Best Mini Bluetooth Speakers: Small boxes with big sound
Small, loud and always with you: These are the best mini speakers with Bluetooth for parties, the beach, vacation and wherever you want good sound.
By Sven Wernicke
They exist – the people who lug loudspeakers weighing 10 kilograms onto the beach. If you want to save yourself that and are looking for a more discreet speaker for a chilled evening on the terrace, on the riverbank or at home in the bathroom, you are well advised to use a mini Bluetooth speaker. The little ones also deliver rich sounds, you don’t have to do without quality with the compact devices.
Bose SoundLink Micro: Small power machine
The Bose SoundLink Micro can easily cope with a short dive.
Image: © Bose 2022
Despite the small dimensions, you can expect a harmonious sound with surprisingly strong bass. The SoundLink Micro supports Apple Siri and the Google Assistant, and can also be paired with the voice assistant Alexa. Using the Bose Connect app, you can connect two micro speakers to each other via Bluetooth – for real stereo sound.
| Per | against |
| + 98.3 x 98.3 x 34.8 mm (width x height x depth) | – Battery life only 6 hours |
| + Stereo mode with two coupled speakers | – Micro-USB instead of USB-C (for charging) |
| + IPX7 certification | |
| + Support of Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa |
Anker Soundcore Mini 2: With a long battery life
With a running time of 15 hours, the Soundcore Mini 2 ensures long party nights.
Image: © Anchor 2022
The 3.5 mm jack connection is practical and unusual for a mini Bluetooth speaker. You can also use it to connect an audio player to the Mini 2 with a cable.
| Per | against |
| + 59 x 79 x 64 mm in size | – Micro-USB instead of USB-C (for charging) |
| + Battery life up to 15 hours | |
| + Stereo mode through two coupled speakers | |
| + IPX7 certification | |
| + 3.5 mm jack connection |
Sony SRS-XB13: Need extra bass?
If you like listening to bass-heavy music, you should grab the SRS-XB13 from Sony.
Image: © Sony 2022
Thanks to its passive radiator and broadband speaker, the Sony SRS-XB13 reproduce low frequencies particularly powerfully. If you love bass, the Bluetooth speaker will make you happy. Thanks to special DSP technology (Digital Sound Processor), you can expect an authentic spatial sound – with just one driver. You can get true stereo sound by connecting a second SRS-XB13 wirelessly.
The detachable strap for hanging up and carrying the device is practical. You charge the battery via USB-C, which lasts up to 16 hours.
| Per | against |
| + 76mm x 95mm x 76mm in size | |
| + High quality bass and surround sound | |
| + IP67 certification | |
| + Battery life up to 16 hours | |
| + Available in different colors |
Technaxx MusicMan Mini BT-X2: Bluetooth speaker with memory card slot
The MusicMan Mini BT-X2 not only provides rich sound, but also looks stylish.
Image: © Technaxx 2022
Do you want to enjoy your MP3 collection on the go? Of the MusicMan Mini BT-X2 has a slot for microSD memory cards on which you can store your music. Alternatively, you can use the wireless Bluetooth connection to a smartphone, tablet or computer. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The stylish music cube is available in various colors, especially in pink and green it is an eye-catcher. The battery life is up to 10 hours.
| Per | against |
| + 50 x 50 x 50 mm in size | – Not waterproof |
| + microSD card slot and headphone input | – Micro-USB instead of USB-C (for charging) |
| + Chic design |
JBL Go3: Small sound box with enough power
The JBL Go3 is easy to transport thanks to its compact design.
Image: © JBL 2022
If it rains once, it does that JBL Go3 don’t mind – it’s waterproof. Its power of 4.2 watts is remarkable for the compact dimensions. You’ll be surprised how good the Go3 sounds.
However, the high tones are not the greatest strength of the Bluetooth speaker, and the maximum playback time is five hours. That’s a little bit. Otherwise, the mini bluetooth speaker is a nice looking box that comes in cool colors.
| Per | against |
| + 87.5 x 75 x 41.3mm in size | – Battery life only 5 hours |
| + IP67 certification | – Weaknesses at high frequencies |
| + Available in different colors |
What you should consider when buying a mini Bluetooth speaker
It’s understandable that you want the best mini bluetooth speaker. But as is so often the case, each person has their own ideas of what “the best” should be. Some criteria will help you to find a suitable speaker for you:
Size: Mini usually means that the speaker is no more than 100 millimeters wide, high and deep. The more compact the speaker, the more compromises you have to make. This primarily affects the sound quality and the battery life. On the other hand, mini speakers with Bluetooth weigh well under 500 grams and can be worn on the wrist or attached to a backpack. Carrying straps are often included.
Battery life: Manufacturers usually give the runtime between 5 and 15 hours. Note that this means continuous music playback at medium volume. The battery life can therefore be extended at lower volume levels and significantly reduced at high levels. Good values for mini Bluetooth speakers are 8 hours and more.
Perfomance: Thanks to modern sound processors and clever designs of the built-in drivers, individual speakers can also sound excellent. Typical mini speakers with Bluetooth have an output of 3 to 10 watts. Speakers from Anker, Bose and Sony can be paired with a second, identical device for stereo sound.
Protection: Most mini speakers with Bluetooth are waterproof. However, make sure you have an IP certification. The speakers should have IP67 (protected against dust and water) and IPX7 (protected against dust and water, submersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 m).
Bluetooth version: It is advisable to use a speaker with Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. Such models support current standards such as A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6, which are necessary for the stable transmission of stereo signals and for remote control via smartphone. Newer Bluetooth versions also allow more energy-efficient transmission of signals. But don’t worry: Devices with older Bluetooth versions should also work with current cell phones, tablets and laptops thanks to backward compatibility.
Connections: Mini Bluetooth speakers are designed for wireless music transmission. Some devices also have memory card slots. This makes sense if you have a large MP3 collection and want to enjoy it on the speaker via a microSD memory card. A headphone jack and an AUX audio input for connecting additional players are less common. The USB port is usually used to charge the battery, not to connect external data carriers.
What you can do without: An integrated FM radio is nice, but not really necessary. You can also stream your favorite radio stations to the mini Bluetooth speaker via your smartphone. The integration of voice assistants is only necessary if you want to integrate the speaker into your smart home at home.
Reference-www.turn-on.de
