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The tired expression that big things come in small packages may be true, but for this list it would be better to say that small speakers create big opportunities for fun. A good wireless speaker comes in handy whenever you need to turn up the volume, and like other cool Bluetooth gadgets, they usually pair incredibly well with your smartphone. Another plus point is that they come in a variety of sizes to fit any situation, and we’re channeling our Lilliputian minds to review some of the best small Bluetooth speakers you can buy today.
For this list, we’re looking at wireless Bluetooth speakers with a focus on portability, and high user scores as well as reviews played a role in our selections. Aiming for sizes that can fit in the palm of your hand, virtually all of these devices are designed for indoor and outdoor use, with most featuring accessories for easy travel portability. You can also spot popular brands on this list.
With virtually all of these speakers designed for on the go, remember that there are other options available across the vast expanses of the internet. As an example, we can also show you the best Bluetooth speakers suitable for outdoor use, which may be more suitable if you are looking for a device that is still (relatively) small but plan to stand still. With that in mind, check out this selection if you’re looking for something small but mighty.
JBL Go 3 Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker
As a speaker manufacturer, we love JBL so much that we had to look for other brands that can compete with JBL Bluetooth speakers. Backed by a brand with over 80 years of experience developing sound, the $39.99 Amazon’s Choice JBL Go 3 Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a size that fits this list well, and the device also comes in an assortment of unique color options, including camouflage and eco-friendly white. Be sure to check out the deals on this one.
With a height of 2.7 inches and a width of 3.4 inches, the company promises to deliver typical JBL sound in a small package. With 5 hours of battery life on a single charge via USB-C (cable included), this speaker also features a maximum output power of 4.2W and an audio latency of 200 milliseconds. Designed for indoor or outdoor use, it includes Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 10 meters and is also water and dust resistant. There’s even a built-in buckle for better portability.
Holding a 4.8-star rating on Amazon with over 52,000 reviews, buyers give this one high marks for its sound quality and volume. Although users find the speaker connects easily to other devices, some say they would like longer battery life. Despite this, 96% of Amazon customers rate this one 4 stars or higher. Between the device’s portable design and multitude of color options, this one is worth considering for those looking for a little fun with their Bluetooth speaker.
Sony SRS-XB100 Lightweight and Portable Wireless Speaker
With a 4.5-star rating from more than 5,500 reviews on Amazon, the Sony SRS-XB100 Lightweight Portable Wireless Speaker typically costs $64.99, although customers should be on the lookout for periodic deals. Available in three color options, this device has a height of 3.74 inches and a diameter of 2.99 inches, and a strap is even included for portability. What’s cool about this model is that it includes a stereo pairing option, which means you can connect two of these speakers together to create stereo sound.
With an output power of 5W, a unique aspect of this speaker is that it comes with Sony’s Sound Streaming Processor, which the company claims can spread sound further into spaces. Another advantage of this speaker is that it includes a built-in microphone for making phone calls. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 33 feet, the speaker promises up to 16 hours of battery life and charges via USB-C (cable included).
It’s worth noting that Consumer Reports found a Sony Bluetooth speaker to be the worst ever tested, but it was a different, much larger model. Amazon customers have a lot of positive things to say about this particular speaker, and it earned an “Amazon’s Choice” rating from the retailer. Besides praising its portability and good sound quality, customers find the Sony SRS-XB100 to be good value for money. However, looking at the negatives, several customers say they wish the speaker was louder. Still, the additional audio options can make this one appealing.
Soundcore Select 4 GB portable speaker
If you’re unfamiliar, Soundcore is an offshoot of Anker, generally known for making a wide variety of charging accessories. However, we’re still fans of the company’s inexpensive, high-quality wireless speakers, and the Amazon Choice Soundcore Select 4GB 5W Portable Speaker has the price, size, and reviews to earn a spot on this list. Available on Amazon for $34.99 in six color options, people should keep their eyes peeled for deals on this speaker.
With up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge via USB-C (cable included), this 4.72-inch wide and 1.89-inch high speaker was designed for indoor or outdoor use, as it is dust and water resistant. With True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing, you can connect two speakers together for stereo sound, and naturally, Bluetooth maintains your connections. A special feature of this speaker is that it can float in water, and even Amazon notes that customers usually keep this item.
With a 4.7-star rating and over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, 92% of customers rate this Soundcore speaker 4 stars or higher. Appreciating the device for its reliability, many find it to be a shower-friendly speaker. Users also praise the battery life and ease of connectivity, while also praising the speaker’s sound. While some users may rave about the device, others report connectivity and charging issues. For the price, it can make a nice poolside accessory during a hot summer.
Skullcandy Ounce+ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
When we ranked cheap headphone brands from worst to best, we placed Skullcandy at the top of our list for its popularity among users and over 20 years of experience building audio peripherals. For $29.99, the Skullcandy Ounce+ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker has an attractive price and features backed by customer reviews. With a width of 2.99 inches and a height of 4.4 inches, it is portable and users should keep their eyes peeled for frequent discounts.
With a maximum output power of 20W, this device has a 2-inch speaker and is also water-resistant enough that it can be fully submerged for up to 30 minutes. Charging via USB-C (cable included), Skullcandy offers 16 hours of playtime on a full charge and Bluetooth 5.3 support ensures it connects to supported devices. Additionally, users can also connect two Ounce+ devices together to create a stereo pair, and there is also a built-in carrying strap for portability.
Looking at what customers have to say about this Amazon’s Choice item, many like the Once+ for its easy connectivity and fast charging speeds, which likely contributes to the device’s 4.7-star rating with over 250 reviews. Although customers like the overall sound quality, some find the speaker could be louder. Those who are fans of the brand will enjoy this one, but unfamiliar customers will also appreciate the price, sound, and color options.
Bose SoundLink Micro 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Finishing off with a speaker that leans more toward the premium side of the price scale, the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker retails for $129 on Amazon, although customers should be on the lookout for deals on this Amazon’s Choice item. With a height and width of 4.06 inches, one of the most notable features of this Bluetooth speaker is that it also comes with a Bose app that includes EQ and volume controls, among other features.
Featuring a 30-foot Bluetooth range, this Bose speaker is shock and rust resistant. Plus, its IP67 rating means it’s dustproof and can be submerged in up to 3.3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Charging via USB-C (cable included), this Bose speaker promises up to 12 hours of battery life on a 3-hour charge, and there’s also a Velcro utility strap for attaching it to things like your bag. If you have two, there are stereo pairing options.
With 94% of customers rating it 4 stars or higher, the Bose SoundLink holds an average of 4.7 stars from over 1,100 reviews. Customers report that it has good connectivity, and many find it easy to pair the device with their smartphone. The general consensus is that the sound quality is excellent, and users give this one points for battery life, although some complain that the device doesn’t have a microphone like the previous model. Of course, if you’re considering Bose, you might also want to check out how Consumer Reports ranks the best wireless speakers for audiophiles.
How we chose these little Bluetooth speakers
Even though they’re no longer made, every penny counts these days, so price was an important factor when we created this list. Since we were looking for speakers around 5 inches or less in size, we focused on affordable Bluetooth speakers in the $30 to $70 range – although we included a premium option in the Bose offering to help round out the list.
Besides prices and sizes, user reviews also heavily influenced the items on this list. We made sure each speaker had a 4-star rating or better on Amazon, and we searched for products with hundreds, if not thousands, of ratings from real customers. We also awarded bonus points to brands with a positive industry reputation and products with the Amazon’s Choice emblem for being highly rated and well-reviewed.