00:05Summer is here, and you know what that means. Festivals, beach trips, barbecues, you name it.
00:10But what do you need to take all of those events to the next level? That's right,
00:14a portable speaker. Over the last couple of years, I've tested more than 50, yes,
00:1950 Bluetooth speakers, and I've picked five of the very best of every budget to help you
00:25soundtrack your summer. Before we dive into this video, make sure to scan this QR code to learn
00:30more about becoming a TechRadar Insider. Membership is completely free and gives you access to exclusive
00:36perks, rewards, and more. So without further ado, let's get into my top five portable speakers.
00:45Let's kick off with my ultra cheap pick, something that's ideal for anyone looking to spend around
00:50$50 or 50 pounds. And for me, it has to be the JBL GO 5. I reviewed this compact speaker
00:55very
00:56recently and absolutely blew me away. For such a small model, the GO 5 can produce truly spectacular
01:02sound. You get clear, expressive audio with knee balance across the frequency range, and this
01:07speaker just generally sounds more full-bodied and powerful than its predecessor. Sure, you're not
01:12going to get massive bass from such a small speaker, but low end sounds agile and clean rather than boomy
01:17and muddy, and that's more than what could be said for a lot of rivals in this price range.
01:22The GO 5 is also rammed with features, including USB-C audio for lossless playback, EQ options,
01:28and AuraCast for seamless pairing with other JBL speakers. Unlike its predecessor, the GO 5 is also
01:34equipped with lights, which adds another layer of immersion, especially for late night listening.
01:40On top of this, the GO 5 has a solid 10-hour battery life, IP68 does some waterproofing for beach
01:45days
01:45and pool parties, and it's drop-proof too. It really does feel like the whole package,
01:49and so you won't be surprised to hear that it's scored an outstanding 5-star review from yours truly.
01:57Moving up is here now to the $50 to $100 or £50 to £100 range, and I'd recommend this,
02:03the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4. This stubby speaker is all about that bass. It serves a punchy,
02:09driven, and impactful low-end sound that'll make electronic and dance tracks sound incredible.
02:14I really love the design of the Wonderboom 4 as well. It's got an attractive, rounded look. It
02:19could be bought in a range of funky colors, and it's super durable. Like the GO 5, it's got a
02:23hardy
02:24fabric exterior, and it's highly waterproof too. This speaker came out a couple of years back,
02:29so luckily you can snap it up on sale a lot of the time. It's even been going for around
02:34$70 or
02:35£60 recently, and that's a great price for a speaker with such powerful, engaging sound and
02:40intention-grabbing look to match. Moving into mid-range territory now, and there could only
02:48ever be one choice for me, the JBL Flip 7. I know it's JBL again, but these guys really are
02:54the kings
02:55of the Bluetooth speaker world for a reason. The Flip 7 is something of a phenomenon. The first time I
03:00used
03:00it, I found it hard to believe such a compact speaker could produce such gigantic, yet refined
03:05sound. It uses a dual-driver layout with a 35-watt maximum power output, and so you're getting
03:11significantly more sophisticated and mighty sound than even my last two suggestions can provide.
03:16If you want hard-hitting, rhythmic bass, rich and layered mids, as well as precise highs,
03:22the Flip 7 has you covered. And with AI Sound Boost Tech, the speaker is also able to analyze
03:27playback in real-time to minimize distortion and deliver optimized audio. Look, it's easily the
03:33best-sounding speaker in its price range, and like the Go 5, it has lossless USB-C audio capabilities
03:39and EQ settings, enabling you to tailor audio to your liking. But that's not all. The Flip 7 also
03:45delivers up to 16 hours of playback with the battery-extending playtime boost feature. It's IP68
03:51rated, and it comes with a carry strap for when you're on the go. Honestly, if there's one speaker
03:56you're going to buy on this list, make it this one. Time for something a little more premium with the
04:05$150 to $200, or £150 to £200 range now, and I've picked out the Sonos Roam 2. Yes, the newer
04:13Sonos Play dropped recently, and we're big fans of that model, but it's way more expensive than this
04:18ultra-portable Sonos speaker, which is still a top-tier pick in my opinion. This speaker has a futuristic,
04:24triangular build that just oozes style, and it's incredibly easy to control, either with its nifty
04:29button controls or through the Sonos companion app. It also sounds pretty great, with a balanced
04:34presentation, well-defined vocals, and controlled bass. The real draw of the Roam 2, though, is its
04:41Wi-Fi streaming capabilities. Playing music over Wi-Fi opens up higher quality, and things like phone
04:47notifications or social media video won't interrupt your listening sessions like Bluetooth would. Of course,
04:52as a Sonos product, you also get multi-room capabilities and can seamlessly link the Roam 2
04:57to speakers like the Move or soundbars like the ARC Ultra, if you'd like.
05:04But let's finish with my ultra-premium choice for anyone on a larger budget, and here it is,
05:11the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation. A bit of a mouthful, I know.
05:16This speaker is a thing of absolute beauty, a work of art even. It's constructed from hard-wearing
05:21polymer and pearl-blasted anandized aluminium, and the build quality here is out of this world.
05:28Its rounded look and classy colour options only help to hammer home that premium feel,
05:32and with the A1 3rd Gen, the pride of ownership you feel is almost as special as the sound it
05:37produces. But almost is the key word, because this speaker is a sensational performer. In fact,
05:43you'll need a relatively stable surface to place this on, because the bass is almost earth-shaking.
05:48It's dynamic, full-bodied, and even immersive, and it can even reach as low as 54 Hz, meaning deep
05:55and dark bass will come through with intent and raw energy. Beyond that, you're getting nuanced,
06:01generously detailed mids, which help vocals and guitars really shine. Top that off with vibrant,
06:06precise highs and aptX adaptive support for high-res Bluetooth listening,
06:11and you're looking at a real treat for the ears. A 60-watt power output also means that this thing
06:16can
06:16get pretty loud, so it's ideal if you need party-ready audio without the heft of great speakers like the
06:22larger Bose Soundlink Max or JBL Xtreme 5. So, do you agree with my top picks? Are there any other
06:30speakers that you think deserve shouting out? Let me know in the comments below, and check the
06:35description box for links with the best prices on all of my top Bluetooth speakers.
Comments