Finest Transportable Mini Bluetooth Audio system for 2023: Prime Compact Waterproof Wi-fi Audio system

When it launched, Bose made some daring claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, notably its bass efficiency. However it principally lives as much as the hype and is arguably the best-sounding wi-fi speaker for its comparatively compact measurement. Obtainable in three colours — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — the speaker is IP67 dust- and waterproof, and rated for 12 hours of battery life at average quantity ranges.

It is also geared up with Bose’s PositionIQ know-how to routinely detect the speaker’s orientation and ship optimized sound primarily based on whether or not it is upright, hanging or flat on its again. The Flex additionally floats and Bose says it will probably survive drops and bumps, with a tender silicone again and powder-coated metal grille that “will not peel or flake and is immune to corrosion and UV gentle.”

Whereas Bose’s SoundLink Micro additionally delivers spectacular sound for its tiny measurement, this speaker is greater, weighing simply over a pound (0.45 kg) and measuring 7.9 inches large, 2.1 inches deep and three.6 inches excessive (20 by 5.3 by 9.1cm), so the Flex sounds considerably higher than the Micro. For some purpose, it makes use of the older Bluetooth 4.2 as an alternative of 5.0, however I did not have any issues with connectivity.

Bose says it will probably fill a lounge with sound. From my exams, I would say it must be a comparatively small lounge — it will probably solely output a lot sound as a single speaker. Nonetheless, in case you pair two of them collectively in stereo mode, the sound will get to an entire different stage and certainly fills a bigger room with sound.

The very compact Soundcore by Anker Mini 3 Bluetooth speaker could not ship big sound but it surely delivers extra sound than you’d suppose (with simply sufficient bass) from a speaker of its measurement. Obtainable in a number of coloration choices and weighing round 8 ounces or 223 grams, it has an built-in strap and is absolutely waterproof with an IPX7 score.

The 6-watt Mini 3 sounds pretty just like the brand new , which retails for $60 or round $20 extra, and options good battery life — as much as 15 hours at average quantity ranges. You may wirelessly hyperlink a number of Mini 3s collectively to create a wider sound subject, however most individuals will use this speaker for informal listening on the go. It additionally makes for a very good lavatory or bathe speaker and does have speakerphone capabilities with a built-in microphone. 

Again in 2020, Tribit launched the StormBox Micro, a funds model of Bose’s wonderful SoundLink Micro speaker that delivered surprisingly good sound for its measurement and modest worth. Now we get the StormBox Micro 2, which presents improved sound and battery life, together with a charge-out characteristic that turns the speaker into an influence financial institution for cell gadgets corresponding to smartphones and tablets. An built-in strap means that you can clip it to your backpack or your bike’s handlebars.

Like the unique, it is a wonderful worth and simple to advocate in case you’re searching for a brilliant compact transportable wi-fi speaker. 

For 2023, Sony’s smallest Bluetooth speaker has as soon as once more been modestly upgraded, with a brand new Bluetooth chipset, barely improved sound and speakerphone efficiency. This transportable Bluetooth speaker is each dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and, like its predecessor (the SRS-XB13), it is rated for 16 hours of battery life at average quantity ranges and it prices through USB-C. Geared up with Bluetooth 5.3 with assist for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, the speaker performs larger than you’d suppose for its small measurement, with some punch to its bass. It is fairly spectacular for a mini mono speaker.  

Although the 9.6-ounce (272-gram) speaker seems to have the identical design because the XB13, Sony says its new sound diffusion processor “realizes richer unfold sound,” which principally means this has a bit wider soundstage, which I can affirm. It might probably output solely a lot sound — sure, it has its limitations — however in case you add a second XB100, you will get stereo sound. Alas, there is no companion app, however that is not an enormous deal.

The XB100 is obtainable in a number of coloration choices and features a strap so you’ll be able to connect it to numerous objects. It additionally has speakerphone capabilities with an built-in microphone (as I mentioned, the speakerphone’s efficiency has been improved, and callers mentioned they might hear me clearly indoors).

With every new model of the Flip, JBL makes small enhancements, and whereas the newest mannequin, the Flip 6, does not look a lot completely different from the Flip 5 on the surface, it does characteristic improved sound. It has two-way drivers with a woofer and tweeter and twin passive radiators that assist the Flip 6 ship a lot deeper bass than you suppose it might. 

It is absolutely waterproof and dustproof with an IPX67 score. Just like the Flip 5, it is rated for as much as 12 hours of audio playback at average quantity ranges and prices through USB-C. Obtainable in a number of coloration choices, it is one of many best-sounding audio system for its compact measurement.

The JBL Bluetooth speaker that obtained the largest enhancements over the earlier mannequin is among the many firm’s smallest. The JBL Go 3 has a very new look — it is now coated in sturdy material as an alternative of getting the bare plastic design of its Go predecessors — and that new design, coupled with surprisingly respectable sound for its small measurement, makes the Go 3 one of many prime micro Bluetooth audio system on the market.

Obtainable in a number of coloration choices, it has an IP67 water-resistance score, that means it may be dunked in water and is dustproof. Battery life is rated at as much as 5 hours.

The Roam is at present Sonos’ smallest and most inexpensive speaker (in case you do not rely these $99 Sonos-compatible Symfonisk Ikea Wi-Fi bookshelf audio system). This mannequin, like Sonos’ earlier Transfer transportable speaker ($400), is provided with each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and may faucet into an current Sonos multiroom audio system and hyperlink with different Sequence 2-compatible Sonos audio system. The Sonos Roam makes for a very good starter Sonos speaker for these new to the Sonos world. Learn our Sonos Roam overview.

We preferred Final Ears’  and the third-generation mannequin, the Wonderboom 3, presents some small enhancements, together with barely higher battery life (as much as 14 hours as an alternative of 13, at average quantity ranges) and a brand new Bluetooth chip that enables for prolonged wi-fi vary of over 130 toes (40 meters). The design has not modified, although the speaker now is available in completely different coloration choices.

Like its predecessor, the Wonderboom 3 carries a listing worth of $100, however typically sells for rather less. Its IP67 score implies that it isn’t solely waterproof but additionally dust-proof (and capable of float).

This mannequin retains the particular Outside Enhance mode that reinforces treble and you may hyperlink two collectively (or pair a Wonderboom 3 to a Wonderboom 2) to create a stereo sound pairing by merely urgent a button on every speaker. So far as I can inform, the Wonderboom 3 sounds similar to the Wonderboom 2 and options excellent sound for its small measurement. That mentioned, whereas there’s some punch to the bass (being brief but squat helps it produce extra low finish), it will probably solely ship a lot kick. 

Alas, Final Ears, which is owned by Logitech, has not upgraded the charging port to USB-C. The speaker nonetheless prices with a Micro-USB cable, which is a little bit of a bummer.

Marshall’s little mono Willen speaker is just like Bose’s SoundLink Micro and different micro audio system just like the Tribit StormBox Micro 2. Additionally like these audio system, it has an built-in strap on its base so you’ll be able to clip it onto a backpack and even to your bike’s handlebars. Its 2-inch full vary driver and two passive radiators put out extra sound than you’d suppose it will for its tiny measurement, and it presents respectable readability as nicely simply sufficient bass to keep away from sounding tinny (you’ll be able to select from three preset sound modes). 

Battery life is sweet at round 15 hours of playback time at average quantity ranges, and the speaker is IPX67 dust-proof and waterproof. The principle strike in opposition to it’s its $120 worth — ideally it will value round $80, although proper now you’ll be able to decide it up on sale for $100. However it’s properly designed, feels rugged and suits in a jacket pocket, weighing in it at 0.68-pound (308 grams).

The Willen can rise up vertically or lay down horizontally and has a built-in microphone for speakerphone calls. It is available in a few coloration choices and might be linked wirelessly with different Willen audio system to enhance the sound.

Over the previous few years, Tribit has made a number of Bluetooth audio system that ship loads of increase for the buck. Add its new XSound Mega to the record.

Tribit is billing the XSound Mega as extra of an outside speaker — a lanyard is included for toting it round as a form of mini boombox — but it surely works simply effective indoors. It has an LED gentle present that you may activate or off and there are three EQ settings for sound: XBass, Music and Audiobook. Moreover, it may be used as an influence financial institution to cost your cell gadgets.

In my exams, the speaker in contrast fairly favorably to costlier audio system just like the JBL Cost 5. There’s loads of bass and the speaker performs loud for its measurement, with respectable readability. That mentioned, it is a mono speaker with a single driver and two bass radiators — that is the way you get all that bass. So whilst you can count on massive sound, the soundstage does not really feel all that large, notably at decrease volumes. It truly sounds higher at greater volumes.

With its new canister-like design, completely sized to slot in a chair cup holder, Sony has created a transportable Bluetooth speaker that has a design you are most likely conversant in from fashionable audio system just like the UE Growth and JBL Flip, which have been upgraded over time with improved bass and battery life. 

An Further Bass mannequin, the SRS-XB23 positively has a hotter sound. It delivers higher sound with extra bass and quantity than most of the cheaper generic Bluetooth audio system yow will discover on Amazon within the $40-$100 vary on Amazon. It is also a sleeker wanting Bluetooth speaker that is out there in 5 completely different coloration choices: black, taupe, coral pink, gentle blue and olive inexperienced. Some colours can be found for much less.

Geared up with two new full-range drivers and passive bass radiator, it delivers 12 hours of battery life at average quantity ranges and is water-, dust-, rust- and shock-proof with an IP67 score. It has USB-C charging and may join with as much as 100 different Sony audio system utilizing Sony’s Social gathering Join characteristic.

JBL Pulse speaker is now on its fifth technology and each the sound high quality and 360-degree gentle present have been improved. JBL has “expanded the clear outer physique” so the customizable gentle present (there is a companion app for iOS and Android that means that you can alter the colourful lighting results) appears extra spectacular. The speaker can be IP67 dustproof and waterproof, and it presents as much as 12 hours of battery at average quantity ranges.

The speaker now has a separate tweeter and a passive bass radiator that delivers pretty punchy bass. I would say the speaker delivers excellent however not nice sound for its measurement and worth (it distorts just a little at greater volumes). For sound, it is form of in between JBL’s Flip 6 and Cost 5, so you will arguably get barely higher sound from the Cost 5. However you are actually shopping for this speaker for the sunshine present — that is what makes it distinctive and particular and it does look mesmerizing.

Word that you may pair this with one other JBL PartyBoost appropriate speaker for stereo sound or hyperlink a number of JBL PartyBoost audio system for augmented sound. Additionally, yow will discover this speaker on Amazon as thrown in for a similar worth because the speaker by itself. 

Bang & Olufsen has upgraded its dome-shaped aluminum-clad A1 speaker with improved battery life, higher speakerphone efficiency (it now has a three-microphone array) and barely improved sound. It is not solely the smallest wi-fi speaker from the Danish firm, but additionally probably the most inexpensive because it typically drops to round $200.

Whereas the speaker drivers stay the identical, the Qualcomm chipset that powers the speaker has been upgraded (the speaker makes use of Bluetooth 5.1), bumping the sound high quality up a tad, notably at greater volumes, with higher digital sign processing. It stays one of many best-sounding mini Bluetooth speaker fashions, with richer extra tonally balanced sound than different Bluetooth audio system its measurement — and it ought to sound good, contemplating its elevated worth level.

It is also value noting that the A1 has multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you’ll be able to join this to your PC and smartphone on the identical time and simply change forwards and backwards between the 2 if a name is available in in your cellphone. Moreover, the speaker is Alexa-enabled, that means you’ll be able to activate Amazon’s voice assistant by simply saying “Alexa.” 

Battery life is rated at as much as 18 hours at 50% quantity (the sooner A1 did not dwell as much as its battery life claims, however this quantity is extra correct) and in case you can afford it, you’ll be able to hyperlink two A1 audio system to create a stereo pair. The speaker is waterproof with an IP67 score that enables it to be submerged briefly in shallow water.

At round $30, the Tribit XSound Go is without doubt one of the prime audio system with Bluetooth connectivity for the cash. In addition to sounding respectable, it is also absolutely waterproof. It additionally has wonderful battery life — as much as 24 hours at 50% quantity ranges.

Though just a little dear and attributable to be upgraded, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably respectable for its tiny measurement, delivering extra bass than different pocketable audio system. It is a absolutely waterproof Bluetooth speaker and out there in three coloration choices, though the blue model seems to be onerous to search out. 

Whereas this mannequin is actually pocket-size — and that is definitely an interesting characteristic — the larger however nonetheless compact SoundLink Flex sounds considerably higher and can be the higher worth although it prices extra.

Tribit’s StormBox speaker appears like a cross between a UE and a JBL speaker. We suspect that is not an accident. Absolutely waterproof, it prices about $50 lower than the JBL Flip 5 and produces larger sound and has as much as 20 hours of battery life. Tribit’s XSound audio system are most likely a greater worth, however the Stormbox is extra fashionable. It additionally has a chargeable li-ion battery capable of energy as much as 20 hours of steady playtime.