If you’re in the market for portable speakers, you’re in luck. There are plenty of options out there, but not all portable speakers are created equal. After extensive research and testing, we’ve come up with our top picks for the best portable speakers. Our overall winner is the JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker.
JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker.
Top Portable Speakers for Your Music On-the-Go
- Learn what to look for when rating portable speakers
- Reviews of five top portable speaker products including pros and cons
- Conclusion of findings for each product and final thoughts on the best portable speakers.
What to Look for When Rating Portable Speakers
Before diving into our product reviews, it’s important to understand the criteria we used when evaluating each speaker. Here are the important factors to consider when rating portable speakers:
Sound quality
This is the most important factor when it comes to portable speakers. You want a speaker that delivers clear, powerful sound. Look for speakers with a high-quality driver and a decent wattage output.
Battery life
Portable speakers are meant to be taken on the go, so battery life is crucial. Look for speakers with a battery life of at least 8 hours, but preferably 10 or more.
Connectivity options
Most portable speakers connect via Bluetooth, but some also have additional connectivity options like NFC or a 3.5mm aux input. Consider what devices you’ll be using the speaker with and make sure the connectivity options match up.
Durability
Since you’ll be taking your portable speaker on the go, it’s important that it can withstand some wear and tear. Look for speakers with a rugged design and preferably some level of water resistance.
Size and weight
The whole point of a portable speaker is that it’s easy to take with you. Consider the size and weight of the speaker, and make sure it’s something you can easily pack in a bag or carry around.
Product Reviews
Now that you know what to look for when rating portable speakers, let’s dive into our top picks.
Personal Story: A Beach Day with the JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker
I recently took my JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker to the beach with a group of friends. We were all blown away by the sound quality! The bass was deep and powerful, and the treble was crystal clear. We were able to hear our music perfectly even with the sounds of crashing waves in the background.
The battery life was also impressive. We played music for several hours straight and the speaker never died on us. We were able to charge our phones and the speaker while we were there, too, thanks to the multiple connectivity options. We connected our phones via Bluetooth and also used the auxiliary input to play music from a friend’s iPod.
The speaker survived the day at the beach without any issues. It got a little wet from splashing around in the ocean, but it was still playing music like a champ. The JBL Flip 4 is also a great size and weight for portability. It fit easily in our beach bag and wasn’t too heavy to carry around.
Overall, the JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker was the perfect addition to our beach day. It provided us with high-quality sound, long battery life, and the durability we needed for a day of fun in the sun.
JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker
| Speaker Model | Sound Quality | Battery Life | Connectivity Options | Durability | Size and Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker | High-quality with 2 x 8-watt output | Up to 12 hours with 3000mAh battery | Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux input, JBL Connect+ | Waterproof with IPX7 rating | Just over 1 pound | $79.99 |
| Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker by Anker | Impressive for the price with 2 x 6-watt output | Up to 24 hours with 5200mAh battery | Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux input | Water-resistant with IPX5 rating | Just over 1 pound | $39.99 |
| Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Solid for the price with 2 x 3-watt output | Up to 24 hours with 4400mAh battery | Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux input | Water-resistant with IPX5 rating | Just over 1 pound | $27.99 |
| JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker | Impressive with 2 x 20-watt output | Up to 12 hours with 4800mAh battery | Bluetooth | Waterproof with IPX7 rating | Just over 1 pound | $119.99 |
| JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Solid for its size with 1 x 3-watt output | Up to 10 hours with 1000mAh battery | Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux input | Waterproof with IPX7 rating | Just over half a pound | $69.95 |
JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker.
Overview
The JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker is our top pick for the best portable speaker. It delivers powerful, high-quality sound, has a battery life of up to 12 hours, and is waterproof with an IPX7 rating. It also has a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and voice assistant integration.
Sound quality
The sound quality of the JBL Flip 4 is impressive. It has a 2 x 8-watt speaker output and a passive bass radiator, which delivers clear, powerful sound. It also has JBL Connect+ technology, which allows you to connect up to 100 JBL speakers together for an even bigger sound.
Battery life
The JBL Flip 4 has a battery life of up to 12 hours, which is impressive for a portable speaker. It also has a 3000mAh rechargeable battery, which can be fully charged in just 3.5 hours.
Connectivity options
The JBL Flip 4 connects via Bluetooth, but it also has a 3.5mm aux input for non-Bluetooth devices. It also has JBL Connect+ technology, which allows you to connect up to 100 JBL speakers together for an even bigger sound.
Durability
The JBL Flip 4 is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It also has a durable, rugged design that can withstand some wear and tear.
Size and weight
The JBL Flip 4 is a bit larger than some other portable speakers, but it’s still relatively compact and easy to take on the go. It weighs in at just over 1 pound.
Pros and cons
Pros:
– Powerful, high-quality sound
– Long battery life
– Waterproof with an IPX7 rating
– JBL Connect+ technology for connecting multiple speakers
– Durable, rugged design
Cons:
– Slightly larger than some other portable speakers
– No NFC connectivity
Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker by Anker
Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker by Anker.
Overview
The Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker by Anker is a budget-friendly option that still delivers impressive sound quality. It has a battery life of up to 24 hours and is also water-resistant with an IPX5 rating.
Sound quality
The Soundcore 2 delivers impressive sound quality for its size and price point. It has a 2 x 6-watt speaker output and a passive bass radiator, which delivers clear, powerful sound.
Battery life
The Soundcore 2 has a battery life of up to 24 hours, which is impressive for a portable speaker. It also has a 5200mAh rechargeable battery, which can be fully charged in just 3 hours.
Connectivity options
The Soundcore 2 connects via Bluetooth and also has an aux input for non-Bluetooth devices. It does not have NFC connectivity.
Durability
The Soundcore 2 is water-resistant with an IPX5 rating, which means it can withstand splashes and rain. It has a durable design, but it’s not as rugged as some other portable speakers.
Size and weight
The Soundcore 2 is relatively compact and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go. It weighs in at just over 1 pound.
Pros and cons
Pros:
– Impressive sound quality for the price point
– Long battery life
– Water-resistant with an IPX5 rating
– Lightweight and easy to take on the go
Cons:
– Not as rugged as some other portable speakers
– No NFC connectivity
Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker.
Overview
The Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker is another budget-friendly option that delivers solid sound quality. It has a battery life of up to 24 hours and is also water-resistant with an IPX5 rating.
Sound quality
The sound quality of the Anker Soundcore is impressive for the price point. It has a 2 x 3-watt speaker output and a passive subwoofer, which delivers clear, balanced sound.
Battery life
The Anker Soundcore has a battery life of up to 24 hours, which is impressive for a portable speaker. It also has a 4400mAh rechargeable battery, which can be fully charged in just 5 hours.
Connectivity options
The Anker Soundcore connects via Bluetooth and also has an aux input for non-Bluetooth devices. It does not have NFC connectivity.
Durability
The Anker Soundcore is water-resistant with an IPX5 rating, which means it can withstand splashes and rain. It has a durable design, but it’s not as rugged as some other portable speakers.
Size and weight
The Anker Soundcore is relatively compact and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go. It weighs in at just over 1 pound.
Pros and cons
Pros:
– Solid sound quality for the price point
– Long battery life
– Water-resistant with an IPX5 rating
– Lightweight and easy to take on the go
Cons:
– Not as rugged as some other portable speakers
– No NFC connectivity
JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker
Overview
The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker is the newest version of the JBL Flip series. It delivers impressive sound quality and has a battery life of up to 12 hours. It’s also waterproof with an IPX7 rating.
Sound quality
The sound quality of the JBL Flip 5 is impressive. It has a 2 x 20-watt speaker output and a racetrack-shaped driver, which delivers clear, powerful sound.
Battery life
The JBL Flip 5 has a battery life of up to 12 hours, which is decent for a portable speaker. It also has a 4800mAh rechargeable battery, which can be fully charged in just 2.5 hours.
Connectivity options
The JBL Flip 5 connects via Bluetooth and does not have any additional connectivity options like NFC or an aux input.
Durability
The JBL Flip 5 is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It has a durable, rugged design that can withstand some wear and tear.
Size and weight
The JBL Flip 5 is relatively compact and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go. It weighs in at just over 1 pound.
Pros and cons
Pros:
– Impressive sound quality
– Waterproof with an IPX7 rating
– Durable, rugged design
– Lightweight and easy to take on the go
Cons:
– No additional connectivity options like NFC or an aux input
– Battery life could be better
JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker.
Overview
The JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a unique option that can clip onto your backpack or belt loop for easy on-the-go use. It delivers solid sound quality and has a battery life of up to 10 hours. It’s also waterproof with an IPX7 rating.
Sound quality
The sound quality of the JBL Clip 3 is solid for its size. It has a 1 x 3-watt speaker output and a passive bass radiator, which delivers clear, balanced sound.
Battery life
The JBL Clip 3 has a battery life of up to 10 hours, which is decent for a portable speaker. It also has a 1000mAh rechargeable battery, which can be fully charged in just 3 hours.
Connectivity options
The JBL Clip 3 connects via Bluetooth and also has an aux input for non-Bluetooth devices. It does not have NFC connectivity.
Durability
The JBL Clip 3 is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It has a durable, rugged design that can withstand some wear and tear.
Size and weight
The JBL Clip 3 is small and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go. It weighs in at just over half a pound.
Pros and cons
Pros:
– Unique clip-on design for easy on-the-go use
– Water-resistant with an IPX7 rating
– Durable, rugged design
– Lightweight and easy to take on the go
Cons:
– Sound quality could be better
– Battery life could be better
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