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You need to play extremely loudly: It's loud, but if you’re looking for max volume, you’ll need to look at even bigger speakers, like the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It's not the most portable Bluetooth speaker ever, owing to its large size and nearly five and a half kilos on the scales, but a decently sized grab handle does at least give you the option. We also need to talk about those lights. You can't turn them off completely, unfortunately, but you can make it so they only pop up when you're switching the volume levels. We've been testing the best portable speakers for years, in all sizes and shapes – and crucially, for all budgets. People aren't typically looking for audiophile sound quality here, but they do want something portable that delivers balanced and clear audio outdoors (because if you're going to buy something, it might as well sound good, right?) and with a battery built to last. These are our priorities when testing Bluetooth speakers and obviously we're balancing that with the price – otherwise known as value for money. We also test battery life, exhausting each speaker’s battery after a full charge to see how long it can last under realistic conditions. A smart speaker connected to Wi-Fi should last at least 10 hours, while a standard Bluetooth speaker should last around 20. Most people want to know how much play time they can expect when their speaker comes along on a day trip. You might be forgiven for thinking that, given the bulky construction, the Xtreme 3 might be more preoccupied with the amount of bass it’s producing rather than focusing on musical quality. Let us put your mind at rest: the Xtreme 3 proves to be a careful and considerate performer from the lowest of lows to the highest highs, giving impressive detail, dynamics and a strong sense of timing.
Bassheads will be more than satisfied with the healthy low-end clout on offer, but there’s quality as well as quantity on display. The JBL Xtreme 3 gained five stars across the board during our rigorous in-house testing, never appearing out of its depth no matter how complicated the musical arrangement. Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity means that the A1 (2nd Gen) is easy to pair with your smartphone, while built-in Alexa voice assistance means it can double up as a smart speaker. The A1 is the first speaker to offer Alexa support without needing to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network – and while this is impressive in itself, we did find that the voice assistant could be quite slow to respond to our commands. This is because routing is carried out via Bluetooth to your phone, with your phone then making the request over whatever internet connection it has… which won't always be great. JBL has built its name on rugged, portable hardware capable of surviving anywhere from the bottom of an icy ravine to the top of a snow-capped summit (probably). The durable JBL Xtreme 3 is no exception, a versatile, talented five-star wireless speaker that’s as happy chilling at home as it is being the life and soul of a sweaty student party. As rugged as the rest of its stablemates, it is IP67 dust and waterproof-certified, making it perfect for getting its (metaphorical) hands dirty in the great outdoors.Both JBL and Bose produce a range of speakers, some are small and compact whereas others are big enough to fill a room with sound at a party. Bose tends to make products that are at the premium end of the spectrum in terms of both excellent audio performance, design and price. JBL is more affordable and its products tend to fall in the mid-range when it comes to quality. You want something easily portable: This is a chunky speaker for big sound. The handle makes it easy to carry, the weight does not – it's not for hiking.
If the JBL Charge 5 is too pricey but you still want a powerful and portable Bluetooth speaker, look no further than the Flip 6. As well as being cheaper, the Flip 6 is the more portable of the two and comes with a handy removable carrying strap. It’s also fully dust-resistant and waterproof, so you’re safe taking it on outdoor adventures.
What Are the Best Bluetooth Speakers?
Good overall quality for wireless speakers. Since true wireless speakers were invented, we have lamented at poor sound quality, weak bass reproduction, and tinny high note fiascos. JBL have included top quality audio components, and we were pleased with the overall experience. You need Wi-Fi connectivity: You only get Bluetooth support with the Hyperboom, so look elsewhere for a wireless speaker that hooks up to your home network. There are lots of speaker styles to choose from – that's why we've put together lots of guides on the best speakers you can buy. Sonically, the Roam hits all the right notes, delivering a wide soundstage for a speaker of its size with plenty of dynamism. Our main niggle with the Roam is how laborious it can be to get your voice assistant set up, but once you’ve overcome that hurdle, you’ll be able to revel in what a fully featured and superb-sounding Bluetooth speaker it is.
Ultimate Ears has really made a splash (pun somewhat intended) in the Bluetooth speaker market with a number of colourful, fun-sounding and portable models, with the four-star Wonderboom 3 acting as the sequel to the five-star Wonderboom 2. There are several key things you'll need to consider when you're looking for the best Bluetooth speaker.The best waterproof Bluetooth speaker, made for the road. The Sonictrek Go XL goes wherever your trek takes you. Fully waterproof with an ultra-durable sealed design in a powerful omnidirectional tower format. The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is the best-sounding and most fully-featured mini Bluetooth speaker we've had the pleasure of testing. It's not the most powerful or the loudest Bluetooth speaker out there, but at this size and price you can't currently buy better. Louder doesn’t always translate to better, but the Bang’s audio is genuinely impressive given its price. Mids and treble take centre stage, which is surprising for a party speaker, but they’re delivered cleanly and don’t distort at higher volumes. Those wanting a low-end punch will definitely want to engage the Bass Boost EQ via the Tronsmart app, though.
The transmission of data via Bluetooth is determined by the use of Bluetooth codecs. SBC is pretty much universal but some companies use their own proprietary codecs in addition to SBC. Apple uses AAC, Samsung has Scalable, while Sony utilises LDAC. You’ll also find Qualcomm’s aptX series of codecs used by a range of Bluetooth devices; if you’re after higher-quality Bluetooth audio, look out for aptX HD and aptX Adaptive. Having said all that, the Cleer Audio Scene does a great job at differentiating itself in a competitive space. It has a lower price than most rivals, there's a microphone onboard for calling, useful extra ports for aux-in and top-notch audio clarity. This device might be cheap and compact, but it's got strong specs. But Tribit has made no secret of wanting to bring the party to both your ears and your body, and it has emphatically delivered. This thing can go loud and still sound good when it does. If you're worried whether one speaker will be enough for the garden party, it will here – and for this money, it represents unbeatable sound-per-pound value. Following in the footsteps of theSonos Move, the Sonos Roam comes with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which means it can work as aportable speakeras well as part of your wider multi-room Sonos system – and with Google Assistantand Alexa onboard (when you're on Wi-Fi), it doubles up asmart speakertoo.
Customer Testimonials
Were you seriously expecting to read a list of the best waterproof speakers and not find at least one JBL product along the way? The American brand's love of rugged, dependable hardware is reflected in its great portable speakers range, making it practically synonymous with the entire concept of hardwearing outdoorsy audio. It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, and it’s expensive due to its rich feature set. This is not a speaker for taking on a hike; it's for taking into the garden. It's also not waterproof, though it is splashproof. But if you’ve got the money, it’s hard to fault the Sonos Move when it comes to getting high-quality sound in or out of the home. We put the Sonos Move through its paces with a range of songs, musical styles, and in a variety of different locations. What's always clear is that the Sonos Move manages what few other Bluetooth speakers can –tight and punchy bass, shimmering highs and a vocals that cut through it all with direct clarity. Bluetooth speakers designed for the outdoors will all have an IP rating, which reflects a device’s ability to withstand exposure to dust and water. An IP rating is comprised of two digits, the first of which relates to protection against the ingress of dust and the second of which represents water resistance. You want sound-per-pound value: If you don't need the portability, you can buy plugged-in speakers that sound the same for around half the price.
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