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Groov-e Wave Glow: two-minute evaluation
The Groov-e Wave Glow is a really reasonably priced transportable speaker and one with sound high quality to match that price ticket. Sure, that is one that may infuriate the ears of audiophiles sounding considerably tinny at instances and barely missing any oomph throughout the course of my listening.
Alternatively, it has some funky trying lights which I discovered quite endearing, a snug to grip strap, and a few stunning methods to attach it to your music. In addition to Bluetooth, you may as well plug in a USB flash drive, slot in a TF card (each admittedly with a good 64GB restrict), and there’s an aux port. It’s not typically you see these options in a tiny speaker any extra. Granted, not everybody will want these however in the event you do, effectively, your choices are restricted making this extra tempting.
Away from that disappointing audio high quality, the Groov-e Wave Glow has some chunky, tactile buttons for play/pause, quantity, and adjusting the lights, and the ports are all hidden behind a pull-out protecting shell. Then there’s the lights up prime and down backside, and the elastic strap.
The Groov-e Wave Glow is priced at £23.99 and in the mean time is just seemingly accessible within the UK, however that might make it below $35, or round AU$50. For that value, it’d be foolish to anticipate an excessive amount of, however in the event you can stretch additional, you will see higher choices – extra on these later. If cash is that tight, nevertheless, otherwise you’re searching for an inexpensive present, the Groov-e Wave Glow nonetheless has some enchantment.
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: value and launch date
- Launched Could 2025
- £23.99 at launch
- Restricted availability
The Groov-e Wave Glow was launched in Could 2025 and is presently in the stores within the UK. It’s already seen some modest reductions however is usually accessible for £23.99.
That makes it one of many cheaper audio system round. The just lately launched Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus is shut however continues to be normally priced at £39.99. When you’re in a position to improve your finances to that, there are a couple of different choices just like the JBL Go 4, however few as low cost as this one.
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: specs
|
Weight |
645g |
|
Dimensions |
13.7 x 8 x 7.5 cm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3, aux-in, USB-C (charging) |
|
Battery life |
8 hours (quoted) |
|
Speaker drivers |
10W |
|
Waterproofing |
n/a |
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: options
- AUX port, microSD slot, and USB flash drive help
- LED lights
- 8-hour battery life
The Groov-e Wave Glow is a reasonably typical trying little Bluetooth speaker however with some stunning options. The spotlight is its plethora of connections. Positive, you’ll be principally utilizing its Bluetooth connection, however it has different choices. You should utilize its aux port to connect with different units (and the speaker truly comes with a 3.5mm jack), whereas subsequent to it’s a TF (learn: microSD) card slot, and the USB connection permits you to plug in a USB flash drive. Admittedly, each microSD and USB have a limitation of 64GB so that you may need to go looking for a suitable possibility, however it might be that particular scenario that matches you completely.
There aren’t any mics for speakerphone duties (though few audio system appear to supply that, nowadays) and battery life is a really unremarkable 8 hours. I’d have favored to have seen extra right here, particularly because it takes 2 hours for a full recharge. Its Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity works high quality and I had no points utilizing it with my iPhone 14 Professional however there have been occasional dropouts on my PC – normally once I moved the speaker round.
Elsewhere, the LED lights are my favourite factor concerning the Groov-e Wave Glow. They visually bounce away whereas enjoying music and look suitably vibrant and thrilling. They’re doubtlessly extra thrilling than the audio high quality, however I’ll get to that. It’s a neat contact both means and makes up for the shortage of app help and thus in-app customization.
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: sound high quality
I didn’t anticipate a lot of the Groov-e Wave Glow however I’ve to be sincere, it truly sounded just a little worse than anticipated. It’s useful, after all, however fairly tinny at instances. There’s no bass to talk of, however my phrase, do the lights attempt to atone for that. You are inspired to really feel prefer it’s doing its greatest, fortunately bouncing alongside. Nevertheless, it’s fairly tame stuff.
I went daring then and loaded up some Muse and sighed because it sounded considerably pitiful. The soundstage is weak however extra importantly, the bass and normal atmosphere is underwhelming.
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: design
- Comfortable elasticated strap
- Tactile buttons
- Properly hidden ports
The Groov-e Wave Glow is definitely precisely the way you anticipate a speaker to look, however there are a couple of highlights. I’m an enormous fan of its buttons being enticing however tactile too, so anybody with visible impairments can discover what they’re eager to press. There are buttons for play/pause, quantity, and for toggling the lights on or off.
There’s a chunky part for the ports too which blends in effectively and feels suitably cosy. On one other aspect is the strap which is elasticated however held in fairly tightly. The concept is that you would be able to simply maintain it via the strap but in addition connect it to one thing like a hook. It feels good in your fingers which is the primary factor right here.
As with different comparable audio system, the Groov-e Wave Glow is fairly light-weight to hold round. Up prime and down the underside is the lighting so you’ll be able to place the Groov-e Wave Glow sideways in addition to upright.
What lets it down on this part – and why not go larger than 4 stars? Properly, any dialogue on the design has to incorporate the audio structure below the hood, and as you will know in the event you’ve learn this far, this space is the place the Wave Glow struggles. Additionally, unusually for a speaker in 2025, there isn’t any point out of an IP score for water or mud ingress – so it will not be becoming a member of the ranks of our greatest waterproof audio system shopping for information any time quickly.
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: worth
- Very low cost
- Sturdy design
- Helpful for a particular scenario
The Groov-e Wave Glow is definitely low cost however its sound high quality demonstrates precisely why it’s so low cost. Having mentioned that, the aux port, USB flash drive help, and TF card slot may make it precisely what you’ve been searching for. For these individuals, there’s not a lot else to rival the Groov-e Wave Glow at this value.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re searching for good audio, it’s a sensible transfer to spend just a little extra on the JBL Go vary or one thing from Anker Soundcore. The Groov-e Wave Glow undoubtedly isn’t the only option for music lovers, however it’s tremendous low cost and for a lot of, that is the precedence.
Ought to I purchase the Groov-e Wave Glow?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
No app, however there are a couple of notable extras not on different fashions |
4/5 |
|
Sound high quality |
The weakest aspect by far when contemplating the Wave Glow: tinny and missing in low finish |
2/5 |
|
Design |
Helpful straps, enjoyable lights and tactile buttons |
4/5 |
|
Worth |
It is low cost, however given the sound high quality, spending much less does not at all times imply worth |
3/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: additionally take into account
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Groov-e Wave Glow |
Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus |
JBL Clip 5 |
|
Worth |
£23.99; restricted availability in different markets |
$39.99 / £32 / AU$65 (approx.) |
$79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95 |
|
Weight |
645g |
545g |
285g |
|
Dimensions |
13.7 x 8 x 7.5 cm |
90.9 x 90.9 x 118.9 mm |
86 x 134.5 x 46 mm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3, aux-in, USB-C (charging) |
Bluetooth 5.4 (SBC, AAC codecs), AUX-in, USB-C (charging) |
Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (charging) |
|
Battery life |
8 hours (quoted) |
12 hours (quoted) |
As much as 12 hours |
|
Speaker drivers |
10W (dimensions not said) |
48mm |
Built-in class D digital amplifiers x 1 |
|
Waterproofing |
n/a |
IPX7 |
IP67 |
Groov-e Wave Glow evaluation: how I examined
- Examined over 14 days
- Used with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Twitch
- 15 years of audio gear reviewing expertise
I used the Groov-e Wave Glow throughout 14 days in a variety of the way. I related it to my PC initially and listened to Spotify, Apple Music and Twitch utilizing that as a supply gadget, then moved to my iPhone 14 Professional.
That meant a stable combination of spoken audio and in addition music. My music style is pretty assorted so it went from Robbie Williams to Muse to Chet Baker to varied items of classical music. I additionally checked how good battery life gave the impression to be and monitored how lengthy it took to recharge.
I’ve 15 years of expertise testing audio gear, specialising in transportable, reasonably priced merchandise similar to the Groov-e Wave Glow.
