Radio and portable speaker fusion: JBL Tuner 2 review

You can find quality speakers wherever you look, but the JBL Tuner 2 isn't just a speaker – it's also a radio. That's right, the JBL speaker range has this curious combination, allowing you to switch between a Bluetooth connection and radio frequencies wherever you are.

Portable radios and Bluetooth speakers are plentiful on the market, but a fusion like this is an uncommon sight. If a speaker has radio functionality, it's usually a home speaker, not a portable one. That makes the JBL Tuner 2 stand out, but how it performs is another thing.

It's easy to glance at the Tuner 2's specs and compare it to other Bluetooth speakers, but a radio and speaker combination requires a more thorough look, which is what we've set out to do. We're here to see how it performs in practice and if it is worth your money.

One of our resident tech experts, Kyle Purves, has been testing the JBL Tuner 2. They've become familiar with every aspect of the speaker and radio, from its battery life and portability to how the sound quality holds up. Now that they've finished testing it, they're ready to discuss their findings.

Performance and User Experience

Although it's not quite as powerful as other Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Tuner 2's sound quality was still plenty good in my experience testing it. It may not be outstanding, but the audio clarity is great, and the sound projection never falls short, so I'm more than happy to continue to use it in the future.

The radio sounds leagues better than any car radio I've used. It's easy to navigate through different frequencies and the scan function can even speed up the process. I had no trouble finding my local channels, at which point I was able to save them as one of the presets for even easier access next time.

There's a small screen on the front of the speaker that displays its current battery, connection or channel. I very much appreciated being able to see the name of each station I tuned into rather than listening to the music and wildly guessing.

The Bluetooth connection is very reliable and doesn't notably affect the sound quality in any way. Since the Tuner 2 uses Bluetooth 4.2 instead of a more recent version like 5.3, I assumed the difference would be apparent, but I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. It never dropped out or lagged, so I have no complaints here.

I'm a big fan of the JBL Tuner 2's battery life. While I have used Bluetooth speakers with longer playtime than 12 hours, all of them have taken between four and six hours to charge. The Tuner 2 claims to completely charge in about three and a half hours, and that's certainly true from my testing. In fact, when using a strong power bank, it was closer to three hours. If you're proactive in keeping the speaker topped up with little bursts of charge, the battery life will serve you excellently.

The Build

A quick glance at the Tuner 2 reveals that it's a portable speaker. However, its size may also lead you to think it looks dense and hefty. I certainly did, but that expectation was erased as soon as I held it. It's seriously lightweight, more so than most other travel speakers. I was able to pack it away in a bag and not notice a weight difference, so this is certainly a point in its favour.

The radio aerial is attached to the back of the speaker. It pulls out through a turn and can swivel upwards, where then you just need to extend it upwards by pulling on its cap. Throughout my testing, it seemed reliable, and I rarely needed to make any major adjustments to it. It's durable, and once folded away, it is definitely resilient enough to not be damaged when jostled around in a backpack. Should it ever seem to start to loosen or not hold its position as well, it can be tightened via its screw.

It's important for any Bluetooth speaker to have convenient controls, but especially so for the JBL Tuner 2 as it needs to be able to switch between two modes. Thankfully, it aces this. With the exception of the power button on the side, everything you need to control it is on top and with enough space between the buttons to reduce the likelihood of hitting the wrong one. The volume controls are denoted by a giant minus and plus symbol on each side of the controls, with two layers in between. The top layer is used to use, and save presets, whereas the bottom contains the Bluetooth, DAB/FM, scan and navigation features. Each button also produces a satisfying click when pressed, so you know for certain you've done it right.

It's worth noting that the JBL Tuner 2 sports an impressive waterproof rating of IPX7. That means it can be safely submerged without issue, at least in theory. While the speaker is certainly splashproof, nothing is included to seal the ports. As such, I would definitely avoid dunking it in water. Still, IPX7 is fantastic for a Bluetooth speaker and makes this an excellent choice for those searching for a new poolside radio or shower speaker.

Any downsides?

Portable speakers are never the most powerful, but the JBL Tuner 2 can sometimes seem underwhelming even considering that. The quality is by no means bad, but a 5W is never going to be impressive. It's easily outclassed by speakers notably cheaper.

The main culprit is the bass. If your music tastes don't involve a lot of bass, you probably won't notice much or any issues, but otherwise, it is a bit disappointing. When listening to my playlists through the Tuner 2, I couldn't help but shake the feeling that they would sound better out of another speaker.

Who is it for?

The JBL Tuner 2 might not stand out in the world of Bluetooth speakers, but its niche as a speaker and radio fusion definitely makes it noteworthy. With a reliable connection and great ease of use, it's practical and portable for use on the go. The audio power might be a bit lacking, but the sound clarity is plenty serviceable enough to balance it out. You can do better for a speaker alone, but as a speaker and radio, this is a brilliant piece of kit to have.

If you often use a Bluetooth speaker and a portable radio, the JBL Tuner 2 allows you to combine those into one package. It's easy to switch between stations and presets, making it convenient for on-the-go use. Factor in the lightweight design and solid battery life, and it becomes an excellent pick for frequent travellers.

Do we recommend it?

Yes, but only if you plan to get use out of the radio aspect. Otherwise, while the JBL Tuner 2 is a solid speaker, you can find better options for a better price. Nevertheless, it's still a versatile option that's worth your consideration.

Other items to consider

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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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