These are the best portable Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now
There’s no need to get caught up in a tangle of wires when you want to listen to music in a different room or out in the garden. A portable Bluetooth speaker means you can listen to playlists from your favourite music streaming services anywhere with ease. These easily transportable devices can be packed in your suitcase for your next holiday, taken to a friend’s house, out to picnics, or used in the garden for summer barbecues.
And you’ve never been more spoilt for choice when it comes to indoor and outdoor listening. There are loads of options and several advancements to the most high-end speakers out there. Just like the best smart speakers, some portable options can now be controlled using your voice via Alexa and Google Assistant.
For this roundup, we’ve focused on the best Bluetooth speakers that connect to your smartphone or tablet and are actually portable, with outdoor-ready dust protection and waterproofing.
All options below are under 4kg to ensure they’re not too heavy to move around, and we’ve made an effort to prioritise designs with handles, clips and attachable straps.
We've been hands-on with models from the biggest brands – including ones from Sonos, JBL, Bang & Olufsen and Soundcore – to help you find the best portable Bluetooth speaker for your needs.
Jump to: Verdict: Best portable Bluetooth speakers | Which is better: Bluetooth or wifi speakers? | How do I know if a speaker is waterproof? | What should I look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker?
How the GH Tech Team tests portable Bluetooth speakers
We test portable Bluetooth speakers in the same way you’d use them. We assess how easy they are to use, the quality of the sound for a range of genres (including rock, pop, electronic and classical), how long the battery lasts, and how much control you get over your music. We also test out all of the extra features, like built-in voice assistants and smartphone apps.
When assessing the best Bluetooth speakers, we’re also looking at durability and build quality, how accessible ports are, how light and portable the speaker is, and how straightforward the instructions are during set-up and when pairing to our devices.
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is the best all-round portable Bluetooth speaker from our testing. It’s available at a reasonable price, is lightweight, and has impressive dust and water resistance – it helps that it sounds fantastic too.
With its driver and tweeter within the main body of the speaker, you’re getting terrific detail, and the two passive radiators on each end add some real thump to the bass. Connect to the JBL Portable app and you’ll be able to tweak the levels of bass, mids and treble too, along with connecting the speaker to another compatible JBL model for bigger stereo sound.
It delivers room-filling sound and lasts for a competitive 12 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough for the majority of uses. We’d note that this battery life will change depending on how loud your music is, though.
This tubular design is compact and portable – it will fit in any backpack or bag and only weigh you down about as much as a bag of pasta. You won’t be using it for calls or chatting with your voice assistant, but great sound is much more of a must-have for us.
Bose SoundLink Flex
This compact Bluetooth speaker is brilliant value for its features, offering waterproofing and versatile audio performance with a light, portable design. When you turn it on its side or flat on its back, it’ll notice what’s changed and adapt its quality to ensure it always sounds its best. That’s also true when you hang it from its built-in ”utility loop”, which we think is a great addition for attaching your speaker to a bag. Bose says it’s “tear-resistant”, but while we've been dangling it all over the place, we can't say we've tried to rip it!
The sound here is fantastic. It’s bouncy with a satisfying bass and clear vocal details. We find most music sounds terrific and it easily fills most rooms. It’s not without its downsides, though. Its silicone back attracts lint and dust, and while you can link it up to the Bose Connect app to hook up additional speakers, it also doesn’t have an equaliser to tweak the audio.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a close rival to the JBL Flip 6, and while we’d still gravitate to the JBL model for its customisable sound and extra treble detail, the Bose is the better buy if support for voice assistants and speakerphone functionality matter to you.
They both have as much battery and the same IP67 waterproof rating, so it may come down to which design you prefer. There are loads of colours and styles for the JBL speaker, but the muted shades of this Bose one are super appealing too, especially the “Chilled Lilac” of our model.
Soundcore Motion 300
Many of us don’t want to spend over £100 on a portable speaker but also don’t want to make sacrifices on battery life, reliability and sound. This Soundcore model has a great-value price yet delivers app connectivity, a long battery life, two drivers for excellent sound quality that adapts to the different orientations of the speaker, a convenient strap, and waterproofing. That’s a lot of features for under £100, and we’ve seen this drop to below £70 during sales events.
The dual-driver configuration delivers a lot of detail and thump in its sound quality, and we like that this will automatically adapt to its position, whether it’s lying flat, standing upright or dangling from its detachable strap. Its sound is also customisable, with an equaliser available through the Soundcore app.
It comes in black, blue or green, and its straightforward design is sleek and unobtrusive with simple-to-use controls and connections. As it has an IPX7 rating, that means it hasn’t had specific tests for dust-proofing but it is waterproof and feels robust and durable.
We wouldn’t mind if it was a little lighter and if it had a battery level indicator, but more expensive models don’t always have these features either. We think this is the best-value, on-the-go wireless speaker you can find.
Soundcore 3
You’ll have a hard time finding a speaker that delivers as much value as the Soundcore 3, and while it’s now an older model, it still offers great sound, waterproofing and a massive battery life. Its small brick-shaped build is also easy to carry around and comes with a convenient strap.
You can get it in black, blue, grey or red, but the black tends to be the most affordable option. We keep an eye on prices and have found that while its listing says it’s £55, it’s on offer so often that you’re more likely to grab it for under £40. At that price, it’s a steal (there aren’t many other speakers out there claiming a 24-hour battery life). Need a small speaker for an all-day event? This is the one.
The audio quality is well-rounded too, and it can get boomy and loud without sacrificing detail. We also applaud this speaker for its robust design – it comes with an IPX7 rating so you can be sure it will survive getting drenched and we’ve dropped it before without seeing it pick up any marks or scratches. The controls are easy to understand and it also works with the compatible Soundcore app if you want to tweak the equaliser and change the way it sounds.
Overall, it’s a small but mighty package that delivers a surprising number of our essential features for a low price.
JBL Go 4
If a tiny size and barely-there weight are your main priorities, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything smaller and lighter than the JBL Go series. This does the basics well, offering a surprisingly loud and impactful sound for its size, an upgraded seven-hour battery life and welcome dust-sealing and waterproofing. And it gives you all that in a petite, fabric-coated package that fits in a pocket and weighs less than a pack of ground coffee.
Yes, it has the lowest battery life of any model in our roundup, but seven hours should be enough for most occasions. You may just want to pack a power bank on camping trips where you won’t always be near a wall plug to recharge it. The upgrades for the JBL Go 4 and Clip 5 mean Auracast audio sharing has been added to both models with a dedicated button, it now supports customisations via the app and it has an indicator that shines red when it’s running low on juice.
It comes with a small loop that you can attach to a carabiner and it’s lightweight, fitting easily in a bag or jacket pocket. We also love that it comes in loads of fun colours and that its buttons are all simple and intuitive to use.
Beats Pill
The revamped Beats Pill is our top choice for Apple users because it has seamless integration with iPhones that you can only get from a Beats or Apple-made model. As we explain in our Beats Pill (2024) review, it does all this with a host of impressive features. It’s priced at a competitive £149.99, and has a compact form factor and high-quality sound with rich bass and clear vocals. It also supports speakerphone functionality, wired audio over USB-C, and power bank capabilities.
The Beats Pill is dust and water-resistant too, so it’s ready for outdoor use, while its 24-hour playtime surpasses many competitors. We’re fans of the speaker’s design too, which features an upward tilt for improved sound projection and a sleek aesthetic, available in “Statement Red”, “Champagne Gold” and “Matte Black” colours.
You can also use its “Amplify” and “Stereo” modes with another Pill speaker, to boost the sound. The only downsides are that its button controls can be a bit confusing, you can hear distortion at high volume, and it lacks wifi features found in some competitors. But if you’re only worried about Bluetooth playback and compatibility, especially with Apple devices (although it also has Google Fast Pair for Android), then the Beats Pill is a feature-rich portable speaker that won’t disappoint.
Marshall Willen 2
The Marshall Willen 2 is a seriously impressive compact speaker, coming in at a higher price than several other small options but justifying it with better sound than you'd expect for the size. We think it makes a great option for anyone after portability without sacrificing audio performance.
It's also ideal for outdoor adventures, as it has a robust design with an IP67 rating. That means it has durability against dust and water. With a battery life of up to 17 hours, it’s good for extended use too.
In terms of sound, this portable speaker punches above its weight. Yes, it may still struggle to compete with larger models like the Bose SoundLink Flex, but it certainly surpasses competitors like the JBL Go 4 and Clip 5 for sound clarity and depth. It's easily among the best small speakers we've heard. The Willen 2’s improved drivers deliver a rich and full-bodied reproduction of your playlists, making it suitable for various music genres. We keep returning to it because it offers an engaging listening experience at low and moderate volumes too.
Rounding out the upgrades over the original Willen is a step up to Bluetooth 5.3, for stable connectivity and the potential for audio sharing in the future. Overall, the Marshall Willen 2 is a great pick for anybody wanting a portable speaker with great sound quality in a durable and compact form.
Marshall Emberton 3
In the market for a portable speaker that combines classic style with impressive battery life? We think this is a top choice for any music lover. It boasts an iconic retro look inspired by Marshall’s legendary guitar amps but it isn’t just about appearance; the performance is top-notch too, with great sound and a whopping 32-hour battery life.
As noted in our full Marshall Emberton 3 review, we found it delivers rich, clear audio, and the sound quality is great for any music genre. Unlike many speakers, it has a 360-degree “True Stereophonic” sound. This helps you to get an immersive listening experience wherever you put the speaker, whether it's on your bookshelf or out in the garden.
This model improves on the Emberton 2 by adding a built-in microphone and Bluetooth 5.3 for better connectivity. You also get the much-needed addition of a dedicated power button and it has has a battery life of 32 hours vs. the Emberton 2’s already great 30 hours.
Compared to other models, like the Bose SoundLink Flex or JBL Flip 6, the Marshall Emberton 3 holds its own with its stylish design and sound quality. Overall, its balance of aesthetic appeal, battery life, durability and sound makes it a speaker that's easy to recommend.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore
Portable speakers aren’t typically the most attractive gadgets out there, but if your list of must-haves includes a refined aesthetic, look to Bang & Olufsen's Scandi-style devices. The can-shaped Beoplay Explore is an outdoor-ready device with an enormous battery life, a convenient strap, and a powerful 360-degree sound to fill your room with music or provide the soundtrack to a garden party, hike or trip to the park.
It looks and feels premium, and blasts out a clear, loud sound with punchy bass. Its non-slip base keeps the speaker upright, and the included carabiner clip makes it convenient to attach to a backpack. We’re also glad to see that this is IP67-rated for reliable dust and water resistance. This means it’s survived tests where it has been submerged in up to a metre of water for half an hour.
We love its anodised aluminium build, but its only major downside comes from the sturdy metal design. Comparably, this is a pretty heavy speaker in the portable category. So if you’re keen on a sleek look from B&O but wouldn’t mind something a few grams less weighty, we can also recommend the brand’s Beosound A1 (2nd Gen), which sounds even better and comes in at a more portable weight.
Ultimate Ears Everboom
The Ultimate Ears Everboom is an excellent choice for outdoor use with its set of features ideal for summer parties and camping trips. It delivers a powerful 360-degree sound, ensuring everyone enjoys the music no matter where they are relative to the speaker. The Everboom’s weatherproof design weighs just under 1kg too, making it highly portable for the size.
As explained in our Ultimate Ears Everboom review, it has an impressive 20-hour battery life, 55-metre Bluetooth range, and special “Outdoor Boost” mode that enhances sound quality in open spaces. The Everboom supports stereo pairing with another unit and can connect to multiple Ultimate Ears speakers through the companion app, ideal if you need to spread the music around your space at a bigger gathering. Its “Megaphone” feature allows you to project your voice through the speaker — we’re not sure we’d use it but it could be great for party hosts and announcements.
The Everboom’s outdoor-ready build includes an IP67 rating, so it’s both dustproof and waterproof. It can also survive drops from up to a metre and float in water. While its £250 price tag is higher than some competitors, it’s a versatile and feature-filled option for top sound quality and durability.
Bose SoundLink Max
The Bose SoundLink Max stands out in the portable speaker market with its exceptional bass performance, albeit at a premium price. That cost does feel hard to justify, we know, but this speaker excels for sound quality, delivering controlled and textured low-end notes that competitors can’t match. The Max offers a dynamic and booming audio experience that makes it a top choice for bass lovers.
It also has a durable design with an IP67 rating, ensuring it's waterproof and dustproof. It offers up to 20 hours of battery life, Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, a programmable custom button, and a 3.5mm port for non-Bluetooth devices. However, it lacks wifi connectivity, speakerphone functions, and the ability to pair with other Bose speakers for stereo playback (although you can use SimpleSync for a bigger sound). You can read more about the features and usability in our Bose SoundLink Max review.
While its 2.2kg weight makes it heavier than other models on this list, its robust construction and optional shoulder strap mean it's easy to move around. If you’ve got the budget, the SoundLink Max’s superior sound quality and bass performance make it a worthwhile investment for those prioritising audio over additional features.
Soundcore Motion X500
If you’re after a speaker for outdoor parties, this Soundcore model is an excellent pick. It’s a more affordable version of the powerful X600, and it’s a worthwhile option if you’re after a lot of detail and oomph in your music. That’s because it doesn’t only have two forward-facing full-range drivers; it also has one facing upwards to generate a more immersive spatial effect.
On test, we found this setup delivered loads of precision for your audio and is both boomier and has more clarity than you’d expect. For a speaker of this size, though, we’d have liked to see some extra connectivity, and it feels like the design could accommodate an auxiliary port for wired audio. We do appreciate the companion app, though, which makes it easy to pick custom equaliser profiles, update firmware and change the LED lighting on the top of the speaker.
We think the 12-hour battery life is more than enough and even though it’s heavier than a lot of other Bluetooth speakers, we like the chunky and reliable handle on top. It would be good if it folded or was retractable, but it’s sturdy. It’s worth noting that this is waterproof so will survive a downpour, but it hasn’t been tested against dust.
JBL Clip 5
For travellers, this handheld speaker offers the best balance between features and portability. You’ll never have trouble taking it on a trip, whether that’s an excursion to the park, a flight, or a proper outdoor adventure. The built-in carabiner clip makes this highly convenient for attaching to a backpack or jacket too, while it’s almost as light as the tiny JBL Go model, so it won’t weigh you down. Like other JBLs, it’s also waterproof and now boasts up to 12 hours of battery life (two hours more than the old model).
It’s in the name, so it’s no surprise that the clip itself is a big selling point for this speaker. While other models do have loops and straps, it’s possible to misplace them. With the JBL Clip 4, you’re never going to lose the carabiner. The clip is larger than on previous versions and works for attaching the speaker to all kinds of bags, railings and hooks.
The single speaker driver delivers a satisfying sound that may not be as expansive as some of the other models on this list but still proved to be loud enough to fill our living room – if you need to push the volume up high though, be ready to hear some slight distortion. We think this has a simple and appealing design too, and it comes in a great range of colours.
While many speakers give you more battery life, too, we’ve got no issue with this amount of playtime and think the tiny design is ideal for any traveller looking for a handy music companion.
Sonos Roam 2
When it comes to versatility, the small Toblerone-shaped Sonos Roam 2 is a top pick because it includes both wifi connectivity and Bluetooth. In some ways, it’s best suited to those with other Sonos devices because it can join up to your existing multi-room system. However, with the Sonos app and Apple AirPlay 2 onboard, we found it possible to sync up multiple speakers from different brands too.
This function makes it easy to play music from any room in your house, as long as you’re connected to the same network. The voice assistant means that you can use the speaker to find out the weather or check the news hands-free, too. Don’t want to fuss with the wifi? It’s also easier than before to switch to Bluetooth mode, now with a dedicated button.
Beyond smart features, this is also a light and tiny speaker that sounds brilliant. It comes in various colours and has a durable construction to make it suitable for outdoor use. The IP67 rating gives us confidence it’ll keep out water, sand, dust and dirt, although we’d be a little concerned about the plastic picking up dents if dropped, and we’d have loved to see a strap or handle. You can read more of our thoughts in our Sonos Roam 2 review.
It also doesn’t have class-leading battery life. But in our experience, 10 hours tends to be enough. You’ll have trouble getting it to run out of juice and it’s easy to recharge via USB-C or by placing it on a wireless charger. We also love how the sound adapts to the speaker's orientation and find it easy to fill a room with the audio from this little device. If having both Bluetooth and wifi connectivity is a priority, it’s the speaker to get.
Pure Woodland
We know you probably don’t do all your listening via streaming services or podcasts, and if you’re looking for something a bit more versatile, then grabbing a 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker and radio makes a lot of sense. There may be a lot of competition in this category, but many radios are designed to stay plugged in and, even if they’re battery-powered, they may not have the kind of weatherproofing we’re looking for.
Pure makes some fantastic DAB radios, and its Woodland is both IP67-rated and battery-powered, so it’s ready to provide the soundtrack to a picnic and will survive some inevitable rainfall too.
It’s not just water-resistant – this rating means it’s dust-tight and able to survive being submerged. We’re happy with the 14 hours of battery life, which is good for a Bluetooth speaker but some rival radios beat it in this department. We tested it both as a portable speaker and as a radio and found it impressive for both functions.
The sound quality is rich and delivers clear vocals, which makes it ideal for use as a radio and for spoken-word material. We like how you can add six radio stations as presets for quick access, and the carry handle makes it easy to move around. The 900g weight does mean it’s a bit heavier than some of the options here, but we don’t think it’ll weigh you down.
Verdict: Best portable Bluetooth speakers
Those looking for the best portable Bluetooth speakers right now should consider the JBL Flip 6 and the Bose SoundLink Flex, rival speakers with around the same battery life, the same waterproof rating and similar weights. Both are terrific options, although the sound on the JBL Flip 6 is a bit more customisable, while the Bose works as a speakerphone and with voice assistants, something the JBL lacks. Both are only around 600g, so they won’t weigh you down.
If you’re after more of a budget model, we’d pick up the Soundcore 3 for around £50 or the Soundcore Motion 300 as the best option under £100. And if these options seem too weighty, our current favourite compact options are the mini but mighty JBL Go 4 and the JBL Clip 5.
There are a few premium options to consider too, like the wifi-enabled Sonos Roam 2, the anodised aluminium Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore and the full-bodied sound from the larger Soundcore Motion X500.
We also recommend the revamped Beats Pill for its seamless Apple connectivity, and the Ultimate Ears Everboom is our all-around top pick for outdoor use, although it is still a little pricey.
Of course, there are many more Bluetooth speakers on the market, but the picks on our list are all affordable and weigh under 4kg.
Which is better: Bluetooth or wifi speakers?
Bluetooth is the quickest and easiest way to connect your smartphone, laptop or tablet to a speaker – you’re probably used to using Bluetooth if you’ve connected wireless mice, keyboards, headphones or true wireless earbuds. It doesn't require much power so the portable speaker can use a rechargeable battery rather than a wired connection.
Both devices have to be within range of one another though (usually anywhere from 10m up to 45m) and the music won't continue playing if your smartphone receives a call or if you switch to a different app. Bluetooth speakers will also play notification sounds from your device if it’s not muted.
If a speaker has wifi, you can control the music from anywhere (as long as both devices are connected to the same network), whether that’s within the same room or not. It also means you can take calls or use your phone without the music being interrupted. Wifi speakers are typically mains-powered, and many of the top models appear on our list of the best multi-room speaker systems, although some now include a rechargeable battery too, like the Sonos Roam.
How do I know if a speaker is waterproof?
Several portable speakers are now designed to withstand almost all the conditions you encounter outdoors, including a sudden downpour. This is a feature we’d prioritise and we’ve made sure every model featured on this list is waterproof.
When shopping around, we recommend you look for the IP (ingress protection) rating of any device. This is an international standard and the most straightforward way to understand how protected any gadget is from potential dangers like dust and water.
The rating will always have the two letters "IP" followed by two numbers, such as IP67. The first number (ranging from 0 to 6) tells you how much protection there is from solids like dust or dirt. The higher the number, the better it is at keeping these things out. The second number (which goes from 0 to 9) is all about how protected the product is from liquids. The same logic applies – the higher it is, the higher the level of protection.
A common IP rating you’ll see here is IP67, for example, and this means a product will be capable of keeping out both dust and water – it indicates full solids protection and waterproofing that suggests it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at one metre. If you see something with IP45, then, it is still protected but just a little less impressive at keeping out both dust and water.
You may also see a rating like IPX7. In this case, the X tells you there isn’t specific testing information against solids (as the X is in place of the first number). However, the lack of testing doesn’t necessarily mean less protection. When looking for the best performers, we’d look for ratings like IP68 (this is completely dust-tight and able to be submerged in water beyond one metre), IP67, IP57 and IPX7.
What should I look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker?
There are loads of speakers available when you browse the digital store shelves, and we know the amount of selection can be overwhelming. Here's what to consider before buying:
Battery life
Portable Bluetooth speakers can last anywhere between five to 24 hours from one charge. The louder they’re cranked up, the quicker the battery will drain.
Size and weight
You’ll appreciate a smaller, lighter device if you’re using your Bluetooth speaker on the go — also look out for a handle or strap. Bigger, heavier speakers will have a much more powerful sound and are better suited to home use. For this guide, we’ve focused on lightweight speakers that weigh under 4kg — if we’re taking a speaker with us in a bag we’ll try to pick up one that’s under a kilogram, while we might be okay with a slightly heavier weight when it has a good handle.
Connectivity and companion apps
We would look for at least Bluetooth 5.0 when you’re looking at a new portable speaker. While we wouldn’t want you to get lost in different Bluetooth specifications, it’s worth knowing that the numbers represent advancements in the Bluetooth standard.
Over time, the features, range, speed and connectivity of Bluetooth see significant improvements. Bluetooth 5.4 might be the latest version available, but it’s not in that many products yet — anything from Bluetooth 5.0 and onwards should be great for connectivity. You might also find the ability to connect other wired devices with an auxiliary cable, and onboard wifi can make for a better connection for music playback, but it isn’t available in most portable speakers.
The ability to connect your speaker to a companion app is something we’d keep an eye out for too. Through this app on your phone or tablet, you’ll be able to update the speaker’s firmware, customise its equaliser to get the music sounding just how you want it to, and may also be able to enable voice assistant functions and link speakers together for a multi-room audio experience.
Voice assistants
Some Bluetooth speakers come with built-in Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa, so you can use your voice to control the music, ask for the weather and find information on the web. We see this as more of an added extra than a must-have feature in portable models, but if it’s something you’d use, look out for this on the specification sheet.
Waterproofing
There are a lot of waterproof Bluetooth speakers (some even float), making them good for the temperamental British weather or to use by the pool.
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