The days of music needing a power source are long gone. While the size of speakers and devices have become smaller, the sound quality has not been compromised. Instead, newer, portable speakers on the market have better sound than ever before.
The best portable Bluetooth speaker for Smartphones, tablets, computers and laptops are owned by people of all ages. Whether it's your favorite video or audio clip, the entertainment is endless. The one thing that still benefits from external support is the sound output.
Internal speakers can provide sufficient audio for individual listening. But what happens when we want better quality sound? That’s where Bluetooth speakers come in handy. They are an excellent choice for good quality sound when you are on the go.
It could be chilling on the beach, with friends at the pool or even hiking through the woods. You might want to watch a movie on your tablet with friends, for example. Portable Bluetooth speakers are able to sync up with your mobile devices and provide the quality sound you need.
There are so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start.. Let’s look at why you might need a Bluetooth speaker and some of the features to look for.
Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers - Comparison Table
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Benefits and Features of Portable Bluetooth Speakers
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Wireless Connectivity
Convenience
Sound Quality
Features
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker in 2019
We have highlighted some of the features and benefits a portable Bluetooth speaker can provide. Let’s take a look.
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Ultimate Ears bring us this stylish, portable Bluetooth speaker speaker - available in a number of colors. These include black, blue, red, magenta and even some limited editions.
A very obvious on/off button makes it easy to use. You can even download an app which will allow you to control the speaker by tapping it or by a musical alarm.
The Bluetooth connection allows for 100 feet of distance from your connected device. You can also link up to 150 of the speakers together (Megaboom, Boom and Boom 2 models). Perfect for a big party. The sound quality is rich with booming bass - as well good treble and mid-ranges.
The battery life is up to 20 hours from one charge via a fast USB cable. It also has 3.5-mm audio output.
Sturdy and waterproof, it has an IPX7 rating. That means it can be submerged in up to three feet of water for 30 minutes.
It measures 3.3 inches by 8.9 inches and weighs less than two pounds. This makes it easily portable - small enough to pop in a bag to take out with you wherever you go.
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This offering from Bose comes in a choice of grey or black, and has a slightly retro, Dalek appearance. The aluminium body is sturdy and waterproof to IPX4, which means it is splash-resistant.
The superb 360-degree output from this unit is not compromised at loud volumes. Via a downloadable Bose app, you can choose other options like party mode and stereo mode. The controls are simple and self-explanatory, making your speaker straightforward and fun.
With an up-to-12 hour battery life from a single charge, this speaker will also allow you to take calls.
Measuring just 3.3 inches by 6 inches, and weighing just under one and a half pounds, this device is portable, small and lightweight.
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This lightweight speaker from Bang & Olufsen comes in a variety of colours including sandstone, lilac, blue and black. At just 6.4 ounces, this very small bluetooth speaker has a leather handle and will easily fit into the palm of your hand.
The battery lasts for up to 10 hours and is recharged via a USB cable. The downloadable app allows you to control the device by just tapping or shaking it. The smart features include play, pause, skip, speakerphone and voice activation. It can even be used as a wake-up alarm, with a snooze button.
The sound quality is good with no compromise on bass for such a small unit. The built-in microphone allows for voice control and enables calls to be taken.
Made of premium durable materials, the speaker is splash- and dust-proof. It’s size and weight make it extremely portable so you can listen to your favorite podcasts or music while you are out and about.
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Ultimate Ears have come up trumps with this waterproof (IPX7), compact Bluetooth speaker. Available in black, raspberry, avocado, pink, blue, red, concrete and unicorn, there is sure to be a color you will like.
This speaker is compact and small at just 4.6 by 5.3 inches - and packed with superb features.
The sound quality is excellent, with no compromise for its lesser size. The 360-degree output of 86 decibels will ensure you hear crisp, clear quality from this device, with superb bass notes.
The controls are clear, especially the on/off and volume. It has up to 10 hours battery life and a bluetooth range of 100 feet.
Sturdy and robust, it has been “drop proof tested” to five feet. Portability is enhanced by a hook which you can attach to your backpack, bag or bicycle. The waterproof feature means it’s safe if you drop it in a pool. It floats! Also, don’t worry about dirt, as its washable.
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The Soundlink Mini from Bose is one of the older models on the market, however the sound quality is superb. Pairing with your bluetooth device, it is simple as the unit talks you through it.
The sleek design comes with its own charging cradle and each charge lasts for up to At just 7.1 inches by 2.3 inches by 2 inches, it's easy to fit into a bag or even a coat pocket.
It also has a built-in speakerphone for taking calls.
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The Boom 2 is another offering from Ultimate Ears which comes in a variety of different colors.
It is very robust and waterproof to three feet for 30 mins (IPX7). The battery life lasts up to 15 hours on a single charge and is powered via a USB connection. It has a 100-foot Bluetooth range.
The sound quality is exceptionally loud and clear, with excellent bass. At a mere 4.6 inches by 4.6 inches by 8 inches, it is easily portable. Especially for those days at the beach.
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If you are shopping on a budget, the JBL clip is a good value for the cost. It is available in a variety of colors.
This small but mighty speaker is waterproof (IPX7) and it floats.
It is easy to connect and also has 3.5mm audio cable for devices that are not Bluetooth-enabled. Weighing just 12 ounces, it has a carabiner clip to use when attaching it to a belt or bag.
The sound quality is good, but it might struggle a little when you crank the volume up overly loud.
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This compact, capsule-shaped bluetooth speaker from Danish company Libratone is both stylish and practical. It has a handy carrying loop and comes in a variety of colors.
The speaker is controlled via a touch-sensitive plate - so just a sweep of your finger adjusts volume, pauses, plays and skips tracks.
The sound quality is good with a blend of treble, bass and mid ranges. It is splash-proof (IPX4) and very lightweight and portable. Battery life is up to 12 hours off a single charge.
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If you fancy a bit of bling, this Bluetooth speaker comes in a gold, shabby chic design. It is also available in black, or black and stainless steel - for the more conservative among you.
Priced towards the higher end of the market, the sound quality of this portable speaker is excellent. It has a huge bass output but does not detract from the tones of the mid-range or treble. It also has a honeycomb design which reduces distortion and vibration.
It supplies up to 18 hours of sounds from a single charge, and is simple to setup and control.
For the audiophiles among you, this could be the perfect choice.
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Conclusion
Bluetooth portable speakers are an excellent option when you want to share your music or don’t want the hassle of wires from headphones.
Their capabilities cover any and all social events - settings are endless with this modern contraption.
With a range of prices and features, choosing the perfect one can be tricky but we have no doubt this list can help. We hope your Bluetooth portable speaker gives you hours of listening pleasure.