In the 80s, the most convenient way to play your music on the go was with a boombox — a backbreakingly heavy set of speakers that required that you also carry around your cassettes or CDs.
And as cool as boomboxes were, most people are probably grateful that they can save themselves a trip to the chiropractor by carrying around a Bluetooth speaker instead. Bluetooth isn’t exactly recent technology, either. It was first introduced before the dawn of the new millennium, but Bluetooth has stuck around because of its ease of use and universality. Whether you have an iPhone, an Android or even an old laptop, you can pair your device to Bluetooth speakers or headphones. There’s no need to worry about an internet connection or compatibility.
That’s not to say that Bluetooth speakers haven’t improved. Newer speakers feature updated models of Bluetooth, the most recent being 5.2. The speakers themselves get lighter, less expensive and more durable. Most speakers on our roundup have at least some level of waterproofing, ranging from IPX5 to IPX8. Plus, many speakers feature omnidirectional sound for a more surround-sound experience. Extended battery life lets you take these speakers camping without having to try to find an outlet somewhere, as well.
Many of our favorite speakers are made by audio stalwarts like JBL and Bose, but we’ve also included some affordable alternatives from newer players in the market. While there are many Bluetooth speakers that are designed for the home, we’ve focused on the ones that you can easily take on the go. These are the portable Bluetooth speakers to get.