Portable speakers: The right speaker for every situation

The selection of portable speakers is huge. But not every speaker is equally suitable for every situation. Here’s what the best portable speakers are for each application.

Sonos Move: Best Portable Indoor Speaker

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The Sonos Move cuts a fine figure as both a stationary and portable speaker.

Image: © TURN ON 2019

For a long time, Sonos only focused on multi-room speakers that communicate with each other via WLAN. With the Sonos Move, the manufacturer released its first portable Bluetooth speaker – and immediately celebrated a huge success. If you use the speaker at home, it rests in a round socket that also serves as a charging station. If you want to use your Sonos Move in a different location for a short time, you simply grab the recessed grip and take it with you. The battery lasts for eleven hours of music.

And although the Sonos Move is primarily intended for use in closed rooms, it also cuts a fine figure outside your four walls. The portable speaker has an IP56 certification and is therefore protected from dust and water jets. The Sonos Move also ensures a good mood at pool and barbecue parties.

• Dimensions: 24cm x 16cm x 12.5cm (HxWxD)
• weight: 3 kilograms
• Duration: 11 hours
• perfomance: 40 watts
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi

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JBL Xtreme 3: Best Portable Outdoor Speaker

Looking for a portable outdoor speaker that can handle dirt, water and bumps with ease? Then he is JBL Xtreme 3 just right. The cylindrical speaker is waterproof and dustproof according to IP67 certification. With the JBL Xtreme 3, nothing stands in the way of a beach party. Thanks to a carrying strap, the portable loudspeaker ensures a good mood with its music even when you are on the go. Four drivers and two bass radiators ensure a dynamic sound with deep bass.

Thanks to the long-lasting battery, the JBL Xtreme 3 plays music for up to 15 hours at a time. A special feature is the so-called JBL PartyBoost. Several compatible JBL loudspeakers can be connected to each other, allowing you to cover even larger areas with sound. Alternatively, you can connect just two JBL speakers together and enjoy stereo sound.

• Dimensions: 13.6 cm x 29.8 cm x 13.4 cm (HxWxD)
• weight: 1.97 kilograms
• Duration: 15 hours
• perfomance: 2 x 25 watts
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack

JBL Xtreme3
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JBL Partybox 310: Best portable speaker for parties

You’re planning a big party and normal portable speakers just don’t deliver enough power? Then the JBL party box 310 the right choice for you. With a weight of an impressive 17.42 kilograms, you can’t easily tuck it under your arm, but since it has practical wheels, we’ll let it pass as a “portable” speaker. But the Partybox 310 also offers a lot of power – 240 watts in total.

The party box not only provides rich sound, but also sets the mood with its light show, which lights up to the rhythm of the beats. The battery life of the Partybox 310 is 18 hours, but alternatively it can also be operated directly from a socket. And once the party really gets going, you even have the option of connecting up to two microphones to the box and starting a round of karaoke.

• Dimensions: 68.8cm x 32.6cm x 36.8cm (HxWxD)
• weight: 17.42 kilograms
• Duration: 18 hours
• perfomance: 240 watts
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack

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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: Best Waterproof Portable Speaker

If the portable speaker is to be used in environments with a lot of water, such as pools, lakes or the beach, or even occasionally to play music in the water, then a speaker with IP67 certification is required. Of the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is perfect for this application. The portable speaker can withstand water at a depth of up to one meter for 30 minutes and, according to the manufacturer, is buoyant.

In addition, the Megaboom 3 has a battery life of 20 hours and has a Bluetooth range of up to 45 meters. With the PartyUp mode, you can also link more than 150 Boom and Megaboom speakers together and fill huge areas with music.

• Dimensions: 25.2cm x 8.6cm x 8.6cm (HxWxD)
• weight: 0.912 kilograms
• Duration: 20 hours
• perfomance: 36 watts
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack

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Sony SRS-XB13: Best Portable Mini Speaker

Don’t want to miss out on music on the go, but don’t have the space to take a portable speaker with you? Then go for a portable mini Bluetooth speaker like this Sony SRS-XB13. Despite its small size, the portable speaker delivers decent surround sound and good bass too.

The SRS-XB13 has a running time of up to 16 hours, is waterproof and dustproof according to IP67 and can be easily attached to a belt or backpack thanks to the included loop. However, the mini-speaker is not exactly suitable for covering large areas outdoors with sound. However, the SRS-XB13 is well suited as a companion on excursions or for a small round around the campfire.

• Dimensions: 9.5cm x 7.6cm x 7.6cm (HxWxD)
• weight: 0.253 kilograms
• Duration: 16 hours
• perfomance: 5 watts
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack

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Amazon Echo Show 5: Best portable speaker with a display

The Amazon Echo Show 5 does not have an integrated battery, but since it is very handy, you can take it with you wherever there are power outlets. A portable speaker that only plays music and maybe also has a voice assistant is still available not enough features? Then a smart speaker with a display like that Amazon Echo Show 5 may be of interest to you. The display adds a whole range of functions.

The Amazon Echo Show 5 can show you the daily weather report, you can make video calls, watch your favorite series on Prime Video or Netflix or listen to music from your favorite streaming service on the portable speaker. Of course, the Amazon Echo Show 5 can also be easily integrated into your smart home. However, since the speaker does not have an IP67 certification and does not have an integrated battery, it is less suitable for outdoor use.

• Dimensions: 7.3cm x 14.8cm x 8.6cm (HxWxD)
• weight: 0.410 kilograms
• Duration: – (no battery available)
• perfomance: 4 watts
• Connectivity: WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS

Amazon Echo Show 5
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This is how you find the right portable speaker for you

With the portable loudspeakers mentioned, you get a very good device for the respective proposed area of ​​application. Of course, speakers other than those mentioned here are also suitable for different scenarios. When choosing the right speaker, you should pay attention to the following things.

• operation area: First of all, ask yourself where and how you mainly want to use your portable speaker. If you primarily want to use the speaker indoors and only occasionally take it to the balcony or terrace, a portable smart speaker like the Sonos Move or the Amazon Echo Show 5 is worthwhile, as they have more functions. If you are only interested in playing music outdoors, other speakers are a better choice.
• IP certification: If the portable loudspeaker is to be used primarily outside, the weather conditions are also an important point. If you want to use the speaker on the beach, in water or by the pool, an IP67 certification is mandatory. If, on the other hand, you only want to use the speaker in drier areas, it is sufficient if the portable speaker is splash-proof against rain.
• Surface: Another important factor is the area that you want to cover with the speaker. If it is used in closed rooms, where there is no background noise, an output of 5 watts is sufficient to listen to music properly. Mini Bluetooth speakers are suitable for situations where you are close to the speaker or carry it close to your body.
  If you want to listen to music in the open air and there is a lot of ambient noise, the power should be at least 30 watts. At parties, where the speaker has to cover a muddle of voices, an even higher output is recommended. Several portable speakers that can be coupled with each other are also worthwhile here.
• battery life: Do you only want the speaker to accompany you on short trips, or should it regularly put you in a good mood at parties lasting several hours? Accordingly, pay attention to the battery life.
• Ports/Connectivity: You should also include the source of the music when choosing the right speaker. If you mainly want to hear from your smartphone, a connection via Bluetooth is sufficient. However, if you want to operate the speaker on a laptop or a mini projector, a 3.5 mm jack connection is helpful. If the speaker has a USB-C or micro-USB port, you can also charge it with a power bank when its battery is empty.