The 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers for Every Occasion (2024)

Best Products praised the Sony SRS-XB33 for its “cool design with a fabric finish, an insanely tough build, top-tier audio performance, and long battery life.”

We like that its versatile design can be placed horizontally or vertically and produce great sound either way. Perhaps most importantly, this model boasts Bluetooth 5.0 with NFC pairing for easy connectivity, and with the long 24-hour battery life and USB port, you can even use it as a battery pack.

In addition to its great price tag for all of these features, it comes with Sony’s Music Center app to customize the sound and built-in lighting, if you want to set the mood with party or strobe lights.

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Any audiophile will know that a sub-$50 speaker won’t cut it for top sound quality, but we can’t fail to mention this super inexpensive option that still offers decent quality for those on a budget.

Anker is known for making affordable yet effective speakers and earbuds, and their base Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is no exception at just under $30. For that price, you still get an impressive full day’s battery life, water- and drop-proofing, and a built-in mic to connect with a voice assistant.

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The JBL Clip 4 isn’t the most powerful speaker on our list, but it is certainly one of the most portable. An integrated clip lets you attach it to pretty much anything—a backpack while hiking, a belt loop while walking, or your chair at the beach. No worries, either, if a rogue rain or windstorm catches you by surprise; the Clip 4 is dust- and waterproof.

Aside from the built-in clip, other notable updates from previous generations are a sturdier exterior, which makes the speaker slightly heavier, and improved audio, which is pretty impressive considering this speaker’s size.

One charge lasts up to 10 hours, and the speaker comes in six cool colors, such as pink and camo.

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One of the best small Bluetooth speakers, the Wonderboom 2 Mini is encased in a fully waterproof, rugged shell that can also float. The speaker projects 360-degree sound, which can be controlled with large volume buttons and a boost button to increase volume and clarity when outdoors.

We especially like the thoughtful touch of the built-in hang loop on this speaker, so you can easily bring this speaker will you on your travels to hang on a backpack, your handlebar, or at your campsite.

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Bose has long been a leader in the audio world, and it has delivered on this portable speaker. At 7.5 inches tall, this sleek speaker isn’t as easy to throw into a backpack like most, but a handle at the top does make toting it from one spot to another more convenient. This is the first outdoor speaker in Bose’s product lineup—go ahead and move it from inside to poolside; it’s drop- and water-resistant.

It’s also smart—compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa—so it’ll respond to voice commands while you’re sipping a drink on your inflatable pool lounger.

Like most smaller speakers, its bass is a bit lacking, but overall the sound quality is crisp, clean, and everything you would expect from a Bose product.

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Spending a lot on a speaker that’s barely 2 inches high might be hard to justify. But you likely won’t be disappointed by the Beosound A1.

Consider its 18 hours of battery life (up to 43 at low volume); sleek, modern design; and IP67 rating, which means it’s fully dust- and waterproof. And despite its compact size, the A1 can go full volume without distorting the sound. The domed design blasts an even 360 degrees of music.

It also has three microphones, built-in Alexa voice assistant, and Wake Word assist that works up to 3 hours after the device has been turned off.

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If you grew up lugging a boombox around—and, consequently, blazing through hundreds of dollars in D batteries—your experience with portable music started long before Bluetooth speakers existed. Long and rectangular in shape, and with a beefy handle for easy grip, the Motion Boom is a nostalgic reinvention of the boombox from your youth.

And get this: If you drop it in water, all is not lost. Credit the waterproof and floating design. Battery life is an impressive 24 hours, and Anker’s PowerIQ technology lets you charge your phone while you’re listening to music.

Overall, this is a great value, though the sound can get grating while indoors at higher volumes.

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Another great 360-degree portable Bluetooth speaker by Ultimate Ears, the Boom 3 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a speaker to use at the pool—whether lounging on the sidelines or floating on the water. It’s not only fully waterproof with the ability to be submerged up to 1 meter, but also floats.

The Boom is larger than the Wonderboom 2, yet it still weighs under two pounds and has a slightly longer battery life at 15 hours. Plus, we can’t fail to mention the eye-catching color options you can choose from.

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The JBL Pulse 4 is entertaining in more ways than one: Not only does it provide excellent 360-degree sound, but it can also deliver a light show thanks to its 360-degree LEDs, which you can customize in JBL’s app.

The battery life isn’t best in class, but the 12 hours of power can certainly last through your parties. The IPX7 rating means it can be submerged in water, so it’ll surely hold up to whatever your get-togethers throw at it.

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