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    There are 9 best portable speakers for beach days, camping trips, and backyard BBQs.

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    9 Best Portable Speakers for Beach Days, Camping Trips, & Backyard BBQs

    No matter how dialed in your trip is—flights booked, snacks packed, playlists queued—having a solid portable speaker can really pull it all together. If you’re looking for a speaker that can handle your needs, whether you’re hanging at the beachPortable speakers are more useful than you think.

    Not all speakers are the same. Some speakers are quite large for something that is marketed as “portable.” Some of them die in the middle of your playlist. We won’t even mention those that sound like they are playing music through a can. The best travel speakers strike a balance between size, sound quality, battery life, and durability—because no one wants to baby their speaker on vacation.

    We tested some of the most popular portable speakers on the market today. These portable speakers are waterproof and powerful, but also small enough to fit in your palm.

    Compact and small speakers

    These speakers are designed for travel. These speakers are easy to throw in a bag. small bag, clip to a backpackBring them along to the beach for a fun day. Although you won’t hear bass that will rock the world, the best ones still have plenty of power for their size.

    JBL Go 4 portable speaker

    Dimensions: 3.7″L by 1.7″W by 3″H
    Weight: 11.4 oz.
    Battery Life: Seven hours

    JBL’s Go 4 Bluetooth Speaker is small enough to fit into a pocket. fanny pack You can also find out more about crossbody bag. Its compact size and high-quality sound have made it the go-to device for commerce editors Meaghan Kenny. Kenny: “I like to take this small speaker with me when I go on weekends, because it is so compact and comes in very handy.” It’s my favorite speaker for the beach, as it provides just enough volume for me and my friends to enjoy our music without disturbing anyone else. The speaker is also dust-proof and waterproof, so I’m not worried about spills. The speaker connects via Bluetooth quickly and has a playtime of seven hours, which isn’t bad considering it’s the size of an iPhone. Kenny’s favourite features include: “It can be clipped to your clothes and charges in only three hours.” beach bagIt is also a good option for those who prefer more active trips.”

    ProsClips onto bags, very compact, waterproof and dustproof
    You can also find out more about ConsThe volume may not be enough in a bigger space

    Ultimate Ears Miniroll speakers

    Dimensions: Size: 4.83″L. x 4.13″. x 1.9″.
    Weight: 9.8 oz.
    Battery LifeTwelve hours

    The Miniroll may be small, but it is tough. The Miniroll has a design similar to a disc, and it can easily be clipped onto your belt, bike or backpack. Sound-wise, it holds its own—clean mids and highs, with just enough bass to keep things interesting. It has a battery life of about 12 hours and is waterproof, dust-proof and drop-proof like the larger UE models. You can use two Minirolls to create stereo sound if you need more volume.
    ProsVery light, waterproof and dust-proof
    You can also find out more about ConsMicro-USB is used to charge the device instead of USB-C

    Bose SoundLink Micro bluetooth speaker

    Dimensions: 1.37″Dx3.87″Wx3.87″H
    Weight: 10.24 oz.
    Battery LifeSix hours

    Bose SoundLink Micro is the company’s most compact speaker. It’s ideal for cyclists who enjoy listening to music on their bikes. hikingOr, generally, doing things that involve water, dirt, or movement. The device is about the same size as a deck, with a silicone strap that can be easily attached to equipment. It also has an IP67 rating and is dust-proof and waterproof. For something this small, it delivers solid sound with surprisingly punchy bass—though it definitely favors clarity over volume. The battery lasts for six hours. This is enough to power the speaker through the day, but it may not be enough for a full weekend. Also, charging still uses micro-USB technology, which feels outdated. The speaker is lightweight, portable, and can be paired with other Bose Speakers for stereo sound using the Bose app.

    ProsEasy to strap on your gear to listen to music while you’re out and about, waterproof, dustproof
    You can also find out more about ConsNot as loudly as other options, battery life shorter than some others on our listing

    Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 speaker

    Dimensions: 3.75″D. x 4.09’H 
    Weight: 14.8 oz
    Battery Life14 Hours
    The Wonderboom 3 can fit into your palm, yet it delivers 360-degree sound that’s surprisingly rich. The size is right in the middle of the small and medium options. Bass is decent for the size—but if you’re expecting deep lows, you might be better off elsewhere. The volume is good for the size, and it has an Outdoor Boost Mode that adjusts EQ to open-air settings. It is waterproof, floats and handles drops well. Perfect for pool parties or outdoor trips. It has a 14-hour battery, but it charges using micro-USB. This is outdated for 2025. It’s still a good travel speaker for less than $100. The color options are bright and there is a small learning curve.

    ProsThe Outdoor Boost Mode helps you in windy conditions. It has a long battery life and is waterproof.
    You can also find out more about ConsMicro-USB chargers are more convenient than USB-C

    Marshall Willen speaker

    Dimensions: 3.96L x 1.56W x 3.96H
    Weight: 11.3 oz.
    Battery Life15 hours

    Marshall’s Willen, a compact speaker with mighty performance, looks as good it sounds. Brands like Marshall are known for their exceptional sound quality, and sleek designs with vintage influences. Willen’s compact and lightweight design offers good volume for an outdoor area without being too loud. With an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, you can use it for outdoor picnics or BBQs. Its 15-hour playtime makes it an excellent choice for a day of music.

    Pros: Long battery life, lightweight, beautiful design
    You can also find out more about ConsWater-resistant but not waterproof

    Medium-sized speakers

    This is the perfect speaker for those who want to be able to use it both indoors and outdoors without feeling weighed down. These models have a fuller sound and a longer battery life. They are also portable, so you can move them from one room to another.

    Bose SoundLink Flex portable speaker

    Dimensions: 2.06″D x 7.93’W x 3.56’H
    Weight: 1.3 lb. 
    Battery LifeTwelve hours

    The SoundLink Flex leans into Bose’s signature tuning—rounded lows and a generally smooth, warm profile. The SoundLink Flex may not be the loudest of its kind, nor will you get stereo separation. But vocals sound clear and it is able to handle mellow genres well. The unit is best suited for indoor listening or small outdoor gatherings. The unit has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The battery life is around 12 hours and USB-C charging makes it a great option. It is less rugged, but still refined enough to be tucked into a purse or backpack. It also comes in a variety of colors—Bose just dropped Petal Pink Also available in blue, sandstone black and sage.

    ProsExceptional sound quality, long battery life and a variety of colors are available.
    You can also find out more about ConsNot as rugged and adventurous as some other options

    Sonos Roam 2 speaker

    Dimensions: 2.36″D by 2.44″W by 6.61″H
    Weight: 15.2 oz.
    Battery Life10 hours

    The Sonos Roam 2 comes in a smaller version of the brand’s Move speaker Except it’s lighter and cheaper. It is also more portable. It can be easily stuffed into a bag or backpack and automatically switches between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi depending on your location. This is the perfect choice if you use Sonos products at home and need something to go with them. The sound is balanced and clean for its size, but you won’t find the same bass punch as you would in larger speakers. It has a battery life of about 10 hours. You can charge the speaker wirelessly or via USB. The triangular shape, while it is rounded and has small feet to help stabilize the speaker on uneven surfaces, can cause the device to roll if not handled carefully. It’s still a great travel speaker, and it feels like a natural extension to the Sonos ecosystem.

    ProsWireless charging is waterproof and drop-proof.
    You can also find out more about ConsIn some situations, the shape can be awkward

    Fender x Teufel Rockstar Go 2 bluetooth speaker

    Dimensions: 2.3″D, 6.9″, W x 2.4″, H 
    Weight: 1.6 lb.
    Battery Life15 Hours

    The Rockster Go 2 is the result of Fender’s vintage styling and Teufel German-engineered sounds. It looks like an amp but sounds much bigger. Two aluminum drivers and a central bass radiator do a solid job delivering clear mids and punchy lows—even better when you crank it up a bit. The IP67 rating means it can handle dust, water and anything else in your backpack. Battery life is excellent: 15 hours with normal volume and up to 28 hours in Eco mode. It has no EQ or app settings but charges via USB-C. If you want to be old-school, it also plays wired audio from the same port.

    ProsLong battery life. Solid sound quality
    You can also find out more about ConsWater-resistant but not waterproof

    Ultimate Ears Boom 4, speaker

    Dimensions: 2.8″D by 7.1″H
    Weight: 1.2 lb.
    Battery Life: 15 Hours

    The Boom 4 follows the UE playbook, with its bold colors, loud sound and tank-like construction. It delivers 360-degree audio, which is resistant to the elements and won’t distort if you crank it up. It’s waterproof, dust-proof, and floats—so feel free to toss it in the pool or beach bag without worry. The battery life is around 15 hours and it can be paired with other UE speaker for a complete party setup. It also finally switched to USB-C charging, something that has been long overdue.

    ProsDust-proof, water-proof and floats on the surface of the water
    You can also find out more about ConsThe sound is perfect for celebrations indoors but not loud enough for outdoor events or summer barbecues.

    This article was updated to include new information since the original publication date.

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