December 2024

Portable Bluetooth Speakers: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of portable bluetooth speakers rankings posted by key online experts, as of December 2024.

Summary

On 3 Dec 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 108 bluetooth speaker endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

70 bluetooth speakers were endorsed in total, only 22 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 3 Dec 2024, Sonos Roam 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed bluetooth speaker with 4 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 bluetooth speaker' this month.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking portable bluetooth speakers start at $22.99 (Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)) and go up to $998 (Sony Ult Tower 10). Median bluetooth speaker costs $165 (Sonos Roam 2).
$22.99
$998

At a glance - December Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Bluetooth Speaker
TechHive
PCMag
SoundGuys
WIRED
Tom's Guide
Rtings.com
TechRadar
Popular Mechanics
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
1
- $165
Sonos Roam 2
-
-
-
2
8
-
1
-
-
4
2
- $180
JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app.
-
-
1
-
-
-
6
-
1
-
3
- $100
Beats Pill
-
8
3
13
-
-
-
-
-
1
4
+1 $130
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance.
-
-
-
-
6
-
3
-
2
8
5
+1 $380
JBL Xtreme 4
-
-
-
-
4
-
5
-
5
2
6
-2 $413
Sonos Move 2
The Sonos Move 2 is lauded for its superior sound quality, extended battery life, and robust design, making it a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor use, though its high price and size may limit its appeal for some users.
5
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
5
7
- $60
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is a durable and waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker with powerful sound, long battery life, and versatile connectivity options.
-
-
-
9
9
-
-
-
3
9
8
- $80
JBL Clip 5
-
-
7
7
-
-
2
-
-
-
9
- $80
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
-
-
-
-
5
4
11
-
-
-
10
- $196
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)
A good-looking speaker that produces beautiful acoustics. Compatible with Amazon Alexa and can be paired with multiple devices.
-
-
-
14
-
-
-
7
4
-
11
- $299
Bose SoundLink Max
-
-
-
11
-
-
8
-
-
12
12
- $80
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
13
- Check price
Google Nest Audio
-
5
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19
- $150
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
-
-
-
6
-
3
-
-
-
-
20
- $174
Soundcore Motion X600
4
-
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
21
- $200
Marshall Middleton
The Marshall Middleton Bluetooth Speaker is a durable and portable speaker with balanced and powerful sound quality, a long battery life, and Bluetooth 5.1 technology, making it perfect for outdoor use and easy to transport for everyday use.
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10
22
- $80
Tribit Stormbox Flow
The Tribit StormBox Flow Bluetooth Speaker is a versatile and feature-rich speaker with impressive sound quality, long battery life, portability, durability, and connectivity, making it perfect for outdoor adventures, travel, gatherings, and everyday use.
-
-
-
4
-
-
7
-
-
-
23
New * Check price
Brane X Smart
6
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24
-1 $700
JBL Authentics 500
7
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
-
-
25
- $449
Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
A beast of a speaker that is built for parties
-
-
-
12
7
-
-
-
-
-
26
- Check price
Soundboks Go
The Soundboks Go is a powerful and durable portable Bluetooth speaker designed for outdoor use, with a maximum volume output of 121 decibels in Bass+ mode, weather resistance rating of IP65, and a variable battery life of up to 40 hours.
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11
27
New * Check price
Bose SoundLink Home
-
10
-
-
11
-
-
-
-
-

Bluetooth Speaker
#7 $59.99 Tribit StormBox Micro 2
#8 $79.95 JBL Clip 5
#9 $79.99 Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
#12 $79.99 Anker Soundcore Motion 300
#22 $79.99 Tribit Stormbox Flow
#3 $99.95 Beats Pill
#4 $129.95 JBL Flip 6
#19 $149.99 Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
#1 $165 Sonos Roam 2
#20 $174.49 Soundcore Motion X600
#2 $179.95 JBL Charge 5
#10 $196 Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)
#21 $199.99 Marshall Middleton
#11 $299 Bose SoundLink Max
#5 $379.95 JBL Xtreme 4
#6 $412.76 Sonos Move 2
#25 $449 Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
#24 $699.95 JBL Authentics 500

We ranked Sonos Roam 2 #1 in December 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Roam 2 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best Smart Speaker

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Sonos' best go-anywhere pocket speaker

Great sound for its size
Better Bluetooth pairing and features
Syncs with other Sonos speakers

Meh batter life

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best Bluetooth speaker for most people

Produces rich, powerful audio
Bluetooth button really streamlines setup
Portable, minimalist design that comes in fun new colors

Only 10 hours of battery life
Fairly expensive for its power
Not the loudest outdoor speaker

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best portable Sonos speaker

Excellent sound for its size
IP67 dust- and waterproof
Lightweight and portable
Dedicated Bluetooth button

No stereo pairing over Bluetooth
Battery life is still not awesome
Google Assistant is gone

Go to ranking

We ranked JBL Charge 5 #2 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked JBL Charge 5 as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 25 Apr 2024)
The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app.
Experts Praise For:
  • 🔊 Superior Sound Quality
  • 🔋 Long Battery Life
  • 💧 IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof
  • 🛠️ Durable Design
Experts Criticise For:
  • 🚫 No AUX Port
  • 📱 App Connectivity Issues
  • 💰 High Price Concerns
Critic endorsements:
SoundGuys

Best Overall

Sound quality
IP67 rating
Bluetooth multipoint
Can charge your mobile devices

No microphone
Bulky
No wired listening

Go to ranking

TechRadar

A Bluetooth speaker that also charges your phone

Even sound at low to mid volumes
Doubles as a charger for your phone
Great battery life of up to 20 hours

Takes a while to charge
Missing aux input
Some distortion at high volumes

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

An excellent all-round performer that packs a proper punch.

Clear, detailed, hugely confident sound
Wide, impressive soundstage
Brilliant build and durability

More affordable JBL models are available

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend portable bluetooth speakers.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of portable bluetooth speakers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for December 2024 ranking

We ranked Beats Pill #3 in December 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Beats Pill as #1.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best Portable Speaker for iPhone Users / Editor's Choice

Bright sound with rich bass
Attractive design
Dustproof and waterproof
Flexible USB-C port
Apple and Google Find My support
Seamless iOS compatibility

No adjustable EQ

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best apple speaker

Water and dust resistant
Plenty of bass despite small size
Long battery life
Fast pairing to iOS and Android

Lacking in the mids
Distortion at loud volumes
No equalizer

Go to ranking

WIRED

Easiest to Pair

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best overall Bluetooth speaker

Sleek design
Excellent battery life
Can charge other devices
USB-C audio
Fully dust/waterproof
Works great as a speakerphone

No analog-in
iOS needs more controls
No EQ settings

Go to ranking

We ranked JBL Flip 6 #4 in December 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 13 May 2023)
The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best Bluetooth speaker with full waterproofing

Balances sound quality and size well
Rich bass
Rugged

No auxiliary input
No integrated voice assistant

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best Bluetooth speaker at a mid-range price with no frills

Brilliantly balanced bass
Extremely easy to use

Pairing restricted to Flip 6 speakers
No Alexa or Siri support

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

The Flip 6 is a fun, compact and affordable speaker that won't leave you penniless.

Clear, precise and enjoyable sound
Punchy bass for size
Useful equaliser feature

Can be critical of recording and source quality

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best rugged speaker for outdoorsy types

Solid build quality
Loud and clear sound
Lightweight and portable
Excellent water and dust protection
EQ offers some sound tweaking
Works with JBL Portable app and PartyBoost

Can't stereo pair with non-Flip 6 JBL speakers
Doesn’t work as a speakerphone
Not drastically different from Flip 5

Go to ranking

We ranked JBL Xtreme 4 #5 in December 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Big sound and long battery life in a chunky portable

Mind-blowing sound quality
Adaptable EQ levels
Easy-to-use app
IP67 durability rating
Doubles as a power bank

Heavy
Expensive

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best Bluetooth speaker for big party sound

Full-sounding, well-defined audio
Limited distortion at louder volumes
Excellent battery life

Default EQ settings lack low-end impact
Better value, cheaper alternatives exist
Exterior design lacks sex appeal

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Beefy, rugged and uncompromising, the Xtreme 4 is a quality item with impressive credentials.

Impressive sonic clarity and precision
Tight, weighty bass
Built to withstand the elements

Design might not appeal to everyone
No built-in mic for calls
No aptX support

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best premium mid-sized Bluetooth speaker

Warm, rich, and dynamic sound
Clear at higher volumes
Insane 30-hour battery life
Replaceable battery
IP67 waterproof rating

Expensive
No AUX input

Go to ranking

We ranked Sonos Move 2 #6 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Move 2 as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 21 Apr 2024)
The Sonos Move 2 is lauded for its superior sound quality, extended battery life, and robust design, making it a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor use, though its high price and size may limit its appeal for some users.
Experts Praise For:
  • 🔊 Superior Sound Quality
  • 🔋 Extended Battery Life
  • 💧 Weather and Water Resistance
  • 📱 Versatile Connectivity Options
  • 🔄 Trueplay Tuning
  • 🔌 USB-C Charging
Experts Criticise For:
  • 💸 High Price Point
  • 🏋️‍♂️ Bulky and Heavy
  • 🎤 Voice Control Limitations
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best Bluetooth-capable smart speaker

Excellent audio performance—in stereo!
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity—simultaneously!
Very wide sound stage
Incredibly long battery life

Still no support for hi-res Bluetooth codecs
Still best described as luggable
$50 more expensive than the already pricey original

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Best portable home speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Powerful, balanced sound profile
Can pair with another Move 2 for true stereo over Wi-Fi
24 hours of battery life

Too heavy to carry far

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

A multi-use Sonos speaker

Balanced and immersive sound
24-hour battery
Analog line-in (with optional adapter)
Charges your devices

Awkward to carry
No Google Assistant option

Go to ranking

We ranked Tribit StormBox Micro 2 #7 in December 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 13 May 2023)
The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is a durable and waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker with powerful sound, long battery life, and versatile connectivity options.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Handlebar Ready

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Best Bluetooth speaker for travel

Small and lightweight
Decent bass for a small speaker
Water resistant

No app
Limited battery life

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Small and mighty, the Stormbox Micro 2 is possibly the most wallet-friendly Bluetooth speaker we’ve tested.

Enjoyable sound for the size
Excellent portable design
Plenty of extra features

Can sound unwieldy at higher volumes
Only one colour choice

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best budget Bluetooth speaker

Excellent 120-foot Bluetooth range
IP67 weather resistance
Can be paired with another Micro 2
Doubles as a portable charger

The sound is what it is

Go to ranking

We ranked JBL Clip 5 #8 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
SoundGuys

Best clip-on

IP67
Multipoint connection
Companion app w/ EQ options
Auracast with other compatible JBL speakers

No custom EQ while using Auracast
"Playtime Boost" drastically decreases sound quality

Go to ranking

WIRED

A Clip

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best cheap Bluetooth speaker

Great detail
IP67 waterproof and dustproof
Impressive volume and bass

You can’t stand it on its base
Only 3 EQ presets
Treble trouble when using preset EQs

Go to ranking

We ranked Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 #9 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The go anywhere Bluetooth Speaker

Big sound for the size
Light build
Slick style
Funky color options

It gets so loud it vibrates
Sound goes off at higher volumes
EQ settings are mostly useless
Cheap strap
Iterative update

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Budget Bluetooth Speaker

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best Bluetooth speaker for picnics

Surprisingly rich and clear sound
Durable, travel-friendly design
Really solid battery life

Not a huge upgrade
No Boom app support
Wonderboom 3 is now better value

Go to ranking

We ranked Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen) #10 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 17 Sep 2021)
A good-looking speaker that produces beautiful acoustics. Compatible with Amazon Alexa and can be paired with multiple devices.
Experts Praise For:
  • Stunning acoustics
  • Alexa-ready
  • IP67 rating
  • Looks sturdy
Experts Criticise For:
  • Pricey
A more detailed summary:

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen) is a portable Bluetooth speaker that looks as good as it sounds. It produces stunning acoustics paired with decent bass delivery. The speaker appears durable enough and also offers protection against the elements with its IP67 waterproof rating. It is also equipped with a battery that can provide 18 hours of uninterrupted operation. The device includes a speakerphone system that can be used to issue Alexa commands and can be linked to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. It can be charged using a USB-C cable, which, luckily, comes included when purchased. A useful strap provides further convenience for transportation. Overall, the experts were quite satisfied with the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen).

Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Elegant Accessory

Go to ranking

Popular Mechanics

Sleek Design

Built-in Amazon Alexa
Compact, durable design with great audio

Pricey

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

One of the weightiest and most refined little speakers we’ve ever heard.

Expansive sound, weighty bass
Competent Alexa integration
Stunning build and finish

JBL rivals feel a tad more rugged and hardwearing

Go to ranking

We ranked Anker Soundcore Motion 300 #12 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best Speaker Under $100/ Editor's Choice

Impressive power for its size
Waterproof build
Supports the LDAC codec
Speakerphone
Custom EQ in app

Digital signal processing thins out bass at top volumes

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best sounding compact under $100

Under $100
Full stereo sound
Totally waterproof
Speakerphone built-in
Handy carry strap
Illuminated controls

No battery level indicator
Bigger, heavier than alternatives
Hi-res audio is underwhelming
Sound gets rough at higher volumes

Go to ranking

We ranked Google Nest Audio #13 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best Google Assistant Smart Speaker / Editors' Choice

Balanced sound with strong, detailed highs
Supports Bluetooth and Google Cast
Google Assistant is more useful than ever

Bass isn't particularly powerful

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best Smart speaker

Price
Compact design
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Integrated Chromecast

Highly sensitive touch controls
No aux input

Go to ranking

We ranked Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 #14 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best Backyard Banger

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Speaker

Go to ranking

We ranked Soundcore Motion X600 #15 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best mid-priced Bluetooth speaker, runner-up

Excellent sound
Loud and thumpy when you want it to be
IPX7 weatherization with rugged metal construction
Supports the Hi-Res LDAC codec (on Android)

Doesn't support the AAC codec
A tad bulky for its size

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best sound quality

Premium design
Companion app with customizable EQ
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC
Immersive sound with spatial audio mode

No dust rating
Heavy

Go to ranking

We ranked Marshall Middleton #16 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 15 May 2023)
The Marshall Middleton Bluetooth Speaker is a durable and portable speaker with balanced and powerful sound quality, a long battery life, and Bluetooth 5.1 technology, making it perfect for outdoor use and easy to transport for everyday use.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best mid-priced Bluetooth speaker

Excellent clarity and separation
Tight, punchy bass–and plenty of it
IP67 protection from the elements
20-hour battery life

Considerably more expensive than the competition in its class

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Classic amp looks, classically clear sound

Big soundstage for a small package
Bold bass, clear highs
IP67 waterproof and dustproof
AUX input
Stackable

Picks up dust and fingerprints easily
A bit expensive

Go to ranking

We ranked Tribit Stormbox Flow #17 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 27 Apr 2024)
The Tribit StormBox Flow Bluetooth Speaker is a versatile and feature-rich speaker with impressive sound quality, long battery life, portability, durability, and connectivity, making it perfect for outdoor adventures, travel, gatherings, and everyday use.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Biggest Battery

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best Bluetooth speaker for battery life

Class-leading battery life
Simple to use

Dull design
Can struggle at high volumes

Go to ranking

We ranked Brane X Smart #18 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best Bluetooth-capable portable smart speaker, runner-up

Landmark bass design and performance
Superior single-enclosure stereo separation
Compact dimensions and reasonable weight render it easy to tote

More expensive than its same-sized rivals
The first-gen Brane app is light on service support and some features
The Brane X’s tweeters aren’t quite as robust as its midrange drivers and subwoofer

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best bass speaker

Built-in subwoofer
Stereo playback
Wi-Fi connection

Expensive
Heavy
AC charge only

Go to ranking

We ranked JBL Authentics 500 #19 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best Bluetooth-capable smart speaker, runner-up

Stylish retro design
High-quality sound
Deep bass reproduction

Bulky design
Lofty price tag

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Home Bluetooth Speaker

Go to ranking

We ranked Ultimate Ears Hyperboom #20 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 17 Sep 2021)
A beast of a speaker that is built for parties
Experts Praise For:
  • Fantastic sound with good bass
  • Amazingly loud volume capability
  • IPX4 rating
  • Useful EQ
  • Extended battery life
Experts Criticise For:
  • Costs a lot
  • Large and quite heavy
A more detailed summary:

The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is a massive 14-inch speaker that plays music loud enough for any social setting. Being the largest speaker in Ultimate Ear’s lineup, it can perform well both indoors and outdoors. It has absolutely no problem filling large, open spaces with high-quality sound, according to experts. It produces a balanced output that works with any track. It also allows Bluetooth connectivity, and two devices can connect to the speaker system simultaneously. With this feature, two people can control the music lineup, alternating tracks between two devices for an uninterrupted music stream. The overall product quality is excellent. It looks well-built and durable enough to withstand some abuse. On average, the battery lasts around 23 to 24 hours, which is more than enough time to spice up a party with great sounds. It comes with a shoulder strap and is also splash resistant.

Critic endorsements:
WIRED

For Porta Parties

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best Bluetooth speaker for parties

Powerful sound
Goes loud
Good battery life

Most expensive model on test
Bulky size and heavy to carry

Go to ranking

We ranked Soundboks Go #21 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 15 May 2023)
The Soundboks Go is a powerful and durable portable Bluetooth speaker designed for outdoor use, with a maximum volume output of 121 decibels in Bass+ mode, weather resistance rating of IP65, and a variable battery life of up to 40 hours.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best Bluetooth speaker for big outdoor parties

Impressive volume without distortion
Sturdy, weatherproof construction
Excellent stereo sound when paired

Initial pairing was a challenge
Limited inputs
No support for high-res codecs such as aptX or LDAC

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

A Bluetooth speaker with big sound

Great sound at loud volumes
Sturdy cabinet and bumpers
Good battery life
Effective app support
Awesome when paired with other speakers

Not as useful indoors
Limited codec support
Pricey

Go to ranking