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
-
JBL: 12 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is JBL Charge 5)
-
Ultimate Ears: 10 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4)
-
Sony: 5 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Sony SRS-XB33)
-
Sonos: 4 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Sonos Roam 2)
-
Bose: 4 bluetooth speakers
(#1 is Bose SoundLink Max)
Price breakdown
At a glance - December Ranking
| 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
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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
|
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.
- 🔊 Superior Sound Quality
- 🔋 Long Battery Life
- 💧 IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof
- 🛠️ Durable Design
- 🚫 No AUX Port
- 📱 App Connectivity Issues
- 💰 High Price Concerns
SoundGuys
Best Overall
|
Sound quality
IP67 rating
Bluetooth multipoint
Can charge your mobile devices
|
No microphone
Bulky
No wired listening
|
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
|
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
TechHive
PCMag
SoundGuys
WIRED
Tom's Guide
Rtings.com
TechRadar
Popular Mechanics
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
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.
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
|
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
|
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 #4 in December 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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 Xtreme 4 #5 in December 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 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.
- 🔊 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
|
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 Tribit StormBox Micro 2 #7 in December 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best Bluetooth speaker for travel
|
Small and lightweight
Decent bass for a small speaker
Water resistant
|
No app
Limited battery life
|
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 JBL Clip 5 #8 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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 4 #9 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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.
- 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 December 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 December 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 Google Nest Audio #13 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
SoundGuys
Best Smart speaker
|
Price
Compact design
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Integrated Chromecast
|
Highly sensitive touch controls
No aux input
|
We ranked Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 #14 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
We ranked Soundcore Motion X600 #15 in December 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 sound quality
|
Premium design
Companion app with customizable EQ
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC
Immersive sound with spatial audio mode
|
No dust rating
Heavy
|
We ranked Marshall Middleton #16 in December 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 December 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 Brane X Smart #18 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
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
|
SoundGuys
Best bass speaker
|
Built-in subwoofer
Stereo playback
Wi-Fi connection
|
Expensive
Heavy
AC charge only
|
We ranked JBL Authentics 500 #19 in December 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 #20 in December 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 #21 in December 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
|
We ranked Bose SoundLink Home #22 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable bluetooth speakers” rankings.
PCMag
Best Portable Home Speaker
|
Excellent audio
Attractive design
Bluetooth and USB connections
Supports stereo pairing
|
No Wi-Fi connectivity
No companion app
Average battery life
|
Tom's Guide
Stunning looks, great sound
|
Deep, rich bass
Sleek, modern styling
Room-filling sound from a tiny box
|
No Bose app support
Quite expensive
Battery life isn’t the longest
|