A good portable Bluetooth speaker can bring your favorite music wherever you go. Whether you're looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker to take with you when you're outdoors in your backyard, at the beach, or park, or even in different rooms of your home, there are countless models currently available on the market. Ideally, you'll want a well-built speaker with a long-lasting battery and an IP rating for water resistance, allowing it to withstand getting wet when taken outside. That said, it's essential to note that smaller speakers are more likely to struggle to produce loud sound and reproduce a thumpy, rumbling low bass. When buying a Bluetooth speaker, you always have to figure out what your priorities are and which trade-offs you're willing to make, as we explain in our Bluetooth speaker buying guide.
We've tested over 180 speakers, and below are our recommendations for the best portable speakers. For more options, check out our picks for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers, or the best small Bluetooth speakers.
Quick Look
All of our recommendations start with the products we've tested. And, they're backed by in-house experts who ensure unbiased, objective data to help you choose the right speaker.
Want to see how we've tested more than 150 speakers? Our How We Test Speakers article walks you through the entire process: from selecting and purchasing products to testing, reviewing, and publishing our results.
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Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portability8.2Build Quality8.6Controls6.9Battery Life40.3 hrsBattery9.2See all our test resultsOutdoors8.1The JBL Boombox 4 is the best portable Bluetooth speaker we've tested. The mid-sized speaker is the largest on the list, but it delivers the complete package: a whopping 40 hours of battery life for multi-day camping trips (and you can even hot-swap the battery), with a blisteringly loud maximum volume while retaining most of your audio's dynamics. Additionally, a sturdy IP68 design that floats allows it to accompany you on a boat or stay on a table during a rainstorm, and the chunky handle makes it easy to carry the 6 kg (13.2 lbs) speaker single-handedly.
The stereo design with clearly labelled controls can connect via Bluetooth or USB-C (for music or to charge other devices). You can connect up to two devices simultaneously to share the playlist, and it supports the Bluetooth LC3 codec for low-latency playback for watching videos with good A/V sync. By default, the sound is balanced with a good low-end extension, and you can use 'Playtime Boost' to up the bass content or the app's EQ if you want to increase the thump of hip-hop kick drums and basslines. However, if you're looking for something more lightweight with an analog AUX input, it's worth checking out the Bose SoundLink Max instead. Users who prefer a marathon battery life will find that its 15-hour battery life doesn't quite cut it compared to the JBL's impressive 40 hours.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portability8.9Build Quality9.0Controls6.9Battery Life15.8 hrsBattery9.1See all our test resultsOutdoors8.0The Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM is another portable Bluetooth speaker that's offered at a more affordable price. You'll notice that Ultimate Ears' speakers make up a few of our picks in this article due to their compact, user-friendly designs that facilitate great directivity. This speaker is no exception, and its portable design makes it suitable for use at home or while on the go. It's a little on the heavier side, but its built-in strap helps you transport it wherever you go. Additionally, it's sturdy, boasting an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that protects it against the elements. You can choose from either black or white color variants.
As for the sound, this speaker boasts numerous features to enhance your listening experience. Its Adaptive EQ feature automatically adjusts the device's sound to your room's unique acoustics, which is a nice touch. Additionally, its graphic EQ and presets allow for some manual tuning. However, compared to the more premium JBL Boombox 4, it doesn't reproduce as much low bass. Its 15-hour battery life isn't quite as impressive and may be limiting for longer trips away. If you need something slightly more portable with a longer battery life, it's worth checking out the Ultimate Ears EVERBOOM instead. It can't get as loud, though, and lacks a bit of low-end thump compared to the EPICBOOM.
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Best Mid-Range Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portability9.1Build Quality9.0Controls5.8Battery Life≈ 20.0 hrsBattery9.2See all our test resultsOutdoors7.8The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 is an even more affordable option that's smaller and more lightweight than our top picks. This cylindrical Bluetooth speaker is easy to take on the go, and you can even attach it to your bag with its built-in carrying hook. If you want to use your speaker at the pool or lake, it's a great choice, as it floats in water and boasts an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It also comes in many color variants, so you can find one that best matches your style. The newest iteration comes with the welcome addition of USB-C charging.
While the fourth generation has a slightly better bass extension than its predecessor, its smaller size means that this speaker's low-frequency extension is less impressive than that of the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM. You'll notice less low bass in the mix, but it's still well-suited for most dialogue or instrument-focused content, such as podcasts or folk and pop music. Additionally, its companion app offers numerous customization options to optimize the sound, including a graphic EQ and presets. It has a small design and great sound, making it one of our best golf speakers, too. However, the physical controls are somewhat limited, so you may need to use your device for some commands. If you want to limit the time you spend looking at your phone, the LG xboom Grab is a great alternative, offering more comprehensive controls, flatter sound, and similarly robust build quality. However, it lacks the bass oomph and consistency of sound across listening angles that the MEGABOOM 4 offers.
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Best Budget Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portability9.3Build Quality9.0Controls6.6Battery Life13.1 hrsBattery8.9See all our test resultsOutdoors7.9The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is the best portable speaker we've tested in the budget range. While upgrades from the previous generation have been minimal, this speaker still offers excellent sound quality for the price, with a compact and lightweight design that's ideal for on-the-go listening. This version adds USB-C charging and a dedicated podcast mode to improve on a winning formula. Since it can float in water, it's also great to use at the pool, and its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance keeps it safe when exposed to the elements. Environmentally conscious shoppers will appreciate that this speaker is made of recycled plastic. Since it's available in many different colors, you can easily pick a model that suits your style.
As for the sound, this speaker's clear and accurate reproduction of voices and other lead instruments makes it a great choice for listening to a wide range of genres. That said, it has fewer sound customization features than more premium speakers like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4. If you're looking for a budget-friendly speaker with a graphic EQ and presets to customize your sound, consider the Anker Soundcore Flare 2. While its battery life isn't as long as the Ultimate Ears' 13 hours, the Anker's eight hours is still enough for most park hangs.
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Best Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portability9.5Build Quality8.5Controls6.8Battery Life10.4 hrsBattery8.2See all our test resultsOutdoors7.6The Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go is an incredibly small speaker, one of the smallest we've tested. Its slim design fits in most mid-sized jacket pockets, and it's only a little heavier than most flagship smartphones, making it exceptionally portable. Unlike the larger Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4, this pint-sized speaker necessarily downmixes stereo content to mono, which isn't ideal if your main concern is immersive sound quality, but for podcasts and background music, it's great. With a 10-hour battery life, it's enough to get through a full-day trip.
The IP67-rated speaker can withstand water and dust exposure, and the tough mesh and rubberized frame offer a clean design that won't be compromised when you take this mini speaker with you. Its loop attachment means you can hang it on a hook or add a carabiner and clip it to a backpack to soundtrack a hike. Lastly, the tuning is a bit bright because the design can't reproduce deep bass, but it's otherwise even-sounding, and you can use the companion app's EQ to modify it to your taste. If you want a bit more boom in the bass range, the cylindrical Sony SRS-XB100 can produce a fuller sound with a more consistent sound across angles, even though it's also mono, and its battery life doubles that of the Anker. But, its shape is a bit harder to fit into a pocket, and it compresses more at max volume (and it's also quieter than the Anker) without the option of EQ.
Check out our recommendations for the best small Bluetooth speakers if you want to look at similar options.
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Best Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portability9.4Build Quality8.5Controls8.0Battery Life5.0 hrsBattery5.6See all our test resultsOutdoors6.7Want hands-free control of your speaker? Check out the Sonos Roam 2. It's a portable smart speaker with built-in Alexa and Sonos Assistant. The pocket-friendly Roam is designed for days on the go, as it's easy to slip into a bag or backpack to take around with you. Additionally, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and it floats in water, providing some protection against the elements. Building on a very similar blueprint to the Sonos Roam/Roam SL, this version adds dedicated Bluetooth and power buttons. It also features a TruePlay room correction technology that can adapt the sound to the acoustics of your listening space. That said, the speaker's battery life is somewhat limited, lasting only five hours of continuous playback.
This speaker is also a great addition to your existing Sonos ecosystem at home since you can pair it up with compatible devices to spread audio throughout the room. It's especially useful since the smaller Roam 2 doesn't get as loud as some of the larger speakers on our list, and pairing it with another device can help amplify its sound. If you're looking for a larger portable smart speaker that gets louder, consider the Sonos Move 2. However, its larger size means it takes up more space in your bag when transporting, and the speaker weighs more, which isn't ideal for everyone.
Notable Mentions
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Sony ULT FIELD 7:
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is an IP67-rated portable speaker that can get loud enough to soundtrack parties and outdoor occasions. While it's not as well-built as the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM and has worse directivity, it can get louder and has a more bass-heavy sound, courtesy of its bass-boosting 'ULT' button.
See our review -
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen):
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is a well-built portable Bluetooth speaker that's great for those who love the manufacturer's signature sound. That said, it has fewer customization tools than similarly priced speakers, such as the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4.
See our review -
Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus:
The Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is a portable speaker with a great, intuitive control scheme. It's a good alternative to the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 if you need more volume to soundtrack your next backyard BBQ. The Anker also has voice assistant integration, but it's not as well-built and has a shorter continuous battery life.
See our review -
JBL Flip 6:
The JBL Flip 6 is another portable Bluetooth speaker that serves as a good alternative to the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4, if you're willing to pay a slightly higher price. Its graphic EQ lets you customize its sound to your liking. However, its battery life isn't as impressive as the Ultimate Ears'.
See our review -
Bose Portable Smart Speaker:
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is larger and heavier than the Sonos Roam 2, but it's worth a look if you want a portable smart speaker with better sound. The Bose gets louder and brings more rumble in the bass, but it doesn't have room correction like the Sonos.
See our review -
Marshall Middleton II:
The Marshall Middleton II is very portable with a good sound, and features plenty of physical controls compared to the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, but its battery life is much shorter.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 04, 2025:
This article was updated to replace the JBL Boombox with the JBL Boombox 4 as the top pick and to make the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go as the mini pick. The LG xboom Grab has been added as an alternative to the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, and the Sony SRS-XB100 was mentioned as an alternative to the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go. The Marshall Middleton II has been added to the Notable Mentions.
Apr 15, 2025:
We've checked that all our picks are still accurate and in stock, but we haven't changed them.
Feb 14, 2025:
We've added the Minirig 4 as an alternative to the Sony SRS-XB100 for anyone willing to pay extra for access to features like multi-device pairing and bass and treble adjustments.
Dec 17, 2024:
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) replaces the first-gen Bose SoundLink Flex in our Notable Mentions, but we haven't changed our main picks.
Oct 25, 2024:
We've made some changes to our picks in this article, adding the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 as our mid-range pick and the Ultimate EVERBOOM as a mention in the upper mid-range pick. We've also added the Sony ULT FIELD 7 as a Notable Mention.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth speakers for portability. 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 see more products, here's the list of all our Bluetooth speaker reviews sorted by their outdoor performance. 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.