Music speakers hanging on the wall in retro vintage style
Speakers.jpg

Bose, Ultimate Ears, JBL and more portable and waterproof speakers at various prices for all of your vacation shopping.

The presented products are selected independently by our editorial team and we can earn a commission for purchases through our links.

One of the best uses for bluetooth technology is the ability to play music or podcasts (or whatever your heart desires) on a clear speaker without unplugging the phone. In fact, you don't even have to be inside to play professional sound – not with those bluetooth speakers we've summarized below.

Because the products come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of features and a variety of prices, we've selected a variety of the best bluetooth speakers below, from $ 20 shower speakers to $ 400 home systems.

Price: $ 149.99

This is a durable unit: it is not "it's okay if you spill some water" waterproof, but "can be soaked in up to three feet of water" for half an hour. Like "it floats in the pool" waterproof. It's also "drop proof," meaning clumsiness doesn't mean disaster, and the 15-hour battery means it's really perfect for parties and other high-intensity uses. You can pair it with other Ultimate Ears Boom and Megaboom speakers, and it can also be charged wirelessly using the Power Up Charging Station (sold separately).

connected

connected

Amazon user Essie writes: “Excellent sound quality from pop, metal, jazz, classical to hip hop. The special thing about this speaker is that you can drop it, throw it in the sand and leave it out when it rains. I did all of this within a week and it's still like new. Easy to pair, but if you have multiple phones or devices connected to it and you want to switch from one phone to playing another, you'll have to press the bluetooth button again, which makes sense. If you're looking for something cute to hang on a small backpack, it's probably too heavy and big for that. He's definitely a solid guy. If you want to take a beach bag, backpack bottle holder, or bike basket with you, get these! "

Price: $ 39.95 – $ 69.95

Not only is this extremely small and portable – the compact round unit comes with a built-in snap hook and weighs less than half a pound – it looks pretty nice too, unlike some other speakers. The battery lasts up to 10 hours and is IPX7 waterproof, so it can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It's perfect for the beach, pool, or shower. You can also make clear calls thanks to the built-in speakerphone with noise and echo cancellation.

Amazon user Jewel writes: "The sound quality itself in my opinion depends on what you expect from JBL. Very flawless and clear, no delays or sudden interruptions from Bluetooth like some speakers. The volume is honestly not too high, even with your phone and speaker volume at full max. However, it's loud enough for ordinary people to enjoy while swimming, hiking, boating, working, or whatever. "

Price: $ 399

The durable, portable, and waterproof device is possibly the top-rated speaker on this list and is great for both indoor and outdoor use. It is both Bluetooth and WiFi compatible and can be controlled with the Sonos app or Bluetooth. It has built-in Alexa for hands-free control (and all the features that Alexa offers as long as you are connected to the internet). Deep Bass comes from two powerful drivers, and True Play automatic tuning balances the sound depending on your circumstances. It can be recharged using the supplied base station or a compatible USB-C charger. The battery lasts up to 11 hours. The IP56 rating means that it can withstand moisture, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat and cold. The shock-resistant case protects against accidental drops or bumps.

Amazon user Carlson B. rated the sound quality as follows: “The bass also matters outdoors without ever being distorted. It plays very loud when you want, but sounds balanced even at low volumes. You've done something amazing with the high frequency and midrange where the sounds are even across the entire side and the forward projection of the speaker, not just like other speakers in the "sweet spot" up front. It's beautifully detailed and sounds realistic. "

Price: $ 249.99

This powerful and stylish wifi-enabled subwoofer speaker is the perfect size for any room. It has precise, balanced audio and built-in Alexa so you can control your music without touching the speaker. The app lets you adjust presets, connect to other Alexa-enabled devices, and control playback requirements. While the 10-pound speaker isn't portable (you'll have to wall it) it has a beautifully retro design that looks great no matter where you place it.

"I mean, how such a (relatively) small speaker can deliver this sound quality, I don't know," writes user A Scholar. "It looks great, it sounds great, and it's portable and easy to move … so what's not to like?"

Price: $ 349

This versatile smart speaker can be used as a portable bluetooth speaker, home speaker, or voice control speaker. It weighs just over two pounds, has a battery life of up to 12 hours, and comes with a portable handle so it's easy to carry around. It's water resistant and can withstand many accidental drops and bumps. Control it with your phone or tablet. If you're within WiFi range, use voice control with built-in Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant with built-in music services like Amazon Music, Spotify and Pandora. The 360-degree sound and powerful bass make the sound quality clear inside and out. And it's compatible with all other Bose smart devices for a multi-room listening experience. The minimalist design is available in two colors: Triple Black or Luxe Silver.

“As expected from Bose, the sound quality from this speaker is exceptional at any volume. Friends are always amazed at the sound quality, especially given the small footprint and portability. Crisp highs, lows but not overly booming lows, and you have access to the EQ settings in the Bose app, which also works well. The handle is great and the charging station is extremely practical and robust. The voice control microphones are also very sensitive as advertised which is great. You can listen to LOUD music in another room and the speaker will still respond to Alexa commands, ”writes user Scuba Steve.

Price: $ 79.99

Another portable unit, this rectangular design takes three hours to fully charge 10 hours of total playtime with a standby time of 90 days. It delivers deep bass that can be doubled when you connect a second speaker for surround sound, and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. While not submersible, it is splash-proof with an IPX5 waterproof rating and weighs two pounds. While the sound can be thin, the price and sleep design make it a worthwhile choice.

User Andrew Deenan writes, “Great little speaker. Slim design, sound quality, and volume are great for the size. "

Price: $ 99

About the size of a Discman (sorry teenagers, we'll explain: that's what we had to use to listen to music in front of smartphones on the go), this lightweight speaker (it weighs just over half a pound) is all you need would expect from Bose. It has clear sound both indoors and outdoors, a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, is waterproof up to 1 meter, and has a very durable exterior. Instead of a carabiner, a strap is supplied for easy attachment to backpacks, coolers, handlebars or even belt loops. The battery lasts up to six hours, so it's not quite as durable as the competition, but it is a compromise for the Bose sound quality. It can be paired with other SoundLink speakers or any Bose smart speakers for stereo sound. You can also use your phone's Siri or Google Assistant, or access your Echo Dot directly through the speaker. While the JBL-Clip 3 gives you better battery life at a cheaper price, you pay for the balanced Bose sound.

"What makes this so wonderful for me, since I travel a lot, is the size and weight," writes user Noodles. “There is almost no excuse not to throw it in your pocket no matter how little you go, and the battery life is good at six hours. The magic in this device is when you relax and just let it sit on the table in the room. Many times I have enjoyed the music I am listening to at a comfortable volume while surfing the internet on my phone and completely forgetting about it. Then when I look up and see how small it is and how pleasant and full the sound is, I feel completely at ease with my purchase; H. No buyer's regrets! "

Price: $ 399.99

It's the most expensive speaker on this list, and the largest, most powerful speaker that Ultimate Ears makes – with the most boot features. The 24-hour battery life, IPX4 water resistance, and adaptive equalizer make it perfect for parties (as does the rich, bass-heavy, yet well-rounded sound). Thanks to the two Bluetooth, one additional and one optical input, music can be played from four different devices or connected to a Boom Megaboom or another hyperboom for additional sound. A USB charge means you can charge your phone through the device (the 24 hour battery comes in handy here) and control your sound directly through the speaker or through the app. Surprisingly, it's still a portable 13 pound and even has a retractable strap for easy movement.

NATHAN L. writes, “I have the Ultimate Ears Megablast that I use on the beach, which is great, but I needed a little more in the back yard for pool days and that's crazy loud. The neighbors complain to one that I would hate to see them when the second walks in. To put this in perspective, my garden is easily the size of a soccer field. "

Price: $ 129

The technical data of the Color II are similar to those of the Micro, especially the powerful sound quality. It's waterproof (though a little inferior to the Micro) with a durable silicone case and uses the same Bose app as well as compatibility with Siri and Google Assistant. Where it's more different is the battery life – the Color II lasts up to eight hours on a charge – and its weight – at 1.2 pounds, it's more than twice as heavy. There are some fun colors (Aqua Blue, Citron or Coral Red) as well as a standard Soft Black, Polar White or Midnight Blue. You can connect a non-Bluetooth hint via an additional socket and operate it via battery or AC power. A word of warning: a bug in the firmware can prevent some devices from charging. However, online fixes are available and Bose will replace them under warranty within one year of purchase.

User Jeff writes: “I bought this product to combine with an Echo Dot. It was very easy to set up – almost effortless. The sound is way better than the Dot or even the full size Echo, and I'm very happy with its performance. "

Price: $ 19.99

You can't beat the price of this portable waterproof speaker, which comes with color changing lights and a carabiner that makes everything easy to attach. It's perfect for listening to podcasts or music in the shower, and it even has a port for an SD card if you don't want to use the Bluetooth functionality. It has different light modes including a multi-color display that is extra fun for kids.

Daniel and Amy Huddleston wrote in their Amazon review: “I absolutely love this speaker! It has great sound and doesn't sound distorted at full volume. The color changing background is so amazing and fun. My kids love to watch the colors in the speaker while they dance to the music. Honestly turns the shower into a disco party! I definitely recommend this speaker to have fun, play music and easy to use! I've attached a few pictures of the lights. Great price for a fun device !! ”

Register: Stay up to date with the latest movie and TV news! Sign up for our e-mail newsletter here.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here