Best portable Bluetooth speaker deals for 2026 (original) (raw)

Edifier ES20 portable bluetooth speaker, BT v5.4, 15h Playtime, IP67 Waterproof & Dustproof, 6W RMS with Passive Bass Radiator, Ambient Lighting & Stereo Pairing, Strap (White)

Edifier ES20 portable bluetooth speaker, BT v5.4, 15h Playtime, IP67 Waterproof & Dustproof, 6W RMS with Passive Bass Radiator, Ambient Lighting & Stereo Pairing, Strap (White)

Credit: Edifier

This sleek and modern-looking speaker provides great sound and just the right amount of bass. It also connects with other compatible devices for stereo sound. For a full charge, it's best left overnight, but we found it ready to use in approximately four hours. Once charged, we found it lasts for a couple of days.

To get started, you need to download the Edifier Connex app, as this allows you to control speaker settings. It also allows you to adjust light effects such as brightness, style and colour. You can switch off the speaker from the app or your mobile – ideal if you can't locate the speaker or want to turn it off remotely. The app also tells you how much battery is left, which we found a handy function.

It's also very portable thanks to the compact size and a rope handle that can be attached to the speaker.

The only downside is that the speaker itself doesn't have any play or pause buttons, and you can't skip or rewind a track unless using the app or mobile. Although at £49.99, it is a good price point considering how loud and clear it is.

Tested by: Shyvonne Thomas

Features at a Glance

Soundcore Anker Boom 2 Bluetooth speaker

Soundcore Anker Boom 2 Bluetooth speaker

Now 25% Off

Credit: Soundcore

If you're looking for rich, powerful sound that can really fill a space, this is the speaker for you. We tested the BassUp setting, which boosts the output from 60W to 80W, using Madonna's 'Hung Up', and it gave a strong, pulsating sound with no distortion. Once you've tried BassUp, you probably won't want to go back to the standard settings, which sound weedy by comparison.

There's a built-in light show, with a choice of 7 different light effects and customisable colours that pulse in sync with your music. You can control these using the buttons on the unit. A handy app gives access to an Equaliser with various preset EQ sound profiles, or you can create your own to suit your personal taste.

The dual 15W tweeters give clear and crisp treble highs with decent detail in the mid-range – not as much as you might find in a higher-end speaker, but great for the price. You charge this with a USB-C cable via a certified 5v/3a (15W) wall charger. The cable is included, but you will need to get your own wall charger. It takes around 5.5 hours with the recommended wall charger – the speaker can charge from another power source, eg a laptop, but it will take even longer.

A full charge gives up to 24 hours of playback at 50% volume. If you crank up the volume, use the BassUp feature for more oomph, or use the light effects, you can expect your battery to run down more quickly.

Connectivity is via Bluetooth, and you can link two identical speakers for True Wireless Stereo. You can also pair with other compatible models to wirelessly synchronise your music and lights using PartyCast 2.0 technology – SoundCore says you can connect over 100 speakers at once!

Because this is a big unit with a powerful battery, it can also function as a power bank to charge your phone or other accessories. This also means that if you try to use an external power bank, the Boom 2 may end up charging the power bank, rather than the other way round.

Tested by: Paul Lang

Features at a Glance

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VQ Halo portable wireless Bluetooth speaker

VQ Halo portable wireless Bluetooth speaker

Credit: Amazon

This is a very stylish-looking speaker best suited for the garden or camping. It comes with a built-in light, which has 6 light mode settings. The flickering setting is a bit like a flame and very relaxing, while the night light setting is bright enough to allow you to read a book.

There's also a backdrop light for the buttons, which is a bonus when wanting to change settings in the dark. The buttons are a little sensitive and can be tricky to get used to. A light tap is all that's needed, rather than pressing down hard.

It took a few hours for the first charge, then it fully recharged within the hour. You can also use this speaker as a mobile charging port, and it's compatible with game consoles, tablets and phones. The sound quality was great for all music genres thanks to the 360-degree surround sound experience, which means everyone around you can enjoy the music.

The smart leather handle makes the speaker portable, or easy to hang up in a tent. It would also look equally stylish indoors.

Thanks to the 10 to 14 hours of playback time, it only needed charging once when away for a long weekend.

Reviewed by Sophie Chapple

Features at a Glance

Tribit StormBox Lava portable Bluetooth speaker

Tribit StormBox Lava portable Bluetooth speaker

Now 27% Off

Credit: Amazon

With an RRP of £129.99 (currently discounted to £99.99 for Amazon Prime members only), this speaker is quite expensive, but it feels sturdy and provides good sound. You also have the additional ability to create your own music settings, which is great if you're passionate about music.

It doesn't come with a charging plug, so you'll need to check you have something with the correct USB connection. It can then be plugged in and charged via that, or through the mains with a compatible plug. It was put on charge at 30% and took about three hours to get it back up to 60% charge.

This speaker works with the Tribit app, which allows you to customise the sound, set up a shutdown timer and use voice prompts. The app offers some extra sound controls, which you don't get if you play music straight from a streaming site. Being able to connect easily to other phones without the app (we only tested with an iPhone) was an advantage, especially when using a group setting, as others could quickly connect and play their own choice of music.

The built-in charging port also works as a portable charger for other devices, which is useful. You can also answer calls that come through your phone when it's connected. Plus, there's the option of pairing with other speakers via TWS Mode for an outdoor party.

This speaker has preset and customizable EQ settings. The preset options are for classical, rock and jazz music and allow you to turn the XBass on and off. It also has an audiobook function. Again, audio was clear and easy to listen to, but we didn't notice much difference between the preset audiobook and music settings. The detachable shoulder strap and handle make this portable – but it is quite heavy, especially if you're carrying other things.

Reviewed by Andrea Tonks

Features at a Glance

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Bose SoundLink Max portable speaker

Bose SoundLink Max portable speaker

Credit: Amazon

While simple in design, the Bose SoundLink Max speaker delivers an amazing listening experience. The sound quality is clean and powerful and packs a punch for something so small. Even with the volume fully up, the music doesn't feel distorted and will carry well if you're listening outside.

To set up, you need to download an app. It's a great addition, as it makes setting up simple and takes out a lot of the guesswork. You can also pair it with an additional speaker or soundbar to extend your listening experience.

It charges using a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. However, it doesn't come with a plug adaptor, so if you don't have one, it can either plug it into your laptop or purchase a USB-C charging cable separately. Additionally, you can also charge your phone through the portable speaker, so there's no danger of the music running out!

Charging time is approximately 5 hours. While charging, the battery light blinks white and when fully charged, it will glow a solid white. Battery life is up to 20 hours and when you turn on the speaker, it will tell you how much charge it has. You can also check this by holding the power button or checking through the app. When you're not using your speaker, it will automatically power off after 20 minutes, but you can change this time through the app.

If bass is what you're after, then this speaker certainly delivers. It doesn't matter what kind of music you listen to – it sounds great. Thanks to the app, you can control everything from the volume to the EQ levels, meaning you can adjust to suit your music tastes. Even podcasts sound good, like you're in the room with them!

Reviewed by Gemma Bilbe

Features at a Glance

Anker Soundcore Speaker

Anker Soundcore Speaker

Now 27% Off

If you want truly affordable portable audio, this Anker Soundcore speaker is a reliable choice.

With a great battery life of up to 24 hours – one of the best on our list despite its lower cost – this first-gen model is fairly no-frills compared to some of the more premium options, but you still get solid audio quality, while it's more than light enough to move around your home with ease and blast your favourite playlists or podcasts.

This model isn't waterproof, though, so if you do plan on bringing your speaker to the pool, you may want to consider the Soundcore 2, which is currently discounted by 36% of its RRP of £25.64.

• Size/Weight: 16.51 x 5.59 x 4.57 cm, 360g
• Waterproofing: IPX7 waterproof (submerged in 1-metre deep water for up to 30 minutes)
• Battery life: Up to 24 hours
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
• Wireless range: Up to 20m

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Marshall Middleton speaker

Marshall Middleton speaker

Now 53% Off

With deep rumbling audio that makes your desk shake at high volumes and a design inspired by Marshall's legendary guitar amplifiers, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Middleton is only for rock and roll. It's not. Whether you're a fan of hip hop, electronic or folk, this speaker gives you well-balanced and distortion-free sound, even at high levels.

If you do want to change the sound mix, you can alter bass or treble levels with a quick tap of the top buttons. And with 20 hours of battery, water resistance and multi-directional audio that blasts your tunes from all sides of the speaker, this also works brilliantly for soundtracking your next garden party. At 1.8kg, it isn't a speaker to carry around in your backpack, but on test, we found the included rubber loop helped with transportation.

Features at a Glance

Bose SoundLink Flex

Bose SoundLink Flex

Bose is one of the biggest names in the audio world, so it will come as no surprise that the brand made it onto our best portable speakers roundup.

Weighing in at 600g, the SoundLink Flex is a bit heavier than others on this list, but at 20 cm in length, it still easily fits into a bag (or a larger jacket pocket) without issue. If you're taking it outdoors, a helpful bit of tech called "PositionIQ" adjusts the sound based on how the speaker is sitting, and it works upright, on its back or hanging via the tear-resistant utility loop that's found at one end.

It's water and dustproof, and floats if it does happen to take an unexpected plunge into the pool or sea. Really, it's a top all-rounder at a solid price point.

Features at a Glance

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JBL Flip 5

JBL Flip 5

Need a portable speaker for playing your favourite tunes? The JBL Flip 5 gives you great audio in the popular drinks can-shaped form. Plus, it's fully waterproof, so it will survive accidental water drops.

It's not the lightest of our bunch, but the 12-hour battery life makes sure you won't run out of juice while the party is just getting good, and the 15-metre wireless range means you don't have to stay close to maintain a connection either. This isn't dustproof, so avoid the beach. But if you need to take the party to the next level, you can easily pair it with up to two more JBL PartyBoost speakers.

Features at a Glance

Bose SoundLink Micro

Bose SoundLink Micro

The Bose SoundLink Micro is a portable Bluetooth speaker for adventurous types. It can be held using one hand, and the back has a strong strap that makes it incredibly versatile.

Want to soundtrack your cycle? Strap it to your bike's handlebars. Going on a camping trip? Fasten it to a tree branch. How about a lengthy mountain hike? Attach it to your backpack's shoulder strap.

Admittedly, the battery life is only six hours from a full charge, but you get top audio quality that can withstand the outdoor elements thanks to its waterproof and dustproof design.

Features at a Glance

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Where to buy Bluetooth speakers

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How to buy the best portable speakers

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From battery life to durability, there's a lot to consider when buying a Bluetooth speaker, but we're here to help. Here's what you need to know before purchasing:

Waterproofing

Using the Bluetooth speaker around the pool or at the beach? You'll want it to be waterproof. At the very least, you'll need to look out for at least an IP55 protection rating – which keeps your device safe from splashes – but preferably go for IP67, which means it can survive being fully submerged for half an hour. Luckily, most speaker-makers know the risks, so many devices are now designed to float.

Battery life

Bluetooth speakers use internal batteries that can be recharged through USB or USB-C cables, though be mindful that the louder and longer you listen, the quicker your juice runs out.

Our top picks on this list will last anywhere between six and 24 hours, so it's worth considering how you'll be using the speaker. Some of the more expensive Bluetooth models will support wireless charging, too.

Weight

In most cases, you'll want to pick a Bluetooth speaker that's light enough to take with you away from home, or at least easily moved around indoors. Most of the options on this list are portable and can be carried one-handed, with the larger devices often having a carry strap or trolley handle for easier transportation.

Dimensions

It depends on how and where you want to use the speaker, but it's important to consider size. The majority of our favourites are relatively small and will easily fit in your backpack or rucksack, although there are also sizable options that can be used for karaoke sessions or outdoor shows via an aux port or a guitar-in port. These are usually plug-and-play, so still very convenient.

Smart features

Alongside Bluetooth connectivity, modern speakers might have built-in voice assistants such as Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, or Google Assistant to help you switch tracks using just your voice, great if your hands are already full with beer and sausage rolls. If you're feeling old school, you might also be able to connect them via a 3.5mm aux or audio input.

Wireless range

If you're prone to venturing away from your speaker with your phone in your pocket, you'll want to find a model with a decent range so you can stay connected from a distance.

High-end speakers allow you to stray the furthest, but most models on our list will perform just fine within a 50-metre radius.