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Music on the go can turn an ordinary day into a party, an outdoor movie into an experience, or a shower into your personal stage. Sharing your playlist for dancing or ambiance around a campfire is easier with a durable, portable Bluetooth speaker.
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the best speaker for most people. It sounds clear and immersive, whether we're listening to music or podcasts, and comes in a lightweight, compact package that can be taken anywhere.
For party-goers, the Bose SoundLink Max gets loud. It produces room-filling, refined sound that's well balanced from the highs to the lows and sounds great no matter what we play. If you really want to bump up the bass, the JBL Boombox 4 gets boomy enough to blow our hair back, with deep, rumbling lows that we can feel in our chests.
For those on a budget, the Soundcore Select 4 Go is a reasonably priced, drop-proof, and water-resistant speaker that sounds good for casual listening.
Since 2017, we've tested more than 70 of the best Bluetooth speakers. In this review, we compare 15 of the most compelling models currently on the market. To test these speakers, we listened to each side-by-side for hundreds of hours, took them to the beach, brought them to campfires, traveled with them, and pushed their batteries to the limit.
Editor's Note: We updated our Bluetooth speaker review on May 29th, 2026, with all new products after testing 15 of the best Bluetooth speakers, including options from Bose, JBL, Sonos, and more.
Quick Picks
Here's a quick list of our favorite Bluetooth Speaker recommendations.
IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Measured Volume
88 dB
The best Bluetooth speaker for most people is the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). It is packable, small, and lightweight at 1.3 lbs. Its beautiful sound quality rivals that of speakers twice its price, and it's far lighter and more portable than premium models. It delivers crisp, balanced sound from highs to lows and sounds splendid across genres. It offers lifelike audio for podcasts and audiobooks, all at an approachable price. We love that it is water-resistant and dust-tight, and it even floats, making it suitable for any water-bound journey without worrying about damage.
Pairing it with devices is quick and seamless, but connecting to the app took longer. It also has one of the shortest battery lives, lasting only about 12 hours, while other compact speakers like the JBL Flip 7 last up to 18, making it potentially better for longer adventures away from outlets. Minor gripes aside, we think this speaker is exceptional for anyone looking for the best sound in a portable package, whether for audiobooks at home or music at the park.
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) is highly water resistant and floats, so you don't have to worry if it accidentally gets punted into the pool. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Bose Soundlink Flex is also great for watching videos on our iPad for higher-fidelity audio. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Bose app is feature packed. We can easily switch between devices and adjust our bass, mids, and trebels for punchier sound. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We can take this speaker anywhere, no problem. Credit: Matt Lighthart
IPX7: Protection against solid objects is not rated (X), but the device is protected against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Measured Volume
100 dB
If you're looking to throw bass-bumping parties on a budget, the Soundcore Boom 2 is the best option. This speaker gets louder than most at 100 decibels, which is about as loud as a live band. It comes with an onboard bass-boosting button, which amplifies the sound from energetic to intense and boomy, bringing the party home. It also has good water-resistance, making it a great option for pool parties or listening in the hot tub. The colorful, bumping lights on either side of this speaker are a nice touch that gives it a fun party aesthetic.
This speaker sounds like it's coming from one direction, and we don't experience the same full soundstage as we do with the Boombox 4. But, for hundreds of dollars less, this is a more than fair compromise. The sound also muddies the more we crank up the volume, but if you don't have a frame of reference for premium sound quality, it's not very noticeable. If you want fun, thumpy party sound from your speaker and don't mind a little grit at the higher volumes, the Soundcore Boom 2 is a great value.
IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Measured Volume
84 dB
For the budget-conscious user seeking a pocket-sized speaker that sounds decent on the go, the Soundcore Select 4 Go is our favorite. This speaker is water-resistant and dust-tight, making it perfect for every adventure. It did a great job staying connected, playing music up to 136 feet away! Best of all, it's highly affordable and sounds the best among the pocket-sized, sub-$50 speakers we tested.
Because of the small size, this speaker sounds relatively flat (though still better than a phone speaker) and lacks dimension. Higher notes can be a bit harsh, so it's not the best for twangy music like Shania Twain, but it sounds decent for relaxed, vocal-forward music by artists like Lana Del Ray. We recommend this speaker to anyone looking for a cheap, durable, and portable option with decent sound quality at mid volumes.
The Anker Soundcore Select Go has some of the best sound quality of the cheap, mini speakers we tested. It's also the only one to have customizable sound. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Select Go 4 is highly water resistant and can float, so no worries about dropping it in the hot tub. Credit: Matt Lighthart
This is a great portable mini speaker for any journey. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Select Go 4 holds up well against sand and dust. Credit: Matt Lighthart
IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Measured Volume
98 dB
The Bose SoundLink Max is built for those who don't want to compromise between impeccable, powerful party sound and portability. The comfortable silicone handle evenly distributes the 5-pound weight for easy carrying, and it's compact enough to fit in a backpack. The Max is one of the loudest speakers we tested, getting up to a measured 98 decibels, which is loud enough for a house party. “I blasted this speaker in my 1200-square-foot house, and I could hear it loud and clear from every room with next to no distortion at the highest volume,” said one of our testers. Its IP67 durability also means we can take it poolside without worrying about it dropping into the water or being splashed.
We should emphasize that while the SoundLink Maxis portable, it isn't the lightest option for a portable speaker (for a lighter-weight option that still sounds great but is a bit less powerful, we recommend the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)). That said, we think the stunning sound quality and sheer power of this speaker are worth the extra pounds, and unlike the SoundLink Flex, we would feel comfortable using this speaker for larger house parties, as it can get a full 10 decibels louder, which is noticeably louder and spreads sound farther. All told, the Max is the perfect option for blasting music in your house, backyard pool, and even camping at a festival, without sacrificing sound quality.
The Bose SoundLink Max delivers great sound quality in a portable package that everyone will love. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The SoundLink Max has a removable strap in case you want to replace it with Bose's long strap to carry over your shoulder (sold separately). Credit: Matt Lighthart
The SoundLink Max is delivers excellent pump-up music for intense workouts. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The controls are very responsive and easy to understand. Credit: Matt Lighthart
IP68: Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water deeper than 1 meter
Measured Volume
101 dB
The JBL Charge 6 is a great portable speaker for outdoor use and adventures. It can be submerged deep in water for up to 30 minutes, no problem. When plopped in the sand, it shakes off all the grains when it's ready to go. Its punchy, bass-forward sound and immersive qualities are remarkable for its small size, and it gets really loud. “When I brought this to a beach bonfire, it drowned out the noise of the crashing waves and other speakers playing music nearby. Incredible!” said one tester. We love that we can connect it to other JBL speakers via “Auracast” (a feature that lets users connect to unlimited “Auracast” speakers)— the surround-sound effect is wildly immersive. And, it's very durable, with rubber bumpers on each end that do a great job of protecting it from steep drops.
While we love this speaker for travel and road trips, its battery lasts only 14 hours, so you'll want a power outlet nearby if you plan to use it extensively. The speaker does have a “PlayBoost” feature in the app that extends battery life, but it ruins the sound quality. It also sounds less clear at higher volumes than speakers like the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen), but never blown out. All that aside, this is an exceptionally rugged portable speaker that brings the party to any outdoor setting.
The JBL Charge 6 is our favorite destination-proof bluetooth speaker. This little guy brings the party to the campground with bass-forward, powerful sound. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Charge 6 is among the most water-resistant speakers we tested. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Charge 6 has an adjustable/detachable strap that makes it easy to clip onto anything, including a backpack. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Charge 6 can handle sand and dirt. Credit: Matt Lighthart
IP68: Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water deeper than 1 meter
Measured Volume
104 dB
The JBL Boombox 4 brought the nightclub to our living room, and sometimes the neighbors to our doorstep, asking us to quiet down. “This speaker has altered my perception of how great bass should sound. I feel spoiled,” said one tester. While it sounds best from the front, it also sounds great from all sides, and can fill a whole house and backyard with incredible party music. We especially love the bass-boosting button that ramps the bass up so powerfully that it physically shakes the ground we stand on without sounding blown out. The Boombox is also water-resistant and dust-tight. We even tossed it into a lake with no issues with sound quality or connectivity afterward (and it floats!).
While technically portable, carrying the Boombox around is a workout. It's huge, awkward to carry, and weighs a whopping 13.4 lbs. It's about the size of an eight-pack, so it takes up a ton of space and isn't ideal for road trips. It's also a real investment, and is designed for partying with large groups without having to travel far, so we wouldn't recommend it just for casual listening or general travel. But if your wallet allows and you love a good bass-bumping dance party, this is our favorite speaker.
If you want to blast full-blown bass in a rugged, semi-portable speaker, the JBL Boombox 4 is the best option out there. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Boombox 4 includes quick buttons directly on the unit for bass-boosting and connecting with other nearby JBL speakers for surround sound. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We love the fun aesthetic of this speaker, like the built-in party lights. Credit: Matt Lighthart
IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Measured Volume
87 dB
If you're in the market for a water-resistant shower speaker that sounds good for both music and audiobooks, the JBL Clip 5 is a great option. It has an integrated clip that fits on any showerhead and can also be clipped to the side of a backpack. It's also dust-tight and coated in mesh, so we were able to use it at the beach and bring it on hikes without ever worrying about grit or sand getting in. It has a waterproof rating of IP67, so if it falls in the tub (which it shouldn't, as the clip is very sturdy), we can fish it right out of the water, and it sounds the same.
While the sound quality is good for a speaker of this size, it doesn't blow us away like the other larger, premium-priced speakers we tested. It doesn't cleanly deliver sound from all angles, and the sound degrades when we crank the volume. That being said, the mids sound clear and rich, with almost lifelike vocals, so most music still sounds good for its size, and audiobooks sound even better.
We love being able to listen to our favorite audiobooks in the shower so we never miss out. Credit: Elizabeth White
The JBL Clip 5 is a tiny speaker that fits in our pocket. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Clip 5 sounds best when it's clipped into an upright position, but sounds flatter laying down. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Clip 5 isn't just a shower speaker-we love being able to take it and clip it anywhere. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Product Comparison Table
We've listened to the best Bluetooth speakers of all shapes and sizes. Credit: Matt Lighthart
How We Test
We spent days reviewing every top speaker on the market before selecting and purchasing the best 16 and putting them through a series of tests in our in-house audio studio and trial runs at home and while traveling. We recruited expert audiophiles and newbies alike to collectively pour hundreds of hours of listening time into each speaker we tested, grading their sound on its immersive qualities and clarity, and finding which ones have the best sound mix across every genre (as well as audiobooks and podcasts). We used them in our lab to measure their volume, battery life, connectivity range, and portability. We lived with them at home and hauled them along on road trips. We brought them to the beach, dropped them on concrete and in the water, listened to them during our workouts, and used all the features they have to offer.
Sound Quality (35% of overall score weighting)
Portability (30% weighting)
Volume (20% weighting)
Drop Test (10% weighting)
Battery (5% weighting)
Over the years, we've collectively spent more than 400 hours listening to each speaker. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Why Trust GearLab
For this review, we gathered a team of audio and tech experts to test and score the sound quality and usability of each Bluetooth speaker. The review is led by Chris McNamara, Co-founder of GearLab, who has personally tested thousands of products over his 16 years of leading GearLab's review efforts. Chris loves using Bluetooth speakers when camping with his family, at Lake Tahoe beach gatherings with friends, and he has long served as the GearLab office's DJ. We tapped audio expert and musician Genaveve Bradshaw, who holds a Music degree from the University of New Mexico, to expertly grade the sound quality alongside Senior Review Analyst, Rachael Lamore. Lamore has tested hundreds of products and audio gear since 2024 and has a keen understanding of which products are best for our readers' specific needs. She also enjoys a good dance party in her living room, and loves listening to speakers that can fill a room.
We measured how far away each speaker could play from our device before disconnecting. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We played each speaker on its maximum volume and measured its decibel level (how loud it gets) using a sound meter. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We physically weighed each speaker to find out how portable they really are. Credit: Matt Lighthart
For our water resistant speakers, we tossed them in the lake to see how water resistant they actually are. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We used each speaker at the beach to put their dust protection to the test. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Analysis and Test Results
We tested Bluetooth speakers for portability, sound quality, volume (for overall crankability and high-volume quality), durability, and more. We tested the speakers side-by-side to find the best speaker for every use and budget.
Worse Value
Better Value
The Soundcore Select Go is an inexpensive, durable speaker that's great for travel. Credit: Matt Lighthart
What's the Best Value?
You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for great sound, and the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) is proof. Though not the cheapest, it offers a great balance between portability and sound quality at a reasonable price. If you're looking to party big on a budget, we recommend the Soundcore Boom 2. This mini boombox delivers bass-boosted, room-filling sound that makes us want to dance. It can get a touch boomy at the loudest volumes, but for a quarter of the price of other boomboxes, color us impressed. If you're on a tight budget and looking for a pocket-sized speaker that sounds good on the go, we recommend the Soundcore Select 4 Go.
The Sonos Move 2 sounds rich and immersive from all sides. It's pristine clarity never diminishes, even when we crank up the volume. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sound Quality
Our audio experts listened to each speaker for hours using music from different genres, podcasts, and audiobooks to determine which sounds the best. After hundreds of hours of listening, we recommend the Sonos Move 2 for those wanting the most pristine, immersive sound. It can hit high notes and pump up the bass with exceptional control while still sounding powerful. The Move 2 delivers rich, deep bass and sound that spreads evenly, expertly unweaves dynamic tracks, and plays true-to-life vocals.
Sound Quality Ratings
Product
Bass
Mid-Range
Treble
Sonos Move 2
8.8
9.0
8.7
JBL Boombox 4
9.3
8.5
7.9
Bose SoundLink Max
8.4
8.6
8.3
Bose Soundlink Flex (2nd gen)
7.1
8.1
7.5
Soundcore Boom 2
8.1
7.5
7.0
JBL Charge 6
7.8
7.5
6.9
Beats Pill
7.1
7.1
6.4
JBL Flip 7
6.8
6.9
6.5
JBL Flip 5
5.5
5.6
4.7
UE Wonderboom 4
5.2
4.6
4.3
JBL Clip 5
4.1
5.0
4.3
Soundcore 2
4.2
5.0
4.2
Soundcore Select Go 4
3.3
4.4
3.9
JBL Go 4
2.7
4.2
3.7
BolaButty
3.4
3.9
3.3
The Sonos's secret sauce seems to be the wrap-around audio design, combined with integrated “TruePlay” tuning, which works by automatically scanning the acoustics of its environment for fine-tuned audio. We've played music and podcasts in multiple rooms of varying sizes with unique sound obstructions, and the high-quality audio is miraculously consistent.
Soundstage Ratings
Product
Expert ear Soundstage Score
Sonos Move 2
9.3
Bose SoundLink Max
8.0
JBL Boombox 4
7.9
Soundcore Boom 2
7.6
JBL Charge 6
7.0
Bose Soundlink Flex (2nd gen)
6.9
Beats Pill
6.6
JBL Flip 7
6.2
UE Wonderboom 4
6.1
JBL Flip 5
4.3
JBL Clip 5
4.2
JBL Go 4
4.0
Soundcore 2
4.0
Soundcore Select Go 4
4.0
BolaButty
3.0
The JBL Boombox 4 is our favorite speaker for listening to rap, hip-hop, and R&B. We're baffled by how clear is sounds in spite of its boominess, even at the upper volumes. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Boombox 4 is our bass-loving drug of choice. While it sounds fantastic out of the box, the Bass-Boosting feature plays thunderous, chest-thumping music that sounds crisp even at upper volumes. The very highest volume is aggressive and boomy, but not blown out. This speaker is so powerful that it doesn't matter which direction we listen to it—the audio spreads through our entire home like lightning, and can carry across a large backyard.
The SoundLink Max offers elevated, powerful sound for mid-sized gatherings. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The SoundLink Max is also great for casual solo listening and sounds exceptional no matter what genre is playing. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The SoundLink Max is great for playing our favorite power anthems while exercising. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Despite being a portable speaker, the Bose SoundLink Max also delivers powerful, high-quality, energetic sound with a well-balanced sound mix that doesn't go overboard in the highs or lows, making it great for hosting parties. We also love it for casual listening around the house and on the go. The sound is more directional than that of other high-end speakers. Most of the audio is pushed out the front with some on the sides, but the sound tapers off in the back of the speaker. But again, this speaker gets loud enough to fill a room, and it can connect to other Bose speakers for an even fuller sound experience.
The Bose Soundlink Flex (2nd Gen) sounds great right out of the box with a balanced mix from the lows to the highs, but you can still adjust the sound according to your preferences. It's great for music, videos, and podcasts alike. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) prioritizes refined, balanced sound quality that appeals to a wide range of listening preferences. It has the best, clearest audio in a compact, portable speaker and can stand toe-to-toe with its high-end brethren when listening to podcasts and vocal-forward tracks. Though not quite as powerful or pristine as the Bose Max, the Flex comes out of the box with a nicely proportional sound mix without going overboard in the highs or lows. And, when we want to boost the bass or kick the highs up a notch for a punchier sound, we can do so through the Bose app. The sound comes primarily out of the front of the speaker, with a bit of sound escaping from the back, making it sound more directional (but still full), rather than a true surround-sound experience. But when we connect it to other Bose speakers via the app, we're able to achieve full 3D sound. And because you can get several Flex's for the price of a single high-end speaker, we think it's well worth the investment.
If you want good sound quality out of your portable speaker, we'd steer clear of the BolaButty, no matter how enticing the price is. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Go 4 disappointed us with its sound quality. We think it's worth spending just a little extra for the JBL Clip 5 instead if you're looking for a pocket-sized speaker. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Once you get to the mini pocket-sized speakers, the sound quality noticeably diminishes, particularly with the BolaButty and JBL Go 4. The BolaButty sounds caged and muffled, as if it's locked in a box. The sound lacks definition and has an artificial, processed quality. The JBL 4 Go has a slightly better soundstage, but it lacks height and depth, sounding muddled. The lows are watered down, and high notes sound jarring, with one tester noting, “It gives me the ick.”
The JBL Go 4 is the lightest portable speaker we tested. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Portability
If your speaker is heavy, bulky, and shuts down at the sight of dust and water, it's going to be more stress than it's worth if you're planning to bring it anywhere outside the house. A portable speaker that can truly go anywhere should be small and light enough to toss in a bag and withstand any weather conditions.
Portability Table
Measured Weight
IP Rating (Water & Dust Protection)
Size Comparison
JBL Go 4
0.4 lbs
IP67
Palm of your hand
Soundcore Select Go 4
0.6 lbs
IP67
Palm of your hand
JBL Clip 5
0.6 lbs
IP67
Palm of your hand
Soundcore 2
0.8 lbs
IPX7
1 can of soda
UE Wonderboom 4
0.9 lbs
IP67
1 can of soda
BolaButty
0.9 lbs
IPX5
2 cans of soda
JBL Flip 5
1.1 lbs
IPX7
2 cans of soda
JBL Flip 7
1.2 lbs
IP68
2 cans of soda
Bose Soundlink Flex (2nd gen)
1.3 lbs
IP67
2 cans of soda
Beats Pill
1.5 lbs
IP67
2 cans of soda
JBL Charge 6
2.2 lbs
IP68
Nalgene water bottle
Soundcore Boom 2
3.7 lbs
IPX7
6 pack of cans
Bose SoundLink Max
4.9 lbs
IP67
6 pack of cans
Sonos Move 2
6.8 lbs
IP56
6 pack of cans
JBL Boombox 4
13.4 lbs
IP68
12 pack of cans
Weight and Size
The smallest and most lightweight speakers we tested are the Soundcore Select 4 Go and JBL Go 4, which all fit in the palm of our hand and weigh about a half pound. These could travel in a pocket and fit in any purse or bag.
The Soundcore Select Go is palm-sized, so you can easily bring it anywhere. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Soundcore Select Go is smaller than a coffee mug. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Clip 5 offers the best portability of any speaker we tested in terms of its design, weight, and size. It stands out thanks to its built-in clip, which is great for hanging off a tote bag or backpack during transport. We can easily hang it from a tree branch while camping or on the showerhead at home. It weighs only 0.6 lbs and fits in the palm of our hand.
The JBL Clip 5 can be clipped anywhere. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Clip 5 weighs only 0.6 pounds. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We love that we can clip it to the showerhead so we don't have a curtain of separation between us and our audiobook. Credit: Elizabeth White
The JBL Boombox 4 is the heaviest and bulkiest speaker we tested, weighing 13.4 lbs. Those of us with bad backs struggled to pick up and carry this speaker around, and we didn't dare to take it on a road trip, as it's about the size of a county-fair winning watermelon.
IP Rating (Weather Resistance)
The Charge 6, Flip 7, and JBL Boombox 4 can withstand any weather conditions, making them great options for water-based and outdoor activities. They are all IP68-rated speakers, meaning that they are the most water-resistant and can survive deep submersion over 1 meter for 30 minutes. These rugged speakers are all dust-tight and effectively shielded against sand and dirt.
The JBL Boombox 4 is a great choice for beach-bashes. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Charge 6 is highly water resistant. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Of the smaller 1-pound options we tested, the JBL Flip 7 has the best water resistance. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The BolaButty may weigh under a pound, but if it gets punted into the pool, it will be rendered useless. It's also not rated against dust or sand, so it may not be the best option for beachgoers and campers.
The Boombox 4 can belt music across an entire backyard with great clarity. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Volume
Most people have a smartphone speaker that can play their music and podcasts, but the sound it produces doesn't usually get loud enough to hear across the room, in the shower, or outdoors. And, at the highest volume, most smartphone speakers sound incredibly blown out. Bluetooth speakers solve these problems. It's also important to consider how many people you'll be playing music for. Producing enough sound for a couple lounging on the beach and for a barbecue with 20+ people are very different tasks. If you're specifically looking for a party speaker, you'll want to pay closer attention to our volume tests.
The table below shows how loud each speaker we tested can get, how well it retains sound quality at high volumes, and its overall volume score. We scored all of them against a smartphone speaker as the baseline.
Volume Table
Volume Decibel Level
Volume Quality
Overall Volume Rating
JBL Boombox 4
104 dB
1
2
3
4
5
9.5
Bose SoundLink Max
98 dB
1
2
3
4
5
8.3
Soundcore Boom 2
100 dB
1
2
3
4
5
7.8
JBL Charge 6
101 dB
1
2
3
4
5
7.6
JBL Flip 7
100 dB
1
2
3
4
5
6.8
Sonos Move 2
87 dB
1
2
3
4
5
6.7
Bose Soundlink Flex (2nd gen)
88 dB
1
2
3
4
5
6.6
Beats Pill
88 dB
1
2
3
4
5
4.9
JBL Flip 5
87 dB
1
2
3
4
5
4.9
JBL Clip 5
87 dB
1
2
3
4
5
4.2
UE Wonderboom 4
83 dB
1
2
3
4
5
3.8
Soundcore 2
85 dB
1
2
3
4
5
3.6
Soundcore Select Go 4
84 dB
1
2
3
4
5
3.5
BolaButty
83 dB
1
2
3
4
5
3.3
JBL Go 4
84 dB
1
2
3
4
5
3.2
Iphone 16 Pro
79 dB
1
2
3
4
5
2.2
None other can compare to the JBL Boombox 4, which has powerful bass that could blow out the candles on a birthday cake. At its maximum volume, the sound can blast through walls and across a backyard barbecue. The audio is exceptionally controlled and clear at the upper volumes, and it has the largest volume range we tested.
When the JBL Boombox 4 is turned to its max volume, it gets just about as loud as a concert at 104 decibels. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Boombox 4 delivers clear, but powerful party sound that can blow out your birthday candles. Credit: Elizabeth White
The Boombox 4 produces mega sound from all sides. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Bose SoundLink Max and Sonos Move 2 deliver immersive, house-filling sound that's great for both large indoor and outdoor parties with 20 or more people. We're incredibly impressed by the punchiness and detail between vocals and instruments, even when cranking the volume to the max.
The Bose SoundLink Max may appear small and unassuming compared to your average boombox, but its sound is powerful and more refined than most.
The boomy Soundcore Boom 2 also delivers bold, bass-blasting music with plenty of volume to fill a house for large parties, though bass can get a bit blown out at the highest volume. The mid-volume range has good clarity and is powerful enough to fill a mid-sized room.
The JBL Charge 6 is a mighty little speaker with powerful sound that maintains its clarity at upper volumes. Credit: Matt Lighthart
While not as loud as the bigger boombox-style speakers, the compact, highly portable speakers with good sound quality at higher volumes include the JBL Charge 6 and JBL Flip 7. Both can get loud and fill large spaces with powerful, punchy sound. We used the Charge 6 for a birthday bonfire at the beach, and it easily drowned out the music from other beachgoers and the ocean waves crashing against the shoreline. The Charge 6 is noticeably more crisp at higher volumes and handles high notes with finesse, while the Flip 7 high notes can get a touch distorted at higher volumes, and lows lose a tiny bit of detail—but it's definitely the clearest of all the small speakers.
Of the pocket-sized speakers, the JBL Clip 5 gets the loudest, with decent clarity at high volumes. We played this speaker while hosting dinner for 10 people, and the sound carried nicely in a mid-sized room. That said, it can sound somewhat muddied and blown out at high volumes with bass-heavy genres, though not nearly as blown out as a smartphone speaker.
At high volumes, the JBL Go 4 and BollaButty's sound quality is jarring and blown out. We wouldn't recommend either of them to anyone looking to share music with friends or blast their tunes.
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) works exactly the same after being dropped from 3 feet onto concrete multiple times, making it an excellent option if you have kids or animals running around the house. Credit: Matt Lighthart
There were some scrapes and scuff marks, but they're hardly noticeable and no real damage was done. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Drop Test
If you're dropping a lot of money on a portable speaker, you want to ensure it survives a drop onto the ground. The best speakers can withstand drops from several feet onto hard surfaces and still play your favorite tunes just the same. To test the impact resistance of each speaker, we forcefully shoved them off a table three feet from the ground multiple times. Some speakers were harmed in the making of this review, but not all.
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) is a nearly indestructible speaker. The sound quality is just as good as before, and we experienced zero issues with usability.
The JBL Charge 6 is the ultimate outdoor companion that can withstand drops on hard surfaces without issue. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The rubber bumpers do a great job of helping the Flip 7 survive steep falls. We experienced no issues using it after the drop. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Charge 6 and Flip 7 models came out unscathed and function perfectly fine after being dropped.
The Clip 5 can be dropped without a single scratch, making it completely fool proof. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBL Go 4 passed our drop test with flying colors. It features the same durable build quality of the larger JBL speakers, but it's so small and lightweight, we could throw it against almost anything and it would be fine. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Pocket-sized JBLs like the Clip 5 and Go 4 hold up against drops. We could even huck them against the wall, and they would sound the same.
The internal components of the BolaButty crumbled after a single drop, rendering it useless. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Butterfingers should beware of the BolaButty, which cracked and sounds horribly distorted after just one drop.
You could finish an entire book in the time it takes for the BolaButty's 60 hour battery life to die. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Battery Life
Nothing can kill the mood of a gathering more than the music cutting out prematurely, so you want to make sure your speaker has enough juice to keep the party going. And, if you're traveling or camping, you'll want a speaker that lasts for several days of casual listening without needing an outlet nearby. To test battery life, we set each speaker to 75% volume and made them all play the same loop of music repeatedly until they died.
The BolaButty is the dark horse in this test, blowing the rest of our speakers out of the water by lasting up to 60 hours and 46 minutes, which is three times its advertised battery life. With minimal use, its battery life could be extended for weeks while traveling without ever needing a charge. That said, it doesn't sound much better than the average smartphone speaker.
The Beats Pill lasts twice as long as its advertised battery life at 51 hours and 30 minutes. This incredibly impressive battery life can also be stretched into several weeks with casual listening. The Bose SoundLink Max lasts up to 43 hours and 7 minutes, more than double its advertised battery life.
The JBL Clip 5 has the shortest battery life, only lasting 8 hours and 50 minutes. The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) also has an unfortunately slow battery life of 10 hours and 46 minutes. While this may not be a huge deal if you're near a power source, these aren't the best options to take for extended camping trips.
The best portable speakers sound great and are easy to carry. Credit: Matt Lighthart
How to Choose the Best Bluetooth Speaker
There are hundreds of Bluetooth speakers to choose from, ranging in price from $25 to over $500. But most people don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to meet their listening needs. If you want a more refined, powerful sound than your smartphone speaker offers, want to share your music with others, or don't want to wear earbuds around all day, a Bluetooth speaker is the way to go. Below are questions to consider before making a purchase.
If you're planning a beach bash, make sure that your speaker has a protection rating of IP67 or IP68, which will keep the sand and water out. Credit: Matt Lighthart
For extended camping, ensure that your speakers battery life is up to the challenge and that it has proper weather resistance. An IP67 or IP68 rating is best suited for outdoor environments. Credit: Matt Lighthart
For showers, it's helpful to have a speaker that you can clip and that's protected against water. Again, we recommend choosing an IP67 or IP68 rated speaker if you're planning to use it in wet environments. Credit: Elizabeth White
You'll want to pay attention to the weight and size of your speaker if you plan on taking it anywhere outside the house. While larger speakers tend to have the best sound quality, they're not usually the best choice for travel. Credit: Matt Lighthart
How and Where Will You Use It?
If you're planning to take your speaker to the beach, a campground, or out on the lake, you'll want something small (ideally no bigger than a water bottle) and lightweight that fits easily into a bag.
If you want to listen to your speaker while trekking, it helps to have a smaller loop so that it doesn't swing around while you hike. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Lots of party speakers sound great, but not all blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. If you're using your speaker at home or in the office, consider whether or not it will stick out like a sore thumb. Credit: Matt Lighthart
If you're using your speaker to exercise, you'll want a punchy and energetic sound mix. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Be sure to check your speaker's ingress protection (IP) rating. An IP68 speaker can be dunked over 1 meter underwater for up to 30 minutes. Speakers rated IP67 are also durable enough for most activities, but can't be submerged as deeply underwater (only up to 1 meter), so they're less ideal for boating, but are good splash-proof options for showers or hanging around the pool. We wouldn't recommend buying a speaker with a durability rating under IP67 for extended outdoor use.
Most speakers work just fine for one or two people. But, if you're hosting a party, you'll want bigger, more powerful sound from your speaker. Credit: Matt Lighthart
How Many People Will Be Listening?
If you're casually listening by yourself, you'll only need a speaker that can play up to 60 or 70 decibels, which is about as loud as a TV speaker.
Small speakers are an excellent choice for solo listeners. Credit: Matt Lighthart
For hosting, you'll want a louder speaker that carries throughout the entire house and still sounds clear. It should reach up to 100 decibels and have onboard woofers, subwoofers, drivers, and/or tweeters that process the sound so it isn't blown out or jarring at high volumes.
If you listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks all day every day, you'll want a speaker with a longer battery life. Credit: Matt Lighthart
How Often Will You Use It?
If you use your speaker every day for extended periods, you'll want to pay attention to our battery life tests to see which ones are up to the task. If you're bringing your speaker camping and planning to use it for multiple days away from a charger, a 10-12 battery life probably won't suffice.
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is proof that you don't need to drop hundreds of dollars for the best portable speaker. Credit: Matt Lighthart
What's Your Budget?
You don't need to make a huge investment to meet your listening needs. If you're looking for a lightweight, compact speaker that sounds nice and clear at a reasonable volume, most speakers in the $30—$150 range will meet your needs. If you're planning to host a large gathering and need pristine sound at louder volumes, then you might consider increasing your budget.
Other Notable Bluetooth Speakers to Consider
Amazon Echo Dot & Amazon Echo Dot Max: If you have an Amazon thermostat, smart lights, or other Amazon smart devices, the Echo Dots are great for using the voice assistant to manage them. The Max is slightly larger and more powerful than the OG Echo Dot. Both are best used as at-home speakers rather than on the go, as they lack durability and water resistance.
Bang and Olufsen Explore: A compact, highly expensive IP67 water and dust-resistant portable speaker with woofers, tweeters, and passive radiators for refined sound on the go. But for the price, we wish it had better weather resistance.
Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen): A pocket-sized, rugged little speaker with customizable sound through the Bose app. But, if you're going to spend $100 on a speaker, it's probably worth sizing up for bigger and better sound quality.
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential: A massive, splash-proof party speaker with a bass-forward sound profile. You can also customize the party light colors and plug in microphones for a karaoke party. Unfortunately, it's not built with portability in mind.
Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Era 100: Both utilize “Trueplay” to calibrate their sound to each room in your home and include six drivers for true-to-life vocals and instruments. The Era 100 has a smaller footprint and is better for apartments and smaller spaces, whereas the Era 300 is bulky and over twice as big and heavy as the 100. But the Era 300 includes spatial audio technology for crisper, more immersive sound. Neither option is meant for travel or outdoor use.
Soundcore Motion 300: A compact, portable mid-tier speaker with “SmartTune” technology that optimizes the sound based on how the speaker is oriented and includes a bass-boosting button directly on the unit. But it's more meant for solo listening than for filling a large room with sound.
JBL Flip 6: An aption for those who like the Flip 7 but want something slightly more affordable. But it cannot connect to newer JBL speakers for surround sound, and it's slightly less weatherproof.
Happy listening! Credit: Matt Lighthart
Conclusion
Bluetooth speakers are great devices that allow you and your company to enjoy music almost anywhere. They are incredibly diverse, with thousands of models flooding the market. We hope our testing has helped you choose the best speaker to satisfy your portable music needs.
—Chris McNamara, Rachael Lamore, and Genaveve Bradshaw
