DemerBox Review: Quality Sound Built for the Outdoors

Power tool brands have been competing to make the best jobsite radio ever since the first product manager asked, “What else can we power with a battery besides tools?” To their credit, they’ve pushed hard to create durable radios and Bluetooth speakers, and have drastically improved their sound quality over the past several years. But there’s a challenger that’s making me rethink what we should expect—DemerBox.

In this review, I’ll share what I’ve learned about the design, sound quality, and whether I’m ready to give away my other jobsite radios after using the DemerBox.

DemerBox Bluetooth Speaker Design

The first thing to know about the Demerbox is that it’s handbuilt in the USA, right down the road from us in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Each one is built into a Pelican case—yes, the same brand Pros from industries around the world rely on to protect their gear.

With the case’s secure latches and quality gasket, the speaker is waterproof. It can even be fully submerged and continue playing. Most jobsite speakers we’ve reviewed can get wet from some light rain or a little splashing, but they can’t handle a downpour or being dropped in a lake. DemerBox can.

You’ll notice there’s a hole in the top of the case. We’ll talk about the sound quality implications of that in a minute. For now, just remember that you need to put the plug in it if you want to ensure it’s waterproof. Sand, dirt, and sawdust won’t do the internals any favors, so keep the plug in whenever that’s a risk.

At the risk of repeating myself, one of the coolest things about the design is that the housing is an authentic Pelican case. It offers legit waterproof storage and is as durable as they come. You can pretty much do anything but use it for target practice and whatever you store inside will be fine.

DemerBox takes it up a step and includes USB-A and USB-C charging ports on the inside. The USB-C port is used to charge the internal battery and can also be used to charge other devices.

That internal battery has enough capacity for up to 40 hours of playback time. That’s enough to cover nearly the entire week on a jobsite, and you don’t have to dedicate one of your power tool batteries to run it.

Additional Features

• Two lock points to secure the case closed
• Repairable design—just contact DemerBox if an issue pops up
• 100-foot Bluetooth range

DemerBox Bluetooth Speaker Sound Quality

The DemerBox uses either one or two 3-inch, 8-ohm speakers, depending on which model you get. Understanding that context, I don’t expect it to keep up with Bluetooth speakers that feature larger speakers and are supported by a woofer.

However, the range these little speakers cover is impressive. Voices come through clearly, and I picked up more bass than I expected. Even as I turned it up to full volume, there wasn’t much loss of sound quality, and I confess I found myself loudly singing along just because no one else was there and I could.

However, there are some differences if you’re comparing this to speakers with dedicated hardware for highs, mids, and lows. Even though you get some good bass punching through, it’s not as immersive. Also, some sounds aren’t quite as crisp, like rim shots on a snare drum.

Note that the sound quality does change a little when you use the plug to keep the DemerBox waterproof. Without it, the sound is a little fuller, benefiting from the Pelican case directing some additional sound through the open hole.

It’s still a very enjoyable listening experience with or without the plug. You also have to consider the environment. Whether you’re on a jobsite, cruising on your boat, or hosting a cookout, are you really going to miss the sound quality that comes from more comprehensive (and often more expensive) units?

I didn’t. You know what else I didn’t miss? The anxiety of my DemerBox getting wet or damaged while I was using it.

Demerbox Bluetooth Speaker Price and Options

There are two DemerBox options: a 2-speaker model and a 1-speaker model. The speaker quality is the same between the two, so the main differences are the size, weight, and upper volume limit.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two:

Need even more sound to fill your workspace? You can sync multiple DemerBoxes with one another!

The DB2 model is the one I reviewed, and it’s $399. The DB1 single-speaker model is $249. Both models are warrantied for two years and are available in a wide range of colors:

• Barrow Black
• Pesaro Green
• Haast Orange (featured in the photos)
• Roseau Blue
• Jetport Silver
• Uyuni White
• Fraser Tan
• Paniman Yellow

You can also build your own color schemes for a small upcharge, and there are some limited edition options.

Should You Buy It?

The DemerBox is, without a doubt, the best portable outdoor speaker I’ve used. Its durable, waterproof build helps it survive environments and abuse better than any jobsite radio. With its thoughtful storage and device charging options, it’s more versatile than other designs. And with its excellent sound quality, it’s a welcome companion anywhere you want to take it.

This is a product that is the sum of its parts. You can buy a Bluetooth speaker with similar sound quality, but you can’t take it to the same places. Take it on your boat or kayak, set it on the beach, strap it to your UTV, clip it on your backpack… heck, tie it to your innertube and let it float next to you in the pool. It goes where other won’t.

I’ve sung plenty of praise for the DemerBox, but there are a few caveats to consider. First, you’ll miss out on toolbox connections that can clip onto systems like Milwaukee Packout or DeWalt ToughSystem stacks. Second, there’s no built-in radio, so you’ll need to stream your favorite station from your phone. Finally, the DB2 is a bit more expensive than most brands’ premium jobsite radios.

The first two issues can be easily overcome. As for the price? I think it’s worth it. The first time your other radio gets caught in a downpour or your apprentice knocks it off onto the concrete, you’ll wish you had a DemerBox.

But back to the question I posed at the beginning of this review. Am I ready to give away my other jobsite radios? I already have.