On-the-go audio: The best portable speakers of 2024

Taking your tunes and podcasts with you wherever you go sounds better than ever, so wave goodbye to that tinny mobile phone.

Some of the best portable speakers

by Chris Duffill |
Updated on

When it comes to keeping things portable, you can’t do much better than the smallest audio player money can buy. But some of the best speakers on the market today are audible proof that not everything portable has to be small. Sometimes the best things come in all sizes. As long as it has a battery that’ll hold enough juice to keep you listening all day, you can take these rechargeable wonders with you wherever you go.

So what makes a portable speaker portable? What's easily shiftable for some may be the proverbial millstone to others, so weight is a factor. And then there’s the capacity of the battery and how long it lasts before your tunes run out of steam. Some of the players we featured here can connect to your mobile device using Bluetooth. Others have Wi-Fi and others are old-school, standalone media players. Whatever you choose you’ll need something that sounds great in wide open spaces. As we found with some of the best outdoor speakers - they should work just as well outside as in.

Best portable speakers at a glance:

Best overall: Sonos Move 2 – View on Amazon
Best budget: Anker Soundcore Mini – View on Amazon
Best battery: We. HEAR pro – View on Amazon
Best mid-range: JBL Flip 6 – View on Amazon

Another important thing you’ll need to consider is how rugged your portable speaker will need to be. For some, portable means being able to quickly and easily move your favourite smart speaker from one room to another; And do so without unplugging anything. But that won't need to be as hardy as the kind of speaker you throw in the back of your car before hitting the beach. Therefore, we're not looking at 'easily moveable' speakers, but speakers you can take with you when you leave the house.

With so many to choose from, the experts at What’s The Best are here with some of the best portable speakers, both big and small, to suit all budgets and needs. There’s also a handy buyer's guide to help you choose the right portable powerhouse for you. So prep those playlists - they’re in for quite a ride.

The best portable speakers of 2024

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

Best overall

Expert rating:
5.0
Sonos

Rrp: £449.00

Price: £359.00
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=349f95720ce5cc9591e15152a710dbb3&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=W0BNFkoPGB1HFBIbEAxXWkofBl5YHlBcTEJCHxcKDUMbVAlPUBoAHQEJVAAIF11NXAk%3D&x=v1&prdId=9498499690&barcode=AwwOVAkNAQAFU1QBW1Y%3D

The Sonos Move 2 builds on the already impressive original Move with a suite of upgrades, including an extended 24-hour battery life and stereo sound, thanks to an additional tweeter. Weighing 3kg, it's a substantial yet practical portable speaker that delivers home-quality sound wherever you go. It is perfect for outdoor use and features a durable IP56 design that can withstand splashes, sand, and more. With Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility, the Move 2 ensures smooth connectivity, while its wireless charging base makes powering up hassle-free.

This was tried and tested by Harvey Isitt, who has this to say about his experience with the previous iteration: "I had the opportunity to test the original Move, and its versatility immediately stood out. The size and weight were initially surprising, but over time, it became clear that this speaker wasn't meant to compete with smaller portable options like the Sonos Roam. The sound quality was exceptional for outdoor gatherings, and features like Auto TruePlay ensured the audio was adjusted seamlessly between different environments. While I haven't tested the Move 2, the extended battery life and stereo sound make it an enticing upgrade for those wanting more longevity and depth from their speaker."

For more, check out his full review here.

Pros

  • Up to 24 hours of battery life
  • Detailed woofer for deep, engaging bass
  • Reliable IP56 rating for peace of mind while out and about

Cons

  • Size can limit its portability
  • Design
    5.0
  • Build
    5.0
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Dimensions241 x 160 x 127 mm
Weight3kg
ConnectionsWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Apple AirPlay 2, Line in
WaterproofingIP56
Additional featuresDrop resistant, Trueplay, Touch controls, Voice enabled
Battery life24 hours

Best budget

Expert rating:
4.5
Anker Soundcore Mini -  one of the best portable speakers
Price: £24.99
Alternative retailers
Newegg$24.99View offer

Anker already has a fantastic reputation amongst gadget fans for their solidly built audio gear, but the Soundcore Mini really does knock it out of the park when it comes to features. This really is a mini powerhouse. The design has all the finesse normally reserved for much larger products with a premium feel to the weight and quality of materials. Pair this with your phone and you'll have 15 hours of playtime, plus a noise-cancelling mic for hands-free calls. Bass is better than expected, and if your phone runs out of juice you can plug something else into the included 3.5mm auxiliary input.

A feature we rarely see on portable speakers, particularly this small, is the inclusion of a Micro SD card slot. So, if you're worried about being reliant on your phone for your tunes, you could load up an SD card with more music than you'll ever need and keep it in the Soundcore Mini as a backup plan. We would have liked to have seen some IPX resistance to the elements, but at this size and spec it's a well-suited partner to your phone - treat it with the same amount of care and you'll have an audio companion for life.

Pros

  • Take it anywhere
  • Supports hands-free phone calls
  • 15-hour playtime

Cons

  • No water or dust resistance
  • Design
    4.5
  • Build
    4.0
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value
    5.0
Dimensions 68.6 x 68.6 x 68.6 mm
Weight0.2kg
ConnectionsBluetooth, Micro SD card slot, 3.5mm Aux
WaterproofingNone
Extra featuresMicrophone
Power5w
Battery Life15 hours

Best battery

Expert rating:
5.0

The Loewe We. HEAR pro is a stylish, high-performance portable speaker designed for indoor and outdoor use. Offering a 100W output, IPX6 water resistance, and a rugged yet sleek design, this speaker is perfect for music lovers on the go. Its capacitive touch controls for bass and treble adjustment, paired with a robust battery life of up to 24 hours, make it a versatile choice for any occasion. Competing with top brands like JBL, the We. HEAR pro stands out for its customisable sound, premium materials, and eye-catching design options like the Neon variant.

This was tried and tested by Harvey Isitt, who has this to say about his experience: "I was impressed by the We. HEAR pro's sound quality, which exceeded my expectations for a portable speaker and then some. The punchy bass, clear mids, and adjustable treble create a balanced listening experience, whether indoors or outdoors. I particularly liked the intuitive touch sliders, allowing me to tweak the EQ settings without needing my smartphone – a rarity among speakers, least of all in this price range. I found the battery life exceptional, lasting nearly a full week of casual use."

"The design is as practical as it is stylish. It's a little heavier than some competitors, but the included shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. I did find the placement of the charging port on the bottom slightly inconvenient, especially when using the speaker horizontally. However, these minor issues are outweighed by its impressive sound, durability, and sleek aesthetics."

You can find his full review here.

Pros

  • Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear treble
  • Unique capacitive touch sliders for on-the-go EQ adjustments
  • Impressive 24-hour battery life with fast charging

Cons

  • Charging port placement on the bottom can be inconvenient
  • Performance
    4.5
  • Build
    5.0
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    4.5
Dimensions135 x 280 x 138 mm
Weight3.25kg
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.3, USB-C
WaterproofingIPX6
Extra featuresMulti-point Bluetooth connection, Capacitive touch sliders for bass, treble, and volume, Built-in microphone for calls, True wireless pairing for up to 14 speakers
Power100W
Battery life24 hours

Best mid-range

Expert rating:
5.0
What's The Best / Olivia Sheed
Price: £246.78
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=349f95720ce5cc9591e15152a710dbb3&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=W0BNFkoPGB1HFBIbDQZOUF5WS1JaXBpCTgZneElSUnR6FFYJBQMCDwoRUA5eAGZwcF1kdnp2AlEECAI%3D&x=v1&prdId=10980100638&barcode=AwIAVAwHDwMJWlYFV1U%3D

The JBL Flip 6 is a rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker that punches well above its weight and price tag regarding sound and durability. Compact enough to fit in a backpack but powerful enough to fill a room with sound, it's perfect for everything from beach days to camping trips. It has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance so is well-equipped for outdoor adventures. The dual passive radiators and racetrack-shaped woofer deliver impressive bass, making it an ideal choice for music lovers who need portability without compromising on sound quality.

This was tried and tested by Olivia Sheed, who has this to say about her experience: "I was immediately impressed by how easy it was to set up – my Samsung S21+ paired in under a minute. As for sound, I tested it against my old Bose SoundLink Mini, and honestly, the Flip 6 held its own. Whether I was using it in the shower or outdoors, the bass was deep, and the highs were crisp. Even at lower volumes, the sound was full and satisfying."

"I pushed the bass with some tough tracks, and there was no distortion, just pure sound. I even blasted it at a distance outdoors, and performed admirably. JBL nailed it with this speaker, offering durability, portability, and impressive audio quality in one perfectly-priced package."

For more, head to her full review here.

Pros

  • Great audio with bass you can feel
  • Consistent performance at low to high volumes
  • Ideal size and weight for on-the-go use

Cons

  • Lacks the powerbank feature offered by the JBL Charge 5
  • Design
    5.0
  • Build
    5.0
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value for money
    5.0
Dimensions178 x 68 x 72 mm
Weight0.55kg
ConnectionsBluetooth, USB-C
WaterproofingIP67, does not float
Extra featuresPairable with other PartyBoost JBL speakers
Power30W
Battery life12 hours

Best pocket-sized

Expert rating:
4.5
JBL Clip 4 -  one of the best portable speakers
Price: £64.95
Alternative retailers
Urban Outfitters$39.95View offer
Newegg$39.95View offer
Kohl's$39.99View offer
Walmart$45.95View offer

For those in search of a truly portable audio companion, the Anker Soundcore Mini delivers big sound in a compact form. Its small size makes it ideal for popping in a bag, whether you're headed on a weekend getaway or to the office. With a 5W speaker and enhanced bass output, it offers surprisingly robust sound for its size. The battery life is another strong point, giving up to 15 hours of playtime on a single charge – perfect for long trips or extended listening sessions.

This was tried and tested by Ryan Gilmore, who has this to say about his experience: "I found the Anker Soundcore Mini to be surprisingly versatile for its size. Despite its small footprint, the sound quality was solid, especially for quieter, more intimate settings. However, at higher volumes, it did struggle slightly with distortion, which is to be expected from a speaker of this size. It’s certainly not meant to fill a large room with sound, but for personal use or in smaller spaces, it does the job admirably."

"One downside, though, was the lack of water resistance, which meant it was less suited for outdoor activities compared to other portable speakers in this category. Overall, it’s a great choice if you're after portability, but it’s not the most rugged option out there."

You can read his full review here.

Pros

  • Clever construction
  • Good audio quality
  • IP67 weatherproof and drop resistant
  • 10-hour battery life

Cons

  • Missing an AUX port, speakerphone ability and track selection controls
  • Design
    4.5
  • Build
    4.5
  • Features
    4.0
  • Value
    4.5
Dimensions86 x 135 x 46 mm
Weight0.239kg
ConnectionsBluetooth
WaterproofingIP67
Extra featuresCarabiner clip
Power5w
Battery lifeUp to 10 hours (4 under higher volumes)

Best party

Expert rating:
4.5

A party can be the riskiest thing your audio tech can live through. Whatever you use to play your party playlists through, it'll need to have big sound and be sturdy enough to survive the odd knock or splash. JBL have answered all of these needs, and a few more, with the PartyBox 100.

That said, if it's lightweight portability and full waterproofing you're after, this isn't it. This isn't the sort of speaker you'd take into a shower. It is portable, but it's not the sort of thing you'd want to carry very far for very long. But for a party it's ideal. The PartyBox110 packs a serious punch. The very solid 12 hours battery life is made more impressive considering it has a built-in LED light show to really set the mood. Power is where the PartyBox truly shines, with very deep bass and excellent volume and range. Get this portable speaker and you're in for an absolute banger of a party.

Pros

  • Very powerful
  • Deep bass
  • Lighting effects

Cons

  • Portable, but only just
  • Design
    4.5
  • Build
    4.5
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value
    4.0
Dimensions 295 x 300 x 568 mm
Weight10.8kg
ConnectionsBluetooth, Microphone inputs x2, 3.5mm aux in, 3.5mm aux out, USB
WaterproofingIPX4
Extra featuresBuilt-in LED light show
Power160w
Battery lifeUp to 12 hours

Best eco-friendly

Expert rating:
4.0

House of Marley - named after the inspiration for the brand, Bob Marley - make audio products with the same ethos as Marley himself: to respect the planet as much as the music. To that end, its range of audio tech, including the Get Together 2 XL, is built from as many natural materials as possible. So you'll find natural bamboo, premium Rewind fabric, Regrind silicone & aluminium. It's also 100% plastic-free and comes in recyclable packaging.

Brand values aside, is it any good? Well, we think the design is outstanding and quite original in the world of portable speakers. It is only dust and water-resistant, so if you take this anywhere you'll need to treat it reasonably well, but who would want to spoil those refined looks with rain or sand anyway? Playtime is a very healthy 20 hours, and if you really want to surround yourself with the House of Marley sound, it can be paired with another one for a super-wide sound field.

Pros

  • Sustainably built
  • Bamboo wood and fabric design
  • Pairable with another for a wider sound

Cons

  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Design
    5.0
  • Build
    4.5
  • Features
    4.0
  • Value
    3.5
Dimensions180 x 450 x 179 mm
Weight8.46kg
ConnectionsBluetooth
WaterproofingNone
Extra featuresSustainably built, pairable with another for wider sound, 4" woofers
Power60w
Battery life20 hours

Best for bass

Expert rating:
4.5

If you're totally addicted to bass, Ultimate Ears have named this portable speaker the HYPERBOOM for good reason. This rather unassuming-looking tower of sound houses some huge precision woofers with passive radiators, all balanced out by the soft dome tweeters for all-encompassing audio. Given that bass is going to shake the room, it's also good to know that this has enough of an IPX rating to resist spills and dust falling from the rafters.

But there's not much point in having a box with this much power if it's a blunt instrument. The built-in adaptive equaliser will analyse the room's acoustics and adjust the sound on the fly. Play time is incredible at 24 hours, and if your mobile phone runs dry the HYPERBOOM even has a charge-out port. One of the best portable speaker features here though is the support for up to four device connections at once, so your family and friends can beam their playlists to this bass-filled monster with ease.

Pros

  • Massive bass
  • Huge battery life
  • Adaptive equaliser

Cons

  • Some find the bass too heavy
  • Design
    4.5
  • Build
    5.0
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0
Dimensions364 x 190 x 190 mm
Weight5.9kg
ConnectionsBluetooth, Aux in, Optical
WaterproofingIPX4
Extra featuresSupports connections from 4 devices, Adaptive EQ, USB charge-out port, One-touch controls
Power229W
Battery life24 hours

Best high-end

Expert rating:
4.0
Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20
Price: £590.00
Alternative retailers
Saks Fifth Avenue$599.00View offer
Newegg$819.44View offer

If you're looking for best-in-class sound and unconventional design, the Beolit 20 from Bang & Olufsen is the portable speaker option for you. It features wireless charging and touch controls on the top. Of course, you're not going to buy any speakers from the brand without expecting that signature sound. Bang & Olufsen engineers have gone to work on this one, with True360 sound that lives up to the name. It's driven by two Class D amplifiers, so there's plenty of punch and range there too.

Design-wise, it's typical B&O. Unconventional, interesting, eye-catching. Some may not go for the picnic basket aesthetic, but this really does make for a device that doesn't follow the herd and arguably is as much of a lifestyle product as a portable audio solution. It's splashproof too, so taking this out and placing it next to a real picnic hamper on a sunny day will be music to your ears.

Pros

  • Splashproof
  • That B&O quality sound unsurpassed at this size
  • Plenty of volume

Cons

  • Looks are not to everyone's taste
  • Design
    4.0
  • Build
    5.0
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value
    3.5
Dimensions231.1 x 134.6 x 188 mm
Weight2.7kg
ConnectionsBluetooth, USB-C (charging), 3.5mm mini jack
WaterproofingSplashproof
Extra featuresWireless charging, leather carry strap, App control
Power2 x 35W Class D for Woofer And Tweeter, 93 dB
Battery life8 hours at typical volume

How to choose the best portable speaker for you?

Where does your music come from?

Depending on your listening habits, you may already subscribe to music streaming services like Amazon, music or Spotify. If that’s the case, you’ll obviously need some way to get that music to your portable speaker. The most obvious choice of technology here is Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The former is going to be relevant for buyers who wish to use their speaker close to their house or an accessible Wi-Fi signal.

For others, the benefit of a portable speaker will be taking the speaker away from home and into the wild. In that case, you’ll need a portable speaker that supports Bluetooth connections. This means you can pair the speaker with your mobile device and use 4G or 5G internet to connect to your music streaming service.

If you prefer to keep things simple, you might download or rip your music to MP3 files. The benefit here is that you can listen to your music wherever you go and never need to worry about an internet connection. If that’s how you like to roll, you’ll need a portable speaker that has a port for a storage device such as a USB stick.

How long do you want your music to last?

There’s very little point in buying a portable speaker with a battery that simply will not last long enough to cover the length of your trip. Think about the kind of places you tend to travel to and how long you spend there. Unless you’re lucky enough to be able to charge your portable speaker on the go, you’ll need the battery to keep on keeping on. We’ve detailed the average battery life of all of the portable speakers we’ve featured to help.

Where are you going to take your portable speaker?

Getting out and about is all good and well, but the weather could easily rain on your parade, and that includes your lovely new portable speaker. If you need to lug your speaker up a mountain, you will obviously need to think about size and weight. But you also need to think about waterproofing or water and dust resistance. Some of the speakers above have IPX ratings that show how well your new device will survive in the open elements. Remember, just because the portable speaker is labelled as water resistant doesn’t mean it’s waterproof - and neither necessarily means you can shower with it or dunk it in the pool.

Hearing is believing

As with all speakers reviews and tech specs are one thing, but hearing is another. You can pick any of our selections above and be assured of buying some decent kit. But unless you put a lot of stock in user reviews online, the very best way to pick your portable speaker is to listen to it. And that means finding a friend who has one or visiting a store. Alternatively, buying from a retailer that supports easy returns if you’re not satisfied will be the way to go.

FAQs

How long does a portable speaker last?

This of course will depend on the size of the battery. And by size we mean capacity. The stated play-time is normally based on playback at average volumes. Therefore, it’s not set in stone; your mileage will vary depending on what you play and how loudly.

How does a portable speaker work?

As we touched on above, a portable speaker is essentially an active speaker. An active speaker has internal amplifier circuitry built into it to play your music. The audio could be streamed from the internet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. or played from a connected storage device.

Who makes the best portable speaker?

This is largely down to personal taste. but here at What’s The Best we really rate the speakers from JBL. As we covered in our rundown of the best JBL speakers, they know what they’re doing when it comes to the right balance of affordability, feature set and portability. That said, the recommendations above showcase brands that are well-established and regarded as excellent by many.

What’s the best portable speaker and microphone?

The benefit of having a microphone built into your portable speaker means that it may also be a smart speaker. Much like other smart speakers we’ve covered, a portable speaker with a microphone could be used to make phone calls or even Zoom meetings. Not everybody wants this functionality, but doubling up listening pleasure with practicality, choosing one of the best portable speakers with a built-in microphone is a great option.

What is the best portable speaker for bass?

With small speakers, truly excellent base doesn’t come easy. For that reason, we’re looking at a few of the larger options, such as the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM speaker as having one of the best bass responses on the market today. You’re not going to find any with a true subwoofer built in, but options such as the Sonos Move will pair with other compatible speakers in the Sonos range - and that includes a subwoofer, but be prepared to have to plug that into the wall first.

Jargon buster

Active speakers

Unlike passive speakers that have no active power or amplifier circuitry, active speakers do. All of our picks here are self-amplified. You can stream any sound directly to the speakers, usually via a mobile device connected with Bluetooth or WiFi connection. You don't need a separate amplifier.

Watt

Wattage in regard to sound output and speaker power is a measure of the strength of the signal that drives the speaker. The wattage between the speaker and traditional separate amp needs to be compatible to avoid potentially damaging both; but of course with active speakers this is all dealt with for you.

Decibels

Sound is measured in decibels (dBs). While it's an accepted measure of volume, it doesn’t correlate with wattage. More wattage doesn’t necessarily mean bigger or better volume, or quality for that matter. Usually, manufacturers specify the amount of dBs that a speaker can produce with a single Watt of power at a 1-metre distance.

Drivers

A driver is a device inside any speaker, be it wired headphones or bookshelf speakers, that converts electrical signals into sound. So it follows, larger drivers tend to be able to deliver a more powerful sound with greater accuracy. That said, this isn’t always the case as build material quality also plays an important role.

Tweeters

A speaker is two components: a woofer and a tweeter. A tweeter is responsible for producing high-frequency sounds. They're often a dome shape and may even be independently positionable.

Woofers

A woofer is part of the speaker that produces low-frequency sounds. You'll commonly see these described by the width of the cone - in inches or centimetres. This will also give you a slight indication of how much range and power they may have.

Frequency Range

This is a measurement, in Hertz (Hz) of the range of sound frequencies a speaker can reproduce. Our ears can perceive 20 - 20,000 Hz, with the lower number being a lower tone and vice versa.

How do we test speakers?

If you're wondering how we test Bluetooth speakers, we start by first using them daily as our primary sound systems, testing them with a variety of music genres. To test battery life, we will fully charge them and use the speaker moderately as a strong gauge for actual battery performance.

If possible, we'll compare the speaker to other speakers we have, which helps to create a better picture of a speaker's potential. When using it throughout our everyday lives for at least a couple weeks, accidents are bound to happen. If they do, we'll talk about how well the speakers handled a drop, or a splash of water.

Why should you trust us?

At What's The Best, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best technology products available. Anything less would undermine our commitment to being a trusted source of unbiased product information.

Our dedicated in-house writing team comprises experts with extensive experience and a genuine passion for technology. Collectively, we have spent decades testing and writing about tech, leveraging our expertise in all our articles, advice pieces and reviews.

We maintain complete editorial independence and do not accept payment for product reviews. Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers. While we may earn commissions or other compensation from links on our website, this never affects our product choices. These links enable us to continue offering valuable consumer advice, without compromising the integrity of our reviews.

Read more about why you should trust us.

Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best. He specialises in audiovisual, computing, and gadgets. He also writes for Yours.

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