September 2024
Portable Bluetooth Speakers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of portable bluetooth speakers rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2024.
Summary
On 4 Sep 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 98 bluetooth speaker endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
63 bluetooth speakers were endorsed in total, only 20 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 4 Sep 2024, JBL Charge 5 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed bluetooth speaker with 4 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 bluetooth speaker' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
JBL: 11 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is JBL Charge 5)
-
Ultimate Ears: 8 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3)
-
Sony: 5 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Sony SRS-XB33)
-
Sonos: 4 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Sonos Roam 2)
-
Tribit: 4 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Tribit StormBox Micro 2)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Bluetooth Speaker |
TechHive
|
PCMag
|
SoundGuys
|
WIRED
|
Tom's Guide
|
Rtings.com
|
TechRadar
|
Popular Mechanics
|
What Hi-Fi
|
Digital Trends
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $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
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
2
|
+19 | $170 |
Sonos Roam 2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
5
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
3
|
-1 | $419 |
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
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
4
|
+2 | $380 |
JBL Xtreme 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
|
5
|
+3 | $150 |
Beats Pill
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
6
|
-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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
8
|
|
7
|
New * | $70 |
JBL Clip 5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
-1 | $79 |
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is a highly portable and durable Bluetooth speaker with well-balanced sound quality, long battery life, and an environmentally friendly design, making it perfect for outdoor activities, travel, and parties.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
9
|
-6 | $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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
9
|
|
10
|
-6 | $189 |
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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
-
|
|
11
|
+16 | $399 |
Bose SoundLink Max
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
|
12
|
-2 | $80 |
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
13
|
-2 | $144 |
Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3
The Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 is a durable and waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker with a boomy sound profile, 360-degree design, impressive battery life, and good Bluetooth connectivity, making it perfect for outdoor activities and adventures.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
-2 | $200 |
Soundcore Motion X600
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
20
|
-1 | $300 |
Ultimate Ears Epicboom
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a highly praised Bluetooth speaker that offers impressive sound quality, durability, and portability, making it suitable for various listening needs.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
21
|
-1 | $220 |
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
|
+1 | $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
|
+1 | $500 |
JBL Authentics 500
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
24
|
+2 | $400 |
Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
A beast of a speaker that is built for parties
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
25
|
- | $699 |
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
|
We ranked JBL Charge 5 #1 in September 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked JBL Charge 5 as #1.
- 🔊 Superior Sound Quality
- 🔋 Long Battery Life
- 💧 IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof
- 🛠️ Durable Design
- 🚫 No AUX Port
- 📱 App Connectivity Issues
- 💰 High Price Concerns
SoundGuys
The Best
|
Sound quality
IP67 rating
Bluetooth multipoint
Can charge your mobile devices
|
No microphone
Bulky
No wired listening
|
Tom's Guide
The best Bluetooth speaker with full waterproofing
|
Decent sound, particularly with vocals
Impressive bass performance
Good battery life with useful top-up facility for other devices
|
Basic control app
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sonos Roam 2 #2 in September 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.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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 September 2024 ranking
TechHive
PCMag
SoundGuys
WIRED
Tom's Guide
Rtings.com
TechRadar
Popular Mechanics
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
We ranked Sonos Move 2 #3 in September 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Move 2 as #1.
- 🔊 Superior Sound Quality
- 🔋 Extended Battery Life
- 💧 Weather and Water Resistance
- 📱 Versatile Connectivity Options
- 🔄 Trueplay Tuning
- 🔌 USB-C Charging
- 💸 High Price Point
- 🏋️♂️ Bulky and Heavy
- 🎤 Voice Control Limitations
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
|
SoundGuys
Best features
|
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 connectivity
Battery life
Decent sound quality
|
Price
Needs additional accessories
Privacy lacking
No Google Assistant
No speakerphone
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked JBL Xtreme 4 #4 in September 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Beats Pill #5 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Beats Pill as #1.
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
|
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
|
We ranked JBL Flip 6 #6 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked JBL Clip 5 #7 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
SoundGuys
Bang for your buck
|
IP67
Multipoint connection
Companion app w/ EQ options
|
No custom EQ while using Auracast
"Playtime Boost" drastically decreases sound quality
|
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
|
We ranked Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 #8 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
An impressive portable Bluetooth speaker for under $100
|
Impressive bass for its size
Waterproof design
Can pair two together
14 hours battery life
|
No USB-C connector
|
Digital Trends
Best floatable speaker for the pool
|
Excellent durability
Light and portable
Balanced, 360-degree sound
Affordable price point
|
Somewhat lacking in bass
Not as slim as other competitors
Some minor connectivity issues
|
We ranked Tribit StormBox Micro 2 #9 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen) #10 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
- Stunning acoustics
- Alexa-ready
- IP67 rating
- Looks sturdy
- Pricey
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).
Popular Mechanics
Sleek Design
|
Built-in Amazon Alexa
Compact, durable design with great audio
|
Pricey
|
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
|
We ranked Bose SoundLink Max #11 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Bluetooth speaker for big sound for a big price
|
Big, punchy and quite deft sound
Hardy, robust construction and finish
Useful two-way USB-C socket
|
Could sound more detailed
Takes forever to charge
Finish attracts marks
|
Digital Trends
The best boombox Bluetooth speaker
|
Great build quality
Excellent portability
Impressive sound
Optional accessory handles
Supports Multipoint
|
No Wi-Fi
No microphones
|
We ranked Anker Soundcore Motion 300 #12 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 #13 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best for festivals / Editor's Choice
|
Big bass and full vocals
Good battery life
Can pair with older Megaboom and Boom models for stereo sound
|
Big and heavy for a portable
No speakerphone
|
We ranked Soundcore Motion X600 #14 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
SoundGuys
Best style
|
Premium design
Companion app with customizable EQ
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC
Immersive sound with spatial audio mode
|
No dust rating
Heavy
|
We ranked Ultimate Ears Epicboom #15 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
TechRadar
Best for big sound plus looks
|
Gifted, room-filling audio
Boom app adds useful features
UE's strong design aesthetic
|
No wi-fi streaming support
PartyUp isn't compatible with key UE speakers
Strap doesn't really aid portability
|
We ranked Marshall Middleton #16 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Tribit Stormbox Flow #17 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Bluetooth speaker for battery life
|
Class-leading battery life
Simple to use
|
Dull design
Can struggle at high volumes
|
We ranked JBL Authentics 500 #18 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
TechHive
Best Bluetooth-capable smart speaker, runner-up
|
Stylish retro design
High-quality sound
Deep bass reproduction
|
Bulky design
Lofty price tag
|
We ranked Ultimate Ears Hyperboom #19 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
- Fantastic sound with good bass
- Amazingly loud volume capability
- IPX4 rating
- Useful EQ
- Extended battery life
- Costs a lot
- Large and quite heavy
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.
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
|
We ranked Soundboks Go #20 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|