Tech specs: Speaker type: Portable | Battery life: Dimensions: 6 x 3.6 x 3.6 inches | Weight: 1 lb

This Anker speaker will be the life of your party. Its neodymium drivers encapsulate your room with 360-degree sound. Meanwhile, the Dual IIR passive radiators, multi-band DRC, and BassUp Technology provide exceptional sound quality. And with 10W of overall power, it achieves remarkable performance.

Along with the sound, it looks fantastic. It has an LED halo that adds another dynamic to your gatherings. The lights move based on the rhythm of the music, and with its eight LED lights and five lighting modes, you can customize its appearance to match your ambiance through the Soundcore mobile app.

The speaker also touts longevity. Its Li-ion battery nets you up to 12 hours of operating time on a full charge, making it perfect for extended gatherings. And for parties involving the weather or a pool, its waterproof body will suit your needs. It can withstand sprinkles, the occasional splashing, and underwater immersion for up to 30 minutes. 

Overall, this speaker achieves rich sound and pulsates with lights. 

Tech specs: Speaker type: Smart/wired | Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 1.7 inches | Weight: 11 oz

If you want an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker that fits within your smart home ecosystem, then the Amazon Echo Dot 4th Generation could be a wise choice for you. Its compact design means you can tuck it away with ease. And it is portable in that you can take it outside or when you travel.

Moreover, you can stream your favorite music from Apple, Amazon, Sirius, and Spotify. You can also listen to bestselling books or podcasts with an Audible subscription.

In addition to playing your favorite audiobooks, music, and podcasts, you can use voice commands to lower or raise the music volume, change the channel, or access Alexa. Alexa can tell you a joke, the outdoor temperature, and play sleep sounds if you need to unwind after a hectic day.

The device even has a security component. Use the Alexa app to set up Guard Plus (a paid subscription is required). After doing so, it can alert you if your smoke detector goes off or if it hears someone breaking glass to enter your home.

This version also is scalable, meaning you can connect it to other Echo Dots in other areas of your home. Then, you can make a voice command that reverberates to Echo Dots in other rooms. It’s a fun way to announce events at a larger party.

Best of all, installation is convenient. Plug the device into an outlet, install the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet, and connect to the internet. All told, this speaker offers many features for an affordable price. 

Tech specs: Speaker type: Portable | Dimensions: 6.6 x 3 x 1.6 inches | Weight: 15 oz 

The Tronsmart Trip is an excellent Bluetooth speaker with an even better price. For under $30, you’ll get clean, clear audio even at higher volumes with the 10W speaker output. And if you need even more audio power, you can pair it with a second Tronsmart Trip for room-filling, stereo sound. The body of the Tronsmart Trip is IPX7 rated for water and dust resistance, which means that splashes, spills, rain, and even being dropped in a pool won’t ruin your speaker. 

The speaker also has a built-in microphone, which allows you to make or receive calls and use virtual assistants like Siri or Hey Google for hands-free controls. You’ll get up to 20 hours of playback on a full charge, so you can listen all day and well into the night before you have to think about plugging in.

Tech specs: Speaker type: Portable | Dimensions: 3.4 x 1.6 x 2.7 inches | Weight: 7 oz

This speaker is stylish, compact, and ready to tag along on your adventure. It features a convenient carrying strap and wireless Bluetooth streaming. With its IP67 classification, it is dustproof and waterproof, giving you the option of taking it on your outdoor expeditions. 

The one drawback of this unit is its limited battery life of five hours. Compared to other options that made the best list, it is a dramatic step back in operating time. That aside, it is a stylish speaker packing decent sound and exceptional portability. 

Tech specs: Speaker type: Portable | Dimensions: 3.9 x 2.8 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 8 oz

If you’re working with a very limited budget while shopping for a new Bluetooth speaker, check out the Oontz Angle Solo. This speaker retails for just under $20 while still providing a great playback experience. The body of the Angle Solo is IPX5 rated for water and dust resistance, which means that you won’t have to worry about rain, splashes, or spills ruining your speaker. It also has a 100-foot connection range, so you don’t have to stay near the Angle Solo in order to stream music, videos, or podcasts. 

The incredibly lightweight and compact design makes it great for taking with you to the pool or beach or setting up around your home on shelves for room-filling audio. The Angle Solo also has a built-in mic for making and receiving calls, and if you prefer a wired connection, you can use the AUX port to set up the speaker with your stereo system, TV, or older mobile devices that may not support Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll get about 10 hours of playback from the Angle Solo as well, letting you jam out to your favorite music or catch up with podcasts and videos all day.