The 7 Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Delta Online News

Portable Bluetooth speakers will never be able to reproduce the thumping power of a Sonos or Bose in-house system, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a tinny sound that’s barely audible.

Some Bluetooth speakers have plenty of punch—you just need to know which models to look out for.

Here are some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers you can buy today.

Premium pick

1. The New Soundboks

9.20 / 10

Read Reviews

With incredible battery life (40 hours) and a monster maximum volume level (126 dB), The New Soundboks speaker (yes, that is the official name!) is powerful enough to fill a room or outdoor venue with music.

The IP65 waterproof rating means it will be fine when used in the rain, and it has inputs for both microphones and musical instruments (3.5mm and 6.35mm) in case you want to set up a karaoke session or use it for your band practice.

This isn’t the speaker to buy if you want to throw it in your bag and travel; it clocks in at a hefty 33 pounds and is more than 30 inches tall and 20 inches wide.

Key Features

  • 126dB output
  • Concert-level volume
  • Swappable battery pack
Specifications

  • Brand: Soundboks
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, 6.35mm jack, 3.5mm jack
  • Battery: 40 hours
  • Water Resistance: IP65
Pros

  • Inputs for microphones and instruments
  • Can link multiple speakers together for surround sound
  • Can be paired wirelessly, unlike previous generations
Cons

  • Too large to be easily portable
  • Expensive
Editors choice

2. Bose S1 Pro

9.40 / 10

Read Reviews

For those who want a larger Bose speaker than models like the SoundLink Mini II and SoundLink Color II, the S1 Pro might be the solution. It offers 110dB of output; that’s more than enough to fill an outdoor event with sound, and it can even double as a PA system in case you want to make announcements or speeches over a microphone.

But it’s the Bose touches that make the S1 Pro really stand out. For example, there are built-in sensors to make sure the sound is always as good as it can be, regardless of placement or orientation. You will also get access to a three-channel mixer and independent ToneMatch, reverb, and equalizer controls on two channels.

Key Features

  • 110dB ouput
  • Support for musical instrument input
  • Automatic equalizer
Specifications

  • Brand: Bose
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, XLR quarter-inch, 3.5mm jack
  • Battery: 11 hours
  • Water Resistance: None
Pros

  • Works on AC and battery
  • Independent ToneMatch, reverb, and EQ controls on two channels
  • Three-channel mixer
Cons

  • No water resistance
  • No smart assistants
Best value

3. Marshall Woburn II

9.60 / 10

Read Reviews

The Marshall Woburn II speaker is has a classic speaker design, yet on the inside, it boasts some of the latest technology available. That includes two one-inch tweets and two 5.25-inch subwoofers, as well as an amp, Bluetooth 5.0 aptX technology, and a frequency response of 30-20,000 hertz. All that comes together to provide 110 watts of power

It’s not all rosy, however. The lack of a battery means the Marshall Woburn II is no good for beaches, camping trips, and other off-grid events (unless you also have a generator). There’s also no microphone for hands-free phone calls, and it does not have support for Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri.

Key Features

  • Two one-inch tweeters
  • Dual 5.25-inch subwoofers
  • 110dB output
Specifications

  • Brand: Marshall Woburn
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
  • Battery: Requires mains connection
  • Water Resistance: None
Pros

  • Incredible sound quality
  • Physical bass and treble knobs
  • Looks beautiful
Cons

  • No battery, mains supply only
  • Quite heavy
  • No multi-directional sound

The Turtlebox Loud isn’t a big speaker—it only measures 11.50 x 6.50 x 8.75 inches. However, it offers a volume level that surpasses almost all other portable Bluetooth speakers on the market.

At 120dB, the speaker will cut through the wind, rain, and other conditions. That, paired with an extremely rugged design and a sound frequency curve specifically designed for outdoor use, makes it a perfect speaker for adventures and outdoor events.

Because the Turtlebox Loud is rugged, it does have a bit of extra weight. At eight pounds, it’s not onerous, but it’s not something you’re going to forget you’re carrying either.

Key Features

  • 120dB ouput
  • Massive 50 hours of battery life
  • Highly rugged design
Specifications

  • Brand: Turtlebox
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth
  • Battery: 50 hours
  • Water Resistance: IP67
Pros

  • Can be paired for stereo sound
  • Runs on AC or battery
  • Sound frequency curve designed for outdoor use
Cons

  • No smart assistants
  • Heavier than average speakers

The Aiwa Exos-9 has five powered drivers, a 6.5-inch subwoofer, 200 watts of power output, and a five-band equalizer with four presets, all of which combine to produce an impressive 100dB of volume when the speaker is turned up to the max.

Indeed, it is the speaker’s components that help it stand out. Aiwa openly admits it spends less on marketing and endorsements than its competitors, thus freeing up resources to improve its products.

And if you’re planning to use an Aiwa Exos-9 at parties, you’ll love the Bluetooth lock feature. It means you can either let anyone take over the music or enable a feature that will keep it paired with the current device indefinitely.

Key Features

  • 100dB ouput
  • 200-watt speaker
  • Integrated audio amplifier
Specifications

  • Brand: Aiwa
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
  • Battery: 9 hours
  • Water Resistance: None
Pros

  • Wired and wireless connections supported
  • Works on 120- and 240-volt power supplies
  • EQ mode selector
Cons

  • Battery life could be better

The audio quality of a Bose speaker is a given; the SoundLink Mini II is no different. However, this speaker also blows away similar-sized units with its volume. Despite only measuring 2.1 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches, the speaker produces 50W of power and 85dB of noise.

Having Siri and Google Assistant capabilities is also a big plus, but the lack of Alexa will undoubtedly leave some people feeling a bit disappointed. Of course, the big downside of the Bose SoundLink Mini II is the lack of water resistance.

Although it can withstand drops and heavy shocks, you won’t want to be using it around the pool on vacation. Those who want water resistance should check out the Bose SoundLink Color II instead.

Key Features

  • Siri and Google Assistant support
  • 50W speaker
  • Built-in microphone
Specifications

  • Brand: Bose
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
  • Integrations: Siri, Google Assistant
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Water Resistance: None
Pros

  • Very loud given small size
  • 30-foot Bluetooth range
  • Great design
  • Bose-quality audio
Cons

  • No water resistance
  • No support for Amazon Alexa

Some Bluetooth speakers are more portable than others. If you want something you can throw in a rucksack but that still offers a powerful sound punch, check out the Anker Soundcore Boost.

The core design principle of the speaker is to improve the bass on your music. To that end, Anker has included its own proprietary BassUp technology. Combined with the dual drivers and twin subwoofers, the speaker possesses an impressive depth of sound given its size.

The IPX5 waterproof rating means it can withstand a spray of water from a hose or tap but cannot be fully submerged.

Key Features

  • Incredible bass
  • Twin subwoofers for 20 watts of power
  • Built-in microphone
Specifications

  • Brand: Anker
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
Pros

  • External USB port for phone charging
  • NFC connectivity
  • Waterproof
Cons

  • No wireless stereo pairing
  • Plain design

FAQ

Q: Watts vs. Decibels: What's the Difference?

When looking for the loudest speaker, should you be considering watts or decibels?

Watts are important—they measure the power output of the amplifier in that speaker. However, it is the efficiency with which the amplifier converts the power into acoustic energy (the sound pressure level, expressed as decibels) that you need to keep an eye on.

Q: How Loud Is Loud?

The speakers we’ve looked at in the article all offer between about 80 and 120dBs of volume. But how loud is that in practical terms?

For comparison, heavy traffic on a highway is about 80dB, a motorbike is about 100dB, and a rock concert is around 120dB.

Q: I Need More Volume, What Should I Do?

If the speakers in this article do not meet your needs, you will be unlikely to find an alternative Bluetooth speaker that goes louder. You will probably need to turn to larger, wired equipment for professionals. It will not be readily portable.

MakeUseOf – Feed