Today, portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen. They come in all different shapes and sizes, with different sound qualities and price points. But before actually buying a portable Bluetooth speaker, there are a lot of different factors that you should consider.
The great thing about a portable Bluetooth speaker is that it makes listening to music anywhere super easy. If you have a smartphone and a charged speaker, you can listen to music in your home, the backyard, the park, the beach or even when riding your bike. It’s no-fuss.
How We Tested
Gear PatrolWe’ve been writing about and reviewing audio products — including speakers, headphones, earbuds and other audio components that run the gamut from consumer to hi-fi — for nearly a decade.
We also work with major brands and talk to experts within the audio industry. We’ve had hands-on testing and experience with the vast majority of the below selections of portable Bluetooth speakers, but there are a few others from trusted within the audio space.
We test each speaker for sound quality, portability, ruggedness and advanced features, such as customizable EQ and RGB lighting. Below are our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers of 2024.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Under $150
Sony ULT Field 1
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 1.43 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Affordable for its size
- Rugged design
- Innovative laynard design for easy carry
- ULT button gives you the option of better base
Cons
- Companion app doesn't offer much
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the company’s new ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker for 2024 and is our pick for best all-around portable Bluetooth speaker because of its sound, price and simplicity. It has a mostly cylindrical design, packing two passive bass radiators (one on each side) and a front-facing woofer-and-tweeter combo, and it sounds bigger than you’d think. It also features a new ULT button for those who want to boost the bass.
Additionally, the ULT Field 1 charges via USB-C and has a convenient and adjustable strap that allows you to hang it on a chair or tree easily, or even carry it more comfortably. It works with Sony’s companion app, but you probably won’t even need to use it. It lacks the lighting strobes of some of the company’s larger speakers from yesteryears, but that helps keep the price down. For its size and price, you’ll have a tough time finding a better portable speaker.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Under $350
Ultimate EarsUltimate Ears Epicboom
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 17 hours |
| Weight | 4.36 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C and wireless charging base |
Pros
- A beefy, 360-degree speaker
- Super rugged and water-resistant (and it floats!)
- Environment-friendly design
Cons
- $350 is steep for a portable Bluetooth speaker this size
Released in September 2023, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom is the best portable Bluetooth speaker that the brand has released in years. It’s essentially a bigger, better and oval-shaped version of the UE Megaboom. It delivers true 360-degree sound and has a super rugged and resistant design — heck, it even floats. And unlike all of UE’s smaller Bluetooth speakers, the Epicboom is the first to charge via USB-C instead of micro-USB.
The Epicboom has a lot going for it: solid sound, simple-to-use controls and a convenient lanyard that magnetizes to its back. The only real downside is that, at $350, it’s far from cheap.
The Best Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker Under $50
Sony SRS-XB100
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 16 hours |
| Weight | 0.56 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Extremely compact design
- Very simple and easy to use
- Available in five different colors
Cons
- No advanced features
- Doesn't get as loud as other speakers
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$59.99 (37% off)
Released in 2023, the Sony SRS-XB100 is the smallest portable Bluetooth speaker that Sony makes — it’s about half the size of a soda can. It’s the next-generation version of the SRS-XB13 and looks basically identical; both are the same size, charge via USB-C and deliver true 360-degree sound.
The main difference is that Sony improved the sound and extended the battery life (albeit just a little) of its newer speaker. Like its predecessor, the Sony SRS-XB100 has a lanyard to easily attach it to a backpack or golf bag. And it comes in a number of different colors so you can buy one to match your style.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker With Customizable Lights
AmazonJBL Pulse 5
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- A very cool and unique design
- LED lights are highly customizable
- Extremely rugged
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Hard exterior collects fingerprints and can be difficult to hold
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$249.95 (20% off)
Released in early 2023, the Pulse 5 is a mid-sized portable speaker that gets its name because of it’s built-in LED lights that “pulse” different colors as it plays music — it’s kind of like a lava lamp and a speaker all in one. The speaker will naturally change colors, but you can customize them via JBL’s companion or by pressing a button on its back (you can also turn the lights off if you like).
The speaker itself stands up straight and has a hard shell exterior, the latter of which makes it surprisingly heavy for its size, but also extremely rugged (and a little difficult to hold). As for sound, the speaker’s dual drivers deliver a vibrant sound that gets pretty loud. Bottom line, this is a portable speaker that’s meant to stand out rather than blend in.
The Best Portable “Smart” Speaker
SonosSonos Roam 2
Specs
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Weight | 0.95 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C and wireless charging base |
Pros
- The smallest and most portable wireless speaker that Sonos makes
- Supports wireless charging
- Available in multiple colors
- New button makes pairing and setup process even easier
Cons
- A touch expensive
- Doesn't get as loud as other portable speakers
The second-generation Sonos Roam is almost identical to its predecessor. It’s the same size and ruggedness (IP67-rated) portable speaker, and the perfect option for anybody who has other Sonos speakers.
It’s unique because it has both built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, similar to the Move 2, so you can easily integrate it into an existing Sonos home speaker system or take it outside and use it as a traditional Bluetooth speaker. It supports Alexa and Sonos Voice Control when connected to Wi-Fi, so you can use it just like a Sonos One. And it features Automatic TruePlay so it’ll sound good no matter where you’re listening to it. It charges via USB-C or any Qi-wireless charging pad, too, which is pretty neat.
The only real difference between the Roam 2 is that it now has dedicated buttons for both power and pairing, meaning you don’t have to go through quite as extensive setup process — connecting the speaker to the Sonos app and your Wi-Fi network — before using it. It’s easier.
Like the original Roam, the Roam 2 is available in a bunch of other colors besides black and white, including orange (sunset), light blue (wave) and forest green (olive).
Most Water-Resistant Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBLJBL Go 3
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 5 hours |
| Weight | 0.46 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Really durable and compact design
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Design might not be for everybody
- Battery life isn't exceptional
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$49.99 (26% off)
The JBL Go 3 is one of our favorite ultra-portable speakers because it’s super small and very durable — you can take it anywhere, throw it around and it’ll work and sound great. Its attached lanyard also makes it easy to carry.
The Go 3 charges via USB-C, which is great, but its 5-hour battery life is less than ideal. It’s also worth noting that the Go 3 is a front-firing speaker, so it sounds best when the logo is facing you. Available in multiple colors.
Most Travel-Friendly Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBLJBL Flip 6
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 1.21 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Solid sound quality
- Water-resistant design
- USB-C charging
- Extremely portable and affordable
Cons
- Not as feature-packed as other portable speakers
Released in 2022, the sixth-generation Flip is an excellent little portable speaker. It’s a front-firing speaker — which houses a two-way driver and dual passive radiators — that delivers room-filling sound.
The Flip 6 is fully waterproof (which is probably its biggest improvement over the previous Flip 5) and has an attached lanyard for easy carrying. It works with a companion app, too, which allows you to tweak its sound settings or stereo pair with another Flip 6.
Sonos’s Best-Sounding Portable Smart Speaker
SonosSonos Move 2
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 24 hours |
| Weight | 6.6 pounds |
| Water-Resistance | IP56 |
| Charging | USB-C or charging base |
Pros
- The all-day battery life is the killer feature
- Stereo sound is a big upgrade
- It's Sonos's most versatile portable speaker to date
- New look, controls and now comes in an olive color
Cons
- Without sales, costs $50 more than the original Move
- No Google Assistant is a buzzkill, again
Released in September 2023, the second-generation Move is quite an improvement over Sonos’s 2019-released Move. It’s pretty much the same size and works similarly, but the Move 2 sounds better, is way more versatile, and has a way longer battery life.
The Move 2 has an extra tweeter and can play true stereo sound (instead of just mono). It has over double the battery life — now up to 24 hours. It supports USB-C line-in so, when used with Sonos’s special adapter, you can connect the Move 2 directly to an analog source such as a turntable or CD player.
The Move 2 also supports reverse charging, meaning you can use its USB-C port and a USB-C cable to charge other devices — like your smartphone. Plus the Move 2 has a more refined look and new controls (similar to Sonos’s newer Era speakers), and it comes in a new olive finish as well as the traditional white or black.
A Classic Portable Bluetooth Speaker for Less
UEUltimate Ears Boom 3
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 15 hours |
| Weight | 1.34 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | micro-USB |
Pros
- Solid sound quality
- Very rugged design
- Available in several different colors
Cons
- Dated and long overdue for an update
- Charges via micro-USB
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$149.99 (27% off)
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is still one of our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers you can buy. However, it was released in 2018 and, because it still charges via micro-USB, it feels a bit dated.
The good news is that there’s still a lot that’s great about the Boom 3. It’s a pretty speaker, thanks to its unique two-toned outer fabric (and availability in a range of colors). It’s easy to use thanks to its extra large volume buttons and the “Magic Button” on top of the speaker for playback control. It’s also a true 360-degree speaker, meaning you can place it centrally and everybody around will hear the same sound.
A High-end Portable Bluetooth Speaker for Less
SonySony SRS-XE300
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 24 hours |
| Weight | 2.87 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Extremely rugged design
- Exceptional battery life
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Very front-facing and directional sound
- Speaker is quite large
Released in 2022, the SRS-XE300 is the middle-sized portable speaker in Sony’s X-Series. It’s designed to deliver less bass-heavy and more neutral sound when compared to the company’s Extra Bass (“XB”) line.
It’s a good-sounding yet front-firing speaker, so you need to be listening head-on for the best possible sound. Additionally, it has a super-high IP67 rating and boasts one of the best battery lives (roughly 18 hours) for any speaker this size. Available in several different colors.
The Best Portable Speaker for Boombox Fans
PolaroidPolaroid P3 Music Player
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 15 hours |
| Weight | 3.28 pounds |
| Water-resistance | N/A |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Fun retro-inspired design
- Volume screen wheel is a nice touch
- Sturdy and well built
- Available in five different colors
Cons
- It's very much a front-firing speaker
- A tad on the expensive side (when not discounted)
- No water-resistance rating
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$189.99 (53% off)
Yes, Polaroid is now in the speaker market. The Polaroid P3 is one of four of the company’s entry-level portable speakers — along with the P1 ($60), P2 ($130), P3 ($190) and P4 ($290) — and it’s unique because of its boombox style design.
It sounds good and gets loud, but it’s very much a front-firing speaker (unlike a lot of other portable Bluetooth speakers). It’s well-built and a little bit on the heavy side. It’s also pretty fun to use thanks to its volume wheel and circular LED display, which shows you the volume, battery life and even has a dancing graphic as you play music. It’s a fun speaker that is often discounted.
The Best Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker That Floats
Ultimate EarsUltimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 14 hours |
| Weight | 0.93 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | micro-USB |
Pros
- Really durable and fun design
- A true 360-degree speaker
- Big sound for such a little guy
Cons
- Still charges via micro-USB
- More expensive than other tiny Bluetooth speakers
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$99.99 (25% off)
Released in the summer of 2022, the Wonderboom 3 is the company’s new and improved ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s a true 360-degree speaker with a durable IP67 design — and yes, it floats if you throw it in water. You can stereo-pair it with another Wonderboom speaker. And it has an “Outdoor Boost” button on the bottom of the speaker, which essentially pumps up its bass.
Compared to its predecessor, the Wonderboom 2, the third-generation speaker has a slightly better battery life and improved Bluetooth range. Unfortunately, it still charges via micro-USB.
An Excellent Compact Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $50
AnkerAnker Soundcore 3
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 13 hours |
| Weight | 0.81 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IPX7 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Extremely compact and portable
- A+ battery life
- Rugged and water-resistant design
Cons
- Doesn't deliver 360-degree audio
- Not as feature-packed as other options
The Soundcore 3 is a compact portable speaker that’s fully waterproof and simple to use. It’s a front-firing speaker that charges via USB-C and comes with an optional lanyard (for easier carrying).
The best thing about this speaker, however, is that it has excellent battery life; it gets roughly 13 hours on a single charge.
Bose’s Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
BoseBose SoundLink Flex
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Solid sound quality
- Rugged and compact design
- Plays well with other Bose speakers
- USB-C charging
Cons
- No Wi-Fi support
- Fairly expensive for its size
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$149.00 (13% off)
The Bose’s SoundLink Flex Bluetooth is the company’s standout affordable, rugged and ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s very water-resistant and durable — IP67 rated — and it’ll even float, in the event you drop it in the pool or tub.
It lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning there’s no voice assistant, but you can sync it with other Bose speakers and soundbars that you have in your house (via a companion app) to give you the multi-room effect. It’s available in three different colors: white (shown), black or teal.
A Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker That Can Clip to a Backpack
AmazonJBL Clip 4
Specs
| Battery Life | up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 0.53 pounds |
| Water-resistance | IP67 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Pros
- Fun and rugged design
- Super affordable
- High water-resistance rating
Cons
- Not so great battery life
- Design won't be for everybody
The Clip 4 is a fourth-generation ultra-portable speaker. It gets its name from its integrated carabiner, which makes it easy to attach the speaker to a bag or even a belt loop and listen to tunes. Compared to its predecessor, the Clip 4 has improved battery life, USB-C charging, and an even more rugged IP67 rating. Available in multiple colors.
