As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself wanting to live more of a minimalist lifestyle. I want to be on my phone less. I don’t feel the need to have the latest and hottest new tech in the market, nor do I really want it.
So this drive for minimalism makes the Sprout Maverick Hybrid 2 a perfect companion for people who don’t want to be lugging around a million different devices in their bags. This product is a wireless speaker, powerbank, and wireless charger, all in one, and I was fortunate enough to be able to give it a test run and see how well it holds up as individual devices, as well as working in unison.
Design
The Sprout Maverick Hybrid 2 is just a little bigger than an average smartphone, and weighs about 412grams.
It’s a really simple design through and through. The speakers and the wireless charging base (which is Q12 and MagSafe – meaning it’s compatible with both Apple and Android products) are on the top side of the device, with a rubber bottom to help grip onto surfaces.
The side houses the Unisync button (which allows up to 50 Unisync speakers to connect), a power button, and a play and pause button, as well as the LED indicator for Bluetooth connectivity and battery levels. This is also where you’ll find the USB-C Input and Output, as well as a USB-A Output.
One thing of note is that you can feel the weight of most of the device on the side of the wireless charger, but it isn’t too much of a noticeable issue.
Performance
I decided to really test the limits of what this 3-in-1 speaker can do. While I was decently impressed with the sound quality (45mm drivers embedded in the speakers), the sound does muffle a little bit when at 100% volume. It also seems to perform best as a 3 in 1 device when not using it to its full limitations. That said, considering how much it can do and the efficiency of its ability, it’s a great start.
It took about 2.5 hours to fully charge, which I thought was quite quick considering how much this device can do. Then, after that, I decided to give the Sprout Maverick Hybrid 2 a full test run, charging my phone wirelessly while also playing music at about 90% volume. In about 3 hours, my phone had only charged 40% before the battery died.
Then I charged my phone through the wired input and put music on at around 60%. I sporadically played audio and charged my phone with the wired input across a span of about 13 hours before the batteries had died, with my phone only charging 58%. So while it did charge more than it would have if I was using it wirelessly, it took a much longer time to do so. And the speakers lasted much longer at a lower volume rate.
As individual devices, though, I was able to use the speakers at around 70% volume for a collective of 24 hours before the battery died. But I still had issues with how long it took to charge my phone as a portable power bank.
As mentioned, the sound quality definitely dips the louder the volume gets, which doesn’t make this very suitable for loud and crowded spaces – although if you’re not looking for high quality sound and just want something to bring around to play music, it would work for you –but it’s great for more relaxed, ambient background noise.
I also tried to use the wired inputs to charge my PS5 controller and my MacBook at one point, but no matter what cords I used, it just didn’t work. So it seems like it only charges phones.
Verdict & Value
Considering that the Maverick Hybrid 2 is a device that works as a wired and wireless powerbank, as well as speakers, it’s a pretty good price if you just need something to do the job.
Particularly because there aren’t a lot of multifunctional devices out there that are also Australian-made, that are at a similar level of quality to the products Sprout produces.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Compact desoign; Portable; 3-in-1 funtionopaity
Lowlights: Battery life isn’t amazing when being used for multiple things at once; It takes a long time to charge phones; It doesn’t seem to charge other devices other than phones.
Manufacturer: Sprout
Price: A$169
Available: Now on the Sprout website HERE.
Review is based on unit provided by Sprout.
Featured header image provided by Sprout.
