Best Bluetooth speaker 2023: small & large, budget & premium

Music is a huge part of my day, and probably yours, too. While the best noise cancelling headphones are my accessory of choice when I commute, it’s my best Bluetooth speaker that comes in handy at other times.

I most often use a portable speaker when I am

• in my hotel room during vacations
• about the kitchen, cooking
• working out or doing yoga as a group outside
• camping
• at the beach

Wouldn’t you love to have your music or podcasts with you in all those places? I love portable speakers because they give me the ability to hear the world around me, interact with my companions, and for us to share our tracks.

The trick to finding the best Bluetooth speaker is knowing what to look for. In this guide to the best portable speaker, I’ll show you how to choose the one that’s best for you.

Choosing the best Bluetooth speaker

Here are the 8 criteria you should consider before you buy the portable speaker for you.

1. Sound Quality: Audio quality is paramount. Look for features like balanced audio, deep bass, and clear treble. Consider the speaker’s maximum volume and distortion at high volumes.
2. Portability: Size and weight are important in a portable speaker.  Design, such as a handle, strap and compact form factor make it easy to carry around. It should have rugged features if you want to use it outdoors.
3. Battery: A larger battery generally means less frequent charging. A USB charging port is convenient.
4. Connectivity: Options such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or wired connections (e.g., AUX input) let you connect to other devices. Factors such as Bluetooth range are important, too. Look for speakers that support multi-device pairing, so you can switch between devices easily.
5. Water Resistance: The open air and outdoors are rife with water hazards that include rain, accidental spills and accidental immersion. A good IPX rating protects your investment.
6. Durability: Some speakers are designed to withstand rough handling and outdoor conditions through rubberised frames and shockproof features.
7. Voice-in Features: Built-in microphones for hands-free calling and controlling voice assistants (e.g., Google Assistant, Bixby and Siri) are convenient.
8. Price: Premium features and specs come at a price but do you need them all? The affordable options on our list also boast some great design and capabilities.

Best portable speaker in Singapore

Here is a list of the best wireless speaker in Singapore based on the 8 criteria we listed above.

1. JBL Flip 6

• Size (mm): 178x68x72
• Weight (g): 550
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
• Power (W): 30
• Frequency response (Hz): 63 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 80
• Max. Range (m): 40
• Battery (mAh): 4,800
• Dust & Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: Fully shockproof body

Buy now from S$49 on Lazada Shopee

2. Tribit Audio Stormbox Micro 2

• Size (mm): 100x100x43
• Weight (g): 315
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
• Power (W): 10
• Frequency response (Hz): 70 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 90
• Max. Range (m): 36
• Battery (mAh): 4,700
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: No

Buy now from S$73 on Lazada Shopee

3. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)

• Size (mm): 133x133x46
• Weight (g): 558
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
• Power (W): 2 x 30
• Frequency Response (Hz): 55 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 92
• Max. Range (m):
• Battery (mAh): 3,400
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: Yes

Buy now from S$409 on Lazada Shopee

4. Sonos Era 100

• Size (mm): 183x120x131
• Weight (g): 2,020
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6, AUX
• Power (W): 60
• Frequency Response (Hz): Not released
• Max. Volume (dB): 87
• Max. Range (m): 27.4
• Battery (mAh): N/A
• Water Resistance: None
• Shock Resistance: None

Buy now from S$449 on Lazada Shopee

5. Bose SoundLink Flex

• Size (mm): 90x201x52
• Weight (g): 589
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi
• Power (W): 2 x 6
• Frequency Response (Hz): Not released
• Max. Volume (dB):
• Max. Range (m): 9
• Battery (mAh): 3,200
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: Yes

Buy now from S$249 on Lazada Shopee

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6. JBL Charge 5

• Size (mm): 220x96x93
• Weight (g): 960
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi
• Power (W): 40
• Frequency Response (Hz): 60 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 80
• Max. Range (m): 30
• Battery (mAh): 7,500
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: Yes

Buy now from S$179 on Lazada Shopee

7. Marshall Emberton II

• Size (mm): 68x160x76
• Weight (g): 700
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
• Power (W): 2 x 10
• Frequency Response (Hz): 60 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 87
• Max. Range (m): 10
• Battery (mAh): Not released
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: No

Buy now from S$249 on Lazada Shopee

8. Sony SRS-XB100

• Size (mm): 76x76x95
• Weight (g): 274
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
• Power (W): 16
• Frequency Response (Hz): 100 – 7,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 80.5
• Max. Range (m): 9
• Battery (mAh): 1,400
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: No

Buy now from S$79 on Lazada Shopee

9. Anker Soundcore 3

• Size (mm): 174x60x57
• Weight (g): 372
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
• Power (W): 16
• Frequency Response (Hz): 20 – 40,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 83
• Max. Range (m): 20
• Battery (mAh): 6,700
• Water Resistance: IPX7
• Shock Resistance: No

Buy now from S$61 on Lazada 

10. Marshall Willen

• Size (mm): 102 x 101 x 40
• Weight (g): 310
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
• Power (W): 2 x 10
• Frequency Response (Hz): 100 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 82
• Max. Range (m): 10
• Battery (mAh): 2,700
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Shock Resistance: No

Buy now from S$67 on Lazada Shopee

11. Bose Portable Smart Speaker

• Size (mm): 191x119x104
• Weight (g): 1,100
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 5
• Power (W): 120
• Frequency Response (Hz): 60 – 20,000
• Max. Volume (dB): 89
• Max. Range (m): 9
• Battery (mAh): Not released
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Shock Resistance: No

Buy now from S$68 on Lazada Lazada

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