Let me start by saying that the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 Party Speaker is a loud, flashy, all-terrain brick of musical chaos—and I mean that in the best and worst possible ways. This thing is the spiritual successor of the ’90s boombox, except now it floats, charges your phone, and lights up like a rave in a snow globe.
If you’ve ever stared into a puddle and thought, “Wow, I wish I could drop my speaker in that,” your time has come. The Mix 2.0 doesn’t just survive water—it thrives in it. It’s IP67 rated, which I’m fairly certain means you could accidentally drop it into a swamp and it would still function like nothing happened. I tested the floating claim by launching it into a kiddie pool. It did, in fact, float. My toddler was confused but impressed.
And because just surviving the elements isn’t enough, the Mix 2.0 also lights up like a club DJ had a baby with a lava lamp. Five LED modes, because one or two wouldn’t suffice. I cycled through them during a backyard party and can confirm they range from “mildly festive” to “did we just summon a UFO?”
Battery life? A cool 20 hours. That’s long enough to outlast your will to continue socializing. It also has a USB port to charge your phone, which is helpful when you’re deep in the wilderness or, more realistically, six feet from an outlet but feeling dramatic.
Sound-wise, it’s loud. Like, actually loud. I turned it on in my kitchen, and my neighbor asked if I was starting a block party. I wasn’t. I was making spaghetti. Despite its compact size, this speaker could probably soundtrack a decent-sized wedding, or at least the awkward cousin dance-off portion.
Now, to be fair, it’s not without its quirks. The “Just Ask” voice assistant feature exists, but it’s… temperamental. I asked it to play my “Chill Vibes” playlist, and it responded by connecting to my dad’s iPad and playing a 3-hour podcast about Civil War artillery. Cool, cool.
And yes, it boasts “hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial” design, which I guess is helpful if you plan to share your speaker with a colony of germaphobic raccoons. I haven’t caught any diseases from a speaker yet, but I appreciate the gesture.
It connects easily via Bluetooth and holds a signal up to 100 feet away. I tested that by walking away with my phone until the music stopped. It didn’t. My dog started following me, as if I were leading a weird musical parade through the neighborhood.
If you’re the type who camps, pools, hikes, or wants a speaker that can survive a small apocalypse, the Mix 2.0 is a solid pick. Just be ready for attention. And maybe don’t ask it to play your playlists unless you’re cool with Civil War reenactment content.