Nothing beats the freedom of wire-free listening, and we here at Android Police are major fans of all things Bluetooth. One of the best ways to enjoy the many music-streaming platforms out there is with a portable Bluetooth speaker. Far more than loud and proud drivers, the best Bluetooth speakers include sweet features like top-shelf weatherproofing, intuitive companion apps for phones or tablets, and even integrated voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
Like most consumer tech devices, though, no Bluetooth speaker is created equal, which is why this list was curated with the best in mind. Inevitably, there will be some brands you recognize and others that may be brand-new. Either way, these are all devices we’d be willing to invest our time, money, and trust in. So let’s crank up the decibels and get the tunes pumping!
Here are our top picks for the best portable Bluetooth speakers
Bose SoundLink Flex
Best for any situation
A waterproof design, great sound (especially its clear mid-range), and a solid 12 hours of battery life make the Bose SoundLink Flex an ideal portable Bluetooth speaker for most situations. It even comes with voice assistant support, so you can take calls or pull up a playlist without grabbing your phone.
- Light yet sturdy
- Overall great sound
- Can pair with more than one device
- Sound quality doesn’t hold up at highest volumes
Bose Soundlink Flex proves that not only can you get an excellent-sounding speaker without breaking the bank, but that good things can come in small packages. While it may be unreasonable to expect the boomy, room-filling bass that a larger speaker will deliver, the Soundlink Flex will still surprise you. It punches well above its weight class, putting out more bass than you’d think possible from a speaker this size.
There’s also more to this deceptively small speaker than just great sound. It’s also IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, and it floats, too. That means you won’t have to worry about taking it to the pool, beach, or just about any other outdoor adventure. It’s not the most rugged speaker on the market, but its power-coated steel grille and silicon exterior is designed to resist corrosion from rust and UV light, and can easily survive minor drops as well.
Plus, you get 12 hours of use between charges, so you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet halfway through that picnic. It also comes with some useful extras, such as the ability to make and receive calls and use Google Assistant or Siri. And, if you prefer your accessories with a little extra flair, you’re in luck, as the SoundLink Flex is available in four colors.
JBL Authentics 300
Delightfully retro but surprisingly versatile
The JBL Authentics 300 is neither small nor light, but it packs in everything you could want in a portable speaker, from solid room-filling sound to Wi-Fi streaming for AirPlay and Spotify to support for Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Full and rich sound
- Great design and build quality
- Wi-Fi streaming and voice assistant support
- Hefty and pricey
- Limited EQ controls
- Battery life is only average
As the name implies, the JBL Authentics 300 is a modern speaker that looks the part of a classic. The retro design, from the textured front grille to the knobs on top and the black leatherette and gold trim puts it in a design class of its own. It also has a build quality to match its vintage look, with its eleven-pound weight putting it more into a category we’d describe more as “luggable” than portable. Nevertheless, it’s got eight hours of nominal battery life and full Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, so you can still take it anywhere — as long as you’re willing to carry it there.
The sound that this speaker can put out easily justifies its heft, considering that you’re getting a pair of 5.25-inch woofers, two 25mm tweets, and a large downward-firing passive radiator. That means there’s no shortage of volume or bass here, but it’s beautifully balanced — fully present, but not so overwhelming it drowns out the midrange. This makes the JBL Authentics 300 a versatile speaker for a wide variety of genres, as you’ll get an impressively huge low-end for EDM and hip-hop without worrying about losing the guitar riffs in classic and prog rock.
The only real disappointment is the limited three-band EQ, which could make it harder to tune the sound signature to your liking. You can make up for some of that with on-device EQ from your phone, but that’s a kludge compared to having better equalization on the speaker itself. Still, we think JBL has tuned it with a sound that should appeal to all but the most demanding listeners.
JBL Authentics 300 portable speaker review: Large sound in a large package
A big way to blast your favorite tunes wherever you go
The JBL Authentics 300 has another neat trick up its sleeve, though, in that it goes well beyond basic Bluetooth connectivity. There’s an auxiliary-in jack plus Wi-Fi and even Ethernet for those who prefer to hardwire into their home network. This translates to support for not only AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, but also Alexa and Google Assistant.
In short, it’s a fully functional home speaker that you can take on the road with you. We found the Bluetooth 5.3 added latency that was barely noticeable, even when using it to stream Netflix, and we had no problems with signal dropout when testing it over Wi-Fi. There’s even a USB-C port that can be used for playing back MP3 files off a flash drive.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Anker’s Soundcore Motion 300 delivers solid audio quality that will make you question how this portable speaker can have such a low price tag. It’s loud, durable, and even includes a versatile EQ with the companion Soundcore app. It cuts a few corners, but none of them are deal-breakers for a speaker this affordable.
- Solid audio quality with good volume
- Versatile and auto-adjustable EQ
- Durable
- No AUX in
- No voice assistant support
The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a speaker that belies its low price tag. While it makes a few compromises to get there, those are mostly on frills rather than core features. Its 30-watt drivers put out room-filling sound that’s rich in bass and easily comparable to many speakers that sell for twice as much. Put simply, it’s far from the tinny and weak sound we’d normally expect to hear from a sub-$100 speaker.
Of course, you shouldn’t expect sub-woofer-level bass from a speaker this small, but it’s surprising how full the audio coming out of it sounds. It’s a typical V-shaped curve, so the mids do suffer a little bit compared to the lows and highs, but that’s not surprising as it’s the most common tuning for consumer-grade speakers as it plays well with most modern genres.
However, Anker has also packed in a versatile EQ that lets you easily tune those up a bit if you prefer to listen on a different curve. This is handled through a companion app — the speaker itself only features a rather mundane bass boost that muddies things up a bit too much for our liking — but the nine-band in-app EQ lets you adjust any of the other major frequencies by plus or minus 6 dB. That’s enough to let the Motion 300 play nice with a whole range of musical tastes.
What’s even cooler is that you can not only create EQ presets, but assign them to activate automatically when the speaker is in different orientations, so you could create a hip-hop EQ for standing the speaker up and a more nuanced classical EQ that’s used when it’s lying on its back.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300 review: A petite portable speaker with big sound
Petite, powerful, and cheap
Sound quality aside, the Motion 300 is otherwise a fairly bare-bones speaker. It has decent 13-hour battery life, but there’s no fast charging, no auxiliary-in port for connecting to a wired audio source, and no Wi-Fi; it’s Bluetooth or nothing here. It’s IPX7 rated, which means decent water resistance but no certified protection against dust. None of those are serious omissions, considering its $80 asking price, and one thing that makes the price even more attractive is support for Anker’s TWS pairing, so you can pick up two and sync them up for a more immersive stereo experience.
Sonos Move 2
Worth the splurge
The Sonos Move 2 boasts a spacious stereo soundstage with 24-hour battery life and a more refined design and improved touch controls over its predecessor. It also features IP56 dust and water resistance and a rugged enough design that you won’t have to worry about using it by the pool.
- Spacious stereo sound
- Intuitive touch controls
- Solid 24-hour battery life
- Not really portable outside of the home
- Pricey
- 3.5mm line-in requires separate adapter
The Sonos Move 2 is an improvement over its predecessor in nearly every way, with 24-hour battery life, a more refined design, and sleeker touch controls. While we still don’t think it would be your first choice to take on a road trip or out to a beach party — especially considering its weaker IP56 rating — it’s an excellent choice for around the home, whether that’s in your den or out on your back deck or even poolside. It won’t have any problem handling splashes or even moderate rain, and it’s built to handle extreme temperatures and UV rays from sunlight. It’s also great to be able to take it to places in your home where you’d never think of leaving a full-size speaker plugged in.
While Sonos promises an expanded stereo soundstage from the Move 2, thanks to the addition of a second tweeter, don’t expect any miracles here, as you can’t really change the laws of physics. Stereo separation requires actual separation, and there’s only so much you can do with a pair of drivers that are inches, rather than feet, apart.
Sonos has angled the tweeters 45 degrees outward to try and bounce the sound around, but how well that works will depend entirely on the room you’re listening in. We had a hard time distinguishing individual channels when listening, but don’t let that dissuade you, because it’s certainly no worse than any other single speaker on the market, and the overall sound profile is still great.
The second tweeter may not separate the sound, but it certainly cleans it up and allows the mids and highs to come into their own. It’s a much more balanced sound overall compared to the original Move, but it’s also not as impressive as other speakers in its price range. We found it more on par with Sonos’ $249 Era 100 than the similarly-priced $449 Era 300.
Sonos Move 2 review: Worth the weight
Sonos has nailed the execution — and the sound quality — with its updated portable smart speaker
That’s likely because the Sonos Move 2 has a different strength that justifies its higher asking price: it can get loud enough for outdoor places where you’re more likely to use a portable speaker. Unless you’re fortunate enough to live out in the country, using a speaker in your backyard will be a constant battle between whatever you’re listening to and the noise of the suburbs or city. The Sonos Move 2 gets plenty loud enough to overcome that, but be aware that, like many portable speakers, the sound quality falls off as you get into the top quarter of the volume range.
Naturally, as a Sonos speaker, you get full integration into the rest of the Sonos ecosystem, which makes this one a really easy buy for folks who already have a Sonos One or Era around the home, but it also works as a standalone speaker with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for AirPlay 2 and Alexa voice assistant support — and unlike the original Move, using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is no longer an either-or choice.
Sony SRS-XB100
Sling along the power
Experience a new sound with the Sony SRS-XB100 Bluetooth speaker. This durable speaker is meant to be at home with dirt and water, with IP67-rated protection. Running 16 hours per charge, it sounds warm and powerful despite its size. A versatile strap helps you to sling it along on your belt or otherwise. A proprietary tech allows the sound to spread widely creating immersion. These speakers charge via USB-C and you can pair two of them to get stereo sound.
- Strong sound for size
- IP67-grade protection
- Good call quality
- No app support
- A bit expensive
A substantial upgrade over the old XB13, the Sony SRS-XB100 is a powerful yet very portable speaker. At a weight of less than 10 ounces, it is easy to carry it around using the belt provided. It is available in many colors and has a rugged shell, contrasting with its smooth-shelled predecessor. It is protected by IP67-grade engineering, meaning it is fully impervious to standard dust and flowing water.
The XB100 delivers impressive sound quality for its diminutive size and price tag, but it’s not all aural sunshine and roses here. It’s loud enough to drown out the noise of the city streets, but it overemphasizes the highs when you pump up the volume to max. The midrange frequencies are a bit more emphasized than most speakers, although we found that makes this one especially well-suited to spoken word content such as audiobooks and podcasts.
The bass situation is more unusual, as the speaker has no problem putting it out, but it also doesn’t come out as forward or clean as we’d like, often taking a backseat to the mids, particularly when vocals come into the mix. Position is uniquely important with this speaker, as we discovered in our testing that the bass fared better when the speaker was put on a floor or a table, as there’s enough rumble to let you feel the bass even when you can’t hear it. That didn’t just affect the bass, either; in some cases shifting it to a different position felt like we were changing the EQ settings.
Sony SRS-XB100 review: A Bluetooth speaker made to tag along
Hang on tight, though really not all that tight
That’s sort of handy, considering the speaker doesn’t have a companion app, so there are no EQ adjustments to be made otherwise. Connected via Bluetooth 5.3, the XB100 will simply channel the standard SBC and AAC codecs. An upward-firing two-watt driver delivers 100 Hz to 15 kHz mono audio that sounds bigger than you’d expect out of such a small speaker. Sony’s DSP is also quite good at controlling bass and treble across volume levels so that you get the best sound no matter where you’re listening. It does a decent job with voice calls over its built-in speakerphone, too.
JBL Flip 6
Ideal for those who want more low-end
Though the JBL Flip 6 skips out on an AUX port and voice assistant support, it’s still an impressive portable speaker with a waterproof IP67 rating. It has a good amount of bass and is easy to carry for times in the wilderness when you just want a little music.
- Purposeful design improvements from Flip 5, including IP67 dust-resistance
- Fantastic audio quality
- Bass heavy
- Can not use as a speakerphone
- Still no aux port
The JBL Flip 6 has a lot going for it. Like many options these days, it’s waterproof and dust-proof with an IP67 rating. It’s also ruggedly built, ready for any wear and tear from use on the road. You can choose from several color options. And you can use an app to fine-tune your listening experience, including customizable EQ settings. Though you can only get stereo sound when paired with another JBL Flip 6 for stereo mode, it sounds excellent, retaining a lot of the low end that many portable speakers sacrifice.
That’s par for the course for JBL’s Flip series, of course, which has delivered bass-heavy sound since the first-generation model came along in 2012. It was one of the first bass-rich portable speakers in the game, so it’s no surprise that the Flip 6 continues that tradition. However, it also refines that sound signature to provide some more nuance that should bring brighter genres like jazz and classical music through more effectively. That’s thanks to a 10-watt tweeter that helps the mids and trebles rise more above the bass when they need to.
Nevertheless, the Flip 6 sticks to its bass-heavy roots, making it the ideal portable speaker for EDM, hip-hop, and other modern genres. We found that the bass was not only present, but it was substantial and remained so even when cranked up to the max. In short, JBL hasn’t lost its touch, and the Flip 6 remains the most bassy speaker in its class by a wide margin.
JBL Flip 6 review: An exceptional Bluetooth speaker
Respectable sound quality, solid battery life, and IP67 resistance provide a reliable portable audio companion
Sadly, the middling 12 hours of battery life is a bit disappointing, especially considering its slightly larger size. Still, it should be more than enough for everyday use, and you get IP67 dust and water resistance, making it a great choice to use at the beach or poolside. Sadly, there’s still no aux-in port — JBL moved away from those a few years ago — so you’ll need to connect to this one via Bluetooth.
JBL Clip 4 Eco
Ideal for those needing something small for the trail
The JBL Clip 4 Eco is a sustainable version of the company’s popular clip-on portable speaker. It’s an ideal little speaker for anyone wanting to bring some music while backpacking through the country or campus. In fact, it might be one of the best portable speakers out there if only the battery life were a little longer. But nothing’s perfect. Not even the JBL Clip 4 Eco.
- Rugged build
- Surprising audio quality for the size
- Large handy clip
- Just okay battery life
- Not a lot of bass or volume
Sometimes portability is the most critical feature of a portable Bluetooth speaker. Maybe you’re backpacking through the wilderness or biking down a dirt path and want a little musical accompaniment, and a portable speaker is the only way. Most options are too bulky for such a situation, but something like the JBL Clip 4 Eco, a more sustainable version of the JBL Clip 4, is perfect.
True to its name, it has a large clip for clipping onto a backpack or luggage without fuss. It’s also waterproof and durable, so it will hold up no matter how tough the terrain. Of course, its diminutive size means you only get 10 hours of battery life, so you might want to bring a good portable USB-C charger for the trip. At least it sounds good for its size, though not surprisingly light on bass, so you can enjoy some tunes just about anywhere you want to take it.
Anker Soundcore Glow
Ignite the light and let it shine
Anker’s Soundcore Glow is a great way to liven up the party, with a downward-firing 30-watt speaker that offers plenty of bass and a light show that pulses to the beat of your music. It’s also IP67 dust and water resistant and features a flexible EQ thanks to Anker’s Soundcore app.
- 360-degree sound
- 18-hour battery life
- Synchronized light show
- Lighting isn’t as customizable as it could be
- Bass and high-end fall off at higher volumes
If you want to light up the night at your next pool party, then Anker’s Soundcore Glow should be high on your list. With a 30W speaker and two passive radiators, it puts out plenty of sound, while also illuminating things with a radiant light show that moves to the beat of whatever you’re playing. The downward-firing 2.5-inch driver promises 360-degree sound, and Anker’s “BassUp” technology lets you enhance the bass for those times you really want a more tubthumping experience.
Considering the single-driver design, that bass boost will overwhelm the mids and highs, but that’s to be expected in what is essentially a party speaker. You can do some fine-tuning of the sound in Anker’s app with its nine-band EQ, but don’t expect miracles here; this is first and foremost a speaker to rock the night away with modern hip-hop and dance tunes.
That should be readily apparent from the multicolored LED rings that sync with the music and provide lighting effects. You can turn these off, which saves battery life, or choose from five presets. There’s some other customization, but it’s not as flexible as you might think at first glance. Speaking of the battery life, Anker promises 18 hours with the lighting off, and while it notes that using the light effects will reduce that, it doesn’t say by how much. It’s also IP67-rated for beach parties, and designed to float if it takes a dip. Anker’s PartyCast 2.0 technology lets you link and sy nc up to 100 Soundcore speakers for the ultimate light show.
Tribit StormBox Blast
Solid bass and colorful lights
Big sound accompanies a loud appearance with the Tribit StormBox Blast. Nothing is subtle about this speaker, from its funky LED light show to its heft and build quality. Seriously waterproof, it connects via Bluetooth 5.3 and 3.5 mm. The speaker has a battery big enough to run it for 30 hours straight and even functions as a power bank. This speaker is ideally suited for outdoor and/or party usage.
- Colorful LEDs
- Fully waterproof
- Mega bass
- Heavy
- No calling
Seriously loud and bassy, the Tribit StormBox Blast is a big and heavy Bluetooth speaker well-suited for outdoor listening, thanks to its tough build and IPX7 waterproofing. The big bold style is good for parties, too, and we love the funky multicolor LED array in the front.
Sound-wise, this speaker is a beast. It has two 4.2-inch subwoofers and two 1.2-inch tweeters delivering 90 watts of thumping goodness. The frequency range is 50 Hz to 20 kHz, while the dual passive radiators provide stronger bass. It has Bluetooth 5.3, but unfortunately, it supports only the SBC codec. At this price point, aptX or at least AAC would be nice.
Although the Blast doesn’t come with a mic (that means no speakerphone function), it has extensive app support to control various aspects of the device, from sound quality to LEDs to firmware updates. The battery is also massive, running this big boy for around 30 hours, and can reverse-charge your phone in a pinch.
Ultimate Ears Epicboom
Loud and stylish
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom offers everything to appeal to an outdoorsy music lover. It is big, heavy, powerful, and solidly built. Radiating 95 dBs of smooth, bassy sound, there will be few louder things in the vicinity. IP67-grade protection enhances its survivability in any weather while being drop-proof and buoyant also helps immensely.
- Simplistic style
- Solid build
- Interconnectivity
- Very expensive
- Not many color options
Looking deceptively simplistic, the Epicboom is big, powerful, stylish, and expensive. Built entirely from recycled plastic, this eco-friendly product is also IP67-grade, protected from dust and water, making it survive almost any weather. What’s more, it floats! The shoebox-size shell contains two 1.5-inch drivers and a 4.6-inch woofer, delivering crystal clear sound and punchy bass. The design helps provide 360-degree bass and gets as loud as 95dB or more.
The UE Epicboom can dynamically tune its audio output to suit your environment, and it’s capable of networking with other Ultimate Ears speakers for even bigger sound. It’s pricey, but it’s a good option if you’re looking for a premium Bluetooth speaker.
What to look for in a portable Bluetooth speaker
If you’re working on a limited budget, that should be your first concern. After all, you can’t (or shouldn’t) get something you can’t afford. But once you’ve determined what’s within your price range, you should consider what form factor you need.
Also, account for the environment where you plan to use the speaker. You can find IP ratings listed for Bluetooth speakers, wireless earbuds, and essentially any other outdoor equipment. IP ratings are listed as two numbers.
The first, which tops out at six, indicates resistance to dust, while the second, which tops out at nine, indicates water resistance. For example, a device with an IP67 rating will block out more dust particles and water than a device with an IPX5 rating. The water resistance is generally the more important number, and getting something with a seven (i.e., IPX7) will be more than enough unless you plan on diving or submerging the device for an extended period.
Of course, sound quality is key. While you’re not shooting for an audiophile experience, you at least want good sound. You shouldn’t expect much in the way of sound separation from these speakers. But, they can still offer a great listening experience with a crisp but not painful high-end, a full mid-range, and a pounding (or at least present) low-end.
And don’t forget about battery life. Most speakers now come with more than enough for a day out or an afternoon get-together, as long as you charge afterward. But, if you plan to be away from a power source for a while, such as camping, battery life becomes a crucial consideration. At that point, you might want to invest in a power bank.
Portable sound meets powerful performance
Portable Bluetooth speakers can be found just about everywhere these days, so it’s important to know which models are worthwhile, as well as which brands you should ignore. Fortunately, many of these products are from noteworthy audio brands with long-standing, reliable track records in the consumer tech world.
For example, Bose is a name you should recognize, and its Soundlink Flex gets top honors. This is because it sounds great, is easy to use, and can be paired to more than one Bluetooth device at a time. It also offers a whopping 12 hours of battery life and is available in multiple color options.
If you’re willing to take things up a few notches for no-compromises design and performance, the JBL Authentics 300 is an excellent premium pick. It delivers great sound in a unique retro design that we love and checks all the boxes for connectivity and compatibility. The only real downside is its weight, but if you’re willing to pay the asking price, we think that’s a reasonable tradeoff for a speaker this great.
On the other hand, if you’d prefer to keep some more money in your wallet, Anker’s Soundcore Motion 300 delivers unbelievable sound quality for its $80 asking price. You won’t get too many other frills like wired connectivity or voice assistance support, but the Motion 300 does what it does do very well.
Bose SoundLink Flex
Best speaker for most situations
A waterproof design, great sound (especially its clear mid-range), and a solid 12 hours of battery life make the Bose SoundLink Flex an ideal portable Bluetooth speaker for most situations. It even comes with voice assistant support, so you can take calls or pull up a playlist without grabbing your phone.
