The 20 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers
While the numerous smartphones and tablets on the market provide an adequate listening experience for some via their modest speakers, they’ll never be up to par for the true audiophiles. That’s why the portable bluetooth speaker market has pretty much exploded in the past few years, because those who love their music have created a demand for a wireless, everyday carry-friendly way to enjoy their favorite playlists no matter where they may be.
Portable bluetooth speakers have evolved extensively over the past half decade, becoming smaller, more portable, more powerful, and more outdoor friendly for listening at the beach, by the pool, or at the campsite. The result is a whole new generation of bluetooth speakers available to the end-user audiophile that not only sound amazing, but that can withstand the elements, fit into your bag, answer your phone calls, and even charge your smartphone. To save you the hassle of sifting through the endless choices, we’ve compiled this list of the 20 best portable bluetooth speakers, in no particular order.
Fugoo Tough XL Speaker
Four times bigger and nearly twice as powerful as it’s smaller yet extremely rugged Fugoo Tough Speaker counterpart, the Fugoo Tough XL Speaker can easily churn out 100 decibels of powerful, refined sound in all directions thanks to 8 different acoustic drivers along with strategically-placed speakers on every side of the device’s body. Additional features include a portable hand strap, external charging capabilities via USB port, up to 40 hours of batter life on a single charge, Apple Siri and Google voice command compatibility, and fiber-reinforced resin shell covered by a durable aluminum jacket that renders the Tough XL waterproof, shock-proof, and sand-proof, and weather-proof. – $330
JBL Flip 2
Picking up where the original JBL Flip left off, the Flip 2 bluetooth speaker sports the same portable design as it’s predecessor and delivers respectable sound with dual drivers, a built-in bass port, an internal rechargeable battery, wireless bluetooth connectivity, and a speakerphone for making and receiving clearer phone calls on the go. – $90
Logitech UE Megaboom
Boasting a unique cylindrical design that delivers crisp audio in all directions, the UE Megaboom speaker is bigger and louder than it’s predecessor and will play continuously for up to 20 hours on a single charge. Its also completely waterproof, which is a welcome upgrade for those who prefer to jam out their playlist by the pool, at the beach, or out on the trail where inclement weather is an inevitability. – $220
Bose Soundlink Mini II
Retaining the same portable design and lightweight aluminum housing as the original Soundlink speaker, the Soundlink Mini II offers up roughly 3 more hours of playtime for a total of 10 hours on a single charge, along with a built-in speakerphone, easier pairing of multiple speakers via voice prompts, and a new USB charging port. Available in your choice of carbon or white pearl. – $199
Braven BRV-HD
The latest, and largest BRV speaker to date is the BRV-HD Bluetooth Speaker. The BRV-HD is twice as functional and nearly three times longer than the BRV-1, while offering nearly the same water resistant and shockproof exterior. Additional features include up to 28 hours of playtime on a single charge, a built-in microphone and speakerphone, SRS WOW HD that allows connecting to a second BRV-HD speaker for more sound, and integrated USB ports for charging your smart devices. – $300
Jawbone Big Jambox
While the original Jambox was a huge step forward for the bluetooth speaker movement, it’s the larger Big Jambox that completely took the market by storm. Similar in appearance as it’s predecessor, the Big Jambox Speaker provides the same bluetooth streaming experience as it’s predecessor along with a 15 hour rechargeable battery and more powerful sound thanks to precision-tuned drivers and dual passive bass radiators. – $200
Outdoor Tech Buckshot
Outdoor Tech’s Buckshot bluetooth speaker is not only affordable, but its also dust and waterproof to IPX5 standards, shock resistant, and extremely portable. The compact design fits perfectly on your bike or most anything else for that matter via a rubber mount, while a built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 16 hours of continuous playtime—more than enough to get you to work and back this week. – $40
Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Speaker
The Jabra Solemate portable bluetooth speaker strikes a perfect balance between outdoor ruggedness and everyday carry-friendly portability. Its crisp, bass-intensive sound is powered by two acoustic tweeters, a powerful subwoofer, and a proprietary bass radiator that delivers a sound comparable to its more expensive counterparts. Along with standard bluetooth connectivity, the Jabra Solemate features a shoe-like tread on its bottom that not only protects the device from everyday wear and tear, but also inconspicuously houses its 3.5mm cord. – $59
Libratone Zipp
Thanks to a unique cylindrical design, a 4-inch subwoofer, and dual 1-inch tweeters, Libratone’s Zipp Airplay Speaker delivers a full, powerful sound in all directions. Along with 360 degree sound, the Zipp Speaker includes interchangeable colored wool sleeves for added protection, bluetooth wireless connectivity, a built-in rechargeable battery good for up to 8 hours of play time, Apple Airplay, and PlayDirect. – $215
Braven BRV-X
The BRV-X rugged bluetooth speaker boasts an IPX5 waterproof rating, a shockproof rubber exterior housing, and a handy 5200mAh power bank that can charge your other devices when you’re miles from a power outlet. If you happen to still own it’s predecessor—the BRV-1 model—then you’re in luck. You can sync it with the BRV-X thanks to its built-in TrueWireless capabilities. – $150
Logitech UE Mobile Boombox
While it’s compact design is its number one asset, the UE Mobile Boombox also features wireless bluetooth technology that allows you to stream your favorite playlists from any of your smart devices up to 50 feet away, a built-in speakerphone for answering phone calls mid-song, and a rechargeable battery that will seamlessly play your music via the very capable, dual one-inch drivers for up to ten hours. – $80+
JBL Charge 2
Although the JBL Charge 2 Bluetooth Speaker is outfitted with a 6,000mAh rechargeable battery that can continuously play for up to 12 hours, your smart device most likely won’t last half as long as that. luckily, the JBL Charge 2 bluetooth speaker can keep your smartphone charged and the music playing thanks to a built-in USB port. Additional features include dual drivers and twin passive radiators for epic bass and crystal clear audio, Bluetooth functionality, and a hands-free speakerphone with patented noise and echo cancelation technology. – $130
Jawbone Mini Jambox
Measuring in at only 2 1/4″ x 6″ x 1″, the Mini Jambox bluetooth speaker is portable enough to hold in your hand or fit in your pocket, yet delivers a powerful sound suitable for any audiophile thanks to dual acoustic drivers and a passive bass radiator, which sit comfortably inside a one-piece extruded aluminum housing. Additional features include wireless bluetooth connectivity, a built-in speakerphone, a 10-hour rechargeable battery, and one-touch access to all of your music. – $85+
Beats Pill+
Following the release and subsequent recall of the Beats Pill XL speaker is the Beats Pill+, a portable bluetooth speaker with a smart design and powerful new sound. The bluetooth speaker boasts a minimalist design with hidden ports on the back side, upgraded tweeters and woofers for an unmistakable sound, and a long-lasting 12 hour battery that can simultaneously charge your smart device whilst playing your music. – $200
Marshall Stockwell Speaker
Marshall will be expanding it’s amp-inspired speaker lineup soon with the all new Stockwell Speaker. Becoming the smallest, most portable speaker the company has created thus far, the Stockwell weighs in at just over two and a half pounds while still promising to deliver the same powerful Marshall sound as it’s larger counterparts. Along with a USB charging port and a 25 hour battery, Bluetooth connectivity is once again an option with this speaker, allowing the listener to wirelessly connect playlists from a variety of smart devices. – $250
Philips ShoqBox
Featuring a rugged design perfect for camping, rock climbing, hiking, and other outdoor activities, the Philips ShoqBox portable bluetooth speaker is the perfect companion for adventurous audiophiles taking to the outdoors this year. Inside the shock-proof and water-resistant exterior rubber casing lies twin neodymium speaker drivers, a speakerphone, and a rechargeable battery capable of up to 8 hours of play time via a bluetooth connection. – $55+
Jabra Solemate Mini
A go anywhere, travel-sized version of it’s larger Solemate counterpart, the Jabra Solemate Mini bluetooth speaker is, despite it’s ultra-portable size, outfitted with two separate speakers that deliver an impressive listening experience along with an 8 hour battery for an all day listening experience. Bluetooth connectivity, a dust and splash resistant rubber coating, and the same treaded sole as the original Solemate speaker round out the highlights. – $70+
Nixon Blaster
As rugged as it is stylish, the Nixon Blaster Speaker features wireless bluetooth connectivity as well as an auxiliary stereo input for accommodating wired-only devices, a smartphone friendly integrated speakerphone, conveniently located volume and playback buttons, and a rechargeable battery good for up to 12 hours of play time—all protected by a seamless exterior rubber housing designed to stand up to everyday wear and tear. – $150
Braven BRV-Pro
The BRV-PRO is the company’s most rugged, versatile bluetooth speaker to date. It’s IPX7-rated design renders it completely waterproof, while a solid metal housing provides considerable impact protection during use. Additional features include built-in speakerphone, a rechargeable battery pack good for up to 15 hours of wireless playtime on a single charge, and compatibility with an assortment of accessories such as a solar charging panel, sound-doubling stacking plates, or a GoPro compatible mounting system. – $149
Bowers & Wilkins T7 Portable Speaker
More thought went into the design of the T7 portable speaker than the previous 19 bluetooth speakers combined. It’s travel-friendly compact size is complimented by a specially-designed honeycomb of interlocking cells that stabilize the speaker’s housing, in turn reducing unwanted distortion and vibration common with some other mini speakers. Along with 50mm drivers and twin bass radiators, the T7 Speaker’s design results in a solid sound in an ultra portable package for on the go listening. Additional features include Bluetooth capabilities and an impressive 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. – $350
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