Speakers are crucial to any sound system or gaming system. Many people prefer speakers to headphones to avoid things like helmet hair or discomfort. Others may prefer the audio quality of good speakers over their other options. But how can you find what portable speakers are best?
Whether you’re playing your favorite album off of your phone or setting up a travel PC to game, we’re here to help guide you. Read on for our list of the best portable speakers of 2023.
-
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
Best Overall Speaker
-
Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Outdoor Speaker
Best Mini Speaker
-
Sony SRS-XB100 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best Outdoor Portable Speaker
-
OontZ Angle 3 Portable Speaker
Best Budget Option
-
W-KING 50W IPX6 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Best Jumbo Portable Speaker
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
Best Overall Speaker
Luxurious and unmatched
$349 $399 Save $50
Bose presents uncontested audio quality with a rugged build and smart features. While this is one of the most expensive options on the market, it’s a speaker that can last you a life time.
- Immaculate audio quality
- Rugged, sturdy build
- Stylish design
Bose is renowned for its fantastic audio quality and strong builds. They’re one of the most reputable brands for speakers of all sorts, and they don’t let down once things get mobile. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is the ideal gadget for any mobile setup.
The Bose Portable Speaker comes in solid black or titanium white. Its 360-degree surround sound audio also comes with built-in Alexa voice control. While the price is higher than some people may prefer, there aren’t many competitors on the market that can beat this speaker from a quality standpoint.
Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Outdoor Speaker
Best Mini Speaker
Tiny, but packs a punch
$99 $119 Save $20
The Bose SoundLink Micro is a stellar alternative to other, more expensive Bose products. Despite its minute size, this speaker provides incredible audio quality.
- Extremely compact
- Affordable price point
- Great audio quality despite the size
- Some may prefer a larger speaker
Are you looking for Bose quality without paying Bose prices? While their speakers are phenomenal, the price point puts them out of the budget of many consumers. Bose’s SoundLink Micro is a great competitor to its own products and comes with all the ruggedness you’d need from a portable speaker.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is waterproof and resistant to drops. It comes in three different colors and can fasten to different surfaces, such as your clothes or bike handlebars. Its price is affordable for a portable speaker, especially one of this stellar quality.
Sony SRS-XB100 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best Outdoor Portable Speaker
Rugged and affordable
$48 $60 Save $12
The Sony SRS-XB100 is a great speaker for any outdoor situation. With great battery life, a rugged build, and a compact design, there are few situations this won’t be your favorite speaker.
- Good sound quality
- Rugged build
- Compact design
- Some speakers can do more at a lower cost
One disheartening issue in the world of tech is that many things are less affordable than we wish they were. Sony’s products offer a strong alternative for people who want great quality without having to pay an uncomfortable price. Few products prove this more than the SRS-XB100 speaker.
The Sony SRS-XB100 is a wireless and portable travel speaker that’s both waterproof and dustproof. The battery life is around 16 hours, and the light weight makes it ideal for carrying around for any task. It also comes in multiple colors to help you customize the speaker to your preference of fashion.
OontZ Angle 3 Portable Speaker
Best Budget Option
Extremely affordable with good performance
$28 $40 Save $12
The OontZ Angle is arguably the best speaker at its price point. While it isn’t the best for outdoor use, its low cost and great battery life make it a strong contender.
- Extremely low price for a speaker
- Resistant to sand and dirt
- Good battery life
Looking for something that’s excellent in price? Few budget options are better than the OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Speaker. This speaker is compatible with all phones and other Bluetooth devices up to a 100-foot range, making it great for a cookout or other outdoor event.
The OontZ Angle is also one of the cheapest available options without having quality issues. Audiophiles can pick between more than a half-dozen different color variations. However, be aware this speaker is water-resistant, but far from waterproof. The rubber design does help it withstand any dropping impacts, but we recommend being careful.
W-KING 50W IPX6 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Best Jumbo Portable Speaker
Larger, but still portable
The W-KING is a solid choice for people looking for speakers which focus on music. While this speaker is larger than most others, it provides a deeper bass due to its subwoofer, making some genres of music perform better.
- Pairs well with other speakers
- Affordable pricing
- Deeper bass for music
- Some users won’t prefer a large speaker
For consumers looking for a larger option compared to most portable speakers, we recommend the W-KING 50W IPX6 speaker. While larger than most of its competition, the W-KING isn’t unwieldy or too large to be portable. The speaker uses a subwoofer to have punchier, deeper bass than most portable speakers can offer.
As such, this is a great speaker for audio quality and music. W-KING also boasts the ability to pair two speakers together for a richer and more in-depth sound than most speakers are able to offer. At the price, purchasing two of these speakers is still cheaper than many competitors, though it comes without any “smart” capabilities.
JBL Flip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best Speaker For Travel
Compact with excellent battery life
$80 $130 Save $50
JBL’s portable speakers are among the best in the market, and their FLIP series helps make that case. The FLIP 5 is our choice, but be sure to check out other excellent FLIP speakers.
- Small, compact design
- Rugged waterproofing and strong rubber shell
- Affordable pricing
- Strong competition at this price point
JBL is a popular name for portable speakers for good reason. Their FLIP series is one of the many reasons for this phenomenal reputation. We’ve chosen the FLIP 5, but if you’re looking for more, we suggest its successor, the FLIP 6.
The FLIP 5 is waterproof, small, and convenient to carry. The battery life is better than most speakers could ever need. These two factors make this a perfect speaker to use by the pool or during a cookout. It’s also slim enough to fit comfortably into a suitcase or carry on during travel.
FAQ
Is It Safe To Use A Speaker Outdoors?
That depends on the speaker in question. Make sure a speaker is at least waterproof before using it outdoors. You should also always bring your portable speaker indoors after you’re done using it.
How Long Is The Battery Life On A Portable Speaker?
Different portable speakers will have different battery life spans. You should look into customer reviews on how long a speaker generally lasts before making your purchase.
Are All Bluetooth Speakers Portable?
No, some speakers will use Bluetooth to connect but still have wires. Others may be large and more difficult to move despite being Bluetooth-compatible or marketed as portable.