Polaroid P2: Review in two minutes
Really fun and cute, that's how we'll describe the Polaroid 2. As part of their new line of music speakers, it might not hit all the right notes when it comes to what you need most, a Bluetooth speaker, but it's absolutely adorable. .
Imagine what a Fisher-Price speaker might sound like, and that's pretty much what you get with the Polaroid P2. Available in different colors, its controls are thick and just as dynamic. You even get a volume control that's an actual analog dial that you can slide your hand over, just like a toy.
The downside here is that much of the Polaroid P2's spectacle comes from its looks rather than its sound quality. That means it's not exactly one of the best (opens in a new tab) Bluetooth speakers money can buy.
It's loud, to be sure, with its volume dial ensuring this slim little speaker fills a room with much ease. However, the price you pay is a lack of sharpness and finer detail. This is not a speaker for those who want to rediscover their favorites in a new way.
Priced at €129.99 / €119.99, the Polaroid P2 is a bit on the expensive side as it leaves out a few features. It offers a decent battery life of up to 15 hours and can be paired with another speaker to produce stereo sound. However, there's no equalizer or even an IP rating, so you won't feel safe using it while walking or poolside.
It's also a touch on the heavy side. Thanks to its rubber edge, it looks like it should be stronger than it really is. Still, we hadn't figured out our chances of throwing it away and seeing how it handled.
It's full of cute touches like colorful buttons and a popping ribbon in Polaroid colors. It's a shame the strap isn't an actual carrying strap, but the speaker does come with a more simply designed wrist strap that clips onto it.
For anyone looking for a fun aesthetic and more than just fantastic performance, the Polaroid P2 definitely turns heads. We can see him fitting right into an influencer's house, waiting to be photographed or filmed.
However, the Polaroid P2 isn't for those looking for something a bit more practical. It might sound great in your living room, but if you want punchy bass, clear mids, and more, it's not the way to go.
Polaroid P2: price and release date
- Available in the US and UK
- Cost: €129.99 / €119.99
- Available in five colors
The Polaroid P2 launched in September 2022, priced at €129,99 / €119,99, or around AU$192. In the US and UK, it's available in five colors: Blue, grey, red, yellow and black. In any case, the color relates to the speakers and the outer edge of the speaker, while the rest of the Polaroid P2 is white.
We wouldn't be surprised if one or more colorways ended up being marked down before the others, and we're counting on one of them being black. After all, why go for an uninteresting color scheme when there are so many other options?
Polaroid P2: Design and Features
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
- No water resistance
- analog volume dial
The Polaroid P2 is cute. So cute. It looks like a toy speaker instead of a real working one. At the top are your controls. There's a bright red power button, as well as playback controls. None of them are tactile and not even a point sticks out to help you identify them in the dark, but they are sunken in so you should be able to find your way around.
The highlight is the volume dial. It's a big wheel that looks like something from yesteryear. We loved how satisfying it was to turn the volume up or down with it.
At the bottom there is a rubberized grip, which means that the Polaroid P2 can rest stably on any flat surface. A rubber door opens on the right side to reveal a 3,55mm jack port and a USB-C connector for charging.
The front is more exciting. Between the two speaker grills is a black circle. Turn on the speaker and it transforms into a Tamagotchi-style hive of activity. Play a song and you'll see its title gradually appear on the screen letter by letter. Once the song plays, the lines bounce across the screen in time with the music. It is simple but attractive. The first time you notice it, you will smile.
On the other hand, that's where the cool features end. There's no waterproofing here, not a shred of IPX rating. The only notable practical feature is being able to pair the Polaroid P2 with another speaker of the same type to produce stereo sound.
- Design and Features Rating: 3.5/5
Polaroid P2: sound quality
- Bluetooth 5.0
- it gets loud
- lack of delicacy
The Polaroid P2 isn't the worst speaker, but it needs more clarity. Although it has more bass than you'd expect from a speaker of this size, there's nothing special about it. Volume is everything here and the Polaroid P2 can get pretty loud if you turn up the dial.
However, this leads to distortion, which further affects the lack of sharpness. Listening to something like Come Together by the Beatles can sound loud. But if you pay close attention, you'll find that it's more like listening to something on the radio. Strong, but with zero clarity.
The higher frequencies struggle here too, with something like David Bowie's Under Pressure lacking finesse. It's all good, but you won't exactly appreciate the finer details and intricacies these classics offer. Combined with its appearance, we immediately think this is an ideal speaker for younger audiences not yet reaching audiophile sound quality.
Thanks to distortion, the Polaroid P2 isn't a serious contender for our list of the best party speakers, either (opens in a new tab).
There is a Polaroid music app. However, it's more about discovering select music stations created by Polaroid, rather than changing settings. This means there is no equalizer to enhance your experience.
Polaroid P2: value
- Distinctive Skin Cost
- Little expensive
The Polaroid P2 isn't the most expensive speaker, but it's a bit pricey for what it offers, namely good looks but lacking in distinctive sound quality. It's fun, but what price do you put on entertainment and a brief topic of conversation?