The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of tech gear

Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 Review

A decent speaker for those that want something inexpensive and very portable, but only if it's found on sale
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Price:   $85 List | $26 at Amazon
Pros:  Lightweight, portable, can be inexpensive when on sale
Cons:  Poor sound quality, massively overpriced if not on sale
Manufacturer:   Cambridge SoundWorks
By Max Mutter and Steven Tata  ⋅  Apr 5, 2017
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48
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#21 of 21
  • Sound Quality - 40% 2
  • Portability - 25% 9
  • Volume - 20% 4
  • Battery Life - 15% 6

Our Verdict

The Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 is small and inexpensive (when it's found on sale). While it is still much better than listening to a smartphone's built-in speakers, the Oontz was the worst sounding speaker in our selection. Because it's so tiny and inexpensive it's not a bad 'just in case' speaker to keep stashed in your backpack or car if you're not fussy about sound quality, but we feel the Anker SoundCore and the Tribit XSound Go to be overall better speakers for those on a tight budget.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award   
Price $85 List
$25.99 at Amazon		$300 List
$299.00 at Amazon		$200 List
$199.00 at Amazon		$150 List
$149.99 at Amazon		$100 List
$99.95 at Amazon
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Pros Lightweight, portable, can be inexpensive when on saleExcellent sound quality, very loud, long battery lifeExcellent sound quality, water resistant, great battery lifeGood overall sound, great volume, great battery life, waterproofGood sound quality, waterproof, long battery life
Cons Poor sound quality, massively overpriced if not on saleExpensive, relatively large and heavyExpensive, relatively heavyNot the strongest bass, a bit priceyNot the best sounding nor most portable
Bottom Line A decent speaker for those that want something inexpensive and very portable, but only if it’s found on saleTop notch sound quality and volume in a somewhat heavy packageThe best portable speaker for audiophilesA good mix of sound qaultiy/volume and durabilityA great balance of sound quality, portability, and price
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Rating Categories Oontz Angle 3 Bose Soundlink... Bose SoundLink... UE Boom 3 JBL Flip 5
Sound Quality (40%)
10
0
2
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
7
10
0
7
Portability (25%)
10
0
9
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
Volume (20%)
10
0
4
10
0
10
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
9
Battery Life (15%)
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
9
Specs Oontz Angle 3 Bose Soundlink... Bose SoundLink... UE Boom 3 JBL Flip 5
Dimensions (in x in x in) 5.25" x 2.75" x 2.75" 4.1" x 4.1" x 7.3" 5.97" x 3.24" x 3.24" 2.9" x 2.9" x 7.25" 3.64" x 3.6" x 8.5"
Inputs 3.5 mm auxiliary input, Micro-USB port Charging port, Micro-USB, 3.5mm auxillary input 3.5 mm auxiliary input, Micro USB port Micro USB port none
Reported Weight 9 oz 34 oz 24 oz 24 oz 19.04 oz
Measured Weight 9.4 oz 34 oz 24 oz 22 oz 19 oz
Wireless Range (feet) 33 30 feet 30 feet 150 feet Not Listed
Reported Battery Life (hours) 12 16 12 15 12
Measured Battery Life (hours) 15.5 24 18 24 27
Warranty 90 day limited 1 year limited 1 year limited 2 year limited 1 year limited
Receive Phone Calls Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 earns brownie points for being small and portable, but not much else. It's a decent budget option, but if you're looking for good sound quality or volume you'll have to look elsewhere, and likely spend quite a bit more.


Performance Comparison


The Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 was among the worst overall performers in our testing. Below we discuss the Oontz's performance in each of our individual testing metrics.

Sound Quality


The Oontz received the low score of 2 out of 10 in our sound quality testing, putting it far behind the high score of 10. This speaker is louder and a bit clearer than a smartphone's built-in speakers, but can't match most of the other more capable speakers that we tested. The bass sounds quite thin and weak, and treble often takes on a static quality, especially at higher volumes and pitches. If you don't care about sound quality and just want an inexpensive way to amplify the music on your phone the sound quality is acceptable, but those looking for a refined listening experience will be sorely disappointed by the Oontz.


Portability


Portability is one area where the Oontz shines. It earned a 9 out of 10 in this metric, just off the top score of 10 and far ahead of the low score of 2. At just 9.4 ounces the Oontz is the lightest speaker we tested by a comfortable margin. It also rivals the UE Roll 2 for being the smallest speaker we tested (the two are such radically different shapes that they're hard to compare). The IPX5 rating guarantees that it won't be ruined by hearty splashes of water, but it won't survive full submersion. The Oontz definitely has a 'might as well toss it in the bag just in case' portability factor.

The Oontz is quite small.
The Oontz is quite small.

Volume


With its small size the Oontz really struggles to get to high volumes. Accordingly, it scored the low score of 4 in this metric, which saw scores as high as 9. The Oontz can still belt much louder than any smartphone's built-in speakers. However, the music quickly starts to sound tinny as you crank the volume up. Listening at the highest volume that didn't result in a shrill assault on our ears the Oontz was able to mostly fill our testing apartment with sound, but when standing far from the speaker the music could get lost in normal ambient noise. Overall it's loud enough for a small group of people sitting close to the speaker, but doesn't have enough power for a large party.

Battery Life


The Oontz hung on for 15.5 hours in our battery life test, besting its manufacturer claim by more than 3 hours. This covers almost all of your waking hours on a normal day, so chances are this will be more than enough battery life, unless you're looking to take the Oontz on an extended backpacking trip. 15.5 hours was just around average in our battery life testing, thus the Oontz received a score of 6 out of 10.


Value


The Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 lists for $85. In this price range it is an awful value as the UE Roll 2 costs as much and is a vastly superior speaker. However, at the time of this writing we've seen the Oontz available for less than a third of its list price. At that price point it is a decent value for those who don't want to spend much on a speaker, but we feel the Anker SoundCore still offers a better value for budget-conscious buyers.

The Oontz comes with a short charging cable and an auxiliary audio cable.
The Oontz comes with a short charging cable and an auxiliary audio cable.

Conclusion


The Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 is a decent speaker for those not fussed by sound quality who are on a tight budget, but the Anker SoundCore fits that bill just a bit better.


— Max Mutter and Steven Tata