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Size matters. At least it does for speakers where getting dynamic sound with good bass often means getting something bigger. Then again, some folks also put a premium on gadget size that goes the other direction — that is, smaller. Given the plethora of mini speakers out in the market such as the Spyder Pocket Speaker, for example, it’s quite obvious that some consumers put a premium on portability, too.

These are the same folks that would likely be interested in the Divoom IFIT-1 speaker, which heretofore shall now get the review treatment. Yes, I’ve been meaning to use “heretofore” in an article for a very, very long time.

Anyway, when it comes to picking a portable speaker, you basically have to look at three factors: portability, audio quality, features and price. Depending on which you prioritize and what you’re willing to live with, your options can vary wildly. In the case of the Divoom IFIT-1, the biggest advantage it possesses against rivals is price as you can pretty much get one online for just $30. In the world of portable speakers, that’s about as cheap as you can go without attaching a string to two cups. Despite, its low price, the Divoom IFIT-1 still throws in some extra features. At the top of the list is a rechargeable battery that allows you to use the speaker unplugged for about six hours. Combined with the IFIT-1’s light weight and small size — it’s 80mm or 3 inches wide and 32mm or 1.26 inches tall, which makes it smaller than the Jambox-style Cubedge EDGE.sound — the built-in battery is a nice feature to have in terms of portability as it pretty much gives you the freedom to move this sucker around or simply take it anywhere with you.

Charging is done via a USB socket, though, so you’ll need to have a computer or a USB charger handy if you want to juice up the device. Sound is fine for a speaker its size. The top facing speaker provides good 360-degree sound coverage though the audio profile leans toward the the high end of the sound curve. It doesn’t have as much bass as its cousin, the Divoom Bluetune Solo, for example, which has bit more oomph and sounds more dynamic. The IFIT-1 also exhibits distortion at high volumes.

Unlike the Bluetune, the IFIT-1 also does not have Bluetooth capability so it requires a direct cable connection all the time and can’t be synced wirelessly with your smartphone or wireless-capable player. It also can’t take calls, another feature the Bluenote has. It does have a retractable stand for placing your smartphone or player on. Although it was able to accommodate my Samsung Galaxy S3 and iPhone 4S, it’s not the most secure stand. The cable length also makes it tough to have your phone upright in the stand if it happens to be tall, though you can also lay down your phone sideways. In terms of looks, the top half uses a rubbery surface and a glossy plastic bottom. It has a very plasticky feel overall but the non-glossy upper half is a nice touch as it isn’t as prone to smudges and fingerprints as the glossy plastic bottom. If that made you giggle, let me just say that I’m happy that you can still connect with your inner 10-year-old.

Overall, the Divoom IFIT-1 is a solid budget speaker but its lack of additional features makes it pale in comparison to other mini speakers that feature extra bass as well as wireless options. Even if the $200 price tag for a Jambox is a bit much for you, I’d still recommend going a step up to Divoom’s own $50 Bluetune Solo as it sounds better and comes with more bells and whistles, especially if you listen to music with a smartphone. Otherwise, if your main focus is price and you don’t care about all that other stuff, then feel free to try this speaker out.

Final rating: 3 stars out of 5

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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.