We’re in the midst of a portable technological golden age, with the most sophisticated devices fitting in your hand or pocket. Portable Bluetooth speakers are one of these products. For music aficionados, these little sound systems have become an EDC (everyday carry) necessity. They’re also one of the best and most helpful developments for listening to music in any setting without having to tote around a huge boombox, fiddle with cords, or figure out a power source. Even better, the best portable Bluetooth speakers are also durable, so you won’t have to worry about taking your favorite speakers outside and ruining them.
While the qualities of these speakers vary, we used a variety of elements to compile our list of the finest portable Bluetooth speakers.
1- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
There are newer, louder, clearer, thinner, stronger, cheaper, or better-looking portable Bluetooth speakers on the market. However, none of them come close to hitting the sweet spot in every category like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. For years, this has been on lists of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and it’s still one of the best in 2022. This grenade-sized speaker is perfect for throwing in your backpack and using at the park, hanging in the shower, utilizing in the kitchen, or laying next to your bed most people. It has an outdoor mode for making music sound better in open places, and it floats in a pool (don’t worry, it’s IP67 rated to handle drops, dust, and water). You can even get stereo sound by pairing it with a second Wonderboom 2.
It may not be as loud or as bass-heavy as the UE Boom 3, but that’s all relative: no really portable Bluetooth speaker can replace a proper stereo system. We want a speaker that gives as much utility and convenience as possible in this situation (while still sounding good). The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers in our opinion.
2- Sony SRS-XB33 & SRS-XB43
The Sony SRS-XB33 is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers to have around the house if you’re looking for a speaker with more oomph that you can hold in your hand but aren’t as concerned with portability. The SRS-XB33 has passive radiators on each side of the speaker, which provides some of the greatest basses for a speaker of its size, and 24-hour battery life means you won’t have to worry about continually changing it. Thanks to an IP67 durability rating, this speaker can resist all of your drops, spills, and other disasters. The SRS-XB43, its more powerful twin, boasts an even more impressive spec sheet, including two woofers and two tweeters that will shake your walls.
3- Soundcore Flare Mini
There aren’t many portable Bluetooth speakers that offer as much for the money as the Soundcore Flare Mini. In a battle of audio quality, speakers like the Sony SRS-XB33 would undoubtedly outperform it, but for half the price, it’s impressive that the Soundcore Flare Mini is even on the table. This speaker is rated for 12 hours of continuous audio playback and even features LEDs that sync with the music. You can also connect two Soundcore Flare Mini speakers together for stereo sound and more loudness. Finally, it has an IPX7 grade, indicating that it is waterproof. It can even withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.
4- Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
High performance, as the saying goes, comes at a high cost. Someone must have been thinking of the UE Hyperboom when they came up with that. Yes, it is massive and does not scream portability, but if you can flex those muscles and pull them to the backyard with the robust handle, you will be rewarded with audio joy. Two 4.5-inch subwoofers, dual passive radiators, and soft-dome tweeters combine to produce audio loud enough to cover an entire city block. There will be plenty of basses and a clear midrange. IPX water resistance also means you won’t have to worry about the speaker short-circuiting if you drop some liquids on it. The Hyperboom’s battery life is rated at 24 hours, so you won’t have to be concerned about that.
5- Bose SoundLink Flex
Bose may be the king of noise-canceling headphones, but they’re just getting their feet wet when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers. The SoundLink Flex, on the other hand, cannonballs the brand into the pool. Listeners are fed dynamic music that automatically adapts based on how it is positioned according to proprietary PositionIQ technology. Waterproofing, pairing with other Bose speakers, and 12-hour battery life are all features that are greatly welcomed. Our appreciation for the SoundLink Flex, on the other hand, stems from its intelligibility, which is best exhibited by the built-in microphone, which enables faultless voice command use and superb call quality. When you need to make a last-minute conference call before boarding a business flight, this will come in handy.
6- Marshall Stockwell II
Have you ever come across an audio product that just oozes nostalgia? That’s pretty much true of everything Marshall makes, but the Stockwell II’s classic appearance and performance are simply too appealing to pass up. If the amp-inspired design isn’t enough to make you feel like you’re at a live performance, the powerful 360-degree sound with deep bass and brilliant highs will. Adjustable bass and treble knobs are among the fascinating things to play with. Another feature is the ability to connect this speaker to two Bluetooth devices, allowing you to take over DJ duties when your wifey’s music selection starts to put the party to sleep. This beautiful model features a durable design highlighted by a stainless metal grille, IPX4 water protection, over 20 hours of playing, and a great guitar-inspired strap for mobility.
7- Bang and Olufsen Beosound Explore
The Sonos Roam may be the best Bluetooth speaker on the market, but it lacks one superlative: battery life. Bang and Olufsen’s all-new Beosound Explore speaker wins this award, with 27 hours of gameplay and excellent battery management in a premium-built design. The Beosound Explore looks like a tin can, but it’s far from it, with IP67 weatherproofing, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and 1.8-inch drivers that help produce high-end audio.
The best part is the pricing, which at $199 is one of B&O’s most affordable audio devices. While we still prefer the Sonos Roam, we believe the aesthetes of the world who cherish long playtimes will have to give this one serious consideration.
8- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
Harman Kardon’s design credentials speak for themselves. The heritage audio brand continues to develop beautiful wireless speakers that double as décor centerpieces that are both minimalist and striking. The Onyx Studio 7 isn’t any different. What’s not to appreciate about the planetary-inspired design or the ring-like handle that can be used to carry the speaker or prop it up on a flat surface? The Onyx Studio 7 is, however, more than just a pretty face. Dual tweeters are disguised beneath the sleek black cloth grille, resulting in a powerful and bass-forward sound. Although an eight-hour battery life may not seem like much, it’s plenty of time for guests to admire this beauty during house parties.
9- LG XBOOM 360 RP4 Omnidirectional Speaker
Although omnidirectional audio isn’t a new concept in the digital world, only a few companies have done it properly. LG can be added to the list. The XBOOM 360 RP4 is a one-of-a-kind portable speaker that can produce 360-degree sound for immersive, detailed listening. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor use. When plugged in, it delivers 120 watts to a 5.25-inch woofer and 2-inch horn tweeter, but it also offers 10 hours of portable use between charges. You can listen to music via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux-in. In addition, the speaker’s conical design and built-in mood lighting give it a futuristic lantern-like appearance. Combine it with DJ effects that can be added to playlists via the accompanying app, and you’ve got yourself a Las Vegas nightclub in your home room.
10- Sony SRS-XG500 Bluetooth Speaker
When we first tested and reviewed the Sony SRS-XG500 Bluetooth Speaker, we noticed that it was essentially a modernized version of the boombox popular in the 1990s. And, if you can overlook the dreadful name (what is it with Sony and numerical product names? ), this is an outstanding speaker. This portable Bluetooth speaker has great sound quality, as you’d expect from a Sony product, and the Super Bass option puts other portable speakers to shame. This huge speaker also has a 30-hour playback capability, with a 10-minute charge providing three hours of playback. Yes, it’s a big speaker, but it’s also beach-worthy and will have everyone in the neighborhood asking, “Where did you get that, and where can I get one?”
This is one of the greatest portable Bluetooth speakers of 2022 if you don’t mind the size or price.
11- DEWALT 20V MAX Bluetooth Speaker
If you’re working in the garage, on a construction site, or inside on a remodeling project, you’ll need a speaker that you don’t mind knocking around. The DEWALT 20V MAX is the answer; it’s built to withstand the rigors of the Jobsite, just like the rest of DEWALT’s cordless tool line. This speaker is powered by the same 20V rechargeable battery as many other DEWALT tools, but it may also be powered by AC power. It boasts a 100-foot Bluetooth range, and the bass reflex port adds a little more oomph to help it stand out among your other power tools. While the audio quality isn’t going to win any prizes, it’s a terrific alternative for difficult, dusty conditions.
12- EWA A106 Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker
The EWA A106 is for you if you’re searching for a portable rechargeable Bluetooth speaker that’s just a speaker, without a microphone, Alexa, or any other bells and whistles, and you’re seeking a good deal. The 3-watt driver won’t put the Bose engineers to sleep, but the EWA A106’s sound more than makes up for the price. It’s a super-light 6.2 ounce and comes with a metal clip for increased portability, plus it streams your favorite music services and podcast/audiobook apps. When played at 50% level, the battery lasts up to six hours, and four hours if you crank it up. This tiny man is a bargain at $20, and over 23,000 Amazon reviewers agree, giving it a 4.5/5 rating.
