Audio Ambition – Noise and Boat’s Quest for Market Dominance

What sets Noise apart from Boat? What differentiates Noise from Boat? In the Indian market, both audio brands are unique in terms of their offerings. While Noise brings oomph to the table, Boat sails on another wave of innovation. We will tell you what are the differences that define the place of each brand in the competitive world of personal audio. Get ready now to find out which one strikes the right notes for your lifestyle.

Noise: The Beginning of a New Sound

Founded: 2014 

Founders: Amit and Gaurav Khatri 

How It Started: Noise began as a venture selling smartphone covers and accessories. Recognizing a gap in the market for affordable yet quality tech products, the Khatri brothers expanded into the smartwatch and wireless earbuds market in 20182. 

Initial Offerings: The company initially offered everyday products like smartphone covers, eventually moving to smartwatches and wireless earphones, becoming one of the first Indian brands to bring smartwatches to the masses.

Boat: Setting Sail in the Audio Market

Founded: 2016

Founders: Aman Gupta and Sameer Mehta 

How It Started: Boat started with an initial capital of about Rs 30 lakh, focusing on manufacturing and selling cables. The brand then shifted its focus to stylish audio products and accessories, tapping into the millennial market. 

Initial Offerings: Boat’s first product was the boAt BassHeads225, launched in 2016. The company aimed to provide spirited and energetic audio experiences to its customers.

Brand Evolution: Noise Vs. Boat

When comparing Noise and Boat, it’s essential to look at their origins and how they’ve grown over time. Both brands have made significant strides since their inception, carving out their own identities in the crowded audio market.

Noise: From Covers to Cutting-Edge Tech

Noise started in 2014 with a focus on smartphone covers but quickly pivoted to tech products. By 2018, they were pioneers in the Indian smartwatch market, offering affordable yet feature-rich wearables. 

Their growth has been marked by a commitment to innovation, launching products like the ColorFit smartwatch series and Shots wireless earbuds, which have become synonymous with quality and value.

Boat: The Journey to Audio Dominance

Boat’s voyage began in 2016, initially selling cables before diving into the audio segment. They quickly gained popularity with their BassHeads earphones and Airdopes earbuds, known for their robust build and bass-heavy sound. Boat’s success lies in its ability to blend trendy designs with energetic sound, appealing to a young, style-conscious audience.

Unique Offerings: Noise Vs. Boat

When it comes to the unique offerings of each brand, Noise and Boat have distinct approaches that cater to their customer base.

Noise: Innovation Meets Lifestyle

Noise has had a notable influence on the Indian market through its truly wireless earphones and smart wearable gadgets. The brand is renowned for its inventive offerings in the wearable and hearable industries, encompassing a wide array of smartwatches, fitness bands, and true wireless earbuds. 

By prioritizing Next-Gen audio and intelligent technology, they have successfully served a diverse customer base with varying preferences and budgets.

Noise’s commitment to mass aspirational quality and aggressive pricing has enabled them to build an ecosystem of products that are not only stylish but also serve as value offerings.

Boat: The Style Statement

Boat, on the other hand, has become a household name with its fashionable and affordable audio products. 

The brand offers a wide range of wired and wireless earphones, headphones, neckbands, speakers, and smartwatches. Boat’s focus on design and aesthetics has resonated well with the young consumers, offering vibrant colors and catering to diverse fashion choices. 

They have also ventured into personal grooming products under the Misfit brand and notable collaborations, such as with Netflix for stream edition audio products and StanceBeam for sports technology integration in smartwatches, showcasing their commitment to innovation.

Pricing Strategy: Noise Vs. Boat

When comparing the pricing strategies of Noise and Boat, it’s clear that both brands have tailored their approaches to capture the Indian market effectively.

Noise: Affordable Quality for the Masses

Noise has positioned itself as a brand that offers high-quality tech products at affordable prices. Their strategy involves expanding their portfolio towards lower price points, which has helped them become a market leader in the smartwatch category. 

By focusing on community building and designing products according to consumer preferences, Noise has managed to offer great value for money. This approach has led to a significant growth for the brand, allowing it to appeal to budget-conscious consumers without compromising on performance or features.

Boat: Competitive Pricing with Rich Features

Boat, on the other hand, has adopted a competitive pricing strategy that offers feature-rich products at significantly lower prices compared to established brands. This value proposition has made their products attractive to a wider audience, especially the youth. 

Boat’s pricing strategy is simple yet effective—they provide quality products at an affordable price, making them a go-to option for customers looking for audio and other wearable products without breaking the bank.

Growth Rate Percentage Comparison

As of 2024, here’s a comparison of the growth rate percentages for Noise and Boat:

Noise

• In 2023, Noise reported a substantial 90% year-over-year (YoY) growth in the second quarter, with a market share of 27.6% in the Indian smartwatch market1.
• For FY23, Noise achieved over Rs 2,000 crore in revenue, marking a record growth of over 100% YoY.
• Noise expects to maintain a strong growth rate of over 70% in the next year2.

Boat

• In FY23, Boat achieved $500 million (approximately Rs 4,000 crore) in net sales, a 20-22% growth over the previous year.
• Boat expects around 25% revenue growth in FY24.

Noise is projecting a higher growth rate percentage for 2024, aiming to sustain a robust growth momentum of over 70%, while Boat is expecting a 25% revenue growth for the same period. This indicates that Noise is growing at a faster rate percentage-wise compared to Boat as of 2024.

Bottom Line

In the end, “Noise Vs. Boat” is about two brands that have made a big splash in the Indian audio market. They both offer great products that fit different needs and budgets. Whether you want cool tech or stylish tunes, Noise and Boat have something for everyone. It’s not just about which is better, but which is right for you.