Nothing makes a party better than some music. Nothing makes playing music easier than a Bluetooth speaker, especially as more phone manufacturers omit the 3.5mm headphone jack. Fortunately, you don't need to spend a fortune to get the best Bluetooth speaker and get the good times rolling.
Enjoy rich audio on the go with these Bluetooth speakers
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The Edifier MP100 Plus is great for those looking for an outdoor speaker, but it can be used just about anywhere thanks to its compact size and great sound. For those who might be in the market for a stylish device, this one also does well in that department, with a bold design that can also double as being easy to spot if you misplace it.
For those looking for an all-purpose speaker, the Edifier MP100 Plus does the trick as well, sporting incredible IPX7 waterproofing, as well as surprisingly good battery life for such a small device. Pairing the speaker is also no problem, as its snappy response time means you’ll be connected in no time.
Perhaps the only few downsides to the device are just how hard it is to find one at the moment. That, combined with some technical limitations like no AUX port or companion app, means this is about as barebones as you can get while still maintaining great sound.
You might be wondering why I picked the Edifier MP100 Plus over the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 as our top pick. Honestly, despite the lack of an AUX port or better ingress protection, Edifier's speaker sounds way better than the one from Tribit. I also found it to be handier and easier to use due to its weight and design.
Tribit sure knows its way around audio accessories, and the StormBox Micro is no exception. This epic Bluetooth speaker isn't just compact: It puts out a huge kick with deep, booming bass, and 10W of power. The humble StormBox Micro 2 pays homage to its successful predecessor despite its higher price.
One of the most distinctive features of the StormBox Micro 2 is its ability to be easily mounted to bikes, backpacks, belts, or nearly anything else — get creative! The IP67 water and dust resistance means you don't have to worry about getting caught in the rain, and you can pair two of these speakers together for an immersive stereo effect.
The only downside is that the StormBox Micro 2 doesn't have an AUX port. But on the bright side, everything else about this speaker is perfect. You can charge any USB-C device with the speaker, it has a companion app so the sound can be customized, and the 4,700mAh battery lasts for up to 12 hours. Most importantly, the sound quality is impressively good for its size.
If portability and budget are the names of the game, then the SRS-XB13 from Sony is a fantastic pick. This speaker packs such an impressive punch that it's hard to believe the sound comes from such a small package. While its max volume levels won't knock your socks off, the Sony SRS-XB13 doesn't compromise on quality.
The XB13's EXTRA BASS tagline holds true with punchy lows that, combined with the sixteen-hour battery life, will allow you to listen to your favorite songs with plenty of bass for long periods. Sony also includes a strap connected to the speaker's bottom if you want to throw it over your shoulder or attach it to a bag.
On the downside, the SRS-XB13 doesn't have a ton of extra features. For example, there's no dedicated app, meaning you'll have to turn to your smartphone or tablet's built-in audio tools if you want to adjust the EQ levels. If you want to have a proper party outdoors, you'd need to pair two of these babies to achieve banging loud volumes, but these are often the sacrifices you'll have to make to hit such a low price.
When it comes to listening to your music or podcasts, you want to be able to hear them from wherever you are. That's where a speaker like the Anker Soundcore Mini 3 comes in, with its 360 degrees of sound. With the Soundcore app on your phone, you can easily customize the sound to your liking.
The cylindrical design, combined with two drivers and 5 watts of power, makes for an impressive yet lightweight package. As for battery life, you're looking at around 15 hours, which should be plenty long enough for pool parties and the like.
Best of all, you can pair over 100 Mini 3s (or virtually any other Soundcore speaker, for that matter), and each speaker is feather-light at just half a pound. Unfortunately, the IPX7 waterproof rating doesn't include dust proofing, so you need to be careful around dirt and other grime.
It may not be a dedicated speaker, but Amazon's smart speaker with Alexa is a popular choice for many. The latest Echo Dot (4th Gen) gives users much to talk about, while still having the ability to show off a bit when guests come over.
In addition to pairing via Bluetooth, you have the option to use the 3.5mm auxiliary jack, or even pair over Wi-Fi to other devices. With Alexa built-in, you can control your smart home easily, or get the answer to that question nagging at your friend during the party. Sure, the sound isn't the greatest, but you can pair this with another Echo Dot for stereo sound, or another Bluetooth speaker.
The other big downside here is that the Echo Dot isn't entirely portable since you need to keep it plugged in at all times. This can be a bit frustrating, but its integrated voice assistant more than makes up for it. If you're bent on wirelessly using it, you can grab a third-party battery base to power it off of, making it wireless. The Mission Battery Base for the Echo Dot (4th Gen) (opens in new tab) is a great choice, as it's "made for Amazon."
If you like the Amazon Echo Dot's voice control features, but you'd rather use Google Assistant, the Nest Mini is a great alternative. It puts out twice as much bass as its predecessor, and features a touch-sensitive fabric cover that allows you to adjust volume with a quick tap.
Like the Echo Dot, the Nest Mini must be plugged in at all times, so while it makes a great Google Assistant smart speaker on a budget, it may not be the best mobile solution. Still, you can pair it with other Nest Minis for a stereo sound, and use it to control the rest of your smart home without lifting a finger. Maybe turn on some party lights?
Compared to the Echo Dot, the biggest downside is that the Nest Mini doesn't feature a headphone jack, meaning there's no way to wire audio directly into the speaker. Still, you can connect your phone over Bluetooth and play audio wirelessly, with hands-free voice controls to boot.
As you look at different Bluetooth speakers to consider, many of them have the same old design: Cylinders that pump out music at varying rates, shapes, and sizes. The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra (4th Gen) changes that with its unique triangular design, so that you can cover as much area as possible.
Oontz also includes an IPX7 rating for water resistance, but we wouldn't recommend taking the Angle 3 Ultra into the wild. The "X" means that you miss out on dust resistance here, making the speaker vulnerable to sand and dust. However, this speaker's most significant benefit is the 100-foot range, allowing you to keep your phone with you and not with the speaker.
While that 100-foot range is incredible, you'll still be stuck in the past with the micro-USB charging port. The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra (4th Gen) bumps up to Bluetooth 5.0 over 4.2, but unfortunately Cambridge SoundWorks did not think about updating the charging port over the last-gen OontZ Angle 3. The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra is also a bit heavier than some of the other speakers on this list, so you may not want to carry it if you go for a hike.
There is nothing wrong with a Bluetooth speaker that doesn't have a bunch of extra frills or a design that makes it stand out from the crowd. Sometimes, a great Bluetooth speaker is just your run-of-the-mill option. That brings us to the Tronsmart Trip, which has no significant features to "wow" you. It does, however, tout unbelievable value.
This speaker offers a 20-hour battery life, which is among the leaders on this list, along with IPX7 water resistance, an audio port, a mic, and Bluetooth 5.3. Take all of this, combined with the 10 watts of power, and you have a tried-and-true speaker that will work for every situation. Tronsmart even includes a USB-C and a 3.5mm audio cable in the box.
The Tronsmart Trip portable speaker is delightfully cheap, the most affordable speaker on this list in fact. However, that bottom-of-the-barrel price comes with trade-offs such as just okay bass and no app support.
The Tribit XSound Go delivers rich sound with 16W of audio, and you can take that sound with you wherever you go. Weighing only 13 ounces, this speaker is extremely light and isn't a burden to carry around. With an IPX7 waterproof rating, it's perfect for a day at the beach or lake, and even comes in handy during a quick shower.
This speaker has a durable exterior coating and internal frame, so you can hook it to your bag or bike with its tear-resistant strap and not worry about it getting any bruises or bumps. It charges quickly through USB-C, but thankfully it has a 24-hour battery life. You can listen to music throughout the weekend without worrying about juicing it up too often.
Best of all, the Tribit XSound uses Bluetooth 5.0 and has a 66-foot range, so you can go on a walk without having to leave your phone behind. And if you're hosting a party, you can pair this speaker with another to double the volume.
Pick the best portable speaker based on your needs
It can be tough picking out a speaker, but it's even more difficult finding an inexpensive waterproof Bluetooth speaker, but the Tribit's StormBox Micro comes close. This speaker offers decent battery life, USB-C charging, and a fantastic bass response that'll give every song you listen to a real boost.
Plus, you can pair this with another StormBox for a stereo sound setup, perfect for any party or situation. It's even IP67 certified for protection against water and dust, and you can clip it to your bike for a quick workout. The only downside? Without any auxiliary port, you'll need to connect to the speaker via Bluetooth for any audio playback.
