These days, everything has to be fast and easy: news, books, food, and even music. While there are plenty of apps that provide high-quality music streaming, the modern audiophile also wants good sound quality.
Lifehack has handpicked the 10 best speakers that are portable and totally stylish.
1. UE WONDERBOOM Super Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Big, clear, crisp 360-degree sound and big bass. Its 10-hour playtime makes it possible to take this with you on whatever outing you want! The WONDERBOOM is also incredibly waterproof: you can enjoy your favorite tunes in the shower, at the pool, or just walking around on a drizzly day.
Best for: The urbanite listening to music in all weather conditions.
UE WONDERBOOM Super Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $99.99
2. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth
Feel the power of the EXTRA BASS with this affordable Sony portable speaker! The water-resistant Sony XB10 connects via both Bluetooth and one-touch NFC. It weighs in at only 0.71 pounds, but its impressive battery life will allow you to listen for up to 16 hours when fully charged.
Best for: Super portability and affordability.
Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth, $48
3. Drifter Portable Smart Action Speaker
If you’re looking for a “smarter” speaker with more functionality (and just as much portability as the competition), you might love the beautifully-designed Drifter. This speaker is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, has a touchscreen, and allows you to download songs right onto the device’s internal storage.
The Drifter’s battery allows for 8 hours of playtime. It’s absolutely built for traveling: it’s 100% waterproof, can float, and you can clip it or mount it to stand alone.
Best for: The nature-loving travel junkie
Drifter Portable Smart Action Speaker, $250
4. B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Built-In Microphone
This ultra-portable speaker fits in the palm of your hand or your pocket for the easiest transportation ever. It’s splash and dust-resistant, and although it’s small it has a big sound!
You can personalize your audio with “smart” features like snooze and voice activation, and it’s equipped with a built-in microphone for clear calling and voice activation. You’ll get up to 10 hours of playtime per charge.
Best for: Hanging out with your family or friends
B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Built-In Microphone, $169
5. Fender Bluetooth Battery-Operated Portable Speaker
This Bluetooth speaker packs 30 watts of power, and – at 4.3 pounds – is on the larger side of the speakers on this list. At the same time, it’s got two woofers and one tweeter for maximally natural sound reproduction, and it has a built-in microphone if you need to use your phone hands-free.
Best for: Outdoor parties where you need excellent sound quality
Fender Bluetooth Battery-Operated Portable Speaker, $199.99
6. Solar Speaker, Portable Wireless Bluetooth Bamboo Wood Speaker & Phone Charger by REVEAL
Natural bamboo combined with energy efficient solar panels give this speaker an elegant and eco-friendly look. With excellent sound clarity, this solar speaker offers 8 hours of battery life when the sun isn’t out. You can even use this speaker as a charger for your smartphone, tablet or other devices while playing music on the go.
Best for: The environmental-friendly audiophile
Solar Speaker, Portable Wireless Bluetooth Bamboo Wood Speaker & Phone Charger by REVEAL, $79.99
7. Braven Stryde 360 Degree Sound [2500 mAh] Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
The Braven Stryde looks super durable, and it is. This bluetooth-capable speaker is waterproof and dustproof: in fact, it can be fully submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Its cylinder shape means you can fits in almost any cup holder, whether you’re commuting to work or sitting in a lawn chair.
Explosive sound is possible because of the dual passive radiator and opposing drivers for 360 degree sound. This speaker also has voice command control, like the Amazon Echo.
Best for: Great sound on the road.
Braven Stryde 360 Degree Sound [2500 mAh] Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $99.99
8. GGMM E5 Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Superior Sound Speaker
This award-winning portable speaker lets you connect directly to your Bluetooth. That means you can listen to internet radio or your favorite online streaming services even without connecting to your computer or phone. This speaker is also compatible with your Apple devices, so you can answer calls or forward them to voicemail at the press of a button.
With an impressive 15 hours of playtime, this super slim speaker is a mere 1.5 inches thick. It comes with a removable leather strap for convenient transportation.
Best for: The listener who wants a long battery life.
GGMM E5 Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Superior Sound Speaker, $99.99
9. Native Union Switch Bluetooth Speaker – SWITCH
These Bluetooth speakers feature high quality audio, noise reduction technology, and a super-sleek and professional design. It’s mainly designed for conference call functions, as it’s fully compatible with Skype, Google Talk, and other VoIP applications. You can also use it to charge your mobile devices.
Best for: Using in the office.
Native Union Switch Bluetooth Speaker – SWITCH, $106.82
10. ECOXGEAR EcoSlate Rugged and Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
You can stream music up to 100ft. away using your smartphone or tablet. With up to 12 hours of playtime per charge, this speaker has waterproof tech and a built-in charger. It’s ideal for outdoor parties, driving, or more rugged activities at the beach, or while camping, hiking, rafting, etc.
The ECOXGEAR features speakerphone and microphone providing a hands free calls anywhere you might be.
Best for: The avid hiker or beachgoer
ECOXGEAR EcoSlate Rugged and Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, $119.20
Featured photo credit: Daren Inshape via unsplash.com
