Portable Bluetooth speakers are useful for taking your music anywhere. Instead of a pair of earbuds or the small speakers in your phone, you can stream music to a compact speaker.
Yet, if you want the best portable Bluetooth speaker, you need to compare options. Some speakers offer longer battery life, fuller sound, or extra features that you may find useful. To save you time, here are four of the top choices.
The Sonos Roam is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a built-in rechargeable battery. You can connect your phone or tablet to the speaker and start streaming audio. It also offers extra ways to control playback, including voice commands, Apple AirPlay 2, and buttons.
The Roam resembles most Bluetooth speakers. It has a cylindrical shape with flat ends, allowing you to stand it up on a desk or table. However, the Roam is one of the few Bluetooth speakers that easily fits in your hand. It measures just 6.6 x 2.45 x 2.36 inches. It also delivers surprisingly full sound for a speaker of its size. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, the compact speaker sounds clear at any volume level. The speaker drivers are carefully engineered for increased clarity.
The built-in battery offers up to 10 hours of playtime. It cannot last all day, but it only takes an hour or so to recharge.
The exterior is waterproof. It has an IP67 waterproof rating, which means it protects against temporary immersion in depths of one meter for up to 30 minutes. You can also drop the speaker without it likely breaking.
Overall, the Sonos Roam is great for those that want the most portable Bluetooth speaker. It is compact and sounds great for its size.
Pros
- Fits in the palm of your hand
- Weighs less than a pound
- Includes support for voice control
- Incredibly clear sound quality
Cons
- Costs slightly more than the other options
- Less bass response than other options
The Sony SRSXB33 is a versatile Bluetooth speaker that works well for a variety of situations. It includes a speakerphone function, which allows you to talk hands-free. It also has two LED speaker lights and multi-coloured line lights that you can control via a mobile app, making it useful for listening to music at night or when camping.
The SRSXB33 has the same basic shape as other Bluetooth speakers, but it is bigger than other choices. The speaker measures 10.4 x 5 x 5.35 inches and weighs just under 2.5 pounds. It is the most convenient speaker for a hike or jog.
While it is a little bulky, the Sony SRSXB33 delivers fuller sound. It has a powerful amplifier and includes a bass boost function. As with most Bluetooth speakers, you can set it up vertically or horizontally. You also have the option of syncing other Sony Bluetooth speakers. With Party Connect, you can sync up to 100 speakers.
Yet, the main advantage of the SRSXB33 is the battery life. This speaker can last up to 24 hours before it needs to recharge.
Pros
- Offers 24 hours of battery life
- Delivers full, rich sound
- You can sync up to 100 speakers
Cons
- Bulkier compared to other options
The JBL Charge 5 is comparable to the Sony SRSXB33. Both options allow you to wirelessly sync up to 100 speakers. The Charge 5 is also about the same size, measuring 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 inches. However, it has a few different features, including multiple connections and durable rubber housing.
The Charge 5 allows you to pair up to two smartphones or tablets at the same time. You and someone else can take turns streaming music to the speaker.
The rubber housing protects against damage when dropped. It also has an IP67 waterproof rating, which is found on other Bluetooth speakers.
Pros
- Wirelessly sync up to 100 speakers
- Offers up to 20 hours of battery life
- Includes durable rubber housing
- Allows you to pair two devices at the same time
Cons
- Bulkier compared to other options
The JBL Flip 5 is more compact compared to the previous options. It measures 3.65 x 3.6 x 8.5 inches and weighs just 1.2 pounds.
As with the JBL Charge 4, the Flip 5 has rubber housing and an IPX7 waterproof rating. You can take it anywhere without worrying about damaging the speaker. It can survive drops, including being dropped into water.
Compared to the other Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Flip 5 does not deliver the loudest, clearest sound. It is best suited for listening to music in small groups.
The built-in battery provides up to 12 hours of playtime, which is slightly longer compared to the Roam and much shorter compared to the other two speakers.
The JBL Flip 5 does not support voice control. It has buttons on the side of the speaker for controlling playback and adjusting the volume. However, you can also control the settings via your phone or tablet when streaming music.
Pros
- The speaker is lightweight and relatively compact
- Includes a waterproof design
- Available in 12 different colours
Cons
- Only offers up to 12 hours of playback
Summary
All four of the Bluetooth speakers listed above are easy to operate and suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The designs can protect against accidental dropping and exposure to water.
If you are mostly concerned about portability, the Sonos Roam is a top recommendation. It is a fraction of the size of the other options but delivers comparable sound. It also supports voice control, which is not available on the other speakers.
The Sony SRSXB33 and the JBL Charge 5 are the largest of the recommendations but offer fuller sound across a greater distance. If you listen to music outdoors with guests, you may prefer one of the larger speakers.
The JBL Flip 5 is a good compromise between the other options. It is bigger than the Roam and smaller than the other two speakers. It is also relatively affordable and available in a variety of colours.
Do you have any other questions about portable bluetooth speakers? Let us know in the comments below, or contact us, we are happy to help!
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