When you’re out with family and friends, whether that’s in the backyard playing games, camping, or maybe even vacationing somewhere like the beach, there’s nothing quite like being surrounded by loved ones and listening to some of your favorite music.
It not only makes the activity a bit more enjoyable as people are more energetic, but helps people feel at ease when there are lulls in the conversation. Sometimes, it’s nice being in nature and listening to music. But finding durable portable wireless speakers can be tricky, as some are very sensitive to certain things, such as not being waterproof.
So, for the families that are constantly searching for the best portable speaker that can make their vacation that much better, look no further than to these amazing options.
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10. Bigger is Better with the W-King X10
While it is portable, it might take a bit more time to carry it around. With a helpful strap, however, you can lug around this amazing speaker that produces some insane audio. This portable wireless speaker is averaging a few decibels louder than most speakers, making it the perfect speaker to bring at big parties.
Even when turned up high, it has a beautifully crisp and clear sound. And believe it or not, this bad boy has a 24-hour playtime from the internal battery, making it the ultimate speaker to have when hosting a party of event.
The only con that you might expect is that it’s the size of a football, weighting 6 pounds. Even with a shoulder strap, it could start creating an ache from the weight. This is one of the bigger speakers on the list, but it might be worth the weight with how well it performs. For only $115.99, this is a great choice to have.
- Louder than most speakers.
- IPX6 waterproof.
- Carrying Strap that is detachable
- 24-42-hour playtime.
- Several settings for multiple functions.
9. The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is Best for Large Areas
Another hefty product on the list consists of the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom, which is best used for larger areas, like tailgating, kid sports events, birthday parties or neighborhood barbeques. Surprisingly, it can play twice as loud as the W-King X10, yet still sounds beautiful, with smooth vocals and bass.
Unfortunately, this is a beast to carry. While it’s still portable, you might not want to bring it far. Weighing at 16.6 pounds, this thing is a beauty.
Another con about this product is that it’s a bit more expensive, reaching at $449.99, but if you’re someone who has parties frequently for the kids, enjoys inviting guests to the home to host parties, or is the go-to spot for gatherings, this might be well-worth the price.
- IPX4 Splashproof (not waterproof).
- 24-hour battery life.
- Connects with other Hyperboom devices.
- Can connect to four different devices to share music.
- 150 foot range.
8. Echo Dot Kids’ Edition is Perfect for Little Ones
When thinking about portable wireless speakers that are great for families, the first thing you might think about are speakers for the kids. One of the best options out there right now is the Echo Dot Kids’ Edition from Amazon. You can find this for only $59.99, which is a great price to bring an amazing tech product into your home.
With two different designs, this is the perfect, kid-friendly speaker for your little ones. It’s packed with age-appropriate content for kids ages 3-12 and is easy to use for both parents and kids. it includes music, reading and even bedtime fun to make every day an adventure.
- Includes 1 year of Amazon Kids+
- Parental Controls
7. A Great Affordable Option is Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
Granted, portable wireless speakers can be expensive, and sometimes you would much rather save on accessories to afford nicer things while you’re out and about with the family. For a budget-friendly device that will surely satisfy your needs are the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 for only $47.99 on Amazon.
It’s also extremely compact, fitting in your palm to help you carry with ease. But don’t worry, even though it’s inexpensive, it still has amazing sound quality. It also has a power bank to double as a portable charger if needed, which is great for camping trips if you’re in a pinch. With 120 feet range of connection, you’ll never stress about choppy music.
Check out the Stormbox Micro 2 details further:
- IP67 water and dust proof.
- 12-hours of play time.
- Connect two for stereo mode.
- Compact design.
6. The Anker Soundcore Mini 3 is Small and Inexpensive
Another great option for those that aren’t focused entirely on making a huge impact as long as it’s easy to carry and can produce audio in general is the Soundcore Anker Mini 3, which is only $40.99. This is a great option for those looking for something easy to bring along with your trip.
Whether you’re traveling or on vacation, this will make a great product while you’re spending time with the family. It’s known for being a great ‘pocket’ party speaker due to its powerful 360-degree sound with explosive bass. Even with such a small speaker, it can produce some decent audio.
- IPX7 water resistance
- 15-hours of play time
- Link multiple Mini 3’s for surrounding sound.
- Connect to the Soundcore App for hands-off control
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5. Bose SoundLink Flex has Great Sound-Quality
A sleek looking portable wireless speaker that has amazing sound-quality is the Bose SoundLink Flex for $149, which comes from one of the more reputable brands. This outdoor speaker is designed to bring out the most crisp and clear audio while being water and dust proof.
Bose also has an App that will help you keep track of the latest software and customize certain settings, making it an even better product to suit your needs. With a build-in microphone, you can also make and receive calls through the speaker to make life a bit more stress-free. With a range of 30 feet, you’re able to connect and roam around with ease.
Check out these key features for the Bose SoundLink Flex:
- IP67 water and dust proof
- 12-hours of battery
- Great sound-quality
- Connect with multiple Bose speakers
4. JBL Charge 5 is Great for Longer Days
Having a long charge that lasts throughout the day is one of the best things that you can find. Whether you’re at the park, on vacation or maybe even road tripping, having music is the perfect solution to keep everyone happy and excited.
And one of the best options if you’re looking to find something that will last for hours is the JBL Charge 5. You can purchase this on Amazon for only $179.95 in black, red or teal, or you can find custom speakers on the JBL website, or even create your own custom design.
Some key features that you can find with the Amazon purchase include:
- 20-hours of playtime.
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof.
- Only 4-hours to charge it completely.
- A carrycase to help you bring it with you wherever you go.
3. For a Compact Speaker, Try the JBL Clip 4
Another JBL entry is the Clip 4, which is idea for those that want a light, smaller speaker that will get the job done. This is a great choice for those that are hiking, traveling through cities or just on the go and want something that can easily hook to your backpacks or bags.
For $79.95, you can get this adorable compact speaker that doesn’t skimp on the sound quality. Even though it’s small, it offers rich audio with a punchy bass. With the handle being literally a clip, you can hook it up anywhere to an easy carryon. While Amazon only provides three colors, the JBL website has amazing designs that can fit everyone’s aesthetic.
Check out the key features from the JBL Clip 4:
- IP67 water and dust proof .
- Small design with a clip for easy carry.
- 10 hours of battery life.
- 3 hours to charge.
2. WONDERBOOM 3 is Best for Water Adventures
Not many speakers can handle rough environments, and while some can deal with being dropped a few times without damaging anything, water is another story. Electronics and water in general are the worst combination.
But thankfully, that doesn’t mean that you can enjoy amazing audio while exploring the lakes, rivers, oceans or just pools. Whether you’re on a family vacation at the beach, or enjoying a summer day at a pool, the WONDERBOOM 3 is the best choice.
It’s one of the only speakers that can be fully submerged in the water for up to 30 minutes with no damage and is able to float on water, ensuring that you can safely retrieve it without stress. With its compact design, you’ll be able to carry it with you stress-free. For only $88.99 on Amazon, you’ll be able to make any family trip even more exciting.
Some key takeaways about the WONDERBOOM 3 include:
- Floats on water and can be submerged in 1 m for up to 30 minutes without damage.
- Compact size for easy carry.
- Up to 14-hours of battery life.
- IP67 water and dust resistance.
- Pair 2 speakers at once for better audio.
- Wireless range of 131 feet.
1. Sonos Roam is Overall Amazing
Sonos is known for having some of the best speakers, whether you’re thinking portable wireless speakers or home speakers. One of the best things about the brand is that through their app, you can connect multiple speakers at once to sync up your whole home or space.
While they are a bit more expensive than most speakers, you are able to get a better-quality sound than most. With the Roam, however, you’re looking at an average price of $179, which is not bad at all compared to the rest on the list.
Some key takeaways when learning about Sonos include:
- IP67 Water and dust proof.
- Drop Resistant.
- 10-hour battery life.
- Connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Voice enabled along with the button controls.
- Connect multiple devices at once.
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Should I Buy a Portable Speaker?
If you’re on the fence about purchasing a portable wireless speaker, then take this as a sign to go for it. Anyone who has a smartphone should have one.
You get amazing audio with just a press of the button and can become the life of any party or event. Music brings people together, and having a mobile speaker is just another way to make life a bit easier.
How to Pick the Best Portable Wireless Speaker
Battery Life
One of the biggest factors when it comes to finding the best portable wireless speaker is the battery life. Obviously, the longer the better. There’s no reason to be held down with charging cables when the whole goal is to be out in nature for longer periods of time.
If you’re at the park playing with the kids and the speakers goes out, it can truly ruin the day. Or if you’re traveling and realize you didn’t properly charge the speaker, it could put a damper on activities. Having a longer charge is crucial.
Audio
Another key factor when it comes to speakers is obviously the audio quality. Having a crisp, clear sound is ideal. It can be hard to find one, as most will promise perfect audio quality but won’t deliver.
However, there are some families that truly can’t tell the difference with some of the middle-level brands compared to the higher-quality brands, and if that’s the case, that’s great!
There are some people who find it obvious when something is a bit cheaper, which can make it more difficult to find the best audio-quality, as you’re more than likely going to have to spend a bit more money to receive the quality you’re looking for.
Durability
Like mentioned, this truly depends on the environment you’re usually around. If you’re just out in the backyard most of the time with the kids as they play, you don’t really need to worry about the durability.
But if you and the family enjoy life at the pool, ocean, or even the lake, then you might want to take a few seconds seeing if a product is waterproof.
There are also speakers that can float in the water as it plays, making for an even better experience. Having a durable speaker that can withstand some bumps, water, or other harsh treatment while out with the family is a great way to know that you have one of the best portable speakers.
Size
And lastly, there is size. This might not be a huge factor for everyone, but depending on your destination, this could play a huge role. If you’re traveling or wanting an easy carry-on when hiking or fishing or whatnot, having a small, powerful and durable portable wireless speaker is crucial.
Having to lug around a large speaker around can really make the trip stressful, but thankfully there are people who have thought about it and have produced amazing-quality speakers that are tiny and portable.
Different Types of Wireless Speakers
Picking out the speaker is not the only think that you might be thinking about, as there are actually several different types of portable wireless speakers that you can come across.
Mainly, portable wireless speakers come in either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth is the more popular option, as it’s incredibly easy to use, are more portable, yet often lack the audio quality of Wi-Fi speakers.
And Wi-Fi speakers tend to be a bit more expensive but have better sound quality.
What’s the Range of a Portable Speaker?
The average range that you’ll get from a portable wireless speaker is about 60-feet for a 200-watt speaker, however, this varies depending on the brand and style of the speaker.
For Bluetooth Speakers, you’ll need to be about 30-feet within range of the speaker to prevent the audio from cutting out.
What’s the Best Bluetooth Speaker Brand?
While there are obvious preferences for everyone, some of the most well-known brands for being at the top of the portable speaker game include Bose, Sonos and JBL.
While it’s hard to find a consensus on who is actually the best out of these groups, if you’re wanting to pick from the top brands, look out for those names.
