.
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • 4.21x less popular
    Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 1.6% worse value for money
    Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (7.42 vs 7.5).
    7.42 vs 7.55
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • 37 mm smaller built-in subwoofer
    This portable speaker has a smaller built-in subwoofer than the average portable speaker (64 mm vs 101 mm).
    64 mm vs 101 mm
  • 4 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (46 mm vs 50 mm).
    46 mm vs 50 mm
  • 6 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (6 hours vs 12 hours).
    6 hours vs 12 hours
  • 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 have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
    Shows charging or power status only, not the remaining battery level.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • 5 °C lower maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (35 °C vs 40 °C).
    35 °C vs 40 °C
  • 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.
  • 14.9 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (33 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    33 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 520 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,320 g vs 800 g).
    1,320 g vs 800 g
  • 6 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2013 vs 2019).
    2013 vs 2019

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

G
geardiary.com
09/08/2013
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning Review - Connect Any Way You Like
I
ilounge.com
14/05/2021
Summary of the review
Review: Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning SFQ-02L (Note: Older review versions evaluating the original "Sound Step" or "Sound Step Recharge" featured th...
C
connect.de
20/10/2011
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq SFQ-02 Sound Step hands-on review - Connect
(Translated)Show original
N
netzwelt.de
2011/2012
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge SFQ-02 review | NETZWELT
(Translated)Show original
I
imaedia.de
07/11/2012
Summary of the review
SoundFreaq Sound Step Recharge SFQ-02iRB review (+video)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning

  • Good overall sound quality with a built-in subwoofer for a compact size
  • Versatile connectivity options including a Lightning dock, Bluetooth, a USB charging port, and an auxiliary input
  • Sleek, low-profile design that fits well on small surfaces like desks and nightstands
  • Includes a functional remote control and pairs with a dedicated mobile companion app
  • Great value for money at its price point

What customers don't like about Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning

  • Oversized Lightning connector base limits compatibility with many phone and tablet cases
  • High-gloss black finish easily attracts noticeable dust and fingerprints
  • Fidelity can feel thin at higher volumes and lacks true high-fidelity audio performance
  • FM radio tuner is inconvenient to operate without using the smartphone app interface
  • The physical remote control feels cheap and lightweight

Verdict

The Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning (SFQ-02L) is a low-profile 2.1 speaker system featuring a physical Apple 8-pin Lightning dock alongside A2DP Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, an FM radio tuner, and a 5V powered USB charging port. Driven by dual 1.5-inch acoustic drivers and a rear-facing 2-inch subwoofer, it utilizes integrated UQ3 spatial sound enhancement to deliver enhanced stereo separation and clear vocals for small rooms. Main advantages include its highly versatile input selection, dedicated sub-woofer, an included hideaway IR remote, and seamless companion app controls, while notable downsides are its lack of a built-in rechargeable battery for true portability and audio distortion when pushed to maximum volume limits.

Compare Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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