OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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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

Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Audio output power:20.00 WBattery life:6 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:?Weight:1410 g

Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge 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.

6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 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–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 86% of portable speakers
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 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 85% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 85%
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 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 78% of models
Score components

32%

6.1

Audio

20%

5.7

Battery

18%

6.7

Durability

16%

6.0

Connectivity

8%

6.0

Controls

3%

7.6

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 78%
?

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~ £120
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 Recharge

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 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 78% of models
Score components:

32%

6.1

Audio

20%

5.7

Battery

18%

6.7

Durability

16%

6.0

Connectivity

8%

6.0

Controls

3%

7.6

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

6.1
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 Recharge 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
7.2/ 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 85% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.2
Audio output power
20 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 20 W which is higher than that of 46.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.4% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
51 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 51 mm which is larger than that of 54.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.8% 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
?
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP
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
1,500 mAh
Market range: <900 mAh – >6.6k mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 1,500 mAh which is smaller than that of 77.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 2.1% 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
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
top; side
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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
1,410 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 1,410 g which is heavier than that of 64.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Height
9.2 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 9.2 cm which is shorter than that of 65.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.5% of portable speakers.
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
11.25 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 11.25 cm which is deeper than that of 66.1% of portable speakers.
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.
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

Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 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.
  • Supports wireless charging
    This portable speaker supports wireless charging, while the average portable speaker does not support wireless charging.
  • 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.
  • 1 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (3 vs 2).
    3 vs 2
  • 2 more adjustable EQ bands
    This portable speaker has more adjustable EQ bands than the average portable speaker (2 vs 0).
    2 vs 0
  • 3 more EQ presets
    This portable speaker has more EQ presets than the average portable speaker (3 vs 0).
    3 vs 0
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 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.
  • 1 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (3 vs 2).
    3 vs 2
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • Supports wireless charging
    This portable speaker supports wireless charging, while the average portable speaker does not support wireless charging.
  • 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.
  • 2 more adjustable EQ bands
    This portable speaker has more adjustable EQ bands than the average portable speaker (2 vs 0).
    2 vs 0
  • 3 more EQ presets
    This portable speaker has more EQ presets than the average portable speaker (3 vs 0).
    3 vs 0
  • Includes a remote control
    This portable speaker includes a remote control, while the average portable speaker does not include a remote control.
  • Has a hardware microphone mute switch
    This portable speaker has a hardware microphone mute switch, while the average portable speaker does not have a hardware microphone mute switch.
    Has a physical microphone mute 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.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water 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
  • 1,100 mAh less battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a smaller battery capacity than the average portable speaker (1,500 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    1,500 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • 13 dB lower signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a lower signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (67 dB vs 80 dB).
    67 dB vs 80 dB
  • 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.
  • 4.21x less popular
    Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 4.2% worse value for money
    Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (7.24 vs 7.5).
    7.24 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.
  • 13 dB lower signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a lower signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (67 dB vs 80 dB).
    67 dB vs 80 dB
  • 25 mm smaller built-in subwoofer
    This portable speaker has a smaller built-in subwoofer than the average portable speaker (76 mm vs 101 mm).
    76 mm vs 101 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
  • 1,100 mAh less battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a smaller battery capacity than the average portable speaker (1,500 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    1,500 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water 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
  • 610 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,410 g vs 800 g).
    1,410 g vs 800 g
  • 2.95 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (11.3 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    11.25 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

I
ilounge.com
14/05/2011
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq SFQ-02RB Sound Step Recharge for iPad, iPhone + iPod - iLounge
T
theregister.com
26/10/2011
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Soundstep RechargeGo to product viewer dialogue for this item.
E
expertreviews.co.uk
11/12/2011
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge review - Expert Reviews
T
trustedreviews.com
28/12/2011
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge Review - Trusted Reviews
O
ourkidsmom.com
23/09/2012
Summary of the review
SoundFreaq Sound Step Recharge Compact Audio System with Bluetooth Review - Our Kids Mom
T
thesuburbanmom.com
24/09/2012
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge ~ Review
W
wisconsinmommy.com
17/10/2012
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Soundstep Recharge Review - Wisconsin Mommy If you need any technical specifications, troubleshooting steps for its Bluetooth connection, o...
I
imaedia.de
07/11/2012
Summary of the review
SoundFreaq Sound Step Recharge SFQ-02iRB review (+video)
(Translated)Show original
N
netzwelt.de
None Available
Summary of the review
Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge SFQ-02 review by imaedia.de
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge

  • Impressive sound quality and clarity for its compact size
  • Versatile connectivity options including Bluetooth, Apple dock, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input
  • Built-in rechargeable battery offers a solid 6 hours of playback time
  • Features a powered USB port to charge external devices like smartphones
  • Includes a convenient physical remote control with a dedicated storage slot in the speaker base
  • Sleek, elegant, and low-profile design that blends well with home decor
  • Strong Bluetooth range and reliable wireless connection stability

What customers don't like about Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge

  • High-gloss black finish easily collects dust and visible fingerprints
  • Slight audio distortion can occur when pushing the volume to its absolute maximum
  • The physical remote control feels somewhat cheap and lightweight
  • Lacks a built-in display screen, making functions like FM radio tuning confusing without using the mobile app
  • A bit too bulky and chunky to be considered truly highly portable compared to ultra-compact rivals
  • The default spatial sound profile can occasionally result in overpowered bass that eclipses finer midrange details

Verdict

The Soundfreaq Sound Step Recharge (SFQ-02RB) is a compact, 1.23kg portable speaker system featuring a 2.1 speaker configuration with two 2-inch drivers and a 3-inch subwoofer nested inside the back. Its main characteristics include an integrated 30-pin Apple dock, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, an FM radio tuner, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, and a rear USB power port capable of charging secondary mobile devices. Pro elements highlight its dual-charging capabilities, clean mid-range and treble performance using the proprietary UQ3 spatial sound enhancement, responsive touch-sensitive control buttons, and a built-in lithium-ion battery delivering over 6 hours of cordless playback. However, notable cons include thin and lifeless bass output, an external FM antenna wire that feels clumsy, a cheap-feeling physical remote control, and a high-gloss black finish that quickly collects dust and fingerprints.

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

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