8 of the best portable Bluetooth speakers we've tested: top portable, punchy, outdoorsy, and affordable picks from JBL, Bose, and more

A selection of Bluetooth speakers, on a picnic table
(Image credit: JBL, Tribit, Bose, Ultimate Ears, Bang & Olusen, Amazon (edited using Gemini 2.0))

Depending on where you reside, over the last 72 hours, you'll have lived through a pretty intense heatwave, significant lightning and thunderstorms, or just, er, something (perhaps even everything) in between.

Luckily, the weather is nothing if not changeable. So if you can't get outside now, you absolutely will be able to very soon. And if you're tired of listening to music indoors and want to get out into nature, one of these portable little beauties is the way to go.

Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

All of these deals have been tested and approved by TechRadar, and all are heavily discounted right now. That said, I can't promise how long said savings will last, since you may have noticed it's Amazon Prime Day right now — until midnight at least.

Which to pick, since we're in a rush? That depends. For me, you simply cannot go wrong with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 as a travel companion; it's mug-sized, you can stereo-pair two of them, it's more than loud enough for the tent or picnic table, and the audio is tight and accurate.

Both the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 and slightly older JBL Go 4 are cheaper and smaller than the UE Wonderboom, so better suited to a solo trip, where the Bose Soundlink Flex 2 and JBL Flip 7 are that bit bigger if you're looking to start a party.

The JBL Grip is a relatively new model for the Bluetooth speaker and hi-fi giant, and I have to say, that purple finish is delightful, isn't it? But for me, top of the style pile would be the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore. It's like a very very chic can of beans that plays music and totes a carabiner. I feel as if I'm not selling it well with that description, but trust me, it's a handsome little speaker.

Need something bigger, ideally with a shoulder strap? The Tribit Stormbox Lava is a great shout at this price. For audio quality, I didn't love it at full price, but you can't really complain when it's $45 off… and in that 'not too big, not too small, just right' Goldilocks area of speakers, is the wine bottle-shaped JBL Flip 7. And that sounds every bit as good as its dimensions can possibly allow.

OK then, happy shopping, and get ready for that rain-check!

The cheap Bluetooth speakers we recommend


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Becky Scarrott
Audio Editor

Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.  

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