Best of · Audio
Best portable speakers of 2026: JBL, Bose, Beats, Sonos, UE, and Marshall compared
The JBL Flip 7 is the best portable speaker for most people. The Charge 6 is the one to get if you need more power and battery, and the Emberton III is the long-battery style pick.
Our pick: JBL Flip 7 for most people; JBL Charge 6 for parties; Marshall Emberton III for battery life
JBL
Flip 7
9.0$149.95 (often ~$100)
The best all-round portable speaker: IP68, 35 W, lossless USB-C audio, and a 7-band EQ.
Pros
- • IP68 and drop-tested
- • Removable loop or carabiner
- • Auracast multi-speaker
- • USB-C lossless input
Cons
- • Can’t link with older PartyBoost JBLs
- • No mic, no aux
JBL
Charge 6
9.0$199.95
More bass, 24–28 hours of battery, and a power bank. The best speaker for groups.
Pros
- • 24 hr (28 with Playtime Boost)
- • IP68, 1 m drop rated
- • USB-C power bank
- • 7-band EQ
Cons
- • ~1 kg
- • Auracast only, no PartyBoost
Marshall
Emberton III
8.7$179.99
Best battery and best looks: 32 hours, IP67, and a mic for calls.
Pros
- • 32-hour battery
- • Built-in mic
- • Auracast
- • 670 g
Cons
- • Less bass than the Charge 6
Beats
Pill (2024)
8.6$149.99
The best pick for iPhone and Android households that want calls and Find My.
Pros
- • 24 hr battery
- • USB-C lossless + charge-out
- • Speakerphone
- • Find My (Apple and Google)
Cons
- • Less bass than JBL
- • Long power-button hold
Bose
SoundLink Flex (2nd gen)
8.5$149
Rugged, clear Bose sound with aptX and an app EQ.
Pros
- • IP67, floats
- • aptX support
- • App EQ, shortcut button
- • Stereo and Party modes
Cons
- • 12 hr battery
- • Less bass than Flip 7
Ultimate Ears
Wonderboom 4
8.4$99.99
The best under $100: floats, 360° sound, and 14-hour battery.
Pros
- • Floats
- • 360° sound
- • Outdoor Boost
- • Stereo pairing
Cons
- • Limited bass
- • No app EQ
The best portable speaker balances sound, battery, toughness, and size, and in 2026 the JBL Flip 7 does it best for most people. It is IP68 rated, survives drops, plays 14–16 hours, and adds lossless audio over USB-C. Below we compare every portable speaker worth buying on the same specs, and link to head-to-head comparisons for each matchup.
| Speaker | List price | Output | Battery (claimed) | Water/dust | Weight | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Flip 7 | $149.95 | 35 W | 14 hr (16 w/ Boost) | IP68 | ~560 g | Auracast, USB-C lossless |
| JBL Charge 6 | $199.95 | 45 W | 24 hr (28 w/ Boost) | IP68 | ~990 g | Auracast, power bank, USB-C lossless |
| Marshall Emberton III | $179.99 | n/a | 32 hr | IP67 | 670 g | Auracast, mic, stereophonic |
| Beats Pill (2024) | $149.99 | n/a | 24 hr | IP67 | 681 g | USB-C lossless, speakerphone, Find My |
| Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) | $149 | n/a | 12 hr | IP67 | ~600 g | aptX, app EQ, shortcut button |
| UE Wonderboom 4 | $99.99 | n/a | 14 hr | IP67 | ~420 g | Floats, 360° sound, Outdoor Boost |
| JBL Clip 5 | $79.95 | 7 W | 12 hr | IP67 | ~285 g | Carabiner, Auracast |
| Sony ULT Field 1 | $129 | n/a | 12 hr | IP67 | ~650 g | ULT bass button, shockproof |
| Anker Soundcore Boom 2 | $139.99 | 60 W (80 W BassUp) | 24 hr | IPX7 | ~1.7 kg | Floats, power bank, PartyCast |
| Sonos Roam 2 | $179 | n/a | 10 hr | IP67 | ~430 g | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 |
Best portable speaker overall: JBL Flip 7
JBL upgraded almost everything over the Flip 6. Output is up from 30 to 35 W, protection from IP67 to IP68, battery from 12 to 14 hours (16 with Playtime Boost), and the app EQ from 3 to 7 bands. It also adds lossless 24-bit/96 kHz audio over USB-C and a swappable loop or carabiner. The one catch is that Auracast replaces PartyBoost, so it won’t link with older JBLs.
Best for parties: JBL Charge 6
The Charge 6 is louder and punchier, with a 24-hour battery (28 with Playtime Boost), a USB-C power bank, and an IP68 rating with 1 m drop protection. At about 1 kg it’s still easy to carry by its detachable handle.
Best battery life: Marshall Emberton III
Thirty-two hours of claimed playback is the best here. It also has a built-in mic for calls, Auracast sharing, and Marshall’s amp-styled design in a 670 g body.
Best for calls and phones: Beats Pill
The 2024 Pill has an IP67 rating, 24 hours of battery, USB-C lossless audio that also charges your phone, a noise-suppressed speakerphone, and Apple and Google Find My support.
Best under $100: UE Wonderboom 4
It floats, plays 360° sound, and lasts 14 hours. Its Outdoor Boost and Podcast modes are thoughtful extras. For more under-$100 options, see our cheap Bluetooth speaker guide.
How we compared
Specs come from manufacturer listings and published reviews from What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys, Tom’s Guide, T3, and RTINGS, checked in October 2026. Battery figures are claimed and drop at high volume. We did not run our own listening tests. Scores weigh sound and loudness, battery, durability, features, and price.
Questions we get
What are the best portable speakers?
For most people, the JBL Flip 7. It’s IP68 rated, puts out 35 W, has lossless USB-C audio, and often costs about $100. Choose the JBL Charge 6 for more bass and a 24-hour battery, the Marshall Emberton III for 32 hours, and the UE Wonderboom 4 if you need something under $100 that floats.
Is Bose better than JBL?
Neither wins outright. JBL speakers usually play louder with more bass, more battery, and better water ratings for the money. Bose leans more neutral and refined, and supports aptX. See our JBL vs Bose comparison for model-by-model specs.
Is JBL owned by Bose?
No. JBL belongs to Harman International, a Samsung subsidiary since 2017. Bose is an independent, privately held company.
Who makes the loudest Bluetooth speaker?
Among carry-size speakers, JBL’s Xtreme 4 (70 W on battery, 100 W on AC) and Boombox 4 are some of the loudest, along with Sony’s ULT Field 7 party speaker. For a sub-$150 speaker, Anker’s Soundcore Boom 2 (60–80 W) gets very loud.
Which is the No. 1 speaker brand?
JBL is the best-selling Bluetooth speaker brand in many markets, and its Flip and Charge lines top most buying guides. Bose, Sonos, Ultimate Ears, Marshall, and Beats each lead in specific niches.