Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Music Anytime, Anywhere

Review & Comparison, Last Update September 26, 2024
Loud, high-quality music wherever and whenever is a reality with a good Bluetooth speaker. This tiny device can deliver you crisp and clear sound that will be full of detail and bass. But best of all, it requires no fuss with wiring! Thus, you can always take it with you and enjoy your favorite tracks on-the-go. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
INTERFACES
POWER
OPERATION TIME
SIZE
EXTRA FEATURES
WARRANTY
 
PROS

The free Bose Connect app can unlock the full potential of the speaker. For example, it allows you to disable/enable voice prompts, check the battery level or activate an auto shut-off function. 

CONS

The instructions aren't very clear. 

OUR VERDICT

This portable Bose speaker deftly combines a compact design and decent sound quality. The initial setup is a simple and straightforward process. Plus, the speaker can remember up to 8 previously-connected devices. Great choice for those who want a high-quality, smart product from the world's leading manufacturer.

detailed parameters
INTERFACES

Bluetooth, 3.5-mm auxiliary input, MicroUSB port

POWER

Not specified

OPERATION TIME

8 hours

SIZE

5.25" x 5" x 2.25" 

EXTRA FEATURES

Water-resistant, Mic, Siri or Google Now control, Bose Connect app

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

AmazonThis ultra-portable speaker includes a clip that allows you to attach it to anything, even to your clothes. You can bring your music with you anywhere and entertain a crowd. 

CONS

Can be difficult to pair via Bluetooth.

OUR VERDICT

This super-small portable speaker has surprisingly good sound quality, and the connectivity features allow it to pair up with multiple other JBL speakers to provide a truly immersive audio experience, no matter your location or the weather conditions.

detailed parameters
INTERFACES

Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5-mm audio cable

POWER

3W

OPERATION TIME

12 hours

SIZE

3.7" x 1.65" x 5.55"

EXTRA FEATURES

Integrated audio cable, Waterproof housing, USB charging, Speakerphone, Clip, JBL Connect+

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The speaker produces smooth sound even when cranked to maximum volume. And you'll notice no distortion at the highest volumes. The quality of the sound at all levels is exceptional.

CONS

The silicone cap is too tight.

OUR VERDICT

This Tribit XSound Go is a stellar speaker for the moderate price and tiny size. We dare say it even has a better sonic spectrum, longer battery life, and greater functionality than some "big name" brands. The unit weighs only 13oz and is easy to carry with you.

detailed parameters
INTERFACES

Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5 mm auxiliary input, MicroUSB port for charging

POWER

2 x 6 W

OPERATION TIME

24 hours

SIZE

2.2" x 6.7" x 2.3"

EXTRA FEATURES

IPX7 Waterproof, Built-in Mic, Black lanyard, works with Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot

WARRANTY

18-month replacement warranty

PROS

The shape of this Bluetooth shower speaker is designed to carry it around with no problems. It will fit perfectly in your car's cup holder.

CONS

No buttons to skip forward/backward.

OUR VERDICT

You will hardly find a better waterproof Bluetooth speaker in this price range. In addition to a stylish design, it has two speakers inside. A perfect choice for those who like it loud. It's truly one of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers.

detailed parameters
INTERFACES

Bluetooth, MicroUSB port, 3.5-mm aux input

POWER

10 W

OPERATION TIME

7 hours

SIZE

5.25" x 2.6" x 2.8"

EXTRA FEATURES

IPX5 water protection, Mic, Horizontal or vertical placing

WARRANTY

90-day limited warranty

PROS

Anker's exclusive, long-life battery technology provides users with up to 24 hours of non-stop music playback.

CONS

The control buttons aren't very ergonomic. 

OUR VERDICT

This Anker speaker boasts a solid construction and crystal clear sound. For its low price tag, it's a fantastic speaker to use on-the-go or in any mid-sized room. A perfect solution to make your household chores much more fun.

detailed parameters
INTERFACES

Bluetooth, MicroUSB port for charging

POWER

2 x 3 W

OPERATION TIME

24 hours

SIZE

2.1" x 6.5" x 1.8"

EXTRA FEATURES

IPX5 water protection, Mic, Alexa devices compatible

WARRANTY

18 months

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Bose SoundLink

Bold Sound in a Mini Speaker

The Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker II is a great speaker with a clear and high-quality sound that wraps you around for an immersive audio experience. The sound is always full of detail and bass. And unlike most other speakers from different brands, this one really shines when there's some distance between it and listeners, since the Bose SoundLink speaker II uses the acoustics of a room to the fullest. The loud sound the speaker provides is enough for use even with a laptop computer. And you can either connect it via Bluetooth or use a standard 3.5-mm audio cable instead. For accessing digital assistants such as Siri or Google Now, the speaker has a built-in mic.

The initial setup is almost effortless. It immediately connects to any phone without tons of false messages. Plus, it can instantly pair with NFC devices. And the helpful voice prompts will tell you what device you’re linked to. We would like to note that the speaker comes with a charging cable only - the power block isn't included in the package. However, even if you don't have a power block, you can charge it from a computer or power bank and use on-the-go. The battery life is reasonably good - you can listen to music continuously for up to 8 hours. And each time you turn the speaker on, the battery indicator shows the charge level for two seconds and the voice prompt announces "Battery High" or "Battery Medium" so that you know how much charge remains. This way, the things will never go silent anymore.

The overall look of the speaker speaks that it's a luxury product. It's made of durable materials and designed in rounded, compact shape to fit into a bag or backpack. It has an IPX4 water-resistant mark and isn't afraid of rain or splashes. No matter whether you're caught in a storm or just listening to music near the pool, it won't be a problem for the Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker II. The texture of the speaker is great to the touch - it feels very comfortable in hands and is easy to grip. So, if you need a high-quality speaker from the renowned manufacturer, which can keep water away and the music flowing for long hours, this is your choice.

Review of Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker

Bose Connect Application

Bose offers its own app that will really make the difference. It allows you to easily connect and switch between your devices with a single swipe. An intuitive interface not only makes connecting much simpler but also lets you personalize your settings. It allows you to customize such settings as voice prompt language, disable/enable voice prompts, disable/enable an auto-off function, and keep the speaker up-to-date with the latest software.

Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $129.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01HETFQKS

 

JBL Clip 2

Ultra Portable

When most people think of portable music, they think of listening to tunes on their smartphone or MP3 player while using headphones. This is great for when you are by yourself, just wanting to hear your own favorite songs, but it is less than helpful when there is a group of people with you who want to be entertained. The loudspeaker on most portable devices is severely lacking in loudness and sound quality, so the perfect solution is a good portable Bluetooth speaker. However, many of them don't allow you to easily carry them with you.

The JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect remedy for such situations, Featuring a clip that allows you to attach it to virtually anything, even your clothes, this ultra portable speaker can go with you almost anywhere, without the need for taking any special precautions. Just clip it on to your shirt or belt, pair it with your phone, and you can turn yourself into the ultimate walking DJ. The waterproof enclosure ensures that it can safely play music in most weather conditions, even while raining, and you can even take it into the pool with you. This adds a level of flexibility to this speaker that just can't be matched by most other models.

Review of JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Classic Design

The portable nature of this JBL small Bluetooth speaker coupled with the waterproof enclosure is enough to catch the attention of most people, but the extra features it includes will definitely make this an attractive option. Featuring the JBL Connect+ technology, this speaker can be paired into a network with other JBL Bluetooth speakers to help give a surround sound experience. Even so, just by itself, this speaker provides surprisingly loud and clear audio, without distortion even at the highest volume setting. For those who don't have a Bluetooth-enabled device, this speaker also includes a 3.5 mm audio cable to allow it to play audio from almost any device.

The features don't stop here, of course. This model also includes speakerphone capability, allowing the user to answer a call with the touch of a button, and the built-in microphone provides crystal clear voice quality. The lithium-ion battery provides up to 8 hours of continuous audio playback, which is perfect for long outings away from an electrical outlet. Even when it needs to be charged, it charges quickly and can still play audio simultaneously. For anyone who wants an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker, this model will be a great fit.

JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $52.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01F24RELQ

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

The battery life is pretty impressive for the size of the device and the amount of volume it puts out.

Size & Weight

The sound quality is much more than I expected from a speaker that size. I’m excited to put this baby to use while.

Features

It's truly waterproof, so I don't have to worry about it getting wet in the Seattle rain or the shower, and it's rugged as hell.

Interfaces

The carabiner clip and the built-in aux cord make this speaker all the more convenient!
 

Tribit BTS20

Great Value

This Tribit XSound Go is a stellar speaker for the moderate price and tiny size. We dare say it even has a better sonic spectrum, longer battery life, and greater functionality than some "big name" brands. It gives you a rich audio experience that simply can't be touched by most other models out there.

To begin with, the Tribit XSound Go can boom sound like no other speaker of its size, so don't let its compact dimensions fool you. Two 6W high-performance drivers and a high-quality passive bass radiator deliver clear highs, crisp mids, and detailed vocals. Bass is also very nicely balanced according to the volume levels. That is to say, your music will be smooth even when cranked to maximum volume. And you'll notice no distortion at the highest volumes. The quality of the sound at all levels is exceptional.

On top of that, you can even amplify the sound using any Alexa-enabled device. The XSound Go speaker works great with Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot, so if you live in a smart house, this will be a great addition to it.

The model boasts the latest Bluetooth 4.2 technology and can wirelessly connect to devices up to 66 feet away. Pairing is very simple - you just need to enter your device's Bluetooth settings and click on "Tribit XSound Go". However, if you'd like to pair the speaker with non-Bluetooth devices, you can use the standard 3.5mm cable (not included in the box).

Review of Tribit BTS20 XSound Go Bluetooth Speakers

Stable and Strong

Designed to pump out music even in extreme weather conditions, the Tribit XSound Go speaker is very stoutly-built. It's completely waterproof, meaning it can keep on kicking even when wet. So, you can listen to your favorite tracks in any environment, be it your shower, pool, or beach. And if you worry about scratches from sand, you can rest assured knowing that the speaker is dustproof and extremely durable. A tough exterior coating and solid frame protect the casing from the elements. With this, the extended playback time of 24 hours allows you to use this speaker for a whole day before you need to recharge it.

Lastly, the unit weighs only 13oz and is easy to carry with you. Just throw it into your backpack and enjoy a full day of audio ecstasy. It will take any genre of music to the next level and make any event more fun, no matter the weather.

Tribit BTS20 XSound Go Bluetooth Speakers in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $36.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07594HZ6Y

VIDEO
Tribit BTS20 XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker
 

Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3

Quite Some Power in a Compact Body

For a 10W device, we'd say this OontZ Angle 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is remarkably compact. It will fit into your car's cup holder during a trip and will as well comfortably sit on a shelf in your bathroom when you are at home. The longish casing makes it stand out among all the competitors. It contains two speakers covered with a metal mesh that protects them excellently. It has no square edges, so it's an excellent option for traveling and hiking. It boasts IPX5 water resistance class, so it's completely rainproof, splashproof, dustproof, and sandproof. By the way, it's very light (less than 10 ounces) and easy to fit in a bag or backpack.

Once you turn the speakers on you will be surprised, in a very good way. The passive built-in subwoofer makes the low-frequency sound voluminous and the bass clear and beautiful. You will be able to even watch movies with a speaker like this one. And all this power is backed up by a 2200 mAh battery that takes just a couple of hours to charge and works up to incredible 12 hours at 2/3 volume after that. That's almost a whole day without a stop.

Review of Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Music is a Tap Away

We hate all the lengthy, hard-to-read manuals with lots of engineering information some manufacturers add to their devices. What about you? Well, there are cases when it is a necessary addition, true, but a small portable shower speaker is hardly one of them, right? Cambridge SoundWorks agrees with us on this. The control over the speaker could not be simpler and more intuitive. The designers of Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker took care of it perfectly. You can set this powerful Bluetooth speaker horizontally or vertically depending on your preferences and the availability of free space. The control buttons are located on the triangular lateral panel (if you look at a horizontally placed speaker). You will find the volume controls, the Play/Pause button, and a special Bluetooth connection button there. Not too fancy, but all the main features are present. The aligning of devices via Bluetooth takes mere seconds, completed in a blink of an eye. No more boring manuals, it's easy as a tap. So, if you need a super simple device, the Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3 portable Bluetooth shower speaker can be the best bet.

Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $25.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B013TL8CNS

VIDEO
Oontz Angle Plus Review (Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker) with Sound Test

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Ok even to watch movies from across the room, nicely splash proof, bluetooth connected right away.

Features

Good quality, easy to use, sounds great, unfortunately there is no way to skip songs on there, theres only volume control and a play/pause.

Audio

The audio and volume are very good ..

Power

Great little speaker, good battery life.
 

Anker A3102011

Grab, Go, and Listen

Anker carries the brand name lots of Americans trust, and this is another excellent product from this company. The Anker A3102011 is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers under $50, which delivers a rather good sound quality for its price. Of course, it couldn't be compared to Bose or other expensive speakers, but for most listening needs, it's just perfect. Dual full-range drivers, a patented bass port, and a fine-tuned Digital Signal Processor produce high-quality stereo with clear highs, mids, and lows even at full volume. The sound coming out of this Anker SoundCore speaker is really well-balanced and quite loud for such a small body. The slight drawback is that it lacks bass a bit.

The speaker fills medium-sized rooms nicely and is good for taking from room to room when cleaning, for example. It's also great for watching movies on a smartphone or tablet, as its volume level and clarity beat any gadget by a long shot. Many customers also use the speaker during trips, since they consider that it's fun to have something to play tunes while getting ready in the mornings. It's very small and light, so you'll be able to easily tuck it right in your carry-on bag.

The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0 technology that ensures instant pairing and can maintain a strong connection up to 66 feet. Pairing with your electronic device is very straightforward - just 3 simple steps and you're connected. All the control buttons are large and well marked, thus, they are very easy to push and read even though they are of the same color as the case. Overall, the speaker has a solid construction and rubberized coating that ensures a good grip. For the money, it's a fantastic speaker to use on-the-go or in any mid-sized room.

Review of Anker A3102011

Incredible Battery Life

This Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker incorporates Anker’s power management technology with a high-efficiency Li-ion battery to keep your music tracks playing for up to incredible 24 hours without a recharge. That's almost a week's worth of playtime if you use the speaker about 3-4 hours a day. To save power, the Anker speaker is equipped with an auto-off function that turns off the unit when it's not in use.

Anker A3102011 in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $27.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B016XTADG2

 

What Is a Bluetooth Speaker?

Want to keep the high-quality sound flowing wherever and whenever? If so, a Bluetooth portable speaker is a way out. It's compact in size and it pairs wirelessly to any mobile device using Bluetooth connectivity. Of course, compared to wired speakers, the quality of the sound Bluetooth speakers produce isn't that high. However, they are much more portable, space-saving, and easier to use. You'll be no longer tied to cables and wiring - with a press of a single button, a Bluetooth speaker will automatically find your phone and synchronize with it. And to make pairing even simpler, many speakers now incorporate an advanced way of wireless data transfer called NFC, which allows you to just tap and go. Bluetooth portable speakers will come in especially handy when you plan a trip to the beach, pool or picnic and want to have music around.

You may also be interested in buying a set of wireless headphones or earbuds that will allow you to enjoy your music from the speaker even in crowded places without bothering people around.

What Features to Compare

Performance

First of all, we recommend you to consider the power of Bluetooth speakers, as the loudness and sound quality mostly depend on it. The simplest and most affordable speakers usually have 3-Watt performance which is enough to deliver good yet not very loud sound. And if you like to listen to music at high volumes, you should look for 10-20 Watt speakers. They are loud enough for use at the beach or by the pool. Also, you should check the duration of their operation. Average operation time for Bluetooth speakers makes from 6 to 12 hours, but you can also find models that can last up to incredible 24 hours on a single charge.

Interface

Nowadays, portable Bluetooth speakers can be linked to any mobile device within a 33-foot range. They typically feature the Bluetooth 4.0 version set by a manufacturer. But some advanced models come with Bluetooth 4.2 technology and can be synchronized with your gadgets being 66 feet away from them. Besides standard Bluetooth connection, most hi-tech speakers boast a high-speed NFC protocol and they can be paired with mobile devices simply by touching them. Also, the majority of speakers have an AUX input port allowing you to connect them to non-Bluetooth devices directly via the AUX cable.

Design

Needless to say, design plays a very important role. Depending on where and how you're going to use a speaker, you should consider some design characteristics. For example, if you're planning to attach a speaker to the handlebar of your bike or to your backpack, we recommend you to consider models with a special loop for clipping. Size is also of great importance. If you need a speaker to use in a room, patio, or by the pool, the size doesn't matter that much. But if you want to take a speaker on hiking trips, for example, you should follow the rule "the smaller, the better". And if you're going to use it on the beach or in the shower, check the water resistance level of the chosen model. A built-in microphone is another handy option allowing you to make/take hands-free calls directly from your speaker. This feature is very useful when your hands are wet or dirty, for instance.

Did you know?

The noise level of common sounds

Have you ever wondered what noise level in dB sounds around us range? You might be surprised by the results you’ll find out from the following list:

  • A healthy hearing threshold makes 0 dB.

  • A needle dropping is 5 dB.

  • The noise in a room without people makes only 10 dB.

  • Breathing as well as rustling leaves produce 20 dB.

  • Whisper is somewhere between 25-30 dB.

  • A working computer makes approximately 40 dB, while refrigerator produces 50 dB. And the average distraction point for concentration also makes about 40-50 dB.

  • Conversational speech or working air conditioner produces 60 dB.

  • Shower or dishwasher is 70 dB.

  • Vacuum cleaner emits 75 dB. We would like to note that upper 70s are already annoyingly loud to some people.

  • Alarm clock or highway traffic is 80 dB. This noise level can bring possible damage to your hearing if you’re exposed to such noise for more than 8 hours.

  • A lawn mower makes overly loud 90 dB.

  • Boeing 737 at one nautical mile before landing make somewhere about 95 dB. It’s a dangerous noise level.

  • A motorcycle or working handheld drill produces 100 dB.

  • Most sports events make about 110 dB. This sound is already painful for human ears.

  • Thunderclap or chainsaw make 120 dB. This noise level is 32 times as loud as safe 70 dB.

  • A Jet launch is 180 dB. It’s a critical level that can cause eardrum rupture.

If you need more information, you can check this decibel level chart.

Are speakers really dangerous?

You’ve probably heard that listening to loud music can lead to hearing loss. That’s why some people even consider that going to rock or pop concerts may be harmful, but that’s not the case. Loud music at a concert might cause just temporary hearing loss. It can’t become the reason for permanent damage. Usually, any rock concert is somewhere about 140 dB and you might experience brief discomfort even if you’re standing far away from the speakers. Actually, the continuous exposure to speakers at 90-100 dB is much more dangerous, as it might cause progressive hearing loss. So, we highly recommend you to use even mini speakers wisely.

How speakers work

Inside the speakers, there is a cone, an electromagnet (a metal coil), and a permanent magnet. A metal coil creates a magnetic field as an electric current comes through it and translates this electrical signal into an audible sound. The metal coil is situated in front of the magnet which is firmly fixed, unlike the electromagnet. And the direction of the magnetic field is constantly changed and repelled from the magnet, thus, creating vibration. The electromagnet is attached to a cone that amplifies these vibrations to bring you pumping sound waves.

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Publish Date: 2018-06-22 13:51:54