A great playlist can transform a banal vacation into an exceptional one — unless you’re listening to your tunes on the meager speakers built into your smartphone. Investing in a portable bluetooth speaker is a great way to ensure that the soundtrack to your travels is delivered with crisp audio quality, no matter where in the world you are. Pack one in your carry-on suitcase, set it up when you check into your hotel, and you’ll be ready to enjoy your favorite bands and podcasts as they were meant to be heard.
Based on our combined decades of experience testing portable speakers, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is the best one that you can invest in right now. It sounds outstanding, is small and light enough that lugging it around isn’t cumbersome, and it’s durable enough to survive years of travel. Scroll through our list to see other bluetooth speakers that made our list of favorites.
There’s a lot to love about the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3. Weighing just under one pound and just slightly larger than a coffee mug, it’s a speaker that’s designed to be tossed in a carry-on, personal item, or attached to your weekender bag with a carabiner without getting in the way.
Its rich, room-filling sound offers a surprising amount of bass for a speaker of its size. If any of your travel buddies have a Wonderboom on their hands, you can pair them up for stereo sound. What’s more, you can connect two Bluetooth devices to this little wonder simultaneously. This allows you and a friend to take turns choosing the soundtrack of your next adventure. You’ll be able to enjoy 14 hours of playtime before it needs to be recharged. What’s more, this speaker is dustproof and waterproof (provided you remember to close its charging port cover). With its IP67 rating, it can be submerged in up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. But you shouldn’t have to worry about that. According to T+L senior editor Jasmine Grant who has owned the Wonderboom 3 for years now, the speaker can float. This makes it the perfect companion for a day spent lounging at the pool.
We’ve only got one issue with the Wonderboom 3: the battery life wanes over time. However, given the sound quality and approachable price point here, that’s a small price to pay for a great piece of portable hardware.
The Details: 14 hours of battery life | 131-foot range | 14.4 ounces | 4.65 x 4.53 x 4.65 inches | Waterproof | Dustproof
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The TREBLAB HD-Energy Outdoor Portable Bluetooth Speaker is an incredible value — especially when you consider that its 4,000 mAh battery can also be used to charge your smartphone, tablet, or camera. Waterproof, sturdy, and loud, the TREBLAB HD-Energy is easy to pair and control. The fact that it can put on an RGB light show synced with your tunes is a win as well. We liked its sturdy carrying handle and heavy build quality. During testing, it made us feel like it would be hard to fumble and, if dropped, it’d survive the fall. “The sound is probably some of the best I’ve experienced in a speaker so small,” says T+L editor Taylor Fox. “It’s incredibly clear and even light music like jazz and classical comes through crisp.”
TREBLAB HD-Energy Outdoor has a wide soundstage with an emphasis on high and mid-range frequency sound. It also fit easily into larger totes, travel backpacks, and duffels. Unfortunately, we found its bass to be less than punchy. But for the price, this feature-filled speaker is definitely worth your attention.
The Details: 18 hours of battery life | 33-foot range | 2.2 pounds | 6.37 x 4.25 x 4.25 inches | Waterproof
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We were blown away by the audio quality on this speaker, which made it perfect for parties and crowded settings that already have competing noise. Bose is known for creating outstanding high-end speakers and headphones. To make the second generation SoundLink Flex Portable speaker the winner that it is, their engineers poured all of their know-how into a compact package that weighs well under two pounds. Bose’s signature flat sound makes music, podcasts, and other audio sound rich and true. But if you prefer more bass or want to hear more high end in your tunes, the SoundLink Flex’s EQ can be tinkered with using Bose’s free app for Android or Apple devices. That said, its EQ options are pretty limited. But this isn’t a speaker for audiophiles: it’s designed for fun on-the-go.
Like our Best Overall pick, this speaker is dust and waterproof and can be paired with a second speaker to produce wireless stereo sound. We also liked the SoundLink Flex’s clearly marked controls, but the buttons felt a little mushy.
The Details: 12 hours of battery life | 30-foot range | 1.3 pounds | 3.56 x 7.93 x 2.06 inches | Waterproof | Dustproof
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All of the Bluetooth speakers we’ve talked about so far are portable, but this clip-on option from JBL is small and convenient enough to take just about anywhere without weighing you down. The JBL Clip 5 is a diminutive speaker with a built-in carabiner, which weighs just a little over half a pound. During testing, we enjoyed its 15-hour battery life and the clear, crisp audio it that was produced from such a small design.
The JBL Clip 5 features some pretty punchy bass, making it great to play the latest hits. And, with an IP67 rating, it’s both water and dustproof. Go ahead and clip it to the outside of your daypack on your next hike; it’ll be just fine. What’s more, it can play your favorite tunes for up to 15 hours at a time. Paired with a second Clip 5, it can even rock your campsite in stereo.
The Details: 15 hours of battery life | 9.6 ounces | 3.4 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches | Waterproof | Dustproof
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All of the portable Bluetooth speakers in this guide are well-made. Some are even waterproof and dustproof, making them a great choice for use in your backyard or at the beach. But the Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Portable Speaker took it to a whole different level during testing. “It’s wrapped in a leather-type material that is soft and seems like it’d absorb shock if it ever falls. It’s also waterproof, which is a nice feature for spending time on a boat or in a pool,” says T+L associate editor Anna Popp. “I left the speaker out overnight by accident and it rained all night, and the speaker is completely fine which also impressed me.”
This proven resilience, combined with its beefy but beautiful enclosure, makes us feel assured that this speaker will take any rough handling that comes its way. What’s more, it comes with a built-in microphone, allowing you to use it for hands-free calls — perfect for conference calls or a little karaoke session during your next get together with friends.
The Details: 17 hours of battery life | 325-foot range | 12.8 ounces | 1.71 x 3.96 x 3.96 inches | Waterproof | Dustproof
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Available in two colors and covered in a luxe fabric, the Sony LinkBuds Portable Wireless Speaker is a good looking piece of audio gear that will complement any home’s decor. Sony tends to emphasize bass response in their audio hardware, and this speaker isn’t an exception. It offers a satisfying amount of thump for its size, making it a great choice for fans of R&B, dance, and other modern musical genres. While we don’t think it packs enough punch to be the star of a house party, we found it enjoyable for private listening sessions and smaller gatherings. We also found it a suitable companion while working. We also enjoyed the generous amount of battery life, finding that it lasted 25 hours on a full charge.
The LinkBuds Portable Wireless Speaker has some water resistance, with an IPX4 rating. This means that it’s able to stand up to a splash of liquid, a sprinkle of rain, or an accidental spill, for example. But it’s not nearly as water-tight as our Best Overall pick. Treat this Sony like an indoor kitty, and you’ll enjoy it in your home and on trips for years to come.
The Details: 25 hours of battery life | 0.88 pounds | 3.5 x 4.7 x 3.5 inches
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Soundcore has built a reputation for high quality audio products at a reasonable price — a reputation that this speaker does a great job of maintaining. For less than $50 and weighing about half a pound, the Soundcore Select 4 Go Speaker is a perfect companion for carry-on only travelers, or even day trips to the beach or park.
Like some of the more expensive speakers in this guide, the Select 4 Go is waterproof, dustproof, and has an EQ app for smartphones that can be used to adjust its sound signature. “I’ll admit, I was not expecting loud, rich sound from the Select 4 Go because of its size and price point,” says Grant. “However, I was proven wrong upon first listen. The sound quality was good and well-balanced, and it’s louder than what I expected.” You’ll find it reasonably loud with crisp high and mid-range tones. We did find the bass level underwhelming, but considering the price and lengthy 20-hour battery life, it’s hard to complain.
The Details: 20 hours of battery life | 98-foot range | 9.6 ounces | 4.76 x 3.26 x 1.9 inches | Waterproof | Dustproof
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The key reason why the sound coming out of a smartphone or tablet kind of sucks is because of the size of those devices; there’s just not enough room to put any substantially loud speakers in them. But that doesn’t mean awesome sound doesn’t come in small packages. Around the same size as a hamburger bun, the Ultimate Ears Miniroll Ultra-Portable Bluetooth speaker offers a surprising amount of volume and bass for its size. “It has a strap that allows you to hang on belt loops or bags, which I do like a lot,” says Fox. “Otherwise, the speaker itself is so small it fits in front backpack pockets, crossbody bags, and even fanny packs for very easy transport.”
Waterproof and super compact, you’ll want to bring this speaker with you everywhere. It’s not the loudest speaker in this guide, but it’s definitely one of the most portable — a fact that will make it very appealing to those who like to travel light.
The Details: 12 hours of battery life | 131-foot range | 9.6 ounces | 4.83 x 4.13 x 1.9 inches | Dustproof
Other Portable Bluetooth Speakers We Liked
Marley Get Together 2 XL Speaker: It would be a stretch to call the Get Together 2 XL portable, though we love listening sessions with it. You could tote this 60-watt monster along with you to the beach or on your next vacation, but it’s not really designed for that. You’re better off leaving this 18-pound speaker at home in favor of something more travel-friendly.
Sonos Roam 2: We liked the Roam 2’s excellent sound and attractive, waterproof design. But many of the features we look for in a portable speaker, such as hooks or carrying handles, are missing here. There are also less expensive portable Bluetooth speakers in this guide that sound just as good.
Our Testing Process
There’s only one way to test portable Bluetooth speakers: you’ve got to listen to a lot of tunes. It’s tough work, but Travel + Leisure’s editorial team was up to the task. We spent two weeks with each one of the speakers in this guide, listening to a wide variety of audio: everything from podcasts to punk rock. By doing so, we were able to get a feel for each one’s charging time, ease of setup, stability of Bluetooth connection, and app connectivity. We did this with it in mind that these little Bluetooth speakers aren’t meant to compete with a set of studio monitors or your home entertainment system. However, we paid special attention to the sound quality and how convenient they were to travel with.
In addition to how each portable Bluetooth speaker sounds, we also consider how well each one is made, their battery life, Bluetooth range, how easy their controls are to use, and how hard it was to pair our devices with them. Things like being able to link multiple speakers together for stereo sound, fast charging, lighting effects, and companion apps that are actually useful? That’s the icing on the cake.
Tips for Buying a Bluetooth Speaker
Look for compact sizing
The thing about a portable speaker is that it should be, well, portable. A good one will strike a balance between weight, size, battery life, and the size and number of speakers inside of the device’s housing. For travelers, a speaker like this ideally should be small enough to pack into your carry-on or personal item if you’re flying. According to the TSA, a speaker can also go into your checked bag so long as the battery size is within limits.
Consider where you’ll use it
Before you spend your hard-earned cash for a portable Bluetooth speaker, take a beat to think about how and where you want to use it. If you want to take it backpacking with you, a lightweight option that won’t add to your load, like the Ultimate Ears Miniroll, is the way to go. Are you planning on blasting some tunes poolside? Consider investing in a waterproof speaker. If you’re throwing a party, think about getting one that can be linked to other Bluetooth speakers for some big, stereo sound or wirelessly chained so that your guests’ same music can be heard throughout your home or rental.
Prioritize sound quality
Since you’re paying to enjoy better sound quality than your smartphone or tablet can provide, the sound your new speaker produces should make you happy. Take the time to read reviews of the speakers you’re interested in to see what experts, like us, as well as regular folks, have to say about the sort of sound quality you can expect from a given speaker. If you like listening to bass-heavy tunes like dubstep, make sure the speaker you pick can handle it.
It’s worth learning about the signature sounds that audio companies pack into their products. Some Bluetooth speakers prioritize bass-heavy audio while others achieve balanced, more nuanced sound production.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up a portable speaker?
Most portable speakers are very easy to set up: once you charge the speaker, you’ll be able to pair it with your phone or tablet, then either use buttons on the speaker, your speaker’s app, or your music app to control the sound. Always take a glance at the speaker’s instruction manual before putting it to the test.
How do you connect a portable speaker via Bluetooth?
No matter which speaker you decide on, the procedure to connect them to your Bluetooth audio source will be pretty much the same.
Before you start, make sure that your Bluetooth speaker is fully charged. Once that’s done, it’s time to pair your music source with your speaker. Many Bluetooth speakers will enter pairing mode the first time that they are powered on. If this is the case, all you need to do in order to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is to go into your device’s settings, find its Bluetooth options pane, and request that the device make itself available to a new connection. When you see the name of your portable Bluetooth speaker show up in the options pane, select it. Your speaker should now be ready to kick out the jams.
In other instances, you may need to put your speaker into pairing mode. In most cases, this is easy: just look for a button on the speaker that has the Bluetooth symbol on it. Press and hold it for a few seconds. You’ll likely see a light start blinking on your speaker (but read its owner’s manual to be sure).
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Seamus Bellamy has been testing and using portable speakers on an almost daily basis for well over a decade. As a full-time digital nomad, he never leaves home without a speaker in his carry-on. As a tech and travel journalist, he’s spent years learning about what makes for a great mobile music experience and what’s worth avoiding.
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