The best portable Bluetooth speakers for 2024

Options: Constructed-in energy financial institution to cost different units | Battery life: As much as 12 hours | Assistant assist: None

When you’re simply trying for a small speaker that may kick out some first rate quantity, the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 matches the invoice. The audio high quality right here is okay; it doesn’t stand out when it comes to constancy, however the quantity you get from this inexpensive little speaker is what makes it a good selection. When you’re bopping about outdoor in your bike or chilling within the park, it’s normally extra about portability and quantity anyway. The rubbery rear strap works effectively on comparatively skinny issues like belts, backpacks and bike handlebars.

Whereas it’s small and inexpensive, the speaker helps USB-C charging for your units in a pinch and you’ll wirelessly join two of them for get together mode or stereo sound. It additionally helps voice assistants for each iOS and Android customers.

Options: IPX7 waterproof, customized EQ settings utilizing companion app | Battery life: As much as 13 hours | Assistant assist: None

Soundcore has been releasing some very in a position speakers recently and one among its latest is a high quality private portable. The Movement 300 is of the pint-sized selection, however gives 30-watts of punchy and brilliant output. It’s IPX7 rated so it could possibly deal with a little bit of water, and it really works with the Anker Soundcore app that enables a good quantity of customization from EQ settings to button brightness. It additionally helps hi-res audio utilizing the LDAC codec for Android customers with a appropriate machine.

The Movement 300’s measurement and frequency vary don’t fairly enable for a ton of bass, but it surely’s comparatively loud and thumpy, particularly when it has surfaces to mirror off of. Soundcore has even prolonged its high-frequency vary to 40kHz, and whereas its utility is debatable, the Movement 300 does sound crisp within the high-end spectrum. You can even allow adaptive audio, which helps optimize its sound supply relying on the speaker orientation (on its again, standing up or hanging from its detachable button-fastened strap).

The speaker’s design merges a cool type with office-machine stylish, from the playfully speckled mushy contact exterior to the metallic, logo-emblazoned grille. Its 1.7-pound weight and clutch-purse measurement makes it higher as a handheld or stowed in your bag quite than hanging from a backpack or bike handlebars. Finally, you get nice sound in a small package deal with options you’ll be able to tweak to your liking, all at an approachable $80 price ticket.

Options: IP67-rated design, assist for stereo pairing | Battery life: As much as 14 hours | Assistant assist: None

The Final Ears Wonderboom 3 is a tiny but highly effective portable, delivering the most important sound in its measurement vary that we examined. It’s nonetheless a cute, barrel-shaped small speaker with a nubby little strap that in all probability wants a carabiner to assist connect it to most issues. However this refreshed mannequin contains a few brilliant new colours, an additional hour of battery life and improved wi-fi vary. With an IP67 ranking on prime of the corporate’s five-foot drop check sturdiness, it could possibly go along with you nearly anyplace and survive to inform the story.

The audio high quality is punchy and brilliant sufficient for what you’d anticipate at this scale and value vary. Though there’s no app assist or connectivity with the remainder of the Final Ears speaker lineup, you’ll be able to simply pair it with speakers just like the Wonderboom 2 or Megaboom 3 for stereo sound. There’s additionally an outside mode button on the underside that reinforces the mid and excessive vary to assist the audio carry over a higher distance.

Options: IPX7 waterproof, customized EQ settings utilizing companion app | Battery life: As much as 12 hours | Assistant assist: None

This nondescript wedge of a wi-fi speaker may simply slip below your radar, but it surely’s price a pay attention. It has a brilliant and bassy output, which is helped alongside by Qualcomm aptX assist for hi-res audio. This Anker Soundcore machine has a stable, barely heavy construct with a steel entrance speaker grille, a soft-touch rubberized exterior (that loves your greasy fingerprints) and IPX7 water resistance. Whereas it’s not the lightest or most portable, it has good sound, particularly for the value. Plus the app gives EQ customization, so you’ll be able to positive tune to your liking.

There’s additionally a 3.5mm aux enter for wired connections. That’s fortuitous, as we discovered that this small speaker works effectively as a mini soundbar various and the wired enter gives a foolproof connection.

Options: IP67-rated design, assist for stereo pairing | Battery life: As much as 12 hours | Assistant assist: None

JBL’s Flip 6 deserves excessive marks for general sound high quality, sturdiness and quantity contemplating its measurement, and people options make it the best JBL speaker for most individuals. As with most JBL speakers, it has dynamic vary from stable lows to crisp highs with quantity tipped in direction of larger registers. The cylindrical form works effectively on its aspect and even standing on its finish to avoid wasting desk house. It has a succesful carrying (or hanging) strap and raised buttons you’ll be able to discern at nighttime.

The JBL Portable app offers you a 3-band EQ to customise the sound profile if desired and you probably have two Flip 6 speakers, you’ll be able to run them as a stereo pair. When you occur to have a mix-and-match assortment of various PartyBoost-enabled JBL units, you’ll be able to join a number of speakers for an even bigger sound.

Options: Constructed-in mic for assistant assist and telephone calls, IP67-rated design | Battery life: As much as 12 hours | Assistant assist: Google Assistant, Siri

Whereas the $99 Bose SoundLink Micro is half the scale, we discovered that it is undoubtedly price the additional $50 for those who commerce as much as the SoundLink Flex. Whereas it’s nonetheless not a room filler, the speaker gives some brilliant, dynamic finesse to your tunes, together with a big quantity of bass for its measurement. It’s just like the size of a small clutch bag, with a really small strap for carabiner-type hanging. A lot of the outside is sheathed in soft-touch silicone, besides for the powder-coated metal speaker grilles. Like others on this vary, the speaker is IP67 rated so it could possibly deal with the weather and sound good doing it.

Setup and connecting to the speaker needs to be executed from throughout the aptly named Bose Join app. You can even flip off voice prompts (which may develop into annoying) and pair with related speakers for both get together mode or stereo.

Notice: Some customers working Android 12 could encounter connectivity points with the Bose Join app. The firm is working to resolve the issue.

Options: IP67-rated design, assist for stereo pairing | Battery life: As much as 30 hours | Assistant assist: None

The lately launched Emberton II Bluetooth portable from Marshall has a bumped up set of specs that make it a greater worth than the earlier gen. This clutchable rectangular slab nonetheless has a pair of 10-watt full-range drivers and passive radiators to ship the model’s signature sound. It might not be the loudest in its measurement vary, but it surely focuses extra on balanced output than uncooked energy. There’s nonetheless 360 sound as effectively, making it companion for small get togethers. Though, with its 60hz low finish threshold, you’ll discover a higher bass response when there are surfaces to mirror off of, and never a lot if it’s in the midst of a desk.

This new mannequin now gives as much as 30 hours of listening on a cost (10 hours higher than earlier than) and a extra rugged IP67 ranking. There’s additionally a brand new capability to pair with one other Emberton II or Willen II utilizing the brand new “Stack Mode”. The vary between them is restricted, nonetheless, so stacking them in all probability is the best method to go. Moreover, Marshall is providing a extra environmentally pleasant product than earlier than, utilizing 50 p.c post-consumer plastics in its building.

Options: Constructed-in energy financial institution to cost different units, IP67-rated design, assist for stereo pairing | Battery life: As much as 20 hours | Assistant assist: None

When you’re keen to spend a bit of extra for greater sound, extra hours of battery life and a USB-C port to cost your units, the midrange JBL Cost 5 is a superb improve over the Flip 6. It has the identical brilliant output and succesful low finish, however in a barely bigger package deal. When you’re trying for a smallish portable speaker, however one thing succesful sufficient to entertain a number of company, this works.

Options: Retro design with carry strap, 3.5mm aux enter | Battery life: As much as 15 hours | Assistant assist: None

The Orange Field portable Bluetooth speaker from legendary guitar amp maker Orange is actually a no-frills product with nice analog sound and ‘60s-era bohemian chic. For Orange Amp fans, it’s a devoted mini-version of a traditional (though you’ll be able to’t plug in your guitar). It’s not significantly heavy, however it’s a bit chunky and the picket body means there’s no waterproofing or ruggedness ranking. Battery life is common with as much as 15 hours run time and also you’ll wish to maintain monitor of that DC energy cable because it doesn’t assist any USB charging.

That mentioned, we like this speaker partly for its pure attraction and distinctive design (at the least so far as Bluetooth speakers go). There’s a 3.5mm aux enter, a mechanical energy toggle swap, a cool domed energy gentle and a number of other dials for quantity and EQ. The front-facing grille is audio clear material emblazoned with the traditional Orange brand. It’s additionally a correct piece of package constructed for an extended life, with licensed restore facilities throughout the globe.

Most significantly, you get each analog and digital amps pushing 50 watts of brilliant, clear and unadulterated output with loads of low finish, at the least for close by listeners. It additionally helps aptX, so you probably have high-quality information or hi-res streaming, you’ll get probably the most out of it.

This speaker is right for Orange Amps followers or those that like no-fuss operation, pure analog sound high quality and usually desire a mid-sized machine they’ll maintain near house. Most kinds of music sound nice on the Orange Field, however the speaker actually shines with songs which have dwell instrumentation or something that may profit from an analog contact.

Options: IP67-rated design, assist for stereo pairing | Battery life: As much as 20 hours | Assistant assist: None

Marshall launched the Middleton in January 2023 and positioned it as the brand new flagship for its portable Bluetooth speaker line. It’s the most important of the corporate’s IP67 rugged portables (measuring 4.3 x 9 x 3.75 inches) and gives a considerably louder output, with 50-watts of 360-degree sound. There are twin woofers and tweeters for the back and front, with passive radiators alongside both sides. It additionally gives Stack Mode, which helps you to pair with every other Middleton, Emberton II or Willen speakers close by to develop your listening expertise.

The Middleton could be managed by means of the Marshall Bluetooth app, but it surely additionally contains most of those self same controls on the highest. There’s a Bluetooth button (which doubles because the Stack Mode management) and a multi-use joystick for energy on/off, quantity management and monitor choice (ahead or again). You additionally get bass and treble controls, that are a welcome addition and a primary for one among Marshall’s speakers with out bodily knobs.

It has that conventional Marshall look, made with a soft-touch exterior composed of 55-percent post-consumer recycled plastic and is 100-percent PVC free. It additionally has a carry strap you’ll be able to simply suit your hand by means of. Any mud, grime or prints on the skin could be scrubbed off with a moist fabric, and even the uncovered USB-C and three.5mm enter port parts are waterproofed. That USB-C port can be utilized to recharge the speaker, or energy up your different units with its 9,600mAh battery.

In fact audio purists ought to know that it solely helps SBC, however the sound high quality remains to be prime notch for most individuals. And whereas Marshall units are normally priced at a slight premium, the nice sound high quality and first rate low-end functionality undoubtedly makes this mannequin price testing.

Options: IPX4-rated design, Wi-Fi connectivity | Battery life: As much as 12 hours | Assistant assist: Alexa, Google Assistant

We did check a pair sensible house speakers, together with the Bose Portable Good and I made a decision to match it with its closest Bluetooth equal: the Revolve+ II. Whereas that’s best suited for portability, has a loud brilliant sound that may carry outdoor and lengthy battery life, its low finish is rather less pronounced than its sensible companion. When you’re keen to spend extra and admire bass, the Bose Portable Good speaker is a giant enchancment. It has a well-rounded low finish and a brilliant dynamic sound with loads of nuance that makes for an awesome listening expertise.

This 360-degree portable comes as a combo WiFi/Bluetooth speaker primarily geared towards sensible house use with the occasional outing. It’s rated IPX4, so not probably the most weatherproof, however good for informal outside listening. The battery is rated for as much as 12 hours, however since that is an always-on sensible machine, you’ll must be extra attentive at holding it topped up. There’s a charging dock accent for use round the home, however as an away-from-home portable, you must energy it down when not in use.

Good options: WiFi, voice and app management, assist for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Spotify Join, Amazon Music, Chromecast (built-in), Apple AirPlay 2 and SimpleSync connectivity with Bose Bluetooth speakers.

Notice: Some customers working Android 12 could encounter connectivity points with the Bose Join app. The firm is working to resolve the issue.

Options: IP67-rated design| Battery life: As much as 15 hours | Assistant assist: None

When you’ve loved any of the smaller JBL speakers on the market and are keen to spend a bit extra, the Xtreme 3 is an effective all-around selection. It’s sufficiently big to warrant a shoulder strap, however nonetheless solely in regards to the measurement of a soccer. There’s a pleasing dynamic sound right here with hefty lows and a full of life excessive finish that appears barely higher balanced at this measurement than the smaller choices from JBL on this vary.

That is simply a favourite if you need one thing below $400 with a bit of extra gusto than your common portable, however nonetheless being IP67 weatherproof. It has sufficient output to breathe life right into a small soiree or yard hold, though whereas it’s fairly loud, it’s best when it’s shut by or indoors the place the bass can resonate to its fullest.

Options: IPX2-rated design, assist for multi-host performance | Battery life: As much as 20 hours | Assistant assist: None

When you didn’t find out about Marshall’s historical past in amplifiers and rock music, the design ought to clue you in. The Tufton is the most important portable Bluetooth speaker from the corporate, trying very like an amp itself (as do most of them). It has bodily knobs on the prime and a carry strap to assist transfer it about. Whereas it might seem as rugged as live performance gear, it’s much less impervious to the weather as some with simply an IPX2 ranking, so it’s protected against gentle splashes from above.

Whether or not or not you’re a fan of the model, the wealthy and distinctly thumping output could make you one. We felt pulled into the sound whereas listening to the Tufton, a bit greater than most different speakers we examined at this scale. It’s dynamic, heat and, dare we are saying, analog in its audio presence. It’s additionally multi-directional with a supplemental driver on the again together with a bass port.

There’s no app to regulate the EQ, simply the bodily controls together with a Bluetooth join button, an influence/quantity knob and two for bass and treble. As soon as powered on, you should utilize the quantity knob to set a max headroom and regulate quantity on the fly out of your supply. The bass and treble knobs allow you to select the tone of your journey, from a purely flat soundscape to an enhanced one. We simply want you would see the dial indicators at nighttime. Different options embody aptX assist and quick-charge capabilities that present 4 hours of listening time in simply 20 minutes, plus nice standby battery life.

Options: IPX4-rated design, assist for multi-host performance | Battery life: As much as 24 hours | Assistant assist: None

The UE Hyperboom is an all-arounder with attractiveness, portability, loads of connectivity choices and a loud and punchy (albeit compressed) output. The technical material exterior (which now features a white choice) lets it dwell amongst your furnishings with out screaming “party box,” whereas the optical enter gives a attainable TV speaker various. The giant capacitive buttons on prime let anybody regulate the quantity, pause or play the music and choose from two concurrent Bluetooth connections or a hardwired enter (3.5mm or optical). On the sting with the silicone carrying deal with there are the wired ports, plus one for charging USB units and one other for energy. You may anticipate to rise up to 24 hours of battery life, and the Hyperboom is nice at holding a cost on standby.

This succesful and loud (roughly 100dB) speaker will please most individuals so long as the get together is of main concern over constancy. The capability to remotely energy your machine on or off utilizing the UE app can be a welcome characteristic. Plus you’ll be able to simply develop the sound to different Final Ears Growth speakers (besides Wonderboom) utilizing the PartyUp characteristic. The IPX4 ranking means a number of spilled drinks received’t trouble it, but it surely’s not the best Bluetooth speaker selection for all-weather adventures.

Options: App connectivity with customized sound profiles, swappable battery | Battery life: As much as 40 hours | Assistant assist: None

The Soundboks Go is a superb speaker for those who’re trying for a portable Bluetooth choice that gives a giant sound for bigger areas, though it comes at a value. This unpretentious black rectangle is half the scale of its extra skilled sibling the Soundboks Gen 3. It packs one 10-inch woofer and a 1-inch domed tweeter, each powered by two 72W RMS amps for huge sound and chunky bass, even at a distance.

At 20 kilos, this get together speaker is pretty straightforward to lug round and appears in regards to the measurement of carry-on baggage. You may even get the non-obligatory shoulder strap, which helps for longer missions. It has a versatile TPE deal with on prime, silicone bumpers across the edges and ABS+Polycarbonate exterior and grill. The IP65 ranking additionally marks it as a resilient machine in most environments.

The sound makes a giant assertion right here. Output ranges are rated at as much as 121dB, with clear mids and highs projecting clearly throughout giant areas. The low finish additionally has a big presence at a distance, matching up with 40Hz frequency response. It is undoubtedly succesful sufficient to assist giant gatherings.

The speaker is simple to hook up with through Bluetooth and the accomplice app gives EQ customization, audio profiles and OTA firmware updates. There’s a solitary 3.5mm stereo enter on the Go, however its wi-fi growth shines, letting you join as much as 5 Soundboks Gen 3 or Go speakers on the contact of a button with its built-in SKAA wi-fi assist.

Lastly, the battery pack is detachable, swappable and likewise long-lasting for a speaker this measurement; at low to mid quantity, it’s rated at as much as 40 hours runtime. For transparency, Soundboks additionally lets you recognize to anticipate round 10 hours of play at full quantity. You can even run this whereas charging, however there are strict warnings about holding the quantity low whereas doing so (it’s not really useful except you are determined).