Portable Bluetooth speakers have become incredibly popular over the past decade thanks to their convenience, affordability and continually improving sound quality. Whether you want rich audio at the beach, your backyard or on the go, today‘s portable speakers deliver powerful audio performance rivaling much larger home stereo systems.
With so many options on the market from brands like Bose, JBL, Sonos and Ultimate Ears, it can be tricky choosing the right portable speaker for your needs. Key factors to consider are sound quality, battery life, wireless connectivity, durability, and of course, portability.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the most important features to look for and provide recommendations on the top portable Bluetooth speakers across various categories based on extensive hands-on testing and analysis.
How to Choose the Best Portable Speaker
There are a few key factors to evaluate when shopping for a portable wireless speaker:
Sound Quality – A speaker‘s frequency response, measured in Hz, indicates the range of tones and bass response it can reproduce. Most quality portable speakers today can hit 20Hz to 20kHz, covering the entire range of human hearing. Pay attention to the driver size as well – larger drivers move more air for richer sound.
Battery Life – Battery life can range wildly from 5 hours to over 30 hours for portable Bluetooth speakers. Consider how long you need it to last between charges based on your usage. Faster charging times are also desirable.
Wireless Connectivity – Bluetooth is the predominant wireless connectivity protocol for portable speakers. Bluetooth 5.0 offers faster pairing times and wider range up to 800ft compared to older versions. Some speakers also offer Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming over larger spaces and multi-room audio pairing.
Durability & Water Resistance – Pay attention to the ingress protection (IP) rating to gauge a speaker‘s durability against dust, dirt and moisture. IP67 is fully waterproof and dust-tight, ideal for outdoor use. Ruggedized design is also a plus for on-the-go use.
Portability – The most portable Bluetooth speakers weigh under 1lb and fit in the palm of your hand. Consider the form factor that works best – compact cubes and cylinders tend to throw sound evenly in all directions.
With those factors in mind, read on for our picks for the best portable Bluetooth speakers across various usage scenarios and price levels.
Best Overall: Sonos Roam
Key Features
- Seamless WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
- Automatic tuning adapts sound to surroundings
- 10 hour battery life
- Waterproof and dustproof (IP67 rated)
- Weighs under 1 lb (0.95lb)
For a balance of rich sound quality in a super-portable form factor, the Sonos Roam is our overall top pick. It‘s perfectly sized to throw in your backpack or purse, delivering impressively full audio from its mid-woofer and tweeter array.
The Roam shines through its connectivity, offering both bulletproof WiFi and Bluetooth pairing to everything from phones to laptops to tablets. Set it and forget it -audio automatically plays as you move in and out of range of your home WiFi.
Sound quality adapts on the fly to your environment thanks to Sonos‘ Automatic Trueplay Tuning technology. And with built-in mics, you can call on Alexa or Google Assistant to play music, set reminders, hear the news and more completely hands-free.
For less than $200, the Sonos Roam hits all the right notes for an exceptional all-around portable smart speaker.
Pros
- Rich, full-bodied sound for its size
- Flexible WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Voice assistant integration
- Auto-tuning sound
- Lightweight and durable build
Cons
- 10 hours battery life is decent but less than some competitors
- Lacks 3.5mm aux input
Best Budget: Anker Soundcore 3
Key Features:
- Big, bold bass performance
- 24 hour playtime
- IPX waterproof rating
- USB-C charging
- PartyCast allows pairing 100+ speakers
The Anker Soundcore 3 punches way above its $50 price point, churning out thumpy bass and crisp mids and highs. Dual passive subwoofers rumble as a titanium tweeter maintains clarity even at loud volumes.
Despite its budget price, the Soundcore 3 impresses through marathon battery life – almost a full day‘s worth of tunes with its 5200mAh li-ion battery. Its cylindrical design ensures omnidirectional sound dispersion whether partying or casually listening.
While it lacks the premium feel and connectivity of pricier picks, Anker packs shocking audio power into the Soundcore 3 given its ultra-affordable cost. There‘s simply no better value in portable Bluetooth speakers today.
Pros
- Huge bass for the price
- IPX7 water resistance rating
- 24 hours of battery life
- Solid connectivity and range
Cons
- Bulky, somewhat cheap feel
- Mids and highs not as clear at max volume
Most Durable: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
Key Features:
- Floatable, waterproof design (IP67 rated)
- 14 hour battery life
- Built-in loop for hanging or attaching
- Bold 360?? sound
- Durable fabric covering
As its name suggests, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 pumps out audio in every direction – perfect for pool parties and outdoor gatherings. Ultimate Ears specially tuned its 40Hz to 18kHz frequency response for big sound and solid bass performance.
We love the WONDERBOOM‘s whimsical, invincible design – it actually floats in water! The speaker exceeds IP67 standards for dustproofing and waterproofing, surviving submersion down to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Its durable fabric cover feels great and adds style.
Available in fun color combos like Joy (pictured), the Wonderboom 3 proves portable speakers can still look great while taking a beating. For $100, it strikes the ideal balance of resilient build quality and vibrant sound.
Pros
- Floatable/waterproof design is perfect for pool and beach days
- Punchy sound with emphasis on bass
- Built-in loop for easy hanging
- 14 hour battery life
Cons
- Mids and highs lose some clarity at higher volumes
- Connectivity limited to older Bluetooth 4.2
Best Sound Quality: Sonos Move
Key Features:
- Hi-fi tweeter & mid-woofer array
- Automatic Trueplay tuning
- 11 hour battery life
- Weatherproof, drop-resistant
- WiFi + Bluetooth connectivity
- Alexa built-in
Audiophiles rejoice – the Sonos Move brings legit hi-fi sound quality to the portable wireless speaker realm. Its downwards-firing tweeter and mid-woofer combo fill rooms with astonishingly rich, layered audio.
We love Sonos‘ proprietary Auto Trueplay technology that actively tunes audio output based on the speaker‘s positioning and environment. Enjoy optimized sound whether on a bookshelf or hanging outside on your patio.
The Move feels as good as it sounds – its sleek triangular design looks sharp in any space. An integrated handle makes it easy to move (get it?) throughout your living space or outside. Despite not having an official IP rating, Sonos reassures the Move withstands dust, moisture and drops thanks to its durable grille and enclosure.
Priced around $400, the Sonos Move sits at the higher end of pricing for portable speakers. But for outstanding Sonos quality in a battery-powered speaker that goes anywhere, it hits the mark on all fronts.
Pros
- Audiophile-quality sound
- Automatic tuning optimizes audio
- Eleven hours of battery life
- Rugged build quality
- Alexa built-in
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavier than ultra-portable speakers
Longest Battery Life: JBL Charge 5
Key Features:
- 20 hour battery life
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- PartyBoost mode pairs multiple speakers
- Built-in powerbank charges devices
- Punchy bass performance
JBL dominates the portable speaker scene largely through class-leading battery life. Case in point – the JBL Charge 5 keeps the good times rolling for a staggering 20 hours on a single charge.
The Charge 5 backs up its marathon battery specs with beefy bass response thanks to its racetrack-shaped driver and dual passive radiators. Crisp highs balance out the low end as its sound projects evenly in all directions.
This speaker lives up to its name by charging up your smartphone or tablet thanks to its built-in USB-A powerbank. Robust JBL Pro Sound maintains clarity even at louder volumes to power the perfect party.
For $180, the JBL Charge 5 sets the bar for portable endurance. Take it on hiking trails, beach days and camping trips without worrying about finding an outlet.
Pros
- 20 hour battery life is class-leading
- Powerbank functionality helps charge devices
- Punchy powerful audio
Cons
- Bulky, heavy feel
Most Portable: JBL Clip 4
Key Features:
- Ultra compact & lightweight (0.39lb)
- Integrated carabiner clip
- IP67 dustproof & waterproof
- 10 hour battery life
The JBL Clip 4 makes it super easy to throw great sound quality into your bag or backpack. It weighs less than half a pound and includes an integrated carabiner clip for latching onto belts, bags, bicycles – you name it.
Arguably the most portable speaker out there, the Clip 4 still pumps out a shocking amount of volume and bass response relative to its diminutive size. Crisp mids and highs keep audio sounding balanced even at louder levels.
You‘ll get a solid 10 hours of battery life – plenty for hiking trails, camping trips and outdoor excursions where portability matters above all. Add in an IP67 rating for waterproofing and dust resistance, and the Clip 4 is ready for adventure anywhere, anytime.
Pros
- Incredibly portable and lightweight
- 10 hour battery life
- IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating
- Integrated carabiner clip
Cons
- Can distort at max volumes
- Lacks extra features like voice assistant integration
What To Consider When Buying A Portable Speaker
Beyond the essential factors covered above like sound, battery life and connectivity – here are a few other things to keep in mind when shopping for portable Bluetooth speakers:
Extra Features – Consider any proprietary technologies like JBL‘s PartyBoost for pairing speakers or Sonos‘ Automatic Trueplay tuning. Also look for omni-directional speaker coverage for the widest sound dispersion, especially for portable outdoor use.
Smart Assistants – Many speakers now integrate virtual assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant. This allows convenient hands-free voice control of music playback as well as smart home device control.
Apps & EQs – Almost all speakers connect to proprietary apps that enable finer control of audio playback and access to EQ presets. This helps customize sound to your exact liking.
Form Factor – Portable speakers come in all shapes and sizes, even really out-there alien designs! Consider the form factor that fits your personality as well as usage – cylinders and cubes typically deliver the most even omnidirectional coverage.
Start Listening!
Hopefully this guide gave you a good overview of what to look for when shopping among the latest portable Bluetooth speakers. Key factors like audio performance, battery life, durability and connectivity determine whether a speaker best fits your intended usage.
We recommend the Sonos Roam as the best all-around portable speaker combining beautiful sound quality with the convenience of WiFi and Bluetooth support in an ultra-portable form factor. But check out all the options above to find your perfect audio companion, whatever your budget and preferences.
Happy listening! Let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
