Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:17 am
This post will guide you to choose the best portable Bluetooth speaker whether you need it for indoor or outdoor use.
Want to share some good music with family and friends? Want to do it during a party or an event? Want to listen to music without using your earphones or headphones?
If so, the best way to do it would be through a portable Bluetooth speaker.
A Bluetooth speaker saves you the trouble of setting up a wired connection between your audio player and speaker.
Additionally, you get to play your MP3 music tracks from a handy device like your smartphone.
You may have heard about or seen a Bluetooth speaker in action. You may be planning to buy a unit.
With a Bluetooth speaker, you’re buying convenience and high-quality sound.
Bluetooth speakers can rival the quality of traditional wired speakers in certain instances.
They are your solution if you want to take music on the go. Then there’s the portability factor. You can easily carry it around.
However, choosing a suitable portable Bluetooth speaker may prove tricky with so many brands and models out there.
If so, here are the things you should consider when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker:
Sound Quality
Audio quality should be your top concern. You would need to focus on frequency response.
Aim for a frequency response in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Human hearing is within this limit.
You should aim for a minimum range of 20 Hz.
It would be good if you could find speakers with app support. This will allow you to play with the EQ settings to suit your taste.
For example, you would want to amp up the bass for outdoor listening.
Suitability for Outdoor Use
There will be instances when you want to use a Bluetooth speaker outdoors.
You may want to take it on a picnic or an outdoor activity like hiking.
If so, you would want to choose a unit designed for outdoor use.
Units that come with end caps would be useful. They offer protection in case you drop your speaker on a hard surface.
Fabric grilles are also beneficial if the speaker is subject to rough handling.
Waterproof Unit
Do you foresee using the speaker in wet conditions?
Your unit should be at least protected from light rain if you’re using it in a garden. For this, look for a unit with an IPX4 water-resistant rating.
If you’ll use the speaker close to a pool or stream, go for an IP67 rating or higher.
With this rating, your speaker can be submerged in water up to a meter deep for around 30 minutes.
Battery Life
Battery life should be a concern if you plan to use the speaker for long hours. Generally, the larger the speaker, the longer the battery life.
However, some smaller units have impressive battery life, too. Aim for a battery life of around 10 hours.
Also, look for units with USB-C charging support to replenish battery power.
Connectivity Distance
What would your pairing distance be? The pairing distance depends on the Bluetooth version.
Bluetooth 4.2 will support a distance of up to 30 meters.
Bluetooth 5 or higher can go up to 120 meters.
Here are some portable Bluetooth speakers you may want to consider.
JBL Boombox 3
This unit’s built-in handle makes it easy to carry it around from room to room.
Enjoy high and low-band music with this unit.
For optimum high-bass music, you can benefit from the JBL portable app.
The app supports a 3-band graphic EQ. It allows you to enjoy good music at the touch of a button.
JBL Boombox 3 is IP67 dustproof and waterproof.
You can connect up to two smartphones or tablets to the speakers. This allows for listening to another person’s playlist.
Battery life can last up to 30 hours on a single charge. This is the unit to go for if you don’t fancy unnecessary bells and whistles.
Learn more about the JBL Boombox 3 from the video above.
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3
Do you want to enjoy a booming sound over your speaker? Then opt for the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3. It’s a freestanding surround sound Bluetooth speaker.
The one-touch magic button lets you play, pause, and skip music.
Battery life is impressive at 20 hours. If you turn up the volume, battery life is reduced.
Charging is through a micro USB port.
Also, it comes with an IP67 rating (dust and water-resistant).
Lightweight and portable, it has a 360-degree design.
Check out the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 Bluetooth speaker if portability is your thing.
Anker Soundcore Motion+
Do you need a Bluetooth speaker that can easily fit into your bag? If you plan to use the speaker outdoors and don’t have much bag space, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth speaker.
Portability aside, it boasts superior sound quality. Battery power is impressive as well. You can enjoy up to 15 hours of music on a single charge.
If you have to use it in a wet condition, it is IPX7-certified. This means it can lie submerged in water up to a meter deep for up to 30 minutes.
The bass sounds solid. There’s also Soundcore app support, which includes a graphic EQ.
Check out the Anker Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth speaker.
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
Why is this unit called a smart speaker? You can use it as an Amazon Alexa speaker or your Google Assistant speaker if you want to play music tracks from audio streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
You’ll be deeply impressed with its sound quality, especially bass, thanks to its 360-degree design.
Weighing just about 900 g, you can move it easily indoors and outdoors.
The speaker is durable and can play your favorite music for up to 12 hours on a single charge. If you must use it near water, it comes with an IPX4 water-resistant rating.
This is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers for home use.
Check out the Bose Portable Smart Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Bluetooth speaker stands out for being environment-friendly. It comes packaged in a box made of recyclable paper.
This sticker has its plastic hangtag made of 90% recycled material. Soy ink is used for printing its exterior.
Apart from its earth-friendliness, it’s also IP67 waterproof and dustproof. So, you can take it to the pool and park with peace of mind.
The easy-to-carry unit is capable of belting out music for up to 12 hours on a single charge. Also, it can assume a stable vertical or horizontal position.
You can choose from a variety of colors.
Then there’s the PartyBoost feature. It allows you to pair two or more JBL speakers that support PartyBoost for stereo sound and ramp up audio to liven up your party.
Check out JBL Flip 6 portable Bluetooth speaker.
You’ve learned how to choose the best portable Bluetooth speaker for indoor and outdoor use.
Learn more about them through the included links to make a wise buying decision.
