Speaqua Cruiser H2.0 Review: This Bluetooth Speaker Opens Bottles

Personally, I’d opt for the Cruiser H2.0 in the calming, friendly Tahitian Blue that I tested (as shown in the photos on this page). If that’s not your thing, it’s also available in a host of other nautically monikered colors: Tripper Fish (a pseudo-psychedelic pattern), Sea Palm (blue), Galápagos Green, Pacific Blue, Lion Fish (yellow/gold), Baja Clay (orange-ish), Snapper Red, Great White, and Manta Ray Black.

I’ve got to hand it to Speaqua. They know how to pick a company theme and stick with it. I would’ve guessed they were on the coast of California, but the company is actually located on Long Island; close to, but not actually on the ocean.

Speaqua

Power, answer/hang-up, and volume up/ down controls—plus a captive cover for its USB-C charging port—are arranged around the permieter of the speaker. There is no next/previous track function mentioned in the users’ guide, or that I could find. You’ll need to use your phone for that.

Sound and utility

Sonically, the Cruiser H2.0 reproduces just about everything above 200 to 250Hz with decent, if unspectacular, accuracy. Below that: nada, zip, zilch, zero. If you want even an inkling of thump, then this is not the speaker for you. You can hear the notes the bass plays, but they’re not impactful in the least.

In other words, this speaker won’t win any sonic excellence contests. If you think of the Cruiser H2.0 as a bottle opener/key fob first, then as a speaker for emergencies where you simply have to hear a song and nothing else is available, you’ll probably enjoy it.

I must also say that it’s as least as good as the first handheld AM radio I had as a kid. Bass is great, but it’s the melody that sells.

Conclusion

Take the Cruiser H2.0 for what it is: a fun, colorful, conversation starter that will also pry the cap off your frosty beverage while you listen to your favorite tunes (without any bass). If the song is good enough, you’ll tap your foot—bass or no. $30 might be a bit more than I’d like to pay for it, but as any of my friends will tell you, I’m cheap.