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Ten of the best portable speakers
Add some atmosphere to your gatherings with these Bluetooth-enabled devices
If you’re looking for a portable speaker to bring some atmosphere to an outdoor gathering, then the new StormBox Pro from Tribit could be a perfect party guest. With a battery life of 24 hours’ listening time, a durable handle and water resistant design, it’s an ideal gadget for people on the move. Also, the battery has the ability to charge other devices such as phones and tablets.
While the functionality and design is top-notch, where the StormBox Pro really shines is with its sound quality. And in the words of Meghan Trainor, it’s “all about that bass”. With a 2.1 subwoofer system and exclusive XBass® technology, this speaker really can boom - and if you want to ramp up the amps even more, then you could always pair two devices for a concert-like, stereo sound. However, if you do arrange an outdoor gathering and plan on having music played over this speaker, then maybe just forewarn the neighbours. It could get a bit noisy once the party, and the volume, cranks up another level. £119.99; amazon.co.uk
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A Bluetooth speaker and a light, the aGlow comes in three finishes and has a handle, making it easy to carry around. Its battery will run for ten hours, and it has a built-in microphone for hands-free calls. This Bluetooth speaker “neatly combines light and sound”, The Times says, and because it doubles as a dimming lantern, you can continue to picnic into the wee hours of the night, Inside Hook adds. £149.95; kreafunk.com
Bose SoundLink Mini 2
The Bose SoundLink Mini 2 is a great choice overall. It sounds excellent and provided you’re not looking for a ruggedised speaker to take out with you day-to-day, it ticks all the right boxes. Inside is a two speaker array with a passive bass radiator to flesh out the low range. Altogether they make for a well-rounded sound. The bass, in particular, is some of the most emphatic we’ve heard for a speaker of this size. £199; amazon.co.uk
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Juice Duet
With two separate units that work together to reproduce a stereo sound, no other budget Bluetooth speakers offer a true stereo experience. These even work more than 10m apart from each other, which is brilliant. The speakers are also IPX4-rated, which means they’ll survive a splash of water. £24.99; amazon.co.uk
Tronsmart Force
The Tronsmart Force is a corker of a speaker and is one of the best available under £50. This hefty little unit manages to output up to 40W of power through its dual-driver setup. The speaker might not have the best control in the bass or clarity in the mid-range frequencies, but relative to its price, it’s sensational. £49.31; geekbuying.com
JBL Charge 4
An excellent all-rounder, the Charge 4 is one of JBL’s best-selling Bluetooth speakers and for good reason. It’s affordable, rugged and puts out sound belying its size. It also possesses the ability to double up as a power bank thanks to a built-in USB-A port, making it perfect for occasions when your phone is liable to run out of battery. £116; jbl.com
Marshall Emberton
A delightful combination of style and sonic substance, the Marshall Emberton logo emblazoned on the speaker’s front grille immediately conjures up images of the guitar amps the company is famous for. But don’t be fooled: this a speaker you can take anywhere. Build quality is not only eye-catching but rugged, too. £119; amazon.co.uk
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
With its stylish looks, various colours and most importantly, fantastic sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom does practically everything right. For a speaker that can float, the Wonderboom’s IPX7 rating means that it can survive at least 30 minutes of submersion in a metre of water, but is effectively waterproof if you leave it bobbing around on the surface. If you’re looking for the perfect Bluetooth speaker for the beach, or your bathroom, then this could be it. £89.99; ultimateears.com
B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
The second generation Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 model might look identical to its predecessor but a number of tweaks have been made under the hood. The result is that this brilliant Bluetooth speaker is now better than ever. £199; amazon.co.uk
Tribit StormBox Micro
Rugged, dustproof and water resistant, the Tribit StormBox Micro is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping and cycling - and also packs a punch when used indoors. The Week has tested this speaker for phone, laptop and record player use and also connected for video meetings and calls. It has a decent battery life, eight hours on one full charge, and its Bluetooth can keep connected while walking around the house or the garden. Even though the StormBox Micro is small in size, the quality of its sound is big. The built-in XBass gives it a strong booming tone and you can even connect two speakers together for stereo or party mode. CNET.com says this speaker is “one of the best-sounding pocket-size portable Bluetooth models”, and we agree. £41.99; tribit.com
