Possibly one of the most convenient pieces of audio you could own: a portable Bluetooth speaker. You may want something you can move from room to room in your house or take with you outdoors, or you may be a student looking for something to take to University. A good-quality portable speaker can bring the party, or podcast or whatever else you like to listen to, easily to any space.
To create this list of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, I thought about four basic factors: value for money, how it performed in a large open space, how it compared to its competitors, and how easy it was to carry, removing all party box speakers. This soon whittled down the options surprisingly quickly to the nine speakers you’ll see below.
In a hurry?
Here are our top three speakers:
| Devialet Mania Portable Wireless Speaker | Enormous soundstage and unmatched audio quality. | Check the current price |
| DALI KATCH G2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker | A hi-fi-sounding speaker that delivers a clear and warm tone. | Check the current price |
| Kef Muo Portable Speaker | Unmatched mid-range frequency reproduction. | Check the current price |
Why we’ve chosen these portable speakers
The first requirement for these speakers was that, of course, they needed to have Bluetooth connectivity. Many of these speakers also work with alternative connection options. Then they needed to sound great, with a full soundstage that belied their portable design.
To test them fairly, I used my iPhone 14 Pro Max to stream music through Spotify Premium, rather than relying on low-quality MP3 files. I played an eclectic mix of music, including dance and funky jazz. The portable Bluetooth speakers either surprised me with their performance or delivered the solid sound quality I expected, earning their place on this list.
I felt it was only fair to include Bluetooth speakers at different sizes and price points, catering to a range of needs. While some are designed primarily to deliver high-quality sound, others also needed to be rugged enough to handle a few knocks. And if a speaker could combine that durability with a high-fidelity performance, even better.
One of the tests I performed might seem a little unusual: I rotated each speaker 360° while playing music to see how consistent the sound remained as I moved around it. Almost all showed a noticeable shift in the listening experience at around the 45° point.
The room I tested the speakers in measured more than 12m x 6m x 2.8m, giving them a space of over 200m³ to fill. This was particularly challenging for the smaller speakers, but I felt the larger space would better replicate the demands of listening outdoors.
The best portable Bluetooth speakers
1. Devialet Mania Portable Wireless Speaker
Key features
- 360-degree omnidirectional acoustic architecture
- Active Stereo Calibration (ASC) real-world acoustic room adaptation
- Dual high-excursion woofers pushing down to 30Hz
Pros
- Luxury high-fashion aesthetic that doubles as a room ornament
- Seamless multi-room integration over Wi-Fi
- Effortless handling of cinematic orchestral dynamics
Cons
- Power-hungry when pushing the sub-bass at high volumes
Nothing really prepares you for the audio quality of the Devialet Mania portable wireless speaker. It is in the same price range as a pair of active speakers, but in terms of sound quality, it really does rival some of its larger bookshelf counterparts.
After pressing the Bluetooth button on the side strap and pairing the Mania with my smartphone, I connected to Spotify and started listening. The 360° sound dispersion worked brilliantly, even without using the ASC setup. You still get that immediate wow factor.
Having just tested the KEF Muo, I wasn’t prepared for the enormous soundstage the Mania was able to produce. I knew it was going to be good, as I’ve been lucky enough to hear other electronics from the brand, but the Mania is tiny by comparison. Somehow, Devialet haven’t shrunk the soundstage to match its compact dimensions.
Watching the woofers move on either side is quite something, and even in that large room, 50% volume was all I needed at my listening distance. There was no noticeable distortion or loss of musicality. If you’re looking for the best possible sound from a portable Bluetooth speaker, the Mania sets an exceptionally high standard.
2. DALI KATCH G2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- Dual-sided front- and rear-firing driver array
- 2 x 25W Class-D amplification
- 30-hour battery life
Pros
- Integrated genuine leather carry strap that slides out effortlessly
- Switchable sound profiles (Clear and Warm)
- Ability to utilise wall reflections to expand a room’s soundstage
Cons
- Wider, flatter profile makes it slightly awkward and unstable on surfaces
The DALI KATCH G2 rightly earns its place on this list. For me, it comes down to its ability to maintain coherent, clear musical reproduction above 50% volume.
Its clever dual-sided driver array also performed well in my 360° test and makes it ideal for outdoor use.
Some of that extra presence comes from its slightly larger size and that clever speaker array. Even though it’s not as portable as some other options on this list, I couldn’t ignore the KATCH G2’s superior ability to fill our demo room with sound. Plus, its battery life is fantastic (30 hours!).
3. KEF Muo Portable Speaker
Key features
- Miniature acoustic driver design
- Ross Lovegrove-designed aluminium chassis
- Bluetooth aptX streaming capabilities
Pros
- Delivers an incredibly neutral, uncoloured acoustic presentation
- Simple and fast smartphone pairing system
- Class-leading mid-range openness that outperforms much larger competitors
Cons
- Vulnerable to denting and scratching if dropped.
The KEF Muo was the first speaker I tested in the lineup, and I will say that it is quite compact. Connecting and playing audio via the Spotify app was simple. Sound-wise, it’s basically that KEF signature in compact form. It was as pleasing and open as you would expect. But due to its tiny size, its sonic presence is small, and its midrange doesn’t stand out.
However, for accurate music playback, the KEF Muo is fantastic. For a compact, portable speaker, it delivers detailed sound that outshines many of its competitors.
4. POCA AUDIO Pine Beat Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- 40 W Class-D mono amplification
- 30-hour battery life
- IP67 waterproof rating
Pros
- Built using recycled aluminium and UK ocean-waste plastics
- Very high build quality
- Swappable battery for a battery life even longer than 30 hours
Cons
- No call handling
The POCA AUDIO Pine Beat Bluetooth Speaker has plenty of gusto from its mono-driven 40 W class-D amp. And it really looks to be built for the outdoors, with useful features such as a changeable battery and a magnetic base.
As this is a mono speaker, it can also be paired with a second unit for stereo playback via the TWS system. On its own, the bass is respectable enough to please, while its 40 W Class-D amplifier will play louder than you might expect, allowing you to take it beyond the 50% rule of most speakers without distortion.
There’s a serious side to this speaker, too. It’s engineered to be serviceable and has other green credentials, thanks in part to the use of many recyclable components in its construction. This approach brings a welcome change in design and makes it a particularly noteworthy product in today’s wasteful society.
5. Tangent Pebble Max Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- Powerful 30 W output capacity
- PX5 splash-proof fabric housing
- Integrated microSD card music playback slot
Pros
- Rugged rubberised end caps provide stability when stood up vertically
- High value-for-money power delivery
- Clean modern Scandinavian styling
Cons
- Bass tuning can overpower the upper treble clarity
When I tested the Tangent Pebble Max in the AV.com showroom, I accidentally connected to the one furthest away, in a different room. Not realising I was connected to the wrong one, I turned the volume up until a colleague found me and asked if I’d connected to a Pebble. “Yeah”, I say, and they respond, “Thanks, you’ve just scared me half to death.”
So, we know this speaker has an exceptional Bluetooth range, and it wasn’t too far behind the KEF in some frequencies.
Just like the KEF, the Pebble MAX doesn’t enjoy my 45° angle test, but what did I expect? Neither was designed to work that way.
For everything else, the Pebble MAX really did perform well.
6. Majority Move 4 (M4) Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- Dual-driver speaker layout with passive bass radiator support
- Dynamic glowing LED party lighting ring system
- 70 W peak power rating
Pros
- One-touch stereo pairing functionality to link multiple units together
- Reaches high volumes for outdoor settings
- Pretty affordable for a larger unit
Cons
- Lacks that premium feel compared to some in this lineup.
It’s fair to say that the Majority Move 4 (M4) doesn’t have the same feel as the other speakers above, but surprisingly, it has a weighty bass sound, which wasn’t something I’d expected.
Looks-wise, it mimics some of JBL’s speaker aesthetics. Sound-wise, it has good volume without distorting — great for outdoor use — and a convincing bass thud that rivals its competitors.
And although it won’t match the top trio on this list, if you want a speaker that not only looks cool but can also play a half-decent soundtrack at the budget end of the market – let’s say, sub-£100 – you’ll be very happy with this. It really is quite honest about what it says it can achieve.
7. JBL Clip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- Large 45mm dynamic transducer system
- IP67 fully waterproof/dustproof rating
- Includes JBL Portable App graphic equaliser system
Pros
- Aluminium carabiner design is very convenient
- Includes a low-distortion digital signal processing (DSP) system
- Sound quality justifies its premium price point
Cons
- 285g — quite heavy for a pocket speaker
You might be surprised to see only one JBL in this line-up, but of all the speakers I tested against my criteria, rather surprisingly, the JBL Clip 5 portable Bluetooth speaker was the only one that really made the list.
Its large 45mm dynamic transducer, efficient passive radiator, and exceptional DSP really mean it performs brilliantly. It’s a no-nonsense approach to sound reproduction.
8. Majority Move 1 (M1) Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- High-efficiency 12 W audio amplifier
- Up to 60 hours of battery life
- IP65 splash-proof rating
Pros
- Good audio quality that belies its size and price point
- Small form factor that clips easily to outdoor clothing
- Great battery life
Cons
- Sound becomes compressed if volume is pushed beyond 50%
Next up is another of the very small speakers that I shall call “pocket speakers”: the Majority Move 1 (M1). It performs remarkably well for its size, but as we’re not basing the rankings purely on performance relative to size, it earns a respectable eighth place.
Despite its small dimensions, it packs 12 W of power, which is mighty impressive at this price point. If you’re looking for a small speaker that you can clip to your clothing while out and about without spending a small fortune, you could do a lot worse than what this speaker has to offer.
In an open space, with at least 25% charge and the volume not exceeding 50%, its sound is quite punchy. Push it harder, and its weaknesses start to show, but at this price point, you can’t expect too much from such a compact speaker. Be sensible and treat it right, and you can expect it to sing its tiny heart out while connected to your smartphone, with a surprising amount of gusto for something so small.
9. Edifier MP85 Portable Bluetooth Mini Speaker
Key features
- Compact 70g design
- Built-in Edifier Connect App EQ configuration
- Up to 8 hours of battery life
Pros
- Fits effortlessly onto a keyring
- Outperforms standard smartphone speakers
- A great novelty gift!
Cons
- Bass reproduction is quite thin
The Edifier MP85 is small. To be honest, I didn’t think it would perform any better than a typical smartphone speaker. And yet, it surprised me!
Yes, the bass sounds a bit like someone tapping their finger on a large piece of cardboard, but unlike your smartphone, it actually sounds like bass. For its size, it really does play music at a respectable level, so long as you don’t push the volume too hard. Remember, this speaker is so small that it’ll fit in your pocket or even attach to your keyring.
Now, at its price point, don’t expect high-fidelity musical playback, but it will outperform your smartphone, as mentioned, and that’s really the point of this pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker.
Somehow, it’s more than the sum of its parts. What I initially thought was just a bit of fun turned out to be something that sounds so much better than I’d expected.
How to choose the best portable Bluetooth speaker for you
The first thing to do is to understand how and where you intend to use the speaker. Then match up the specifications to your particular needs. This includes checking its IP rating, as different ratings offer different levels of protection against water, dust, and the elements.
Pay attention to the Bluetooth version, too, as there are differences between them. Newer Bluetooth versions can offer improvements in efficiency and connectivity, both of which are worth considering if you’ll regularly use your speaker away from home.
Outdoor spaces are difficult environments for any speaker, and if you like your music loud while maintaining good sound quality, expect to pay more. At the same time, being realistic about your expectations opens up a wide range of capable speakers at different price points, just as I’ve found above.
Ultimately, every speaker on this list had something about it that made me take notice, and each justifiably earned its place by performing better than I expected, even if it cost as little as £20.
So, if you’re looking for a simple solution that provides some background music for small gatherings, a compact, inexpensive speaker might be perfect. If sound quality matters more, it’s worth understanding what you need and spending wisely so you buy the right product the first time around.
FAQs
Which portable Bluetooth speaker has the best sound quality?
Out of the speakers I tested, the Devialet Mania portable wireless speaker has the best sound quality — good enough to rival its larger counterparts. It handles orchestral sounds effortlessly and has a gorgeously wide soundstage.
What is the best portable Bluetooth speaker brand?
There isn’t one brand that is the best for portable Bluetooth speakers, but in terms of our list above, Devialet and DALI are the best.
What is a good cheap portable Bluetooth speaker?
Under £100, I’d say the Tangent Pebble Max and the JBL Clip 5 are the best cheap portable Bluetooth speakers. They’re compact and easy to take with you, and their sound quality rivals the sound of more expensive options.
Final thoughts
It really was fun playing with all these portable Bluetooth speakers and being introduced to some options I may otherwise have overlooked! Hopefully, my real-world accounts have helped you choose the right one for you.
0 Comments