Soundboks is stepping it up. Following the impressive Mix Bluetooth speaker, which delivered a strong performance in our test, a smaller model is now available. The Soundboks Rider is designed to do exactly what the brand’s larger models can’t: travel with you on the go without compromising too much on sound quality. Weighing 6.5 kilograms, featuring a removable battery, and boasting an IP66 rating, Soundboks promises a rugged outdoor speaker that, despite its compact size, can produce up to 118 decibels. I tested the Rider and will tell you whether it’s worth buying.
Technical Specifications of the Soundboks Rider
| Design | Portable Bluetooth speaker |
| Drivers | 1× 8″ woofer, 1× 1.2″ dome tweeter |
| Amplifier | 2× 72 W/20 W RMS Class-D (Texas Instruments), PBTL mode |
| Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) | 118 dB |
| Frequency response | 40 Hz – 20,000 Hz |
| DSP | Adaptive Bass Boost DSP |
| Bluetooth version | 4.2 |
| Cable Input | 1× 3.5-mm AUX input |
| Battery Type | 12.8 V, 7.8 Ah lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), removable |
| Battery capacity | 99.84 Wh |
| Battery life at medium volume | Up to 35 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 2 hours (with The Charger) |
| USB-C output | 10 W USB-PD (5 V / 2 A), for charging external devices |
| Operating temperature | -15 °C to 55 °C |
| Control panel | Volume control with LED ring, power button, Bluetooth LED, 5-level battery LED indicator |
| Water and dust resistance | IP66 |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 35 × 24 × 20 cm |
| Weight | 6.5 kg |
| App | Soundboks Companion App |
| Price | € 499.00 * |
Design, Build Quality, and Portability
At first glance, the Rider looks like a scaled-down version of the larger Soundboks models—and that’s exactly what it is. The ABS and polycarbonate housing feels significantly more solid in the hand than its plastic construction would suggest, thanks mainly to the four silicone corner protectors designed to easily absorb the impact of drops and other accidents. The sturdy carrying handle is centered on the top and remains comfortable in the hand even after prolonged use, without digging in.
At 6.5 kilograms, the Rider is noticeably lighter than its larger sister models (the Soundboks Mix, for example, weighed just under 10 kg, and the Soundboks Go around 9.2 kg), but it’s still not a lightweight that you’d want to carry around town by the strap for hours on end. For shorter trips to the park or to the car, however, the weight is no problem at all. I found it convenient that, thanks to its compact dimensions of 35 × 24 × 20 cm, the speaker actually fits on a bike rack and can be securely fastened with a couple of straps. On the other hand, I did miss a standard tripod thread: Although the Rider comes with an internal thread, it’s too small for standard speaker stands.
The removable steel grille with the embossed logo can be swapped out if desired, which allows for customization but also means it can come loose if you’re not careful. Overall, the build quality makes a very robust impression in everyday use. That’s exactly what you’d expect from a brand that explicitly designs its speakers for festivals and outdoor use.
Features and Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, Soundboks has deliberately kept things minimal with the Rider. Bluetooth 4.2 is available for connecting to a smartphone or laptop—no longer a current standard, but in my testing it proved sufficiently stable for everyday use as long as I stayed within the typical range of about ten meters. The only wired option is a 3.5-mm AUX input; you won’t find an XLR or standard jack socket on the Rider, as offered by the brand’s larger models. So anyone who wants to connect the speaker to professional DJ equipment or a mixing console will be limited in this regard.
I also noticed that the Rider doesn’t support either the brand’s own TeamUp mode for pairing multiple Soundboks speakers or Bluetooth Auracast, features that have become standard among competitors like JBL, Marshall, or Sony. This is hardly an issue for a single speaker in a small setting, but anyone who wants to fill a larger space with sound using multiple speakers at the same time will have to opt for a different Soundboks model. On the other hand, I found the USB-C output with up to 10 watts (5 V/2 A) to be practical: In a pinch, the Rider can also function as a power bank, allowing me to recharge my smartphone a bit while on the go.
Battery Life: Removable Battery
At the heart of the Rider is “The Battery.” It’s a removable lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a capacity of 99.84 watt-hours. Soundboks promises up to 35 hours of playtime at medium volume and up to 8 hours at full volume. In my test, using a medium-to-high volume typical for a balcony or patio, I easily got through an entire day of several hours of music without recharging, which makes the manufacturer’s claim absolutely credible to me. At full volume—say, during a birthday party—the battery did indeed run out after about eight hours. That’s a figure I’m perfectly happy with, given the compact design.
One detail that surprised me at first: A charger (“The Charger”) isn’t included with the Rider—you have to buy it separately for around 59 euros. But that’s no big deal, since the Soundboks Rider’s battery can be easily charged via USB-C. If you’d like, you can also buy a second battery for about 199 euros and carry it along as a spare. This is definitely a smart investment for trips lasting several days or festivals.
App Connectivity: Soundboks Companion App
I controlled the Soundboks Rider using the free Soundboks Companion app, which is available for iOS and Android. The first thing you’ll see is a firmware update, which, however, takes only a few minutes to install. The app focuses on four sound profiles: Bass+ for more punch with dance, techno/house, and hip-hop; Outdoor, which boosts bass and treble while slightly reducing the mids to drown out ambient noise outdoors; Indoor, for a clearer, more open sound indoors; and a freely adjustable Custom EQ.
In practice, I actually noticed an audible difference between the Outdoor and Indoor modes depending on the environment. It’s a nice, straightforward feature that doesn’t require you to delve deep into equalizer settings.
In addition, the app offers a Bluetooth security PIN as well as a remote lock feature (Speaker Remote Lock) that protects the speaker from unauthorized access. This is handy when the Rider is left unattended at a party. During my testing period, firmware updates ran quietly in the background. I was slightly bothered by two brief connection errors when pairing the app and the speaker for the first time, but these were resolved each time by simply reopening the app.
Sound Quality: The Sound of the Soundboks Rider
From a sound perspective, the Soundboks Rider doesn’t hold back and really kicks into gear even at medium volume. The most important impression first: It’s hard to believe just how loud this little speaker actually gets. With electronic music (techno, house, hip-hop), the Rider performs with a vigor that, given its compact size, I honestly wouldn’t have expected. The 8-inch woofer delivers a powerful, direct punch with the Bass+ preset, which creates a great atmosphere at a small garden party or in the park. With driving tracks that have a lot of sub-bass, however, I noticed that while the Rider does push a decent amount of pressure out of the enclosure, it naturally can’t match the rich, physical “rumbling” of larger models like the Mix or the Soundboks 4 with their 10-inch drivers—the single 8-inch driver is simply too small for that. What it does deliver, however, is a crisp, forward-driving bass that conveys energy rather than depth.
The three EQ presets actually make an audible difference in everyday use, which I directly compared during several listening sessions. In Bass+ mode, the bass range is noticeably boosted, which is the most fun for dance, tech-house, and hip-hop tracks, but quickly pushes the small woofer to its limits on bass-heavy tracks. Outdoor mode boosts the treble in addition to the bass and slightly reduces the mids—a useful adjustment when wind and ambient noise outdoors would otherwise drown out part of the sound, though I found it unpleasantly shrill indoors. The Indoor mode was the most balanced and, to my ears, the most pleasant for extended listening; it brings the mids back to the forefront and delivers a more open, transparent sound overall.
With acoustic or vocal-heavy music, however, the downside of the party-oriented tuning becomes apparent: The significant boost in the bass and lower midrange meant that, in my test, vocals and details on quieter tracks could sound somewhat muffled and veiled, as if a light veil were draped over the recording. I noticed this particularly with Latin pop or R&B productions featuring a lot of vocal presence in the lower register, while more clearly mixed pop songs with crisp highs were noticeably less affected. In the upper frequencies, however, the Rider remains pleasantly restrained and never shrill, which is certainly pleasant during extended listening at parties, but also means that cymbals, hi-hats, and details in the very high registers lose some of their brilliance.
At very high volumes—roughly the last 15 to 20 percent of the volume control—I also noticed increasing distortion. While the Rider remains loud, it noticeably loses control and clarity, especially in the bass range, which then begins to rattle rather than deliver a punchy impact. At around 80 to 85 percent of maximum volume, I found the point where the sound was cleanest for my personal taste—the speaker still performs confidently and with plenty of headroom, without slipping into distortion. For impromptu parties, barbecue nights, or a bike ride with music, this is more than enough; however, anyone with audiophile expectations for sound fidelity, rich sub-bass, or a particularly balanced soundstage at low to medium volumes shouldn’t expect miracles here.
Soundboks Rider Review: Conclusion
The Soundboks Rider is a powerful, compact party speaker that delivers exactly what its name promises: it’s easy to take with you, can withstand a fair amount of rough everyday use, and gets surprisingly loud for its size. In my review, I was particularly impressed by the combination of rugged IP66 construction, long battery life, and the removable battery.
On the other hand, anyone expecting maximum sound fidelity for quieter, acoustic music, professional connectivity options, or features like TeamUp and Auracast will be reminded of the Rider’s deliberate limitations in several areas and should also keep in mind that a charger isn’t included. However, for anyone primarily looking for a reliable, great-sounding companion for spontaneous outings on the go, the Rider remains, in my experience, one of the most compelling options in its class.
PROS
- Impressively loud and powerful
- Rugged and waterproof
- Removable battery
- Excellent battery life
- Good sound quality
- User-friendly app
CONS
- No TeamUp or Auracast
- Only AUX input
- Sound could be more balanced
- Expensive
- No standard tripod mount
Conclusion
The Soundboks Rider impresses with its rugged build, powerful sound, and long-lasting swappable battery. Clearly a recommendation for anyone who needs outdoor power and values portability.
