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Portable Bluetooth speakers are great for enjoying music and podcasts anywhere you go. They come in different shapes, sizes, and prices, and they offer different features and sound quality. To help you choose the best one for your needs, we have reviewed the top 5 portable Bluetooth speakers of the year based on their performance, design, durability, battery life, and value.
1. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is our top pick for the best portable Bluetooth speaker of the year. It has a natural and spacious sound that impressed our expert listeners, and a cute and rugged design that can survive outdoor adventures. It is IP67-rated, which means it is dustproof, waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, and floats. It also has a 5-foot drop test rating, so you don’t have to worry about accidental drops. It has a battery life of 11 hours, which is decent but not exceptional. It is a bit chunky and heavy for its size, and it uses an outdated Micro-USB port for charging, which may require you to carry an extra cable.
Pros:
- Natural and spacious sound
- Cute and rugged design
- IP67-rated for dust proofing and waterproofing
- Drop test rating
- Floats
Cons:
- A bit chunky and heavy
- Uses Micro-USB port for charging
- Battery life could be better
2. EarFun UBoom L
The EarFun UBoom L is our runner-up for the best portable Bluetooth speaker of the year. It offers good sound quality with a bit more bass than the Wonderboom 3, and it plays a bit louder too. It has a sleek and durable design that is also IP67-rated for dust proofing and waterproofing. It has a battery life of 10.5 hours, which is slightly less than the Wonderboom 3, but it has a USB-C charging port, which is more convenient and future-proof than the Micro-USB port. It also has some extra features like a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, an LED light ring for mood lighting, and a stereo pairing mode for connecting two speakers.
Pros:
- Good sound quality with more bass
- Sleek and durable design
- IP67-rated for dust proofing and waterproofing
- USB-C charging port
- Extra features like a microphone, LED light ring, and stereo pairing mode
Cons:
- Sound quality is not as clear as Wonderboom 3
- Battery life could be better
3. JBL Boombox 3
The JBL Boombox 3 is the best portable Bluetooth speaker for parties and large gatherings. It has a powerful and punchy sound that can fill any room or outdoor space with music. It has a large and sturdy design that resembles a boombox from the 80s, but with modern features like IP67-rated dust-proofing and waterproofing, a built-in handle for easy carrying, and four active drivers and two passive radiators for delivering deep bass. It has a whopping battery life of 24 hours, which is enough for any party or event. It also has a USB-A port that can charge your mobile devices on the go.
Pros:
- Powerful and punchy sound
- Large and sturdy design
- IP67-rated dust-proofing and waterproofing
- Built-in handle
- Battery life of 24 hours
- USB-A port for charging devices
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Not very portable
4. Sonos Move
The Sonos Move is the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speaker of the year. It has a balanced and detailed sound that rivals some of the best wireless speakers on the market. It has a sleek and elegant design that fits well in any home or office environment. It is IP56-rated for dust proofing and water-resistant up to heavy rain or splashes. It also has an adaptive sound feature that automatically adjusts the sound according to the environment. It has a battery life of 11 hours, which is decent but not exceptional. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to stream music from various online services and integrate with other Sonos speakers in your home.
Pros:
- Balanced and detailed sound
- Sleek and elegant design
- IP56-rated dustproof and water-resistant
- Adaptive sound feature
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Battery life could be better
5. Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker
The Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker is the best budget portable Bluetooth speaker of the year. It has a surprisingly good sound quality for its price, with clear highs, mids, and lows, and a decent amount of bass. It has a compact and lightweight design that is easy to carry around. It is IPX7-rated for waterproofing up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It has a battery life of 24 hours, which is impressive for its size and price. It also has a built-in microphone for hands-free calls and a 3.5mm aux input for wired connections.
Pros:
- Surprisingly good sound quality
- Compact and lightweight design
- IPX7-rated waterproofing
- Battery life of 24 hours
- Built-in microphone and aux input
Cons:
- Not very loud
- Not very durable
- No USB-C charging port
Conclusion
Portable Bluetooth speakers are a great way to enjoy music and podcasts anywhere you go. They vary in sound quality, design, durability, battery life, and price, so you need to consider your needs and preferences before buying one. We have reviewed the top 5 portable Bluetooth speakers of the year based on these criteria, and we hope this article has helped you make an informed decision. Whether you want a natural and spacious sound, a sleek and durable design, a powerful and punchy sound, a balanced and detailed sound, or a surprisingly good sound quality for a low price, there is a portable Bluetooth speaker for you in this list. Happy listening!
