A few handy features make this Bluetooth speaker perfect for fall tailgates and camping trips

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VaVaSometimes a product shows its real value by filling a particular niche in your life. I first found that out when reviewing a JBL speaker that continues to live in my shower, and it's true of Vava's latest Bluetooth speaker: the Voom 20.

When I first started testing it, I was a little surprised, the sound was ok but nothing special, even a little muffled. I don't use funky EQ settings, and decided to leave the music playing when I went to another room.

Sometimes you have to listen to "Hotel California" uninterrupted. From the other room (it's a small condo, so it wasn't across an entire house or anything), the music sounded really good. Clear, open, everything you'd want in a portable Bluetooth speaker. 

Then I realized that I'd experienced this same thing before, when reviewing another JBL speaker, one that shared the same shape as the Voom 20. In my apartment, or any other small room, the sound these speakers make is distorted, which might have to do with their speaker placement or orientation.

With this in mind, I continued to listen to music while working from another room and the Voom 20 sounded pretty good. It hasn't unseated Anker's SoundCore Sport XL as my favorite portable Bluetooth speaker, but the Voom 20 does get a bit louder. This speaker is definitely meant to be listened to outside or in a big room, which is where it's most effective. 

For outdoor use, it's probably the best speaker I've tested.

Like most nicer Bluetooth speakers, the Voom 20 does have a full-sized USB and aux port, so you can plug non-Bluetooth devices into the speaker, or use it as a portable battery in a pinch. I don't find myself using those features a whole lot, but I did use a speaker to charge my phone once, so I'll always keep a spare lightning cable in my bag.

If you're someone who goes camping a lot, or has an open part of their house or big backyard, the Vava Voom 20 is going to fill the area with rich sound. Sound quality will suffer if you're in a more constrained area like a small apartment. It's also important to note that while the Voom 20 is splashproof, it's not waterproof, so it's fine if you get a little water on it, but don't drop it into the pool. 

Vava Voom 20, $79.99, available at Amazon