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Honorable Mentions
Here are some great speakers we tested that didn’t make our top picks:
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (Gen 3) for $399: Well designed, well finished, and this is one of the most coveted Bluetooth speakers. The aluminum towel rack hasn’t changed since 2016, which says a lot about Cecilie Manz’s design strengths. The The latest version adds rich, powerful 360-degree sound from its 3.25-inch woofer, 0.6-inch tweeter, and 60 watts of amplification. It’s IP67 rated, lasts up to 24 hours, and is fully recyclable and replaceable. I used to use it, but it is more expensive than the KEF Muo and it sounds as good as it does.
Photo: Chris Haslam
JBL Go 5 for $55: Good looks, beautiful dimensions, and immediately stolen by my daughter, the new Go 5 is a profitable, if not a big, upgrade over the JBL Go 4 which is very impressive. IP68 protection. It’s a great little speech full of great expertise that takes up space. I wish I knew where my son put it.
We are also restocking the GB-001 for $580: The fact that it has a cassette deck steals the headlines, but the truth is, most people spend most of their time using this as a retro wonder. Bluetooth boom box. The 19-inch-wide body, chunky control panel, wide curved handle, and illuminated VU meters give it a real presence – it’s not moving, obviously – which goes hand in hand with an impressive 104-watt output that provides real scale. I like that you can record directly to blank tape, but without a radio it doesn’t scratch all my pain points. Up to 15 hours of battery life is guaranteed, and recycling is much cheaper than popping out another D-size pack like the old days.
Photo: Chris Haslam
Gomi Collection One for $380: Handmade in the UK from plastic waste, the Gomi Bluetooth speaker is a rare example of sustainable design. No two cases are the same, and the plastic release feels great. Inside, they have recycled lithium-ion e-bike battery cells, which are smart to move and provide up to 32 hours of listening. For its midrange sound it sounds expensive – the KEF Muo is nice and cheap – but for me that’s not the point and the sound quality of the full range 3-inch driver is fantastic. There is also free and fast shipping in the USA.
Trelab HD-360 Pro for $128: Imagine if the Apple HomePod had a 22-hour battery, Bluetooth functionality, and the price of peanuts. Well, I’m being hasty, but with 360-degree sound, 90 watts of peak output, five active drivers, eight bass radiators, and a low-profile speaker pickup, it’s a surprisingly good alternative. At 5.7 pounds it’s a bit bulky and can handle the handle, but the weight helps with the sound, and it also means it has a 22-hour battery life. Of course, there’s no smart control or Wi-Fi, but it’s great if you have a (very) loud speaker (similar).
Bose Soundlink Max for $399: Bose SoundLink Max has become my favorite speaker to bring to outdoor events. It’s not as big as the statue John Cusack held over his head in the 80s, but the solid, blue speaker sounds bold and loud enough to serenade your loved ones with a romantic song. I also like that you can plug in your phone while it’s playing music, which is great for those of us who forget to pay for our vacation days. Bold bass, even when outdoors, makes this great for dance parties in general, and the handle is easy to attach to packs, kayaks, or tents. —Parker Hall
The tablet costs $150: Apple’s latest Beats tablet is surprisingly flexible. One quick integration of iOS and Android devices makes it perfect for mixed-use homes, while old-school phone calls like a built-in docking station and the ability to charge other devices can come in handy. Beats didn’t stop there, offering great playtime, great dust and water resistance, and the ability to play lossless audio via USB-C and accessories. While the design isn’t as robust as I like, the new drivers deliver the crisp bass you’ve come to expect from Beats, with clarity. –Ryan Waniata
JBL Charge 6 for $200: JBL Charge offers a loud and beautiful sound from its ball-shaped frame, along with additional features such as a USB-C port to charge your phone and a battery life of 24 hours. It can be connected for lossless playback on auxiliary devices and use Auracast to connect to other new JBL models, although it leaves older versions such as the Charge 5. The Charge is not as easy to carry as we have chosen above, weighing 3 pounds and stretching 9 inches across, but if you bring it, you will get more rewards and clear cuts. –Ryan Waniata
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 for $200: If portability isn’t too much of a concern, the 9-inch Megaboom 4 is one of the best outdoor speakers you can buy. It has a rich and full 360 degree sound with plenty of low end punch. Its tested, weatherproof body is ready to go anywhere, from the surf to the sand, and offers over 150 wireless calls and up to 20 hours of battery life (like 15 hours on volume). Like other UE speakers, the app adds features such as the ability to connect multiple speakers in a group or two Megaboom 4s in stereo, adjust EQ, and wake the speaker from sleep. This sturdy pillar is a must for my backyard parking lot and a must add to your arsenal. –Ryan Waniata
Sony Ult Field 1 for $140: Sony’s Ult mini speakers are a solid pair of speakers that can handle some tough competition. It offers good sound with a key “Ult” bass, but its midrange is less defined and stronger than the likes of Ultimate Ears Boom 4 or JBL Flip 7, and it has a shorter battery life than perhaps. –Ryan Waniata
DemerBox DB2 for $399: The DB2 is the perfect companion for your adventurous outdoor adventures, mainly because it does two things: It’s a super loud speaker with 40 hours of built-in battery life, and it’s also a durable Pelican case. Load it up with any fragile items, install a bass port and a rubber stopper, and you have a box that’s sure to keep your stuff safe. –Ryan Waniata
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