TOZO PE1 Review: Compact Bluetooth Speaker with Solid App Support, Decent Sound, and IPX8 Durability
We’ve reviewed a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers in the past, and now we’re back with a new one, the TOZO PE1. This is a compact, portable Bluetooth speaker designed with outdoor use in mind. I’ve used it for about a week, and here are my thoughts on what I liked and disliked about it.
First Impressions
The TOZO PE1 arrived in a simple white box, and the review unit I received was blue in colour. It features a slightly different design, TOZO has added a hook on top instead of the typical rope you find with most small portable speakers. I was able to hang it on a door handle while it was charging, and it still played music just fine in that position. Also, it took around 7-8 seconds for me to press the power button to turn it on and turn it off.
Inside the box, you get the instruction manual and a USB Type-C cable. In terms of audio, the sound quality is quite good at higher volumes, but at lower volumes, I felt something was missing — it lacked a bit of depth. Thankfully, the companion TOZO app offers more customisable EQ options to help balance the sound to your liking. The app also includes a handy “Find Me” feature for locating the speaker.
Design and Connectivity
It is indeed a compact portable Bluetooth speaker, featuring a mesh grille at the front and a smooth plastic finish on the back. On top, there’s a hook — one end of which can be unhooked, making it easy to attach the speaker to various surfaces.
All the control buttons are placed on the side, including power, music shuffle, and volume controls. At the bottom, you’ll find the USB Type-C port, and right next to it is an LED indicator that lights up solid when the speaker is connected to a device.
The speaker comes with Bluetooth version 5.4, and I didn’t encounter any issues during the initial pairing process. It also supports dual connectivity, allowing you to easily switch between two devices by double-pressing the connect button located next to the power button.
As with other TOZO Bluetooth speakers, the PE1 includes the “Twins” feature, which lets you pair it with another TOZO PE1 speaker. This enhances the overall sound output and provides a stereo surround sound experience.
Sound and Performance
With a 43.5mm dynamic driver, the sound output was quite impressive. Although I felt the audio lacked fullness at lower volume levels, the music really started to shine once it crossed the one-third volume mark. I played PASSO BEM SOLTO (Slowed) and didn’t miss a single beat, it handled the track well, especially considering its compact size.
Next, I tested the calling functionality, and there was no interference or distortion. It also supports three-way calling, allowing you to attend one call after another without disconnecting the first one. Additionally, you can double-press the power button to activate the voice assistant on the connected device. I tried this with my iPhone 12, even with the phone locked, Siri activated smoothly and followed the instructions I gave her without any issues.
Mobile APP
What I like about TOZO is that the mobile app is easy to use and quickly detects the device. I did face some initial hiccups while connecting it to the app, but after restarting my phone, it worked smoothly.
The app also includes a Bass+ option in the EQ settings, which boosts the bass. That said, don’t expect heavy bass, but for the speaker’s size, it performs reasonably well.
Another useful feature in the app is the Find My Earbud option. When you tap it, the connected device emits a ringing sound, helping you locate it easily.
Battery
Under the hood, it carries a 1200 mAh battery, and TOZO claims it offers up to 32 hours of battery life. While I wasn’t able to test the full battery duration, I did play music for around 3–4 hours and left it on standby for about 12 hours, and there was still charge left.
Water Test
The TOZO PE1 comes with an IPX8 waterproof certification, which means it can be submerged in up to 1 metre of water for around 30 minutes. I didn’t test it for the full duration, but I did submerge it briefly to check its performance, and it continued to work even while underwater.
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Water did get inside through the mesh grille, but after shaking the speaker for two to three minutes, most of the water was expelled.
Final Verdict
The TOZO PE1 is a practical and compact Bluetooth speaker suitable for everyday use, especially in outdoor settings. It offers a decent mix of essential features like IPX8 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual device connectivity. The build includes a detachable hook, making it easy to hang or carry, and the app provides basic EQ adjustments and a “Find Me” function.
Audio quality is acceptable for its size, though it lacks depth at lower volumes. The app can improve the sound to an extent, but expectations should remain realistic, particularly around bass performance. Battery life is claimed to be long, and in short-term use, it held up reasonably well.
Pros:
Compact size with detachable hook for easy placement
IPX8 waterproof rating
Bluetooth 5.4 with dual connectivity support
App support with EQ options and device finder
Stereo pairing with another PE1 speaker
Voice assistant activation supported
Cons:
Weak audio output at lower volumes
Bass performance is limited
Requires a long press (7–8 seconds) to power on/off
Occasional issues connecting with the TOZO app initially
