OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
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 X12 Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£9N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:16 WHDMI ARC type:none

Amazon Basics X12 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Amazon Basics X12
4.9/10

Overall score

Score
4.9/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

95%

4.8

Technical score

5%

?

Reviews score

Reviews score 5% · 7.0 · no independent reviews yet
Until reviews appear, its review part counts as 7/10. Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%.
â–¼Worse than 87% of soundbars
6.4

Value for money

Value for money
6.4/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 91%
4.8

Technical score

Technical score
4.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

25%

4.3

Audio

18%

4.0

Formats

16%

5.8

Connectivity

14%

5.1

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

9.1

Design

â–¼Worse than 88%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet, so its review part counts as 7/10.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
  • amazon-basics-x12
amazon-basics-x12
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 X12

Technical score
Technical score
4.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components:

25%

4.3

Audio

18%

4.0

Formats

16%

5.8

Connectivity

14%

5.1

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

9.1

Design

4.8
Reviews score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components:

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.4
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
16 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 16 W of audio output power, less than 85.1% of soundbars and equal to 6.3% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
70 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 70 Hz, higher than 75.6% of soundbars and equal to 6.4% of soundbars.
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.
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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
N/A
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
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% 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.
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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.
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Width
383 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 383 mm wide, narrower than 91% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Height
50 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 50 mm high, shorter than 98.9% of soundbars.
Thickness
63 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 63 mm thick, thinner than 87.2% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Weight
600 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 600 g, less than 97.9% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% 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 X12 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • 379 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (383 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    383 mm vs 762 mm
  • 17 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (50 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    50 mm vs 67 mm
  • 1 more microphones
    This soundbar has more microphones than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 microphones.
    1 vs 0
  • Newer Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 5.3 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    5.3 vs 5.0
  • 1,400 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (600 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    600 g vs 2,000 g
  • 23 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (63 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    63 mm vs 86 mm
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    May 22, 2024
    2,024 vs 2,021
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • 10.56x cheaper
    Amazon Basics X12 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
  • 1 more microphones
    This soundbar has more microphones than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 microphones.
    1 vs 0
  • 379 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (383 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    383 mm vs 762 mm
  • 17 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (50 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    50 mm vs 67 mm
  • 1,400 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (600 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    600 g vs 2,000 g
  • 23 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (63 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    63 mm vs 86 mm
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    May 22, 2024
    2,024 vs 2,021
  • 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 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 (only Bluetooth and AUX)
  • 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 PCM / LPCM
    This soundbar does not support PCM / LPCM support, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • 4.7% worse value for money
    Amazon Basics X12 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.44 vs 6.7).
    6.44 vs 6.75
  • 4.29x less popular
    Amazon Basics X12 is less popular than the average soundbar (1 vs 4.3).
    1 vs 4.29
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • 77.1% less audio output power
    This soundbar has a lower audio output power than the average soundbar (16 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    16 W vs 70 W
  • 18 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (70 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    70 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 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.
    No (only Bluetooth and AUX)
  • 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.

Video reviews

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

Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Amazon Basics X12

  • Excellent value for money and highly affordable for its segment
  • Good sound quality with surprising bass and clarity for its size
  • Fast and reliable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
  • Sleek and modern design with attractive RGB lighting features
  • Lightweight and portable, making it easy to move or use in different rooms
  • Includes a physical control panel on the device for easy adjustments

What customers don't like about Amazon Basics X12

  • Inconsistent battery life; some users report only 30-45 minutes of playtime despite 5-10 hour claims
  • Mixed build quality with reports of internal components (like the IC) failing within a year
  • Charging issues, including slow charging speeds or units that stop holding a charge quickly
  • Lack of essential accessories in the box, such as missing AUX or USB cables for some buyers
  • Occasional Bluetooth lagging or connection dropouts
  • No remote control or dedicated smartphone app included for this specific model

Verdict

The Amazon Basics X12 is a compact 16W Bluetooth soundbar featuring a portable, lightweight design (610g) with dimensions of 38.3 x 6.4 x 6.3 cm. It is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, 2x bass reflex technology, and a 1200mAh battery that offers up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge via its USB-C port. Main pros include its versatile connectivity options—supporting Bluetooth, AUX, and USB—as well as a dedicated control panel for power, volume, and playback. However, it lacks a remote control, HDMI ARC/Optical support for modern TVs, and some users have reported significant drops in battery life during real-world usage.

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