Best portable Bluetooth speakers 2025

Good speakers do come in small packages. See the models with top-notch sound and great battery life that are still small enough to be taken anywhere
Martin PrattPrincipal researcher & writer
Sony SRS-XB01 v3

In this article

Whether you’re after a quick and easy way to improve the sound from your smartphone at a family barbecue, or something loud and waterproof for poolside parties, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a handy companion that’ll make sure you’re not stuck with second-rate sound wherever you are.

There are plenty of speakers to choose from, whether it’s a £20 own-brand model or a £200 Bose. But if you’re after a portable Bluetooth speaker at the cheaper end of the scale, you don’t have to compromise on sound quality. We’ve found Best Buys and Don’t Buys across a range of prices, proving that more expensive doesn’t always mean better.

See our recommendations below, or browse all wireless and Bluetooth speaker reviews.

How our tests reveal the best portable speakers

Sound quality

Our lab technicians back up the ratings from our professional listening panel with technical frequency response assessments.

Battery life

Manufacturer claims can be misleading. We test battery life by continuously playing music at a moderate volume, to best reflect normal use.

Ease of use

Our lab experts know the pitfalls to look for, allowing us to pass verdict on everything from initial setup to using the app.

Security

We conduct extensive privacy and security screening on all wi-fi speakers (and their apps) and report on any issues we find.

Best portable Bluetooth speakers

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Bluetooth speaker reviews by popular brand

Great Value portable speakers to look out for

Best Buy portable speakers need to score at least 69% or more in our expert tests, and Great Value speakers 60% or more.

To be awarded Great Value, a speaker also needs to cost at least 20% less than the average speaker of that type (such as other portable Bluetooth speakers). We only make speakers that offer the very best value for money Great Value. Some Great Value speakers even also score well enough to be Best Buys as well

Portable speakers pros and cons

All portable wireless speakers have Bluetooth which lets you wirelessly connect to play audio from devices such as your smartphone, and the best portable speakers will be easy to carry around with you and have battery power that’ll last throughout the day.

Pros

  • The best small Bluetooth speakers are lightweight and don’t take up much space, and are often simple and easy to use.
  • Great for playing and improving the sound quality of music stored on your mobile device or streamed from the internet (including music services such as Spotify – which in some cases Bluetooth can also grant access free versions of such services).

Cons

  • Small, light portable speakers often have poorer sound quality – so be sure to check below to find out which are worth buying.
  • Bluetooth connections have a limited operational range of around 10 to 30 metres before the connection is lost. 
  • Calls and alerts from your phone can disturb your listening, and not all devices support Bluetooth (such as older desktop computers and laptops).

How to buy the best portable speaker

No one enjoys the sense of dread that accompanies having to lug travel bags onto check-in scales. Exceeding the baggage weight limit is of course a no-no, and if you're planning on bringing a Bluetooth speaker with you on your next getaway, you'll want one that's as lightweight as possible. Some Bluetooth speakers are about the same size as a carry-on bag. That's fine for slinging in the boot of a car, but not ideal if you're on your way to a festival or you like to travel light.

If you're the outdoorsy type, it's likely you won't have access to plug. We measure, to the minute, how long each Bluetooth speaker will survive on a single charge so that you can choose one that won't give up before you've finished breakfast. This may not be as big an issue if you're staying in a villa or a hotel, but we've found Best Buy speakers with excellent battery life, so you don't need to compromise.

Some portable speakers have additional useful features too. While they aren't essential, they could make your life a bit easier. If you find yourself inundated with calls, look for a portable speaker with a built-in microphone. That way you don't need to disconnect your phone every time you get a call. Some speakers also have splash-proof cases, which means you don't need to worry about a bit of rain ruining your speaker – splash-proof doesn't mean you can dunk it in the pool though.

Looking for a speaker with more of a punch? Head to our guide to the best Bluetooth and multi-room speakers. 

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