Is Matter worth waiting for in smart home devices?

Matter is the cross-platform standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung. Existing Zigbee devices from Philips Hue and similar brands are being updated via firmware. For new smart home builds, Matter-compatible devices are the future-proof choice.

Best Tech & Audio for Camping (2026)

Finding the right tech & audio for camping — we researched 2 options and selected the best.

📅 Updated 2026-05 🔍 2 products reviewed 🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK & US links

Best for Camping

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

IP67 waterproof, 20-hour battery, powerbank built in. The portable speaker that actually travels.

★★★★☆ 4.7 (36,000 Amazon reviews)

✓ IP67 fully waterproof AND dustproof — genuinely poolside and beach safe

✓ 20-hour battery outlasts every competing speaker at this price

✓ Built-in powerbank charges your phone on the go

Price range: Premium

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Best Value

Anker PowerCore 26800mAh Portable Charger

26,800mAh — charges an iPhone 13 approximately 6 times. Dual USB-A ports. The long-haul travel essential.

★★★★☆ 4.6 (64,000 Amazon reviews)

✓ 26,800mAh charges most smartphones 5–6 times from empty

✓ Dual USB-A ports charge two devices simultaneously

✓ Anker's MultiProtect safety covers surge, short-circuit and temperature

Price range: Mid-Range

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

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Why These Made Our List

#1: JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Best for: Outdoor adventurers, poolside listeners and anyone who needs a portable speaker that can take genuine abuse.

The Charge 5 is the portable speaker for people who actually take their speaker places. IP67 rating, 20-hour battery and a built-in powerbank cover every scenario. The powerbank alone justifies the price premium over cheaper alternatives.

Full verdict →

#2: Anker PowerCore 26800mAh Portable Charger

Best for: Long-haul travellers, festival-goers and those who need multi-day power without access to mains charging.

The Anker PowerCore 26800 is the benchmark portable charger for serious travel. 26,800mAh is enough for a long-haul flight plus two days without power. Anker's reliability record is unmatched. The weight is the only consideration — this is a bag item, not a pocket accessory.

Full verdict →

How to Choose: Tech & Audio for Camping

The tech and audio market moves fast and is full of spec inflation and marketing hype. We cut through to what actually makes a difference — whether that's noise cancellation genuinely tested against alternatives, smart home devices that work reliably, or portable power that lasts as long as claimed.

What to Look For

These are the factors that genuinely separate good purchases from regretted ones:

ANC Performance

Noise cancellation specs are meaningless without independent testing. Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 consistently top third-party tests. Mid-range claims rarely hold up. Always check independent comparisons.

Battery Life (Real-World)

Manufacturer battery claims are measured at low volume with ANC off. Real-world figures are typically 20-30% lower. For ANC headphones: 20+ hours is good. For earbuds: 6+ hours per charge.

Ecosystem Compatibility

Some features are locked to specific ecosystems (AirPods Pro to Apple, Bose to a single device at a time). Always verify compatibility with your phone and computer before buying.

Smart Home Protocol

Matter is the emerging universal standard. Zigbee, Z-Wave, and proprietary protocols still dominate but limit expandability. Buying Matter-compatible devices future-proofs your setup.

Audio Codec Support

Bluetooth audio quality depends on the codec. LDAC (Sony) delivers hi-res audio on Android. aptX Adaptive is the Qualcomm equivalent. AAC is the best iOS codec. Standard SBC is the fallback — significantly lower quality.

Build Quality & IP Rating

For portable speakers and earbuds, IP ratings matter. IP67 means fully dustproof and waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes. IPX4 (splash-resistant only) is not suitable for outdoor or gym use.

Mistakes to Avoid

⚠ Buying AirPods Pro for Android — you lose Adaptive Transparency, spatial audio and seamless switching. Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead
⚠ Paying for a smart speaker with poor audio quality when a Sonos One costs only marginally more
⚠ Buying smart home devices without checking they support Matter or your existing ecosystem
⚠ Choosing headphones based on bass emphasis in-store — bass is always boosted in retail demos
⚠ Ignoring codec support — Bluetooth headphones with only SBC support sound noticeably worse than LDAC alternatives

Understanding the Price Ranges

Under 50: Budget tier. Echo Dot, basic earbuds. Functional but significant compromises on audio quality and ANC.

50–150: Mid-range. Solid true wireless earbuds (Sony WF-C700N), decent portable speakers. Good daily use value.

150–300: Premium tier. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, JBL Charge 5. Genuinely excellent performance.

300+: Luxury tier. Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC45, high-end smart home setups. Diminishing returns but real differences.

Price Ranges Explained

under-50

Budget tier. Echo Dot, basic earbuds. Functional but significant compromises on audio quality and ANC.

50-150

Mid-range. Solid true wireless earbuds (Sony WF-C700N), decent portable speakers. Good daily use value.

150-300

Premium tier. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, JBL Charge 5. Genuinely excellent performance.

300-plus

Luxury tier. Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC45, high-end smart home setups. Diminishing returns but real differences.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sony or Bose headphones better?

Sony WH-1000XM5 wins on ANC performance, audio quality (LDAC support) and battery life in independent testing. Bose QC45 wins on comfort for long sessions and call quality. If you wear headphones all day, comfort matters more than specs — try both if possible.

Are AirPods Pro worth it for Android users?

No. AirPods Pro's best features — Adaptive Transparency, Personalised Spatial Audio, seamless Apple switching — are iPhone-only. Android users get standard ANC earbuds in an Apple case. The Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers better ANC, LDAC audio and multipoint connection for Android.

What's the difference between a smart speaker and a Bluetooth speaker?

A smart speaker (Echo, Sonos One, Google Nest) connects to your WiFi, has always-on voice control and integrates with smart home devices. A Bluetooth speaker (JBL Charge 5) pairs directly to your phone, is portable and battery-powered. You need both for different situations.