Are you looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker for everyday use, for a party at home or on the beach, or to always have it with you everywhere? Whatever you’re looking for, let’s take a look at the key features of such a speaker and how you can end up with the ideal choice for you.

1. Power & Volume

The RMS power (root mean square) of a speaker is measured in Watt and describes the actual output of the speaker. The volume reflects the sound levels a speaker can reach and is measured in decibel (dB). Generally, the higher the speaker’s power, the higher the volume levels it can reach. 

Speakers with power up to 10W are recommended for indoor use, while those from 20W and above are suitable for outdoor spaces as well. Indicatively, a 10-20 watt speaker is a good choice for listening to music at home or in the office, if you do not have special requirements. If you are in an open space, then speakers in the 30-80 watt range are a good choice. Whereas, for parties and organizing other events, you will need speakers above 100 watt.

Let’s look at some options for different needs.

Always & Everywhere Together | up to 20 Watt

This category includes smaller-sized speakers, for you who want to carry it everywhere with ease! They are ideal for daily use, both indoors and outdoors, and are economical and affordable options!

Small company, big musical moments | up to 50 watts

This category includes speakers with a moderate level in terms of volume, sound quality, and portability. Such a speaker can cover a wider range of your needs in music and sound quality, without losing the usability of the compact size.

Party vibes | up to 100 watt

In this category, you will find the most powerful Bluetooth speakers! These are speakers with a higher volume level, larger in size, and better quality. They are suitable for use at home parties, as well as outdoor events.

2. Sound Quality

Regarding sound quality, an important factor is the type of music you listen to in conjunction with the speaker. For example, a device that has more subwoofer type speakers (speakers designed for lower frequencies) performs better with music that has a lot of bass. An important factor in the sound result is also the way sound is compressed, encoded, and transmitted via Bluetooth to the speaker. On Android devices, the aptX encoding seems to deliver better sound, while on iPhone devices, the AAC encoding does.

3. Portability

When we talk about portable speakers, size and shape play a very important role. Before proceeding with the purchase of such a speaker, pay attention to its dimensions and weight, so that you make sure it will be functional for the use you intend it for. Larger speakers, usually, offer better and more "clear" sound quality, while the smaller ones - also known as mini speakers - are suitable for easier transport.

4. Dust & water resistance

Do you want a speaker for the beach, the pool, or the bathroom at home? The IP (Ingress Protection) rating is what certifies the device’s resistance to water and dust and is usually written as IPXX.

What does the IPXX rating mean?

As an example, we will use the ratings IP67 & IPX7.

The first number refers to dust protection. The 6, in the IP67 example, means complete protection against dust. The second number refers to water protection. The 7 means that the device, according to this certification, can withstand a depth of 1 meter underwater for up to 30 minutes. This makes it quite water-resistant but not completely waterproof. Also, in speakers you may come across the same rating with the first number replaced by X (IPX7). This means the same applies for water as in IP67, without specifying dust resistance.

In general, the higher the number in this rating, the greater the protection. Find portable bluetooth speakers with water protection to take with you on your water adventures.

5. Battery

Almost all bluetooth speakers have a lithium battery. Its size, combined with the speaker’s power, mainly determines its consumption and battery life.

Most manufacturers state the battery life of each device, so from that you can get a first impression of whether it meets your needs. Speakers with more than 20 hours of operation are considered speakers with long battery life.

In real-world conditions, however, depending on the volume, usage, and the condition of the battery, battery life may be shorter. If you are outdoors, you can also take a power bank with you, to make sure the music will play for as long as you want.

6. Connectivity

We are certainly dealing with a connection via Bluetooth. The newer the version of Bluetooth, the more stable the connection of the speaker with the other device and the lower the energy consumption required for the connection.

SkroutzTip: Prefer the Bluetooth version in the speaker you choose to be at least 4.2 or later for better connection.

Additionally, many speakers may also have usb ports, as well as 3.5mm!

SkroutzTip: In some cases, they can also be connected and play together with up to 2 speakers at the same time! For example, the company JBL offers in its newer models the PartyBoost technology, with which you can pair 2 speakers, to achieve an even more powerful sound output.

7. Extra features

• Radio: If you are a fan of the analog experience, choose a bluetooth speaker with radio!
• LED lighting: If you want to attract attention and create party vibes at any moment, look for speakers with LED lighting.
• Built-in microphone: What do you do if, while listening to music, the phone rings and you don’t want to disconnect the speaker? Don’t worry! There are hands-free speakers, with a built-in microphone, that offer the ability to talk directly through the speaker.
• Smart Assistant: Some portable speakers feature a built-in smart assistant, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri. This way, you can control the speaker with voice commands and change songs effortlessly just with your voice!
• Multiple speaker connection (TWS): As we saw above, many models offer the ability to connect 2+ bluetooth speakers with each other. If your friends have the same speakers too, you can connect them, place them in different corners or sides of the space, and enjoy a stereo result.

While choosing a portable Bluetooth speaker may initially seem like an easy task, as you have read, there are many factors you need to consider to make the best possible choice.

Now that you know, choose your favorite speaker and get ready for unique, wireless music moments. However, don't forget! Many times there can be a difference in a product, based on its overall features and construction. Before deciding, read other users' reviews to see their opinions too!

➜ New: Check out used Bluetooth speakers on Skoop, the new service for selling used products!