boAt Stone 170 Review

The Quick Verdict

The boAt Stone 170 is the middle child of boAt's Stone lineup — louder than the Stone 135, more durable than the Stone 190, and cheaper than the Stone 1500. After two weeks of testing at the beach, gym, and poolside, here's the honest take: this is the sweet spot for users who want a portable speaker for active use without paying premium prices. The IPX6 rating handles water jets, the integrated strap makes it easy to carry, and the boAt-typical bass-forward sound works for mainstream Indian music.

Who Should Buy?

What's In The Box

• boAt Stone 170 speaker
• USB Type-C charging cable
• Carrying strap (pre-attached)
• User manual and warranty card

Build & Design

The Stone 170 has a cylindrical design with rugged rubber bumpers on both ends. The body is plastic with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. The control buttons are on top — power, volume, play/pause, Bluetooth pairing. The integrated carrying strap on one end is a thoughtful addition for active use.

At 320g, it's heavier than the Stone 135 (210g) but still portable. The IPX6 rating handles water jets from any direction — meaning it survives rain, pool splashes, and even a quick rinse under a tap (don't submerge).

Sound Quality

The 52mm driver delivers boAt's signature bass-forward tuning. The bass is elevated, mids are slightly recessed, treble is smooth. For Bollywood, hip-hop, and EDM, this works perfectly. The 5W output is enough for a small to medium room or outdoor use at low volume.

Compared to the Stone 135, the Stone 170 sounds slightly fuller and warmer — the larger driver and tuned chamber make a difference. For critical listening, look at the Infinity Fuze 200. For louder audio, look at the Stone 1500 or Ambrane BTS-19.

Battery Life

boAt claims 6 hours. In my testing at 60-70% volume, I got 5-6 hours — enough for a beach day or poolside party. Charging via USB-C takes about 2.5 hours from empty.

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codec support. Pairing is fast and range is standard (10 meters with one wall). The speaker also has AUX-in and microSD support for direct playback. The built-in mic handles calls adequately indoors.

Water Resistance

IPX6 is a real upgrade from IPX4. Translation: it handles water jets from any direction. I used it at the beach (sand and water spray), at the pool (occasional splashes), and in heavy rain without issues. You can rinse it under a tap to clean it. Don't submerge it.

The Competition

Bottom Line

The boAt Stone 170 is a sensible mid-range Bluetooth speaker for active use. The IPX6 rating is genuinely useful, the boAt-typical bass works for mainstream music, and the integrated strap makes it easy to carry. The 5W output and 6-hour battery are limitations for louder or longer use cases. For users who want a portable speaker for beach, gym, or poolside, this is a safe pick.

Rating: 7.6/10 — Best mid-range portable speaker for active use.

Pros

• IPX6 water resistance (handles water jets)
• Integrated carrying strap
• boAt bass-forward sound
• USB-C charging
• Rugged build for active use

Cons

• 5W output limits volume
• 6-hour battery is average
• Plastic build doesn't feel premium
• No stereo pairing
• Bass-heavy tuning isn't for everyone

Verdict

The Stone 170 is a confident portable speaker for active users. It covers the basics well, sounds good for the price, and survives water exposure. If you want louder audio, look at the Stone 1500 or Ambrane BTS-19. If you want a more balanced sound, look at the Infinity Fuze 200. For users who want a portable speaker under ₹1,000 for outdoor use, this is a sensible pick.

7.6/10