Fugoo Style-S vs. Style XL: Which Fugoo Speaker Is Best?

Fugoo's Bluetooth speakers have long been favorites of ours, delivering excellent sound and features for a reasonable price. But picking a Fugoo is difficult.

Despite the similarity in appearance between the company's $130 Style-S and $170 Style XL models, each speaker has its unique pros and cons, and understanding the differences can help make your choice clearer.

Fugoo Style-S vs. XL: Specs compared

Design

The speakers in Fugoo's Style line share the same aesthetic: rectangular units wrapped in tan, mesh fabric. But at 11.3 x 4.5 x 3.8 inches, the Style XL is much bigger than the 8.3 x 2.9 x 2.5-inch Style-S. The XL is also significantly heavier. The XL is portable in name only; you wouldn't want to throw it in your backpack for a long hike.

Another key difference between the two is how you charge the battery. The Style-S uses micro USB, while the Style XL comes with a power brick and DC charger. That means you have to bring a specific charger with you when you move the XL, while the Style-S can use any micro USB cable.

Both models can handle the elements well, whether that's water or dust. I submerged each speaker in water with no ill effects, and they took drops from waist height without sustaining any damage.

Both the Style-S and XL support a range of accessories, including bike mounts and strap mounts, that can be attached to the bottom of the speakers.

Winner: Style-S

Performance

If sound is your main concern, you'll like the XL, which produces a much fuller audio experience than the Style-S. The XL has rich bass and sharp treble, as well as full midrange; it's one of the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speakers you'll hear.

The Style-S' sound isn't too shabby either, especially for this speaker's size, but in a side-by-side comparison, the Style-S doesn't come close to the overall quality of the XL. Part of that is because the XL has eight drivers, including one on each side, producing a wider sound scape. The S has four drivers.

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On Radiohead's "Bodysnatchers," the XL's superior bass delivers a much fuller sound overall and better differentiation between the vocals and distorted guitars. But on an acoustic song like Fleetwood Mac's "Never Going Back Again," the Style-S' sharp treble and rich vocals sound almost as good as the XL's.

Winner:Fugoo Style XL

Battery

One of the things that sets Fugoo apart from other Bluetooth-speaker makers is the excellent battery life on its models. The Style XL gets an impressive 35 hours on a full charge; the Style-S, on the other hand, gets only 15 hours. You can also use the XL's battery to charge USB devices.

Winner:Fugoo Style XL

Wireless and Setup

The Style-S and Style XL have the same easy setup: Push the Bluetooth pairing button on the side and connect your device. Both have a strong wireless connection with long range.  

Neither offers an app to access features, so you have to rely on voice prompts and pushing a combination of buttons to make changes. For example, you can change the voice prompt level by holding the + and - buttons when you start the unit, or you can enable loud mode (aka, Outdoor mode) by holding the play button on the XL or the circle button on the Style-S.

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One advantage the Style-S offers: You can pair two units together to spread out the sound. That feature isn't available on the Style XL.

Winner: Fugoo Style-S

Bottom Line

You really can't lose with either the Fugoo Style-S or Style XL. Both are reasonably priced compared to similar Bluetooth speakers, and the two have similar features. The decision comes down to what is most important to you in a Bluetooth speaker: sound quality or portability.

If sound matters most to you, get the Style XL. But if you plan to carry the speaker around with you a lot, the Style-S is a better choice.

Credit: Fugoo