Photograph: https://www.johnlewis.com/ultimate-ears-wonderboom-2-bluetooth-waterproof-portable-speaker/radical-red/p4193097
Photograph: https://www.johnlewis.com/ultimate-ears-wonderboom-2-bluetooth-waterproof-portable-speaker/radical-red/p4193097
Photograph: https://www.johnlewis.com/ultimate-ears-wonderboom-2-bluetooth-waterproof-portable-speaker/radical-red/p4193097

The 10 best Bluetooth speakers

Whether you're looking for portability, great design, booming bass or a load of value – here's the list for you

Advertising

Want to step up your barbecues, picnics or dinner parties up a notch? Play some live music. Now, we know we can’t get any musicians playing in our back gardens, but we’ll settle for the next best thing which is a nifty bluetooth speaker to play all our favourite tunes. Whether you’re all about the sound and tech within the speaker, or just want something that’s great value for money and looks good, we’ve got you sorted. From the bargain hunters favourite to the technophiles among us, we’ve got an option for you. Check them out. 

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here

This Anker speaker makes the perfect addition to your garden parties or trips down to the beach. It may be small, but it is mighty with a 360° bass-driven audio and the colourful light show it displays as the music pumps through. Don’t worry if your speaker’s joining you poolside or at the beach as its super-safe waterproof protection withstands spills, rain and submersion in water. There’s also no need for concern about the party ending any time soon - the Anker Soundcore promises to give you 12-hours of playtime, that’s plenty to last all night. 

The wonderboom sure does live up to its name. Its dual-speaker system means you can pair it with another wonderboom to double the sound. That’s pretty powerful. It’s ideal for both outdoor and indoor use thanks to its shockproof and waterproof factors, and it even floats. You don’t even need to worry about getting it dirty when taking it to muddy festivals - the wonderboom’s high-quality material makes it easy to clean. This speaker is great for travelling and comes in multiple colours for you to choose from. 

Advertising

If you’re looking for an old school 90s look, then this pick is for you. Not only does the W-King speaker give a retro vibe, but with its punchy bass, you get some really great, crystal clear sound. It may look like a hefty speaker, but this pick is lightweight and robust with an adjustable and removable strap, making it easy to transport on whatever excursion you choose to take it on. This speaker boasts being able to give 30% louder volume than other speakers and you can connect it with Bluetooth-enabled devices as far as 66m away. Pretty neat, right? 

This one is more of a luxury choice, but definitely worth all those pennies. Firstly, the Megaboom has 20 hours of battery life. Yes, you read that correctly! So you don’t have to worry about recharging it when out and about. The sound is equally as great with a 360° bass, perfect for music lovers everywhere. It can also be completely immersed in water for up to 30 minutes. But who wants to be underwater that long anyways? Megaboom also has a bluetooth range of up to 45m and is quite a stylish pick too.

Advertising

We love a good bargain, and it’s safe to say this JBL GO2 speaker is just that. But don’t be fooled by its cheap price, this speaker does not compromise on sound. The JBL GO2 features a built-in noise and echo-cancelling speakerphone for crystal clear calls, so no need to worry about any background noise. It also comes in 6 chic colours, from champagne to wine red. And if your Bluetooth connection is acting a little funny on the day, don’t fret. You can plug an audio cable into the speaker and continue enjoying your music. 

If you want a speaker that not only does a good job but also looks the part, then the Bose Home Portable speaker might be the one for you. Its minimalist and chic design makes it a great fit for both the kitchen counter and picnic table. This speaker may be small in size, but it’s outdoor-friendly and built to function in all weather conditions.  Also, when connected to Wi-Fi, you can activate the likes of Google Assistant and Alexa to play your favourite songs and playlists. At the end of the day, it’s Bose and we know they mean quality, so you won’t be disappointed with this choice. 

Advertising

If you’re looking for a speaker that will stand out from the crowd, this pick might be right for you. Not only does the UE Wonderboom come in seven different colours, including a snazzy “unicorn” option, but its compact size means you can hang it from your bag or rucksack while out and about. You’ll want to take it along with you everywhere. Despite its small size, the UE Wonderboom doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sound, playing a lot louder than you might expect thanks to the improved and intense bass.  

If you’re looking for a speaker that’s got a sleek design, is super-portable and powerful, this one's for you. The Sony SRS-XB23 is perfect for all your outdoor adventures while the weather still remains somewhat bearable. It’s compact, lightweight and easy to carry around, and it also fits comfortably into a lawn chair’s cup holder. Don’t worry about dropping and damaging this speaker as it’s shockproof up to 1.2 metres. Its battery life of 12 hours may not be as long as some of the others on this list, but it does have a pretty cool feature that allows you to connect multiple speakers for super stereo sound. 

Advertising

People are raving about this speaker, and rightfully so. With its crisp sound and chic design, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 is definitely one you want to get your hands on. We’re talking close to CD-quality sound. Remember those? Anyways, you can boost the sound of this speaker by pairing two of them together. You can even connect two smartphones at the same time so you and a friend can mix up the playlist. It also works with Alexa through your phone so you can easily make calls and change tracks. The battery life is also pretty strong too - you can get around 18 hours at normal volume or a whopping 44 hours at lower volumes. 

So one thing the LG XBoom is going to do is give you that edge at all your gatherings with its cool, fully customisable LED rings on either side. Its sheer style may have a lot to do with its appeal and gives it that X factor, but the LG XBoom is appropriately named. It certainly won’t disappoint when it comes to sound quality. Unlike any other speaker on this list, it has a strong 24-hour battery life and can handle all the sprays and splashes of water that may come its way. 

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising