For most people, the Marshall Emberton III is the Marshall speaker to buy. It is a 0.67 kg stereo speaker with an IP67 dust and water rating, Marshall rates it for 32+ hours per charge, and it is small enough to take everywhere.
Go smaller with the Willen II if you want something to strap to a bag or a bike. Step up to the Middleton II for a tougher mid-size speaker with an AUX input and a microphone. Choose the Kilburn III for the longest rated battery only if you can live with an IP54 rating, which covers splashes rather than a dunk in the pool.
For a speaker that stays plugged in at home, the Stanmore IV is the new default after Marshall replaced its Generation III home speakers in July 2026. The Woburn III remains the largest home model and the only pick here with HDMI for a TV. This guide now also covers the portable models from our former Marshall portable speaker guide.
Emberton III for most people, Stanmore IV for home
The Emberton III balances size, stereo sound, IP67 protection and battery best; the Stanmore IV is the home pick unless you need HDMI from the Woburn III.
- Emberton III: travel and everyday listening
- Stanmore IV: living rooms and record players
- Woburn III: TV setups and large rooms
- You need Wi-Fi streaming or a voice assistant
- You want the cheapest speaker for the volume
Shopping for speakers? Start with these brands
Each button opens the brand's own store or its official Amazon storefront, so you can check current prices and the return window.
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
- Opens soundcore's official Amazon store
Desk and home speakers
Edifier
Upgrade your desk or living room with Edifier speakers
- Speakers and headphones for home, desktop and portable listening
- Line-up includes the M90, MR5 and S1000 MKII
- Sold direct from Edifier's US store
Our picks at a glance
Best overallMarshall Emberton III
Best for: Travel, desks and everyday use
- Battery (rated)
- 32+ hours
- Dust and water
- IP67
- Weight
- 0.67 kg (1.5 lb)
- Sound
- Stereo
- Wired input
- None listed
- Stereo sound from a 160 mm-wide body
- IP67, rated for 1 m submersion for 30 minutes
- Built-in mic and Bluetooth multipoint
- No AUX input
- Strap included only with the Brown version
Watch for: Marshall includes the fastening strap only with the Brown Emberton III, so check the color if you need it.
Check price on Amazon →
Best small speakerMarshall Willen II
Best for: Bags, bikes and showers
- Battery (rated)
- 17+ hours
- Dust and water
- IP67
- Weight
- 0.36 kg (0.79 lb)
- Sound
- Mono
- Lightest speaker in the range
- Rubber fastening strap included
- Built-in mic for calls
- Mono, single 2-inch driver
- No wired input
Watch for: It is mono, so a single unit gives no stereo separation.
Check price on Amazon →Marshall Middleton II
Best for: Beach, pool and camping trips
- Battery (rated)
- 30+ hours
- Dust and water
- IP67
- Weight
- 1.8 kg (3.9 lb)
- Wired input
- 3.5 mm AUX
- Extras
- Phone charging, replaceable battery
- IP67 plus an AUX input
- Charges your phone over USB-C
- Mic for calls, unlike the Kilburn III
- Much heavier than the Emberton III
- Slightly lower max output than Kilburn III (RTINGS)
Watch for: At 1.8 kg it is a strap-carry speaker rather than one for a jacket pocket.
Check price on Amazon →Marshall Kilburn III
Best for: Backyards and long days unplugged
- Battery
- 50+ hrs rated; about 23 measured (RTINGS)
- Dust and water
- IP54
- Weight
- 2.8 kg (6.17 lb)
- Wired input
- 3.5 mm AUX
- Longest rated battery in the range
- Consistent sound around the speaker (RTINGS)
- Bass and treble knobs plus app EQ
- IP54 covers splashes, not submersion
- No microphone for calls
Watch for: RTINGS measured a little over 23 hours against Marshall's 50+ hour rating, so plan around the lower number at high volume.
Check price on Amazon →Marshall Stanmore IV
Best for: Living rooms and vinyl setups
- Amplifiers
- 60 W + 2 x 25 W
- Inputs
- 3.5 mm, RCA
- Bluetooth
- 5.3 with Auracast and LDAC
- Weight
- 4 kg (8.8 lb)
- Powerful, controlled bass (TechRadar)
- RCA input for turntables
- Auracast multi-room and LDAC
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistant
- Mains power only
Watch for: It has no phono stage, so a turntable without a built-in preamp needs a separate one.
Check price on Amazon →
Best for TV and big roomsMarshall Woburn III
Best for: TV setups and large rooms
- Inputs
- HDMI, RCA, 3.5 mm
- Amplifiers
- 90 W + 4 x 15 W
- Rated max volume
- 100.5 dB SPL at 1 m
- Weight
- 7.45 kg (16.42 lb)
- Only Marshall home speaker with HDMI
- Follows TV power and volume
- Three-way driver layout with dedicated mids
- Large and heavy at 317 mm tall
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistant
Watch for: Measure the space under your TV first, because the Woburn III stands 317 mm tall.
Check price on Amazon →How do Marshall speakers compare?
| Model | Type | Rated battery | Dust and water | Weight | Wired input | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willen II | Portable, mono | 17+ hours | IP67 | 0.36 kg | None | Bags, bikes, showers |
| Emberton III | Portable, stereo | 32+ hours | IP67 | 0.67 kg | None listed | Everyday carry |
| Stockwell III | Portable, stereo | 40+ hours | IP55 | 1.3 kg | 3.5 mm | Carrying room to room |
| Middleton II | Portable, stereo | 30+ hours | IP67 | 1.8 kg | 3.5 mm | Beach and pool days |
| Kilburn III | Portable, stereo | 50+ hours (RTINGS: about 23) | IP54 | 2.8 kg | 3.5 mm | Backyards, long days |
| Stanmore IV | Home, mains power | No battery | Not stated | 4 kg | 3.5 mm, RCA | Living rooms, vinyl |
| Woburn III | Home, mains power | No battery | None | 7.45 kg | 3.5 mm, RCA, HDMI | TV and large rooms |
Battery, IP and weight figures are Marshall's own ratings from each product page, except the Stanmore IV, which comes from TechRadar's review, and the measured Kilburn III battery result from RTINGS.
How is Marshall's speaker range organized?
Marshall sells three families. The portable speakers run on batteries and carry IP ratings; the home speakers plug into the wall and add bigger cabinets and wired inputs; and the Bromley 150, 450 and 750 party speakers appear on the same US page as the portables.
The Roman numeral matters more than the name. Marshall's US portable page still lists the Emberton II, the Kilburn II and the original Tufton next to newer models, and generations differ in battery, protection and features. RTINGS points out, for example, that the Kilburn III's rating rose to IP54 from the Kilburn II's IPX2.
The home range changed in July 2026, when Marshall released the Acton IV and Stanmore IV. Its US home page still sells the Acton III, Stanmore III and Woburn III, all marked as special offers. There is no Woburn IV; the Woburn III continues as the largest home model.
Is the Marshall Emberton III the best Marshall speaker overall?
The Emberton III hits the best balance of size, battery and protection in the range. Marshall rates it for 32+ hours, with 20 minutes of charging good for about six hours and a full charge in two hours. The IP67 rating means Marshall says it can sit under 1 m of water for up to 30 minutes.
It is a stereo speaker using what Marshall calls True Stereophonic, its label for multi-directional 360-degree sound, in a body just 160 mm wide. Marshall says it has more bass than the Emberton II and that its loudest volume steps are cleaner, with less shrillness.
It also has a built-in microphone for calls and Bluetooth multipoint, so a phone and a laptop can both stay connected. There is no wired input, so plan on Bluetooth only, and note that Marshall includes the fastening strap only with the Brown version.
For a deeper look, read our Marshall Emberton III review.
Is the Marshall Willen II the best small Marshall speaker?
The Willen II is the one to clip on and forget. It weighs 0.36 kg, measures about 100 mm square and 43 mm thick, and comes with a rubber fastening strap for bike bars, bags or a shower rail. It shares the Emberton III's IP67 rating.
The trade-off is sound and stamina. It is a mono speaker with a single 2-inch driver and two passive radiators, and Marshall rates the battery at 17+ hours, about half the Emberton III's figure. Marshall says it has more and deeper bass than the original Willen, but a speaker this small cannot match the bigger models for volume or low end.
A built-in microphone handles hands-free calls, and multipoint is supported. Our Marshall Willen II review covers it in more detail.
Is the Marshall Middleton II the best rugged mid-size Marshall speaker?
The Middleton II is the pick when the speaker is going to the beach, the pool or a campsite and you want more than an Emberton can deliver. It keeps IP67 protection, adds a 3.5 mm AUX input, and uses a four-driver stereo layout with two 3-inch woofers, two 0.6-inch tweeters and two passive radiators.
Marshall rates it for 30+ hours, with 20 minutes of charging good for five hours. It can charge your phone over USB-C, its battery is user-replaceable, and it has bass and treble controls on the top panel. Codec support is SBC, AAC and LC3, and a carry strap comes in the box.
RTINGS, comparing it with the Kilburn III, describes the Middleton II as smaller and better protected with a microphone for calls, though with slightly lower maximum output. At 1.8 kg it is a strap-carry speaker, not a pocket one.
Does the Marshall Kilburn III have the best battery life?
The Kilburn III has the longest battery rating in Marshall's range at 50+ hours, and Marshall says 20 minutes on a 30 W USB-C PD charger adds about eight hours. Real-world use will be lower: RTINGS measured a little over 23 hours, and its testers note you will likely get closer to Marshall's figure at lower volumes.
RTINGS describes a warm default sound with plenty of upper bass and low mids, which flatters music but can make voices a little muddy, and it praises the speaker's directivity: the sound stays consistent as you move around it. It also found some bass compression near maximum volume and noted that LC3 and Auracast support can still be spotty.
The catch is protection. IP54 covers limited dust and water splashes from any direction, and RTINGS advises keeping it away from bodies of water. The Kilburn III also has no microphone, so it cannot take calls. On the plus side, it has a 3.5 mm input, physical bass and treble knobs, a replaceable battery and phone charging over USB-C. At 2.8 kg, it is a carry-handle speaker for the backyard, not the trail.
Should you buy the Marshall Stockwell III instead?
The Stockwell III sits between the Emberton III and the Middleton II. Marshall rates it for 40+ hours (it notes some packaging still says 35+), it weighs 1.3 kg with a carrying strap, and it adds a 3.5 mm input, phone charging, a replaceable battery and the same bass, treble and M-button controls as the Kilburn III.
It misses our main list because of its IP55 rating, which Marshall defines as protection against dust and low-pressure water jets. That is fine for a garden or a kitchen counter, but the Middleton II and Emberton III are the safer choices near a pool.
Is the Marshall Stanmore IV or the smaller Acton IV the best home speaker?
For a speaker that lives on a sideboard, the Stanmore IV is the default. TechRadar's Harry Padoan called it a worthy upgrade over the Stanmore III, with powerful but controlled bass from its 5-inch, 60 W woofer, two 25 W tweeters, LDAC for higher-bitrate Bluetooth from compatible phones, and Auracast for multi-room listening.
It has 3.5 mm and RCA inputs, so a turntable can plug straight in, though most decks need a phono preamp unless one is built in. TechRadar's main complaints are the lack of Wi-Fi and of a voice assistant, which rules out AirPlay or Alexa.
The Acton IV is the same design with a smaller woofer and cabinet. TechRadar found the Stanmore IV keeps tighter control at high volume and has stronger stereo separation, and it listed the Acton IV at $100 less at launch. If you are tempted by the older models on clearance, our Marshall Acton III review and Marshall Stanmore III review explain when they still make sense.
Is the Marshall Woburn III best for TV and big rooms?
The Woburn III is Marshall's largest home speaker and the only one here with an HDMI input. Marshall says that, with the speaker left on, it switches on and off with your TV and follows the TV's volume, so your TV remote controls it. A Night Mode reduces sudden loud sounds and lifts voices for late viewing.
Inside is a three-way stereo layout powered by a 90 W woofer amplifier plus 15 W amplifiers for each of two midrange drivers and two tweeters. Marshall rates it at 100.5 dB SPL at 1 m, and RTINGS, comparing it with the Kilburn III, notes the Woburn III gets much louder, though its sound is less consistent around the room.
It is big: 400 x 317 x 203 mm and 7.45 kg, with no battery, no Wi-Fi and no voice assistant. Our Woburn III review covers it in depth, and the Woburn III vs Stanmore III comparison helps if you are torn between sizes.
What about Marshall party speakers and older models?
The Bromley 150, 450 and 750 are Marshall's party speakers, a separate line built for gatherings rather than everyday listening, so they fall outside this guide.
Several older models remain on sale. The original Tufton is still listed on Marshall's US portable page. If you find a Tufton on offer, read our Marshall Tufton review first and compare it with the Kilburn III, which is the newer design. The Emberton II and Kilburn II are also still listed; buy them only at a discount large enough to offset their older batteries and protection ratings.
How do I choose a Marshall speaker?
- Battery or wall power. If it never leaves one room, a home speaker gives you more sound per dollar and wired inputs. If it moves, stay with the portables.
- Water exposure. Near a pool or at the beach, stick to IP67 (Willen II, Emberton III, Middleton II). IP55 and IP54 cover splashes, not submersion. Our IP ratings explainer breaks down the codes.
- Mono or stereo. The Willen II is mono. Every other model here is stereo.
- Wired sources. AUX is on the Stockwell III, Middleton II and Kilburn III. RCA is on the Stanmore IV and Woburn III. HDMI is only on the Woburn III.
- Calls. The Willen II, Emberton III and Middleton II have microphones. The Kilburn III does not.
- Rated versus real battery. Treat Marshall's figures as best cases. RTINGS measured less than half of the Kilburn III's rating.
- Smart features. None of these speakers has Wi-Fi or a built-in voice assistant.
What do Marshall speaker owners report?
Spec sheets and lab reviews only go so far. Here is what owners say after living with it, drawn from Reddit discussions collected by RedditRecs.
- Emberton III: loud for its size. An owner who uses an Emberton III on a desk calls it surprisingly loud with great bass, and says the Emberton II they had before could not handle bass. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
- Middleton II for a fuller sound. An Emberton III owner stepped up to the Middleton II for a fuller sound and wishes Marshall could fit that sound into the Emberton’s size. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
- Bose Flex is the main rival. A shopper who listened to both in a store preferred the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and found the Emberton III good but pricier. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
Owners pick Marshall for looks and a punchy sound for the size. If sound per dollar matters most, audition the Bose SoundLink Flex too.
Partner brands for speakers at a glance
| Brand | What they make | Where you buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| soundcore Anker audio | Anker's audio brand: Bluetooth headphones, true wireless earbuds and speakers | Official Amazon store | Shop soundcore → |
| Edifier Desk and home speakers | Speakers and headphones for home, desktop and portable listening | Brand's own store | Check price → |
Frequently asked questions
Which Marshall speakers are waterproof?
The Willen II, Emberton III and Middleton II are rated IP67, which Marshall says allows submersion in 1 m of water for up to 30 minutes. The Stockwell III is IP55, protected against dust and low-pressure water jets, and the Kilburn III is IP54, which covers splashes. Marshall's mains-powered home speakers, including the Woburn III, have no water resistance and belong indoors.
Do any Marshall speakers have Wi-Fi or Alexa?
None of the models in this guide does. TechRadar flagged the lack of Wi-Fi and voice assistant support as the Stanmore IV's main weakness, Marshall lists no Wi-Fi or voice control for the Woburn III, and RTINGS confirms the Kilburn III has neither. They all stream over Bluetooth, and the bigger models add wired inputs. If AirPlay or Alexa matters, these speakers will not provide it on their own.
Which Marshall speaker has the longest battery life?
The Kilburn III, which Marshall rates at 50+ hours. RTINGS measured a little over 23 hours in its own test, so real-world runtime depends heavily on volume. The Stockwell III is next at a rated 40+ hours, followed by the Emberton III at 32+ hours and the Middleton II at 30+ hours. The Willen II is rated for 17+ hours.
Is the Marshall Emberton III stereo?
Yes. Marshall lists the Emberton III as a stereo speaker and markets its True Stereophonic tuning as 360-degree sound, meaning it aims to sound similar from any side rather than projecting a wide left-right image from the front. The smaller Willen II is mono. If stereo separation matters, a single portable speaker of either size will not match two separate speakers.
What replaced the Marshall Acton III and Stanmore III?
The Acton IV and Stanmore IV, which Marshall released in July 2026. According to TechRadar, the Stanmore IV adds LDAC, Auracast, more amplifier power and a newer app with a five-band EQ. Marshall's US store still sells the Acton III and Stanmore III as special offers, while the Woburn III continues as the largest home model without a new generation.
Can I connect a turntable or TV to a Marshall speaker?
Yes, with the right model. The Stanmore IV and Woburn III have RCA inputs for a turntable, which needs a phono preamp unless one is built into the deck. For a TV, the Woburn III's HDMI input is the cleanest option. The portable Stockwell III, Middleton II and Kilburn III take a 3.5 mm cable, while the Willen II and Emberton III are Bluetooth only.
Sources
- Marshall: US portable speaker range (current listings)
- Marshall: US home speaker range (current listings)
- Marshall: Emberton III product page and specifications
- Marshall: Willen II product page and specifications
- Marshall: Middleton II product page and specifications
- Marshall: Kilburn III product page and specifications
- Marshall: Stockwell III product page and specifications
- Marshall: Woburn III product page and specifications
- RTINGS: Marshall Kilburn III speaker review
- TechRadar: Marshall Stanmore IV review (July 2026)
What do Marshall's speaker specs mean for buyers?
Marshall's ratings show how long each speaker runs and how much water it can take. Treat battery figures as best cases.
- Marshall says the IP67 Emberton III can sit under 1 m of water for up to 30 minutes. (marshall.com)
- The Kilburn III is rated for 50+ hours, but RTINGS got a little over 23 hours in its test. (rtings.com)
- At 0.36 kg, the Willen II can strap to a bike, a bag or a shower rail. (marshall.com)
- 20 minutes of charging gives the Middleton II five hours of play. (marshall.com)
- The Woburn III is rated at 100.5 dB SPL at 1 m, so it suits large rooms. (marshall.com)
