If you’re looking for the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been curating our list for half a decade, meaning we’ve experienced much of what the market offers and understand what makes a quality loud Bluetooth speaker. These speakers aren’t just your everyday Bluetooth speaker. They are designed specifically for those looking to get the most out of their speaker whose requirements exceed that of the traditional Bluetooth speaker market.
Soundboks
The Soundboks is the loudest Bluetooth speaker on the market. Delivering a peak volume of 126dB with military-grade batteries providing 40 hours of non-stop beats each.
Editors Note: We constantly curate our content to keep it fresh and relevant. This list was updated on January 12th, 2023, to remove smaller alternatives and better represent larger and louder Bluetooth speakers.
Our Category Winners
The Loudest Bluetooth Speaker
Soundboks 3
The Soundboks Gen 3 stands alone in its magnitude, an unbelievably powerful and large Bluetooth speaker that offers 126dB of volume. The Soundboks Gen 3 size doesn’t make it the most portable option, but it is the loudest battery-powered Bluetooth speaker on our list and can still be carried around with a bit of muscle.
Largest Bluetooth Speaker
JBL PartBox 1000
The JBL PartyBox 1000 is a monster in size and volume. It’s capable of producing massive sound and is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers in the world. However, this speaker is not battery-operated and needs to be plugged into a power source. If you’re involved with large events or have a business where loudness is vital, the PartyBox 1000 doesn’t only bring a lot of volume, but also a ton of features.
Best Sound Quality
JBL PartyBox 710
While the sound quality is somewhat subjective, we all have different preferences for sound signatures. The JBL PartyBox 710 is an undeniably great-sounding speaker that crushes on the low end while providing intelligible mids and treble that will impress most of its users.
The Rugged Choice
Turtlebox Gen 2
The release of the Turtlebox Gen 2 changed the game for portable Bluetooth speakers offering over 115dB of sound. It falls just behind the Soundboks Go in terms of output (120dB vs. 121dB) but dominates in terms of durability. The Turtlebox Gen 2 is surprisingly small and lightweight for its output, and with its IP67 rating, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option for the outdoors.
Most Stylish
Marshall Woburn II
The Marshall Woburn II carries the aesthetic of Marshall’s legendary amplifier design across to a Bluetooth speaker. The Woburn II is one of Marshall’s larger Bluetooth speakers, but with the increased size comes an increase in sound. The Marshall Woburn II is best used, in our opinion, as a dedicated home Bluetooth speaker; it’s a bit large and awkward to travel with but looks great next to the vinyl player in your office.
Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Soundboks Go
The Soundboks Go edges out the Turtlebox 2 when it comes to raw power, but only by a single decibel. If you’re a fan of the Soundboks 3 but want easier portability, the Soundboks Go may be what you’re looking for. You can carry the Soundboks Go with a single hand.
Warning: Loud Noise Can Damage Your Hearing
According to the Department of Health, sounds at or below 70 dBA are generally considered safe. Any sound at or above 85 dBA is more likely to damage your hearing over time. Be careful. Most of the speakers on this list deliver above that threshold.
This article is all about buying a loud Bluetooth speaker, and because of that, we’ve written a Safe Music Listening Guide with tips on protecting your hearing. This should help you understand loudness, how it’s measured, and what to be aware of so you can enjoy your music for years to come.
The 11 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers
This is our selection of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market, focusing mainly on large, loud Bluetooth speakers that can put out at least 100dB or more. We’ve included a few wired speakers in our list, as they still offer Bluetooth functionality – but we’ve also included quite a few battery-powered Bluetooth speakers. These speakers are intended for those who demand a lot of volume from their Bluetooth speakers.
Since our focus is on loudness, most of these speakers will be large. After all, it’s typically the driver size that will dictate the volume levels you’re able to achieve (in conjunction with the efficiency that the manufacturer has managed to accomplish). While these speakers can certainly be considered party speakers if you’re looking for speakers with lights, we recommend also checking out our list of the best party speakers.
1. Soundboks (Gen 3)
126 dB
Power:
216 W
Battery:
40 hrs
Weight:
34 lbs
IPX:
5
At a peak volume of 126dB, the Soundboks (Gen 3) is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker money can buy. If you’re looking for the loudest, most impactful speaker on the market so you can shake your whole party, this is it. This monster will turn any place you go into the front row at a concert with the turn of a knob.
To put in perspective how loud this speaker is, and it’s hard to comprehend because decibels are plotted on a logarithmic scale, take a look at some of the comparisons below.
The team at Soundboks hit a home run with this design. This speaker visually looks just as imposing as its technical specs prove it to be. Weighing in at 34 pounds, the Soundboks 3 is still what one would consider portable, but I wouldn’t call it lightweight. The large gauge mesh on the front of the third generation Soundboks openly displays the two 10″ woofers and 1″ tweeter that provide the top-quality music listening experience you will get with this big Bluetooth speaker, and the side panels of this device each have an inlaid durable handle that will make handling this speaker more convenient.
Inside this speaker, three separate amps drive the device with a whopping 216 watts. In essence, the Soundboks is just that, a box of sound, and there’s beauty in the simplicity of the product’s message.
The Soundboks can be purchased with two ‘Batterybokses’ that will power the Soundboks for a combined 80 hours. Each battery will provide almost two days of thumping sound with a single charge. Just like the previous generations of the Soundboks, the battery life of the 3rd generation iteration is super impressive.
Versatile Connectivity
The Soundboks has several connectivity options, including Bluetooth, 3.5mm auxiliary, and XLR combo sockets. You can connect up to 5 Soundboks speakers using the built-in SKAA technology, TeamUp.
We find adding XLR highly beneficial in these larger speakers that will realistically be used primarily for events or parties in situations where the lack of an XLR input is more noticeable.
Aside from loudness, does it sound good?
The Soundboks is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker, but how is the quality compared to the competition?
The Soundboks 3 doesn’t just boast the ability to be pushed to ludicrous levels of audio. The sound quality itself impressed us. It does express a somewhat V-shaped sound signature, with elevated bass and treble response, which results in a thumping low end that is great for a party environment, and it excels in genres like EDM where a strong bass is essential.
With that said, when speakers are designed with a primary focus on loudness and the party environment, we don’t expect to see the same levels of high-fidelity audio that we do from home stereo systems, for instance. So you may notice a little bit of muddiness in the treble with certain songs, depending on the production, when listened to with a critical ear. This is primarily true for vocals that lie deeper in the mix.
That shouldn’t discourage you, though, as in a party environment, few people will listen for these slight nuances. The speaker still sounds great.
Is it worth the price tag?
The new and improved 3rd generation Soundboks is not for everyone, but you’ll know if it’s for you. This behemoth of a Bluetooth speaker is quite expensive, but compared to competitors, it can easily justify its fairly steep pricing. You’re not just paying for a Bluetooth speaker here. You’re paying for an experience that few others can provide. In our opinion, the Soundboks 3 is worth the investment.
Along with the Soundboks is an ethos around raw power and rugged fun. Just like the Soundboks’ durable design and adventurous attitude, the kind of music-listening experience you will get with this speaker treads where no speaker has gone before!
The Soundboks 3 is best suited towards:
- Indoor & outdoor parties
- Street performers
- Storefront businesses
Read Our Full Soundboks Gen3 Review
Why The Soundboks 3?
The third-generation Soundboks strikes a great balance between huge sound and portability. While it’s still a large speaker that can be challenging to carry around, it offers more portability than the wired PartyBox 1000. This rugged speaker puts out a whopping 126dB. If you feel the Soundboks is overkill for you, or if you are looking for more portability, take a look at the Soundboks Go below.
2. JBL PartyBox 1000
Power:
1100 W
Battery:
None
Weight:
76 lbs
IPX:
None
Also available from Walmart
The PartyBox 1000 is the largest of JBL’s PartyBox range, dwarfing the Partybox 710, 310, and 100 in size and volume output. This is not a wireless speaker, as the rest of the PartyBox range is, and instead requires an AC outlet to be used. This is something to keep closely in mind when considering your purchase. The JBL PartyBox 1000 offers similar loudness to the Soundboks 3, but that’s about where the similarities end.
Driven By Power
While JBL doesn’t publicize the decibel measurements of their products, when compared with the Soundboks 3, the PartyBox 1000 leads it in raw power. In the volume department, the Soundboks 3 still takes the edge. This is partly thanks to the impressive array of drivers used by the PartyBox 1000, which includes a 12″ subwoofer on the rear side, two 7″ midrange drivers, and a tweeter for the upper treble. In terms of power, the PartyBox 1000 utilizes up to 1100W of power, far more than the battery-powered contenders on this list.
One For The Party Hosts
The PartyBox 1000 is a fully-fledged party speaker focusing on lighting effects and overall aesthetics. The lighting features of the PartyBox 1000 are some of the coolest we’ve seen on a Bluetooth speaker. It offers dynamic light shows that can bring a lot of life to your environment. Unlike most of the lighting features offered on Bluetooth speakers, the PartyBox 1000’s lights cover the entire front panel, with the exclusion of the drivers, which remain silhouetted behind the aura of the lights.
Control The Lights With Just Your Movement
Another fantastic feature of the JBL PartyBox 1000 that DJs will love is the addition of the gesture wristband, which lets you change the colors of the speaker lights with your movement. That’s not to say you can’t adjust these colors manually, but the wristband lets you do this on the fly while you control the party. The wristband also lights up, so you are in sync with the speaker. This speaker often overlooks this feature, but it is an entertaining addition.
But What About Sound Quality?
While everything looks great on paper, how does the JBL PartyBox 1000 sound? In short, amazing. This speaker is definitely on the bass-heavy side, with that 12″ subwoofer being able to make the ground shake when cranked up. But with the accentuated bass is a distinguished midrange and crisp treble that finds itself well-balanced with the speaker’s overall sound. The PartyBox 1000 can cater to most music genres, but it does excel at electronic music and hip-hop. The frequency response range spans from 30Hz on the low end to an upper-end cutoff of 20kHz (-6dB).
More Than Just a Speaker
Another set of features that makes the PartyBox stand out from the competition is its wide array of features. Everything from connectivity options to a built-in DJ pad. Suppose you’re a DJ or a musician. In that case, you’ll find great features and flexibility, with adjustable dual microphone and guitar inputs, looping abilities through the pad as a standard auxiliary input, karaoke function, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The PartyBox 1000 is far from a small or light product and is not what we’d consider very portable. But there’s no taking away from its merit as a versatile, powerful, and extremely loud Bluetooth speaker.
The biggest downside to the PartyBox 1000 is probably the lack of weatherproofing. This speaker should be kept from water and not be placed in the sun for an extended period.
The JBL PartyBox 1000 is best suited towards:
- DJs & musicians
- Large indoor gatherings
- Storefront businesses
- Professional purposes
Why The PartyBox 1000?
The largest and most expensive speaker on this list, the PartyBox 1000 is an absolute unit. This speaker is best suited for those looking to use it for professional purposes and doesn’t need a speaker that needs to be frequently transported, as this is far from what we’d consider portable. The DJ pad, intense lighting effects, LED gesture wrist band and vast array of connection options are a few features that make the PartyBox 1000 stand out from the competition.
3. Soundboks Go
121 dB
Power:
200+ W
Battery:
25 hrs
Weight:
37.3 lbs
IPX:
4
The Soundboks Go is a relatively new release from Soundboks, that takes much of what makes the Soundboks 3 such a popular speaker but scales it down into a more compact variation. While the Soundboks Go falls a little short of the Soundboks 3 in terms of volume capabilities, it is substantially more affordable, and the smaller size makes it much more versatile.
Portable But Loud
If you like the look of the Soundboks 3 but want more versatility out of your purchase, the Soundboks Go brings a lot of value to the table. While the Soundboks 3 weighs in at 34 lbs, the Soundboks Go comes in at two-thirds of that weight, at 20 lbs. In conjunction with a carry handle, this weight makes the Soundboks Go relatively portable and can be used for far more than just throwing parties. There is also the option of buying an additional carry strap for more comfortable carrying.
The smaller form factor and lighter weight place it near the Turtlebox 2 in terms of weight and volume. There’s only 1 decibel separating these two speakers, with the Soundboks Go putting out a maximum of 121dB while the Turtlebox 2 falls just short at 120 dB.
When we look at the difference between the drivers on the Soundboks 3 and the Soundboks Go, the Go drops one of the 10” woofers, settling for a single 10” woofer combined with a 1” silk dome tweeter. This difference in drivers is most notable in the low-end, and while the Go can still bring some considerable volume, it doesn’t quite have the same ground-shaking low-end response we find with the Soundboks 3.
Looking At Sound Quality
When it comes to the sound quality of the Soundboks Go, the overall performance is impressive. As mentioned, compared with the Soundboks 3, you will get less low-end. The Soundboks Go tends to offer a bit of a brighter sound with more emphasis on the mids and highs, driven by the silk dome tweeter.
The Soundboks mobile app allows you to switch between EQ presets or create your own EQ, to adjust the sound signature more to your preferred style. We wouldn’t say the Go is the most balanced of signatures, which may bother some, and much like the Turtlebox, this speaker is heavily focused on outdoor use. The bass+ EQ setting lets this speaker shine the most; some may find it lacking low end without it enabled.
If you’re looking for a loud Bluetooth speaker for indoor use, we’d recommend looking at the PartyBox range. However, if you’re using your speaker primarily outdoors, then the Go holds immense value. Whether or not we’d recommend it over the Turtlebox, comes down to your preference – with both speakers sounding best when used outdoors.
Durability
The general build of the speaker is excellent. The materials feel durable and well-manufactured. It has a rugged feel in hand and can withstand a few beatings. The large front grille protects the drivers, though because the spacing is so large, one should be careful about small branches or sticks penetrating the grille, which could damage the cones.
Since the Soundboks Go is focused on the outdoor listener, durability is a focus. While the Soundboks Go is rated as IP65, the front-facing reflex ports are an area of concern, and we would only recommend use in light rain. We are happy to see that Soundboks included dust protection, which is essential for a good outdoor speaker. However, this weather resistance falls short of the Turtlebox, which offers IP67 protection. However, this difference will not affect everyone, mostly just those looking to push their speaker to the edge.
The Soundboks Go is best suited towards:
- Those who need portability
- Outdoor usage
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings
- Parties
Why The Soundboks Go?
The Soundboks Go is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker on our list. It is a great alternative to the Soundboks 3, for those who enjoy the rugged, vanilla design approach from Soundboks 3, but require more portability. Consider the Soundboks Go if you’re looking for a portable, versatile, and rugged loud Bluetooth speaker.
4. JBL Partybox 710
104 dB
Power:
800 W
Battery:
None
Weight:
62 lbs
IPX:
4
Also available from Walmart
The PartyBox 710 is another extremely loud Bluetooth speaker from JBL and is the smaller sibling of the PartyBox 1000. For many, the PartyBox 1000 feels like overkill, and unless you have high demands, it certainly can be. The PartyBox 710 is still quite a large Bluetooth speaker, measuring over 35” tall and weighing 62 lbs.
The PartyBox 710 is a wired Bluetooth speaker, like the PartyBox 1000. If you’re a fan of the PartyBox series but also looking for a battery-powered solution, we recommend the PartyBox 310. However, the 710 holds most of its value in providing big sound at a more affordable price than the PartyBox 1000, at several hundred dollars cheaper. You will be sacrificing some of the PartyBox 1000’s features, most notably the DJ pad.
Great For Businesses
The PartyBox 710 excels as a speaker that isn’t moved around too frequently but is a staple feature in a business or event area. JBL’s marketing material focuses on areas like a dance studio, where the PartyBox 710 would prove an excellent choice. These environments don’t require fancy DJ pads or gesture-based lighting chances that we find on the 1000 model, but instead, the value comes from an extremely loud Bluetooth speaker that still offers lighting effects and great sound.
That’s not to say that the 710 is limited in where it can be used. With the lower weight, it remains slightly more versatile than the PartyBox 1000 and can still be used by musicians who don’t have a problem carrying around a 62 lb speaker to their events. Still, we feel the PartyBox 710 excels as a speaker that doesn’t get moved around all the time.
Big Build, Big Sound
The JBL PartyBox 710 utilizes up to 800W of power. While JBL hasn’t published any official manufacturer decibel ratings, this is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on this list, without a doubt, falling just short of the Soundboks 3. Two 8” woofers drive the volume performance in conjunction with dual 2.75″ tweeters.
The woofers utilize the tuned bass reflex port to provide a well-established low-end response that isn’t likely to disappoint anyone. The lows are punchy but also extend far enough into the low-end (35Hz) to drive those earth-shaking rumbles. We often find that speakers of this caliber may over-emphasis the low-end and not have enough treble to compensate, but the PartyBox 710’s dual tweeters strike a great balance in the frequency range.
You’ll find that the treble is still intelligible right through to the upper treble without being excessively harsh. The tweeters do a great job of covering much of the upper mids and treble. This is true for the vocals, which don’t feel drowned out by the bass.
The volume you’ll get from the PartyBox 710 will exceed anything you need in a personal speaker and is specifically intended for larger areas that need coverage.
Durability and Connectivity
While durability isn’t typically a feature of many of these speakers, the PartyBox 710 still offers IPX4 waterproof protection, preventing any costly spilled drink incidents.
There are ports for a microphone and guitar on the JBL PartyBox 710, and you’ll also find modern Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, auxiliary input, and a USB slot. Additionally, there is the ability to daisy-chain the speaker.
The JBL mobile app will also offer flexibility and allow for EQ, lighting effects, and wireless stereo pairing.
The JBL PartyBox 710 is best suited towards:
- Dance classes
- Home music and karaoke
- Indoor & outdoor parties
- Storefront businesses
Why The JBL PartyBox 710?
The JBL PartyBox 710 is an excellent option if you’re looking for a large, loud Bluetooth speaker that can easily carry a party. Like the PartyBox 1000, the 710 isn’t a very portable solution, and due to its wired power requirement, it is best suited to environments where it can remain without much transportation required.
5. JBL Partybox 310
104 dB
Power:
240 W
Battery:
18 hrs
Weight:
42 lbs
IPX:
4
Also available from Walmart
The JBL PartyBox 310 is different from the PartyBox 710 and 1000 in that this battery-powered Bluetooth speaker can still bring a lot of volume to the table. The PartyBox 310 is JBL’s largest battery-powered offering of the PartyBox series.
Modern Features
Capable of operating in rain or shine, the JBL Partybox 310 can provide up to 18 hours of powerful sound quality as loud as a chainsaw. The Partybox 310 can also continue unlimited playback when connected to an outlet. To add to the vibrant sounds of the Partybox 310, JBL fitted the speaker with a series of color-changing lights that ‘dance’ to the beat of your music. The light show button activates various patterns, ranging from subtle pulsing to intense strobe effects- suited for any vibe.
Despite its size (which is quite large at 68.8″ tall), the JBL Partybox 310 is easily transportable with a telescopic handle and smooth gliding wheels, which can be helpful when the speaker still weighs a fairly weighty 37.7 lbs. An IPX4 splash-proof rating means it’ll also be protected from spills. The PartyBox App allows you to control every feature of the Partybox 310 from impressive distances, including commands such as skip track, play/pause, karaoke modes, light show control, and more.
We had initially anticipated that the 310 would perform with less volume than the 710, but independent testing showed that the 310 could put out the same volume levels as the wired PartyBox 710.
The Consumer-Friendly Big Boy
The PartyBox 310 is the largest in the consumer PartyBox range because it’s versatile and affordable enough to be used for personal use. In contrast, the 710 and 1000 are directly aimed toward professional users or those with high demands.
In terms of sound, the 310 features two 6.5″ woofers for the low end and two 2.5″ tweeters for the upper mids and treble. This configuration provides an impressive sound signature that is quite balanced and less recessed in the upper range than the 710. It’s not quite a V-shaped sound signature, but not completely flat, either. It has a lot of life on the low end and can provide a thump, while the tweeters do a great job at representing the treble. Remember, this is the loudest battery-powered Bluetooth speaker in the PartyBox range.
The JBL PartyBox 310 is best suited towards:
- House parties
- Outdoor gatherings
- Street performers
- Storefront businesses
Why The JBL PartyBox 310?
JBL’s PartyBox 310 is the largest of the battery-powered PartyBox range. It brings a lot of volume to the table in a speaker that can be used in most party environments and is relatively portable at the same time. This is still focused on being an indoor speaker but can also be used to cover outdoor areas, as long as one ensures not to get caught in the rain. The PartyBox 310 is somewhat similar in its purposes to the Sony XP700.
6. Turtlebox Gen 2
120 dB
Power:
85 W
Battery:
25 hrs
Weight:
10 lbs
IPX:
67
Also available from Walmart
The makers of the Turtlebox recently launched their second generation of this popular outdoor speaker. Presented as an “outdoor rugged Bluetooth speaker,” and you have to take but one look at the design to believe that they’re as serious about this claim today as they were at its inception
The one other standout feature they seem to be equally proud of is that it is LOUD! At 120 dB, the Turtlebox Gen2 is nothing to be sniffed at. It is hands-down the loudest Bluetooth speaker in its weight class. But is it worth investing in a radically different approach to speaker design? Let’s take a look at what you get.
Designed for The Outdoors
The design of the Turtlebox is different, though not wholly unique. At first glance, you’ll be forgiven to think the makers took a hard-shell case, commonly used to protect and waterproof outdoor gear and camera equipment, and built a speaker. That “rugged” look is at the Turtlebox concept’s core tough. The IP67 Turtlebox shell is waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant and is intended to handle anything the elements throw at it.
You have a desirable Bluetooth speaker if you combine that with a 25 hr battery at listening volume and 6 hours at full volume.
Audio Connections
Besides Bluetooth connectivity, the speaker also comes with an AUX cord and 3.5 mm input for those who prefer a direct line from their music source to the speaker. There’s a jack for a mic if you feel like getting into the mix yourself. The Turtelbox also sports a USB-C port that you can use to load your other devices.
The difference between the original Turtlebox and the Gen 2 version is that the USB-C “in” port has been dropped. Still, Turtlebox upgraded the Bluetooth connectivity from v4.2 to v5, giving you more stability and added range. The newly designed port compartment is also slicker and better integrated into our opinion.
How Does it Sound?
Now for the best part. The sound quality is outstanding for a speaker this compact, delivering these kinds of volumes. There are almost no distortion and no DSP that lowers the sound level at max volume. The lows are rich, and it does a great job of keeping the mids and highs balanced simultaneously. It’s an all-around great speaker to listen to.
The Turtlebox sound curve has been explicitly fine-tuned for outdoor listening, and a large part of this is making sure you can play this speaker at loud volumes that will cut through the wind and outside noise yet still enjoy crisp and well-defined tones.
Your Turtlebox can be paired with a second Turtlebox to create a true stereo effect if that’s what you need, but we think one of these will suffice for most scenarios.
Conclusion
The Turtlebox Gen 2 is one product that seems to deliver on almost every claim it makes. It is loud, and it sounds great. The design concept may not be to everyone’s taste, but we like that Turtlebox is unapologetically targeting a specific market and not trying to be everything to everyone. We think they’re nailing it.
The Turtlebox 2 is best suited towards:
- Outdoor enthusiasts
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings
- Street performers
Read Our Full Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
Why The Turtlebox 2?
If you’re an outdoors enthusiast and you’re looking for a loud Bluetooth speaker to take on your adventures with you, you’ll find no better than the Turtlebox 2. This speaker is small and light enough to carry with one hand while still being able to put out an impressive 120dB of volume. The IP67 water-resistance rating also means that this speaker can handle all the elements.
7. Bose S1 Pro Speaker System
109 dB
Power:
160 W
Battery:
11 hrs
Weight:
15.5 lbs
IPX:
?
Also available from Walmart
So, you want a high-end party speaker that will blast music, but you don’t want to spend enough to pay for a month’s rent, introducing: the Bose S1. The Bose S1 isn’t the loudest Bluetooth speaker on the market, but it is still a top contender. On top of that, it’s also a relatively affordable option.
Design and Features
The Bose S1 is big, 15 pounds to be exact. This is a Bluetooth PA speaker that will undoubtedly blow your and your friend’s socks off with its sheer volume at 109 dB peak. Like most Bose products, the S1’s visual design is practical and sleek, with a no-frills appeal. The speaker is sturdy and made of durable plastic, so it will go wherever the party is without any issues and provide you with music for 11 hours on a single charge.
The S1’s built-in sensors and directional sound output features will ensure that no matter where you place this speaker, your sound experience will be top-of-the-line. You can even pair two of these speakers together for a stereo PA setup, completely wireless!
This is a high-end, fully-featured Bluetooth speaker with awesome extras like Auto-EQ technology and ToneMatch processing that will ensure any audio that this speaker plays will sound great. If you want more control over your sound, this speaker has two built-in 3-channel mixers and integrated EQ and reverb processing.
Audio Connections
The connection capabilities with the Bose S1 Bluetooth PA are one of this speaker’s strengths. This speaker has two XLR/1/4-inch auxiliary jacks for instrument or microphone connections and Bluetooth connectivity. There’s a 3.5mm aux port at the rear for easy wired mobile connections.
How Does It Sound?
The Bose S1 offers high-quality audio at deafening volumes, and if you want your music any louder, you’ll need to pay quite a bit more for it. You can easily fill an entire home with music with this speaker, and if you have two, you will have access to one of the cleanest and most impactful music-listening experiences within this size and price range.
There are similarly priced JBL speakers that can get you more bass than this speaker provides, but if you are looking for a loud, quality listening experience from a compact speaker, then the Bose S1 may be just what you’re looking for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bose S1 Bluetooth PA speaker is a fantastic audio solution for parties, gatherings, or home audio if you are looking for intense volume and great quality but don’t want to spend the extra money for the highest the high-end has to offer. This speaker could be described as a mid-tier high-end speaker, but don’t let that fool you. This fully-featured speaker can provide music for any gathering of fewer than 100 people.
The BOSE S1 Pro is best suited towards:
- House parties
- Indoor gatherings
- Street performers
- Storefront businesses
- PA purposes
Why The BOSE S1 Pro?
The BOSE S1 Pro may not be the flashiest speaker on the list, but it has impressive sound quality and a relatively affordable price. The S1 Pro also doubles great as a PA speaker and includes microphone capabilities.
8. JBL Boombox 2
100+- dB
Power:
80 W
Battery:
24 hrs
Weight:
11.6 lbs
IPX:
7
Also available from Walmart
Another offering from JBL boasts loud sound quality, portability, waterproof features, and impressive battery life. The Boombox 2 has been replaced by the Boombox 3 recently, but in terms of volume levels, the Boombox 2 still outperforms the 3. The Boombox 3 does have better audio quality; however, especially at the lower prices you can find them for, we would still recommend the Boombox 2 if you’re looking for loudness.
Easy to Carry, Waterproof, and LOUD!
The compact size and light weight of the JBL Boombox 2 allow for easy transportation to the park, beach, or any other outdoor activity and can comfortably fit into a backpack or beach bag. A waterproof rating of IPX7 means the Boombox can be confidently taken to the beach or poolside and will survive rain, splashing, spills, and even a short submersion underwater.
JBL’s Boombox 2 features a rechargeable Li-Lion battery that supports up to 24 hours of playtime on a single charge and can even function as a power bank, capable of charging up to 2 USB-chargeable devices at a time.
Multiple Devices Either Way
The JBL Boombox 2 allows up to 2 smart devices to connect to the speaker at any time; while one stream music to the speaker, the other does not lose connection and can override the content at any time.
JBL devices compatible with JBL Connect+ allow up to 100 speakers to link with one another, providing louder, fuller sound across the entire house, garden, beach, or park. In addition to the Bluetooth capabilities of the Boombox, one can connect using a 3.5mm auxiliary cable, and the Boombox can operate on battery or while connected to an outlet for unlimited playtime.
Monstrous, Versatile Sound
The JBL Boombox 2 features a unique sound mode feature allowing control over two settings: indoor and outdoor. I noticed that the indoor mode provides a warmer, well-rounded, and full-bodied sound with deeper bass, while the outdoor mode is slightly more expansive with a large dynamic range, robust bass response, and crystal clear higher frequencies.
The JBL Boombox 2 features four active transducers and two bass radiators, permitting immersive sound quality and hard-hitting bass that you can hear and feel and physically see the speaker’s movement.
Should I go for the Boombox 2 or 3?
If you’re looking to get the most volume, the Boombox 2 will give you that, but you will be sacrificing somewhat in the sound quality. The Boombox 3 offers a clearer sound with a more distinguished treble. Additionally, the Boombox 3 brings the benefit of IP67 protection, whereas the Boombox 2 doesn’t protect from dust. There is also a slight increase in battery performance. The Boombox 2 still offers a little more portability, weighing slightly less than the Boombox 3.
The JBL Boombox 2 is best suited towards:
- Medium-sized gatherings
- Athletes (basketball, skateboarding, etc.)
- Street performers
Why The JBL Boombox 2?
The JBL Boombox 2 isn’t the newest speaker on the market, but with prices having come down since the launch of the third version and with the Boombox 2 still providing more overall volume, we can highly recommend it to those who are looking for a fairly clean design and a speaker that can easily be transported.
9. Sony SRS-XV900
100+ dB
Power:
100 W
Battery:
25 hrs
Weight:
56.6 lbs
IPX:
4
Also available from Walmart
The SRS-XV900 is a recent addition to Sony’s party speaker range, and we can easily draw parallels to the Sony XP700, which we also recommend in this list. However, it should be noted that these speakers offer two very different experiences. We’ll run through the differences between the two in more detail below and help you decide which is best for you.
Loads of Volume & Thumping Bass
The Sony SRS-XV900 is a 4-way speaker that offers a fairly large bass reflex port that assists in creating the mesmerizing bass thump that this speaker can bring to your party. In fact, the way that Sony has approached the overall sound design of this speaker is a marked improvement over the X700, which was great in its own right but still lacked when paired against some of the larger JBL PartyBox range. The XV900 closes in this gap and is now able to directly compete with the PartyBox 310 and 710, which have historically had a fairly large advantage over the XP700 when it comes to bass performance.
We also see Sony continuing with the X-Balanced driver design being used in this speaker. The X-Balanced design features drivers that aren’t constructed in the traditional circular way, but instead, the woofer in this speaker is more square than it is round, and in line with what we saw in the XP700, though the XP700 features two smaller woofers, while the VX900 opts for a single large primary woofer.
The inclusion of omnidirectional sound is brought to life with a fairly substantial array of drivers (6 tweeters, to be precise), which aren’t simply front-facing drivers, but also appear at the top of the SRS-XV900. The placement of these drivers ensures that your sound carries better in party environments where the center may not be featured in front of a stage but rather placed among the listeners. Even indoors, the omnidirectional sound bounces across the room, creating a more immersive listening experience.
When it comes to the sound signature of the Sony SRS-XV900, this isn’t a very bright-sounding speaker. When we compare it to the XP700 and the PartyBox 310, we find that the XV900 sounds a bit recessed in the midrange and treble. Both the PartyBox 310 and the SRS-XP700 sound substantially brighter. While we’ve seen other reviewers suggest that the XV900 is a more balanced and warm-sounding speaker than the PartyBox 310 & 710, we have to disagree. The PartyBox has a more dynamic sound that feels like it has an overall better sound, but that’s not to discredit the XV900. What the SRS-XV900 does best is provide a broad spread of sound that focuses on a bass-heavy approach. The tuning lends itself best to EDM. This is a bassy beast of a Bluetooth speaker.
Build & Features
Sony’s X-series of speakers may not have the industrial visual appearance that one associated with durability, but the build quality is impressive and feels very similar to the XP700 in its construction. This is a larger speaker, however, just short of 35 inches tall and weighing in at a pretty hefty 58 pounds.
One of the unique features is the inclusion of Sony’s TV sound booster. This is used to transform the sound profile on the XV900 to work well for multimedia use, and doing so can allow you to use this speaker with good results as a center-channel speaker for your TV or home theatre system.
The lighting effects on this speaker closely resemble that of the SRS-XP700, with fairly minimal lighting effects that lend themselves best to ambient mood lighting rather than a party-driving light show. The colors of the lights can easily be changed with the controls on top of the speaker. We’re a big fan of the way the controls are done, with a touch panel approach instead of large, obnoxious controls.
This speaker has a good amount of features to it, with full app control, which allows for EQ adjustments, lighting colors and patterns, as well as sound modes. On the rear of the speaker, you’ll also find a USB charging port, auxiliary input, and an optical line-in. There is also the inclusion of microphone and guitar inputs, which lets this speaker be utilized for karaoke as well.
Fast Charging & Battery Protection
One of the most impressive features of the SRS-XV900 is the extremely fast charging, especially in the initial charging stages, which in just 10 minutes of charging, can provide up to 3 hours of battery life. The overall charge time is around 3 hours, which will provide you with around 25 hours of battery life in total. This is about standard for a speaker of this nature but does edge out the PartyBox 310 in this regard.
There is also built-in charge protection that prevents your battery from overcharging. This, while often overlooked, is an extremely useful feature for the longevity of the battery long-term.
The Sony SRS-XV900 is best suited towards:
- Medium to large-sized gatherings
- Parties with a need for lots of bass
- Home theatre use
Why The Sony SRS-XV900?
The Sony SRS-XV900 is a large, powerful Bluetooth speaker that offers a louder, more bass-heavy alternative to the XP700. It can be compared with the JBL PartyBox range. It excels at providing a thumping sound that works extremely well with electronic music genres. The fact that this speaker can also double as a center-channel speaker for your TV or home theatre is an additional bonus.
10. Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
100 dB
Power:
229 W
Battery:
24 hrs
Weight:
13 lbs
IPX:
4
Also available from Walmart
The biggest and baddest in Ultimate Ears’ ‘Boom’ range of Bluetooth speakers consists of the Wonderboom, Boom 3, Megaboom, and Hyperboom. The Hyperboom is an all-around upgrade of the previously mentioned models. However, if this speaker is a little too excessive for your current needs, take a look at the rest of the range, as Ultimate Ears really have catered to everyone on this one.
Cross-Compatible, User-Friendly, and Portable
All Ultimate Ears’ devices in the ‘Boom’ range of Bluetooth speakers can connect for enhanced, effective, louder sound. Easy-to-use buttons on top of the Hyperboom make the speaker’s functions very straightforward to navigate, and extra features can be controlled using the app.
Up to 4 devices can be connected to the Hyperboom using Bluetooth, auxiliary and optical inputs. Additionally, the USB output allows you to charge your phone using the Hyperboom’s battery without interrupting music playback.
While the 24hr battery life of the Hyperboom may not be as impressive as some other items on this list, it is, in my opinion, all you need for a great party or relaxed gathering at the beach, garden, or poolside. The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom also features a carry strap, making transporting the speaker a breeze!
A waterproof rating of IPX4 allows for a reasonable level of weatherproofing from essential elements such as rain, mist, splashing pool water, or the occasional spilled drink.
Adaptive EQ makes it perfect for any setting.
We know that the Ultimate Ears can rattle the window frames at your house party. When looking at the overall quality of audio produced by this Bluetooth speaker, there is nothing to complain about here.
The Hyperboom uses cutting-edge adaptive equalization technology, using an onboard microphone to analyze reflections and resonances around the speaker to, in turn, re-shape the tonal qualities of the speaker- always providing perfect sound no matter where you place your Hyperboom. Another impressive feature of this speaker is its ability to maintain clear sound quality and tight low-end response at all listening levels.
Great Value for Money
Available at just short of 400 bucks, the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom promises to provide long-lasting memories on the dancefloor, pool deck, or home bar. Its professional aesthetic makes it a great choice for those looking for a portable speaker that can remain in a fixed position when not in use and still look like part of the room. A long Bluetooth range means easy and uninterrupted use anywhere in your home or garden.
The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is best suited towards:
- Smaller House parties
- Daily home audio
Read Our Full Ultimate Ears Hyperboom Review
Why The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom?
The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is a bit different from many of the speakers on this list, as it’s more suited to home use and as a daily-driver Bluetooth speaker. While it’s still capable of putting out a lot of sound, it’s a smaller speaker that can also be moved around the house with a fair bit of ease. The sound quality is a feature that has created a lot of loyal fans in recent years, so if you’re looking for something for everyday use but that still has a lot of power, this may be it.
11. Marshall Woburn II
110 dB
Power:
110 W
Battery:
AC only
Weight:
18.9 lbs
IPX:
N/A
Also available from Walmart
Known worldwide as a manufacturer of some of the best guitar and bass amplifiers in music history, with their products seen on stage alongside some of our favorite superstars, Marshall broke into the home audio market with a range of Bluetooth speakers. Here we’ll look at the range’s largest and most recent release, the Woburn II.
Elegant, Authentic, and Loud
With the Woburn II, Marshall sticks to its heritage of delivering ear-splitting, vibrant, heavy rocking sounds from devices of all styles and sizes. The Woburn II holds 2 x 5.25” subwoofers and 2 x 1” tweeters, individually powered by class D amplifiers to deliver larger-than-life sound, housed within Marshall’s iconic textured vinyl cabinet.
The elegant design of the Woburn II makes for a classy addition to your living room, bedside table, or kitchen countertop. It can comfortably fill any room with powerful, window-rattling sound. Furthermore, the Woburn II features a 2-band equalizer to fine-tune the tonal characteristic of your music to suit the shape, size, and features of your room or enhance the bass response or high-frequency clarity if that’s what you’re looking for.
Quick Setup and Easy to Use
The Marshall Woburn II can accommodate playback from various sources, including Bluetooth 5.0 (with aptX), 3.5mm auxiliary cable, or RCA. Input modes can be toggled using a switch on top of the speaker, and a similar play/pause switch can be found on the other side of the rotary dials that resemble the knobs of a classic Marshall amp. To control the power of the Woburn II, flick the lever on the far right of the control panel to unleash a classic, LOUD, Marshall tone.
The Bluetooth strength of the Woburn II is fair enough for use within your home. However, if you plan to have control over the speaker from the opposite end of a large garden area, expect some signal breakups or delays. Multi-host Bluetooth features are supported here, allowing two devices to connect to the Woburn II simultaneously. As for other connectivity options, I am surprised to see the lack of a guitar input jack, considering it is a common addition to many loud Bluetooth speakers, and Marshall is one of the greatest guitar amplifier manufacturers.
Sounds Great with All Music Styles
While it may be assumed that the Woburn II is designed for Rock and heavier music types, this Marshall Bluetooth speaker surprisingly manages other music styles incredibly well. The punchy bass response allows dance and hip-hop fans to move their bodies to the beat, while well-defined high-frequency content provides crystal-clear pop vocals and gentle piano and guitar-based joy. When the volume levels of the Woburn II were tested, aside from reaching shockingly loud volumes, a strong sense of definition was present throughout.
The JBL PartyBox 310 is best suited towards:
- Smaller house parties
- Dedicated home audio
- Listening parties
Why The Marshall Woburn II?
The Marshall Woburn II stands out with its unique, clean aesthetic that looks very different from other options on this list. One of the biggest selling points for the Woburn II is its crisp sound quality. It’s not battery-powered, so that is worth taking into account, but if you’re looking for a home speaker that looks good, sounds good, and has a lot of volume – the Marshall Woburn II is a great option.
12. Sony SRS-XP700 X-Series
99 dB
Power:
200+ W
Battery:
25 hrs
Weight:
37.3 lbs
IPX:
4
Also available from Walmart
If you’re looking for a reliable Bluetooth speaker capable of delivering loud, bass-heavy sound with some additional party-friendly features. Take a look at ç Bluetooth Speaker. The XP700 is the party lover’s upgrade from the XP500 Bluetooth Speaker, featuring louder sound, a larger enclosure, and improved battery life.
A Portable Speaker with Great Battery Life!
The Sony SRS XP700 Bluetooth Speaker is a powerful speaker housed within a portable and easy-to-carry cabinet, designed to follow you wherever the party takes you. It can be upright or on its side, and a built-in sensor adjusts audio projection accordingly to provide optimal sound quality.
For house parties, camping, or beach adventures, the SRS XP700 can provide up to 25 hours of playtime, while a 10-minute quick charge will enable the speaker to perform for 3 hours nonstop. This is a considerable upgrade from Sony’s SRS XP500 model, capable of a 20-hour playtime and only 80 minutes of operation on a 10-minute charge.
The Sony Music Center App or Fiestable App allows you to control the speaker’s onboard lights, create playlists, customize audio characteristics, and gain general control over the speaker from any smart device. An IPX4 splash rating means gentle splashes from the pool, lake, rain, or careless beverage consumers won’t affect the speaker’s operations, and the party can continue safely.
Plenty of Connections and Features
The Sony SRS XP700 can stream audio via Bluetooth technology from any Bluetooth-enabled device, and a USB device or flash drive can be inserted to access stored files for playback. A mic or guitar can also be connected to the XP700, allowing you and your friends to jam along to your favorite karaoke tracks or use the speaker as a portable, battery-powered guitar amplifier.
Loud Sound with Mega Bass!
Aside from being an insanely loud Bluetooth speaker, capable of reaching volumes comparable to a loud motorcycle or gunshot, the XP700 features front and rear-mounted tweeters, providing multi-directional sound capable of filling any room or outdoor area with loud, colorful sound.
X-Balanced speaker units also produce tight, punchy bass- perfect for any style of music. This ‘Mega Bass’ feature can be controlled using the button on top of the speaker. If you’re looking to host a larger-scale party where one dancefloor just won’t be enough- you can link up to 100 XP700 speakers together, creating your own concert-like speaker system.
Why You Should Consider This Speaker
While the XP700 is aimed towards party-goers and large crowd gatherings, this Sony Bluetooth Speaker can be tamed to fit your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or office with its versatile features and all-around excellent sound quality, perfect for any style of music. Whether you’re looking for something portable or fixed, loud and fun, the Sony SRS XP700 is the Bluetooth Speaker for you. A long battery life, paired with eco and energy-saving features such as standby modes and battery preservation functions, guarantees a long-lasting and reliable Bluetooth Speaker.
If you fancy the look of this speaker but don’t necessarily need all the volume, take a look at the XP500 model- while its battery life is slightly shorter. The speaker itself is smaller and shares the other unique features and functions with the XP700, including connectivity, speaker pairing, mega bass function, and control via mobile applications.
The Sony XP700 is best suited towards:
- House parties
- Smaller outdoor gatherings
- Dedicated home audio
Read Our Full Sony SRS XP700 Review
Why Sony XP700?
The Sony XP700 offers everything you need in a good party speaker, it reaches close to 100dB in volume, and while the light show isn’t the most impressive on the list, it still provides more than enough LED features for a party environment. It’s a fairly large speaker but is still reasonably portable, with a built-in handle that makes it easy to carry. The sound quality of the XP700 is also impressive and can be compared somewhat with the Hyperboom, but with a more colorful appeal.
Buyer’s Guide For The Loudest Bluetooth Speakers
When on the market for a loud Bluetooth speaker, there are some considerations to keep in mind, especially with the relative nature of the term “loud.” To help promote educated purchase decisions, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide, which will inform you about features and aspects of loud Bluetooth speakers to keep in mind.
Rugged VS. Flashy
It’s worth deciding ahead of time whether you’re looking for a rugged and loud Bluetooth speaker or if you’re looking for one with LED lighting effects that focuses more on ambiance. The rugged options will naturally be more suited for outdoor use. At the same time, the LED speakers tend to be more tailored toward indoor usage and may lack some durability and weather protection in the more vanilla-looking options.
Suppose your speaker is going to be a dedicated indoor speaker and isn’t at risk of drink spills. In that case, there’s no need to worry about an IP rating, but if you want to use it outdoors or in a party environment where drinks may get spilled, this is extremely important to consider.
For protection from accidental light spills, an IPX4 waterproof rating will suffice. But if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors and there is a risk of rain, we’d recommend IPX5/IP65 rating or higher. A rating of IP67 will indicate the speaker is very resistant to water and dust.
Decibel Measurements Aren’t Gospel
While decibels are arguably the most valuable way to display the volume of a speaker, they are not without flaws. A standard measurement method does exist, but it’s not always adhered to during testing, and there may be variations in the distance between the speaker and the measuring tool. Additionally, the measurements may differ depending on the quality and calibration of the tool used.
Sometimes, the manufacturer may not even list these measurements in their spec sheets. JBL is one such brand unless one performs individual testing at a third-party level, which then becomes more prone to volume testing problems.
It’s always safer to see these measurements as more of a guideline and allow for some minor variation in the readings.
Connectivity
While connectivity should always be considered when buying a Bluetooth speaker, nowhere is this more important than in these large and loud Bluetooth speakers often used by event organizers, artists, or DJs who require a microphone or guitar input. Of course, all these speakers will offer Bluetooth capabilities, but it’s also worth considering your needs and ensuring that the Bluetooth version offered by the speaker matches what you require. Bluetooth 4 is still viable. However, it would be best to look for at least Bluetooth 5.0 to ensure a strong connection at greater distances from the speaker.
Portability
In this case, we define portability as the combination of weight, size, power source, and assisted carrying features. In many cases, there will be a correlation between the speaker’s portability and how loud it is. This is because more sound will typically require more drivers or larger drivers, which adds weight to the speaker. Additionally, huge speakers like the JBL PartyBox 1000 and the PartyBox 710 require a wired power source, which limits portability.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is essential when looking at a list of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market. That’s because many speakers excel at their sound quality up to a certain threshold, whereafter there is a degradation in quality. However, the opposite is true with some of these high-quality, large Bluetooth speakers. They often require more volume to show their true colors.
For a speaker to be included on our list, it needed to present sound quality that expresses a clear mid and upper range and bass that one would expect to hear from a speaker considered one of the loudest. With that said, because there is a big focus on volume, you’re not going to get the same type of high-fidelity sound that you’d find in an audiophile-focused home speaker.
The Loudness of Our Selection
So how do the loudest Bluetooth speakers stack against each other when we compare their decibels? We’ve done that for you in the graph below. This should give you a good idea of the relative decibel output of each speaker on our list in relation to the others. You’ll see that, surprisingly, when you look at measured decibels, the numbers for some smaller speakers do not differ much from the bigger ones. There is a plot twist, though, so read on.
Volume in Decibels (dB)
Volume is listed in dB as published or confirmed by independent 3rd party tests.
Note: We have excluded speakers from this list that we do not have accurate decibel readings on.
The Human Perception of Loudness
Plot twist. Putting a value to loudness as we humans hear it is much more complex than the sound pressure level (SPL) numbers published by manufacturers, measured in decibels (dB) with acoustical instruments. A decibel is an objective logarithmic measuring unit of sound pressure.
“Loudness”, or our perception of loudness and “volume” are psychoacoustical terms. It describes subjective sound-sensations, and measuring them is fraught with ambiguity.
That does not mean the decibel specs on your speaker are completely useless, though. It simply means that understanding their impact on how loud your ear will perceive the speaker to be, is a lot more complex than thinking a 100 dB speaker is twice as loud as a 50 dB speaker. Not even close!
Our perception of how loud a speaker sound doubles every time you increase the output by 10 dB. A 100 dB speaker will sound twice as loud as a 90 dB speaker to your ear. A 120 dB speaker will sound four times as loud as a 100 dB speaker and eight times louder than a 90 dB speaker!
And this is where you start to understand just how LOUD the Soundboks will sound, even compared to some big speakers here. Here’s the graph from above again, but this time we’re plotting the increase in perceived loudness using the speaker with the lowest dB output as a baseline.
Do You Understand Loudness?
How much louder will a 100 dB speaker sound than a 50 dB speaker??
How Did We Pick These Speakers?
Every speaker on this list delivers more than 98 dB in volume. Because this article is about the loudest Bluetooth speakers, we wanted to set the minimum decibels to 100, but couldn’t keep the Sony XP700 off the list, which is the only speaker providing less than 100dB (missed it by 1dB)
When creating this list of loud Bluetooth speakers, we carefully scoured dozens of popular products and chose only the best to recommend. While not every loud Bluetooth speaker made our list, we did try to include the highest quality while considering your budget constraints and intentions.
We understand that volume is important to you. You may also be limited by budget, space, or local availability. Because of this, you’ll find that our selections range from small, portable, and affordable speakers to some absolute monsters that could cost upwards of a thousand dollars. We also ensured that volume wasn’t the sole focus, and all of the products listed had to also perform well at those high volumes.
One of the limitations or challenges of driver design is that most speakers notoriously start distorting their sound and lose quality as you crank up the volume. We’re selecting speakers that deliver crisp undistorted lows, mids, and highs when performing at top volume.
6 Current Bluetooth Speaker Trends
1. The Move to Bluetooth 5
It feels like Bluetooth speakers have come a long way in such a short space of time. The most significant improvement for Bluetooth speakers is the release of Bluetooth version 5.3. While the technology has been around for some time, we’re now seeing more Bluetooth speakers adopt the new wireless technology en masse. Read this article for a rundown of some key features of Bluetooth version 5.3.
2. WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth remains the wireless technology of choice for brands, but we are also seeing some Bluetooth speakers include WiFi connectivity. The proliferation of smart speakers has made it more desirable to connect your speaker to your home network and pair it with the likes of Alexa and Siri.
3. Improved Battery Life
One feature which continues to improve is battery life. It wasn’t long ago that 10 hours of battery life was the best you could get. Now speakers are getting upwards of 20 hours, with some Bluetooth speakers managing 40 hours and more.
Another spin-off feature of improving battery technology is that many Bluetooth speakers also double as a power bank to charge your other devices.
4. Better Sound Quality
Sound quality continues to improve. Brands like JBL, SOUNDBOKS, Bose, and Sony continue to deliver on sound quality. These brands charge a premium, but the quality is far superior to the budget end of the Bluetooth speaker market.
5. There’s An APP For It
More and more brands are releasing apps for their speakers. Even at the budget end of the spectrum. Through these apps, you can often access settings and features which cannot be accessed using the speaker’s onboard controls.
6. Mic Included
Speakerphone technology is improving and, in some cases, getting worse. Even the premium brands battle to get this right. We have noticed several products have chosen to drop the speakerphone feature altogether. I think this is a wise option. I would rather have that money go into the features we use.
Having said that, the built-in microphone helps access voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, and others. More and more Bluetooth speakers are also including Alexa integration with the ability to connect with Echo devices. It won’t be long until many of these speakers have Amazon Alexa built-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Soundboks 3 louder than the JBL PartyBox 710?
While both speakers can pack a punch, the Soundboks 3 is still a few decibels louder than the PartyBox 710. If you’re looking to compete with the Soundboks in terms of output, you may want to look at the PartyBox 1000 instead.
How long do speaker batteries last when played at full volume?
The stated battery life offered by manufacturers is typically under the assumption that the speaker will be played at moderate volume levels. If you’re cranking the volume, you can typically expect a 25-50% reduction in battery life.
Do I need to wear ear protection when using a loud Bluetooth speaker?
While it isn’t always necessary, if you’re going to be close to a loud Bluetooth speaker with its volume turned up, we recommend taking precautions with ear protection. This is especially true for longer listening periods and in closed spaces.
How long do large Bluetooth speakers take to charge?
While the charging time will vary between each model, new battery and charging technologies have meant that we’ve seen marked improvements in charging times on Lithium batteries compared to older lead acid variants.
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Update History
01/11/2023 – Adjusted products to reflect the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market, regardless of size format.
10/29/2022 – Replaced the Soundcore Trance with the W-King T9.
07/21/2022 – Swapped the Motion Boom for the newer Motion Boom Plus.
05/12/2022 – Added the Turtlebox Gen 2 back to the list.
01/31/2022 – Refresh all products and update for 2022.
08/06/2020 – Replace the JBL Xtreme with its newer model, the JBL Xtreme 2.
06/11/2020 – Removed the VAVA VOOM (84 dB), which was just not loud enough for this list, and added the Turtlebox (120 dB).
05/10/2020 – Replaced the Soundcore Rave Mini with the upgraded Soundcore Trance. Replaced the Naim Mu-So Reference with the Bose S1 Pro, which is louder.
04/28/2020 – Replaced the SOUNDBOKS 2 with the New SOUNDBOKS.
04/08/2020 – Added the Safe Music Listening Guide. Protect your hearing.
Have you heard of the Devialet Gold Phantom?
Kenneth – we have indeed! We left it out on our original list because it was so next level (price-wise as well) from the other contenders You’ll be happy to hear we’ve included a special section about the Devialet Phantom at the bottom of the article now. Check out the video. Love that guy!
My favourite blue tooth speaker so far is my anchor soundcore 2. Compact, long battery life good sound and doubles as a charger. Waterproof and shock resestant as well.
I still really like my old BOSE Wave Music System. It didn’t come with bluetooth, but did come with a bluetooth receiver that you plugged into it. It plays music from my devices very well. The sound is really good.
We have a little Bose speaker that seems to be doing the job for us right now (well, it’s my daughter’s actually …!), but I haven’t got anything to compare it against!
So on the recommendation of a friend we got an earlier-version of the Oontz shown here…and wow! The sound quality is great, and we’ve had very long playing times. Another to take to the beach would be perfect!
I like the Anker Soundcore 2! I prefer something easy to carry around! I can bring it to the beach, toss it in the car for road trips, etc. without sacrificing volume!
I love my UE Roll 2! I take it with me anywhere I go, lot battery life, ok sound. I can strap it to anything, my kayak, backpack, mountain bike handlebars. It comes with a small life floatie for it to take in the pool. Just an all around great speaker. You can even connect 2 together for better sound.
My boyfriend has a OontZ Angle 3 portable speaker and we love it. We take this speaker with us whenever we travel because it is so small and portable. I use it every time I shower or go on an outing because the sound quality is loud enough to hear over other noises. It is easy to use and wireless which makes it so convenient for us to use with our mobile devices. In addition, the battery life is great. It lasts us weeks at a time without charging. Lastly, the price of the speaker is very reasonable for the amazing quality. Thank you for this opportunity!
I have owned the OontZ Angle 3 speaker for several years and it is fantastic. Its very small build quality is convenient for portability and sleek design with nice silicone end pieces. The speaker has excellent sound with surprisingly good bass. The big surprise is the volume. I can take a shower and still hear the sound quality perfectly over the noise of the running water. The battery life is great, and it doesn’t lose much over time either. I use the speaker on every travel expedition I take from cruises, to family getaways, to an outing to the beach with my girlfriend. We love this speaker and would love the opportunity to have another one! Thank you!
From the list my favourite would have to be Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth Speaker because it’s the lightest; I’ve scoliosis so I only carry lightweight things.
I’ve a speaker gifted to my by my bosses. I like it so far because I can plug-in a memory card, it’s with a bluetooth function, has blue light (though I prefer it to be red light for sleep; I’m a child care worker), it’s bottom has anti-slip thing(when we clean it before and after setting it down on a surface), and it’s very affordable (elementary school student price)
My favorite speaker is one that is small and portable with awesome, big sound capability.
I’m looking for a Bluetooth speaker that is compact yet has premium features. Quality construction is important. Of course decent power is important. Being able to deliver a rich tone is paramount to my wishes. I would want a high end speaker with all the trappings one would expect. That includes WiF, AirPlay, Spotify Connect and Web Radio. A long-lasting battery would be great. I would be listening to the speed and transfer of the speaker and it’s ability to maintain the desired frequency. I would love a built in microphone and Alexa enabled feature.
What I’m looking for in a Bluetooth speaker is sound quality, durability, reliability, an aesthetically pleasing design, reasonable cost, long battery life, short charge time, and a neutral sound signature. Good sound range is also important to me, I want one that can play the deepest bass as well as the high notes. I also need one that is easy to use and doesn’t have complicated controls. A mobile app would be nice but isn’t a dealbreaker for me. A good warranty would be another plus but I wouldn’t consider it absolutely necessary. Being waterproof would be great. I would also like Wi-Fi connectivity.
Best article on the internet about portable speakers in 2020, PERIOD.
By the way, there is a typo “Battey” instead of “Battery” on a few of the speaker profiles.
Jordan – thank you for the kind words, and thank you for pointing out that typo. Much obliged.
I have checked a few of these online forums for the best speaker, Why doesn’t anyone have the monster super blaster on their lists? This speaker is absolutely amazing. It’s high priced and heavy but so worth it. Have you checked this speaker out? Thanks for all you hard work and letting us know which ones are your best, I’m going to check into a couple of these to see how they compare to what I already have.
Hi have just received my Soundcore Mini 3.Am a young music loving 72 year old and this is a brilliant piece of kit for listening to my music collection on my phone.To get a good stereo sound would buying another of these do the trick?.One criticism is the very limited data supplied with it.Not able to understand the full capability of the Speaker..ie the Multifunction button?.As you can tell my technology knowledge is basic and would like more details.
Have you heard from the Abramtek E500 or E600? Could beat some of these for a fair price.