The Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2026

The Best Bluetooth Speakers

Full results from testing 15 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections.

Measured Battery Life	10.5 hrs
Measured Weight	1.3 lbs
Dimensions i	8.0" L x 1.6" W x 3.8" H
Water Resistance i	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.

Read more: Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) review

Measured Battery Life	33.8 hrs
Measured Weight	3.7 lbs
Dimensions i	12.0" L x 4.0" W x 7.0" H
Water Resistance i	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.

Read more: Soundcore Boom 2 review

Measured Battery Life	25.4 hrs
Measured Weight	0.6 lbs
Dimensions i	4.8" L x 1.7" W x 3.1" H
Water Resistance i	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.

Read more: Soundcore Select 4 Go review

Measured Battery Life	43.1 hrs
Measured Weight	4.9 lbs
Dimensions i	10.0" L x 4.0" W x 6.5" H
Water Resistance i	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 Max is 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.

Read more: SoundLink Max review

Measured Battery Life	14.8 hrs
Measured Weight	2.2 lbs
Dimensions i	9.0" L x 3.5" W x 4.0" H
Water Resistance i	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.

Read more: JBL Charge 6 review

Measured Battery Life	21.9 hrs
Measured Weight	13.4 lbs
Dimensions i	20.0" L x 8.0" W x 10.0" H
Water Resistance i	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.

Read more: JBL Boombox 4 review

Measured Battery Life	8.8 hrs
Measured Weight	0.6 lbs
Dimensions i	3.5" L x 2.0" W x 5.5" H
Water Resistance i	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.

Read more: JBL Clip 5 review

Product Comparison Table

Displaying 1 - 15 (scroll right to see all products)

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	#1 Compare: Bose SoundLink Max	#2 Compare: Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)	#3 Compare: JBL Charge 6	#4 Compare: JBL Flip 7	#5 Compare: Sonos Move 2	#6 Compare: Soundcore Boom 2	#7 Compare: JBL Clip 5	#8 Compare: JBL Boombox 4	#9 Compare: Beats Pill	#10 Compare: UE Wonderboom 4	#11 Compare: Soundcore Select 4 Go	#12 Compare: JBL Go 4	#13 Compare: JBL Flip 5	#14 Compare: Soundcore 2	#15 Compare: BolaButty
Awards	Best Portable Party Speaker	Best Bluetooth Speaker for Most People	Best Water and Dust Resistant Speaker			Best for Parties on a Budget	Best Shower Speaker	Best for Large Gatherings			Best Budget Speaker
Price	$399 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$159 List Check Price at Amazon	$200 List Check Price at Amazon	$150 List Check Price at Amazon	$499 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$140 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$80 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$550 List Check Price at Amazon	$150 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$100 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$35 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$50 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$90 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$46 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$60 List Check Amazon (on sale!)
Overall Score	74	72	71	71	69	67	64	64	63	60	59	58	58	56	47
Star Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Bottom Line	Great balance of quality sound and portability for those who are willing to pay extra	The best sounding speaker of its size that's packable and durable for outdoor use	A boomy medium-sized speaker designed to be outside and on the go	A small speaker that delivers a punchy, energetic sound profile and battery life in a packable and durable package	If you care about pristine sound and only need marginal portability, this speaker is the best choice	A great value speaker for people who are willing to sacrifice some portability for great bass and big sound	A mini speaker with a neat clip attachment that punches above it's size class, however you may need a specialized stand for desk listening	A large, indoor and outdoor speaker designed for those who want big bass and big volume and don't mind hauling around a heavier unit	While we enjoy the punchy and powerful sound in such a small package, other options sound better and offer better durability	A decent knock-around portable speaker that offers near-360 sound but only sounds good for podcasts and audiobooks	A great value for consumers who want a small rugged speaker that produces adequate sound	One of the smallest, lightest portable speakers on the market that plays mediocre music	A compact, waterproof packable speaker that sounds flat and manufactured	A simple speaker plays dull-sounding music at a reasonable price	A very affordable and packable speaker, but there are better sounding options at similar price points
Pros	Sturdy and survives drops, waterproof, convenient and adjustable carrying handle	Comes in lots of colors, wonderful sound profile, crisp and detailed audio, packable, durable	Big bass for a mid-sized speaker, can get loud, very durable	Gets very loud for its size, drop and waterproof, fun colors, punchy sound	Custom tuning for any room, loud enough for large parties, connects to multiple speakers	Good sound for size and price, floats in water	Integrated clip, easy to attach to bags & packs, sound packs a punch	Loud, house-filling sound, thumping party bass that shakes the ground, party lights	Impressive battery life, seamless pairing for apple pairing, powerful for a compact speaker	Drop-proof up to several feet, waterproof, floats in water, multiple colors	Very packable & portable, unbeatable price, long battery life	Weighs next to nothing, fits anywhere	Good portability, sounds the same from most angles	Small footprint, cheap lightweight	Budget-friendly, fun party lights, extended battery life
Cons	No microphone for calls or voice assistant	No aux, shorter battery life	Lower battery life than most	Detachable clips are easy to lose	Not ideal for outdoor use, shorter battery life	Spotty connectivity, bulky	Harder to orient for optimal sound when unclipped, a bit pricey for the size	Enormous, heavy	No sound customization, not totally drop-proof, learning curve for controls	Subpar sound for EDM, house, and pop music	Muddled sound, doesn't get very loud	Bass is lacking, not loud enough	Prone to hissing, not dust proof	Unpolished sound, no app or any smart features	Lackluster sound quality, poor connectivity
Rating Categories	Bose SoundLink Max	Bose SoundLink Flex...	JBL Charge 6	JBL Flip 7	Sonos Move 2	Soundcore Boom 2	JBL Clip 5	JBL Boombox 4	Beats Pill	UE Wonderboom 4	Soundcore Select 4 Go	JBL Go 4	JBL Flip 5	Soundcore 2	BolaButty
Sound Quality (35%)	8.4	7.5	7.3	6.6	8.9	7.5	4.4	8.5	6.8	4.8	3.9	3.6	5.1	4.4	3.5
Portability (30%)	5.5	7.0	6.3	7.5	4.0	5.0	9.5	2.0	7.0	8.0	9.0	9.3	7.5	7.0	7.0
Volume (20%)	8.3	6.6	7.6	6.8	8.1	7.8	4.2	9.5	4.9	3.8	3.5	3.2	4.9	3.6	3.3
Drop Test (10%)	7.5	9.0	9.0	9.0	7.5	6.5	9.0	6.5	4.5	8.5	8.5	9.0	5.0	9.0	3.0
Battery (5%)	7.5	4.6	5.0	5.3	4.8	6.7	4.5	5.6	8.2	5.6	5.9	4.7	4.8	5.8	9.0
Specifications	Bose SoundLink Max	Bose SoundLink Flex...	JBL Charge 6	JBL Flip 7	Sonos Move 2	Soundcore Boom 2	JBL Clip 5	JBL Boombox 4	Beats Pill	UE Wonderboom 4	Soundcore Select 4 Go	JBL Go 4	JBL Flip 5	Soundcore 2	BolaButty
Measured Battery Life	43.1 hrs	10.5 hrs	14.8 hrs	18.2 hrs	12.2 hrs	33.8 hrs	8.8 hrs	21.9 hrs	51.5 hrs	21.8 hrs	25.4 hrs	10.9 hrs	12.6 hrs	24.1 hrs	60.7 hrs
Measured Weight	4.9 lbs	1.3 lbs	2.2 lbs	1.2 lbs	6.8 lbs	3.7 lbs	0.6 lbs	13.4 lbs	1.5 lbs	0.9 lbs	0.6 lbs	0.4 lbs	1.1 lbs	0.8 lbs	0.9 lbs
Dimensions	10.0" L x 4.0" W x 6.5" H	8.0" L x 1.6" W x 3.8" H	9.0" L x 3.5" W x 4.0" H	7.3" L x 3.0" W x 3.0" H	6.3" L x 5.0" W x 9.5" H	12.0" L x 4.0" W x 7.0" H	3.5" L x 2.0" W x 5.5" H	20.0" L x 8.0" W x 10.0" H	8.5" L x 3.0" W x 3.0" H	3.5" L x 4.0" W x 3.5" H	4.8" L x 1.7" W x 3.1" H	3.8" L x 1.5" W x 3.0" H	7.3" L x 3.0" W x 3.0" H	6.8" L x 2.2" W x 1.8" H	8.0" L x 2.5" W x 3.0" H
Water Resistance	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	IP68: Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water deeper than 1 meter	IP68: Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water deeper than 1 meter	IP56: Dust-protected (limited ingress permitted) and protected against powerful water jets from any direction	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	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	IP68: Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water deeper than 1 meter	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	IP67: Dust-tight and protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	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	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	IPX5: Protection against solid objects is not rated (X), but the device is protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction
Measured Volume	98 dB	88 dB	101 dB	100 dB	98 dB	100 dB	87 dB	104 dB	88 dB	83 dB	84 dB	84 dB	87 dB	85 dB	83 dB
Claimed Battery Life	20.0 hrs	12.0 hrs	28.0 hrs	16.0 hrs	24.0 hrs	24.0 hrs	12.0 hrs	28.0 hrs	24.0 hrs	14.0 hrs	20.0 hrs	7.0 hrs	12.0 hrs	24.0 hrs	20.0 hrs
Multipoint Pairing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Speaker Syncing	2 Bose Speakers	2 Bose Speakers	100 JBL speakers	100 JBL speakers	Infinite via Wi-Fi 2 via BT Stereo	2 Speakers	100 JBL speakers	100 JBL speakers	2 Beats Pill Speakers	2 Speakers	2 Speakers	100 JBL speakers	100 JBl Party	2 Speakers	2 Bolabutty Speakers
Sound Customization	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Voice Assistant	No built-in microphone	Siri | Google Assistant (via connected phone)	No built-in microphone	No built-in microphone	Amazon Alexa | Sonos Voice Control	Siri | Google Assistant (via connected phone)	No built-in microphone	No built-in microphone	Siri | Google Assistant (via connected phone)	No built-in microphone	No built-in microphone	No built-in microphone	No built-in microphone	Siri | Google Assistant (via connected phone)	Siri | Google Assistant (via connected phone)
Measured Bluetooth Range	up to 164 ft	up to 133 ft	up to 174 ft	up to 130 ft	up to 174 ft	up to 54 ft	up to 108 ft	up to 174 ft	up to 174 ft	up to 124 ft	up to 136 ft	up to 97 ft	up to 103 ft	up to 130 ft	up to 86 ft
Wired Audio Input	3.5 mm AUX	None	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	None	None	USB-C	USB-C	None	None	None	None	3.5 mm AUX	3.5 mm AUX
Floatable	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Included Accessories	- USB-C to USB-C cable	- USB-C to USB-A cable	- Carry strap	- Carabiner & Carry-loop	- Wireless charging base 45W Power adapter	- USB-C to USB-C cable	- Type C USB cable	- AC power cord	- USB-C to USB-C cable & Removable lanyard	- USB-C cable	- Type C USB cable	- Type C USB cable	- Type C USB cable	- Micro-USB cable	- Type C USB cable

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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)

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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) 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.

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.”

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 and Flip 7 models came out unscathed and function perfectly fine after being dropped.

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.

Butterfingers should beware of the BolaButty, which cracked and sounds horribly distorted after just one drop.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.