How many times have you turned to a friend (or even just to yourself) that you wished you had a portable speaker? (Same here, honestly.)
Whether you’re entertaining in your backyard, hanging in a park, hiking, or even traveling to a new place (like renting an AirBnb in a far-off locale), portable speakers are handy additions to any leisure activity.
If you’re eager to play music or stream podcasts on the go, it pays to invest in one of these gadgets that’ll last you for years to come. Now, before you mosey on over to a real-time Google search to look for the latest and greatest portable speakers available.
Why should you invest in a portable speaker?
To begin, portable speakers are convenient. You can stream audio from a smartphone or tablet quickly and easily. They provide flexibility and mobility, letting you bring your entertainment with you wherever you go without the need for headphones (or giving you the ability for shared listening amongst friends and loved ones).
The second reason to invest in a portable speaker is for an enhanced listening experience. If you’re streaming audio outside (or in an indoors space, even your own home), portable speakers will give a superior sound quality compared to smartphone or built-in computer speakers. And with this device, you can jam out to richer, fuller sound instantly.
What should you look for in a portable speaker?
Now, if you’re looking for good value and longevity in a portable speaker, there’s a few things to keep in mind.
When shopping for portable speakers, here are five features to consider:
- Price: This is the kick off point—define a budget and look for products within that range. Later on in this article we’ll review portable speakers that range in prices of $500, $400, $300, $200, and $100.
- Sound Quality: Look for speakers that offer clear, balanced sound with good bass response. Consider the speaker's wattage, drivers, and frequency response range to ensure high-quality audio performance.
- Portability: Opt for a speaker that is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. Consider factors such as size, weight, and durability, especially if you plan to use the speaker for outdoor activities or travel.
- Connectivity Options: Choose a speaker with versatile connectivity options such as Bluetooth, AUX-in, or USB ports. Bluetooth speakers allow wireless streaming from your smartphone or other devices, while AUX-in and USB ports provide alternative connection methods.
- Battery Life: Check the speaker's battery life to ensure it can last long enough for your needs. Consider factors such as battery capacity, playback time on a single charge, and charging options (aka, USB charging, built-in rechargeable battery).
You might be scratching your head, wondering why IP ratings aren’t on this list. If you want a waterproof speaker, peruse this product round up right here.
Ready? Check out our five best picks for portable speakers, for any budget.
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Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore Portable Speaker & Beosound A1
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore Portable Speaker & Beosound A1
Looking for a luxury speaker that doesn’t take up a lot of space? We got you covered with Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound portable speaker set. This set of two speakers might be at the top end of most budgets, but it offers a lot of bang for your buck. The Beosound includes a leather strap (which can clip onto a bag), clever controls, and a remarkably durable construction; it swiftly earns its place as a premium choice. And the waterproof A1 is a travel-friendly speaker that’s ideal for a stylish life on the go. For those ready to invest in the ultimate portable experience—style and audio quality included—look no further than this premier luxury option.
Customer Review |“This lasts a long time on one charge. We love it! Very portable, durable and sleek. Easy to toss into a satchel or travel bag when on the go.” - Norwegian Carpenter
Sound quality, compact size, battery life
Price, mixed reviews on bass
Ready to bring the party with you wherever you go? Then you’ll need the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom portable speaker. Designed to play continuously with 24 hours of battery life, this speaker is ideal for group hangs and gatherings. With loud and pristine bass, you can play from four different devices via these speakers (which are loaded with an intelligent algorithm that can sense where the speakers are placed). As for the sound, the audio is enriched with adaptive EQ which yields a perfect pitch. Plus, keep gatherings light and easy—and with good tunes—with the speaker’s Boom app with personalized controls and features like Remote On/Off, PartyUp, Customizable EQ, One Touch to Your Playlist, and more.
Customer Review |“Quality of sound is soooooo good. I just love it. Even my family and friends agree, this is the best portable, battery powered speaker they have ever listened to. Clean clear highs, really good base with no distortion. Plays really loud too. So far I've used it only in the house but I'm planning to use it poolside this summer. Well worth the price which has recently dropped so audiophiles, heads up on a great battery powered speaker! Just pull the trigger and you won't be disappointed.” - D. Dorsey
Sound quality, performance, battery life
Larger-sized portable speaker
If you love the idea of the previous Ultimate Ears speaker but want something smaller, then consider this model. The Epicboom portable speaker is medium-sized and smaller compared to its Epicboom counterpart, plus it’s still ideal for sound in groups big and small. Easy to transport or toss in a bag, it can connect with other Ultimate Ears products, toggle sound and music via the Boom app. Enjoy the same crystal clear audio experience, just at a smaller size (and a shorter battery life).
Customer Review | “I previously owned the Ultimate Ears speaker and I loved it. The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 exceeded my expectations! Its powerful 360-degree sound delivers crisp highs and deep bass, creating an immersive listening experience. The durable design is perfect for outdoor adventures, and the waterproof feature is a game-changer. The long battery life keeps the party going, and the one-touch controls make it easy to use. The portability and impressive sound quality make it a must-have for music enthusiasts. If you're looking for something slightly more portable and just as impressive, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is the choice, but you can't go wrong with this one either.” - JD
Sound quality, portability
Battery life is shorter than other products
Music fans, dig this. The Marshall Stockwell II portable speaker is ready for any gig, party, or meet up with its 360-degree sound via True Stereophonic functionality which is a unique multi-directional sound. A plush leather strap makes it easy to carry and transport plus the Bluetooth 5.0 technology makes it easy to queue up music from any Bluetooth device within 30 feet of the speaker. With a front-facing woofer, easy volume, bass, and treble knobs, and battery indicator, this speaker is a solid option.
Customer Review | “Sound quality is the best in its class. This speaker has lots of depth and is rich, immersive and crystal clear. I find that when I listen to this speaker about a foot or two away on my desk, it sounds so, so rich - especially with low-fi songs. The 360-sound effect creates a very immersive stereo effect. You learn to appreciate and notice it with more usage. Overall, I enjoy how this speaker sounds with most genres - especially genres with clear instrumentals and vocals. This is clearly not a giant bass monster due to its size, but the depth and richness in the bass is surprising, especially when set up about a foot away from a wall. Overall, I would give the sound quality a 10/10 compared to the many other speakers I have tested in the past. It's also really tiny which makes it more adorable and portable. Perfect for picnics.” - Julian
Impressive sound
Some reported connection issues
Spoiler alert: I own this portable speaker. And to be honest, I'm really pleased with the JBL Flip 5 as it’s highly portable (fits in my beach tote easily or a backpack). My husband and I have even packed it in a suitcase for trips away and it’s been a solid travel companion. The JBL Flip 5 has a powerful sound, I often use it for entertaining even though I do have a stereo and speaker setup in my apartment. It’s wireless, connects via Bluetooth, and comes with impressive sound and volume for a small device. While this speaker has the shortest battery life in the round up, it charges up quickly via USB plugin.
Customer Review |“This little JBL speaker delivers a sound that punches way above its size! This tiny little speaker is waterproof so it's perfect for the kitchen or outdoor activities. The speaker is tiny so it's easily portable, but the sound is clear and bright, with a bass that is punchy but not rattly! The USB-C charging is great since we can charge it with our cell phone or laptop charger and don't require a proprietary charging cable. The Bluetooth connection paired the first time to our cell phone, and continues to connect upon power on without any issues, or drops.” - Michael S.
Value, sound quality, portability
Shorter battery life
