Best Bluetooth Speakers: Portable, Waterproof, and More
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One of the best uses of Bluetooth technology is the ability to play music or podcasts (or whatever your heart desires) on a crisp, clear speaker without even removing your phone from the charger. In fact, you don’t even have to be inside to play professional-quality sound — not with these Bluetooth speakers we’ve rounded up below, most of which are durable and waterproof and perfect for any outdoor activities your heart desires.
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Since the products come in all shapes and sizes with a wide range of features — and a wide range of price points — we’ve selected a variety of the best Bluetooth speakers below, from $20 shower speakers to $400 home systems. For more sonic recommendations check out best soundbars, and best stereo speakers.
Sony XB23 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
With full, crisp sound packed into a lightweight and stylish design, the Sony XB23 portable, Bluetooth speaker can go just about anywhere. The XB23 is IP67 waterproof, rustproof, dustproof, and shockproof, with up to 12 hours of battery life (keep the good times going even longer with USB-C charging), and control sound settings via the Sony Music Center app. The Sony XB23 comes in a bunch of different colors including black, blue, coral, and green.
JBL CLIP 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Not only is this extremely small and portable — the compact circular unit comes with a built-in carabiner clip and weighs less than half a pound — it’s also legitimately nice-looking, unlike some other speakers. The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 10 hours, and it’s IPX7 waterproof so it can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It’s perfect for the beach, the pool, or the shower, and a built-in noise and echo-cancelling speakerphone means you can make clear calls on it, too.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
This is one durable unit: It’s not “it’s alright if you spill some water on it” waterproof, it’s “can be submerged in up to one meter of water for a half hour” waterproof. Like, “it floats in the pool” waterproof. It’s also “drop proof,” meaning being clumsy won’t mean certain disaster, and the 15-hour battery means it really is perfect for parties and other high-intensity uses. You can pair it with other Ultimate Ears Boom and Megaboom speakers, and it can also charge wirelessly via the Power Up charging dock (sold separately).
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
This versatile smart speaker can be used as a portable Bluetooth speaker, a home speaker, or a voice control speaker. It weighs just over two pounds, has a battery life of up to 12 hours, and comes with a portable handle so it’s easy to transport. It’s water-resistant and can withstand plenty of accidental drops and bumps. Control it with your mobile phone or tablet, or if you’re within wifi range, use voice control with built-in Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant with integrated music services like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Pandora. The 360-degree sound and powerful bass make the sound quality clear both inside and outside. And it’s compatible with any other Bose smart devices for a multi-room listening experience. The minimalist design comes in two colors: Triple Black or Luxe Silver.
Sonos Move
Perhaps the best-reviewed speaker on this list, the durable, portable, waterproof unit is perfect for both indoor and outdoor usage. It’s both Bluetooth and wifi compatible, and you can control it with the Sonos app or Bluetooth. It’s got built-in Alexa for hands-free control (and all the features Alexa provides, as long as you’re connected to the internet). Deep bass comes from two powerful drivers, and the automatic true-play tuning balances sound depending on your circumstances. It’s rechargeable via the included base or a compatible USB-C charger, and the battery lasts for up to 11 hours. The IP56 rating means it can stand up to humidity, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat and cold, plus the shock-resistant casing protects against accidental drops or bumps.
JBL Pulse 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Get powerful sound and deep base with the JBL Pulse 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Featuring 360-degree sound, this stylish bluetooth speaker dazzles wherever you put it. On the technical side, it’s wireless, waterproof, and gives you up to 12 hours of use on a single charge. It has a wireless range of up to 40 feet, and you can pair it with any bluetooth compatible device to stream your favorite songs. You can also download the JBL Connect App, which features a variety of light show themes (or customize your own) that turn your speaker into a light show — whether the music is on or off. Another cool feature for turning up the party: PartyBoost allows you to pair two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers together, or link multiple JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers.
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
You know when you purchase an Anker product that you’re going to get a certain level of quality, and that’s no different with the brand’s affordable, portable Bluetooth speaker. Two high sensitivity drivers mean clear sound with zero distortion, and the long-life battery provides 24 hours of playtime. With Bluetooth 4.0, you’ll have a strong connection for up to 66.’
Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Wi-Fi Alexa Voice Smart Speaker
This powerful and stylish wifi-enabled subwoofer speaker is perfectly sized for any room. It’s got precise, balanced audio and built-in Alexa, so you can control your music without even touching the speaker. The app allows you to customize presets, connect to other Alexa-enabled devices, and control playback demands. While the 10-pound speaker is not portable (you have to plug it in to the wall), it has a gorgeous retro design that will look great no matter where you place it.
Tribit StormBox Micro Bluetooth Speaker
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This small but mighty speaker is not only ultra portable thanks to its small size (it weighs just 1.3 pounds), but provides high-quality sound that is comparable to many other higher-end brands out there. The deep bass and full-sounding mids and trebles will be even clearer if you purchase a second speaker for stereo sound. It’s 100 percent waterproof with a tear-resistant silicone strap, which means it’s perfect for whatever activity you’re getting up to.
Urbanista Brisbane Wireless Speaker
Another portable unit, this rectangular design takes three hours to fully charge 10 hours of total playtime, with a 90-day standby time. It delivers deep bass, which can be doubled if you connect to a second speaker for surround sound, and it’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices. While it’s not submergible, it is splash-resistant with an IPX5 waterproof rating and weighs two pounds.
Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Outdoor Speaker
About the size of a Discman (sorry, youths, we’ll explain: that was what we had to use to listen to music on the go before smartphones), this lightweight speaker (it weighs just over a half a pound) is everything you’d expect from Bose. It’s got crisp and clear sound both indoors and outdoors, a built-in mic for speakerphone calls, and it’s waterproof up to one meter and has a very durable exterior. Rather than a carabiner, it comes with a strap for easy attaching to backpacks, coolers, handlebars, or even belt loops. The battery lasts for up to six hours, so it’s not quite as long-lasting as competitors, but it’s a trade-off for the Bose sound quality. It can be paired with other SoundLink speakers or any smart Bose speakers for stereo sound, and you can also use your phone’s Siri or Google Assistant or access your Echo Dot directly from the speaker. If you want to save a little money, try out a refurbished Bose Soundlink speaker for $89. You also might like the Bose SoundLink Color II portable Bluetooth speaker.
AVWOO IP67 Waterproof Bluetooth Shower Speaker
You can’t beat the price on this portable waterproof speaker, which comes with color-changing lights and a carabiner that makes it easy to attach to anything. It’s perfect for listening to podcasts or music in the shower, and it’s even got a port for an SD card if you don’t want to use the Bluetooth feature. It has several different light modes, including a multi-color display that is extra fun for kids.
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