OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Portronics Decibel 1 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£20N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:10 WHDMI ARC type:none

Portronics Decibel 1 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

6.5/10

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

35%

4.8

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.6, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 65% of soundbars
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 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 55% of models
Score components

70%

6.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 55%
4.8

Technical score

Technical score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

25%

4.4

Audio

18%

3.9

Formats

16%

5.6

Connectivity

14%

5.4

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

9.1

Design

â–¼Worse than 85%
?

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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
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. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.6.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £20
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of soundbar Portronics Decibel 1

Technical score
Technical score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

25%

4.4

Audio

18%

3.9

Formats

16%

5.6

Connectivity

14%

5.4

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

9.1

Design

4.8
Reviews score
7.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 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 55% of models
Score components:

70%

6.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.6
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 42.2% of soundbars and equal to 27.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
10 W
Market range: <16 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 10 W of audio output power, less than 93.7% of soundbars and equal to 4.6% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >82 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 20 Hz, lower than 88.4% of soundbars and equal to 11.6% of soundbars.
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 30.3% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 41.5% of soundbars and equal to 58.5% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5, which is more up to date than 38.7% of soundbars and equal to 47.9% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 42.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 82.8% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% 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 75.6% of soundbars and the same as what 24.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 71.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar passes through none, which is lower resolution than 27.2% of soundbars and equal to 72.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 21.4% of soundbars and equal to 78.6% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
310 mm
Market range: <384 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 310 mm wide, narrower than 98.9% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Height
62 mm
Market range: <56 mm – >89 mm
This soundbar is 62 mm high, shorter than 71.3% of soundbars and equal to 4.8% of soundbars.
Thickness
61 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >131 mm
This soundbar is 61 mm thick, thinner than 89.4% of soundbars.
Weight
772 g
Market range: <729 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 772 g, less than 86.8% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
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Portronics Decibel 1 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • 453 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (310 mm vs 763 mm). The average soundbar is 763 mm wide.
    310 mm vs 763 mm
  • More firmware update options
    This soundbar offers more firmware update options than the average soundbar (over-the-air, USB vs USB).
    over-the-air, USB vs USB
  • Better water protection
    This soundbar has a higher IP rating than the average soundbar (IPX4 vs not rated).
    IPX4 vs not rated
  • 25 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (61 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    61 mm vs 86 mm
  • 1,228 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (772 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    772 g vs 2,000 g
  • 30 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (20 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • 5 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (62 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    62 mm vs 67 mm
  • 5.5x cheaper
    Portronics Decibel 1 is cheaper than the average soundbar (£20 vs £110).
    £20 vs £110
  • 30 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (20 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • More firmware update options
    This soundbar offers more firmware update options than the average soundbar (over-the-air, USB vs USB).
    over-the-air, USB vs USB
  • 453 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (310 mm vs 763 mm). The average soundbar is 763 mm wide.
    310 mm vs 763 mm
  • Better water protection
    This soundbar has a higher IP rating than the average soundbar (IPX4 vs not rated).
    IPX4 vs not rated
  • 25 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (61 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    61 mm vs 86 mm
  • 1,228 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (772 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    772 g vs 2,000 g
  • 5 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (62 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    62 mm vs 67 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
  • 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 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 night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, 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 PCM / LPCM
    This soundbar does not support PCM / LPCM support, 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 bass boost
    This soundbar does not support bass boost, the average soundbar does.
  • 85.7% less audio output power
    This soundbar has a lower audio output power than the average soundbar (10 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    10 W vs 70 W
  • 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.
  • No AAC support
    This soundbar does not support AAC, 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 night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, 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

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Portronics Decibel 1

  • Integrated LED clock and alarm functions are highly useful and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Multiple connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.0, USB, Micro SD, and AUX.
  • Good value for money and performance in small rooms or for casual listening.
  • Compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable.
  • Fast and reliable Bluetooth pairing with compatible devices.
  • Supports TWS (True Wireless Stereo) to connect two units for better sound.

What customers don't like about Portronics Decibel 1

  • Extremely loud and unadjustable voice prompts when switching modes or powering on.
  • Mixed reviews on sound quality; some users find the bass flat and volume insufficient.
  • Battery life varies significantly, with some users reporting much lower than the advertised 6 hours.
  • Inaccurate clock performance reported by some (e.g., losing seconds over time).
  • Limited after-sales service with few physical service centers available.
  • Glossy finish on the body is prone to fingerprints and scratches.

Verdict

The Portronics Decibel 1 is a 10W portable wireless soundbar featuring a 2.1 channel stereo configuration and high-definition audio output. Key technical characteristics include a 2200mAh lithium-polymer battery providing up to 6 hours of playtime, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with a 10m range, and versatile input options like USB, Micro SD, and a 3.5mm AUX port. Main pros include its True Wireless Stereo (TWS) capability for pairing two units, a built-in digital clock with alarm functionality, and a compact, lightweight design (772g) suitable for tabletop use with smartphones or laptops. However, notable cons include an unpleasantly loud voice prompt during mode changes, mixed feedback regarding low bass response, and a lack of modern features like HDMI ARC or smart assistant support.

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