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Having the best portable speaker to take with you on holiday, or to the beach is essential these days.
Mobile phones are an infinite library of music these days thanks to streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Yet don't really offer decent audio quality.
Bluetooth speakers fill that void nicely.
The biggest challenge is finding the right product. You can pick up a tiny, tinny speaker for under $10 from Amazon, but it is unlikely to give you any level of satisfaction.
You could also spend thousands on a top of the line speaker that offers Bluetooth functionality but sacrifices some of the implied portability for sound quality.
I've tested a range of Bluetooth speakers here at BTTR over the past few years. These are my favourites.
These are the best Bluetooth speakers I've tested:
Best for sound: Sonos Move 2
Sonos's first attempt at a portable speaker was something of an experiment for the company. The original Move was light on battery life, but wasn't overly portable given its hefty weight.
The Move 2 strikes a much better balance between portability, connectivity and sound quality. It sounds exceptional for a portable speaker, offering a tonne of bass and mid-range audio quality.
With the addition of Sonos' Truplay, the speaker automatically balances itself to offer the perfect sound for the environment it's in.
Battery life stretches to 24 hours, controls are a bit easier and the inclusion of Alexa and Sonos' own voice controls makes it easy to use.
Plus, it can integrate into your home Sonos speaker system effortlessly, giving you an even more complete audio experience.
Nick Broughall
Best for portability: Sonos Roam
Shortly after I finally reviewed the original Sonos Roam, Sonos launched its successor. I haven't yet reviewed the newer model though, so the original still comes in as my pick for the best Bluetooth speaker for portability.
Weighing in at 420 grams, this triangular speaker delivers a level of sound quality you would not expect from something so small.
You get about 10 hours of battery life from the speaker, which supports Qi wireless charging as well as USB-C.
It's a little on the pricey side for a speaker that has been superseded. But if you can pick up the Roam at a discount, you won't be disappointed.
Nick Broughall
Best for aesthetics: Samsung Music Frame
Sometimes you want a speaker in a room, but you don't want it to look like a speaker. Enter the Samsung Music Frame.
This Bluetooth speaker can be wall or table mounted – both come in the box, with a removable frame that you can use to show off any photo you want.
If you prefer your wall art to have less of a border, you can custom print images at MARPPLE as well, making it a truly personal piece of art.
Sound quality is excellent, particularly for a speaker that looks like a photo frame. There are a couple of things to be aware of, though. You can't set two speakers up as a stereo pair, and all control is done through the SmartThings app, which isn't great.
Samsung has been pushing hard to build its connected ecosystem of devices, and if you are part of that system already, then the Music Frame is a natural inclusion.
Nick Broughall
Best for karaoke: BlueAnt X5i Party Speaker
Sometimes a Bluetooth speaker isn't enough. Sometimes, you need to sing along.
The BlueAnt X5i Party speaker comes with two wireless microphones in the box, and a groove along the top for your phone or tablet so you can watch the lyrics of your music while you sing.
As the parent of a teenage daughter, let me tell you this thing gets a workout. The sound is deep and immersive, with a bass boost option if you need it (I don't think we've ever switched it off).
There's an integrated handle so you can take it wherever you want to party, and the battery life is quoted at 30 hours at 50% volume.
Throw in seven different lighting modes, and you have everything you need for a portable party.
Nick Broughall
Best for bass: Sony ULT Field 3
If deep, powerful bass is your priority in a portable speaker, the Sony ULT Field 3 delivers exactly that.
This compact speaker features Sony's signature ULT button that transforms the sound with serious bass boost—and you'll want to keep it switched on. With ULT mode activated, the Field 3 pumps out impressive low-end that makes bass-heavy music come alive, especially at moderate volumes where it really shines.
The rugged IP67 water and dust resistance means you can take it anywhere, while the included shoulder strap makes it portable for beach trips, camping, or outdoor parties. It's built tough and feels premium.
Battery life is excellent at up to 24 hours, with fast charging that gives you two hours of playback from just 10 minutes plugged in. You can even use it as a power bank for your phone in a pinch.
One thing to note: keep the volume around 50% or below for the best sound quality. Push it higher and the bass can get a bit muddy. But for most listening situations, the Field 3's bass performance is genuinely impressive.
You can also connect up to 100 compatible Sony speakers for massive parties, or pair two units for stereo sound.
Nick Broughall
How we chose the best Bluetooth speakers
I've reviewed hundreds of products over my career, and more than 150 since I launched BTTR. In that time I learned that review sites - including this one - are subjective by nature. Everybody has a different opinion of what is best.
So for this guide, I’ve recommended my Bluetooth speaker choices from the models I have tested.
As I continue to test more Bluetooth speakers, I’ll update this guide to ensure it is regularly up to date.
Bluetooth speakers I've reviewed at BTTR for this guide
What to look for when choosing Bluetooth speakers
Whether you're after one of the models listed above or something completely different, the decision factors you need to consider when buying a Bluetooth speaker is the same.
Portability
You should understand just how portable you want your Bluetooth speaker to be. Does it need to be small and lightweight to fit into a suitcase? Or does it need to be a powerful beast capable of filling a hall with high quality audio? Understanding your needs will help define your purchase.
Sound quality
You don't want to spend a fortune buying a speaker that doesn't sound great. In particular for Bluetooth speakers, you want to know whether the speaker still sounds good at loud volumes, or does it start to distort.
Additionally, knowing how important well balanced audio, with solid bass and clear high notes, is important. The cheaper the speaker, the less likely you are to get these qualities.
Build quality
It's now common to find Bluetooth speakers with good IP ratings, meaning they can get splashed, dusty or even dunked in water without breaking. If you plan on taking your speaker to the beach or outdoors, this feature is going to be important.
Battery life
Not only do you want to know how long it takes for the battery to drain, you also want to know how quickly you can charge it. Some speakers also allow you to charge your devices from it, turning it into a portable battery. This can be hugely useful.
Bluetooth standard
This one is a little more technical, but could still be useful. The introduction of Bluetooth 5 saw an increase in range up to four times (compared to Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy), a doubling in speeds and the ability to transfer up to 8 times as much data.
Ultimately, having a better version of Bluetooth in your speaker could mean better performance, though it will depend on multiple factors.
Other features and functions
Some speakers offer a dedicated app for balancing your equaliser settings to your personal taste. Other speakers will offer digital assistant integration, so you can get weather updates at a voice prompt.
Some speakers offer multiple Bluetooth connections simultaneously, with the ability to switch between sources effortlessly. Other speakers will let you pair two together to create a stereo pair.
Some speakers have NFC chips so you can pair your mobile device with a tap.
There are too many different options to list them all here. But it's important to consider the functions you want when making your decision.
Price
Price is always important, but it can mean different things to different people. Consider your budget before making a purchase decision. Understand that the best product for your needs is likely the one that sits within your price range while delivering most of the elements above you find important.
