The Top 10 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers in the World

The best portable Bluetooth speakers come with some high competition, so today we wanted to review, compare and contrast the top models out there. As Bluetooth technology continues to grow and arguably becomes the standard for all wireless electronics (if it doesn’t have BT now, it’s considered practically archaic), as do speaker models that are a waste of time. This is why we wanted to pinpoint an exact count of 10 models to give you some options. We made sure as to choose different shapes, sizes, price-points, color choice and more. Let’s get into it!

How to pick the best portable Bluetooth speaker

Budget – The range isn’t too bad here considering the spectrum we’ve seen with other types of speakers in the market. There are some high-tech and advanced Bluetooth speakers for a few hundred bucks, while some even more budget-friendly for a couple of 20-dollar bills. The higher you go, typically the better sound quality, larger BT range, as well as overall playtime you’ll be getting. We also have a few guides you may be interested in that cover a few of the popular price-points:
Intended use – These are considered “portable” for a reason — are you going to be mobile from different rooms in your home? Perhaps a smaller model may do the trick. What about outdoors? Will you need some waterproof or other types of protection? Some models literally float in the water. Others however, are more suitable for taking to your friend’s home or switching it around your house to garage. It all depends on you.
Wireless range? Most of these models are going to be providing a feasible Bluetooth range for most common uses of wireless speakers. However, it’s important to keep in mind your intended use just in case you’d like a model that you visualize yourself needing some space from. We’ve seen a range from about 20 ft. to almost 100 ft. depending on the model. Try to picture it in your head for the future.
Extra features – Noise cancellation, pairing up with multiple devices, aux inputs, lighter weight, 3D sound, a built-in assistant, voice commands? These are all considered “extra” (in our opinion), since they aren’t musts, but may be a priority for some of our readers, depending on what your preferences are. Typically, the more extra features you want, a little bit more cash you’ll need to invest in your portable Bluetooth speaker.
Color options? We list this last since it’s a little less common on our priority list. However, we know many who feel the look, color, shape and size is important, especially for speakers you’ll be carrying around with you in front of others. Some come only in a bland black or grey, while others have some nice color choices to fit your aesthetic personality.

The top 10 best portable Bluetooth speakers

Bose SoundLink Mini 2

If you’re into sound quality, this speaker will hit the mark. The Bose SoundLink Mini 2 makes it first in this guide due to the popularity it’s gained as well as positive reviews by many users now that it’s been out for a bit. It has a great frequency response providing the clarity and deep bass that makes this choice favorable if that’s very important to you. It is priced mid to high-end. The speaker’s charge lasts up to about 10 hours but comes with a charging cradle so you are able to charge while you play. It also comes with a USB charger so you can charge on the go, as well. This portable Bluetooth speaker is about 1.5 lbs and 7.1 inches long so it has an ideal size (in our opinion) when it comes to moving it around. It also notably comes with a built-in voice-alert system, notifying the user of pairing instructions and an auxiliary cable should you choose to hook the speaker up to your T.V. and you’ll have a 30 ft. Bluetooth connectivity range. Overall, this speaker is one of the best Bluetooth portable speakers in the world as it has the optimal volume and sound quality that is needed for your next outdoor event.

Logitech X 300

This is really going to be the one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers if you’re on a budget. Besides being affordable as compared to many others in the list, this speaker is both lightweight (weighs less than a lb) and compact, making traveling with your Logitech X 300 a breeze. The charge lasts up to 5 hours of playtime and the recharge is through a standard USB cable, so it isn’t necessarily going to last the longest but it’ll get the job done. If the battery dies however, you’ll be back to your tunes again in no time because it takes less than 2 hours to recharge. As far as sound goes, it is perfect for indoor use and a user should have no problem getting quality sound with mid-level bass bumpin’ through their living space, as it provides 5 watts of power. Comparable to other speakers, this has about a 30 foot Bluetooth connectivity range so you can surely roam a little with your device. Overall, this product does its job and is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers for the money. It’s our pick for the best budget-friendly model out there today. CNet’s Logitech X 300 review rated it pretty high.

UE Roll 2

Next, we have a wireless speaker for the bold, outdoorsy type. With a 65 foot Bluetooth connectivity range, this speaker is great for playing music outdoors, is completely waterproof, doubles as an alarm and even comes with a remote. The UE Roll 2 is perfect for the more adventurous type as it has the durability to withstand a little trauma. Another fun thing is that it comes with a detachable bungee cord. It’s a really unique, colorful design and strays from your typical black and white speaker. The price is on the low-end so this is a bang (literally) for your buck as this speaker has good sound quality, especially at a normal volume capacity. You can pack it easily and take it anywhere because it’s less than a lb and will fit in the palm of your hand. You can also use two of these speakers at the same time to double your volume and hook up three devices to one speaker at a time. Take this speaker on the water with you because it even comes with an inflatable device (not a must but I’ll take it!). You can float with your speaker for hours because this will give you about a 9-hour battery life. If you’re active and up for anything, this is one of the best outdoor Bluetooth portable speakers around. This made it into WireCutter’s best portable Bluetooth speaker article.

JBL Flip 3

Up next we have another speaker that resists water damage, the splash resistant JBL Flip 3. This speaker boasts about a 10-hour battery charge that you can re-up by USB cable. You can connect up to three smart devices that can play simultaneously and expand your listening selection and use multiple speakers connected to one device amplify your sound, if you choose. This speaker is shaped just like a coke can but a just little taller and the stock comes in a variety of colors. On to the sound – this JBL Flip 3 gets loud and has great sound quality, making it one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers in the market. For a low-mid priced speaker, this is a great deal if you’re looking to crank up the tunes at a party, take to the beach or just to chill at home. The shape may be a little odd to some, but for others the perfect fit.

Bose SoundLink Color

The Bose SoundLink Color is a quite popular mid-priced speaker with a uniquely shaped design that will blend in well in any environment. It’s one of our favorites if you were concerned with how your speaker looks aesthetically. It provides a really well-balanced sound and it’s one of the best lightweight portable speakers, especially if you don’t want to break the bank. It’s not too heavy on the bass, but the sound doesn’t get distorted as the volume gets cranking. It’s equipped with an auxiliary outlet, making it easy to connect to other devices without Bluetooth capabilities just in case. This Bluetooth speaker allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously; so two different people can switch off control over the playlist. If you’re looking for a lightweight and one of the best user-friendly portable Bluetooth speakers that is affordable, the SoundLink color is perfect. TechRadar’s SoundLink color review has some additional info on the model.

Jawbone Big Jambox

This Jawbone Big Jambox is one we’ve used quite a lot but is on the higher-end of prices for Bluetooth wireless speakers. However, it packs a great sound that makes it a great speaker for a party or larger gathering. If you were concerned with power or loud volume, we’d recommend grabbing this one since if it’s cranked up all the way, you’ll risk a noise complaint by your neighbors. It also has smart features and is able to respond to voice-commands if the device it is connected with supports this option. You can also download the Jawbone app and connect even more features with the Jambox as they get developed. This speaker is on the heavier side (for a reason), but still weighs in at less than 3 lbs. It provides a 33’ Bluetooth Connectivity range and holds a charge for about 15 hours. The sound is booming and not only does it get loud, it possesses LiveAudio, which boasts a 3D sound so you’ll feel like you’re at the movies. This is one of the best Bluetooth portable speakers on the market thanks to advanced audio features and overall power.

Amazon Tap

Okay, now we have the speaker that will appeal to the techie inside of everyone, the Amazon Tap. Especially if you’re into doing more than just listening to music, this is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers in the year today. We’ve all seen the clever commercials for this one, right? This mid-priced speaker is equipped with Alexa, your own personal assistant, and when connected to Wi-fi or a mobile hotspot, can play your music, speak aloud sports and entertainment facts and tell you what the weather will be in 5 hours (just for starters). She’ll even let you know when the battery is getting low. Another feature of this speaker is that you can easily tap and ask for music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio and Tune-in. You can expect some decent sound quality from this speaker, outputting 360 degrees; meaning people from every angle should have access to the sound. Although it may not provide crazy-deep bass or super powerful volume, you can expect this speaker to come through with a crisp quality of sound and feasible wattage. The Amazon Tap will give you 9 hours of battery life and is rechargeable on a cradle. If you’re still on the fence, Wired’s Amazon Tap write-up is informative.

Riva Turbo X

For all you sound geeks out there, here comes the Riva Turbo X, which is definitely on the pricier side but packed with 45 watts of power. With that comes a superior sound quality that comes equipped with a turbo boost function for when you really want to crank up the bass. This is the best speaker if you’re looking for something loud at your next party while still having a crisp sound, making it one of the best Bluetooth portable speakers for the money. You’re going to find little to no distortion as that volume goes up and it comes equipped with surround sound. This wireless device has three speakers built-in to it and four bass radiators. It’s fairly compact and weighs 3 lbs. with a 30-foot Bluetooth connectivity range. The playback lifetime of the device varies depending on what volume you are listening on but ultimately, you can have about a whopping 26 hours of playtime before a re-charge. You can personalize your system by downloading their Riva Ground Control App and this speaker also comes equipped with noise cancelling should you take a call on it. Grab it if you like extra and advanced features with your electronic gear.

Beats Pill+

Ah, that brand name. The Beats Pill+ is mid-high in the price range (of course). We had a hard time including this one in here since we’ve vowed since our first days of reviewing electronics that we would never include a pair of Beats headphones or other products by them in our guides. However, this is one of the few exceptions, especially in this category. It’s super lightweight and one of the best portable speakers with Bluetooth backed up by too many user reviews to count, especially if you’re looking for a truly sleek design about 8 inches in length. With the price you’re also getting a quality sound system with a solid bass and it packs a great sound that is crisp, clear and loud (if you choose). This speaker can definitely be a welcome addition to a party. Charge the Pill+ speaker through a USB cable for a couple of hours and you’re looking at a 12-hour battery life. You can even charge while playing or hook it up to an auxiliary port if you want it to connect to your T.V. If you’re looking for a well-balanced sound with a sharp design, Beats Pill+ will do the trick. Who knows, some may prefer this due to merely brand name alone.

DKnight Magicbox II

If you are tight on cash but not short on sound, you may want to check out the DKnight Magicbox II, which is low-priced and affordable. Listed last but certainly not least, it actually looks quite like Jawbone’s original Jambox (hmm…). This speaker is just six inches long and less than a lb, but packs a rich sound as it comes with 10-watt acoustic drivers, so pump up the volume. This is the one of the best budget-friendly Bluetooth speakers if you are looking for a truly affordable price and good sound quality and inside or outdoors for a small party. The battery boasts a 10-12 hour life span and while it may not have extra gadgets, this speaker will do its job. You don’t have to sacrifice your wallet for good sound and this is best Bluetooth portable speaker for just that. Check this one out if you wanted a simple, cheaper solution to playing some tunes with a lot of bells-and-whistles.