In my nearly 15 years of evaluating portable Bluetooth speakers, I’ve encountered wireless speakers in a variety of shapes and sizes, including larger boom-box style party speakers that blast out sound capable of powering a fiesta. But for the folks looking for a travel-friendly wireless speaker that won’t weigh down their suitcases or backpacks, I’ve created a list of my current favorite ultraportable speakers that I’ve tested in recent months.
While Tribit’s palm-size Stormbox Micro Bluetooth speakers have always had somewhat generic designs, they’ve managed to exceed my expectations for sound quality for their size. The third-generation Stormbox Micro 3 is still a little generic looking, but it adds a magnetic base and improves upon the acoustics of its predecessors, as well as doubling its battery life. A worthy upgrade, it earns a CNET Editors’ Choice as a value pick in the micro speaker category, costing half the price of Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2. Read my full review.
Pros
- Palm-size Bluetooth speaker sounds impressive for its ultracompact size with better sound than its predecessor
- Built-in strap and magnets in base
- Half the price of Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2
- Long wireless range (up to 45 meters) with reliable connection
- Strong battery life (up to 24 hours)
- Can be used as a speakerphone and a power bank to charge your phone
Cons
- Design is a little generic
- Distorts at higher volumes (you can only push it so hard)
- Speakerphone performance is only OK
Bose’s most compact Bluetooth speaker, the SoundLink Micro, has finally been upgraded after eight years (yes, it was first released in 2017). Slightly larger than the original, this 2nd-gen model offers Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C charging instead of the old micro USB, improved battery life and sound quality, plus a new integrated Velcro strap for attaching it to a backpack strap, bike handlebar or just about anything else. Although its list price has gone up to $129, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in two color options: blue and black.
Pros
- It’s a little bigger than the original but still very compact
- Impressive sound for its tiny size
- Sound is improved with more bass and better overall clarity
- Fully water- and dustproof with IP67 rating
- Durable design
- Double the battery life of the original (up 12 hours)
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Pricey for a tiny Bluetooth speaker
- No speakerphone capabilities (no microphone)
- Despite sound improvements, don’t expect it to produce a ton of bass
Anker sells a lot of its cheaper Soundcore Select 4 Go micro Bluetooth speakers, which sell for a little more than $20. But its newer Soundcore Go 3i (not to be confused with the larger Boom 3i) is a significantly better-sounding 15W palm-sized speaker with far superior build quality and a built-in lighting element to jazz things up (you can turn it off if you want). Like the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) and Tribit Stormbox Micro 3, the Soundcore Go 3i has an integrated strap that lets you attach the speaker to your bike’s handlebars or clip it to a backpack strap. I didn’t think it sounded quite as good as those competing models, but it does play pretty loud and produces a decent amount of bass for its ultracompact size (I thought the similarly priced Stormbox Micro 3 had slightly better clarity and a slightly wider soundstage, but the differences are small). I appreciated the built-in LED that shows just how much battery life is remaining, and that you can use the speaker as a power bank to charge your phone in a pinch. It’s one of top micro Bluetooth speakers out there for the money.
Pros
- 15W palm-sized Bluetooth speaker sounds impressive for its ultracompact size
- Good build quality
- Dual-slot strap transforms between clip mode (attach to backpack/bike) and loop mode (for holding)
- Half the price of Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2
- Built-in lighting element and precise battery life indicator
- Strong battery life (up to 24 hours)
- Can be used as a power bank to charge your phone
- Equalizer settings and voice amplifier feature in companion app
Cons
- No speakerphone functionality
- Arguably doesn’t sound quite as good competing models from Bose and Tribit (but it’s close)
The JBL Clip 5 has a redesigned carabiner with a “bigger and more accessible opening, making it easier to clip on anywhere.” In my tests, the speaker ended up sounding slightly better than its predecessor, which JBL says is due to the fact that the increased driver power allows for more “streamlined sound and consistent bass at every volume.”
Pros
- Good sound for its compact design
- Slightly improved sound from predecessor
- Redesign carabiner
- Improved battery life
- Waterproof and dust-proof
Cons
- Slightly expensive when not on sale
The fifth-generation of JBL’s smallest Bluetooth speaker isn’t a huge upgrade from its predecessor (the Go 4), but it has a few noteworthy updates that make it a better speaker. Slightly heavier than the Go 4 at 8.16 ounces, the Go 5 is equipped with a programmable “mood boosting” lighting slits on the top and bottom on the front of the speaker and improved the speaker’s battery live by three hours — up to 10 hours versus the JBL Go 4’s 7 hours at moderate volume levels.
Pros
- Decent sound for its tiny size and plays slightly louder with slightly more bass and clarity than the Go 4
- Improved battery life (up to 10 hours with playtime boost)
- Supports USB-C wired audio
- Easier to link two Go 5 speakers for stereo sound
- Fully waterproof and dust-proof with an IP68 rating
Cons
- Can only deliver so much bass and volume
- No strap for mounting on a bike or built-in magnets
- No speakerphone capability
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While their small size limits just how much sound they can produce, I’ve picked them because they all sound surprisingly good for their size while also being well designed. Note that we also have a separate list of the best overall Bluetooth speakers of 2026, which includes a wider range of portable wireless speaker options, as well as a list of best wireless Bluetooth boom boxes. This list only includes very compact Bluetooth speakers, all of which weigh a pound or less.
What’s the best ultraportable Bluetooth speaker overall?
I’ve given high ratings to all the speakers on this list, and it’s hard to pick one as the best overall. That said, the three wireless speakers at the top of my list are my current top micro Bluetooth speaker picks. They include the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3, Bose SoundLink Micro 2 and Anker Soundcore Go 3i.
Best ultraportable Bluetooth wireless speakers of 2026
Pros
- Palm-size Bluetooth speaker sounds impressive for its ultracompact size with better sound than its predecessor
- Built-in strap and magnets in base
- Half the price of Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2
- Long wireless range (up to 45 meters) with reliable connection
- Strong battery life (up to 24 hours)
- Can be used as a speakerphone and a power bank to charge your phone
Cons
- Design is a little generic
- Distorts at higher volumes (you can only push it so hard)
- Speakerphone performance is only OK
While Tribit’s palm-size Stormbox Micro Bluetooth speakers have always had somewhat generic designs, they’ve managed to exceed my expectations for sound quality for their size. The third-generation Stormbox Micro 3 is still a little generic looking, but it adds a magnetic base and improves upon the acoustics of its predecessors, as well as doubling its battery life. A worthy upgrade, it earns a CNET Editors’ Choice as a value pick in the micro speaker category, costing half the price of Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2. Read my full review.
Pros
- It’s a little bigger than the original but still very compact
- Impressive sound for its tiny size
- Sound is improved with more bass and better overall clarity
- Fully water- and dustproof with IP67 rating
- Durable design
- Double the battery life of the original (up 12 hours)
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Pricey for a tiny Bluetooth speaker
- No speakerphone capabilities (no microphone)
- Despite sound improvements, don’t expect it to produce a ton of bass
Bose’s most compact Bluetooth speaker, the SoundLink Micro, has finally been upgraded after eight years (yes, it was first released in 2017). Slightly larger than the original, this 2nd-gen model offers Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C charging instead of the old micro USB, improved battery life and sound quality, plus a new integrated Velcro strap for attaching it to a backpack strap, bike handlebar or just about anything else. Although its list price has gone up to $129, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in two color options: blue and black.
While this model is truly pocket-size — and that’s certainly an appealing feature — the bigger but still compact SoundLink Flex sounds better and is also the better value, though it costs more.
Pros
- 15W palm-sized Bluetooth speaker sounds impressive for its ultracompact size
- Good build quality
- Dual-slot strap transforms between clip mode (attach to backpack/bike) and loop mode (for holding)
- Half the price of Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2
- Built-in lighting element and precise battery life indicator
- Strong battery life (up to 24 hours)
- Can be used as a power bank to charge your phone
- Equalizer settings and voice amplifier feature in companion app
Cons
- No speakerphone functionality
- Arguably doesn’t sound quite as good competing models from Bose and Tribit (but it’s close)
Anker sells a lot of its cheaper Soundcore Select 4 Go micro Bluetooth speakers, which sell for a little more than $20. But its newer Soundcore Go 3i (not to be confused with the larger Boom 3i) is a significantly better-sounding 15W palm-sized speaker with far superior build quality and a built-in lighting element to jazz things up (you can turn it off if you want). Like the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) and Tribit Stormbox Micro 3, the Soundcore Go 3i has an integrated strap that lets you attach the speaker to your bike’s handlebars or clip it to a backpack strap. I didn’t think it sounded quite as good as those competing models, but it does play pretty loud and produces a decent amount of bass for its ultracompact size (I thought the similarly priced Stormbox Micro 3 had slightly better clarity and a slightly wider soundstage, but the differences are small). I appreciated the built-in LED that shows just how much battery life is remaining, and that you can use the speaker as a power bank to charge your phone in a pinch. It’s one of top micro Bluetooth speakers out there for the money.
Pros
- Good sound for its compact design
- Slightly improved sound from predecessor
- Redesign carabiner
- Improved battery life
- Waterproof and dust-proof
Cons
- Slightly expensive when not on sale
The JBL Clip 5 has a redesigned carabiner with a “bigger and more accessible opening, making it easier to clip on anywhere.” In my tests, the speaker ended up sounding slightly better than its predecessor, which JBL says is due to the fact that the increased driver power allows for more “streamlined sound and consistent bass at every volume.”
Battery life is rated at 12 hours at moderate volume levels, and the speaker is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 with LE audio capabilities. It’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof and has JBL Portable app support along with multi-speaker connectivity via Auracast. It’s available in several color options.
Pros
- Decent sound for its tiny size and plays slightly louder with slightly more bass and clarity than the Go 4
- Improved battery life (up to 10 hours with playtime boost)
- Supports USB-C wired audio
- Easier to link two Go 5 speakers for stereo sound
- Fully waterproof and dust-proof with an IP68 rating
Cons
- Can only deliver so much bass and volume
- No strap for mounting on a bike or built-in magnets
- No speakerphone capability
The fifth-generation of JBL’s smallest Bluetooth speaker isn’t a huge upgrade from its predecessor (the Go 4), but it has a few noteworthy updates that make it a better speaker. Slightly heavier than the Go 4 at 8.16 ounces, the Go 5 is equipped with a programmable “mood boosting” lighting slits on the top and bottom on the front of the speaker and improved the speaker’s battery live by three hours — up to 10 hours versus the JBL Go 4’s 7 hours at moderate volume levels.
The speaker also plays slightly louder and has slightly better bass performance with a touch better clarity. The Go 5 is a 4.8-watt speaker versus the Go 4, which is a 4.2-watt speaker).
It also has USB-C audio, which means you can connect your phone to it in wired mode with a USB-C cable and transmit lossless audio (though I only thought it improved the sound ever so slightly).
And lastly, JBL has made it easier to pair two Go 5 speakers together to create a stereo pair, and you can also link it with other Auracast-enabled speakers.
Like its predecessor, the Go 5 can only deliver so much sound for its tiny size, so don’t get your expectation up to high. But it sounds better than you think, given just how small it is (it truly fits in a pocket) and manages to output just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny.
Available in multiple color options, the speaker is also durable and has an IP68 water-resistance rating. (The Go 4 has an IP67 rating.) This means the Go 5 can survive being fully submerged in water while also being dust-proof.
Pros
- Compact design with ambient lighting element on the back that you can customize in the companion app
- Good sound for its size, with decent clarity and midrange performance and just enough bass
- IP68 waterproof and dust-resistant
- Less than $100
- Up 14 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels
Cons
- Doesn’t produce a lot of bass
- Could cost a little less
JBL makes a lot of Bluetooth speakers, and its new-for-2025 Grip model falls somewhere between its micro-sized Go 4 and Clip 5 speakers and the Flip 6, which is more mini-sized. While it doesn’t sound quite as good as the Flip 7, it costs less and is more compact, weighing in at .85 lbs., or 385 grams, which makes it easy to carry around. While it certainly has its sound limitations, particularly in the low-end, there’s just enough bass to avoid sounding flat, and the speaker offers good treble clarity and strong midrange performance (the midrange tends to be where these small speakers perform best). I also liked the integrated loop and built-in lighting element on the back that’s programmable via the JBL companion app for iOS and Android. It’s more subdued than the light shows on some of the larger speakers and more accent or “ambient” lighting, as JBL calls it. Available in multiple color options, the Grip is rated for up to 14 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and is fully waterproof and dust-resistant with an IP68 rating.
Soundcore by Anker Select 4 Go: The Soundcore by Anker Select 4 Go doesn’t have quite the build quality as JBL’s Go 4 micro Bluetooth speaker (it has a budget feel to it), but it offers comparable sound quality and costs half the price. Like the JBL Go 4, the similarly named Select 4 Go sounds decent for its tiny size and is able to output just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny. Also, it’s fully waterproof and even floats. Battery life is rated for an impressive 20 hours at moderate volumes, and you can pair two of these speakers together for stereo sound. It’s definitely a good value.
Marshall Willen 2: Marshall’s little mono Willen 2 speaker (around $90) is similar to Bose’s SoundLink Micro 2 and other micro speakers like the Tribit StormBox Micro 3, but doesn’t sound quite as good. Like those speakers, it has an integrated strap on its base so you can clip it onto a backpack or even to your bike’s handlebars. Its 2-inch full range driver and two passive radiators put out more sound than you’d think it would for its tiny size, and it offers decent clarity as well just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2: Now that Tribit has released the StormBox Micro 3, a budget version of Bose’s excellent SoundLink Micro 2 speaker, the second-gen StormBox Micro 2 is on sale for less than $50. The new Micro 3 offers improved acoustics and double the battery life, but the Micro 2 remains a good palm-sized wireless speaker that you can strap to the handlebars of your bike. Read our full review.
JBL Go 4: While JBL has released the newer Go 5 with boosted battery life (10 hours vs. 7 hours) and a lighting element, the fourth-generation of JBL’s smallest Bluetooth speaker remains a good tiny speaker option, especially when it’s discounted. Despite its size, it does sound better than anticipated, though don’t get your hopes up — keep in mind that this speaker is truly pocket-size, so it can only deliver so much sound. However, it does manage to output just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny. This tiny speaker is also durable and has an IP67 water-resistance rating, which means it can survive being fully submerged in water and is dust-proof. The Go 4 is available in multiple color options.
Sony LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker: Sony made some mistakes with its LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker. First, it launched it in its LinkBuds line with a couple of new LinkBuds, so it kind of got lost in the shuffle. Second, it’s a little too expensive at its list price. But ignoring all that, I was surprised how good it sounded for its tiny size. It’s easily among the best-sounding micro Bluetooth speakers out there and is equipped with a two-way speaker system featuring a dedicated tweeter and Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker unit (woofer), giving it much fuller sound than you’d expect, with punchy bass and good clarity. It’s still a mono speaker, though you can pair two of them together for stereo sound.
Sonos Roam 2: Sonos’s original Roam speaker sounded very good for its compact size, but many users complained that it was tricky to go from Wi-Fi mode at home and Bluetooth mode on the go. With the release of the new Roam 2, which comes in five color options, those connectivity issues go away. The reality is the Roam 2 ($180) isn’t much of an upgrade. It has the same acoustic architecture (and the same impressive sound for its size), but now it has two buttons — one for power and the other for Bluetooth — instead of a single power button. That Bluetooth button lets you pair the speaker with any Bluetooth-enabled audio device right out of the box. Previously, the setup was more convoluted and required you to connect to your Sonos home Wi-Fi network first.
Anker Soundcore Boom 3i: In some ways, Anker’s new Soundcore Boom 3i is the spiritual successor of the company’s popular Soundcore Motion Plus speaker that was released in 2020. It’s similarly shaped but has more of an outdoor adventure slant with Anker calling it “built for the wild” and billing it as the first Bluetooth speaker with playback in water, as it floats and “auto-corrects” to keep the speaker drivers facing upward just above the surface. As you’d expect from a speaker that promotional photos show strapped onto a kayak (it does have a detachable carrying strap), the Soundcore Boom 3i is fully waterproof and dust-resistant, with an IP68 rating. Anker takes things a step further, touting the Boom 3i as “5X” saltwater-resistant. Read our full review.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300: Bose makes its excellent SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker that sells for about $150 and sometimes goes on sale for less. The Soundcore Motion 300 is Anker’s answer to that Bose speaker. Around the same size as the Bose, it doesn’t sound quite as good but it sounds impressive for its compact size and lists for only $80. Like the SoundLink Flex, it can be laid down flat with its speaker firing up toward the ceiling or propped up as shown in the photo above. It’s IPX7 waterproof and delivers up to 13 hours of audio at moderate volume levels. There’s also support for Sony’s LDAC audio codec for Android and other devices that support Bluetooth wireless streaming with LDAC.
Budget
Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on a new portable Bluetooth speaker. Value-priced wireless speakers continue to improve, so you can find good “cheap” portable Bluetooth speakers from Chinese brands like Tribit for not too much money (less than $60). If you’re looking for a more premium speaker, you can expect to pay $100 or more, especially for larger portable speakers that deliver better sound.
Size
Bigger speakers tend to sound better, delivering a bigger sound with more bass. Going bigger means they weigh more, which can make them a little harder to carry around. So you have to balance size with performance if you’re looking for something that’s easily portable. If you’re interested in a larger portable speaker, one feature worth looking out for is a built-in handle or shoulder strap perfect for your pool party or beach trip.
Durability
Many Bluetooth speakers are now fully waterproof and some are fully dustproof. If you’re planning on taking the speaker with you to the beach or on a hiking trip, having a more durable speaker is a desirable trait.
Speakerphone capabilities
Some speakers have a built-in microphone that turns them into a speakerphone when making calls on your cell phone. Many speakers don’t offer that feature, so choose accordingly if that’s something you’re looking for.
CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process for all of our audio testing. Our audio lab includes a Roon server running on a Synology NAS, Google Nest and Amazon Echo speakers, plus both iOS and Android devices. Similar speakers are compared side by side in a living room environment with different styles of music and utilizing multiple streaming platforms when required. We grade the sound quality of each by evaluating clarity, dynamics, bass response and stereo imaging (if applicable). If the speaker comes with a proprietary app we will compare that to other competitive controllers.
In assessing what the best Bluetooth speakers are, we consider the design of the speaker and how durable it seems, along with sound quality, battery life, extra features (such as additional connectivity options) and overall value. We test speakers in real-life environments both indoors and outdoors and compare it to other speakers in the same price range.
Design
We assess the design and build quality of the speakers and how they connect to your device’s sound card, whether by Bluetooth alone or via a connecting cord for manual audio input. We also test the Bluetooth range to see how far you can take your device without the speaker disconnecting. Color options, size and overall aesthetic appeal are more superficial aspects we take into consideration.
Sound quality
We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks. We also watch some movies and play some games with notable sound effects to capture the full range of the audio experience, whether mono or stereo audio.
Battery life
We compare the rated battery life (the time advertised by the manufacturer) against the time we tested ourselves. Those with a longer battery life that closely matches the rated life earn high marks in this category.
Features
Some portable Bluetooth speakers offer extra connectivity options like Wi-Fi or an optical port for a digital connection or surround sound for a fuller audio experience. Others include a “party mode” for multi-device connection or light shows, especially enticing for larger events. With the rise of universal cables, we also highlight those with a USB-C charging port for easy charging.
Value
We determine value after evaluating the strength of the portable Bluetooth speakers against all these criteria and what the speakers are able to deliver compared to other models in their price class.
How do I choose a Bluetooth speaker?
When choosing a Bluetooth speaker, what it really comes down to is size and price. If you’re looking for a very portable speaker, you’ll want to get something very compact, but remember that smaller speakers usually produce less sound and bass than larger ones. While there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver a bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people, it’s a question of finding a speaker that’s not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. But finding the best portable Bluetooth speaker also comes down to your budget.
Price can be a limiting factor. You may not want to spend $150 or more for a small speaker. Luckily, there are plenty of good options for $100, and some decent mini Bluetooth speakers can cost less than $50. Also, certain “value” brands that sell primarily on Amazon are strongly worth considering because they do offer a lot for the money.
If you’re looking for the best sound quality, as I said, bigger is usually better, and some larger portable Bluetooth speakers — sometimes referred to as Bluetooth boom boxes — can put out a lot of sound and have an integrated handle for toting them around.
What is the loudest Bluetooth speaker?
The loudest Bluetooth speakers are the biggest ones. Sometimes they’re referred to as boom boxes or “party” speakers. Some of those speakers are portable and have built-in rechargeable batteries while the biggest party speakers literally have wheels on them for transport and need to be plugged in with an AC adapter because they require so much power.
We have a list of the best wireless boom box speakers if you’re looking for a bigger Bluetooth speaker. It’s also worth noting that Bluetooth speakers from the same company can be daisy-chained together to augment their sound or paired together as a left-right stereo pair. Often, the best way to get a bigger sound is to pair two Bluetooth speakers together in a stereo pair.
Are mini Bluetooth speakers waterproof?
Mini Bluetooth speakers are increasingly being made waterproof, which means they can be fully submerged in water. A few models even float. For full waterproofing, look for an IPX rating of IPX7 or higher. Sometimes speakers will also have a dust-resistance rating. For example, an IP68 speaker is fully dust-proof and fully waterproof. The first number is the dust-resistance rating while the second refers to water resistance. So a speaker with an IP68 rating has the same water-resistance rating as an IPX8-rated speaker.
Are Bluetooth speakers better than Wi-Fi speakers?
Both can be termed as wireless speaker systems. Wi-Fi delivers the same basic convenience as Bluetooth: using your phone’s Wi-Fi connection to play music over an external speaker or sound system. Just like speakers that use Bluetooth connectivity, it can work with a subscription music service app such as Spotify (via Spotify Connect) or Apple Music, a radio service like Pandora or TuneIn, or your own music collection. Here are the best reasons to get a streaming Wi-Fi speaker:
- A Wi-Fi speaker sounds better than a Bluetooth speaker due to its higher bandwidth.
- Wi-Fi has better range.
- Wi-Fi doesn’t take over your phone’s audio channel — so you can take a call without interrupting the song, for example.
- It also works great for multiroom audio, allowing playback from multiple speakers all over the house via your Wi-Fi network, all controlled by a single phone app.
