OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Amazon Basics C12 Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£9N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:12 WHDMI ARC type:none

Amazon Basics C12 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 2 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Amazon Basics C12
4.7/10

Overall score

Score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

95%

4.6

Technical score

5%

7.6

Reviews score ( 0 · 2)

Reviews score 5% · 7.6 · based on 2 videos
2 videos count as 0.8 of the 2 needed; the rest counts as 7/10. Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. A video or a short review counts less than a full test.
▼Worse than 98% of soundbars
6.3

Value for money

Value for money
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

4.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 96%
4.6

Technical score

Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

25%

4.0

Audio

18%

4.0

Formats

16%

5.9

Connectivity

14%

4.2

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

8.4

Design

▼Worse than 99%
7.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 62% of models
Grades by review (2)
2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 62%
  • amazon-basics-c12
amazon-basics-c12
Where to buy
    N/A~ £9
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 soundbar Amazon Basics C12

Technical score
Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

25%

4.0

Audio

18%

4.0

Formats

16%

5.9

Connectivity

14%

4.2

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

8.4

Design

4.6
Reviews score
7.6
Value for money
Value for money
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

70%

4.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.3
Brand name
Amazon
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 43.6% of soundbars and equal to 56.4% of soundbars.
Audio output power
12 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 12 W of audio output power, less than 92% of soundbars and equal to 1.2% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4
This soundbar uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4, which is newer than that of 73.4% of soundbars and the same as that of 4.8% of soundbars.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5.3
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5.3, which is newer than that of 88.1% of soundbars and the same as that of 11.9% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 35.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 73.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
no
This soundbar does not have control panel. 91% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 68.6% of soundbars and the same as what 31.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 63.1% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
310 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 310 mm wide, narrower than 98.9% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Height
75 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 75 mm high, taller than 73.3% of soundbars and equal to 3.7% of soundbars.
Thickness
70 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 70 mm thick, thinner than 73.3% of soundbars and equal to 3.2% of soundbars.
Weight
650 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 650 g, less than 95.2% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Show more

Amazon Basics C12 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • 452 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (310 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    310 mm vs 762 mm
  • Newer Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 5.3 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    5.3 vs 5.0
  • 1,350 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (650 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    650 g vs 2,000 g
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    August 19, 2024
    2,024 vs 2,021
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • 10.56x cheaper
    Amazon Basics C12 is cheaper than the average soundbar (£9 vs £95).
    £9 vs £95
  • 16 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (70 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    70 mm vs 86 mm
  • 10.56x cheaper
    Amazon Basics C12 is cheaper than the average soundbar (£9 vs £95).
    £9 vs £95
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • Newer Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 5.3 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    5.3 vs 5.0
  • 452 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (310 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    310 mm vs 762 mm
  • 1,350 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (650 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    650 g vs 2,000 g
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    August 19, 2024
    2,024 vs 2,021
  • 16 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (70 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    70 mm vs 86 mm
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • Smaller speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses smaller speakers than the average soundbar (2x2.05" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    2x2.05" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • No on-board controls
    This soundbar does not have control panel, the average soundbar does.
  • 6.8% worse value for money
    Amazon Basics C12 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.31 vs 6.7).
    6.31 vs 6.75
  • 4.29x less popular
    Amazon Basics C12 is less popular than the average soundbar (1 vs 4.3).
    1 vs 4.29
  • Smaller speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses smaller speakers than the average soundbar (2x2.05" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    2x2.05" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • 82.9% less audio output power
    This soundbar has a lower audio output power than the average soundbar (12 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    12 W vs 70 W
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No PCM / LPCM
    This soundbar does not support PCM / LPCM support, the average soundbar does.
  • 1 fewer supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports fewer audio formats than the average soundbar (1 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    1 vs 2
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • No on-board controls
    This soundbar does not have control panel, the average soundbar does.
  • 8 mm higher height
    This soundbar is taller than the average soundbar (75 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    75 mm vs 67 mm

Video reviews

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

9.5
TECH ZONE UNIQUE
✓ explicit
21/09/2024
Hands-on review · unboxing, sound and battery tests
Verdict
Amazon Basics C12 has excellent sound for the money, but battery life falls well short of the claims.
7.0
UnboxingMania14
≈ estimated
19/08/2024
Unboxing and feature walkthrough · build and design remarks
Verdict
Amazon Basics C12 is well built and attractive for its price, though the video shows little real use.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Amazon Basics C12

  • Excellent value for money at its budget price point
  • Good sound quality and loud audio for its compact size
  • Clear vocals and mid-range performance, suitable for movies
  • Modern Bluetooth 5.3 support providing a stable connection
  • Solid build quality with a sleek design and metal front grill
  • Includes versatile connectivity options like AUX, USB, and SD card slots
  • Features high-quality audio codecs like AAC and aptX Adaptive

What customers don't like about Amazon Basics C12

  • Weak or non-existent bass response for music and action scenes
  • Battery life falls significantly short of the 12-hour claim (users report 2-3 hours at full volume)
  • Bluetooth pairing can sometimes be slow or experience occasional lag
  • Lacks a remote control, requiring manual adjustment or device-side control
  • Charging performance is mixed, with some reports of quick battery drain
  • No HDMI or S/PDIF (Optical) ports for direct high-fidelity TV connections

Verdict

The Amazon Basics C12 is a compact 12W Bluetooth soundbar featuring a 2.0 channel stereo setup with dual 52mm drivers and a sleek black design with a metal front grille. It offers versatile connectivity through Bluetooth 5.3, AUX, USB, and SD card slots, and is powered by a 1200mAh battery that provides roughly 2 to 3 hours of playback at full volume. Main pros include its highly portable, lightweight build (650g), support for high-quality codecs like AAC and aptX Adaptive, and loud, clear vocal performance at an affordable price point. However, notable cons include limited battery life compared to manufacturer claims, the lack of a remote control or HDMI ARC support, and weak bass response that may not satisfy dedicated music enthusiasts.

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