The Best Portable Speakers Out There
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker, £89.95 (WAS £99.95)
This micro speaker is less than 10cm long and only 3.5cm wide. It’s been designed for ease of transportation, with a handy silicone strap so you can attach it to anything from your rucksack to bike handlebars. It has impressive sound quality despite its size and a six-hour battery life after one charge. As well as playing music via your phone, you can make calls via its speakerphone function.
Visit Bose.co.uk
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Speaker, £89.99
The Wonderboom comes with all the features you’d expect of a higher-end model – at a fraction of the price. Don’t be deceived by its dimunitive stature (10cm x 9cm), this speaker delivers a powerful, clear sound. It’s also waterproof, dust-proof and drop-proof. Charge it with its micro-USB cable, connect it to your phone via Bluetooth, then kick back and enjoy 13 hours of battery life.
Visit JohnLewis.com
Sony Extra Bass Portable Speaker, £37.95
This lightweight speaker is a great addition to any BBQ or day out at the beach. It delivers good-quality sound with no distortion, and connects wirelessly to your smartphone, so it’s easy to start, pause and play music and podcasts. It also lasts up to 16 hours between charges and comes in an array of colours.
Visit Currys.co.uk
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, £199.99
Bang & Olufsen’s compact speaker weighs just over 500g and is 13cm wide. A handy leather strap lets you hang it up out of the way, while durable, water-resistant aluminium casing protects it from any drops or spills. You can also rest easy knowing that a full charge will give you up to 18 hours of listening pleasure.
Visit JohnLewis.com
Anker SoundCore 2, £39.99
This bar-style speaker boasts a 24-hour battery life as well as intense bass and impressive audio power. Featuring IPX7 protection, the SoundCore 2 can stand up to rain, snow, dust and any spills, so you’ll feel confident taking it to the park, beach or beyond. Connect to your phone via Bluetooth, or pair it with other SoundCore 2s for a fuller surround sound, even when outdoors.
Visit Amazon.co.uk
Bose Portable Wireless Multi-Room Speaker, £299
This portable speaker from Bose delivers 360º sound wherever you might be. With voice assistants Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in, it’s on the pricier side and is also easily controlled via an app. It’s been cleverly designed to withstand drops and bumps, plus it’s water-resistant and features a rubber handle to ensure it’s easy to carry. The 12-hour battery life ensures you won’t be caught short of juice.
Visit Currys.co.uk
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Bluetooth Waterproof Portable Speaker, £129.99
Delivering surround sound in a neat waterproof and drop-proof design, the Boom is a friend to any summer holiday or garden party. It boasts a 45m Bluetooth range, 15-hour battery life and the brand’s ‘magic’ button to play, pause and skip songs easily. This speaker will also float in water and can be charged with either a USB cable or handy power dock.
Visit JohnLewis.com
With thanks to Neil White of specialist retailer Richer Sounds.
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