The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Getting one’s mitts on the best Bluetooth speaker for every need is not child’s play. This is not caused by any sort of shortage of options, in fact, many manufacturers are constantly putting themselves out there to pocket music listeners’ hard-earned cash. The real challenge, however, is deciding on the right model that deserves your precious coin. Consider this a basic rule for Bluetooth speakers, never go for the first model that catches your eye. Before spending your money on any speaker, you should ask yourself if it’s the best model for you. A high-end model may be a looker, but is it going to maintain the same level of performance for a long time?  Don’t worry, this is what we’re here for. We have tested and gone through all shapes and prices of Bluetooth speakers to put this list together and help you land the best model that matches your needs. From speakers that will completely redefine your listening experience to models you’ve never heard about, we have a full list of the best portable Bluetooth speakers in the market. Take a look at our 4 top picks starting with a high-tech model from Ultimate Ears.

1. Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3

Specs:

• Weight: 925g
• Size: 225mm x 87mm  
• Battery life: 20 hours  
• Max volume: 90dBA  
• Aux-in: No
• Price: £150 

The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 sits at the top of all superb wireless speakers produced by Ultimate Ears. This is because this model balances between performance, features, and affordability. Although the cylindrical industrial design might not come to your liking, you’ll be compensated with a spectacular 360-degree sound that can fill the entire room no matter where you stand.  The Megaboom 3 is also covered with a bold fabric coating to make the speaker waterproof and dustproof to IP67. This ensures that the speakers would float when dunked unexpectedly in water. Besides the 20-hour battery life, the volume buttons on the Megaboom 3 appear large in the middle of a cylindrical design with a Magic Button on the top of the speaker to control playback. Overall, the design is not really pleasant to look at, but the Megaboom specifications make amends for this downfall.

Pros:

• Waterproof speaker.
• Detailed sound.
• Adequate battery life. 

Cons:

• Industrial design not so fashionable. 

Rating:  5 out of 5 Stars

READ ALSO: WATERPROOF BLUETOOTH SPEAKER REVIEW

2. JBL Flip 5

Specs:

• Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 7.4 x 18.1 x 6.9    
• Power: 20W     
• Connections: USB-C charger
• Features: Bluetooth v4.2, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IPX7 rated 
• Price: £65.13

For less than £100, you can get a fantastic, What Hi-Fi? 2020 Awards-winner, waterproof Bluetooth speaker. The JBL Flip 5 exceeds our expectations with its resistance against water. It’s considered the best portable Bluetooth speaker for pool parties. Plus, for this price, the JBL Flip 5 predominates all competitors in this category.  with agile sound and a great sense of acoustics, texture, and openness, this speaker presents a new listening experience. Add to that the PartyBoost button that lets you link more than 100 PartyBoost-enabled speakers in mono, or create your own stereo pair by pairing two PartyBoost-compatible speakers together. If you don’t mind the absence of an aux-in port in your Bluetooth speaker, the JBL Flip 5 will be a superb performer.

Pros:

• Exceptional sense of acoustics.
• Sturdy timing and bass.
• PartyBoost stereo pairing feature.

Cons:

• No Connect+ compatibility.
• Basic JBL app.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

3. Tribit Stormbox Micro

Specs:

• Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 9.8 x 9.8 x 3.5cm  
• Power: 9W  
• Features: water/dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo-pairing mode  
• Connections: 3.5 mm stereo
• Price: £36

The Tribit Audio Strombox Micro is the best portable Bluetooth speaker to merge in with any personal taste or home decor. This speaker can happily fit in any backpack and is the size of a 12-ounce beer can. The speaker comes with a rubberised strap on the back for easy handling, you can also pair 2 Strombox speakers in stereo mode.  The bass weight in the Tribit Strombox is surprisingly hefty considering the size and dimensions of the speaker. All you need to do is close your eyes while listening to your music to picture the product at its best. The Tribit Strombox is considered a superb option if you’re trying to stick to a £50 budget.

Pros:

• USB-C charger.
• Sensible, musical sound.
• Weighty bass.

Cons:

• Short battery life.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

4. JBL Link Portable

Specs:

• Weight: 735g  
• Size: 170mm x 88mm x 88mm  
• Battery life: 8 hours  
• Waterproof: Yes (IPX7)  
• Total power: 20W  
• Aux-in: No
• Price: £130

An avant-garde wireless Bluetooth speaker that beats Sonos’ modern soundbars with its dynamic bass vibrant range of colours. The JBL Link Portable does not just stand out with its charging stand that costs nothing extra. It’s also cheaper than its rival which makes it the optimum choice. You’ll be enjoying a bunch of Wi-Fi capabilities such as Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast/Home integration. The JBL Link Portable is a capable audio performer that sets itself apart from many present-day soundbars at the same category and price.

Pros:

• Google Assistant integration.
• Outstanding bass.
• Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support.
• Handy charging stand.

Cons:

• No AUX in.
• Short battery life

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Deciding on the best portable Bluetooth speaker that meets all your needs is not easy. Especially with the music and audio market booming every day with new models and designs. You’d be tempted to opt for the first piece that takes your fancy, but this is never a good idea if you want a Bluetooth speaker for keeps. This list gives you the 4 top portable Bluetooth speakers that can deliver the best sound and match your listening needs.