Choosing the Best Bluetooth Speaker in 2023: Top 5 Portable Speakers
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Sonos Roam -
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 -
JBL Charge 5 -
Sony SRS-XB13 -
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore -
Buyer's Guide
Bluetooth speakers have become essential for music lovers on the go. Bestcovery has compiled all the necessary information to help you find the best portable waterproof speaker. Our rankings consider factors such as sound quality, battery life, features, and price, and we provide detailed reviews for each speaker, highlighting unique features, pros, and cons.
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Here are our picks for the top 5 best portable, waterproof Bluetooth speakers of 2023 based on sound quality, battery life, price, and additional features that enhance their performance. We’ve included a range of brands to suit different preferences and budgets, ensuring you can find a speaker that meets your needs.
Sonos Roam
- Easy connectivity
- Lightweight
- Works with Google and Alexa
- Lacks sub-bass in music
- Requires an app for full functionality
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Great value for a lower price
- Dual device pairing
- Portable and floats
- Sound distortion with higher volume
- No microphone for voice assistance
- Can skip tracks but can't go back
JBL Charge 5
- Powerful and balanced sound quality with deep and impactful bass
- Long battery life of up to 20 hours
- Can be used as a power bank to charge other devices via a USB port
- Larger and heavier than some other portable speakers
- May be expensive compared to some other portable speakers on the market
- Sound quality could be too bass-heavy or lacking in clarity compared to other speakers
Sony SRS-XB13
- Small and portable
- Surprisingly powerful sound with deep and punchy bass
- 16-hour battery life
- No voice assistant support
- May not be as loud or powerful as larger and more expensive speakers
- Limited sound customization options without using the Sony Music Center app
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore
- Powerful sound with two full-range drivers and two passive bass radiators
- 27-hour battery life
- Easy-to-use controls and built-in microphone for hands-free calling
- More expensive than some other portable speakers
- No app support for customization or additional features
- Relatively heavy compared to other portable speakers
Top 5 Best Bluetooth Speakers Reviewed
Sonos Roam - Best Bluetooth Speaker Overall
The Sonos Roam is a compact, portable, outdoor waterproof Bluetooth speaker that makes it easy to listen to and share your music on the go. This speaker features automatic connectivity for your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled device and includes voice-activated controls for easy, hands-free use. The Roam’s unique design allows you to use it upright or on its side, with the sound automatically adapting to the orientation for your best listening experience.
- Easy connectivity
- Lightweight
- Works with Google and Alexa
- Lacks sub-bass in music
- Requires an app for full functionality
Weight: 0.95 lb
Battery life: 10 hours of continuous play on one charge (at a moderate volume)
Wireless range: 98 ft
Aux-in: No
USB charging: Yes
Sound quality: Decent and clear, though lacks sub-bass which can change the sound of some music genres.
Price Range: $$$
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 - Runner Up
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 is one of the best portable, waterproof Bluetooth speakers that delivers high-quality 360-degree sound. It features easy-to-use controls, can pair with two devices simultaneously, and has an Outdoor Boost mode for better outdoor listening.
- Great value for a lower price
- Dual device pairing
- Portable and floats
- Sound distortion with higher volume
- No microphone for voice assistance
- Can skip tracks but can't go back
Weight: 0.9 lbs
Battery life: 13 hours
Wireless range: 100 ft.
Aux-in: No
USB charging: Yes
Sound quality: Strong and clear, though music starts to distort at higher volumes
Price Range: $$
JBL Charge 5 - Most Versatile
The JBL Charge 5 is a compact, portable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker that delivers powerful, balanced sound. It provides 20 hours of playtime, doubles as a power bank, and features PartyBoost for pairing multiple speakers. The Charge 5 also includes easy-to-use controls and a built-in microphone, and it’s lightweight, waterproof, and dustproof.
- Powerful and balanced sound quality with deep and impactful bass
- Long battery life of up to 20 hours
- Can be used as a power bank to charge other devices via a USB port
- Larger and heavier than some other portable speakers
- May be expensive compared to some other portable speakers on the market
- Sound quality could be too bass-heavy or lacking in clarity compared to other speakers
Weight: 2.11 lbs
Battery life: 20 hours
Wireless range: 100 ft
Aux-in: No
USB charging: Yes
Sound quality: Loud and clear
Price Range: $$$
Sony SRS-XB13 - Best Value
The Sony SRS-XB13 is compact and affordable, making it one of the best wireless waterproof speakers with surprisingly powerful sound. It offers up to 16 hours of playtime, easy-to-use controls, and the ability to connect two speakers for an even better listening experience. The SRS-XB13 also includes a built-in microphone and can be customized using the Sony Music Center app.
- Small and portable
- Surprisingly powerful sound with deep and punchy bass
- 16-hour battery life
- No voice assistant support
- May not be as loud or powerful as larger and more expensive speakers
- Limited sound customization options without using the Sony Music Center app
Weight: 8.9 oz
Battery life: 16 hours
Wireless range: 30 ft
Aux-in: No
USB charging: Yes
Sound quality: Powerful for the size, though sound distorts at higher volumes
Price Range: $
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore - Premium Pick
The Beosound Explore is a durable waterproof Bluetooth speaker that delivers high-quality sound. Its rugged design features a waterproof and dustproof build with a shock-resistant anodized aluminum casing. It includes a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and supports voice assistant integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Despite its higher price point, the Explore's exceptional sound quality and durability make it a worthy investment for music lovers on the go.
- Powerful sound with two full-range drivers and two passive bass radiators
- 27-hour battery life
- Easy-to-use controls and built-in microphone for hands-free calling
- More expensive than some other portable speakers
- No app support for customization or additional features
- Relatively heavy compared to other portable speakers
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Battery life: 27 hours
Wireless range: 98 ft
Aux-in: No
USB charging: Yes
Sound quality: Clear and detailed sound, though lacks substantial bass
Price Range: $$$
Buyer's Guide
How to Choose the Best Bluetooth Speaker for You
When choosing the best outdoor, waterproof Bluetooth speakers for your needs, there are a few factors you should consider.
Sound quality: Look for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker with clear, crisp sound and solid bass.
Portability: If you want to take your music on the go, you need a speaker that is lightweight, compact, and easy to take with you.
Durability: With outdoor speakers, look for ones that are waterproof, dustproof, and built to withstand bumps and drops.
Features: In addition to music, look for a speaker with additional features like voice assistant capabilities, hands-free calling, or dual device pairing.
With all these considerations, the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker for you depends on your needs and preferences. Use the above factors to help you narrow your decision until you find one that fits you.
Bestcovery’s Metrics for Ranging Bluetooth Speakers
Here are a few of our metrics for deciding the top 5 best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
User Friendliness
How easy is the speaker to use? Does it connect quickly and have easy-to-understand settings? How long does it hold its charge? These are a few of the things we’ve considered for you.
Sound Quality
One of the most important features of wireless waterproof speakers is sound quality. We looked at volume, clarity, directional sound, and how the speakers sound in different genres and volumes to help you find the best one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bluetooth Speakers
Which Bluetooth speaker has the best sound?
Sound quality is based on personal preference, so narrowing down which waterproof Bluetooth speaker has the best sound is challenging. As you compare different speaker options, consider wireless range, clarity, and overall performance to determine if the device has excellent sound quality.
What’s the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker brand?
Like sound quality, the best speaker brand is subjective based on preferences. However, many brands on this list, including JBL, Sony, Ultimate Ears, and Sonos, are known for having speakers with excellent sound quality, design, and functionality.
