Ikea’s $10 Kallsup Bluetooth speaker is a vibrant and affordable accessory for a desk, shelf, or child’s room. Despite being simple with few features, including the ability to link up to 100 speakers, its sound quality beats expectations. The speaker has a basic design, consisting of a 2.75-inch plastic cube with four feet, available in pink, white, and yellow green. It includes two buttons, a small LED, and a USB-C charging port. The Bluetooth button powers the speaker on, transitions it to pairing mode, and doubles as a power-off switch. The play button manages music tracks and connects to more units. Pairing and powering the speaker take about 10 seconds.
The Kallsup produces surprisingly good audio at moderate volumes, suitable for backgrounds, podcasts, or audiobooks, outperforming a MacBook Air’s internal speakers. The speaker’s small driver limits bass but emphasizes midrange frequencies, benefiting vocal clarity. At maximum volume, there may be distortion on high notes, which isn’t a problem for close listening.
Originally attracting attention at CES for its linking ability, trial with 20 units increased sound output significantly. However, all units remain mono without stereo pairing. Compared to pricier speakers like the Bose SoundLink Plus, Amazon Echo Studio, and Sonos Roam 2, the Kallsup offers less across the frequency range but remains serviceable. The Echo Studio provides superior balance, and the Bose and Sonos deliver enhanced features like dust and water resistance, interoperability with other systems, and AI capabilities.
While linking several Kallsups expands sound coverage, it demands time for set-up and re-pairing with each usage, as pairing isn’t retained post-power down. Finding enough charging outlets for recharging is another hassle, given the nine-hour battery life. The charging sound can also be annoying.
Despite this, using one or a few Kallsups offers a cheerful and budget-friendly way to bring audio to a room. They are especially appealing in a child’s space or as desktop decor. At $10, they provide excellent value.
Photography by John Higgins / The Verge