Our picks link to Amazon UK. Buy through them and we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, SuggestedTech earns from qualifying purchases. How this works
This guide is for anyone choosing a portable speaker for the garden, the beach, holidays, the bathroom or the kitchen. It is also for anyone buying one as a Christmas or birthday present, one of the easiest tech gifts to get right. Match the speaker to how you will use it. Check the battery hours, the water and dust rating, the size, and extras like phone charging or linking speakers together.
JBL Flip 7
Best for most people
The JBL Flip 7 is a portable Bluetooth speaker built for real life. Take it to the beach, the bathroom or the park and keep the music going.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone who wants one speaker that does a bit of everything, from a teenager to your dad.
The facts that matter
- Up to 14 hours of playtime on a single charge, plus an extra 2 hours with Playtime Boost.
- IP68 waterproof and dustproof, and it survives a drop from up to 1 metre.
- The PushLock system comes with a loop and a carabiner, and it links to other Auracast speakers for bigger sound.
Why it made the list: It is IP68 waterproof and dustproof, so sand, splashes and rain are no worry, and it survives a drop from up to 1 metre. You get up to 14 hours of playtime, plus 2 more with Playtime Boost. The PushLock system comes with a loop and a carabiner, so you can clip it to a bag. It also links to other Auracast speakers when you want bigger sound.
Worth knowing: Up to 14 hours of standard playtime, against 24 hours on the JBL Charge 6.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)JBL Charge 6
Best for all-day parties and charging your phone
The JBL Charge 6 is a portable speaker made for long days out. It keeps the party going and keeps your phone alive too.
Who it's for: Perfect for the friend who hosts every barbecue, or anyone heading off on a long weekend away.
The facts that matter
- Up to 24 hours of playtime, plus an extra 4 hours with Playtime Boost.
- A 10-minute fast charge gives 150 minutes of playtime.
- A built-in power bank charges your phone while the music plays, and it survives a 1-metre drop.
Why it made the list: You get up to 24 hours of playtime, plus an extra 4 hours with Playtime Boost. A 10-minute fast charge gives you 150 minutes of music, so a quick top-up saves the day. A built-in power bank charges your phone while the music plays, and it survives a 1-metre drop.
Worth knowing: Charging your phone from it uses the speaker's own battery, so you get less playtime.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Best for a small speaker with big Bose sound
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is a small, tough speaker you can carry anywhere. You get Bose sound from something that clips onto your bag.
Who it's for: A smart gift for walkers, cyclists and anyone who travels light.
The facts that matter
- Up to 12 hours of battery in a size that fits in your hand, with a utility loop to clip onto a bag.
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof, wrapped in a durable silicone body.
- PositionIQ senses which way up it is and adjusts the sound; link two Bose speakers for Stereo or Party Mode.
Why it made the list: It fits in your hand, gives you up to 12 hours of battery and has a utility loop to clip onto a bag. It is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, wrapped in a durable silicone body. PositionIQ senses which way up it is and adjusts the sound, and you can link two Bose speakers for Stereo or Party Mode.
Worth knowing: Bluetooth range is up to 9 metres, much shorter than the 40 to 45 metres on the Ultimate Ears speakers.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Best for the pool, the beach and the shower
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is a small speaker made for water. Drop it in the pool and it floats.
Who it's for: Buy it for the beach lover, the swimmer or anyone who sings in the shower.
The facts that matter
- IP67 and it floats; it can sit in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes.
- 360-degree sound, an Outdoor Boost button and up to 14 hours of playtime.
- A 40-metre mobile range, a loop for carrying, and Google Fast Pair for one-tap pairing.
Why it made the list: It is IP67 and it floats, and it can sit in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. You get 360-degree sound, so it fills the space all around you. An Outdoor Boost button and up to 14 hours of playtime come with it too. Google Fast Pair connects it in one tap, and its 40-metre mobile range lets you leave your phone well away from the water.
Worth knowing: Up to 14 hours of playtime, so it needs charging more often than the Charge 6 or the Emberton III.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Ultimate Ears BOOM 4
Best for 360-degree sound for a group
The Ultimate Ears BOOM 4 is a portable speaker that sends sound out in every direction. Put it in the middle and everyone gets the same music.
Who it's for: Ideal for families, campers and anyone who gathers friends in the garden.
The facts that matter
- 360-degree sound, so everyone around it hears the same thing.
- Waterproof, and it floats.
- A 15-hour battery and a 45-metre range.
Why it made the list: Its 360-degree sound means nobody is stuck at the back. It is waterproof and it floats, so a spilt drink or a dip in the pool is no drama. It has a 15-hour battery and a 45-metre range, so you can wander far from the speaker with your phone.
Worth knowing: A 15-hour battery, about half the Emberton III's 32+ hours.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Soundcore by Anker Boom 2
Best for big bass outdoors
The Soundcore by Anker Boom 2 is a big-sounding speaker built for outdoor parties. It brings deep bass to the garden or the beach.
Who it's for: Buy it for the bass lover who wants their music felt as well as heard.
The facts that matter
- 80W of sound with a subwoofer and BassUp 2.0.
- Up to 24 hours on a single charge, with a built-in power bank for your phone.
- IPX7 waterproof and it floats; PartyCast 2.0 links up to 100+ speakers.
Why it made the list: You get 80W of sound with a subwoofer and BassUp 2.0 for that deep bass. It plays for up to 24 hours on a single charge and has a built-in power bank for your phone. It is IPX7 waterproof and it floats, and PartyCast 2.0 links up to 100+ speakers for one giant party.
Worth knowing: IPX7 covers water, not dust, unlike the IP67 and IP68 speakers here.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Sonos Roam 2
Best for Sonos homes and travel
The Sonos Roam 2 is an ultra-compact speaker that brings Sonos sound out of the house. It is light enough to take on any trip.
Who it's for: The perfect present for someone who already has Sonos at home, or a frequent traveller.
The facts that matter
- Ultra-compact and lightweight, so you can take Sonos sound anywhere.
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof.
- Automatic Trueplay fine-tunes the sound for each new place.
Why it made the list: It is ultra-compact and lightweight, so it slips into a bag with ease. It is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, ready for the garden or the beach. Automatic Trueplay fine-tunes the sound for each new place, so it sounds right in the kitchen, the hotel room or the park.
Worth knowing: Up to 10 hours of listening, the shortest battery here.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Marshall Emberton III
Best for the longest battery and classic style
The Marshall Emberton III is a rugged portable speaker with the classic Marshall look. It plays for longer than any other speaker in this guide.
Who it's for: Buy it for the music fan who loves Marshall style, or anyone who hates charging.
The facts that matter
- 32+ hours of portable playtime on a single charge.
- IP67 dust and water resistance in a rugged design.
- True Stereophonic multi-directional sound, and a built-in microphone for hands-free calls.
Why it made the list: You get 32+ hours of portable playtime on a single charge, the longest battery here. It has IP67 dust and water resistance in a rugged design. True Stereophonic multi-directional sound fills the room, and a built-in microphone lets you take calls hands-free.
Worth knowing: At 673g, it is a bag speaker rather than one to clip to a strap.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)