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2016 Best Music docks

We all enjoy listening to music in our home, office, parties and other places. All of our music usually is stored or is accessible trough our smartphone. If you like listening to music from your smartphone, but do not like loudness and sound quality of your phones speakers, you can check out our best android speaker dock list. In this top article we have gathered a list of the most popular music docks for Android smartphones and tablets you can currently buy.

(EDIT 2016: The table includes updated versions for multiple docks.)

Image
Name
Connections
Portable
Alarm Clock
Pricing
iHome iBN97GCBluetooth, NFC, 3.5mm jack, USBNoYes
Luv MobiDock3.5mm jack, USBNoNo
LuguLake speakerBluetooth, 3.5mm jackYesNo
Philips AS140Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack, USBNoYes
Hale Speaker dock3.5mm jack, USBNoNo

iHome iBN97GC docking station

iHome is well known Android and iPhone gadget manufacturer. They have made some of the most popular android docking stations. iHome has proved their quality with many products, and now they are one of the most know smartphone and tablet speaker dock manufacturers.

iHome iBN97GC

Design

iHome iBN97GC android dock is an alarm clock dock together with a speaker dock. This docking station has got large screen in front of it, where you can see current time, alarm clock and other useful functions. The design of this speaker dock is well thought and looks really nice anywhere you place it. On top of the docking station there are multiple control buttons. iHome docking station has got dual alarm clock feature that allows to set two separate alarm clocks, on two separate times and customizing alarm clock settings. There are two buttons on top of the docking station that controls both alarm clocks. If you turn off one alarm clock, second is still going off at the set time. This is perfect for couples that wake up in different times. On top of the docking station there is an extracting holder that can hold practically any mobile device from mp3 players to smaller tablets. In back of the docking station there is a USB socket, so you can connect any mobile device that supports charging via USB port. This allows you to charge Android smartphones and tablets, iPhone or iPad and other devices. iHome iBN97GC  is an universal device that can be used with almost any music speaker device.

Sound

iHome iBN97GC has got two 2” speakers that can deliver a decent loudness sound. For more powerful and richer sound quality iHome docking station has got Reason8 speaker chambers. Usually alarm clock docks have poor quality speakers, but this is one of the few exceptions, and can easily be used as an everyday music listening device in your home. Another feature of this alarm clock dock is its speakerphone that allows you to take calls through speaker docks built in microphone by pressing answer button on top of the docking station.

Additional features

iHome iBN97GC supports all the most popular android docking station connection types like Micro USB for charging, Bluetooth and 3.5mm  jack for audio streaming, and NFC technology for connecting your mobile device with NFC technology to docking station. It also has got a dimmable screen with 8 levels, so you can adjust the right brightness level for display at night. There is also an option to completely turn off the display. iHome iBN97GC docking station also comes with a remote control, so you can control it from a distance. The size of this android docking station is 4.7” x 10.8” x 6.3” (11.9cm x 27.3cm x 15.0cm).

For what this docking station is best suited

iHome iBN97GC android alarm clock dock is useful for those, who would like to have a two in one speaker dock and alarm clock dock. This docking station has best of both, the sound quality is really good and you can listen to all of your favorite music tracks or radio stations, and it also has got some useful alarm clock functions like dual alarm clock, and it supports all the most popular smartphone and docking station connections types – USB, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth and NFC. It will also hold and charge your smartphone or tablet, while music gets played through the docking stations speakers.

 

iLuv MobiDock

iLuv is well known portable gadget manufacturer for smartphones and tablets. They are well known not only among iPhone but also Android users. We have previously reviewed few of iLuv products and they all have proved their quality and design. iLuv android docking stations have good sound quality, simple but effective design and the best part is that they work with most of android smartphones. iLuv MobiDock (iMM375) stereo speaker dock is one of two iLuv MobiDock docking station series. This particular docking station has got AUX connector for music streaming, other MobiDock speaker dock has got Bluetooth connection.

iluv mobidock music dock

Design

iLuv MobiDock speaker docking stations design is simple, but at the same time it has got all the necessary functions for a music dock. Android docking station is made from black plastic, the design is quite similar to what we can see in other iLuv docking stations. One of the main features of this docking station is the adjustable Micro USB charger / holder in front of the android speaker dock. Micro USB charger can be adapted to work with most android smartphones and other devices with Micro USB charging port. This is possible because of iLuv invented myBot robotic arms that secures mobile device into the docking station. Together with sliding Micro USB plug, myBot robotic arms allows to connect most android smartphones in portrait or landscape mode into the docking station. Many android docking station manufacturers have come across this problem of different Micro USB port placements on smartphones. That is why there are so few universal android docking stations that work with most android smartphones, but so many iPhone docking stations. Thanks to iLuv designed technology, you do not have to worry that your android smartphone will not fit on the docking stations charging plug.

Sound

MobiDock android music dock has got two built in stereo speakers that deliver quite good performance, based on the size of the device. iLuv android speaker dock can best be used as a portable speaker, but it will also work as your everyday music dock for your living room, kitchen or bedroom. MobiDock speaker dock uses 3.5mm cable for audio streaming from smartphone to docking station. If you do not like to use Bluetooth for sound streaming, this docking station is suitable for you. Built in amplifiers will ensure more powerful sound and acoustic speaker chambers will provide more clear and rich sound quality. The sound quality cannot be compared with high end android docking stations, but you will not find much better portable music dock at this price range. You can use it, while watching movies, listening to music and even when playing games, and enjoy batter and louder sound than your mobile speakers.

Additional features

The size of iLuv docking station is 11.43×7.53×6.13 inches (29x19x15.5 cm). Docking station comes with 3.5mm cable and wall adapter. iLuv has provided a 1 year manufacturer’s  warranty for this product.

For what this docking station is best suited

iLuv MobiDock android speaker dock will be most useful for those, who want a small android speaker dock, and do not want to worry that dock will not fit their android smartphone, even if they buy a new android smartphone after some time. You will not get the loudest and best quality sound, but it can easily stack up to other android music docks at this price range. The size of the MobiDock allows taking it anywhere you go, and enjoy music while watching movies, listening to music or eBooks, or watching videos on YouTube.

 

LuguLake Portable Speaker dock

You have probably heard of all the other manufacturers in this TOP5 list, but LuguLake is something new to portable speakers market. They have made quite a fuss around mobile speakers market with their good looking and top quality products at appealing price. LuguLake portable Bluetooth speaker is one of those speakers. And we will look in more detail about this wonderful speaker dock with smartphone and tablet holder function.

lugulake speaker

Design

Design of this speaker dock is simple, but eye catching at the same time. The first impression of LuguLake portable speaker is good, from distance it looks like an aluminum docking station, but actually is made from high quality plastic. You cannot really tell that it is not aluminum speaker dock until you touch it. The metal look will make LuguLake portable speaker suit anywhere you place it, from your office desk to your living cupboard and bedroom stand. The device itself is portable and light, it weighs just 11oz (313g). One of its best thought features is smartphone and tablet holder in front of the speaker. There is a little curve, where you can place smartphone or tablet in portrait or landscape orientation. It will fit also large 10inch tablets in landscape mode. The angle of mobile device into the docking station is very convenient and allows watching movies or videos, while sound plays through speakers. Mobile device holder has enough space to fit tablets and smartphones with cases. Docking station speakers are placed on the side of the dock. And because of this, you are still able to hear loud and crisp sound, even when larger tablet is docked into the docking station holder. On back of the external speaker there is an on/off switch, auxiliary port and power input port.

Sound

Not only this docking station has got great design, the sound quality is also really good at this price range. Actually, the sound quality can be compared to high end portable Bluetooth speakers that cost a lot more than LuguLake speaker. The sound power of two speakers is 2W, which is enough for a portable Bluetooth speaker. LuguLake speaker dock has got very clear sound, you will enjoy it while listening to music, playing games or watching movies. One thing this great speaker dock is lacking is more bass, but it is acceptable for such a small device. If you want a music dock with more bass, look at Philips or Hale music docks. But all together, LuguLake speaker dock performs very well, and the sound quality is at top for the price of this portable speaker. For sound streaming LuguLake portable speaker provides Bluetooth and 3.5mm AUX input, so you can use it with practically any mobile device, smartphones, tablets and event mp3 and other music players.

Additional features

This is a portable speaker dock, so it can work without a charger. Its battery lifetime is approximately 10 hours with one charge. LuguLake speaker comes with a USB power cable so you can charge it with your computer. When purchasing a LuguLake portable Bluetooth speaker, you will get a USB power cable, 3.5mm aux cable, user guide and a gift packaging box for the speaker. The dimensions of this speaker dock are 7.87×1.97×1.97 inches (19.9x5x5 cm).

For what this docking station is best suited

LuguLake portable speaker dock is best suited for those, who want a portable Bluetooth speaker with smartphone and tablet stand that not just looks good, but also has got amazing sound quality for such a small and also cheap portable speaker. LuguLake speaker can work with a charger or on battery, so you can take it with you and listen to your favorite music and watch movies outdoors, in car, while traveling or just use it as a music dock at your home.

 

Philips AS140 Fidelio speaker dock

Philips is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, android docking station manufacturer on the market. They have made some top selling android docking stations, called Fidelio docks. Philips docking stations differs from other with their well thought design, functionality and FlexiDock system, that allows to connect different android smartphones and tablets to the docking station.

philips as130 music dock

Design

Philips AS140 android docking station has got beautiful design, with black matte finish. It is designed to suit practically any place used.  As mentioned, it has got Philips FlexiDock system that supports android smartphones and tablets with Micro USB port placement on different places of the device. FlexiDock basically is a Micro USB plug that can be adjusted or rotated in the way to support most of the android smartphones and some android tablets. Same as with iHome docking station, Philips AS140 also can be used as alarm clock dock and has got a display with a clock in front of the dock. There is also a possibility to set dual alarm clock, so you and your partner can wake up at different times. On the top of the docking station there are volume up and down, next and previous, play and pause buttons. On the back of the docking station there is extra 3.5mm jack input port for devices that does not support Bluetooth technology. The speaker itself is 12 inches wide and can be used both as portable and home android speaker dock.

Sound

Philips AS140 Fidelio docking station has got two 5W stereo speakers with total of 10W power. The sound quality of speakers is clear and loud, and additional Bass Reflex System provides more powerful bass to the sound and you can enjoy all sorts of music genres. Music can be streamed using Bluetooth or 3.5mm cable. We really enjoyed the sound quality of this device. It sounded good without bass and even better, when turned on. The sound of the speaker dock was clear and powerful with almost all music tracks we listened to. Of course, you cannot compare it to the high end android speaker docks, but for this price, the sound quality of the docking station is adequate.

Additional features

Philips AS140 Fidelio docking station has got special application called Fidelio which can be downloaded on Google Play store. With this application you can manage different features of the docking station. However, many users have reported different faults with this application. It does not work well with some versions of android smartphones, and I do not recommend you to use this app, as docking station can be fully operated without Fidelio App. You can use any of the popular internet radio and music service applications like Google Music, Spotify, Pandora and others easily with this android docking station. The dimensions of Philips AS140 dock are 8.1×5.9×12.6 inches (20×14.9×32 cm).

For what this docking station is best suited

Philips AS140 Fidelio docking station is best suited for those, who want to have a beautifully looking android docking station with decent sound quality, alarm clock dock features, that is also capable to charge practically any android smartphone with its adjustable Micro USB charger, or want to use it with any other smartphone or mp3 player using 3.5mm cable or Bluetooth connection for music streaming.

 

Hale Speaker dock

Hale is well known android docking station manufacturer, as it has made one of the most popular and best android alarm clock docks – Hale Dreamer. But besides their alarm clock dock, Hale has also made a music dock called Hale Speaker Dock for Android.

hale speaker dock

Design

You may remember SONR Labs speaker dock that we have reviewed some time ago, Hale Speaker dock is upgraded version of SONR Labs docking station. This android speaker dock is made for everyday usage in home, you can set it on table in your living room or bedroom and enjoy music all day long. Hale has thought a way that this docking station can work with practically any android smartphone. Speaker dock has got two cables, one for micro USB charging and one 3.5mm AUX cable for music streaming. Both cables are extra shielded and can be bent to fit practically any android smartphone even with a case on. On top of the docking station you will find volume up and down, previous/next, play/pause and power buttons. Hale speaker dock comes with a remote control, so you can control the docking stations audio play, volume and power from a distance.

Sound

Hale have always focused on sound quality. Hale speaker docks main advantage is sound quality. Hale speaker dock has got two high performance 2” speakers with 16 watt output power. For extra sound power this android music dock has got built in rear bass. Sound of this speaker dock is really clear and crisp. And bass gives more powerful lows so you can enjoy any music genre. For sound streaming Hale speaker dock uses 3.5mm connector. This speaker dock can be used as your main house sound system, because its sound quality and loudness is enough, to fill even larger rooms with sound. Hale speaker dock does not support Bluetooth audio streaming.

Additional features

Hale speaker dock comes with a remote control. This is one of the few android docking stations that is available with a remote control. Remote control allows you to control docking stations functions from distance, such as play/stop music, next or previous track, turn volume up and down, turn docking station on or off. If you are looking for a docking station with a remote control, this is one of the best right now. Hale has given 1 year warranty for this product. The dimensions of this docking station are 4×12.5×5.1 inches (10.6×30.48×12.9 cm). Hale speaker dock comes with a quick start guide and wall adapter.

For what this docking station is best suited

Hale speaker dock is best suited for those, who like to enjoy music with good sound quality and with decent level of bass. Hale speaker dock does not have Bluetooth technology, but it comes with a wireless remote, so you can control docking station from distance. Hale speaker dock will be good as an everyday music listening device in your home.

Erick Hodge

Erick Hodge

3 Comments

  1. The price of the item is not mentioned which is most essential. Moreover I have no idea on it . But I like Samsung product. can you tell me the prices of the products.

    • Hi,
      We do not sell these docking stations directly, but you can check the table at the top where you can see links to the Amazon web-store and there you can check the prices.

  2. thank you for providing such information on best music docks will help a lot to music docks lover to grab their best one..

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