We purchased the Rotibox Bluetooth Beanie Hat so (Check latest price on Amazon) our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.
The Rotibox Bluetooth Beanie Hat appears to be more of a fun novelty than a serious audio device or fashion accessory. It has good audio quality, is very comfortable and warm to wear, and has a battery that lasts about six hours. Rotibox was the most impressive of the wireless beanies we tested.
Design: Simple design in many flavors
Bluetooth beanies are the most basic form of wearable technology. It’s a one-size-fits-all beanie with Bluetooth speakers built into the ears. They’re especially useful in the winter because you won’t have to fumble with earbuds hidden beneath your hat or earmuffs.
This beanie goes with a variety of winter outfits because it comes in a variety of colors and styles. The one we tested was the BB013-Black, but when it arrived, it was a light gray shade. It’s one of the more straightforward options, consisting solely of a knit cap, whereas some of the others include brims, ear flaps, and tassels. There are a total of 29 options, the most of any of the music beanies we looked at.
We had the beanie connected to an iPhone X in less than 30 seconds after opening the package.
The range of this Bluetooth beanie is about 30 feet from the device it’s paired with, which is the bare minimum for any Bluetooth device. We tested the device and discovered that the connection is still strong within that range. This beanie has a built-in microphone that allows you to take phone calls in addition to the Bluetooth speakers.
Related: Garmin Forerunner 745 Review
Setup Process: Easy pairing
We were able to pair the beanie with an iPhone X in less than 30 seconds after opening the package, and it always took less than five seconds to pair with a device after that. Unfortunately, it is only compatible with mobile devices; however, since it is intended to be used on the go, this isn’t a deal breaker.
Controls: Expect to mash the wrong button
The control panel being located over the left ear was a common issue we encountered when testing the best Bluetooth beanies. A bigger issue is that the buttons aren’t tactilely well-defined, so you’ll frequently hit pause when you meant to skip to the next track. For things like volume and media selection, you’re better off just using your phone.
Related: Amazon Halo Review
Battery Life: Six hours to dead, two and a half to full
After a week of testing this and other Bluetooth beanies, we discovered that a full charge will give you about six hours of listening time. This beanie’s product description claims that charging a dead battery takes two and a half hours, which turned out to be pretty accurate. This beanie takes the longest to charge out of all the ones we’ve tried, with others taking less than an hour.
The battery has two drawbacks: there’s no way to tell how much juice is left in it, and there’s no audio warning when it’s about to die. When you’re in the middle of Eight Days a Week, it just sputters and stops, which is a letdown.
Comfort: Soft, warm, and easy on the skin
We initially mistook it for a cotton beanie when we first put it on. It’s extremely soft and comfortable, as opposed to some of the other wireless beanies we tested, which were scratchy and itchy.
Sound Quality: Just fine
At this price point, it’s difficult to expect high-quality sound from a product. The music is loud and clear, but it lacks the depth and range of sound produced by more expensive devices such as Apple’s AirPods or Beats Pro. We listened to The Beatles’ Past Masters album. While many of the minor details faded into the background, it wasn’t enough to keep us from losing ourselves in the Hey Jude verses.
The music is loud and clear, but it lacks the depth and range of sound that more expensive devices produce.
We also used this Bluetooth beanie to make a few phone calls. On our end, the call quality was crisp and clear. The party on the other end, on the other hand, said it sounded like we were on speaker phone and that, while the conversation was understandable, they had to pay more attention than if we were calling from a handset.
Related: Samsung Galaxy Watch3 Review
Price: A bit more expensive than the rest
This Bluetooth beanie is on the higher end of the price scale when it comes to Bluetooth beanies. It costs $40 (Check latest price on Amazon), while similar beanies cost around $15. It is, however, the most comfortable and has the best sound quality of the bunch.
Rotibox Bluetooth Beanie Hat vs. Blueear Bluetooth Beanie Hat
This wireless beanie was put to the test alongside the Blueear Bluetooth Beanie Hat. While both provide adequate head warmth and music, the Rotibox provides the best overall experience. Blueear has a lower price point, but the sound quality is noticeably lower. While the SoundBot has slightly better sound, it is unreliable and performs poorly in other areas.
The Final Word
This Bluetooth beanie excels in the four key areas of comfort, warmth, aesthetics, and audio quality. It’s not a perfect or powerful audio device, but if you enjoy music and being outside in the winter, it’s a good choice.
