Greatest Transportable Mini Bluetooth Audio system for 2023: High 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. Nevertheless it largely lives as much as the hype and is arguably the best-sounding wi-fi speaker for its comparatively compact measurement. Out there 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 expertise to mechanically detect the speaker’s orientation and ship optimized sound based mostly on whether or not it is upright, hanging or flat on its again. The Flex additionally floats and Bose says it might survive drops and bumps, with a gentle silicone again and powder-coated metal grille that “will not peel or flake and is proof against corrosion and UV gentle.”

Whereas Bose’s SoundLink Micro additionally delivers spectacular sound for its tiny measurement, this speaker is larger, weighing simply over a pound (0.45 kg) and measuring 7.9 inches huge, 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 a substitute of 5.0, however I did not have any issues with connectivity.

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

The very compact Soundcore by Anker Mini 3 Bluetooth speaker might not ship enormous sound but it surely delivers extra sound than you’d assume (with simply sufficient bass) from a speaker of its measurement. Out there 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 area, however most individuals will use this speaker for informal listening on the go. It additionally makes for a great rest room or bathe speaker and does have speakerphone capabilities with a built-in microphone. 

Again in 2020, Tribit launched the StormBox Micro, a finances 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 gives improved sound and battery life, together with a charge-out characteristic that turns the speaker into an influence financial institution for cell gadgets equivalent to smartphones and tablets. An built-in strap lets you clip it to your backpack or your bike’s handlebars.

Like the unique, it is a superb worth and straightforward to suggest should you’re on the lookout 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 by way of USB-C. Geared up with Bluetooth 5.3 with help for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, the speaker performs greater than you’d assume 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 verify. It may possibly output solely a lot sound — sure, it has its limitations — however should you add a second XB100, you will get stereo sound. Alas, there isn’t any companion app, however that is not an enormous deal.

The XB100 is on the market in a number of coloration choices and features a strap so you may 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 skin, 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 assume 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 by way of USB-C. Out there in a number of coloration choices, it is one of many best-sounding audio system for its compact measurement.

The JBL Bluetooth speaker that acquired 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 cloth as a substitute 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 high micro Bluetooth audio system on the market.

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

The Roam is presently Sonos’ smallest and most reasonably priced speaker (should you do not rely these $99 Sonos-compatible Symfonisk Ikea Wi-Fi bookshelf audio system). This mannequin, like Sonos’ earlier Move 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 Collection 2-compatible Sonos audio system. The Sonos Roam makes for a great starter Sonos speaker for these new to the Sonos world. Read our Sonos Roam review.

We favored Final Ears’  and the third-generation mannequin, the Wonderboom 3, gives some small enhancements, together with barely higher battery life (as much as 14 hours as a substitute of 13, at average quantity ranges) and a brand new Bluetooth chip that permits 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 generally sells for rather less. Its IP67 score signifies that it isn’t solely waterproof but additionally dust-proof (and in a position to float).

This mannequin retains the particular Out of doors Increase mode that enhances treble and you’ll 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 superb sound for its small measurement. That mentioned, whereas there’s some punch to the bass (being quick but squat helps it produce extra low finish), it might 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 may 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 assume it might for its tiny measurement, and it gives respectable readability as effectively simply sufficient bass to keep away from sounding tinny (you may select from three preset sound modes). 

Battery life is nice 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 might price round $80, although proper now you may decide it up on sale for $100. Nevertheless it’s properly designed, feels rugged and suits in a jacket pocket, weighing in it at 0.68-pound (308 grams).

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

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

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 high quality indoors. It has an LED gentle present which you could 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 assessments, 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 huge sound, the soundstage does not really feel all that huge, notably at decrease volumes. It really sounds higher at increased volumes.

With its new canister-like design, completely sized to slot in a chair cup holder, Sony has created a conveyable Bluetooth speaker that has a design you are most likely accustomed to from fashionable audio system just like the UE Growth and JBL Flip, which have been upgraded through the years 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 you will discover on Amazon within the $40-$100 vary on Amazon. It is also a sleeker trying Bluetooth speaker that is accessible in 5 completely different coloration choices: black, taupe, coral purple, 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 lets you alter the colourful lighting results) seems to be extra spectacular. The speaker can also be IP67 dustproof and waterproof, and it gives 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 might say the speaker delivers superb however not nice sound for its measurement and worth (it distorts a little bit at increased 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.

Notice which you could pair this with one other JBL PartyBoost suitable speaker for stereo sound or hyperlink a number of JBL PartyBoost audio system for augmented sound. Additionally, you 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 essentially the most reasonably priced 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 increased 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 may join this to your PC and smartphone on the similar time and simply swap forwards and backwards between the 2 if a name is available in in your cellphone. Moreover, the speaker is Alexa-enabled, which means you may 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 should you can afford it, you may hyperlink two A1 audio system to create a stereo pair. The speaker is waterproof with an IP67 score that permits it to be submerged briefly in shallow water.

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

Though a little bit expensive and as a result of 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 accessible in three coloration choices, though the blue model seems to be exhausting to search out. 

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

Tribit’s StormBox speaker seems to be like a cross between a UE and a JBL speaker. We suspect that is not an accident. Totally waterproof, it prices about $50 lower than the JBL Flip 5 and produces greater 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 in a position to energy as much as 20 hours of steady playtime.