This page lists speakers for parties, outdoor days and listening at home, from pocket-size Bluetooth models to powered PA speakers. Brands include Bose, Monster, Beats, Anker Soundcore, ECOXGEAR, Altec Lansing, Edifier and Bang & Olufsen. It suits anyone who wants music out loud rather than in earbuds.
Monster Cube 1 review: a 210 g waterproof strap speaker with microSD playback and 100-speaker Party Connect, why its specs vary, and what to buy instead.
Altec Lansing Baby Boom XL review: IP67 rating, 100-foot Bluetooth range, 6-hour battery, and how it compares to the JBL Clip 4 and Bose SoundLink Micro.
Beats Pill review: punchy bass for its size and a 24-hour rated battery, but weak deep bass and max-volume distortion make a larger speaker better for parties.
Bose S1 Pro+ review: a 3-channel mixer, 11-hour battery, Auto EQ and wireless transmitter docks, plus what RTINGS and MusicRadar found about bass and volume.
The Bose SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen keeps its IP67 design but adds new controls, app EQ, and newer Bluetooth. Independent tests reveal the battery tradeoff.
Bose SoundLink Micro 2nd Gen review: clear sound and a rugged strap make it portable, but short high-volume battery life and no mic change who should buy it.
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ Series II speaker review: 360 degree sound, IP55 rating, 17-hour battery, and how it compares to the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Xtreme 3.
Edifier ES20 portable speaker review: IP67 rating, Bluetooth 5.4, 15-hour battery, and how it compares with the Monster Blaster Micro and Wonderboom Play.
Read the review →
How do I pick the right speaker?
Start with where you will play music. A pocket speaker like the Monster Cube 1 fits a bag. For a party, the Monster S200 is listed as a 50W speaker. The ECOXGEAR Defender Outdoor is sold for outdoor use. For a crowd, the Bose S1 Pro+ is a powered PA speaker.
Then check the specs that match that use. The Monster S150 has an IPX7 rating and wired inputs. The Anker Soundcore Motion+ supports Hi-Res audio. The Monster Cube 1 has shifting specs, so check the seller page before you buy.
IPX7
A water resistance rating. The X means the speaker has no dust rating. The rating covers short dunks in fresh water.
PA speaker
A powered speaker made to fill a room or small venue for a crowd. Many take microphone and instrument inputs.
Hi-Res audio
A label for playback with more detail than CD quality. Over Bluetooth, the phone and speaker must share a codec that supports it.
Frequently asked questions
Which speaker brand should I choose: Bose, Monster, Anker Soundcore or another?
Match the brand to the job. Bose has the widest range here, from small SoundLink models to the S1 Pro+ PA speaker. Monster covers small and party speakers, with the S150 as a cheap IPX7 pick. ECOXGEAR aims at outdoor use. The Anker Soundcore Motion+ adds Hi-Res audio.
Which speaker on this list has a water rating?
The Monster S150 is listed with an IPX7 rating. Check each product page for its rating before you take a speaker near water.
Which speaker is best for a party?
The Monster S200 is listed as a 50W party speaker, though its specs are hard to pin down. For a bigger crowd, the Bose S1 Pro+ is an all-in-one wireless powered PA speaker.
Brands we partner with
Shop these brands' own stores or official Amazon storefronts for current prices.
Anker audio
soundcore
Headphones, earbuds and speakers from Anker's soundcore
Anker's audio brand: Bluetooth headphones, true wireless earbuds and speakers
ArmorSound has reviewed the Liberty 4 NC, Space Q45 and AeroFit 2
