Whether you genuinely love a podcast in the garden or you’re calmly nudged that way when your nearest and dearest does their online yoga class, grabbing an outdoor Bluetooth speaker is the solution. Listening to music on your bike with a portable speaker is probably a lot safer than wearing headphones, and sticking a playlist on while weeding the lawn surely eases that particular job.
Whatever necessitates your music al fresco, there are plenty of portable outdoor speakers that aren’t phased by a daily dose of mother nature. All of these relatively dinky models are great for slinging in a bag, but don’t be fooled: there are plenty of high-fidelity options if you want to really level up the sound quality outside.
JBL Charge 5 Updated specs and subtle tweaks for JBL’s fifth-generation Charge Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.6 x 9.4cm Power: 30W + 10W tweeter Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v5.1, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: USB-C, USB-A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £159 View at Amazon £159 View at Richer Sounds £159.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Clearer and more detailed sound + Wider soundstage + Updated dustproofing Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this level Its predecessor carried an IPX7 rating, meaning it could handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m, but the IP67-rated Charge 5 builds on that durability by also being fully dustproof.
Thanks in part to a new 10W tweeter and racetrack-shaped driver, the Charge 5 is currently as good a sound as you can get in a portable Bluetooth speaker design for under £200 ($200, AU$300). Award-winner last year – and if all you want is a portable outdoorsy Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £100 can buy, you’ll still be hard-pressed to better the Flip 5.
The new A1 supports Qualcomm’s latest aptX Adaptive Bluetooth 5.1 codec, there’s an IP67 rating for water and dust ingress, and Alexa is here – despite the fact that it’s Bluetooth-only. Throw in its classy, well made design, easy to use operation and the bonus of Alexa, and you’re looking at a Bluetooth speaker sequel that has very much been worth the wait. JBL Xtreme 3 JBL’s newest rugged wireless speaker serves up a sonic surprise Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.9 x 29.8 x 13.4cm Power: 100W Features: Bluetooth v5.1, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IP67 rated Connections: 3.5mm, USB-C, USB-A out TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £279 View at Amazon £299 View at Richer Sounds £299.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Rugged build + Impressive detail and dynamics + Strong sense of timing Reasons to avoid – No smart features – No hands-free for phone calls Yes, it’s rugged, it’s IP67 dust- and waterproof certified and you’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that it might be more preoccupied with the amount of bass it’s producing rather than musical quality.
The JBL Xtreme 3 gained five stars across the board during our rigorous in-house testing, never appearing out of its depth no matter how complicated the musical arrangement. The 13-hour battery life is enough for any al-fresco extravaganza, while an IP67 rating means it won’t freak out if you drop it in a pool or leave it out at the beach. Given that it costs around £89 (and you may get it cheaper owing to its relative age), the Wonderboom 2 is still a near-perfect party speaker and ideal for outdoor excursions. JBL Charge 4 A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.5 x 9.3 Power: 30W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 148 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Rugged and water resistant + USB port for charging + Great sound quality Reasons to avoid – Perhaps too subtle for some
Tribit Stormbox Micro A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 9.8 x 9.8 x 3.5cm Power: 9W Features: water/dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo-pairing mode Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £42.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Mature, musical sound + Surprisingly weighty bass + USB-C charger Reasons to avoid – Short battery life Although a speaker of such dimensions is obviously limited in terms of bass weight, it does remarkably well; close your eyes while listening and you’ll picture a bigger product.
Take note, Ultimate Ears: a little-known brand called Tribit Audio has produced a budget belter of a Bluetooth speaker. As you might have twigged, it features a gargantuan 6000mAh battery – good for 20 hours playback and capable of charging dying smart devices via USB.
Tivoli Andiamo Stylish speaker that sounds as good as it looks Specifications Battery life: 20hr Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 5.5 x 13.5 x 5.5 Features: Bluetooth 3.0 Power: 1 x 20W full-range driver TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £184 View at Amazon £189 View at Peter Tyson 1 Amazon customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Fast, agile, musical sound + Premium feel and build Reasons to avoid – Not much at this price It’s smallest speaker, the Andiamo (Italian for ‘let’s go’) makes up for its lack of frills with its sonic ability, Bang & Olufsen-esque styling and durable aluminium casing. JBL Link Portable For a great, affordable, durable home smart speaker, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a product that can match JBL’s Link Portable Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 Power: 20W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, Google Assistant built-in, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £139.99 View at Acer UK Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement JBL Xtreme 2 A stylish spin on a waterproof boombox Specifications Battery life: 15hr Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.6 x 28.8 x 13.2 Features: Bluetooth V4.2, IPX7 waterproof, power bank Power: 2 x 20W TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £241.90 View at Amazon 8 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Clean, clear sound + Balanced bass + Solid design Reasons to avoid – Chunky proportions – No multiroom
But don’t be fooled by the “Xtreme” branding: this speaker sounds controlled and grown-up, offering crisp treble and a refined soundstage. JBL Go 3 JBL’s newest soap-sized speaker sounds good – but the finish and battery life won’t wash with today’s class leaders Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.8 x 7.5 x 4.1 Power: 4W Features: Water/dustproof IP67, Bluetooth 5.1 Connections: USB-C TODAY’S BEST DEALS £29.99 View at O2 Mobiles £34 View at Richer Sounds Prime £34.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Sensible treble + Fuller bass + More volume Reasons to avoid – Poor battery life – Not very durable finish
The Best Bluetooth Speakers For Any Budget in 2021
Then it’s down to prioritising extras like waterproofing and dustproofing, stereo pairing, aux in (old-school but helpful), plus more new-fangled features in the category such as Alexa voice controls and USB for charging devices. If a smart assistant is your main focus then you could opt for an Amazon Echo or Google Nest speaker, but these are typically limited in their portability. Fewer speakers, but still quite a lot, are also built to withstand being thrown in a bag or, in more extreme cases, take a bash on a hard surface as you plonk it down ready for some outdoor listening.
The benefits are obvious, allowing your favourite tracks to play from multiple speakers for a more immersive sound – rather than a single fixed point.
Our top pick is the Ruark R1 Mk4 (£229) – offering DAB and FM options in a stylish, living room-friendly design. So, if you see a device referred to as a wireless speaker then you’ll often find a lack of Bluetooth support but it’s always worth double checking.
Our top budget pick, the Tribit StormBox Micro (£32), offers stellar sound and gets remarkably loud with just 9W.
14 Best Bluetooth speakers for outdoor party in the UK in 2021
The SoundLink Revolve II wireless speaker delivers true 360° sound for consistent, uniform coverage.
The best Bluetooth speakers 2021: the top portable speakers for any budget
The best Bluetooth speakers in 2021 all tick three key boxes: they’re portable, durable and they offer superb audio quality in all kinds of environments. Last year, the Sonos Move was discounted by $100 / £100, and we saw lots of excellent deals on models like the JBL Flip 5 and the UE Boom 3 – so it’s well worth shopping the sales. Save $50 – This Bluetooth speaker boasts excellent sound, a lovely water resistant shell and a powerful rubberised finish – and it’s at a great price for Black Friday.
Save $20 – This cute Bluetooth speaker comes with an IPX7 water resistance rating, so you can take it in the great outdoors without a worry. Save £6 – This tiny Bluetooth speaker sports Micro SD support and AUX capability to provide endless audio options, a 15-hour battery life, and a 66ft wireless range. Well, portable speakers that stream music from your devices via Bluetooth are a great idea if you want high quality audio at home.
They’re also a solid option if you like to listen to music outside, whether that’s while you’re entertaining outdoors or working out, as well as if you like to be able to take a speaker to social events – like a party in your local park or down at the beach. Many of the best portable speakers you can buy today are multi-functional and may also feature voice assistant integration alongside audio playback.
This device can seamlessly switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, integrate into a Sonos system, and it comes with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant onboard.
The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control. A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling. Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors.
Sonos Move The best-sounding Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg) Battery life: 10 hours Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Sevenoaks View at very.co.uk Reasons to buy + Integrates with a home Sonos speaker network + Great for on-the-go tunes Reasons to avoid – Not as feature-rich when using Bluetooth – Cant be used as rear cinema speakers It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, it’s expensive due to its rich feature set, and it sadly can’t be used as rear channels for a home cinema set-up. This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on a camping trip but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected.
JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if you desire a rugged, great-sounding portable speaker and can sacrifice voice control or hands-free call functionality, you won’t be disappointed.
Coming in a range of cool colors – including an eye-catching camo print – there’s now a limited Eco Edition that’s made from 90% recycled plastic, while the portable speaker’s entire packaging is biodegradable. [Update: Don’t miss our JBL Boombox 2 review – we were mightily impressed by this portable speaker’s IPX7 waterproof rating, long battery life, and distortion-free sound.] It doesn’t quite meet the sonic dexterity of the Sonos Move, or the value for money of the UE Boom 3 and JBL Charge 4 – but if you love that Bose sound and build quality, this is the portable speaker for you. Anker Soundcore Flare 2 The best budget Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 1.29 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: 20m / 66ft Frequency response: N/A Drivers: Dual drivers and passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No Bluetooth version: N/A Weatherproofing: IPX7 Charges devices over USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack UE Wonderboom 2 The best outdoor speaker gets a refresh Specifications Weight: 0.93 pounds Dimensions: 104 x 95.3mm (H x D) Battery life: Up to 13 hours Wireless range: 100 ft (33 m) Frequency response: 75 Hz – 20 kHz Drivers: two 40 mm active drivers and two 46.1mm x 65.2mm passive radiators NFC: No Bluetooth version: N/A Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at very.co.uk View at John Lewis 8 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great sound for its size + IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating + 30% better battery life than its predecessor Reasons to avoid – Restrictive soundstage JBL Charge 5 The best mid-range speaker Specifications Weight: 2.11 pounds Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 (W x D x H) Battery life: Up to 20 hours Wireless range: 30 ft (10 m) Frequency response: 65Hz–20kHz Drivers: N/A NFC: No Bluetooth version: 5.1 Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Currys Prime View at Amazon View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Balanced sound quality + Gets extremely loud + Long battery life up to 20 hours Reasons to avoid – Takes a while to charge – No more Aux jack
UE Hyperboom Powerful sound for parties both big and small Specifications Weight: 13 pounds Battery life: 24 hours Wireless range: Approx. 150 ft Frequency response: 45 – 20,000Hz Drivers: N/A NFC: Yes Aux-in: N/A USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at John Lewis View at Currys Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent sound performance + Smart dual connection function + Stylish design Reasons to avoid – Fairly heavy at 13lbs
In terms of features, the Ultimate Ears app allows you to connect the Hyperboom to other UE speakers and use them together, you can switch audio source and adjust volume, and you can select four different playlists in Amazon Music, Deezer or Spotify that can be started by holding down the Play button in three seconds. Sony SRS-XB23 A powerful canister of sound for all your outdoor adventures Specifications Weight: 1.3 pounds Battery life: Up to 12 hours Wireless range: 30 feet Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz Drivers: X-Balanced Speaker, dual passive radiators NFC: Yes Aux-in: Yes USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at John Lewis View at very.co.uk Reasons to buy + Good sound quality + IP67 rating (waterproof) + Stereo pairing and Party Mode Reasons to avoid – Lower peak volume In terms of performance, it can get pretty loud without a massive amount of distortion and the passive radiators help the bass to sound clearer than it has on any of Sony’s previous models.
That’s because the XB23 uses Bluetooth 5 and supports three major codecs – SBC, AAC and LDAC, the latter of which you’ll find on newer Android devices and sounds absolutely great. Outdoor adventurers will love the ruggedness of this Sony Bluetooth speaker while us kick-back-and-relax folks will enjoy how snugly it fits into a lawn chair’s cup holder. Visually near imperceptible from the original A1, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) is an appealing and highly portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with (admittedly flawed) Alexa support.
Loud and rich-sounding, it’s a well-priced addition to anyone’s home, with a good battery life and the option to pair it with another Brisbane for true stereo sound. 1MORE Portable BT Speaker A luxurious Bluetooth speaker for the office and the home Specifications Weight: 268g Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: N/A Drivers: N/A NFC: No Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality for the size + Impressive bass response at low volume Reasons to avoid – Limited IPX4 rating – Average battery life
Some portable speakers are built with durability in mind, and will feature rubberized builds to prevent damage from drops and lightweight designs to make them easy to carry around.
Of course, you can absolutely use your new portable Bluetooth speaker solely inside your home – and that means you can choose from a wider range of designs that will look great with your decor. Sonos Bluetooth speakers are great if you want to bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors, with the ability to form part of a wider multi-room system – and you can be sure that they’ll sound fantastic, too. If waterproofing is a priority then look out for models from Ultimate Ears, which combine fun, colorful designs with rugged builds – many of which can withstand a dip in the pool.
Consider high-end audio brands such as Bose and Bang & Olufsen if you want a combination of stylish design and great sound – but be prepared for relatively high prices.
The 6 Best Speakers For Parties – Fall 2021 Reviews
It has a boomy sound profile with its Bass Boost button set to ‘1’ and can produce the deep thump and rumble in low-bass that’s typically present in bass-heavy music like hip-hop and EDM. You can also connect this speaker to other compatible units when you want your audio to cover larger spaces, helpful for parties.
The Best Outdoor Speakers for 2021
There’s a seemingly endless supply of portable Bluetooth speakers out there, most of which will work just fine after being stowed in your luggage and pulled out for use in your hotel room. The number range for solids spans from zero (no protection) to six (dustproof), and for liquids it’s zero to eight (waterproof and submersible beyond one meter for extended time periods). If protection against dust or sand is crucial (good for trips to the beach), you’ll want to go for a speaker that actually lists a numeral rather than an X. If a manufacturer neglects to list a speaker’s IP rating but makes a claim of a water-resistant design, you can probably assume that it can handle rain, sweat, and minor splashes, as well as a quick rinse in the sink now and then.
The vibrations often create the sense of stronger bass depth, even without these radiators receiving actual powered audio on their own. It sounds like a gimmick that shouldn’t be effective, but some manufacturers have worked magic and manage to pump out rich bass response from fairly small speakers. These modes tend to dial up the treble to make up for the lack of reflective surfaces when you’re sitting in the middle of a field or forest. The walls in your kitchen or office do, indeed, perform a function in transmitting audio to your ears, and without them in the picture, high frequencies in particular can sound dulled, especially if you’re not terribly close to the speaker.
And it’s not a bad approach—keep in mind that if your left and right drivers aren’t farther apart than your ears, you’re not likely to hear much stereo separation unless they’re angled to play off a room’s surfaces. Many of these extra features, along with drivers that pump out big bass at high volumes, come at the cost of battery life.
But keep in mind these are estimates, and manufacturers will often list a higher battery life based on the assumption that you’ll be listening at modest volume levels. You can argue that, beyond a strong IP rating and solid audio performance, a quality outdoor speaker needn’t have a bunch of extra features.
Plenty of outdoor speakers have a threaded screw mount for tripods, or for attaching to bikes or action camera gear, for instance. The top end of this price range will get you reasonably good bass response, and typically, the speaker will be able to transmit stereo audio.
UK Best Party Speaker (December 2021)
Whether it’s a big gathering or an intimate affair, you’re likely going to need some great speakers to play your playlists and soundtracks to the masses. Ultimately, party speakers should give you plenty of power, stacks of bass, and enough clarity for everyone to really get into what’s being played. It’s all well and good using everyday speakers to play your party songs, but when you’re setting up a big occasion, it sometimes makes all the difference to invest in some specialist tech. At the end of the guide, we will also run through a few commonly asked queries to help you find the answers you need. You’re going to need a portable, powerful system that’s ready to withstand anything mother nature throws at it. Manufacturers understand that modern party-goers are going to need speakers that are portable and adaptable to various devices.
Gone are the days when you’d need to hook up a big, bulky speaker or woofer to a physical device. Without flexible speaker tech, you could be left with clumsy, cumbersome systems that really choke the party atmosphere.
They all do the same job, of course, but there are more than a few things which separate the more expensive systems from the budget models on the market.
This is especially the case if you’re setting up a pool party or want to play your music loud in an outdoor space.
Bluetooth tech also means that you can manage your streaming playlists from anywhere within close range. Do also check out waterproof and dustproof features, as this means you can safely play your music anywhere you like, particularly on the beach.
For max portability and versatility, you should be careful to check out a model that works well in all environments. Outdoor speakers will also be chargeable or require batteries, so make sure to check out their lifespan. You really don’t want to buy a speaker that’s going to short out two hours into a party!
It doesn’t always follow that more powerful speakers produce better quality sound, but when you’re playing music to large crowds, it makes sense to hunt down options which offer stacks of force.
Frequency response is another great measure of sound quality and how it will carry across large spaces. You may find that plenty of party speakers have added accessories or features to help make your event go off with a bang.
However, if you’re wanting to add lighting and colour to proceedings, you should look for a system that’s going to stand out a bit. Thankfully, there are plenty of different options as far as looks and aesthetics are concerned, so by all means take your pick of the wider spectrum! If you’ve never invested in a party speaker before, it’s time to see what other people are asking.
Rather than having to fiddle around with physical cables and connections, you can now simply stream your music and audio to Bluetooth speakers. Party speakers are portable, durable and are fantastic for pushing stacks of sound out to the masses.
Best Bluetooth speaker 2021: Portable, waterproof and rugged audio devices for every occasion
While a Bluetooth speaker’s primary appeal remains its ability to play music from an audio source without a connecting cable, most are capable of a lot more than that. We’ve tested a huge range of Bluetooth speakers and compiled a list of the best of them, divided into portable devices cut out for use outdoors – all of which have some form of water resistance – and those that should only really be used inside. Before we jump into the list, you’ll find a summary of what we deem the best Bluetooth speakers followed by video and written buying guides running you through the things you should consider before making a purchase. As Bluetooth technology has developed, its range has increased, it’s become more energy-efficient and the speed at which it transmits data has improved, allowing for higher-quality audio playback. Audio quality is superb, battery life clocks in at upwards of 40 hours at low volume (nearer 18 at moderate levels) and there’s even support for the Alexa voice assistant. New to the 2nd Gen is IP67 certification, meaning it’s both dust- and water-resistant, and a repositioning of the control buttons make them a lot easier to access than the original.
It lacks the 3.5mm port the Beoplay A1 had and sadly can’t be paired with its older sibling, but those minor drawbacks don’t stop the new and improved A1 from establishing itself as the Bluetooth speaker to beat in its price bracket. Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: 30W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1 (AAC/aptX Adaptive); IP rating: IP67; Battery life: Up to 43 hours; Dimensions: 133 x 133 x 46mm; Weight: 552g It’s one of the most rugged compact speakers on the market thanks to its anti-tear fabric housing, and with an IP67 rating, is dustproof and capable of being immersed in water of up to 1m in depth. Available in a range of eye-catching colours, including pink, blue and “Squad” (camo), the JBL Go 3 is a speaker you can take anywhere, can withstand pretty much any conditions and sounds great for the price. Key specs – Speakers: 1; RMS power output: 4W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1; IP rating: IP67; Battery life: 5 hours; Dimensions: 85 x 72 x 38mm; Weight: 210g The soundstage begins to lose shape towards maximum volume but overall, the Force 2 is an enjoyable listen, with an audio profile that favours clean articulation of mids and treble over earth-shattering low-end reproduction.
An IPX7 rating ensures the Force 2 can withstand a rainstorm or being dunked in the swimming pool, while battery life of 15 hours is pretty decent given the speaker’s size. Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: 30W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5; IP rating: IPX7; Battery life: Up to 15 hours; Dimensions: 163 x 72 x 64 mm; Weight: 0.63kg
When out and about you’ll be making use of Bluetooth and the Roam’s 10-hour battery life but at home, you can hook it up to your wireless network and integrate it into an existing Sonos multiroom speaker system. Our main niggle with the Roam is how laborious it can be to get your voice assistant set up, but once you’ve overcome that hurdle, you’ll be able to revel in what a fully featured and superb-sounding Bluetooth speaker it is. Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: Not stated; Wireless: Bluetooth 5; IP rating: IP67; Battery life: Up to 10 hours; Dimensions: 168 x 62 x 60 mm; Weight: 0.43kg Sound quality is good, with a tight bass response balanced nicely with clear vocal reproduction and no sign of distortion at higher volumes.
There’s also the option to pair up two Micros to create a stereo sound experience if the audio output of this versatile compact speaker doesn’t quite meet your requirements. Key specs – Speakers: 1; RMS power output: 9W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5; IP rating: IP67; Battery life: 8 hours; Dimensions: 98 x 98 x 36mm; Weight: 295g
The speaker arrangement has been revamped, with JBL adding a dome tweeter to work in conjunction with the woofer and audio is impressive, with the Charge 5 able to fill rooms and open spaces with crisp, well-balanced sound. That’s plenty to get you through a weekend sitting in the park or lounging by the beach and as the Charge 5 can double up as a charger for your smartphone, you won’t have to worry about taking an external power bank out with you.
Key specs – Speakers: 4; RMS power output: Not disclosed; Wireless: Bluetooth (SBC); IP rating: IP67; Battery life: 20 hours; Dimensions: 87 x 87 x 225mm; Weight: 925g It performs well at low and moderate volumes but low-end frequencies begin to distort when you push it to its limits, which is an issue when blasting out tunes outside.
Key specs – Speakers: 3; RMS power output: 40W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5; IP rating: IP67; Battery life: 24 hours; Dimensions: 96 x 96 x 180mm; Weight: 970g Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-directional sound successfully ensures you get the same experience no matter your position to the speaker, making the Emberton perfect for small, outdoor gatherings.
Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: Not disclosed; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0; IP rating: IPX7; Battery life: 20 hours; Dimensions: 160 x 76 x 68mm; Weight: 700g
Physical controls are simple yet effective, while a pull-out strap enables the Hyperboom to be carried around, although its size and weight mean you won’t want to lug it too far.
Key specs – Speakers: 4; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth 5; IP rating: IPX4; Battery life: Up to 24 hours; Dimensions: 190 x 190 x 346mm; Weight: 5.9kg Drawing on mains power, it can produce 70W RMS courtesy of two 4in woofers and a pair of 19mm tweeters housed in a fetching wooden enclosure. Three top-mounted knobs allow you to adjust volume and increase both the bass and treble response, while movie and music modes can be accessed using the included infrared remote. Bluetooth 5.0 helps ensure there’s very little latency when watching video content and the speaker looks great positioned on a desk or bookshelf, though you’ll need a decent bit of space owing to its size. Key specs – Speakers: 4; RMS power output: 70W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0; IP rating: No; Battery life: N/A; Dimensions: 357 x 195 x 148mm; Weight: 4.34kg Key specs – Speakers: 3; RMS power output: 25W; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 (SBC); IP rating: No; Battery life: 30 hours; Dimensions: 215 x 135 x 115mm; Weight: 2kg Amazon’s original Echo Dot was released back in 2016 and was a reasonably priced option for those wanting to enter the world of smart speakers, but it sounded pretty terrible. The spherical design means it also looks better than its predecessor, and if you’re willing to spend an extra £10 you can benefit from the newly added LED clock built into the speaker’s fabric housing.
Key specs – Speakers: 1; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi; IP rating: No; Battery life: N/A; Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 89mm; Weight: 328g The Huawei Sound was created in partnership with Devialet, and the French company’s eye for design along with some technical wizardry make it an appealing home speaker if you’re not fussed about smart functionality or portability. Support for Huawei’s OneHop technology allows you to quickly switch between your NFC-enabled phone’s output and the speaker, and touch controls are kept nice and simple. Were the Sound to offer support for voice assistants and house an internal battery it would be the complete package, but even without those features it’s still worth a spot in this roundup. Key specs – Speakers: 4; RMS power output: 55W; Wireless: Bluetooth (SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs); IP rating: Not stated; Battery life: N/A; Dimensions: 147 x 147 x 187mm; Weight: 2.2kg Thanks to its 75mm woofer and 19mm tweeter – a significant step up from the single 50mm driver housed in its predecessor, the Google Home – the Nest Audio is able to communicate rich, textured sound across most musical genres.
Touch controls are a little fiddly and sadly there’s no AUX-in port, but if you’re looking for an affordable Google Assistant speaker with Bluetooth functionality, you won’t find better than the Nest Audio. Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth (AAC and SBC), WiFi; IP rating: No; Battery life: N/A; Dimensions: 124 x 78 x 174mm; Weight: 1.2kg Sonically, the Mu-so 2 is brimming with finesse, even when you start to push up the volume to ear-shattering levels, and the sense of scale and impact it creates is immense. Key specs – Speakers: 6; RMS power output: 450W; Wireless: Bluetooth (SBC, AAC codecs); IP rating: No; Battery life: N/A; Dimensions: 122 x 628 x 264mm; Weight: 11.2kg
Best bluetooth speaker 2021: Wireless and portable speakers from Sonos, Anker and Bose (reviewed)
We’re not talking about music streaming services – that’s another kettle of fish entirely – or weighing up if vinyl is better than the rest. From clean, Scandi speakers to flashy light shows, the Bluetooth audio game has really gone up a notch.
On that point, we’ve tried to give you as wide a range of offerings as possible, from super portable poolside devices to boombox party starters and luxury, desktop setups. So, whether you’re looking for a backpack-friendly offering or are ready to invest in something for home; after hours of listening and testing, we have you covered. – Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1: £200, Johnlewis.com Loudest Bluetooth speaker – Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd gen: £749, Premiumsound.co.uk
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