speaker
Portable speakers are small but mighty conveyors of sound, and ideal for outdoor gatherings, parties and trips. Image Credit: Unsplash/Dushawn Jovic

K-pop at the park, the beat of drums in the desert, or tropical tunes as you lounge by the pool. Whether you’re at a picnic or out camping, outdoor experiences become a whole lot more memorable when they are set to the soundtrack of your favourite melodies. Here is our curated list of the best Bluetooth speakers on Amazon that are portable, compact and bang out a solid beat at a volume you won’t need to lean over to hear. Become an Amazon Prime member and get them delivered to you by tomorrow, with free one-day delivery.

1. Best Overall: Ultimate Ears Boom 3 

Pros

  • Powerful sound
  • Excellent 15-hour battery life
  • IP67 waterproof rating
  • Can pair with older Boom models for stereo sound
  • Choose from six colours

Cons

  • Bulky for a portable speaker

Ready to get loud? Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can get today, with impressive audio that doesn’t distort at higher volumes. With an IP67 waterproof rating, it’s both dust- and waterproof, and it’s rugged enough to survive drops, and even submersion in water for short periods. The speaker booms out 360-degree sound with a maximum of 100 decibels of noise, and you can get even louder by pairing it with other Boom or Megaboom speakers. With a 15-hour battery life, the party doesn’t ever have to stop. Although it may seem bulkier than other speakers in the market, the Boom 3 has over 10,000 4.5-star reviews on Amazon, for good reason.

Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh45.75 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh35 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh49.

2. Best Compact Speaker: Bose SoundLink Micro

Pros

  • IPX7 rating - waterproof in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes
  • Strap-on design makes the speaker portable on bike rides
  • Built-in mic for loudspeaker calls
  • Six hours of play time

Cons

  • Some reviewers say audio volume is too low

Get the party started with Bose’s iconic SoundLink Micro speaker, which stands as a solid contender for its loud, clear and crisp sound quality, despite its deceptively compact size. The waterproof speaker has an IPX7 rating, and the speaker has a built-in mic for phone calls within a range of 30 feet. If you set up a couple of SoundLink Micros, you can use Bose’s SympleSync technology to pair the speakers and play the same music in different areas or rooms at the same time. Use the speakers’ tear-resistant straps to attach them to backpacks, coolers or even the handlebars of your bike, and enjoy the experience. Reviewers like the size and versatility of this speaker, but do say that the music cannot be heard clearly over running water in the shower or in crowded places. 

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh23 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh33.

3. Best Design: JBL GO 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, Blue

Pros

  • Value for money
  • IP67 - waterproof in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes, and dustproof
  • Vibrant colour options inspired by street fashion trends
  • Five hours of play time
  • Pocket-sized, weighs only 209 grams

Cons

  • Reviews say battery life on full volume lasts for two hours
  • No mic

The trendy, affordable JBL GO 3 speaker is ideal for pool parties or the beach – its IP67 waterproof rating makes sure it’s alright even if you spill a drink on it or if it is submerged in water. With high-quality sound and bass, it’s a great little device for bringing your favourite music to all your outdoor adventures. Slip the device into your pocket or hook your finger into the loop to carry it everywhere you go. Reviewers love using this device during everyday chores around their homes, but say that running the speaker on full volume will deplete its battery very quickly.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.

4. Best for Families: Sonos Roam

Pros

  • Powerful audio performance
  • Tough, portable design
  • IP67 waterproof rating
  • Voice assistant compatible

Cons

  • Battery life could be better

The Sonos Roam is the ideal device for families - its features are appealing for both indoor and outdoor use. With a bass-heavy audio, it makes for an excellent speaker to take with you on road trips, for camping or barbecues - the waterproof speaker is powerful enough to cut through external noise (even wind). Back at home, use the multi-room Sonos system to seamlessly sync up every room, so that you can listen to your podcast or favourite song from any room. With the ability to access Google Assistant or Alexa, it works as a smart speaker too. Reviewers say the battery doesn’t last as long as the 10 hours claimed by the brand, but its other smart features offset this drawback.

Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh65.83 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh65.

5. Best for Bollywood Songs: Saregama Carvaan Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Pros

  • Preloaded with classic 351 Hindi songs
  • Play songs from an AUX cord, USB stick or Bluetooth
  • Listen to the radio

Cons

  • Fast-draining battery
  • Not waterproof

If you’re looking for a gift for your Bollywood-loving parents or friends this summer, consider the Saregama Carvaan. It’s not just a Bluetooth speaker, it’s also an FM/AM radio and comes pre-loaded with 351 evergreen Hindi songs, which include hits from beloved singers, like Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, and Lata Mangeshkar. The device has a 3.5mm audio jack which can connect to headphones, phones and other devices.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12, and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.

6. Best Budget: Anker Soundcore Mini 3

Pros

  • Value for money
  • Up to 15 hours of battery life
  • 360-degree audio output
  • IPX7 - waterproof in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes
  • Built-in mic

Cons

  • Party mode setup is complicated
  • Needs three to four hours for a full charge
  • Not dustproof

It’s a party in a pocket! Anker’s Soundcore Mini 3 is so tiny, it’s even smaller than a coffee cup, yet it packs a punch in terms of audio quality. With its 360-degree sound system, the device can play for 15 hours on a single charge. Take control of the playlist and volume through your smartphone, and link your device to your friends’ Soundcore Minis so you can keep the music (and the party) going for hours and hours!

Bonus: Save an extra five per cent when you apply a coupon.

7. Best Waterproof Speaker: JBL Flip 6

Pros

  • IP67 - waterproof in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes, and dustproof
  • Up to 12 hours of play time
  • Streamlined speaker design; woofer booms low frequencies, while the smaller speaker focuses on high-pitched frequencies
  • USB connector sounds an alarm upon detecting water
  • Connects up to two Bluetooth-enabled devices

Cons

  • Bigger than most speakers on the list

Another compact but powerful device, the popular JBL Flip 6 is designed with a racetrack-shaped woofer and a circular tweeter for low and high frequencies. With its IPX7 rating, it’s waterproof up to three feet, so it makes for a great addition to your beach or pool outing. The speaker also has a Party Boost mode that allows you to pair two compatible JBL speakers to pump up the volume on your party. Enjoy 12 hours of play time, with just a single charge. Speaking of charge, if the speaker detects water when it's plugged in, it sounds an alarm to alert you.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh23 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh33.

8. Best Battery Life: Marshall Emberton

Pros

  • Up to 23 hours of play time
  • Plays for five hours with just 20 minutes of charge
  • 360-degree sound system
  • IPX7 - waterproof in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes
  • Fits in the palm of your hand

Cons

  • Reviewers find its notification sounds inconvenient
  • Not dustproof

This is the priciest speaker on our list, but take one look at its 4.5-star rating and you’ll know why it was included. Emberton uses True Stereophonic, a unique form of multi-directional sound pioneered by Marshall that gives you 360-degree range that spreads out across the room. It fits in the palm of your hand, and its IPX7 water-resistance rating means that it can survive being submerged in three feet of water for 30 minutes. With over 20 hours of play time on a single charge, it’s a great contender in the portable speaker category.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh59.74 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46, and a two-year extended warranty for Dh65.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.