I’ve been on the Turtlebox train for as long as they’ve been offering speakers. My first was a Gen1 that is actually still going strong. I’ve added quite a bit over the years…Gen 2, Gen 3, a couple of Rangers…I love them all. However, with the recent release of the Cub, I was curious to see how it would fit into the lineup. I saw one down at Old Florida Outfitters a couple of weeks ago (they were doing a special event with Turtlebox), and it made sense: this is the midpoint between the Ranger and the Original (aka Gen3).
The Turtlebox Cub is cool because it hits a rare balance that most gear misses: it’s small enough to take anywhere, but doesn’t feel like a compromise when you actually use it. It delivers real, full sound in a compact form. Let me repeat myself: the Cub sound is REALLY good. And loud. So whether you’re at the beach, by the pool, or out in the yard with your kids, it has enough presence to matter, and you don’t need to drag around anything bulky.
At the same time, it’s built like actual outdoor equipment: waterproof, durable, and able to take a beating, so you don’t treat it like a fragile gadget. You just throw it in the bag and go. That combination of portability, toughness, and legitimately good performance makes it feel like part of your everyday setup, not something you have to plan around. It’s not flashy, and it’s not trying to be a tech flex; it’s just dependable, well-made, and designed for the kind of life where things get used hard and often, which is exactly why it stands out.
The majority of questions I’ve gotten are in comparison to the Ranger.
The Ranger is the speaker I’d throw into the truck, golf cart, beach bag, or carry down to the dock without thinking twice. It’s smaller, cheaper, and easier to justify as an everyday companion. At $250, it’s probably the sweet spot in the lineup.
However, the Cub is interesting because it appears to hit a new middle ground. It isn’t as small as the Ranger, but it delivers substantially more output (up to 118 dB) and was specifically designed to fit between the Ranger and the Original Gen 3 in the lineup. At 5.3 pounds, it’s still highly portable while bringing noticeably more presence for beach houses, pool decks, tailgates, and backyard gatherings.
My take?
- For WaterColor next month: I’ll bring the Cub.
- For fishing, golf, and everyday carry: I’d bring the Ranger.
- For a family with two boys who spend time at the beach, pool, ball fields, and the lake: the Cub is probably the more fun speaker.
The Ranger feels like gear.
The Cub feels like gear that can also run the party.
See the full lineup at turtleboxaudio.com
One detail about the cub, to my understanding, (I don’t own one…yet) is that it floats. That makes it a good choice for the lake dock hangout, the beach day, and poolside. However, I have two rangers and they are awesome at the lake, fishing, clipped on to a backpack, cooler, tote for the most portable adventures. And the magnets are perfect. Use on my squat rack in the garage and the golf cart. Good article. I’m going to look into the cub for sure.
No doubt the Turtlebox lineup is cool but they’ve always seemed a bit overkill for many use cases. I can’t imagine needing half the volume of the Cub at the beach or pool without being ‘that guy’
Surely that depends on whether you are at your own/private pool and how crowded the beach you like to go to is…
That said I’ve never shied away from being that guy so maybe I’m a one-off 😂
I’d be curious to know how the Cub compares with the Original. We have 3 Gen 2s in the family between my boys and I. The Cub size seems much easier to haul around, but I’d be curious to know the sound difference. Windy days at the beach can sometimes require some umph!
I don’t think I could justify adding to our arsenal just for the smaller size even though two Cubs at the tailgate would be a nice set up that would be easy to transport.
Make the Sounds of Nature Great Again
Music everywhere- the pool, the beach, the golf course. (shakes fist at sky)