This Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker Has Upgraded Features, and It’s Just $100

while beats The Pill used to be a common sight at parties and around campfires, but it gradually fell out of popularity as Bluetooth speakers with better battery life and more advanced features came onto the scene. In 2024, Apple decided to update Pill, and it was a huge leap forward in terms of joining or even passing the competition. The price of that updated model with bigger sound, more durability, and mobile-focused features has been reduced by $50 at both Amazon and Best Buy, bringing the price down to just $100.

Beats speakers and headphones have a signature sound, and the updated Pill is no different. It’s certainly bass-forward, although Apple’s influence has smoothed out some of the sharp edges that might have resulted from that decision. If you want details on how it matches your musical preferences, our reviewer Ryan Vaniata wrote a really in-depth description of the sound across multiple genres in his review. There’s no equalizer, so you’re stuck with the sound you get out of the box, good or bad.

The new Pill is also more capable of adventure than its predecessors. It has a new IP67 dust and waterproof rating, making it better for trips to the beach, even if it’s not as sturdy as some of our other favorite Bluetooth speakers. However, it has very long battery life, with a stated 24-hour charge at half volume, and even better at lower volume. It can also charge your other devices with the built-in USB-C port.

Like the older Pills that came before, the new model comes in some subtle and attractive colors. I saw discounted pricing on the classic black, light gray, and dark gray, as well as the bold champagne gold and statement red options on Amazon, but your mileage may vary at other retailers.

Despite some minor quibbles, this really is an excellent speaker with the signature sound profile that Beats fans know and love. If that doesn’t sound like you, be sure to check out our full roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers for some alternatives.