Almost everyone today listens to music one way or another. Mostly people use earphones, but when we cannot, we play music straight from our smartphones or tablets. But almost always the sound is of subpar quality, and it is desirable to have a little more volume and depth. Ant this is what the portable speaker is good at.
This device always uses Bluetooth or audio cable to communicate. It is usually plenty strong to deliver you music, when you are going somewhere or just listening at home. That way you can listen without the aid of earphones.
However, since they became so popular, almost every brand in the world has put a few together. So the market is full of all sorts of these speakers. It would be hard to orient in this mess, if there was no way of knowing good from bad. For that reason we have put seven of the best models available in this list.
With this all-weather stereo speaker you can both listen to any music and also make conference calls, because of its clear and noise-free sound.
Pros:
- Absolutely flawless sound, due to powerful noise-cancelling software. Also, the speaker is equipped with echo-cancelling features – they further improve the quality of music and voice.
- The battery holds 3000 mAh, which is plenty much for a speaker. Speaker can work up to 12 hours straight on maximum loudness.
- Fully waterproof design allows you to use this model even if it is raining outside. Also, protects the speaker from natural humidity. Is not hurt by spills or splashes, so it is a great option for the beach.
- The new JBL connect app allows you to simultaneously use a number of these speakers. They will work in tandem, and up to a hundred devices can be playing the same song.
Cons:
- The only real negative with this speaker is the on\off sound and the Bluetooth scanning sound. They are extremely loud and annoying to most people. However, they do not last long and do not happen often.
This speaker was engineered with sturdiness in mind. It is supposed to resist the hardships of the outdoors, and therefore is made with a strong, ruggedized outer case. It is supposed to resist most hits – therefore it has simple mechanical buttons for control. Also, the silicon skin on the outside makes it very grippy, so it won’t slip even when wet.
Pros:
- Bold and clean sound due to quality Bose-engineered components. Good bass, but all other frequencies sound great too.
- Absolutely water resistant, in addition to being toughened and ruggedized. The outside casing is very strong, and can also be purchased in a number of colours – Blue, Black, White and Red.
- The range of the wireless adapter extends to nine meters.
- The battery can last up to eight hours of music at full loudness.
Cons:
- Some reviewers have said that the battery is not up to expectations – it can last much less than the 8 hours it is supposed to last.
This small but strong model is able to fill an entire room with music. One interesting point is complete waterproofing. It should be fine sitting in a bathroom too.
Pros:
- Combinable with other speakers from the same manufacturer. You are able to put two or more of these speakers in a room, and all will be able to play the same music simultaneously. The speakers use Wi-Fi to communicate. This will be very useful if you are putting together a party or home theater.
- Extremely compact and portable design. Will fit absolutely anywhere, and will look nice in any interior.
- The setup is quick and easy and control is simple.
- The synchronization with iOS allows you to use Siri voice commands with this device. Also, any Apple device will cooperate flawlessly.
Cons:
- These speakers refuse to work with older equipment and are not noticed by Google Play.
- Pretty expensive, especially when compared with other models on this list
This speaker with a 12-watt emitter has excellent bass. Its dual driver speakers have neodymium cores – the absolute best. The bass is improved by a DSP, that nullifies any distortion to the sound.
Pros:
- The level of protection this speaker has is IPX7, so it is reliably protected from water and spills. Dust will also never be a problem. Therefore, the speaker will be at home even if you are in inhospitable environment.
- Loud sound and remarkable bass. The patented technique for making bass sound better uses a spiraled port. This allows for exceptional rendering of bass notes.
- It is possible to pair two such speakers and this will make a stereo pair. A single device can run both speakers.
- Can connect to both a smartphone and a PC, because it has both a wireless adapter and a port for audio cable.
Cons:
- Might glitch and sound tinny on a PC. The reason for this is bad Bluetooth drivers, and it usually takes some tinkering with drivers to fix this issue.
This small speaker is sold in a stylish white case. It has a compact, mobile design, but it feels rather heavy for its size. Equipped with a powerful accumulator, it is able to last 12 hours straight while playing music at full volume.
Pros:
- The construction of this speaker allows for a very big battery. The accumulator is able to give the speaker 12 hours of energy for music at fill volume. Also, it is possible to charge other battery-powered devices from this speaker, because there is a port designed for this.
- Is shipped with a long 150 cm cable with USB-A and Lightning ends. The quick charger gives out 12.5 watt of energy.
- The speaker has speakerphone capabilities. It has a microphone that transmits at full clarity. This speaker is actually quite good for phonecalls. The speaker transmits the other person’s voice perfectly and does not add any noise or hissing.
Cons:
- Keep away from water. It is not waterproof at all, and will not work after falling into water even for a short time.