The JBL Cove M1 is part of the brand's 'Cove' lineup: a series of Wi-Fi-enabled home smart speakers. It's the most compact of the bunch, but it's not portable since it needs to be connected to a power outlet.
Our Verdict
The JBL Cove M1 is good for music. Despite the speaker's smaller size and footprint, it delivers enough bass rumble for the 808s in your favorite tracks to still sound full-bodied. The speaker also gets loud enough to fill a small room without compressing the bass, so you'll be able to appreciate the bass drops in your favorite dubstep tracks. There are also preset EQs and a customizable graphic EQ for adjusting the tuning. Plus, there's support for both TIDAL and Spotify streaming via Wi-Fi.
Speaker sounds consistent from the sides and front.
Outputs stereo content without downmixing.
Immobile design with no battery.
The JBL Cove M1 is acceptable for videos and movies. While the speaker supports Apple AirPlay and Chromecast, we weren't able to cast a video's audio to the speaker using either service, so you may need to rely on Bluetooth exclusively. If you're fine with that, the speaker has a surprising amount of bass to showcase effects-heavy movies, and it gets loud enough that explosions and horror jump scares are reproduced with noticeable dynamic changes. Latency on both Android and iOS is fairly high over Bluetooth, though, which may lead to noticeable lip-sync errors.
Speaker sounds consistent from the sides and front.
Outputs stereo content without downmixing.
Immobile design with no battery.
High audio latency over Bluetooth.
The JBL Cove M1 is satisfactory for podcasts. Its tuning has a bit of a dip in the treble, which can slightly soften articulation in speech, but it's not so much that your favorite host becomes unintelligible. The speaker gets loud enough to project voices in an open-concept kitchen, and it has wide directivity, meaning voices sound consistent even if you're off to the sides of the speaker. That said, it only works when plugged into an outlet, so you can't take it with you as you move from room to room while cleaning.
Speaker sounds consistent from the sides and front.
Immobile design with no battery.
The JBL Cove M1 has amazing voice assistant functionality, but only if you use Amazon Alexa. It has Amazon's voice assistant built in, meaning you won't need to use your phone. The speaker's mic picks your voice up from far away and can handle some background noise without misinterpreting your commands, too.
Microphone picks up your voice from far away.
Speaker sounds consistent from the sides and front.
Immobile design with no battery.
The JBL Cove M1 isn't suitable for outdoor use. It has no rating for dust or water resistance, and it needs to be plugged into a power outlet.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Cove M1 comes in 'White' and 'Black' versions. We tested the 'Black' colorway and took a photo of its label. If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update the review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The JBL Cove M1 joins JBL's speaker lineup alongside the JBL Cove P1 and JBL Cove X1. The lineup features Wi-Fi functionality and voice assistant support in a more understated design than JBL's other smart speakers, like the retro JBL Authentics 500. Unlike the Cove P1, the Cove M1 is wired-only, meaning you're confined to one location unless you unplug the speaker. If you're looking for another battery-powered smart speaker, the Sonos Move 2 offers 10 hours of battery life and the same built-in Amazon Alexa support.
For more product options, check out our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best home Bluetooth speakers, and the best smart speakers.
The JBL Authentics 200 and JBL Cove M1 are both smart speakers with voice assistant support. If you use Google Assistant, you'll want to choose the Authentics 200, since the Cove M1 only supports Amazon Alexa. Neither speaker has a battery, so you're relegated to using an outlet for power. Fortunately, both options get quite loud, and their microphones pick up your voice from far away. If you plan on placing your speaker more centrally, the Cove M1 is the better option, as the listening experience is more consistent at different angles, including to the sides. Just keep in mind that voices can sound muffled if you're behind the speaker.
The JBL Flip 7 and JBL Cove M1 are meant for different use cases. The Flip 7 has a portable design and a carrying loop. It also features a certification for dust and water resistance, making it the better of the two for outdoor adventures. If you're looking for a voice-assistant-enabled home speaker, the Cove M1 is the better option, since it supports Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi connectivity, and it sounds consistent from a wide range of listening angles.
While the JBL Charge 6 and JBL Cove M1 are speakers from the same brand, they occupy radically different positions in the market. The Charge 6 is IP-rated for dust and water resistance, and you can take it on the go thanks to its 13.7-hour battery. The Cove M1 supports voice assistants, operates only when plugged in, and sounds consistent from different listening angles. If you're looking for a smart speaker, pick up the Cove M1, provided you're fine with the lack of portability. If you're going to the beach, pick up the Charge 6.
The Sonos Era 100 and JBL Cove M1 are similar smart speakers. Both have understated, modern designs that blend seamlessly into your home and deliver consistent audio across a wide range of listening angles. Both options support Wi-Fi connectivity and have Amazon Alexa built in. Their sound performance is similar, too, so your decision should come down to price and whether you're invested in either brand's ecosystems. Both Sonos and JBL offer multi-speaker connectivity and soundbar integration with compatible products from each respective brand.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
