Even when better and much more mobile smart speakers have entered the universe, the Top Bluetooth speakers do have a niche. Bluetooth speakers increase portability, allowing them to be used outside and survive harsh environments. Hundreds of versions have been evaluated over the last few years, and we are happy to report that they are still among the best little devices available. From clip-ons to a giant boom box, these are our best portable speakers of all kinds and sizes.
Best Bluetooth Speakers
They include the following.
UE Boom 3
There really are bigger and badder Bluetooth speakers out there, but none compare to the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 in terms of enjoyment and ease. For its size, it produces some of the most pleasant, balanced sound.
The waterproof cylinder occurs in a number of colors, seems to last 15 hours between charges, and has a Bluetooth range of 100 feet. In addition, it comes with a two-year warranty.
Verdict: Best Overall
Sonos Roam
The larger Sonos Move is ideal if you want a speaker that you can use both indoors and outside. However, it’s not something you’d want to put in your backpack. This is where the Roam enters the picture. This little Sonos speaker has all of the same smarts as its bigger brothers, plus an IP67 dust- and water-resistant rating and a 10-hour listening period. It’s about the same size as a 16-ounce beer can and fits comfortably in cup holders and knapsacks.
Verdict: Best Smart
StormBox Tribit
Tribit is a brand you’ve probably never heard of, but its Bluetooth speakers sound a lot better than they would otherwise given the price. Our favorite variant is the StormBox. It comes in a 7-inch pill design with dual-firing drivers and passive radiators. It won’t be enough to start a trance dance party on its own, but its sound quality is outstanding.
It’s a fantastic companion for backyard tunes, a walk down the river, or other informal events, with a battery life of 20 hours or so and an IPX7 waterproof rating—which means it’s not dust-proof but can be submerged in water.
Verdict: Best Bargain
Sonos Move
The Sonos Move is a good choice if you really want a Bluetooth speaker that really can encompass any room (or terrace) but spends most of its time indoors. Sonos is the company that pioneered wireless multiroom speakers.
Its speakers work with Google Assistant or Alexa and connect to practically every streaming provider. They also sound great in every way. When you take the Move outside, it may be used as a Bluetooth speaker or to broadcast music over your Wi-Fi network.
It has a battery life of 11 hours and is splash-resistant. It also has a charging station for when you’re done having fun outside.
Verdict: This product is best suited for use at home.
UE Wonderboom 2
In 2017, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom won the WIRED Gear of the Year award. The Wonderboom 2 is much more impressive. The 4-inch pleasure ball now has an IP67 water and dust resistant rating. It has a 13-hour battery life (three more than previously), a 100-foot Bluetooth range, floats, and produces surprisingly powerful audio.
Verdict: Best for Water Slides
Clip 4 by JBL
We prefer the most recent JBL Clip model to its three predecessors. It’s about the size of a hockey puck, and it’s small enough to carry on practically any journey.
It’s waterproof and comes with a carabiner clip on the top so you can attach it to anything. It also has more options (volume, playback, Bluetooth, and power) than other mini speakers, and its sound is surprisingly powerful, making it ideal for hanging from packs or harnesses on weight-restricted adventures.
Verdict: For Adventure Time
Sony SRS-XB13
When riding to socially distant occasions, these Sony sub-$100 speakers have become a go-to. They fit flat in a bike basket thanks to a clever built-in strap and the fact that they sit flat.
They have a battery life of up to 16 hours, are dust and water resistant to IP67, and can even be linked together for stereo sound. They also come in a range of fun colors, including bright blue and pink, so you’ll never get lost in the crowd.
Verdict: Pocket Bass
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
The spherical, IP67-rated Bluetooth speaker from Bang & Olufsen costs $250. It also has one of the greatest sounds we’ve ever heard from a compact speaker. It rapidly became a favorite thanks to the supplied leather strap, great controls, and super-durable construction.
This is the little luxury option to beat if you’re ready to pay a lot more for the best of all portable worlds—looks included.
Verdict: Elegant Accessory
JBL Jr. Pop Speaker
Purchasing a Bluetooth speaker for your child under the age of ten may appear extravagant. However, you might want to have a look at JBL’s inexpensive and cute kid speaker.
It measures less than 4 inches in diameter, comes in a number of colors, and has a button strap for attaching it to a bag strap or a car seat. The multicolor flashing lights can be used as a nightlight for traveling as well as for relaxing bedtime meditations.
The sound is clean and not as robust as some of our other recommendations.
Verdict: Kid-Friendly
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar and Sub
This compact bar and subwoofer combo from Vizio is one of the best soundbars for the money, and if you’re weary of dealing with connections to and from your TV, it’ll do the trick. This Vizio doesn’t have a glamorous name, but it does include a Bluetooth connection, so you can quickly couple it with your TV and cell phone or tablet for streaming. With brushed aluminum accents and a simple rectangular subwoofer that might fit beneath your couch, it’s also nice on the eyes. Keep an eye on it because it goes in and out of stock frequently.
Verdict: For the Living Room
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few more excellent products that didn’t make the top list.
- The $399 DemerBox DB2: The DB2 is the ideal partner for your most daring outdoor experiences. It’s a powerful portable speaker with a 40-hour battery life.
- For $40, you can get the Oontz Angle 3 Speaker, which has thousands of great reviews on Amazon. It’s also quite good for a dirt-cheap Bluetooth speaker. Grab one of these if you just want something to sing along to in the shower.
- The Sony SRS-XG500 for $398: This is a very loud boom-box-shaped speaker with a battery life of up to 30 hours. It sounds and performs admirably.
