Jonathan Zavaleta
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The hero of any party is the person who remembers to bring ice, but the person who brings the Bluetooth speaker is a close second. Bluetooth speakers are an easy and relatively affordable way to bring music to any party or get-together, and the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers are also waterproof and dustproof for use by the pool, beach, or backyard.
They’re not just for outdoor summer hangs, either. Whether you’re in the shower or doing errands around the house, Bluetooth speakers are a convenient way to fill any space with sound, and as the weather gets colder, they can be handy for house or dinner parties.
How We Picked the Best Bluetooth Speakers
We put the best Bluetooth speakers to the test to find which options are worth it, considering factors like portability and durability. A top consideration when shopping for Bluetooth speakers is ease of use, and we looked for options with intuitive controls.
And while Bluetooth speakers aren’t necessarily used for the most discerning listening sessions, audio quality is still a top consideration. We evaluated options based on both sound quality and how well they fill a space.
Best Bluetooth Speakers
best overall Beats Pill
BUY NOW $99.95 Jump to Details best design Marshall Emberton III
BUY NOW $179.99 Jump to Details Also Great Ultimate Ears Boom 4
BUY NOW $149.99 Jump to Details best splurge Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen)
BUY NOW $399.00 Jump to Details best sound Bose SoundLink Plus
BUY NOW $269.00 Jump to Details best for travel JBL Grip
BUY NOW $69.95 Jump to Details best smart speaker Sonos Move 2
BUY NOW $499.00 Jump to Details most compact Sony SRS-XB100
BUY NOW $64.99 Jump to Details most rugged Soundcore Boom 3i
BUY NOW $129.99 Jump to Details best value JLab Go Party Speaker
BUY NOW $31.49 Jump to Details View more +Many Bluetooth speakers also offer additional features, such as the ability to pair with other speakers for stereo sound, built-in microphones for making calls, support for wired connections, and fun extras like RGB lights.
Read on for our top picks for the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers of 2025. If you’re looking for other audio gear, check out our roundup of the best workout earbuds and best bookshelf speakers.
Jonathan Zavaltea/Rolling Stone best overall Beats Pill
Pros: Stylish design, great sound Cons: Pricier than others, No EQ$99.95 $150.00 33% off
Buy Now at walmart Buy Now On AmazonQuick Summary: With a stylish design, great sound, and a form factor that’s both portable yet powerful, the Beats Pill is a great option for almost any setting IP Rating: IP67 Stated Battery Life: Up to 24 hours Built-in Mic?: Yes
The Beats Pill strikes the right balance between design, sound quality, and performance. At roughly 680 grams, it has some heft to it, but the slim pill-shaped design makes it easy to slip into a backpack’s water bottle pocket, for example, and the lanyard makes it easy to carry. The outer has a silicone covering to protect it from bumps, while the metal grille gives it a high-end look.
Sonically, you get enough of the bass thump Beats is known for, but it doesn’t result in muddled-sounding mids and highs. The sound quality is impressively balanced, particularly for a speaker of this size, despite the inevitable audio trade-offs associated with any portable speaker. Like most Apple products, there’s no option to customize the EQ.
The speaker has an impressive number of extra features. You can pair it with another Beats Pill and use it in either “Stereo Mode,” which creates a left and right channel, or “Amplify Mode,” which plays the same mono audio from multiple speakers. The speaker also has a built-in mic, so it can be used as a speakerphone, and the quick recordings I took of my voice sounded clear. The USB-C charging port can charge other devices or be used as a wired connection for streaming audio (though I had difficulty getting the latter feature to work).
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone best design Marshall Emberton III
Pros: Stylish design, 360-degree sound Cons: Pricey, button can be finicky$179.99
Buy Now at marshall Buy Now On AmazonQuick Summary: Marshall’s Emberton III sounds as good as it looks, and the 360 design means there’s no bad seat in the house IP Rating: IP67 Stated Battery Life: Up to 32 hours Built-in Mic?: Yes
At $180, the Emberton III is pricey, particularly for a speaker of this size. But the amp-inspired design is stylish, and the speaker feels sturdy and well-made, with a textured faux-leather outer, metal grille, and Marshall’s iconic script logo. The top of the speaker features a power button, a Bluetooth pairing button, and a multifunction button that controls volume and playback, including skipping tracks.
As for sound quality, songs sound crisp and clear. It gets surprisingly loud, though, like many small speakers, it can start to sound harsh at higher volumes. The Marshall app features customizable EQ if you’re looking for an extra bass boost. Unlike some Bluetooth speakers, which require smart placement, the 360-degree audio, with speakers on the front and back, allows for room-filling sound.
The speaker features a built-in microphone for phone calls and boasts an impressive 32 hours of battery life. The top of the speaker also features an LED display showing the remaining battery life.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone Also Great Ultimate Ears Boom 4
Pros: Durable, great sound Cons: Bass could be more robust, somewhat pricey$149.99
Buy Now On Amazon Buy Now at walmartQuick Summary: With impressive audio performance that gets plenty loud without sounding harsh, the Boom 4 lives up to the party-ready reputation Ultimate Ears is known for. IP Rating: IP67 Stated Battery Life: Up to 15 hours Built-in Mic?: No
Ultimate Ears is best known for making speakers that tick off two main criteria: they’re loud, and they’re durable. The Boom 4 is up to Ultimate Ears’ reputation. The IP67 rating means it’s water and dust proof, and it even floats in water. The Boom 4 also gets plenty loud, and you can push the volume high before the audio starts sounding harsh.
The Boom 4 also retains the classic plus and minus buttons, which are a signature of most UE portable speakers. As is increasingly common with Bluetooth speakers, the Boom 4 can be paired with multiple other speakers for space-filling sound. The Boom 4 is compatible with UE’s Boom, Everboom, Megaboom, Epicboom, and Hyperboom speakers.
As for the sound quality, it’s crisp and engaging, if somewhat thin on bass. The speaker utilizes multiple drivers in a cylindrical design for spatial “360°” sound. That makes it a good option to enjoy from any angle, particularly if you set it in the middle of the room (it can sound somewhat muffled if placed against a wall).
Overall, there’s a reason Ultimate Ears speakers remain a go-to Bluetooth speaker despite fierce competition from more affordable brands.
Harper Thomson/Rolling Stone best splurge Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen)
Pros: Stylish look, great audio and bass Cons: Steep price, heavy$399.00
Buy Now at bang & OlufsenQuick Summary: While it’s expensive considering its relatively small size, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 boasts good looks and great sound. IP Rating: IP67 Stated Battery Life: Up to 24 hours Built-in Mic?: Yes
Bang & Olufsen has always been known for bridging design and sound quality, and the third-generation A1 Bluetooth speaker is no different. It features a stylish, sturdy build, with a metal grille and a leather carrying strap. Despite its good looks, it’s durable, with an IP67 waterproof rating that protects it from dust and water.
What’s most impressive about it is the sound quality. Despite its relatively compact size, it gets plenty loud, and the bass has a surprising amount of thump to it. You can also play around with the EQ in the B&O app. You can also pair two Beosound speakers together for room-filling stereo sound.
The catch is the price — at $400, it’s a splurge, and costs more than some speakers double or triple its size. But Bang & Olufsen is known as a luxury audio brand, and the Beosound A1 certainly lives up to that reputation in design and sound quality.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone best sound Bose SoundLink Plus
Pros: Clear, room-filling sound Cons: Slow charging, pricey$269.00
Buy Now at bose Buy Now On AmazonQuick Summary: As one of the larger speakers on this list, it’s a good option for larger groups or those seeking immersive, room-filling sound. IP Rating: IP67 Stated Battery Life: Up to 20 hours Built-in Mic?: No
The SoundLink Plus is Bose’s middle child between the Flex and Max models. At over 3 pounds, it’s not exactly svelte, but the handy nylon loop makes it easy to carry on the go. Design-wise, it has a stylish plastic grille with a silicone-covered exterior. The top of the unit features separate buttons for power, Bluetooth, playback, volume up, and volume down.
The sound quality is rich and detailed, and it doesn’t sound harsh at higher volumes. There’s a decent heft to the bass, even if it won’t make your skull rattle. For more room-filling sound, you can use it in “Stereo” or “Party” mode with other Bose speakers with the multifunction button, which can also be used to open Spotify with one tap. The USB-C port can be used to charge smartphones and other small devices.
The speaker doesn’t feature a built-in mic, and there’s no option to listen with an aux cord. At 20 hours, the battery life is decent, but the five-hour charging time is pretty sluggish. The tradeoffs are fairly minor for a speaker that sounds this good, but the high price might put some people off.
The Bose app also features a straightforward three-band EQ that’s easy to adjust. If you’re looking for a relatively portable speaker for a larger outdoor gathering, or even as an around-the-house speaker, it’s an excellent option.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone best for travel JBL Grip
Pros: Compact size, built-in lights Cons: Similar-sized options are less expensive$69.95 $99.95 30% off
Buy Now at jbl Buy Now on amazonQuick Summary: Compact and lightweight, the JBL Grip is the ideal Bluetooth speaker for travel. IP Rating: IP68 Stated Battery Life: Up to 14 hours Built-in Mic?: No
The JBL Grip is compact, lightweight, and even floats. JBL says the design was inspired by the dimensions of a seltzer can, so JBL certainly had parties in mind when designing this speaker. But I also like using it for travel — it easily fits in a carry-on bag and is the right size for the average hotel room.
The speaker also has built-in lights that can sync with the music, while the carrying loop makes it easy to attach to a bag and take on the go. As for sound quality, it might not fill a large, loud space, but it’s big enough for a small get-together or on-the-go use. It’s also rugged enough for shower or beach use, thanks to an IP68 water-resistant rating.
If you’re looking for a truly compact speaker that doesn’t sound tinny at higher volumes, the versatile JBL Grip is a reliable option from a brand that’s well known for its portable speakers.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone best smart speaker Sonos Move 2
Pros: Features like WiFi and voice assistant Cons: Pricey, not as portable as other picksBuy Now at sonos $499.00
Quick Summary: Although it’s not as portable as some other options on this list, the Move 2 from Sonos is a great companion for backyard audio, featuring a voice assistant and compatibility with both WiFi and Bluetooth. IP Rating: IP56 Stated Battery Life: Up to 24 hours Built-in Mic?: Yes
While the Sonos Move 2 features a water-resistant build, up to 24 hours of battery life, and a carrying handle, it’s still a stretch to call this a truly portable speaker. At over 6 pounds and nearly 10” tall, it’s a hefty unit, and some of our other picks would be better for a beach day. But the Move 2 is the ideal backyard or patio speaker.
It can capably fill outdoor spaces with sound, and boasts the rich, detailed sound Sonos is known for. The Move 2 features the same intuitive touch controls found on other Sonos speakers like the Era 100. With a built-in microphone, the speaker can also be used for voice commands, either with Alexa or Sonos’ built-in voice assistant.
Like all Sonos speakers, it’s primarily a WiFi speaker, and designed to pair with other speakers in Sonos’ ecosystem. But if you decide to wander far from your home’s WiFi range, the Move 2 also features Bluetooth for easy streaming on the go. That means that it can be worth the investment, even if you don’t have other speakers in Sonos’ ecosystem.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone most compact Sony SRS-XB100
Pros: Very portable, lightweight, good sound Cons: Somewhat basic design$64.99
Buy Now at sony Buy Now On AmazonQuick Summary: For a speaker that’s smaller and lighter than a soda can, Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker puts out surprisingly big, crisp sound. IP Rating: IP67 Stated Battery Life: Up to 16 hours Built-in Mic?: Yes
For an affordable, small speaker that packs a surprising amount of punch, Sony’s XB100 is smaller and more lightweight than a soda can, and the long fabric strap makes it easy to carry on the go. The design doesn’t feel especially high-end, but it comes in a range of fun colors that add character, and the clearly labeled buttons make it easy to use.
As for the sound, it’s impressively clear for a speaker of this size, even if the bass doesn’t have as much authority to it. But again, given its tiny size, it puts out surprisingly rich sound, and the fact that it’s so light and portable means it’s the kind of speaker you’ll want to bring everywhere, and the IP67 rating means you don’t have to be too precious with it.
In terms of features, there are a surprising number of extras: a built-in mic means you can use it as a speakerphone. I didn’t try making any phone calls, but I recorded my voice using the mic and was impressed by the clarity. You can also pair it with another Sony speaker, and the 16 hours of battery life is solid for a speaker of this size.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone most rugged Soundcore Boom 3i
Pros: Very durable, built-in lights, full sound Cons: Not the most stylish$129.99
Buy Now at soundcore Buy Now on amazonQuick Summary: The IP68 rating makes this one of the only fully waterproof speakers on this list, and it has a robust build with powerful sound IP Rating: IP68 Stated Battery Life: Up to 16 hours Built-in Mic?: No
If pure ruggedness is what you’re after, Soundcore’s Boom 3i speaker has it in spades. It’s not necessarily the most stylish speaker I’ve seen, particularly the quirky Jungle Green colorway I tested, but it feels hefty and durable. Not only is it IP68 water- and dustproof, but it can float and is even resistant to saltwater.
It can be paired with other speakers for stereo sound, and there’s a bass boost function, plus customizable EQ in the Soundcore app. The audio quality is solid, with plenty of volume and heft, although I’d give Bose or Beats the edge in terms of clarity. The speakers have built-in lights that sync with the music, which you can customize in the Soundcore app.
The Soundcore Boom 3i is built for days by the water, and it’s even weighted to float speaker-side up when thrown in the water. There’s no mic, so you can’t use it as a speakerphone, but should you be taking conference calls on the lake, anyway?
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone best value JLab Go Party Speaker
Pros: Great value, built-in lights, intuitive volume knob Cons: So-so sound, limited IP rating$31.49
Buy Now at target Buy Now at walmartQuick Summary: The sound quality isn’t as impressive as some of our other picks, but the affordable price and convenient form factor make up for it. And also, it lights up. IP Rating: IPX6 Stated Battery Life: Up to 16 hours Built-in Mic?: No
Go Party, that’s an order. JLab’s line of party speakers is affordable, fun, and comes with built-in LEDs that sync with the music, or whatever you’re listening to (party lights with The Daily, anyone?). The speaker features a fabric grille and a cylindrical design, although it’s not a full 360-degree speaker.
The controls are fairly intuitive, with a tactile physical volume knob for easy adjustments that’s satisfying to use. Pressing the volume knob controls playback, and there are buttons to skip back/forth, plus a power button that also handles Bluetooth pairing. You can also pair it with other JLab speakers, and the built-in mic means it can be used for phone calls. You can also toggle through LED patterns with the power button or turn them off.
The sound quality isn’t showstopping, lacking the clarity and oomph of some of our other picks. The voice prompts are also somewhat annoying, but you can turn them off in the app. Still, at just $30, it’s a great value pick.
