Best Portable Speakers of 2025 – Top Picks for Sound on the Go

Rating: 5

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a fantastic choice for those who want a compact, rugged, and waterproof speaker with excellent sound quality. Despite its small size, it delivers impressive 360-degree sound with deep bass, making it perfect for outdoor activities, beach trips, and even showers. The battery life lasts up to 14 hours, and it features an IP67 waterproof rating, ensuring durability in wet conditions. The only downside is the lack of an aux input and no built-in voice assistant, but if portability and great sound are your priorities, this speaker is a top pick.

— Ava Martinez

Rating: 5

The Sony SRS-XB100 is an affordable yet powerful portable speaker that delivers enhanced bass and clear audio, making it a great companion for casual music listening. It features Sony’s Extra Bass technology, which adds depth to the sound without distorting it. The compact design allows easy transport, and the battery lasts up to 16 hours on a single charge. The IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating ensures it can handle outdoor conditions. However, it lacks advanced features like multi-speaker pairing or built-in voice assistants, making it more of a budget-friendly choice for those who value simplicity.

— David Miller

Rating: 4.9

The JBL Clip 5 is one of the most convenient portable speakers, thanks to its integrated carabiner clip that allows you to attach it to backpacks, belts, or bikes with ease. Despite its compact size, it produces surprisingly powerful sound with JBL’s signature audio quality. The battery life lasts up to 10 hours, and the speaker is fully waterproof and dustproof (IP67-rated), making it a solid choice for outdoor enthusiasts. While it lacks deep bass due to its small size, the overall audio clarity and portability make it an excellent travel speaker.

— William Brown

Rating: 4.9

The Sonos Move 2 is a premium portable speaker that combines high-quality sound with smart features. Unlike many portable speakers, it delivers deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs, making it suitable for audiophiles who want a richer listening experience. The speaker supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for multi-room audio integration with other Sonos products. It also features built-in voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. The downside is its relatively high price and bulkier design compared to other portable speakers, but if you prioritize sound quality and smart features, the Sonos Move 2 is an excellent choice.

— Emma Davis

Rating: 4.8

The JBL Pulse 5 is not just a speaker; it’s an experience. Known for its dynamic LED light show that syncs with your music, it’s perfect for parties and gatherings. The speaker delivers powerful, bass-heavy sound with JBL’s signature tuning. It’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof, making it a great option for poolside events and outdoor adventures. The battery lasts up to 12 hours, which is decent but not the longest in its category. The only downside is that it’s slightly bulkier than other JBL models, but if you want a speaker that looks as good as it sounds, the Pulse 5 is the way to go.

— Sophia Brown