The best portable Bluetooth speakers of 2024, tested and reviewed

Let’s face it: Your phone’s built-in sound sucks, so you need a portable Bluetooth speaker. Sure, everything is relative, and those phone speakers are amazing compared to what, say, a 2005 flip phone sounded like. But do we really want to justify our tech based on when people published think-pieces on how texting was the new hotness? No, we do not. So while we can admit you can hear musical cues right out of your pocket, if you want to feel the actual emotional resonance that makes the music special, the speakers on even the best smartphone, the best tablet, the best laptop … ultimately suck. But the best portable Bluetooth speakers—from the compact Sonos Roam 2 to a much, much more substantial UE Hyperboom, for example—do not suck, so we’re ready to help you select the right speaker for any situation.

How we chose the best portable Bluetooth speakers

We test a lot of Bluetooth speakers throughout the year, giving us deep insight into what’s on the marketplace and what’s worth your money. Whether you’re looking for something budget or audiophile, chances are we’ve heard at least one model from whatever brand you’re considering. We combine these experiences with other users’ impressions, then top it all off with extensive research on what you should be looking for: IP rating, frequency range, battery life, Bluetooth range … we’ve got you! This lets us find the perfect balance of specs and special features from a fairly dense pool of possibilities.

The best portable Bluetooth speakers: Reviews & Choice 

From extreme durability to supreme connectivity, we’ve got you covered when it comes to the best portable Bluetooth speakers. Whether you’re always on the go or simply need something to take to the front porch, these speakers will deliver quality sound without any cables or wires weighing you down. 

Best ultraportable: Tribit StormBox Micro 2

Why it made the cut: Doubling as a portable charger, this compact speaker is a budget-friendly way to listen to your favorite tunes wherever the water takes you. 

Specs 

• Battery Life: 12 hours 
• Bluetooth Range: up to 120 feet 
• IP Rating: IP67

Pros 

• Price
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Powerbank
• Integrated strap

Cons 

• Some distortion at loud volumes 
• Limited onboard controls 

The StormBox Micro 2 from Tribit is a super-compact portable Bluetooth speaker that is easily strap-mounted to your backpack, handlebars, and more. At roughly 4 x 4 inches with a rubberized, grippy bottom and durable, textured grill, and weighing just over 1 pound, its small size doesn’t get in the way of solid sound that packs a punch. It’s tiny but surprisingly mighty, with 10 watts of output power, a 48mm NdFeB driver, passive radiators, and XBass technology making for a pretty solid listening experience—up to 90 dB, which is plenty loud for outdoor listening. And it can even be paired with another Micro 2 for stereo sound anytime, anywhere. With an IP67 rating, you won’t need to worry about dust or water damage, and 12 hours of playtime will keep you in business during an out-and-back. And just in case you’re more than a bike frame’s distance from the Micro 2 (or need more juice for another quick adventure), it uses Bluetooth 5.3 to connect to your device with a range of up to 120 feet and charges with an included USB-C cable. 

Best for outdoors: Sony ULT FIELD 1

Why it made the cut: The ULT Field 1 can bring the bass to the great outdoors without forgetting the treble.

Specs 

• Battery Life: 12 hours 
• Bluetooth Range: up to 120 feet 
• IP Rating: IP67

Pros 

• Angled drivers
• Supports stereo pairing
• Doubles as a power bank

Cons 

The ULT Field 1 is Sony’s latest entry-level Bluetooth speaker, and its audio quality and durability are both impressive, given its modest price. This is a mono speaker, but Sony has improved its audio fidelity by angling up its rectangular driver upward, so the sound is sent toward your head when it’s laid on its side. This makes a difference, as we could hear music more clearly during casual listening sessions at a desk. The other new audio feature is the inclusion of its “ULT” button, which enables deeper bass when pushed.

We mostly listened to music in the standard mode, as “ULT” mode doesn’t benefit every genre. Bass was never overwhelming or distorted but significantly enhanced. If you like music with prominent bass, however, this is a great benefit—hip-hop and R&B we listened to sounded the most natural with this feature enabled. Even without the boost, the Ult Field 1 has a pleasing default EQ, so bouncing from modern pop to classic rock to jazz didn’t faze it. You can tweak this speaker’s EQ in Sony’s “Music Center” app on iOS and Android if you want to futz with it yourself. Although it has a single driver, bass radiators on both sides of the speaker provide ample low-frequency oomph. If mono sound has got you down, you can also use Sony’s app to pair two ULT Field 1 speakers together for true stereo sound.

Sony made ULT Field 1 outdoor-friendly by outfitting it with a strap and designing it with an IP67 rating, meaning it’s dustproof and can be completely submerged underwater for several minutes without damage. If you take it to the beach or by the pool, you won’t have to worry about it getting splashed or rained on. The speaker’s soft exterior also absorbed shocks without getting damaged the handful of times we dropped it from a height of around three feet onto a hardwood floor.

Sony says the ULT Field 1’s battery will last up to 12 hours per charge, less than some rivals like JBL’s larger-but-still-comparable Charge 5, which offers up to 20 hours of playtime. This burrito-shaped JBL speaker weighs just over 2 pounds and measures 8.7 inches by 3.67 inches, which is small enough to stuff in a backpack. It delivers a rich, uncompromising mix with surprisingly impactful bass lines and clear vocals. Available in six colors, the Charge 5 has an IP67 rating, so you don’t have to worry about sand or spillage ruining your weekend away. PartyBoost mode allows you to pair with another (compatible) JBL speaker to support stereo sound (or up to 100 speakers in mono), and the built-in Powerbank will let you keep your phone charged, so you never need to stop the music. However, Sony’s speaker will still get you through a day of high-energy outdoor listening, and its battery issues won’t be an issue if you’re primarily using it for parties in your backyard.  

Best waterproof: UE Wonderboom 3 

Why it made the cut: The UE Wonderboom 3 continues to top our charts when it comes to portable, affordable, waterproof sound. 

Specs 

• Battery Life: 14 hours 
• Bluetooth Range: 131 feet 
• IP Rating: IP67

Pros 

• Durability 
• Volume 
• Portability 

Cons 

• Bass is a bit lacking
• No microphone 

Since being introduced in 2017, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom has been a tried-and-true favorite, one of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100 in any situation, thanks to its durability and sound quality. And the Wonderboom 3 continues that tuneful tradition, offering you an audio orb you can easily take with you—into the woods or the waves, to the beach or the bathtub. It comes in fun two-tone colors with a flexible handle at the top that can easily be attached to a backpack, belt loop, bike basket, or boat. It weighs less than 1 pound and measures just 4 inches tall, so you won’t be slowed down by bulk. The battery lasts a full 14 hours and produces 360-degree sound coverage that can reach up to 87 dBs—pretty impressive for a speaker this size. With an IP67 rating, the UE Wonderboom 3 is waterproof and dust-resistant (making it one of our favorite shower speakers). It also floats, which is one of our favorite features—you won’t need to get out of the water just to skip a track or pause the music when your portable Bluetooth speaker is bobbing alongside you.

In 2024, UE released a