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The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers

We compared six portable Bluetooth speakers on owner ratings, expert reviews, and specs. The Bose SoundLink Flex is our top pick for its sound quality and durability.

Updated

The bottom line

The Bose SoundLink Flex (B0D6WD2QSQ) is our top pick for a portable Bluetooth speaker, thanks to its high-fidelity audio, deep bass, and robust design. At $159, it's more expensive than the JBL Go 4 (B0CTNWBT1Z) and Anker Soundcore 2 (B01MTB55WH), but the sound quality and durability make it worth the extra cost. The JBL Go 4 is a budget option at $34.95, offering powerful sound and portability. The Anker Soundcore 2, priced at $29.98, is also a strong contender for those looking for longer battery life and good sound quality.

Top pick
Bose SoundLink FlexBose SoundLink Flex $159.00

Best overall portable Bluetooth speaker

The Bose SoundLink Flex offers superior sound quality, deep bass, and a robust design. At $159, it's more expensive but worth it for the audio experience and durability. Those on a budget should consider the JBL Go 4 or Anker Soundcore 2.

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Budget pick
JBL Go 4JBL Go 4 $34.95

Best budget portable Bluetooth speaker

The JBL Go 4 delivers powerful sound and portability at $34.95. It's a good choice for those who want good sound without breaking the bank, though it lacks some features of the Bose SoundLink Flex.

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Also great
Anker Soundcore 2Anker Soundcore 2 $29.98

Great value with long battery life

The Anker Soundcore 2 offers 24 hours of playtime and good sound quality at $29.98. It's a good option for those who need long battery life and don't mind a slightly less premium build.

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The field, ranked

  1. Bose SoundLink Flex Best sound quality and durability 10.0/10 $159.00 Amazon
  2. JBL Go 4 Great sound and portability at a budget price 9.0/10 $34.95 Amazon
  3. Anker Soundcore 2 Long battery life and good sound quality 8.0/10 $29.98 Amazon
  4. Soundcore Anker 2 Good sound quality and long battery life 8.0/10 $35.99 Amazon
  5. Anker soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Good sound quality and long battery life 8.0/10 $35.99 Amazon
  6. Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker Good sound quality but lower expert rating 7.0/10 $99.00 Amazon

Who should buy which

If you prioritize sound quality and are willing to spend more, the Bose SoundLink Flex is the best choice. For those on a budget, the JBL Go 4 offers good value with powerful sound and portability. The Anker Soundcore 2 is a good option for users who need long battery life and good sound quality without breaking the bank.

Also-rans

The Anker Soundcore 2 (B0DK1MQ4GP) and Anker soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker (B0GFMN268L) are good options but don't offer significant advantages over the Anker Soundcore 2 (B01MTB55WH). The Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker (B0H2B6Q4QN) is a lower-priced version of the Bose SoundLink Flex but has a lower expert rating, making it less recommended.

How this was put together

This guide is based on 480,000+ owner ratings, 5 expert reviews, and detailed specs. We did not test any products hands-on. The evidence is thinnest on the Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker (B0H2B6Q4QN) due to its lower expert rating.