Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers
The fact that there are so many options today makes choosing the best portable Bluetooth speaker one of the biggest challenges. With thousands of speakers currently available, where do you even begin? Before making your purchase, you’ll need to examine a number of aspects. The speaker’s intended use, for instance, whether you live an active lifestyle and want to bring it along with you to sporting activities or whether you like to hang out in the park with friends and just want some funky background music, will undoubtedly play a significant impact. To save you time, we’ve rounded up the best portable Bluetooth speakers available!
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is the most recent in a long series of portable Bluetooth speakers, known for their excellent sound and reasonable price. The Flip 6 upholds the JBL reputation, offering excellent quality at an affordable price!
- Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Best Sound
- Most Compact
- Best Budget Option
- Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Best Overall)
There is only one portable Bluetooth speaker to get the party started and that’s the JBL Flip 6. With it’s 30W of power, the Flip 6 produces excellent sound quality and volume to match!
With 30W of power, the JBL Flip 6 blows it out of the park compared to its competition. JBL’s decision to add an additional 10W tweeter means improved clarity in the high-end and less distortion at increased volumes. If you’re looking for the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speaker, the JBL Flip 6 is a clear winner
The OontZ Angle 3 and Sony XB10 are nearly identical in size and weight, making for a close race for the title of most compact portable speaker. While the Sony XB10 performs noticeably better, the Angle 3 still produces superb sound. Both speakers contain a built-in speakerphone and bass radiator and are waterproof to IPX5 standards. However, the XB10 costs $100 more than the Angle 3.
The OontZ Angle 3 is the least expensive option we researched if cost is your deciding factor. Additionally, the OontZ Angle 3 is incredibly small and light, weighing only 9 oz. The OontZ Angle 3 is inexpensive, but it has high-end features including a speakerphone, bass radiator, and an IPX5 waterproof designation. The Angle 3 produces a lot of noise for its small. Cheap in terms of cost but by no means low in value!
The JBL Flip 6 is the most recent in a long series of cherished Bluetooth speakers, known for its excellent sound and reasonable price! It wins our pick for the best overall portable Bluetooth speaker.
How We Selected the Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers
We are aware that every person has a different set of qualities that they look for in a Bluetooth speaker. So what factors did we consider when choosing speakers for this list and formulating our final advice? Here are a few of the features we took into account:
- Sound quality
- Waterproof rating & durability
- Design & build quality
- Battery life
- Wireless range & connectivity
- Budget
- And of course – portability
I wish I could tell you that we then carefully and mathematically compared each of these options, but let’s face it—that weighing would be subjective in and of itself. Instead, we relied on our years of experience and hours of comparison to determine which speakers were the best portable Bluetooth speakers available at the time. As more speakers are announced or as we change our minds, we’ll continue to update and modify this list.
What is a portable Bluetooth speaker?
Most portable Bluetooth speakers may fit in the palm of your hand and are small and light enough to fit in a backpack or laptop bag. These are more for some relaxing background music than necessarily party speakers. However, there are a few solutions that go beyond the expectations of what a normal portable Bluetooth speaker should look and sound like.
What to Expect According to Your Budget
When it comes to any technological gadget, cost is, for the majority of us, the most important factor. Portable speakers are becoming more affordable with more features as brand competition rises. What to anticipate from a portable Bluetooth speaker in your price range is listed below.
Since this is an audio device, I’ve concentrated on the audio quality and speakerphone quality, which are essentially audio features and would be the reason you buy a Bluetooth speaker. Of course, Bluetooth is a significant additional aspect. Bluetooth version 4 has greatly increased connectivity and range for portable speakers. As a general rule, avoid purchasing anything if the manufacturer doesn’t identify the Bluetooth version or if it’s less recent than version 4.
| Below $30 | $30 – $100 | $100+ | |
| Bluetooth speakers under $30 are readily available in the market. Even though this article has highlighted some excellent solutions in this price range, it's still crucial to know what to watch out for. Better Bluetooth speakers don't necessarily have more functions. | If you're going to spend this much money, consider buying a speaker from a reputable manufacturer like JBL, Bose, or Sony. These are frequently the least expensive models that these premium manufacturers, like Sony, sell, but you'll get greater sound quality and after-sales support if something goes wrong. | Choose a quality brand like Sony, JBL, Bose, Altec Lansing, or Marshall if your spending limit is $100 or more. Don't be duped by affordable brands that boast lots of features. The premium brands frequently have fewer features and place a greater emphasis on components that produce higher sound quality. It probably sounds bad if it's a brand you've never heard of but has lots of amazing features. To get a better sense of the product, read the reviews on Amazon. | |
| Sound Quality | Can provide great background music. When the loudness rises above 80%, distortion typically begins. The absence of bass that typically characterizes speakers in this price range is improving thanks to advances in bass radiators. | Speakers costing less than $30 typically provide greater sound quality. If you choose a quality brand, the mids and highs will be clearer and you'll have superior bass response. | In this pricing level, the sound quality ought to be excellent. You shouldn't experience any distortion or breakup at high volumes with speakers costing more than $200. With a solid balance, the entire frequency range will be present. |
| Speakerphone | The microphones on portable speakers in this price range won't be very good, so your speech will sound muddled and possibly echo as the microphone almost feeds back into the speaker. | Still not fantastic, but in some situations superior to the less expensive ones. Even with the Sony XB10, your voice is not completely audible to the other caller because this is a challenging technology to get right in the sub-$100 price bracket. | Premium models in particular feature inbuilt processing to deal with feedback and echo in speakers in this price range. Your voice may occasionally come off as a little distant but not muffled. |
| Battery Life | On average, between 8 and 15 hours. | Usually 10 to 20 hours on average. | You should expect to spend between 10 and 20 hours in the $100 to $200 pricing range. 20 hours or more are typical for purchases above $200. |
Our Selection of the Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers
1. JBL Flip 6
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 30W |
| Battery Life | 12 hours |
| Wireless Range | 120 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
| Dimensions | 7.0 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches |
The JBL Flip 6 is the most recent in a long series of portable Bluetooth speakers, known for their excellent sound and reasonable price. For JBL fans who can’t get enough of their distinctive sound signature and want to take that sound profile with them everywhere they go, the JBL Flip 6 is the best portable Bluetooth speaker currently available. You can’t go wrong with the tried-and-true JBL Flip series if you’re going camping, spending the day at the beach, working outside, or hosting a small gathering. But what’s new with the sixth generation of the design?
The JBL Flip 6 is very similar in size to the previous Flip 5, with the flip 6 being slightly longer. The addition of a 10w tweeter to the Flip 6 means improved clarity in the highs and less distortion at increased volumes. Additionally, EQ settings can be further adjusted via the JBL Portable app. Along with an improvement on speaker power, the Flip 6 is still waterproof and now also features a dust protection rating too.
The JBL Flip 6 features a 4800mAh battery that offers up to 12 hours of playtime, depending on volume levels. At louder volumes, you can expect closer to 8 hours of playtime instead. The Flip 6 features a USB-C port for charging, located on the control panel.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Excellent sound quality
- Waterproof & durable
- Great battery life
2. Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 10W |
| Battery Life | 14 hours |
| Wireless Range | 100 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX5 |
| Weight | 9.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.3 x 2.8 x 2.6 inches |
It is easy to understand why this triangle speaker has been on our list of the finest portable Bluetooth speakers for a while. You pretty much get everything you could possibly need with the OontZ Angle 3. The speaker’s compact size and light weight are the first things you’ll notice. It is extremely portable because it is only around 5 inches long, 3 inches tall, and weighs no more than 9 ounces. You can now take it about with ease or just throw it in your bag or backpack.
But don’t be fooled by the OontZ Angle 3’s diminutive stature; the speaker produces sound that is quite impressive for its size. The accompanying bass is fantastic, and the high-quality sound is more than loud enough to fill a room without any distortion. We have to agree with Cambridge SoundWorks that the OontZ Angle 3 is a member of the new generation of portable speakers because none of its rivals have come close to matching what they have accomplished with this model.
Regarding some of the speaker’s other features, it has an IPX5 rating, which essentially indicates that it is splash-proof, rain-proof, dust-proof, and sand-proof. Almost any compatible device can connect to the speaker via Bluetooth, or you can utilize an AUX cord. You also get the handy hands-free feature, which enables voice commands to control your iPhone or smartphone, thanks to the built-in microphone.
Since this specific portable speaker looks wonderful, feels great, sounds great, and best of all, is completely affordable, it is difficult to find anything negative to say about it.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Best budget option
- Highly portable
- Excellent battery life
3. DOSS SoundBox Touch
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 12W |
| Battery Life | 20 hours |
| Wireless Range | 33 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX4 |
| Weight | 1.23 lbs |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 2.9 x 2.7 inches |
Superior, sleek, and elegant When you see the DOSS Touch, those are the first three words that spring to mind. It sets itself apart from its rivals with a stylish and svelte design that includes delicate touch buttons that give you complete control over your music. You may adjust the audio volume using a touch ring that is situated at the top of the speaker.
Regarding volume, this portable speaker is fairly good, but keep in mind that it is only a portable speaker. Look at our selection of the top party speakers if you want to entertain a crowd.
Another practical aspect of the DOSS Touch is its three different connecting options, which include Bluetooth, Micro SD, and Aux-in.
High-grade components make up the portable speaker, which raises its level of quality and beauty. The DOSS Touch’s extremely alluring aesthetic, which will dazzle anyone who sets eyes on it, is undoubtedly its most appealing feature. The sound is nevertheless amazing since it is first-rate on its own terms, despite this.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Features a micro SD card slot
- Great battery life
- Sleek design
4. Bose SoundLink Mini II
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 10W |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Wireless Range | 30 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | None |
| Weight | 1.47 lbs |
| Dimensions | 2.3 x 7.1 x 2.0 inches |
When Bose introduced the SoundLink Mini II, they lived true to their reputation. It has the ability to produce deep bass and huge volumes. Since you wouldn’t anticipate such a loud and deep bass from a small portable speaker, it is actually rather astonishing.
The SoundLink Mini II has a sleek and contemporary design that resembles a small center speaker you could see in an audiophile’s living room. It comes in two colors, Carbon and Pearl, which are essentially just black and white. No matter where you decide to utilize it, we have to admit that this speaker looks incredibly stunning. It is a stylish addition to your home or office thanks to its streamlined design.
A lithium battery powers the SoundLink Mini II and provides up to 10 hours of playback. Here, we can also see the speaker’s charging options, which are another great feature. When traveling, you can use a USB cable to charge it by plugging it into your laptop or vehicle. Alternatively, you can use the charging cradle at home, which functions as a wireless speaker charger.
Overall, the Bose SoundLink Mini II’s sound and build quality are really superb and ideal for people looking for a potent speaker that can serve as both a portable speaker and a home or office speaker.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Great bass response
- Excellent volume
- Has a charging cradle
5. Anker Soundcore 2
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 12W |
| Battery Life | 24 hours |
| Wireless Range | 66 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX7 |
| Weight | 12.6 oz |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 2.2 x 1.8 inches |
When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, Anker is a very well-known brand, and it is easy to understand why. They frequently introduce newer, better speakers that are reasonably priced. You could almost anticipate that there would be a catch with these high-quality speakers, but that does not appear to be the case. As far as we can tell, Anker just keeps coming up with amazing speakers that they offer at reasonable prices, and the business keeps growing.
If a speaker has good sound, that is the first thing you should consider. Take it from me: even at the loudest volumes, the Anker Soundcore 2 generated excellent sound with minimal to no distortion. Regarding volume, despite its diminutive and portable design, the Soundcore 2 can be rather loud. When the speaker is turned up loud for the first time, you almost want to scan the space for a bigger, more powerful speaker that might be to blame for the noise.
The bulk of speaker manufacturers design their speakers in a modern, minimalistic style. Naturally, Anker followed suit. Right, give the people what they want. It’s true that the Anker Soundcore 2 has a pretty straightforward design, and I must admit that I really like it. The Anker brand name is printed on the grill of the rectangular, black speaker in the company’s signature, straightforward gray font.
The only thing left to mention is that the speaker is small and portable, which is crucial for a portable Bluetooth speaker now that we have established that it looks fantastic and will easily fit in your handbag or backpack.
With its lengthy battery life, which some other portable speakers don’t offer, the Anker Soundcore 2 is a high-quality speaker that has managed to establish itself as a worthy rival. With up to 24 hours of playtime, the Anker Soundcore 2 offers us nearly twice the battery life of some of the other portable speakers.
The Anker Soundcore 2 is weatherproof against snow, rain, and dust thanks to its IPX7 classification. Its build is available in three colors and has ergonomic controls and sleek, sweeping curves (black, blue, or red).
The speaker has two 6W drivers, each of which produces a powerful bass result with full sound. Even at its 66-foot maximum Bluetooth connection range, the clarity and volume are as excellent.
The Anker Soundcore 2 is the ideal option for a portable, modern speaker with excellent sound and long battery life. For those looking for true value for their money, it is likely the greatest portable Bluetooth speaker.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Great sound quality
- Fully waterproof
- Long battery life
6. Ultimate Ears BOOM 3
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 12W |
| Battery Life | 15 hours |
| Wireless Range | 150 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX7 |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs |
| Dimensions | 2.8 x 7.2 inches |
Due to its incredibly solid build quality and straightforward design, the UE Boom range of portable Bluetooth speakers may pass for “sound bricks” in my opinion. And wow, can these things blast music. The UE Boom 3, the newest member of the UE Boom family, adheres to the same principle as the speakers that came before it: hassle-free music wherever you go. It has a few new functions. Even in the water, the brand-new Boom 3 will float!
One of the best portable Bluetooth speakers available, the UE Boom 3 offers 360-degree music at a powerful peak of 90dB without losing clarity or powerful bass tones. Controlling Bluetooth audio playing is incredibly simple and enjoyable thanks to the magic button on the third-generation Boom!
To make charging your speaker quicker and more convenient, you may also purchase a Power Up! Wireless charging station.
Overall, the UE Boom 3 is a wonderful value and has all the great features and 360-degree audio you would expect from the Boom series of speakers.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- 360-degree sound
- Excellent sound quality
- Great bass response
7. Bose SoundLink Color II
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 17W |
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
| Wireless Range | 30 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX4 |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
| Dimensions | 2.2 x 5.0 x 5.2 inches |
The Bose SoundLink Color Color II, the follow-up to the well-liked Bose SoundLink Color, repurposes all of the characteristics that made the original model so wonderful in an effort to make the new model even more capable and potent than the original. The SoundLink Color II, which is a no-frills competitor on our list of the best portable Bluetooth speakers and comes in 6 different colors, provides smooth hands-free call support, a soft-touch silicone body, exclusive app compatibility, and more.
The SoundLink Color II is another high-caliber product from Bose, known for its quality.
With the Bose SoundLink Color II, you can stream your favorite music or podcasts to your phone from a distance of up to 30 feet away with the highest-quality audio possible. The SoundLink Color’s battery can play music from multiple locations simultaneously for 8 hours on a single charge and can pair with other Bose products.
One of the greatest small portable Bluetooth speakers I’ve heard of is the SoundLink Color II; it has excellent sound quality. As with all of Bose’s other speaker offerings, the sound signature is neutral. This speaker received the same level of attention to the frequency response of the audio signal.
Despite the speaker’s diminutive size, the bass is excellent, and the treble is clear and defined. The speaker has a peak volume of 90 dB, which is comparably loud for a speaker its size but lacks 360-degree sound capacity.
Voice prompts that help you through Bluetooth pairing are a wonderful and frequently ignored feature built into the Bose SoundLink Color II’s design, making it reasonably simple to join your devices with this speaker.
Many of the important criteria we consider when deciding where a speaker will be listed in a list like this one are met by the Bose SoundLink Color II. Thanks to user-friendly features and the soft-touch silicone housing that surrounds the speaker, the newest speaker in the Bose SoundLink Color line is highly portable, moderately waterproof, and pleasurable to use.
Overall, Bose’s SoundLink Color II portable Bluetooth speaker is not the company’s best offering to date. It boasts excellent sound quality, user-friendly functions, and a wide range of colors. It is also incredibly portable. This speaker’s simplicity and ease of use were clearly given special consideration, allowing us listeners to resume enjoying our favorite tunes by the pool or in the comfort of our living rooms with friends right away.
Be cautious before you buy because there are reported problems with this speaker’s battery life where the gadget ultimately stops taking a charge. This is the sole bad aspect. Even with the tiny drawback of battery life, this speaker is a candidate for the title of finest portable Bluetooth speaker.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Excellent sound quality
- Great bass response
- Quality build
8. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker
Specs & Features
| Speaker Power | 10W |
| Battery Life | 16 hours |
| Wireless Range | 33 ft |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX5 |
| Weight | 11.4 oz |
| Dimensions | 3.4 x 3.4 x 4.3 inches |
One of the nicest portable Bluetooth speakers I’ve ever seen is the Sony XB10, without a doubt. Do not be misled by this speaker’s charming look; it is a classy, amazing, and incredibly durable speaker. This speaker would be Lara Croft if she were a person; she is elegant and gorgeous on the surface but is really wonderful on the inside.
The speaker’s sleek, short cylinder shape with the grill at the top and a nice, textured stand makes for an even more spectacular design. The speaker’s body is compact, elegant, and modern. Each of the four colors of this tiny Bluetooth speaker—black, white, red, or blue—has the word “Sony” imprinted on the side so that everyone can tell that your little speaker is made by one of the top audio brands in the business.
If you want a speaker with simple travel, a fashionable appearance, and lots of bass, the Sony XB10 portable Bluetooth speaker is fantastic. I bring up the bass so early in the assessment because it distinguishes this tiny speaker from others. You can receive that fantastic bass increase despite its small size because of a passive radiator that collaborates with the internal speaker to improve low-end response.
The speaker is simple to connect to using Bluetooth or NFC. Simply pair the speaker with your smartphone or another Bluetooth device that has music files if you wish to use the Bluetooth connectivity feature. As long as you keep within the advised distance from the speaker, the Bluetooth connection is robust and shouldn’t be broken.
By just tapping your audio device to the speaker, you may easily connect via NFC. If you want stereo sound, you can also wirelessly link a second Sony XB10 to the first one to experience the fantastic sound in stereo.
16 hours of playback duration on a single charge is a lot for a portable speaker, especially one this small. The portable Bluetooth speaker’s IPX5 classification makes it water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about getting the XB10 wet from pool splashes or rain.
There isn’t much more to say about the product; it is a premium portable Bluetooth gadget with excellent sound and a beautiful design. It is also lightweight and tiny, making it easy to carry anyplace.
3 Reasons to Buy It
- Bluetooth or NFC
- Excellent sound quality
- Waterproof & durable
Common Portable Bluetooth Speaker Questions answered
How waterproof is a portable Bluetooth speaker?
The market is flooded with waterproof Bluetooth speakers. People who bought waterproof speakers frequently complain in reviews and comments that the equipment failed after a few months due to water damage. Try to limit the amount of time a speaker is submerged in water, even if it has an IPX7 or IPX8 rating. A speaker can sustain harm from prolonged submersion even with the finest waterproof characteristics. Splashes are one thing, but immersing a speaker repeatedly is not a smart idea.
Any waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker’s input panel, which houses the 1/8 inch AUX and power inputs, is its weakest link. Before using the speaker near water, always make sure the lid is completely sealed to ensure water tightness.
Does frequency response matter?
The answer is that frequency response is irrelevant and should be disregarded for something as small as a handheld Bluetooth speaker. This is merely an addition made by brands to the description to seem impressive. Yes, a Bluetooth speaker may be able to produce a frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz, however, most Bluetooth speakers can only produce a frequency response from 20Hz to 100Hz that is 12–15dBs lower than the rest of the frequency range. Simply put, even if the speaker is providing the sub-bass frequency range, you won’t hear it.
Does speaker wattage matter?
Although speaker wattage is significant, other aspects also play a role in how much power a speaker can generate. The portable Bluetooth speaker’s internal amplifier’s actual efficiency is the most important consideration. A high-end 10W portable speaker will frequently perform better than a cheap 20W speaker. This is because the more expensive speaker amplifies the music more effectively than the less expensive speaker thanks to a better amplifier and processing. As a result, your expensive, less potent speaker will provide a clearer sound at higher volumes.
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is the most recent in a long series of portable Bluetooth speakers, known for their excellent sound and reasonable price. The Flip 6 upholds the JBL reputation, offering excellent quality at an affordable price!
Thanks for sharing! This was a very informative post!