Choosing the Best Portable Speaker for YOU!

Having a dedicated speaker system in the living room or the studio is great for indoor parties and jam sessions, but what happens when you need sound in another room in the house or even outside?

That means it’s time to invest in a portable speaker. Due to their compact dimensions, they’re easy to move around — and upgrades in small-scale audio technology often make them sound as good as their larger counterparts. If you’re interested in a portable speaker but don’t know where to start, then don’t worry; there are plenty of options available right here at Sweetwater! Below is a list of some of our favorite portable speakers in our collection to help you narrow down your search — let’s dive right in!

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Best Outdoor Portable SpeakersLoudest Portable SpeakersSmallest Portable SpeakersBest Portable Speakers with BassBest Affordable Portable Speakers

Best Outdoor Portable Speakers

JBL Lifestyle Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Modest in size, enormous in sound

The JBL Lifestyle Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is definitely portable. Plus, its sturdy build makes it an excellent outdoor companion for any music lover. Fit with a racetrack-shaped woofer (2 inches by 3.5 inches), a separate tweeter, and dual passive radiators, all driven with 40 watts of power (RMS), this mini powerhouse brings nothing less than legendary JBL sound to the party without taking up too much space in your go bag. Planning on partying all night? No problem here either: with up to 20 hours of continuous playtime, you can rest assured the Charge 5 will outlast even the rowdiest get-togethers. Topped off with an IP67-rated waterproof construction, the Charge 5 is fit to endure any outdoor environment with ease.

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JBL Lifestyle Xtreme 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Sound that withstands the elements

Four drivers and two JBL bass radiators give the JBL Lifestyle Xtreme 3 speaker an intense sound output. Throw in its JBL PartyBoost function, and you’ll easily be able to fill any room with exceptional JBL audio. However, this speaker’s carrying strap and wireless Bluetooth connection make it an effective player indoors and outdoors. No matter where you decide to take off to, the Xtreme 3’s IP67 water and dust protection will ensure your gear is safe from moisture. Similarly, a battery life of up to 15 hours will prove to tackle any nightlong outdoor jam session. When taking their parties out of the house, Sweetwater audiophiles can frequently be seen with an Xtreme 3 speaker in hand.

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JBL Lifestyle PartyBox On-The-Go Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Strap into massive JBL output

When it comes to the JBL Lifestyle PartyBox On-The-Go portable speaker, the name says it all. One 5.25-inch woofer and dual 1.75-inch tweeters make up this unit’s speaker configuration, amounting to a surprisingly low weight of 16.5 pounds that’s impressively easy to carry with the included shoulder strap. Utilizing a wireless microphone, USB stick, or Bluetooth device with the PartyBox On-The-Go is a cinch, and the model even features a guitar input for impromptu jamming. Oh, and there’s no need to worry about filling the venue with this beast — 100 watts of power will ensure the PartyBox On-The-Go is more than capable of handling the size of your get-together.

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JBL Lifestyle Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Head into the splash zone

Looking for a more affordable option? No problem: the JBL Lifestyle Flip 6 is where you’ll want to look next. This portable speaker boasts a racetrack-shaped woofer and separate tweeter combo for classic JBL sound. Plus, PartyBoost functionality ensures two times the speaker power when paired with another JBL PartyBoost speaker. IP67 waterproof protection means the Flip 6 retains its power during outdoor adventures, by the pool, or in case you get caught in the rain. Best of all, it’s controllable via the free JBL Portable app, which gives you access to EQ and several other sound settings right on your smart device.

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Loudest Portable Speakers

JBL Lifestyle PartyBox Encore Essential Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Square up with superior sound

When it comes to fitting absolute JBL power into tight spaces, you can’t go wrong with a JBL Lifestyle PartyBox Encore Essential. Its square dimensions make it extremely easy to tuck into any nook in the house, and with up to 100 watts of total power, rest assured it’ll fill the entire space with your favorite jams in no time flat. It even features a wired microphone input for on-the-spot karaoke and jam sessions! Best of all, the PartyBox Encore Essential comes with all the bells and whistles of a standard JBL party speaker, including a built-in light show, compatibility with the PartyBox app, and True Wireless Stereo functionality.

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JBL Lifestyle PartyBox 110 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Shake the walls with dual JBL subs

Boasting 160 watts of RMS power, the JBL Lifestyle PartyBox 110 is essentially two PartyBox Encore Essential speakers in one. Two 5.25-inch woofers and two 2.25-inch tweeters are capable of pumping out classic JBL performance at a wide 45Hz–20kHz frequency range, making songs of any genre sound great, no matter the size of your party space. However, despite its immense power, the PartyBox 110 is still easy to transport from gig to gig, thanks to its built-in handle and modest ergonomics. Partying all night? With up to 12 hours of battery life per charge, the PartyBox 110 can handle any long-term jam session with ease.

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Klipsch Gig XXL Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Powered projection with convenient top-mounted control

You may already know that Klipsch is a legendary name when it comes to high-fidelity audio. Now, they’re moving into the portable speaker realm, and their Klipsch Gig XXL portable Bluetooth speaker quickly became a favorite among audio experts at Sweetwater. Its dual tweeter and woofer combination is fully controllable by the speaker’s extensive top panel, giving you ultimate authority over your sound. Likewise, Bluetooth connectivity allows control over your audio when you can’t directly access your speaker. Did we mention the Gig XXL is tough? With meticulous ABS and perforated metal construction, this speaker is capable of handling even the rowdiest parties with ease. If you’re looking for a powerful speaker to handle your next midsize gig, then Sweetwater can’t recommend the Gig XXL enough.

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JBL Lifestyle PartyBox 710 Speaker

High power, extreme mobility

Encompassing two low-distortion tweeters and 8-inch excursion drivers, an improved bass reflex port, personalized lighting options, and an impressive 800 watts RMS power, the JBL Lifestyle PartyBox 710 speaker is the granddaddy of the PartyBox series. Customization via the PartyBox app gives you control over lighting colors, sound effects, EQ, and much more — all from across the room! While the PartyBox 710 is portable, it’s among the largest on the list, so it’s best suited for large-scale parties and outdoor events. It’s also an excellent option for those who want to beef up their sound in a home, dorm, or venue environment.

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Smallest Portable Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker

Simple, outstanding sound in any location

The Bose SoundLink Flex is an improvement on the company’s SoundLink Color II. This time around, a focus on portability and performance was the goal. Needless to say, we think they nailed it. While it’s portable, this speaker is also super-rugged, and with the addition of its utility loop, it’s easy to travel with. PositionIQ technology allows the SoundLink Flex to automatically detect your speaker’s orientation and surroundings to produce an output that’s optimized to your environment — allowing it to perform its best no matter where you put it. It’s all topped off with SimpleSync technology and compatibility with the Bose Connect app for extended customization and lightning-fast connectivity to your device.

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JBL Lifestyle Clip 4 Eco Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Save the planet and your sound!

Environmentally friendly audio experts at Sweetwater are in love with the JBL Lifestyle Clip 4 Eco portable waterproof speaker, given its 90% recycled plastic and 100% recycled fabric construction. However, that’s not all this micro speaker has in store. For one, it’s an impressively small sound source that provides up to 10 hours of playtime per charge, and it features resilient IP67 water and dust protection, making it an excellent addition on the trail or by the poolside. Thanks to its built-in clip, it’s also easy to attach to your belt loop, backpack, and more — so you can keep your favorite sounds close by and out of sight.

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Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker

Tiny shell, stereo-wide bite

The Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker is small — really small. Yet IPX7 certification, a tear-resistant strap, and a transportable weight make it a hardy companion in any listening environment. Inside its compact housing is a custom-designed transducer and silicone passive radiators for wide sound dispersion. The best part about these small speakers is their integrated Party and Stereo Modes, which allow you to connect up to two speakers at once for an extra-powerful, stereo-quality output. There are multiple uses for a portable speaker, but if hardiness is of utmost importance, then consider the SoundLink Micro speaker from Bose.

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Best Portable Speakers with Bass

JBL Lifestyle Boombox 3 Bluetooth Speaker

The bass keeps running

Let’s say you’d like a little more bass aggression in your sound. No problem: the JBL Lifestyle Boombox 3 Bluetooth speaker has got you covered. With a wide frequency response and new subwoofer design, the Boombox 3 is guaranteed to shake the walls all day long, especially with a massive 24 hours of continuous playtime. Despite this massive workload, the Boombox 3 is extremely easy to carry via the built-in slip-resistant silicone grip and its 15-pound weight. Throw in extra customization via the JBL Portable app, and you’ll have booming mobile speaker performance in no time flat.

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Best Affordable Portable Speakers

Audio-Technica AT-SP65XBT Portable Stereo Bluetooth Speaker

Audio-Technica output in a mobile package

If you’re already aware of Audio-Techica’s unquestionable prowess in the sound department, then you won’t be surprised when we say the Audio-Technica AT-SP65XBT Bluetooth speaker is one of our favorite portable speakers out there. It is small and ergonomic and houses two 3-inch drivers, which deliver sound at an outstanding 90Hz–18kHz frequency range. Its most notable feature is its battery life, which reaches up to 12 hours on a single charge — more than enough for an entire day of nonstop jamming. It all comes in at a very convenient price point, too, making it widely available to almost any music lover. Whether you plan on listening to your favorite music, podcast, or movie, you’ll be able to get it done anywhere with the AT-SP65XBT.

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JBL Lifestyle Go 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Attachment-friendly speaker for on-foot excursions

While the JBL Lifestyle Go 3 portable Bluetooth speaker is the most affordable on our list, it manages to pack a big sonic punch. Coming in at just over seven ounces, the Go 3 provides a 110Hz–20kHz frequency range and up to five hours per charge — a surprising amount of power that’s perfect for taking on walks, trips to the gym, and any other outdoor adventures, thanks to the included attachment loop. Speaking of which, onboard IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection will ensure your Go 3 can face almost any environment. If you’re looking for an uber-portable speaker, then you can’t go wrong with a Go 3.

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Keep Your Sound on the Move with Sweetwater!

Now that you’ve seen a few of our favorite picks, it’s time to find which portable speaker is best for you. If one of these appealed to you, then go ahead and give it a try! If you’re still unsure, then that’s okay, too — Sweetwater offers an expansive lineup of speakers you can browse right now, from waterproof Bluetooth speakers to bass-heavy party speakers and much more! Need more help to decide? Don’t hesitate to call one of our Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 if you are interested in more recommendations or need answers to your gear-related questions. Happy trails!
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