What is it?

The use of Bluetooth equipment has considerably increased these days owing to the convenience it provides. And reasonably so, there’s no hassle of wires and most of this gear is compact to store. No wonder then, even car owners with very old cars have resorted to small Bluetooth speakers instead of a full-fledged music system with speakers. Sure, you can’t deny the fact that a music system will provide a better experience overall. However, most of the drivers and many of our readers prefer a multi-purpose device that can primarily pair with their phone to answer calls, let aside the dimension of also playing some music.

Enter the ZAAP Aqua Bluetooth speaker. It might look like an ordinary Bluetooth speaker, but it has a suction mount that can easily fit on the windscreen or any window of the car. It pairs to any phone with Bluetooth and has an internal mic to facilitate answering calls as well. One good reason we decided to review this one in depth was to find out how helpful this one can be.

What's in the box?

The neatly packed carton includes a Zaap Aqua Waterproof/Shockproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker, micro USB charging cable, aux cable, carabiner and a suction cup. There’s also a user guide and a warranty booklet for this product that gets a 12-month warranty. The speaker is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows.

How to install it?

The removable translucent suction cup on the speaker can be attached to any smooth and relatively flat surface. However, it is recommended to fix it to a glass surface and hence we decided to fix it on the windscreen next to the mirror. It’s easy to reach when it needs to be switched on and more importantly, it won’t hinder the vision of the driver.

Otherwise, it also fits the cup-holders of most cars too. No need to worry about water spilling on it as it’s waterproof anyway. Alternatively, rear seat passengers can use it too, plus the carabiner can act as a hook to hang it from the seat headrests.

How does it work?

Before installing it, we would suggest you to pair it to your phone through Bluetooth. Search for ZAAP-BSS-203 on your phone and connect it. Whenever you switch on the speaker with its power button and the phone’s Bluetooth is on, it will automatically connect. It has buttons to change the track, adjust volume and even one to answer the call. We didn’t face any issue in connecting it as hands-free talking, call management is possible from up to 33 feet of remote distance with free clear line of sight. In simple words, never is it going to face connectivity issues in any car.

Zaap has equipped it with an advanced Bluetooth technology, which is a super-optimised version to consume less energy and deliver crystal clear sound. The audio consistency was maintained with no lag or drop in voice ever. Moreover, six hours of playtime with full volume are ensured thanks to the CE/UL certified Li-ion battery. Appreciatively, we managed to use it periodically for more than six hours without full volume.

How much does it cost?

The box comes with a MRP tag of Rs 3000, however, it is available on Amazon at Rs 1,699 and Flipkart at Rs 1,599. It’s worth the price for the versatility it provides. Apart from using it in your car, you can use it indoor or outdoor too. It’s IP67 rated for 100 per cent protection against water, snow, shock and dust. The excellent workmanship on the product including the rubberised rugged exterior gives it a premium feel apart from the impact resistance.

And then, it’s backed up by one year warranty that covers factory defects and flaws. Zaap’s friendly customer care is available through the toll-free number 1800-120-9227 or you can simply drop a mail at [email protected] with any issues resolved within 12 hours. What’s more, a portion of the sales from your purchase will contribute towards child education too.

Pros

Easily answers phone calls with built-in microphone

Very easy to install

Easy and quick to charge

Durable construction

Rubber finish prevents abrasion

360-degree ball head rotation

Value for money

Cons

No locking mechanism for suction

Tends to vibrate when on the move

Vibrations increase at high speeds

Not ideal for porous/uneven surfaces

No in-built FM Radio or USB or memory card support

Specifications

Brand ZAAP

Model AQUA

Item Weight 68 g

Product Dimensions 13 x 16 x 10 cm

Item model number AQUA

Compatible Devices Android, iOS, Windows, Other Bluetooth enabled devices

Additional Features Waterproof

Speaker Connectivity Wireless

Audio Wattage 3 Watts

Wattage 15.00

Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi