The 5 Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speakers

There are plenty of loud Bluetooth speakers on the market these days, some of which reach volume levels in excess of 120db. But what if one is also looking for easy portability as is often the case? We’ve already listed our list of the loudest Bluetooth speakers, but that didn’t take into account how easy it is to carry the speaker around. Our selection of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers takes both volume and portability into account.

Our Top Choices

To help make things easier for you, we’ve placed our top choices into categories that will better allow you to see which of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers is best for you.

Best Overall – Turtlebox Gen 2

The Turtlebox Gen 2 is our overall pick for the best loudest portable Bluetooth speaker. It just barely falls behind the Soundboks Go in terms of volume (by 1dB), while offering superior weather protection and portability by weighing in at half the weight. If you’re not going to be moving the speaker long distances and aren’t concerned with waterproofing, we would actually suggest the Soundboks Go for you.

The Loudest – Soundboks Go

The new Soundboks Go is truly the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker on the market by our definition of portable. With 121dB of volume, it falls only a few decibels behind the Soundboks Gen 3. At 20lbs, the Soundboks Go isn’t what we’d consider light but still remains easily transportable for most people.

Best Sound Quality – Ultimate Ears Hyperboom

Our pick for the best overall sound quality has got to be the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom; while there are bassier options out there, the clarity and depth offered across the frequency range, but especially in the mids and highs are just pristine. There’s good reason for the Hyperboom becoming such a popular model for consumers.

The Best Battery Life – Soundboks Go

The Soundboks Go was clearly designed with a focus on battery life. This speaker offers a whopping 40 hours of playtime through general use, and even at full volume, it’s capable of offering a solid 10 hours of use. This battery can also be removed and replaced with ease, meaning your Soundboks Go will last for years.

Most Portable – JBL Boombox 2

With its carry handle and weight of 13lbs, we found the JBL Boombox 2 to be one of the easier speakers to carry around. While there is an argument to be made for the Soundcore Trance here, the shape of the speaker just makes it a little less convenient than the slightly heavier Boombox 2.

Budget-Friendly Pick – Soundcore Trance

The Soundcore Trance is our recommendation for an affordable loud, and portable Bluetooth speaker. While the sound quality isn’t going to be the same as that found in the more expensive contenders, if you’re on a budget but still need something that is loud and portable – we can recommend the Trance.

1. Turtlebox Gen 2

A rugged, loud, and portable choice that’s great for the outdoors

• Despite being on the heavier side, the Turtlebox Gen 2 is easily portable with a sturdy carry handle.
• IP67 waterproofing in conjunction with a seriously rugged design makes the Turtlebox Gen 2 great for the outdoors.
• At 120dB, this is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers in the world.
• Battery life is very good at moderate volume levels, but is somewhat average at high volumes

A recent update of the first edition Turtlebox sees improved Bluetooth connectivity strength in this loud, rugged, and eye-catching speaker. The Turtlebox is easily one of the most heavy-duty portable Bluetooth speakers on the market, with an IP67 water resistance grade, protecting it from water, dust, and rust, and a hard-shell casing that’s nearly impossible to damage. 

As for sound quality, the Turtlebox is first and foremost an incredibly loud speaker. Capable of reaching output levels pushing 120dB, this speaker is outstandingly loud for its size of under 12 x 9 inches. Not only can it reach foot-stomping party volumes, but it maintains excellent, crisp, and full-bodied sound throughout with no over-compression present at higher listening levels. 

The low-end is warm, punchy, and deep even at lower volumes, though it can sometimes sound a bit muddy. The midrange and higher frequencies are sharp yet well-rounded, creating a balanced listening experience in indoor and outdoor environments.  

The battery strength of the Turtlebox is in line with a lot of the other products in this market space. If you’re making the speaker pump at max volume, you’ll only get around 6 hours of playtime, however, it can recharge reasonably quickly and can last around 20 hours when used at moderate levels. 

As for additional features, the Turtlebox doesn’t have any onboard lights, radio connectivity, or anything fancy like that, it simply functions as a high-performing Bluetooth speaker. You can however connect a 3.5mm auxiliary cable and microphone, though the mic quality isn’t the greatest. 

If you’re after a durable, reliable, loud, and good-sounding Bluetooth speaker for use around the house or as a party starter wherever you go, the Turtlebox is a great option.

2. Soundboks Go

The loudest speaker on our list with an incredible 121dB of volume

• The Soundboks Go is the portable little sister of the monstrous Soundboks 3, while still coming close in terms of volume – you’ll only need one (fairly strong) hand to carry the Go.
• With 121dB of volume, this is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers in the world.
• While internal components are rated at IP65, consider it beneficial to prevent too much water from landing on the Go.
• Stereo pairing allows the Soundboks Go to cater to large party groups.

We went back and forth on whether the Soundboks Go deserves a spot on this list, while we have no hesitation about the volume this speaker can achieve, at 20lbs it is right on the border of what we’d consider being truly portable. Eventually, we knew that we had to provide the Soundboks Go as an option based solely on how absolutely loud it is, and the fact that the Soundboks Go design was particularly designed to be an extremely loud portable Bluetooth speaker.

The Sounboks Go can be reasonably considered the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker in the world, offering 121dB of volume (edging out the Turtlebox by a mere 1dB), and unlike the Soundboks Gen 3, it can also be transported with a single hand. One can could still suggest that the Soundboks Gen 3 owns the title, but we still don’t feel the gen 3 is truly a portable speaker in the way it can be carried.

Not only is the Soundboks Go loud, but the sound quality as a whole is very impressive with minimal distortion at the higher end of the volume range. The bass response is better than most other Bluetooth speakers but is noticeably less impactful than the Soundboks Gen 3, which is understandable given the size difference.

One of the big selling points of the Soundboks Go is its swappable battery which can produce up to 40 hours of use in regular usage and still provide 10 hours of playtime at the loudest volume.

The capability for stereo pairing will give you enough ammunition to host not only some pretty big parties but also do an excellent job at annoying the neighbors.

The Soundboks Go offers fewer input and outport ports than the Soundboks Gen 3, with only Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm aux input being offered. While the extra ports are nice, we’d still rather see the Soundboks Go be focused more on portability than extra ports.

3. Ultimate Ears Hyperboom

A versatile Bluetooth speaker that brings not only big sound but also boasts superior audio clarity

• The UE Hyperboom is easily portable thanks to its relatively compact size, and even though it doesn’t offer a built-in handle, it’s small enough to throw under one arm.
• The sound quality from the Hyperboom is impressive, to say the least. What it lacks in low-end bass response, it makes up for in clarity across the mids and highs.
• The unique, clean design of the Hyperboom lets it blend into almost any environment, from high-end interior decorated rooms to outside next to the BBQ.
• To top it off, the Hyperboom offers up to 24 hours of playtime and quick charging.
  

The Hyperboom is part of the ‘Boom’ speaker range by Ultimate Ears, and sure is an impressive portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds great straight out of the box. The UE Hyperboom adopts a unique cubic design that easily blends into any home décor, and although it is a little heavy, can still be transported easily enough. 

The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is rated IPX4 water resistant, allowing for exposure to gentle splashes, and the speaker is generally well-built. The control panel on top of this speaker is incredibly versatile, giving you control over most of the features you could want, including volume, source toggling, battery status, track skipping/rewinding, and playlist control. 

As for connectivity, the UE Hyperboom allows powerful Bluetooth pairing, 3.5mm auxiliary connections, and optical cable input. While it’s nice to see some alternative connectivity options, I would have preferred a USB cable in place of the optical. The battery strength of the Hyperboom is one of the best on the market, running at 24 hours and capable of recharging fully within two and a half hours. The Hyperboom also has a handy power-saving feature I really like, which automatically turns the speaker off after 15 minutes of inactivity. 

The sound quality of the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is another powerful feature, operating on quite a wide frequency response, though I have heard better. Most music styles sound great on this speaker, but fans of bass-heavy genres may be a little disappointed, however, this can be solved using Hyperboom’s companion app where you can adjust the sound signature using presets or craft your own using the graphic equalizer. 

Overall, I’m really impressed by the Hyperboom by Ultimate Ears. While I have heard louder and better-sounding speakers, the Hyperboom is great at tackling most listening styles, looks great, and is fairly easy to control. 

4. JBL Boombox 2

Striking a perfect balance between volume, sound quality, portability, and battery life

• JBL’s Boombox II is an extremely versatile Bluetooth speaker that has become a favorite for many since its 2020 release.
• It’s an extremely portable speaker with a convenient carry handle and weighing just over 13lbs.
• An IPX7 rating means that the JBL Boombox II is not only one of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers but also one of the most water-resistant.
• The Boombox II offers a whole lot in the way of bass response.
  

The second edition of JBL’s Boombox is large, loud, versatile, and user-friendly, great for house parties, tailgates, days on the beach, or casual use around the home. The JBL Boombox II is built to last and carries JBL’s signature sound characteristics along with other handy features. 

Based on the classic boombox design, JBL’s interpretation is a little more modern-looking and is available in black or camo. The speaker’s functions are controlled on the top control panel, while all the inputs and outputs are located beneath the boombox beneath the IPX7 water-resistant flap. 

Capable of running for up to 24 hours straight, the Boombox 2 is an excellent house party or tailgate speaker, and it can also charge USB-powered devices while on the go. The JBL Boombox 2 can get loud and maintains high-quality audio throughout with minimal over-compression and stereo limiting. 

In terms of maximum volume, depending on the test – output is somewhere around 96-100dB. An argument could be made that this falls just under our cut-off, but we felt it wouldn’t be right not to include the Boombox 2.

JBL’s sound quality is one of the best features of their speakers, though it may not be for everyone. It’s clear these speakers are built for those with bass-heavy lines of listening, though most music styles still sound great. Just expect some slightly muffled upper midrange on certain tracks due to the heavily exaggerated low-end energy. This could be why JBL excluded a bass boost button on this speaker. The stereo field of the JBL Boombox is decent, though it can be improved by linking two wirelessly using JBL’s PartyChain function. 

Overall, the JBL Boombox 2 is a great multi-function speaker for a wide variety of uses, and although it may not be considered budget-friendly, its build quality certainly means it’ll last a lifetime if used safely and correctly. It may not have flashing lights, karaoke mode, or other party-friendly features, but this speaker makes for a simple, great-sounding party host. 

5. Soundcore Trance

An affordable choice for one of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers that won’t break the bank

• The Soundcore Trance is extremely lightweight for one of the louder portable Bluetooth speakers, at under 8lbs.
• With around 100dB of output, the Trance is no slouch in volume.
• This speaker offers a loud & affordable option, which doesn’t bring quite the same level of audio clarity as to the competitors but comes in at a much better price point.
• IPX7 waterproofing means the Soundcore Trance can be used around the pool or even in the rain, should you wish.
  

An updated model of the Soundcore Rave Mini, the Trance portable Bluetooth speaker is a portable, lightweight and handy speaker great for parties, tailgates, or casual listening. IPX7 water-resistant, the Soundcore Trance also makes for a great outdoor adventure speaker, given its small size. 

The trance is tall and thin, and while it can be rested on its side, is designed to be used in an upright position, with its control panel on top. The control board features a wide array of buttons, controlling various parameters and functions of the Soundcore Trance. 

Designed primarily for parties, the Soundcore Trance has all the bells and whistles. The Trance has two LED rings on the front of the speaker that dance to the beat of your music, and there are other animation modes to choose from. Used in conjunction with the Trance companion app, the speaker can also be part of your party games like truth or dare or spin the bottle, where the LED rings spin in sync with what’s happening on-screen. 

As for sound quality, the Soundcore Trance is loud enough for a small to a medium-sized house party, and certainly sounds good enough to get your guest’s feet tapping. There are two sound modes to choose from on this speaker: Indoor mode, which resembled a Hi-Fi type of system with enhanced low-end and higher frequencies, and Outdoor mode, which provides a slight treble boost to aid in sound projection over longer distances. 

The Soundcore Trance sounds good across the volume spectrum until around 90% output level is reached, here, some cracks and pops might occur, which can be unpleasant. As for the bass boost feature, while it certainly accentuates the low end, the remaining frequencies can become seriously overpowered. 

Close Contenders

If you consider the 100db threshold to be a little overkill, you may also be interested in some of the following portable Bluetooth speakers, which didn’t make the cut due to falling just short of the limit.

These are still some of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers when compared with the rest of the Bluetooth speaker market, with all products offering in excess of 90db of volume. At these volume levels, you’re still able to get the party started.

• Bose S1 Pro – The Bose S1 Pro offers just short of 100dB in volume and with only 15lb in weight. It’s a rugged portable Bluetooth speaker that produces good bass response and impressive overall sound quality.
• Sony SRS-XG500 – The Sony SRS-XG500 is comparable to the Boombox 2 in volume levels but even lighter. We preferred the overall sound quality of the JBL Boombox 2, but that’s not to say the SRS-XG500 doesn’t hold merit as an alternative.
• Treblab HD Max – The Treblab HD Max offers just over 90dB in volume output, but given the extreme portability along with the very reasonable pricing – if you’re on a budget, the HD Max may be what you’re after.
• Soundcore Motion Boom Plus – If extreme portability is your goal, the Soundcore Motion Boom Plus has a lot to offer, at an affordable price point. While volume levels aren’t quite as high as some of the other products, weighing just over 4lbs, and offering IP67 weather protection this is still a loud and versatile Bluetooth speaker.

How We Selected Our Products

When providing a list of recommended products, we believe in being transparent about the process that we followed to build these recommendations. Volume was of course extremely important, we didn’t want to select speakers that didn’t hold their own in terms of both loudness and overall audio quality. 

Loudness

All speakers on our list boast in excess of 100dB of volume, meaning these truly are some of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers on the market. Focusing on the dB of these speakers instead of advertised output wattage is extremely important in making sure the products are accurately represented.

Portability

How portable a Bluetooth speaker is, is a bit of a subjective topic. Something that’s easily transportable by an athlete in their youth may be a challenge for an elderly individual. Likewise, a product may be easily moved between rooms of a house but may prove a challenge when they’re being moved across a field to a campsite, for instance.

For our list, we’ve excluded speakers that weigh in excess of 20lbs, meaning that most people will find these Bluetooth speakers not only loud but easy to carry around – even for slightly longer distances. After all, if you’re looking for the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers you probably want to take it somewhere other than just between rooms of your home.

All these speakers, you’ll also be able to carry with one hand. Leaving you with a free appendage to still grab the beers or snacks.

Sound Quality

Sound quality will always be important in a speaker, there’s no list that a bad-sounding speaker deserves to be on. The complexity of audio quality is quite nuanced, in the sense that what sounds good to one person, may not sound great to the next.

There are bass heads who are looking to get the most out of the low-end bass response, while others are looking for a flat sound signature. For our list, we took the overall sound quality in relation to distortion at higher volumes as a key aspect. It wouldn’t make sense to offer the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers if the speakers we select sound good at low volumes but then distort excessively at higher volumes.

There are of course some trade-offs to be made here, as the price point will directly impact the sound quality. As such, you’ll find one or two options that may not offer the same high-fidelity audio as some other devices, but do offer good sound for their price point.

Battery Life

Battery life was a tertiary consideration in our selections. In most cases, if one is looking for a portable speaker the battery life is going to be important. It’s worth taking into consideration the fact that the louder the speaker, traditionally, the more battery power it’s going to require. We’ve excluded products that we felt didn’t have what it would take to be considered a reasonable battery expectation but included products like the Turtlebox Gen 2, which while offering sub-par battery life was simply too loud to exclude from our list.