If you're looking for a speaker to take along with you on the golf course, you may prefer a smaller speaker that may fit into the cup holder of your golf cart or that you can attach to your bags. You probably also want to look for a well-built speaker that has an IP rating for dust and water resistance to ensure that it can withstand the elements while you're outdoors. While we have yet to test many speakers designed to clip onto golf carts, we'll keep updating this article as we review new units.
We've tested over 125 speakers, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers for golf cart use that we've tested. If you want more options, check out our picks for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, and the best outdoor speakers.
The Bushnell Wingman View is the best golf cart speaker we've tested. This portable Bluetooth speaker is designed specifically with golfers in mind, and it comes with lots of cool features to make the most of your next time out on the course. Thanks to the magnet on the back of the device, you can attach it to your golf cart to enjoy your favorite tunes while out and about. You can slip the remote into your pocket to control the device without walking to the cart. Plus, its IPX6 rating for water resistance helps guard it against the elements.
This speaker's name hints at one of its unique features: a monochrome LCD to show you which song you're listening to and information about your time out on the course. Using the Bushnell Golf app, you can tell the speaker which course you're on for the day, and it can tell you information like the distance to the next hole, as well as monitor your scores and statistics. If you own a GPS watch or rangefinder, something like the Blue Tees Golf The Player may be a better value. This speaker still has a built-in magnet but lacks a feature-packed companion app, so it's a bit cheaper. Still, to make the most of your time on the course, the Bushnell is the way to go.
The Bushnell Wingman is another great golf cart speaker available at a more affordable price. Like the View, it's compatible with the Bushnell Golf app, which you can use to load your golf course, record your scores, and create statistics to track your game, among other cool features. The built-in GPS also lets you track the distance to the next hole, just like its more premium cousin. With an IPX6 rating for water resistance, it's more than capable of withstanding the elements. You can even use its magnet to clip it right onto your golf cart.
So, what's the difference between this speaker and the more premium View? This version lacks an LCD, so you can't see information about your music or golf course right on the speaker itself. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two models comes down to their sound. The Wingman is a smaller speaker that struggles to reproduce the punch in the mid-bass like the larger View. You notice a difference in their sound with bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop. The View is worth a look if you want the best possible sound. The Wingman may be worth the trade-off if you're on a budget.
The Bushnell Wingman Mini is another golf cart speaker from the manufacturer that's even more budget-friendly. Despite its more affordable pricing, this speaker is still compatible with the Bushnell Golf app and all its golf-related features, like recording your scores, creating statistics, and keeping track of the distance to the next hole. As its name implies, it's smaller than our top picks, and it has both a built-in carabiner and a magnet to attach it to your golf cart or bag. An IPX7 rating for water resistance keeps it safe against the elements, too.
Given its smaller size, there are some trade-offs regarding this speaker's performance. It doesn't get as loud as the more premium Bushnell Wingman and struggles to bring out a deep and rumbling bass. It has to downmix stereo content into mono, too. Still, if you're a more casual listener, the speaker's more than capable of getting the job done. Voices and other instruments are pretty clear in the mix, and the low volume level keeps you from bothering those around you on the course. It's a great way to access Bushnell's golfing features without breaking the bank.
The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a good alternative to our top picks if you want the best sound while on the course. Compared to the similarly-priced Bushnell Wingman View, this speaker doesn't have any golf-specific companion features to load your course, create statistics, or check the distance to the next hole, but this may not matter to you if you already own a rangefinder or a GPS watch for these functions. It may also be worth the trade-off if you want a speaker that can reproduce more low-bass than our top picks with more sound customization options thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in its app.
Thanks to its portable design, you can still bring this speaker to the golf course without issue. It's very well-built, too, so it feels sturdy, and the manufacturer says it can withstand some bumps and drops along the way. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand some exposure to rain. It's larger than the Bushnell Wingman View, though, and it likely won't fit in your golf cart's cupholder. Still, you can use its small hook to attach it to your bag, which is nice. If you're okay with the lack of golf-related features, it's a great pick with a versatile performance.
If sound quality matters to you, check out our recommendations for the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers.
Looking for an even smaller speaker? Check out the Sony SRS-XB100. Though not specifically designed for golf carts, this compact device is a great way to enjoy good sound without taking up a lot of room in your cart. With an exceptionally portable design, it's really easy to bring this speaker with you on the go, and you can always use the detachable strap to hang it off your golf cart or bag. Since it's also rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, it can withstand some exposure to the elements.
As the next generation of the Sony SRS-XB13, this speaker has some noticeable improvements, especially regarding sound quality. Its battery life is longer-lasting, too, with over twenty hours of playback time to enjoy those long days out on the course. Given its smaller size, though, it's not much of a surprise that it doesn't get as loud as larger speakers like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3. It's not a huge deal if you plan to keep the speaker close to you, but if you want to amplify sound for your whole group, the Ultimate Ears may be the better bet.
If portability matters most, you can even check out our recommendations for the best small Bluetooth speakers.
Nov 16, 2023: Added Blue Tees Golf The Player as an alternative to the Bushnell Wingman View.
Sep 20, 2023: Revamped the article to include more speakers designed specifically for golf carts.
Jul 24, 2023: Replaced the Sony SRS-XB13 with the next-generation Sony SRS-XB100.
May 25, 2023: Confirmed product picks. Minor text changes for clarity.
Mar 30, 2023: Product picks remain widely available. Small text updates for clarity.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth speakers for golf carts for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price (cheaper speakers win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no speakers that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our speakers sorted by their score for outdoor use. we've prioritized smaller, more portable options. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect speakers. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.