Ion Pathfinder 280 Review

Name: Ion Pathfinder 280
Brand: Ion

Christen da Costa

True Score Methodology v1.0

TRUE SCORE

67^%

Meh

#

66

/

152

Where does this product score?

Top testers loved the ION Pathfinder 280, and they recommended it for parties, music, and outdoor settings. They loved its remarkably loud output, low sound compression, and near-neutral sound profile. Testers also liked its outstanding battery life. However, they disliked its narrow soundstage and high Bluetooth latency.

Product Awards

Consumer Favorite

$149.99

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

66

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

94

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

67^%

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Table of Contents

Expert Score Breakdown_

Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight

F
Cat Trust Score
66
The ION Pathfinder 280 is good for podcasts. While it… read more

Customer Score Breakdown_

NR
(
NR
)
Ratings

Product Snapshot

Expert Rankings

Overview_

The ION Pathfinder 280 is a 2021-model mid-range Bluetooth party speaker that promises wide-angle sound and pleasant Bluetooth lighting for partygoers. Unlike most on our list of the best speakers, this device has customizable RGB lighting and a waterproof storage compartment for small devices. It has a rugged IPX5 water-resistant design and boasts excellent battery life. This model connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0, featuring a good 278.9-foot range, and a built-in radio provides wide-ranging entertainment. Read to the end of this review and see how the ION Pathfinder 280 stacks up against the best Bluetooth speakers today.

Best For

Consensus_

Reason to Buy

Speaker gets really loud
Well-balanced sound profile
IPX5-rated water-resistant design
Low sound deterioration at high volume settings
RGB lighting

Reason to Avoid

Lacks multi-device Bluetooth pairing
High Bluetooth latency
Only support stereo when paired with another speaker
Narrow and directional soundstage
Lacks voice assistants or speakerphone functions

Key Specs_

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Product Comparison_

	Ion Pathfinder 280 Review
True Score	67^%	NR	NR	NR
Ranking	# 66 / 152	# /	# /	# /
Market Context	The ION Pathfinder 280 is a 2021-model mid-range Bluetooth party speaker that promises wide-angle sound and pleasant Bluetooth lighting for partygoers. Unlike most on our… The ION Pathfinder 280 is a 2021-model mid-range Bluetooth party speaker that promises wide-angle sound and pleasant Bluetooth lighting for partygoers. Unlike most on our list of the best speakers, this device has customizable RGB lighting and a waterproof storage compartment for small devices. It has a rugged IPX5 water-resistant design and boasts excellent battery life. This model connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0, featuring a good 278.9-foot range, and a built-in radio provides wide-ranging entertainment. Read to the end of this review and see how the ION Pathfinder 280 stacks up against the best Bluetooth speakers today.	The ION Pathfinder 280 speaker has a waterproof storage compartment on top, unlike the ION Pathfinder 4 speaker. Additionally, the ION Pathfinder 280 has side… The ION Pathfinder 280 speaker has a waterproof storage compartment on top, unlike the ION Pathfinder 4 speaker. Additionally, the ION Pathfinder 280 has side speakers, boasting a more immersive 280-degree performance than the more directional Pathfinder 4.	Featuring a 104.7 dB SPL, the JBL PartyBox 100 gets louder than the ION Pathfinder 280, which reaches a top SPL of 100.5 dB. Additionally,… Featuring a 104.7 dB SPL, the JBL PartyBox 100 gets louder than the ION Pathfinder 280, which reaches a top SPL of 100.5 dB. Additionally, the JBL speaker plays stereo, unlike the ION Pathfinder 280 speaker, which requires pairing with a similar speaker to support audio. However, the ION device features graphics EQ and radio features, unlike the JBL model.	The ION Pathfinder 280 features a 100.5 dB SPL and 1.13 dB DRC, getting louder and maintaining the audio quality better at the highest volume… The ION Pathfinder 280 features a 100.5 dB SPL and 1.13 dB DRC, getting louder and maintaining the audio quality better at the highest volume than the Monster Rockin’ Roller 270X, which has a 95.7 dB SPL and 2.24 dB DRC. However, the Monster speaker boasts mic+guitar inputs, unlike the ION Pathfinder 280.
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