Bluesound to add rechargeable battery pack to its portable Flex speaker

It's already been released in the US and goes on sale in the UK this week.

The unit is mains powered, but Bluesound is developing an optional rechargeable battery that will slot on the back. The battery pack will be available from April, and it will mean you'll be able to use the speaker outdoors in the garden, by the pool or on the patio. The company claims a battery life of 6-8 hours on a full charge, and the unit will play and charge simultaneously when plugged into the mains.

There are five presets on the top of the unit for your favourite internet radio stations, and the Flex is available in black and white to match other components in the Bluesound range.

As with all Bluesound components, the Flex is capable of playing back hi-res files up to 24-bit/192kHz, as well as accessing some of the most popular streaming services, including Spotify, Rdio, Deezer, Tidal and Qobuz.

Spotify works via Spotify Connect, but the rest of the apps show up within Bluesound’s own app.

MORE: Read our Bluesound Generation 2 system review

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.