5 compact speakers that sound bigger than your phone

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A modern smartphone is likely to come with external speakers for answering calls or playing music, but some users may want a little more powerful sound. Something like an iPhone 17 can be useful for streaming music in a small space, but some users may want more refined clarity or louder volume. Luckily, as people who know some of the best small Bluetooth speakers you can buy, we wanted to look at compact speakers that can offer more than a phone alone.

From the devices, you can hang them on a purse or attach them to something metallic; to devices with stereo pairing capabilities or even serving as a backup charger, many of these speakers are also backed by a familiar brand name. We’ve scoured Amazon reviews to see what real users have to say about these electronic devices, and many also offer additional options like water, dust, and drop protection. Of course, their sonic capabilities also played a major role.

Battery life varies by device, but we also know of Bluetooth speakers that excel in this area, if it’s vital. Powerful audio doesn’t always have to come in a big package, and a dedicated audio device can be a wise solution if audio is your concern. If you’ve ever put a smartphone in a cup to try to make it louder, it might be time to check out the following compact speaker options.

Founded in 1946, JBL is no stranger to the world of audio, and the JBL Clip 5 from Amazon’s Choice offers portability along with a significant number of features. Available in a variety of colors, this speaker has a maximum output power of 180W and a frequency response of 0.12GHz. What’s notable about the Clip 5 is that the latest model includes a redesigned carabiner with a wider mouth, which can give users more portability options.

Touting that it’s capable of delivering punchy bass through its driver and passive radiator (a type of speaker designed to sound big despite its small size), what’s interesting about this one is that users can either pair two Clip 5 speakers together for stereo sound, or use Auracast (based on Bluetooth LE Audio) to wirelessly connect multiple Auracast-enabled JBL speakers. Additionally, the speakers can provide up to 12 hours of battery life on a single USB-C charge, and the Playtime Boost feature promises to extend playtime by an additional three hours.

For what it’s worth, JBL also promises that the device is dustproof and waterproof. While we can recommend many JBL speakers that Amazon users like, users like the Clip 5 for its small size and easy portability. Although it has decent bass and high volume, some users report issues with the device’s battery life. Nonetheless, customers still find this one worth the money, and it might be worth a second look if volume is what you’re looking for.

If you’re not familiar with Soundcore, you may be familiar with its parent company, Anker, which is generally known for building a variety of peripherals (although Anker will probably drop the Soundcore name). With that in mind, the Soundcore Boom Go 3i holds a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with over 476 reviews, and it’s also an Amazon’s Choice item. Users have a variety of color options to choose from, but it’s the speaker’s 15W maximum output power and 80Hz frequency response that put it on this list.

Besides Soundcore’s BassUp 2.0 technology, which claims to produce surprising bass for the size of the speaker, the Boom Go has an interesting twist: it includes a real-time power display that shows battery information. It also promises 24 hours of battery life, and the Boom Go’s USB-C port allows it to serve as an emergency charger for other devices. For songs, the device offers preset EQ settings for different genres, as well as six interactive lighting modes and eight ambience options.

Soundcore claims the device can withstand a drop of up to 3.28 feet and is waterproof and dustproof. Looking at the reviews, many praise the device for its good sound response and bass, and appreciate the included strap. Many also note the device’s small size, although at least two users report it died after being used in the rain. Still, this one is worth looking into simply for the emergency charging options.

Along with this one that comes up frequently on Reddit when talking about mini Bluetooth speakers, Ultimate Ears may also be a company that many don’t realize is owned by the Swedish brand Logitech. Regardless, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is available in a variety of color options on Amazon, but what makes this device special is its 360-degree sound design, 10W maximum output power, and 75Hz frequency response. Users can also pair two of these speakers for stereo sound.

With wireless Bluetooth connectivity up to 131 feet and USB-C charging (cable not included), another great feature of this speaker is an Outdoor Boost for outdoor use, as well as podcast-friendly audio options. What’s more, in addition to being drop tested up to 1.50m, the Wonderboom can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes and is also capable of floating. It also claims to be dustproof and made from recycled plastics.

The promised 14 hours of playback contributes to the device’s 4.4-star rating and 2,619 reviews on Amazon (although some customers report having issues with the device maintaining a charge), and customers also praise it for its overall value. High scores are also attributed to the device’s compact size and clear sound, although some customers complain of Bluetooth pairing issues. Still, this one may be appealing to those who plan to be near a lot of water.

Holding a 4.4-star rating with 345 reviews on Amazon, the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 features 13W of maximum speaker output power along with a 63Hz frequency response. What makes the Micro 3 stand out is its 2-in-1 strap and magnetic attachment for added portability. Many of its advertisements, for example, show cyclists attaching the speaker to their handlebars. The device can certainly lend credibility to the idea that Tribit is an underrated Bluetooth speaker brand that can rival something like JBL.

At medium volume, the Micro 3 claims 24 hours of battery life, while a 15-minute USB-C charge also promises 4 hours of playback. The Micro 3 also includes a 44mm neodymium driver in addition to two coaxial passive radiators for sound, and there’s also Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity for making wireless connections up to 45 meters away. Users can also pair two Micro 3 speakers, and the included app offers seven sound presets and nine adjustable EQ bands for additional adjustments.

This includes a microphone and also has auto-shutoff and live update options. The Micro 3 also claims to be waterproof and dustproof. Amazon users like the Micro 3 for its mounting options and find it to have long battery life, although some users report that the device stopped holding a charge. That being said, this one may appeal to those looking for different mounting options, and multiple colors are available for users who like to keep things colorful.

Last on our list is a brand that users are likely familiar with, since Bose has been in the sound industry since 1964. Responsible for bringing the first active noise canceling (ANC) headphones to market in 1999, we take a look at the company’s smaller offering in Amazon’s Choice Bose SoundLink Micro. Available in multiple color options, the SoundLink Micro offers impact and rust resistance, as well as protection against dust and water.

In addition to offering its own protection from the elements, the SoundLink Micro also comes with a Bose app that lets users control the speaker’s volume and EQ, or pair two together to create a bigger soundstage. Promising up to 12 hours of battery life and USB-C charging, it also offers wireless Bluetooth connections with a range of up to 30 feet. This one also includes a strap for more portability options.

Holding a 4.7-star rating with 1,494 reviews, Amazon users like the SoundLink Micro for its durability and size. In addition to praising the included strap, one user noted that this Bose speaker sounded “full and rich” and was well balanced. Another was impressed that the sound wasn’t tinny. Regardless, several users also note that battery life could be closer to eight hours. That being said, we can also recommend several Bose speakers with top Consumer Reports scores to those interested in the brand.

In addition to searching the internet for what others had to say about these devices, we also researched a variety of smaller devices that still promise plenty of audio power. Additionally, we researched devices in a variety of price ranges to give users options that fit their budget, and we made sure every item had at least a 4-star rating based on hundreds, if not thousands, of real user reviews. Where applicable, we also like to give bonus points for Amazon’s Choice items or other notable distinctions.