On-device controls

The Charge 6 keeps controls simple with clearly labeled top panel buttons arranged in two neat rows and a backlit strip for power, Bluetooth and Auracast, giving quick, reliable access to playback, volume, stereo linking and wired USB mode without needing to dig into the app.

A straightforward button layout with large volume symbols on the front plus simple power, Bluetooth, playback and mode controls makes the Wonderboom 4’s on device controls generally easy to learn and use, though the unlabelled top keys introduce a slight learning curve.

Large, clearly separated buttons for power, Bluetooth, lighting, and volume make it easy to control the StormBox Mini+ directly on the speaker, and reviewers praise the big keys and multifunction button for offering a simple, satisfying control scheme that also triggers the phone's voice assistant, while this review notes that only the rear controls are illuminated and the large front buttons must be located by feel in the dark.

Owners like the SoundLink Max’s simple top panel layout that groups power, Bluetooth, playback, volume and a shortcut button in an intuitive cluster, and newer testing highlights the soft, clicky buttons, responsive power key and helpful audio prompts that make it easy to control music without relying on the app, even if the recessed, non-backlit controls can be harder to see in the dark.

Reviews praise the Move 2’s clean on-speaker interface, combining touch controls, rear buttons and a new volume groove slider that makes level changes easier. The added speech-bubble button to mute voice assistants and a rear switch to cut power to the mics improve privacy controls, though some users still wish for clearer power-on feedback.

Reviewers find the Flex 2’s top-mounted buttons make control straightforward and appreciate the dedicated shortcut key for linking speakers or resuming Spotify, though some still report the buttons feel a little mushy and require a firmer press than the clickier controls on certain competitors.

The Bounce’s physical top buttons handle core playback, volume, Bluetooth and Party Link functions and make the speaker simple to operate day to day, though the dark buttons can be hard to see on the black top and some deeper features still require diving into the ThinQ app.