From ease and durability to style and audio quality, these excellent devices are indispensable for any serious music lover
Portable speakers have come a long way. Yes, there was a time when enjoying the best tunes on the go required lugging around a boombox, complete with the hassle of six hefty batteries. Think of the forlorn lover holding one outside a window à la John Cusack in Say Anything. But times have changed, and our mobile audio options have advanced significantly. Whether it is complimenting a home music setup or soundtracking an outdoor party, the best portable Bluetooth speaker is indispensable for any serious music lover.
The device largely replaced traditional two-speaker stereos for a few years, but it wasn’t until recently that I began to hold portable Bluetooth speakers in the same esteem as my vintage high-fidelity stereo system. Thanks to advancements in sound, design, and durability, I now find myself spending most of my time listening to playlists on my single-speaker companion. This is largely for the sake of convenience—enabling me to enjoy new music, podcasts, and movies from room to room to the outdoors—but also because I genuinely love the enhanced audio quality.
Since I spend a lot of time listening at home, my two biggest needs in a portable Bluetooth speaker are sound and style—it’s got to perform and look amazing in equal measure. But everyone is different. Maybe you need something that can handle everyday commutes that isn’t so visually appealing. Or maybe you need something heavy-duty for a backyard pool party. Thankfully, there are options for all these scenarios. And though it can be a bit confusing navigating all the different varieties, we aim to simplify.
Below, some important considerations when choosing the best portable Bluetooth speaker that speaks to you.
What to consider before buying the best Bluetooth speaker:
Battery Life: The battery life of a portable speaker typically ranges from 8 to 12 hours, and some can even last up to 24 hours. However, playing the speaker at higher volumes or under various stresses can decrease battery usage. Larger units generally have larger batteries and produce more substantial sound—but they may sacrifice portability. If you primarily use the speaker at home, where an outlet is convenient, battery life may not be a significant concern. But if you plan to use it on the go or outdoors all day, the lifespan of the battery should be a top priority.
Durability: Many portable Bluetooth speakers use an IP rating, which indicates the dust- and water-resistance. An IP67 rating, for example, means the speaker can be dropped in a pool for a short time and can handle heavy gusts, while an IP64 rating indicates some dust-resistance and ability to withstand some splashing (read: not waterproof). Everything really boils down to the activity planned. If you’re biking daily through inclement weather with one in your bag, for example, you should consider a higher IP. But if you plan to primarily listen at home, the number can decrease. Fortunately, most portable Bluetooth speakers are now built with durability in mind, offering water-, drop-, and dust-resistance to a certain degree.
Portability and Range: Keep in mind: With greater size comes richer sound, which may sacrifice portability—and vice versa. Moreover, most new portable speakers utilise Bluetooth V.5 or higher, offering a wireless range that is up to four times that of any V.4 iteration. For commercial audio, this can vary quite a bit due to factors such as speaker size, efficiency, and design. But at least 10 metres, the standard, will more than suffice for listening to sounds. Also consider that the effective range of the portable Bluetooth speaker from its tethered device depends heavily on various external factors, particularly weather conditions.
Design: For a long time, speakers in general were not aesthetically pleasing. But in the past several years, heavy-hitting brands have started to put just as much thought into the form as much the function. There are now a slew of eye-catching options, from retro designs that’ll compliment a vinyl collection to minimalist ones that gel nicely in a, say, Brutalist space to colourful ones that will be easy to spot outdoors. Even the smallest portable speakers have the overall look in mind.
Sound: The best portable Bluetooth speakers, at their core, should sound great. While a single speaker may not exactly match the fidelity of a dual setup, new models will surprise even the most discerning audiophiles with their warm sound, true reproduction, and rich bass—qualities once thought impossible from portable devices. Look for driver combinations: Some will have two tweeters and a woofer, while others might have a mid-woofer to help the midrange, or even two woofers. Various components address different frequency responses, and generally, a wider range contributes to better audio reproduction.
