The Best Bluetooth Speakers: Portable Speakers For Any Budget 2024

No pun intended: JBL is making some serious noise in the Bluetooth speaker world. The Charge 5 is the new update to the Charge line of waterproof speakers, which routinely tops our “Best Waterproof” subcategory in this guide. What makes this speaker so great? That JBL groove-inducing sound, first and foremost. A superb waterproof rating of IP67 and 20 hours of battery playback are two additional compelling reasons; this speaker will keep your pool party going all day and night.

The Charge 5 is more than just a number change from the previous model, though. JBL continues to improve the design and construction of the Charge speakers. The larger silicone base will help keep the Charge 5 from shimmying across the tile and into the pool due to its own vibration. You’ll feel confident when you grab this speaker, with its rubberized materials and solid build. Physical buttons with unique shapes make it easy to find the control you need, even when you’re reaching from the hot tub without your glasses. Another party-extending feature is the Charge 5’s powerbank ability, which lets you charge other devices via a hidden USB connector. Upgraded Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity extends the range you can travel with your Charge 5 and keeps your music playing without interruption. Just what you need to keep the vibe going!

The Sonos Roam 2 is our favorite portable outdoor speaker for lots of reasons. First and foremost, it's a true outdoor speaker. It's wonderfully waterproof and dust-proof, so when you get tired of listening to music on your patio, you can roam with the Roam anywhere. Its outstanding sound and powerful bass won't get drowned out by wind or traffic noise, and the Trueplay function automatically adjusts the sound to your environment, so you don't miss out on the lyrics. With Bluetooth and WiFi, the Roam will pair with your devices and your home WiFi setup, so your connections will always be ready to go when you're ready for some tunes. Voice control implementation lets you use Apple AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant to access your favorite content and control your other devices. Plus, it's small, lightweight, and practically begs to go outside with you.

The new Sonos Roam 2 vs. Sonos Roam introduces a streamlined design with distinct power and Bluetooth buttons for effortless control. Now available in a sleek monotone finish, this updated model also includes a USB-C to USB-C cable for faster and more efficient charging.

Also check out our Sonos Roam review.

It used to be that you needed large, heavy speakers and an amplification system to put out enough sound to really get your party started. Not anymore: The compact powerhouse JBL PartyBox Encore Essential can totally make that happen all by itself — and even more so when paired with another PartyBox speaker.

Stream music and control volume, EQ settings, and the built-in light show from your mobile device. You can also stream from a USB stick or a wired aux connection, so you can circulate without worrying about dropouts..

If karaoke is part of what makes your parties memorable, then you’ll really love the PartyBox Encore Essential’s ¼” microphone connector. You can also use JBL’s Dual Wireless Microphone System for some real freestyling.

With this kind of sound power in such a portable design, the PartyBox Encore is hands-down our choice for Best Bluetooth Party Speaker. Factor in the beat-synched light show and karaoke mic capabilities, and it’s gonna be hard to stop your party once it gets started.

Pros: Huge sound, perfect for partying. Small, lightweight and portable.

Cons: Battery life isn't as long as some other speakers, but it does operate with A/C power.

Most Bluetooth speakers are easy to operate – just set-it-and-forget-it. This one is easy, too, but it’s more like set-it-and-stare-at-it. Really, it’s hard to look away when the Pulse 5 hits the dance floor in a 360° LED light show perfectly synced to the beat. The Pulse 5 is JBL’s latest iteration of the Pulse, which includes a better design (with an up-firing driver for deep bass and bold JBL Original Pro sound in all directions), a 12-hour battery, and an IP67 waterproof rating.

Though you may be inclined to think anything with a “light show” has to be a gimmick, that’s not the case – the Pulse 5 is still a JBL product and as such, audio quality is excellent. Not the best in the world, no, but a solid competitor at this price point. Bass is above average, and the Pulse 5 was designed to throw sound in 360-degrees. It’s louder than most, too, but sound quality drops off a bit at higher volume.

What else? How about the ability to link multiple JBL speakers together with JBL PartyBoost? Now that’s cool. (Watching a bunch of Pulse 5s all doing their own thing to the beat just makes you want to party. If anyone does that, please – send us a photo.)

One sure way to separate the men from the boys when it comes to portable wireless speakers: Cue up the A Capella bass harmony at the beginning of Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” and turn it up – WAY up. We did just that with the Bose Portable Home speaker, a smart speaker Bose claims is “best at bass,” and yeah – we’re believers. At this price point, Bose crushes the competition when it comes to powerful bass in a portable package.

The Bose Portable Home speaker is an Amazon Alexa / Googe Assistant smart speaker from a company that continues to out-innovate everyone save for maybe Sonos. (Depends on who you ask.) It streams whatever you like via at-home Wi-Fi or when you leave home, it acts like any other portable Bluetooth speaker controlled via your phone or tablet. It proved excellent at hearing and executing voice commands, too – though voice commands only work when connected by Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. As for sound quality, it’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from Bose: powerful, and remarkably crisp and clear.

With the nifty little handle on top, the Bose Portable doesn’t exactly hide its rugged portable-ness. All the controls are on top, and it comes with a USB-C cord for charging the battery, though Bose also offers a charging cradle in the $30 range. Add the cradle, and the Bose Portable begins to approach the Sonos Move with respect to price. Tough choice, for sure.

The SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker is the perfect musical sidekick, with a rugged design able to withstand water, dust, and a few bumps and bruises along the way. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or having friends over for dinner, the powerful SoundLink Flex will amaze you with lifelike performance and deep, rich tones that elevate any moment. And with its PositionIQ technology, it automatically adjusts to however it’s oriented to optimize the sound. Whether it’s standing upright, lying on its back, or hanging from its tear-resistant utility loop, the SoundLink Flex will deliver your music in full, balanced tones.

Whether you’re working a long shift or enjoying a day on the water, SoundLink Flex will provide your soundtrack all day. It can go for up to 12 hours on a single charge, and when it’s time to power back up, you can recharge it quickly via its USB-C port.

Sure, SoundLink Flex is incredible all on its own. But like all Bose speakers, this versatile portable speaker gets even better when teamed up with other speakers. Pair it with another SoundLink Flex or other Bose Bluetooth speaker to enable Party Mode and enjoy what you’re hearing in more rooms or more areas outdoors. Even a bit of both — SoundLink Flex also connects to Bose Smart Soundbars so you can keep tabs on the game while you’re away from the TV. A product of state-of-the-art engineering, SoundLink Flex is packed with exclusive Bose technologies. Its innovative transducer is custom designed to deliver the clearest possible sound and strong, deep bass that really packs a punch. The speaker’s digital signal processing (DSP) technologies, proprietary code, and custom algorithms all work together to ensure optimal sound quality wherever you are.