The Anker PowerConf S500 (A3305) Bluetooth speakerphone promises a seamless and high-quality audio experience for conference calls. Having used it extensively over the past few weeks, I’m ready to share my comprehensive review, detailing its strengths and weaknesses.

Key Features

The PowerConf S500 boasts a compelling feature set. Its six omni-directional microphones capture voices from anywhere within a room (up to 8 people, according to Anker), and its smart voice enhancement technology effectively minimizes background noise and echo. The 24-hour battery life is also a significant plus, ensuring you can power through long days of meetings without interruption. The USB-C connection and Bluetooth compatibility provide flexible connectivity options. The Anker PowerIQ technology is a welcome addition, allowing for charging other devices simultaneously.

Performance & Real-World Usage

In my testing, the PowerConf S500 consistently impressed. The microphone pickup range is truly impressive; voices from across a medium-sized conference room were clearly captured. The noise cancellation worked remarkably well, filtering out keyboard clicks, air conditioner hum, and general office chatter. I participated in several virtual meetings with colleagues across different locations, and the audio quality was consistently clear and crisp. I experienced no significant dropouts or connectivity issues. The 24-hour battery life claim proved accurate – I only needed to recharge it after several days of heavy use. Connecting to both my laptop via USB-C and my smartphone via Bluetooth was seamless and intuitive.

However, in larger rooms or spaces with significant reverberation, I noticed a slight decrease in overall clarity. While background noise suppression was quite effective, the algorithm sometimes slightly muted subtle vocal tones.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Excellent voice pickup, effective noise cancellation, long battery life (24 hours), easy setup, universal compatibility, and Anker PowerIQ support.
• Cons: Slightly muted vocal tones in some scenarios, and some reduction in clarity in larger, reverberant rooms.

Final Verdict

The Anker PowerConf S500 (A3305) provides an excellent audio experience for most conference calls. Its powerful features, notably the omni-directional microphone array and advanced noise cancellation, make it a top contender in its class. While minor drawbacks exist regarding clarity in specific challenging environments, the overall performance easily outweighs these issues. I highly recommend the Anker PowerConf S500 to anyone seeking a reliable and high-quality speakerphone for their virtual meetings.