Home Home Design & Decor You'll Use These Portable Bluetooth Speakers All Summer Long Listen to your favorite tunes at the beach, poolside, or on the road—these handy speakers will serve you well, no matter where you go. By Brigitt Earley Brigitt Earley Instagram Brigitt is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on May 10, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Courtesy Bestbuy Whether you're headed to the beach, the park, or simply lounging in your own backyard by the pool, a portable bluetooth speaker is a must-have accessory. Without it, your leisure time simply isn't as exciting. But which speakers are duds, delivering canny and muffled sound, and which ones are nearly indecipherable from the ones you rely on indoors, delivering consistently superior sound? Portable speakers equipped with Wi-Fi functionality tend to offer clearer sound because the audio that comes from bluetooth speakers is compressed, but a good bluetooth version built with amplifiers is typically comparable, as they help deliver full-range audio. Plus, there's the argument that bluetooth options are the most portable, since they don't require an internet connection to work. When shopping for portable speakers, it's also worth looking at the Ingress Protection (IP) rating—an indication of durability and weather protection—since you'll likely use the speaker in conditions that are typically less than ideal for electronics, like areas of high moisture. IP ratings have two numbers: The first rates protection against solids like dust; the second rates protection against liquids like water. The higher, the number, the more protection. (Nine is the highest.) Other features worth considering are battery life, virtual assistant compatibility, voice control, and the ability to pair with multiple speakers. Size may also be important, especially if you want something that's easy to stash in a smaller tote, like a beach bag or backpack. Here, the best portable speakers to get crisp, clear sound on the go. Top Picks Best for Portability: Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker Best for Smart Home Connectivity: Sonos Roam For Double-Duty: Uncommon Goods Bluetooth Speaker and Water Bottle Surround Sound: Bose SoundLink Micro Luxury Speakers: JBL Xtreme 2 How to Extend Wi-Fi to Your Outdoor Space 01 of 10 Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 Courtesy of Amazon Though just four inches around, this speaker is incredibly powerful—especially considering its size. It's also easy to pair and offers plenty of conveniences, like a hanging loop. It also floats to add to poolside fun. Shop Now: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, $79.99, amazon.com. 02 of 10 JBL Xtreme 2 Courtesy of Amazon Though you'll certainly pay a premium for this speaker, it's a purchase you can feel good about. Although the larger size makes it a bit harder to tote, it means more full-range sound at higher volumes. This speaker also has an IPX7 rating, which means it's exceptionally rugged. It can get wet and even briefly submerge without breaking. Shop Now: JBL Xtreme 2, $349.95, amazon.com. 03 of 10 Sonos Roam Courtesy of Bestbuy The major benefit to this portable speaker is that it pairs effortlessly with any other Sonos products you may have in your home. Still, it works just as well on the go. No matter where you are, it offers both bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, built-in voice assistant, and USB charging with up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. Shop Now: Sonos Roam, $169.99, bestbuy.com. 04 of 10 Tribit MaxSound Plus Courtesy of Amazon This speaker delivers shockingly crisp sound for the price, and it has an IPX7 rating that compares to that of higher-end models, making it an excellent value. Shop Now: Tribit MaxSound Plus, $55.99, amazon.com. 05 of 10 Bose SoundLink Micro Courtesy of Amazon This tiny, but mighty speaker is great for parties, since it easily pairs with another SoundLink speaker to help deliver all-around sound. It also has a soft, rugged exterior that resists dents, cracks, and scratches. Shop Now: Bose SoundLink Micro, $99, amazon.com. 06 of 10 Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker Courtesy of Amazon At just three-by-four inches, this portable speaker fits snugly in the palm of your hand, but has sound that seems like it'd come from something much bigger than that. It's also extremely portable, since it comes with a detachable carry strap that allows you to hang, carry, or clip the speaker to your bag. Shop Now: Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker, $58, amazon.com. 07 of 10 OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker Courtesy of Amazon If it's superior range you're looking for, this is where you'll get it. Though incredibly affordable, this portable speaker has a 100-foot wireless range. It also plays continuously for up to 14 hours, plus a volume booster, so you'll get clear sound at the loudest volumes. Shop Now: OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker, $25.99, amazon.com. 08 of 10 SunnyLife Bluetooth Cooler Speaker Courtesy of Urban Outfitters Amp up the fun on your next outing with a cheerful pink cooler that doubles as a speaker to play your favorite tunes. The vessel fits up to 16 cans with ice and recharges via a USB cable to play the radio or wireless stream your favorite songs. Shop Now: SunnyLife Bluetooth Cooler Speaker, $160, urbanoutfitters.com. 09 of 10 Bluetooth Speaker and Water Bottle Courtesy of Uncommon Goods The double-duty water bottle and speaker combo is sure to become an essential part of any outdoor workout or picnic. Simply connect your device via bluetooth to stream any playlist or even take calls with a single touch. Shop Now: Uncommon Goods Bluetooth Speaker and Water Bottle, $35, uncommongoods.com. 10 of 10 Altec Lansing Life Jacket 2 Courtesy of Amazon There's just something about this speaker that makes it look like it belongs outside. And with an IP67 rating, it's just as rugged as it looks. It's waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, and it can float, so you'll hear your favorite tunes no matter what the day brings. Shop Now: Altec Lansing Life Jacket 2, $57.35, amazon.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit