Best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2023

Enjoy your music anywhere with the best portable Bluetooth speakers

If you want to hear good music outside the walls of your home, you'll need something portable, and you'll probably need it to have Bluetooth. You should also want it to have good audio quality. So, no matter if you’re hoping to listen to the entire catalog of 1992 during a backyard barbecue — or the entire catalog of Jack Johnson while at the beach — only one of the best Bluetooth speakers is worth getting, especially since you don’t necessarily have to break the bank to get it.

We've collected our favorite picks to set you on the path of audio righteousness, aka the perfect portable Bluetooth speaker (at least for you). We’ve also kept in mind that everyone needs something different, from a smaller option to clip on your backpack while scouring the wilds of the Pacific Northwest for Bigfoot to a Boombox size for when you have company. While you can certainly just go with our top pick or two, we recommend checking out all the options. After all, just like the best wireless headphones, these are not one-size-fits-all.

Best for any situation

A waterproof design, great sound (especially its clear midrange), 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.

You don’t need to break the bank for an excellent sounding speaker. And you don’t need to break the bank for an excellent sounding Bluetooth speaker this small. The Bose SoundLink Flex is impressive in more than one way. It’s also waterproof, so it can keep up wherever you take it. The beach, the pool, camping during an unexpected downpour? It doesn’t matter. You can enjoy your great audio no matter the conditions.

Also, since it will give you 12 hours of use before needing a charge, 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 different colors.

Worth the splurge

While the Sonos Move is expensive, this portable speaker brings in smart speaker versatility for a truly premium model. It works with a few different voice assistants, has plenty of volume, and can work with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It is a bit bulkier than a lot of portable speakers, though, so it’s probably not ideal for taking on an outdoor adventure.

Speaker portability is an underrated feature of this kind of technology, yet the Sonos Move provides it in spades. With an 11-hour battery life and an easy-to-use charging dock, it truly combines the premium smart speaker experience with the location flexibility of a handheld device. It is pretty large for a portable speaker but comes equipped with a handy indent for easy carrying. At only six pounds, the speaker shouldn't give you too much trouble when lugging it to the backyard, though. Also, it's water-resistant, so you won't have to worry about a splash ruining your extremely expensive smart speaker.

Did we mention that this smart speaker costs almost $400, nearly four times as much as the Nest Audio? If you want a portable smart speaker that doesn't compromise on features and functionality and you've got some extra money lying around, the Sonos Move is the way to go.

Portable sound for those on a budget

While there are some compromises here, as expected from a more affordable portable speaker, you would be surprised by how much volume, not to mention bass, is on hand. And it sounds pretty decent. Just avoid turning the volume all the way up and make sure to leave enough time to charge fully.

Whether you get the Sony SRS-XB13 in black, blue, pink, or taupe, you'll end up with a waterproof speaker that can go anywhere with you. This small speaker actually includes a surprisingly decent amount of volume, though. And, unlike most small speakers, you can get plenty of bass. This Sony speaker comes with an impressive 16 hours of use, sound quality that punches above its weight (as long as you don't max out that volume), and a price tag that makes this portable Bluetooth speaker hard to ignore. Oh, and beachgoers should appreciate its waterproof IP67 rating.

However, since the SRS-XB13 is the size of a mug and comes with a very reasonable price tag, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of compromises. For example, it’s a slow charger, it can distort at its highest volumes, and like most speakers with this kind of form factor, there's not a lot of stereo separation.

For those who want a little class in their speaker

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is surprisingly affordable, considering which company produced it. But B&O didn’t cut corners. True to any product out of this company, the audio quality is excellent, though a bit light on bass. Just be aware that there are no mics, so you won’t be able to do the whole smart speaker shtick or make calls using it.

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is a beautiful little speaker. Considering B&O’s modus operandi, how could it not be? Plus, it sounds really good for such a small, portable speaker. Sure, there’s not a lot of low-end, but the detail and immersive listening experience is there.

The Beosound Explore is also surprisingly affordable compared to other products this company has produced, even if it’s still among the more expensive options on this list. Still, there are some downsides because of that not-quite-premium price tag. For instance, there are no mics, so you won’t be able to use the speaker to answer calls or engage with a voice assistant to pull up a playlist. There’s also no AUX input. However, you can pair two of them together for some deliciously rich stereo sound.

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.

The JBL Flip 6 has a lot going for it. Like many options these days, it’s waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating. It’s also ruggedly built, ready for any wear and tear from use on the road. You can choose from a number of 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.

The speaker comes with a somewhat disappointing 12 hours of battery life, though, especially considering its slightly larger size. But unless you’re looking for something for an extended wilderness camping trip, that should be more than enough for most people. Pretty impressive for less than $150.

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.

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.

For when you need more volume

The LG XBoom Go PL7 is the ideal portable speaker for when you’re planning a party. It’s waterproof and has 30 watts of volume, so it’s up for the challenge when your guest list is a bit larger. Plus, there’s mood lighting. Just don’t expect a ton of features, as you won’t find much here.

For most portable Bluetooth speakers, portability is key. But, for some, it’s power. While smaller speakers are great for the road or smaller gatherings, sometimes you need more volume to keep a larger crowd engaged. If you need a little more power, the LG XBoom Go PL7 should be at the top of your list.

Even though it’s still small enough to fit into a backpack, it blasts out 30 watts of audio, making it perfect for situations where other portable speakers can’t quite keep up. Since it has 24 hours of battery life, it will keep that party going all night long, even if you’re ready for bed. It’s also waterproof and has fun LED rings on both ends for a little mood lighting. And, though it’s not the most feature-filled, the XBoom app gives you a little more control over the PL7.

For those who want to party on a budget

With its rings of LED lighting, waterproof IPX7 rating, and 20 watts of audio, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is more than enough to get most parties going. It’s also pretty affordable. Of course, there are some trade-offs. For one, it can distort when the volume is maxed out, and the battery life could be a little longer.

LG is not the only company putting out speakers capable of powering a party. The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 not only looks the part with its rings of LED lighting, but it also has an IPX7 waterproof rating and a cylindrical shape that allows for bigger drivers. In addition, it pumps out a good 20 watts of power. While it has a habit of distorting at the highest volumes and a less-than-stellar 12 hours of battery, it comes at such an affordable price that it was almost chosen as our value pick. It’s cheap enough that you can get more than a few for the price of a Chromebook.

What’s more impressive is that you can link them all together for an even bigger party. If you’re so inclined, Anker’s PartyCast Technology lets you sync the audio and lighting of up to 100 Soundcore Flare 2 speakers for a display so overwhelming that your guests will forget to ask why you didn’t just rent a PA system.

For those who want their portable speaker a little smarter

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is not the most rugged portable speaker we’ve laid ears on, but it sounds very good. And when connected to Wi-Fi, it has the kind of smart features you would expect from an Amazon or Apple speaker. In addition, it can pair with other units for a multi-room sound system.

Bose's Portable Smart Speaker offers the mighty sound you'd expect from this company but in a battery-powered, IPX4-rated design for use on the go. Like many Alexa-enabled speakers, you can link it with multiple units for a multi-room sound system. But unlike Amazon's device, this Bose model also features Google Assistant. It isn't the smallest nor lightest portable model, but it's still compact enough to toss in a backpack or beach bag. The flip-up handle makes it comfortable to carry too.

On the top of the unit are physical control buttons for when you prefer to adjust the volume or skip songs manually, and the base is rubberized for stability. It's worth noting that it requires you to download the Bose Music app on your portable device to set up the speaker and update its firmware, but after doing so, the process is simple, and you are guided through every step.

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.

If you want to host a gathering and need plenty of volume, consider the LG XBoom Go PL7, whose boombox-like appearance is no accident. On the other hand, if you need something more portable and easy to carry for hours on end, consider something meant for the task, like the JBL Clip 4, as you can clip it (hence the name) onto a backpack while trekking through the woods.

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.

Though there are plenty of good speakers, the Bose SoundLink Flex is our top pick thanks to its excellent sound, decent feature set, and reasonable price. If you’re willing to splurge, the Sonos Move can do everything the SoundLink Flex can in an even more attractive package. And while quite a few budget models are included here, the Sony SRS-XB13 is our top pick for its size and bass response (as well as overall sound quality) for a surprisingly low price point.

Best speaker for most situations

James combines his love of music and general tech gadgetry with a passion for writing to not only cover the latest audio equipment but to actually put that English degree to work. From headphones to soundbars and more, he applies his expertise to help guide readers in their online quest for the right piece of tech. When he’s not writing, he’s playing guitar, traveling, or eating. Sometimes, all three at once!

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