The 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers for Every Occasion

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With the ability to connect wirelessly to your phone or other device, Bluetooth speakers offer lots of flexibility and the ability to take them just about anywhere. They allow you to play music at the beach, listen to your favorite podcast on the patio, or otherwise share tunes outdoors with friends. In recent years, technology has improved enough that even the smallest and lightest models can pump out quality audio, last all day on a single charge, and are able to withstand accidental drops or water exposure.

Not every Bluetooth speaker is designed to be tossed into a backpack and taken with you, however. Some are larger and meant to stay put indoors, for the most part. Combine all the sizes and features available with a plethora of styles, shapes, and colors from which to choose, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. Our buying guide will help you understand what to look for in a Bluetooth speaker, plus we share our top ten recommendations for any of your wants and needs.

The Best Bluetooth Speakers

What to Consider

If your goal is to have music on the go, just about any of these Bluetooth speakers will deliver. But every model is more nuanced than it appears, and unless you know what to look for, you might let aesthetics guide your decision. Here are some specifications to consider before you buy:

Sound Quality

This is the speaker’s ability to successfully deliver bass, treble, and midrange for various types of audio content. Although any portable speaker will be superior to your phone speaker, the best, deepest, and fullest sound will come from speakers with larger drivers. A larger driver usually equates to a larger speaker.

Connectivity

All of these options have Bluetooth connectivity, but keep in mind that some perform better than others. Bluetooth 5.0, 5.1, or 5.2 with NFC pairing provide the most reliable wireless connection and range. Some also allow for Wi-Fi connectivity or a USB port for a wired connection in the case your Bluetooth fails.

Design and Durability

The shape and appearance of a speaker might be of the utmost importance to you if you want a contemporary design that looks good on a shelf, but the more critical question is how durable it is for how and where you plan to use it.

An ingress protection (IP) rating, such as IP54, can tell you how protected your speaker is from the elements. The first number refers to solids like sand and dirt (the highest number being 6, or completely protected from anything getting in), and the second refers to liquids, like raindrops and water (the highest being 8, or completely protected against submersion deeper than one meter for long periods).

If you see an X in place of a number, it means the speaker has not been rated, and you should assume there’s little to no protection. If you plan to use your speaker at the beach, where you’ll be surrounded by sand and water, look for one with a high IP rating, such as IP67.

Battery Life

For most users, battery life isn’t the most important feature, especially if you’re somewhere near a power source. But if you plan to take yourself and your speaker off the grid for a few days, you want one that will last the journey. Most speakers will provide you with at least 10 hours of listening on a single charge, but some last a lot longer. The Anker Soundcore on our list will have keep the party going for 24 hours, and the incredibly stylish Bang & Olufsen can go as long as 43 hours with the volume on low.

How We Selected

To determine the best Bluetooth speakers, we researched 10 expert sources such as PC Mag, Tech Radar, and CNET, as well as consulted the reviews and test results from senior technology editor Stefan Vazharov at our sibling site, Best Products. We considered specifications like battery life, waterproof rating, connectivity options besides Bluetooth, weight, and general portability. These picks have also been vetted by consumer reviews at retail sites like Amazon and Walmart to ensure their ease of use, sound performance, and durability.

For more great speakers, check out our picks for best Alexa speakers, smart speakers, and computer speakers.

SRS-XB33 Bluetooth Speaker

Best Products praised the Sony SRS-XB33 for its “cool design with a fabric finish, an insanely tough build, top-tier audio performance, and long battery life.”

We like that its versatile design can be placed horizontally or vertically and produce great sound either way. Perhaps most importantly, this model boasts Bluetooth 5.0 with NFC pairing for easy connectivity, and with the long 24-hour battery life and USB port, you can even use it as a battery pack.

In addition to its great price tag for all of these features, it comes with Sony’s Music Center app to customize the sound and built-in lighting, if you want to set the mood with party or strobe lights.

Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker

Any audiophile will know that a sub-$50 speaker won’t cut it for top sound quality, but we can’t fail to mention this super inexpensive option that still offers decent quality for those on a budget.

Anker is known for making affordable yet effective speakers and earbuds, and their base Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is no exception at just under $30. For that price, you still get an impressive full day’s battery life, water- and drop-proofing, and a built-in mic to connect with a voice assistant.

Clip 4 Portable Speaker

The JBL Clip 4 isn’t the most powerful speaker on our list, but it is certainly one of the most portable. An integrated clip lets you attach it to pretty much anything—a backpack while hiking, a belt loop while walking, or your chair at the beach. No worries, either, if a rogue rain or windstorm catches you by surprise; the Clip 4 is dust- and waterproof.

Aside from the built-in clip, other notable updates from previous generations are a sturdier exterior, which makes the speaker slightly heavier, and improved audio, which is pretty impressive considering this speaker’s size.

One charge lasts up to 10 hours, and the speaker comes in six cool colors, such as pink and camo.

Stockwell II Bluetooth Speaker

Marshall’s speakers have a timeless style, inspired by the brand’s guitar amps, with the same Marshall logo on the front grille and analog knobs to adjust volume, bass, and treble. As a result, this model is great if you want a custom sound. Regardless, you’ll get immersive audio thanks to the powerful subwoofer. Not to mention, this model is portable with its built-in carrying strap.

Wonderboom 2 Portable Speaker

One of the best small Bluetooth speakers, the Wonderboom 2 Mini is encased in a fully waterproof, rugged shell that can also float. The speaker projects 360-degree sound, which can be controlled with large volume buttons and a boost button to increase volume and clarity when outdoors.

We especially like the thoughtful touch of the built-in hang loop on this speaker, so you can easily bring this speaker will you on your travels to hang on a backpack, your handlebar, or at your campsite.

Portable Smart Speaker

Bose has long been a leader in the audio world, and it has delivered on this portable speaker. At 7.5 inches tall, this sleek speaker isn’t as easy to throw into a backpack like most, but a handle at the top does make toting it from one spot to another more convenient. This is the first outdoor speaker in Bose’s product lineup—go ahead and move it from inside to poolside; it’s drop- and water-resistant.

It’s also smart—compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa—so it’ll respond to voice commands while you’re sipping a drink on your inflatable pool lounger.

Like most smaller speakers, its bass is a bit lacking, but overall the sound quality is crisp, clean, and everything you would expect from a Bose product.

Beosound A1Bluetooth Speaker

Spending a lot on a speaker that’s barely 2 inches high might be hard to justify. But you likely won’t be disappointed by the Beosound A1.

Consider its 18 hours of battery life (up to 43 at low volume); sleek, modern design; and IP67 rating, which means it’s fully dust- and waterproof. And despite its compact size, the A1 can go full volume without distorting the sound. The domed design blasts an even 360 degrees of music.

It also has three microphones, built-in Alexa voice assistant, and Wake Word assist that works up to 3 hours after the device has been turned off.

Soundcore Motion Boom Speaker

If you grew up lugging a boombox around—and, consequently, blazing through hundreds of dollars in D batteries—your experience with portable music started long before Bluetooth speakers existed. Long and rectangular in shape, and with a beefy handle for easy grip, the Motion Boom is a nostalgic reinvention of the boombox from your youth.

And get this: If you drop it in water, all is not lost. Credit the waterproof and floating design. Battery life is an impressive 24 hours, and Anker’s PowerIQ technology lets you charge your phone while you’re listening to music.

Overall, this is a great value, though the sound can get grating while indoors at higher volumes.

Boom 3 Portable Speaker

Another great 360-degree portable Bluetooth speaker by Ultimate Ears, the Boom 3 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a speaker to use at the pool—whether lounging on the sidelines or floating on the water. It’s not only fully waterproof with the ability to be submerged up to 1 meter, but also floats.

The Boom is larger than the Wonderboom 2, yet it still weighs under two pounds and has a slightly longer battery life at 15 hours. Plus, we can’t fail to mention the eye-catching color options you can choose from.

Pulse 4 Bluetooth Speaker

The JBL Pulse 4 is entertaining in more ways than one: Not only does it provide excellent 360-degree sound, but it can also deliver a light show thanks to its 360-degree LEDs, which you can customize in JBL’s app.

The battery life isn’t best in class, but the 12 hours of power can certainly last through your parties. The IPX7 rating means it can be submerged in water, so it’ll surely hold up to whatever your get-togethers throw at it.

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