Key Points
- The Anker S500 is a compact speakerphone designed for office and meeting room use, with a wide band microphone that picks up voices clearly.
- It provides Hi-Fi sound and can replace a headset without sacrificing sound quality.
- The speakerphone is easy to set up and use, and is portable and budget-friendly.
Many brands try to create unique sound systems and claim that theirs is the best on the market. However, very few of them actually live up to those claims, leaving customers disappointed and short a couple of hundred dollars.
The Anker S500 lives up to its reputation and comes with a host of cool features that buyers are raving about in the reviews. In today’s article, we’re going over the best reasons to buy this speakerphone, from its great microphone quality to its reasonable price tag. Let’s get into it!
- Zoom + Google Meet certified
- USB Type-C
- Bluetooth
- Microphone and Speaker
- Wireless
Reason #1: You Need Sound for an Office or Meeting Room
The Anker S500 is designed, first and foremost, to be the perfect office or meeting room speaker. When you’re at work, you don’t need a huge set of tower speakers, and you certainly don’t need to splurge on a set of bookshelf speakers. Instead, a compact speaker that sits cleanly in the middle of a desk is perfect.
If you’re outfitting your office, one of these is ideal to place right in the middle of a meeting room table. Thanks to its super wide band microphone, it can pick up voices without the slightest distortion. It’s designed for carrying those heated office discussions without putting up any fuss.
Work-from-home or hybrid jobs require employees to hop on Zoom meetings frequently. These meetings are important (probably even more so than in-office jobs), and often take up a good chunk of time.
Sitting through a long Zoom meeting with a subpar speakerphone can be frustrating. If everyone is hearing your dog barking in the background or the traffic outside, you can usually blame a lousy microphone.
People muting and unmuting themselves throughout a call can become frustrating and interfere with everyone’s sound quality. This is especially true if one person’s mic is a bit finicky.
The Anker S500 Speakerphone can handle lengthy meetings with ease. Every word comes through it clearly, allowing for a smooth conversation without picking up outside noise.
©Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com
Reason #2: Hi-Fi Sound Without Taking Up Space
One solution to this problem is to use headphones. However, this won’t work in every situation. When you want a speaker that has great sound, without taking up a ton of space, the Anker S500 is a good option.
This speakerphone provides Hi-Fi Sound, which is powered by a tuned driver. Even though it is designed for the office, it is just as much at home playing your favorite tunes or podcasts.
Still, the Hi-Fi sound component provides a bit of extra cushioning. You can rely on the speakerphone itself to produce professional sound quality.
Reason #3: You Want to Replace Your Headset
Bluetooth headphones like AirPods have become increasingly more compact and portable over time. However, they still can be a hassle to assemble when you’re getting ready for a meeting or call.
If you want to replace your headset without kissing good sound quality goodbye, the Anker S500 is your best option. Noise-canceling headsets are amazing, but having a speakerphone gives you one less thing to worry about.
And you don’t have to miss out on the great battery life you get with a wireless headset. The Anker S500 can go completely wireless, thanks to the built-in battery.
You can leave the unit on for an entire 8-hour shift without having to worry about it. Even after that time, you’re left with around a 30% battery! That could last a few more hours if you needed it to.
Reason #4: The Anker S500 is Great For Gaming
Discord calls with friends are a fun way to bond and pass the time. But it can be a hassle if you operate via multiple devices simultaneously — having to wear a headset can also be uncomfortable over longer periods. Instead, a speakerphone allows you to go hands-free so you can focus on your call and gameplay at the same time.
There are fewer things more annoying than gaming with friends and someone’s call audio drops right when you’re about to defeat the final boss. Or even worse: when you are losing the match in Call of Duty because your friends can’t hear you. We’ve all had our moments.
The Anker S500 works perfectly as a standalone microphone and speaker. Your voice will be extremely clear for your friends on call, which is especially necessary when gaming since it’s all about teamwork.
©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com
Reason #5: You Need Something Accessible
This speakerphone is loud enough that even those with hearing impairments can pick up sound clearly. It manages to get the clearest audio to everyone in the room, whether they are right by the speaker or far away from it.
Long-distance relatives would benefit from the speakerphone for regular calls. This is a great option for those who frequently call their aging parents since they can be sure that their parents will be able to hear them even if they tend to struggle.
You won’t be asking, “What did you say?” or, “Can you repeat that?” as much.
Reason #6: The Anker S500 Is Easy to Set Up
Let’s be honest; setting up speakers can be a hassle sometimes. Similar speakerphone models come with a bit of a learning curve for new users. Older types of speakers required tons of cables, instruction manuals, and, moreover, time to set up.
Then, once your speakerphone was set up, you would have to learn how to operate it. Sometimes, this could be a multistep process, eliminating the convenience the machine was supposed to provide in the first place.
Today, things have gotten a little easier. But BlueTooth devices can be tricky at times, too, especially if you’re trying to pair a device without a manual or without complicated features.
Thankfully, Anker’s S500 is incredibly easy to set up and use. Even those who consider themselves “technologically challenged” would be able to set up their S500 speakerphone within a few minutes.
Reason #7: You Want to Upgrade Your PC’s Internal Mic
Most modern computers, especially laptops, will come with an internal microphone. These can be disappointing, even on expensive laptops like a MacBook.
While you could argue that a wireless headset is also a good option when you want to upgrade your internal mic, that is not always the case.
Many people face issues with wireless Bluetooth headphones’ internal microphones. This is especially prevalent with AirPods. A lot of sad and frustrated AirPods users report that they “sound like they are underwater.”
Still, a lot of external microphones can cost big bucks, especially if you opt for brand-name models like Shure or Sennheiser. The Anker S500 strikes the perfect balance when you want to upgrade your PC’s internal mic. without resorting to buying a Bluetooth headset or a dedicated USB microphone.
Reason #8: You Want a Portable Speaker
The S500 is extremely compact. It is 5 x 5 x 2 inches and weighs just 14.9 ounces. You could say it is rather portable. Since you can fit it in the palm of your hand, there is no doubt it will fit in any briefcase or carry-on luggage. Carry it between rooms in the office, or between continents.
It is also ideal if you are just planning to keep it in one spot. Even if you have a small home office desk, the speakerphone won’t take up much space.
Conversely, it sits nicely in a large conference room. It can be easily disguised, never drawing much attention to itself.
Plus, the slender design is stylish. If it is placed somewhere that it is visible, you won’t be embarrassed to have it on display. Its compact size makes it the perfect option for a hybrid-model employee who is always on the go.
Reason #9: The Anker S500 Is Budget-Friendly
As technology advances, we often expect it to come with a much higher price point. This is especially true for products that claim to be top-of-the-line.
Thankfully, Anker found ways to create a cutting-edge product without forcing users to spend their entire life savings on it. The S500 has a retail value of about $219, making it a great option under $500.
You can also purchase the S500 on Amazon Prime, saving you a pretty penny on shipping costs.
Compared to more pricey options like a set of tower speakers and a dedicated microphone, or even a soundbar and home theater system, the Anker S500 is a steal.
- Zoom + Google Meet certified
- USB Type-C
- Bluetooth
- Microphone and Speaker
- Wireless
Buy It If…
Buy this speakerphone if you take a ton of calls. Most people with full-time jobs would benefit from a high-quality speakerphone. Those who work client-facing jobs (like small business owners) would also benefit from owning an S500.
This is also a great speakerphone for gamers who always need to be heard on a Discord call to keep their team afloat.
Additionally, this speakerphone is a good option for people who have long-distance relatives. Sometimes, these calls are the closest we can get to our loved ones. It’s important to have a high-quality mic setup so you can hear each other clearly.
Don’t Buy It If…
If you aren’t taking lots of calls for business, gaming, or pleasure, you won’t benefit from the S500.
It can be tempting to buy a new gadget even if it doesn’t completely fit your exact needs, especially one that is stylish and comes with cool features like the S500.
However, if you only see yourself using it once or twice a year, it’s really not worth it.
In most cases, internal mics on computers and headphones are sufficient for people who don’t take daily or weekly calls.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Daniel Krason/Shutterstock.com.
