The Marshall Middleton is a portable Bluetooth speaker designed in the company's signature guitar-amp style. Its small and lightweight design is ideal if you want to take your favorite tunes with you on the go, and its removable carrying strap lets you carry it in one hand. It has a waterproof and dustproof design, too, with easy-to-use controls to adjust its bass and treble more to your liking. The USB-C port is meant to charge the speaker, but it also functions as an output, letting you use the speaker as a portable charging bank for your other devices.
Our Verdict
The Marshall Middleton is decent for music. This portable Bluetooth speaker is a solid choice for bringing your favorite tunes with you on-the-go, with a clear reproduction of voices and other lead instruments that makes it suitable for many different genres. Bass and treble adjustments give you some control over its sound, too. However, given its small size, this speaker can't quite bring the deep rumble in the low-bass that's common with genres like EDM and hip-hop.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Loud enough for an average-sized room.
- Lacks an extended low-bass.
- Some compression at max volume.
The Marshall Middleton isn't designed for watching movies, but if you want to watch a video on a paired smartphone, it can get the job done. Dialogue is clearly reproduced in the mix, and the adjustable bass and treble let you control the overall sound. That said, even with the bass cranked up all the way, you still can't feel the rumble in action-packed scenes like with a home theater setup. It's loud enough for smaller rooms, but larger spaces like basements are harder to fill with sound.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Loud enough for an average-sized room.
- Lacks an extended low-bass.
- Some compression at max volume.
The Marshall Middleton is very good for podcasts. Dialogue is clear and easy-to-follow right out-of-the-box, which is great for keeping up with your favorite shows. Since it pairs with up to two devices at a time over Bluetooth, you can switch between multiple sources with ease. It's portable enough to bring to different rooms as you listen, and it's loud enough for average-sized rooms. If you're in a larger or more open space, you'll want to stay close to the speaker to hear your shows.
- Loud enough for an average-sized room.
- Bluetooth pairing with up to two devices at once.
- Some compression at max volume.
The Marshall Middleton speaker doesn't support voice assistants.
The Marshall Middleton is good for outdoor use. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker that's designed to bring on the go, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. While it's on the heavier side for smaller speakers, its removable carrying strap still means that you can carry it in one hand without issue. It lasts a little over seven hours off a single charge, which is great for a day outdoors. It gets loud enough for smaller gatherings. However, it can't quite fill larger, more open backyards with sound.
- IP67 rating.
- Removable carrying strap.
- Not rated for impact resistance.
Changelog
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Updated Oct 23, 2025:
The Popular Speaker Comparisons section was updated to mention the updated Marshall Middleton II model.
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Updated Mar 26, 2025:
We mentioned the Marshall Tufton in the Battery box for users who want a longer battery life.
- Updated Mar 13, 2024: We've updated this review to include the new "Cream" color variant.
- Updated Sep 15, 2023: Added more information about 20v charging in the Battery box. Since the cable included with purchase doesn't support 20v charging, no changes in the test results.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Marshall Middleton is available in 'Black/Brass' and 'Cream,' and you can see the label for the model we tested here. If you encounter another version of this speaker, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Marshall Middleton is another portable Bluetooth speaker that retains the manufacturer's signature design. It's a tad larger than the Marshall Emberton or the Marshall Emberton II, likely because of its quad-speaker setup that's advertised to include two tweeters, two woofers, and two passive radiators. It can also reproduce a more extended low bass than the Emberton lineup. Plus, its bass and treble adjustments give you a bit more control over its sound. Its USB-C input/output is a nice touch, especially if you want to charge other devices on the go, which you don't find with many speakers on the market. Its battery doesn't last quite as long as the manufacturer's other models. That said, the model was refreshed as the Marshall Middleton II, which adds a speaker phone feature and a slightly longer battery life.
You can also check out our recommendations for the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers for bass, and the best outdoor speakers.
The Marshall Middleton II is an incremental upgrade to the Marshall Middleton. They share the same basic design and layout, but the 2nd generation has a longer battery life and adds a mic for handling phone calls. It also floats in water, while the first-generation model doesn't. The first generation has slightly lower Bluetooth latency and uses the brand's Stack feature for Party mode, so if you already own compatible speakers, you might prefer the original Middleton. The 2nd generation model uses Auracast for Party mode with newer Marshall speakers.
The Marshall Middleton is a better portable Bluetooth speaker than the Marshall Emberton. Both speakers have a similar design, but the Middleton is a touch larger and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Plus, it's supported by a companion app, where you find additional features like bass and treble adjustments. It's even rated for dust resistance, unlike the Emberton. However, its battery life isn't quite as long-lasting.
The Marshall Middleton is a bit better than the Marshall Emberton II. Both are portable Bluetooth speakers with a similar design, though the Middleton is slightly larger. It can reproduce more bass, and you may find its bass and treble adjustments give you more control over its sound than the Emberton II's presets. That said, its battery doesn't last quite as long.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Marshall Middleton or the JBL Charge 5. The JBL's battery lasts longer, and its graphic EQ makes it a bit more customizable. However, the Marshall can reproduce a slightly more extended low-bass. It has a better soundstage as well.
Test Results
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