No matter how dialed in your trip is—flights booked, snacks packed, playlists queued—having a solid portable speaker can really pull it all together. Whether you’re hanging at the beach, getting ready in your hotel room, or just trying to drown out the sound of that very loud bird outside your Airbnb, a portable speaker comes in handy more often than you’d think.
But not all speakers are created equal. Some are surprisingly bulky for something labeled “portable.” Others die halfway through your playlist. And let’s not even talk about the ones that sound like music being played through a tin can. The best travel speakers strike a balance between size, sound quality, battery life, and durability—because no one wants to baby their speaker on vacation.
We test drove some of the best portable speakers out there right now. From palm-sized powerhouses to waterproof wonders that can handle a splash or two, these picks are ready to go wherever your trip takes you.
Small, compact speakers
These compact speakers are built for travel. They’re easy to toss in a small bag, clip to a backpack, or bring along for a day at the beach. You won’t get earth-shaking bass, but the best of the bunch still pack a punch for their size.
JBL Go 4 portable speaker
Dimensions: 3.7″L x 1.7″W x 3″H
Weight: 11.4 oz.
Battery life: Seven hours
JBL’s Go 4 Bluetooth speaker is compact enough to fit in a fanny pack or crossbody bag. Its small size and impressive sound quality has made it a go-to for commerce editor Meaghan Kenny. “I love packing this tiny speaker on weekend trips because it barely takes up any space and always comes in handy,” says Kenny. “It’s also my go-to for the beach; it offers just enough sound for my friends and I to enjoy without being loud enough to bother anyone around us. Plus, it’s waterproof and dust-proof, so I don’t worry about any splashing or accidental spills.” It connects quickly via Bluetooth and offers seven hours of continuous playtime, which is’t bad for a speaker that’s smaller than an iPhone. More of Kenny’s favorite features: “It charges quickly, in just three hours, and can be clipped onto your beach bag, making it a great option for more active day trips.”
Pros: Very packable, waterproof, dust-proof, can be clipped onto bags
Cons: May not be loud enough for a larger space
Ultimate Ears Miniroll speaker
Dimensions: 4.83″L x 4.13″W x 1.9″H
Weight: 9.8 oz.
Battery life: 12 hours
The Miniroll is tiny but tough. It’s got a disc-like design that fits in one hand and a built-in loop that makes it easy to clip onto your backpack, bike, or belt loop. Sound-wise, it holds its own—clean mids and highs, with just enough bass to keep things interesting. Battery life is about 12 hours, and it’s waterproof, drop-proof, and dust-proof, just like the bigger UE models. If you want more volume, you can pair two Minirolls together for stereo sound.
Pros: Very lightweight, waterproof, dust-proof
Cons: Charges via micro-USB rather than USB-C
Bose SoundLink Micro bluetooth speaker
Dimensions: 1.37″D x 3.87″W x 3.87″H
Weight: 10.24 oz.
Battery life: Six hours
The SoundLink Micro is Bose’s most portable speaker, and it’s kind of perfect for people who like to keep the tunes going while they’re biking, hiking, or generally doing things that involve dirt, water, or movement. It’s about the size of a deck of cards, has a grippy silicone strap that attaches easily to gear, and is waterproof and dust-proof with an IP67 rating. For something this small, it delivers solid sound with surprisingly punchy bass—though it definitely favors clarity over volume. Battery life tops out at around six hours, so it’s good for the afternoon but maybe not a whole weekend without power, and charging is still micro-USB, which feels a little behind the times. But it’s lightweight, travel-friendly, and easy to pair with other Bose speakers for stereo sound if you’re using the app.
Pros: Easy to strap to your gear for tunes on the go, waterproof, dust-proof
Cons: Not as loud as some options we tried, shorter battery life than others on our list
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 speaker
Dimensions: 3.75″D x 4.09″H
Weight: 14.8 oz
Battery life: 14 hours
The Wonderboom 3 is small enough to fit in your palm but manages to deliver surprisingly full 360-degree sound. Size-wise, it straddles the line between the tiny options and medium ones on the list. Bass is decent for the size—but if you’re expecting deep lows, you might be better off elsewhere. Volume is impressive for its footprint, and there’s an Outdoor Boost mode that adjusts EQ for open-air settings. It’s fully waterproof, floats in water, and handles drops without issue, making it a great option for pool days or trips where it might get exposed to the elements. The 14-hour battery life is solid, though it still charges via micro-USB, which feels outdated in 2025. Still, for under $100, it’s a reliable, travel-ready speaker with bright color options and a minimal learning curve.
Pros: Outdoor Boost mode helps in windy conditions, long battery life, waterproof, floats in water
Cons: Micro-USB charging rather than USB-C
Marshall Willen speaker
Dimensions: 3.96″L x 1.56″W x 3.96″H
Weight: 11.3 oz.
Battery life: 15 hours
Marshall’s small-but-mighty Willen speaker looks just as good as it performs. The brand is known for its exceptional sound quality and its sleek, vintage-inspired designs. For a lightweight, compact model, the Willen offers solid volume without being too loud for a public outdoor space. Its got an impressive IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating, so you can bring it outdoors for weekend picnics or backyard BBQs. We especially love its 15 hours of playtime, making it a smart pick for a full-day of listening.
Pros: Long battery life, lightweight, beautiful design
Cons: Water-resistant, but not waterproof
Medium-size speakers
If you want a speaker that can handle both indoor and outdoor duty without weighing you down, this is the sweet spot. These models offer fuller sound, better battery life, and are still portable enough to move from room to patio without a second thought.
Bose SoundLink Flex portable speaker
Dimensions: 2.06″D x 7.93″W x 3.56″H
Weight: 1.3 lb.
Battery life: 12 hours
The SoundLink Flex leans into Bose’s signature tuning—rounded lows and a generally smooth, warm profile. It’s not the loudest in its class, and you won’t get stereo separation, but vocals come through clearly and it handles mellow genres particularly well. It’s especially well-suited to indoor listening or smaller outdoor gatherings. The build feels premium, and the unit is IP67-rated for water- and dust-resistance. Battery life hovers around 12 hours, and the USB-C charging is a plus. It’s less rugged than something like the Wonderboom 3, but more refined in design and is still small enough to tuck in a backpack or purse. It also comes in a variety of colors—Bose just dropped Petal Pink and the speaker is also available in blue, sandstone, black, and sage.
Pros: Great sound quality, decent batter life, variety of colors available
Cons: Not as rugged as some other travel options
Sonos Roam 2 speaker
Dimensions: 2.36″D x 2.44″W x 6.61″H
Weight: 15.2 oz.
Battery life: 10 hours
The Sonos Roam 2 is the smaller sibling of the brand’s Move speaker except it’s lighter, cheaper, and far more portable. It fits easily in a backpack or tote and can automatically switch between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth depending on where you are. It’s a smart pick if you already use Sonos gear at home and want something that can tag along without much fuss. The sound is clean and balanced for the size, though you don’t get the same low-end punch you’d find in larger speakers. Battery life is about 10 hours, and it charges via USB-C or wirelessly, which is a nice touch. One small gripe: While the small feet help, the rounded triangular shape can roll off uneven surfaces if you’re not careful. But overall, it’s a solid travel speaker that feels like a natural extension of the Sonos ecosystem.
Pros: Wireless charging, waterproof, drop-proof
Cons: Shape can be awkward in some settings
Fender x Teufel Rockstar Go 2 bluetooth speaker
Dimensions: 2.3″D x 6.9″W x 2.4″H
Weight: 1.6 lb.
Battery life: 15 hours
The Rockster Go 2 is what happens when Fender’s vintage style meets Teufel’s German-engineered sound. It looks like a mini amp, feels rugged in the hand, and sounds a lot bigger than it is. Two aluminum drivers and a central bass radiator do a solid job delivering clear mids and punchy lows—even better when you crank it up a bit. It’s got an IP67 rating, so it can handle water, dust, and whatever’s in your backpack. Battery life is great: up to 15 hours on normal volume or up to 28 in eco mode if you’re stretching it out. No app or EQ settings, but it charges with USB-C and plays wired audio through the same port if you’re old-school like that.
Pros: Long battery life, solid sound quality
Cons: Water-resistant, but not waterproof
Ultimate Ears Boom 4 speaker
Dimensions: 2.8″D x 7.1″H
Weight: 1.2 lb.
Battery life: 15 hours
The Boom 4 sticks with the UE playbook: bold color, big sound, and built like a tank. It pumps out 360-degree audio that holds up well outdoors and doesn’t distort when you turn it up. It’s waterproof, dust-proof, and floats—so feel free to toss it in the pool or beach bag without worry. Battery life hits around 15 hours, and you can pair it with other UE speakers for a full-on party setup. Plus, it finally moved to USB-C for charging, which feels long overdue.
Pros: Dust-proof, waterproof, floats in water
Cons: Perfect sound for indoor celebrations, but not as loud as we’d like for an outdoor event or summer BBQ
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
