20 Best Mini Bluetooth Speakers In 2024

If you are not happy with your phone’s speaker, and you need something stronger but still portable and wireless, you’ve come to the right place. This article is designed to help you understand all the important features and find the best mini Bluetooth speaker for you.

During the short introduction we will first try to elaborate on the most important features you should pay attention to when buying a mini Bluetooth speaker, and after that short intro, we are going to present to you our list of 20 best mini Bluetooth speakers on the market in 2024. We will try to give you some choices for every price range, but the quality will always be our main criteria, so whether we choose some generic or some world-known brand, you should know that these are all quality products with pretty good technical specifications.

What are the most important features you should pay attention to?

Dimensions and weight

Since we are going to talk about mini Bluetooth speakers, the size of the speaker is of crucial importance. You need something small, portable, and lightweight. All the speakers on our list of 20 best mini Bluetooth speakers in 2024 meet these requirements. The speakers we are going to mention could be roughly divided into two groups –small speakers and super-small speakers. All the speakers from the list are lighter than 2 pounds, and most of them are lighter than 1 pound (or even lighter than half a pound). Also, all of them can be easily carried around in hand and can fit your bag or your backpack without any problem.

Construction quality and durability

This is one of the features important for every speaker, small or big. Depending on the purpose, you will need more robust, and more compact speaker. Quality of construction is very important for portable speakers (and all these mini speakers are considered portable) because you are going to use them outside, and you need them to be more durable than those that you use indoors. We have tried to find some of the best mini speakers in terms of durability – not all the speakers on the list are designed for every purpose, but we are going to warn you where and when every specific speaker can be used.

Waterproofness

Waterproofness is of crucial importance for any Bluetooth speaker that’s going to be used outdoors. All these mini Bluetooth speakers are small for a reason, so you could take them with you wherever you go and use them whenever you want (indoors or outdoors), and that’s why any waterproof and/or dustproof rating is considered an advantage. If you are going to use your mini speaker outdoors, then you should be looking for a speaker with at least IPX4 rating (which means they are splash-proof), and the best option is IPX7 rating which means that the speaker is completely waterproof (it can survive submersion of up to 1m for 30 minutes). Also, if you want your speaker to be dustproof, you should be looking for IP67 rating (where 6 stands for dustproof, and 7 stands for waterproof).

20 Best Mini Bluetooth Speakers – Comparison Table

Battery

The battery is so important, especially if you are going to use your speaker outdoors. These are all small speakers with not so powerful drivers, so they don't need big batteries in order to last long. Average battery lasting time for these mini speakers is approximately 6-8 hours. Of course, there are some speakers with much larger batteries, and we have managed to find some of those, but you should be aware that they usually cost more.

Connectivity, compatibility, range

For a Bluetooth speaker, especially for those without any additional inputs (and some mini Bluetooth speakers don't really have AUX-in port or any other port), connectivity is everything. In terms of connectivity, Bluetooth version is the most important. Depending on the Bluetooth version, Bluetooth range will be different and you will have more or less liberty to move around. Newer Bluetooth versions have greater Bluetooth range than the older ones, so you should be looking for 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 versions in order to get the best possible range. Bluetooth version also determines the data transfer rates and power consumption, and the same rule applies here – newer Bluetooth versions offer faster data transfer and smaller power consumption (and that’s why the battery lasts longer).

Compatibility is also important, but compatibility issues are really rare (almost nonexistent). Practically all the newer smartphones have newer Bluetooth versions (V4.x), and can communicate not only with all the devices with the same Bluetooth versions but with all the devices with older Bluetooth versions, so if you decide to buy a speaker with Bluetooth 3.0, you can be assured that your phone will be able to pair with it.

Now that you know all the important things, we can present to you our list of 20 best mini Bluetooth speakers in 2024.

1. Meidong QQChocolate Bluetooth Speaker

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Meidong is Chinese company established in 2009. Like many other Chinese companies, Meidong makes cheap and relatively decent quality products. QQChocolate is the perfect example of this kind of business strategy. It is not an extraordinary mini speaker in any way, but it offers more than decent performance for the price you pay. If you are looking for something relatively cheap (cheaper than $30), this is one of the good options.

 What’s in the box

QQChocolate comes in a small white box with Meidong logo. The presentation is not amazing, but it’s decent. Besides the speaker, you will get charging cord and AUX cable with 3.5mm jacks on both ends.

The whole speaker, except for the bottom and top, is wrapped in protective aluminum grille. The bottom and top are made of rubber. All the controls are on the top, you can find there 5 buttons – backward and forward buttons (for skipping tracks), play/pause button (and handsfree button at the same time), and +/- buttons (volume controls). On the rear panel, there is a rubber flap, and under this flap, there are 3 ports – micro USB charging port, 3.5mm port, and micro SD card slot.

QQChocolate features four 2W drivers (2 front drivers and 2 rear drivers) with IC amplifier and one passive radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is really small and lightweight and it can easily fit your hand or your bag. It is 7 inches wide, 2 inches tall, 2 inches deep, and it weighs 11.2 ounces.

Design

Meidong QQChocolate got its name because it looks, allegedly, like a chocolate bar, but it actually looks more like a brick. It’s simple, minimalistic, but still likable.

Construction quality, durability, and IPX5 waterproof rating

The speaker is well-built – all the drivers are protected with a sturdy aluminum mesh, and the bottom and top are covered with some rubber-like material. Rubber flap protects the ports on the rear panel. Thanks to these materials, the speaker has IPX5 waterproof rating, which means it is water resistant and it can survive small water jets. The speaker can’t be immersed in water, so be careful when you are around the pool or at the beach.

Connectivity and compatibility

The speaker features Bluetooth V4.1. Pairing is pretty simple and it takes a few seconds. The range is pretty much standard (some 30ft), but you should stay within 20ft range and avoid cutting out and any interference. The speaker is compatible with Android smartphones and iPhones, various tablets, Echo Dot, and PCs. There were no complaints regarding Bluetooth connection and compatibility.

Battery

Meidong QQChocolate has pretty large Li-Ion battery (we didn’t manage to find the capacity). Battery offers up to 10 hours of playtime (at moderate volume), but you will get about 8 hours in reality. If you crank the volume up to the maximum, battery will last 4 hours max. Recharge takes 2 hours.

Built-in mic and speakerphone

Meidong QQChocolate has this nice additional feature, so if you like answering calls with your speaker, you can easily do it with this one. Using speakerphone is simple, although the mic is not perfect and picks up certain amount of environmental noise.

Sound quality and loudness

This speaker offers pretty decent sound quality and surprising loudness for its size. You won’t get perfectly clear sound with strong bass and great audio separation because the drivers are too close to each other, but it’s satisfying. There is also small amount of distortion at high volume.

 Things we don’t like

Rubber covers

As we’ve already mentioned, the top and the bottom are covered with rubber. These covers look nice, but they come off way to easy, and that’s the biggest problem with this speaker. Once these covers fall off, the speaker won’t stop working, but it won’t be water resistant anymore.

Weak bass

Although this is really small speaker, we still think that the bass should be stronger, and this is our only complaint regarding performance. Mids are articulate and highs are pretty clean, but bass lacks some depth.

2. Mighty Rock 6110 Bluetooth Speakers

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Mighty Rock is one more Chinese generic brand on the market. We suspect that Cowin audio equipment and Mighty Rock speakers are made by the same company, although we don’t have some rock-solid evidence. Still, it is pretty much obvious that some Cowin and Mighty Rock speakers are absolutely the same, like this model – there are Mighty Rock 6110 and Cowin 6110, and the only difference between these two models is the logo on the speaker. We also think that previously mentioned speaker Meidong QQChocolate is made by the same Chinese company like Cowin and Mighty Rock speakers.

 What’s in the box

Mighty Rock 6110 comes in a simple packaging along with charging cord, auxiliary cable with 3.5mm jacks on both ends, user guide, and 18-month warranty.

The speaker is completely black and 3 sides are covered with black aluminum grille while the back side and top and bottom are made of hard plastic. All the controls are on the top panel – there are ON/OFF button in the middle, +/- buttons (you can use them to adjust the volume or to skip tracks), Bluetooth and pairing button, play/pause button (which is also a handsfree button), and small built-in mic. Just below the top panel, there is small rubber flap covering 3.5mm port, charging micro USB port, and micro SD card slot.

MR6110 has two 8W speakers with one passive bass radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

Mighty Rock 6110 is not so small as some other speakers on the list, but it still qualifies as mini speaker – it is 7.4 inches wide, 2.5 inches tall, 2.8 inches deep, and it weighs 13 ounces.

Design

This is one stylish and really elegant-looking speaker that could be used in many situations. MR 6110 is available only in black color which contributes a lot to the elegance vibe.

Construction quality and durability

The speaker is very well made, the aluminum mesh is really sturdy and can survive everyday use, and all the plastic and silicone parts look and feel like they are made to last. There were no complaints regarding durability in the past, and based on our experience and impressions, construction quality is one of the good things about this speaker.

Connectivity and compatibility

The speaker features Bluetooth V4.1. We haven’t experienced any problems regarding pairing process or connection. Pairing works like a charm and it is very simple, connection is stable with standard Bluetooth range of 30ft. The speaker is compatible with Android smartphones. iPhones, iPads. Tablets, Echo Dot, and bunch of other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Battery

Speaker has Lithium-Ion battery with rated capacity of 2,200mAh. Battery offers up to 12 hours of playtime (at moderate volume). If you crank up the volume to the maximum, you will get some 6 hours of playtime at most. Recharge takes 2-3 hours.

Built-in mic and speakerphone

As we always say, speakerphone is nice additional feature, and you can decide if you are going to use it or not. The mic is not great, but you can still talk to the person on the other side without problems.

Micro SD card slot

This is nice additional feature, you won’t probably use it that much, but if your phone dies you can take the micro SD card out (if you are Android user), insert it into the speaker, and play the music from the card.

Sound quality

Thanks to its 2 drivers, Mighty Rock produces decent sound quality, with nice audio separation between left and right speaker. Bass is punchy enough for such a small speaker (and it doesn’t go over the top, which is often the case with small speakers), mids and highs are pretty clean. Sub-bass is almost nonexistent, but you can’t get great bass response from such a small speaker, and you shouldn’t be expecting anything like that.

 Things we don’t like

Not waterproof

Mighty Rock 6110 doesn’t have IPX rating which means it is not waterproof nor weatherproof in any way. You should be careful if you decide to bring it with you to the beach and keep it away from the water.

Loudness

Although it is advertised as surprisingly loud, this is speaker offers average loudness compared to similar speakers. You can definitely find much louder speakers for the same amount of money, or for a little bit more.

3. Best Mini Bluetooth Speaker Under $40 – Anker SoundCore 2

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Anker Technology is one of the youngest audio equipment companies on the market. It is only 6 years old, and it made its name by making affordable but good-quality equipment. Soundcore2 is improved version of the previous Anker Soundcore speaker, and the most important improvements are related to sound quality, battery durability, and connectivity.

 What’s in the box

Soundcore2 comes in a nice white and blue box, and along with the speaker, you will get only charging cord, user guide, and 18-month warranty. You won’t get auxiliary cable although there is 3.5mm port on the speaker, and that could be considered a minus.

The front panel is completely covered with black protective aluminum grille, and the rest of the speaker is made of hard plastic with rubber finish. The controls are on the top panel, and you will find there 5 buttons – ON/OFF button with white LED indicator, – and + buttons (volume controls), play/pause button (this is the trickiest button and can be used for track skipping and for answering/ending calls), and Bluetooth (pairing) button with blue LED indicator.

Soundcore 2 features two 1.5 inches large drivers (with combined power of 12W) and one passive radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is really small, almost small enough to fit your pocket (but only if you have some big pockets). Its dimensions are 6.6 inches (width) x 1.9 (height) x 2.2 inches (depth), and it weighs only 14.6 ounces.

Design

The speaker is simple, kind of boxy and minimalistic, without too many details, but still stylish and elegant. Big ANKER logos on the aluminum mesh and at the back are kind of tacky, but the general impression regarding design is still very good. Speaker is available in 2 colors – black and red.

Construction quality, durability, and IPX5 rating

Soundcore2 is, just like its predecessor, well-built and sturdy. The speaker looks and feels compact and rugged. Thanks to the thick rubber finish, Souncore2 is water resistant and has IPX5 rating. Still, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with it, and if you accidentally drop it into the water, it will probably get damaged.

Connectivity and compatibility

The speaker features Bluetooth 4.2 version with Low Energy Protocol and extended range. Pairing is very simple and quick. The Bluetooth range is slightly larger than usual (around 66ft), but you should still stay within 30ft range – anything farther than that could cause interference or cutting out. Speaker is compatible with various devices, and we haven’t experienced any problems regarding compatibility – Soundcore2 can be paired with Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Echo Dot, and bunch of other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Battery

Thanks to its large battery and Bluetooth 4.2 with Low Energy Protocol, Soundcore2 can offer you up to 24 hours of playtime (at 50% volume). Playtime shortens significantly if you increase the volume, so you will probably get some 10 hours of playtime at maximum volume. It takes 4 hours to fully recharge battery.

Built-in mic

If you like answering calls with your speaker, Soundcore2 has this feature. The mic is far from perfect, it won't work well if you are outside (especially in noisy environment), but if you are inside your house or in your office it can be quite useful.

Sound quality

This speaker offers pretty good sound quality and loudness for a small speaker in its price range (under $40), and for this price, you can't get much better sound. The bass is punchy (and maybe just a little bit too much for such a small speaker), mids are articulate and highs are relatively clean (not great like you would get with JBL or Bose speakers, but after all, it costs less than those high-end speakers). We noticed that sound quality changes depending on the surface the speaker is placed on – you will get much better sound (and greater loudness) if the speaker is placed on some wooden surface than if you place it on some plastic table or on the ground.

 Things we don’t like

Volume changes when changing songs

This is really small, barely noticeable flaw – whenever you change a song there is small drop in volume for a second or so. After that initial drop, volume goes back to normal.

No forward and backward buttons

Soundcore2 doesn’t have buttons for track skipping – you can skip tracks but you have to use play/pause button, which is kind of tricky, and it would be much better if there were just two additional buttons. The next upgrade should solve this issue.

4. Best Mini Bluetooth Speaker for Your Office – Bose SoundLink II

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There is no need to present Bose to you, this company is already famous enough, and there are a long history and tradition standing behind this name. It is practically impossible to make a list of best audio products (especially speakers or headphones) and not include at least one of Bose products on the list. We have decided to present to you Bose Soundlink II mini Bluetooth speaker, which is one of the smallest portable speakers made by Bose, and one of the smaller on the market.

 What’s in the box

Inside small and stylish box (which is not a surprise since Bose usually pays attention to the presentation) you will find your speaker, charging cord, AC adapter, charging cradle (which you can use when you are at your home, but you don’t really have to – it’s optional), user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The front and rear panel of the speaker are covered with sturdy aluminum grille which protects the drivers, and rest of the speaker is made of hard industrial plastic combined with rubber details. All the controls are on the top panel, and you can see five buttons there – power button, -/+ buttons (volume controls), Bluetooth/pairing button, and multifunction button (which can be used to play/pause playback, skip tracks, answer/end calls, change the language of voice prompts, etc.).

As always, Bose keeps the technical specifications a secret, and we didn’t manage to find the info on the drivers’ power and size, but from what we could see, the speaker has two drivers with one passive radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is really small, and can easily fit your hand, your bag, backpack, or even your pocket (but that would be some really large pocket). It is 7.1 inches wide, 2 inches tall, and 2.3 inches deep, so it’s small, but it weighs a lit bit more than you would guess – 1.5 pounds.

Design

As always, Bose made a simple, nice looking, and stylish speaker. It is simple and without any additional and redundant details. It is obtainable in 2 colors – carbon and pearl.

Construction quality and durability

Soundlink 2 mini Bluetooth speaker looks and feels really sturdy and durable, although all the pieces of advice from the Bose manual don't suggest that. We think it can survive heavy use during a long time if you use it appropriately, and if you keep to away from the water (but we will talk about that later).

Connectivity and compatibility

Bose doesn’t provide the info on Bluetooth version that was used, but claims that the Bluetooth range is 30ft, and based on our experience that’s true (although you should try to stay inside 15-20ft range, just in case), Pairing is simple, and you can pair two devices at the same time with the speaker. Speaker is able to remember up to 8 different Bluetooth devices, and you can shift from one to another by pressing Bluetooth button. The connection is stable and without interference or cutting out. Compatibility is not an issue with this speaker – you can connect it to practically any Bluetooth-enabled device (Android phones, iPhones, iPads, PCs, Echo Dot, etc.).

Battery

Just like with drivers and Bluetooth version, we don’t know what’s the battery capacity, but we know that Bose claims that speaker offers up to 10 hours of playtime (at some 70% volume), or up to 5 hours at maximum volume. Recharge takes 3 hours.

Speakerphone

The speakerphone is nice additional feature, and the built-in mic works better than on previously mentioned cheaper speakers, but it’s still not perfect. To be honest, there is probably no perfect speakerphone, but this one is more than satisfying,

Sound quality

This is the best and the most important feature of Bose Soundlink 2 mini speaker. Bass is much stronger and punchier than you could expect from such a small speaker, and it doesn’t go over the top, mids are full and articulate, and highs are not perfect (not completely clean at high volume). This is one of only a few small speakers that have the potential to really surprise you with its sound.

 Things we don’t like

Not waterproof

Soundlink2 mini is unfortunately not waterproof at all, so you will have to take care of it, and keep it away from the water. This speaker is not the best option for the beach.

Multifunction button

Multifunction button works well, and we are not annoyed by its functionality, but the problem is that you can control so many things with only one button, and you really need some time to master it. It would be much easier to control the playback with at least two additional buttons.

No NFC

Lack of NFC wouldn’t be considered a downside if this was some cheap speaker, but since it’s Bose, and since it is pricey high-end product, the only normal thing is to expect everything. Speaker doesn’t have NFC pairing feature, and for the money you pay, NFC should be present.

The price

Soundlink2 mini is really expensive, and majority of people are not prepared to pay that kind of money for a mini speaker. This speaker is great in many ways, and it is one of the best mini speakers on the market without any doubt, but we still think that it is (at least slightly) overpriced.

5. Loudest Mini Bluetooth Speaker Under $100 – UE BOOM 2

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UE is one of the most popular brands on the Bluetooth speakers market. UE started making Bluetooth speakers in 2013. The first one was UE BOOM (the original version) which almost instantly became one of the most wanted speakers. We decided to present to you its successor UE BOOM 2. This upgraded version looks practically the same as UE BOOM (same dimensions and design) but brings some improvements regarding sound quality and loudness, durability and ruggedness, and connectivity.

 What’s in the box

UE BOOM 2, just like UE BOOM, comes in a small and stylish packaging. You can really see how much effort was involved in making perfect presentation. Along with the speaker, you will get charging cord, AC wall plug, user guide, and 2-year warranty. You won’t get auxiliary cable, although speaker has 3.5mm port. You can also buy carrying case separately (since it’s not included in the package).

The whole speaker is protected with some nylon-like material (UE calls it acoustic skin with plasma coating), and at the back, there is narrow rubbery spine. The top and the bottom are covered with a rubber. On the rubbery spine, you will find 2 large volume control buttons (you can use them to adjust the volume or to check battery status by pressing both buttons at the same time). On the top panel, you will see power button and Bluetooth button. At the bottom, you will find D-RING covering the tripod mount (you can use it to mount your speaker on bunch of things), and small rubber flap which protects 3.5mm port and charging (micro USB) port.

The speaker features two 45mm drivers and two passive radiators (45x80mm).

 Things we like

Dimensions

This is small, nicely shaped speaker that you can easily bring with you wherever you go – it can fit your hand, your bag, your backpack. The speaker is 7.1 inches wide (or tall, depending on how you position them), and its diameter is 2.7 inches. It is slightly heavier than some other really small speakers (1.2 pounds), but still very much portable and lightweight.

Design

The speaker is shaped like a cylinder, which is not something you haven’t already seen, but what makes the difference is variety of different colors, color combinations, and editions. These editions are something that separates UE speakers from other similar cylindrical speakers (like JBL Charge or JBL Flip). UE BOOM 2 is available in 9 different editions (color combinations) – BrainFreeze Edition, Cherrybomb Edition, Green Machine Edition, Indigo, Panther, Phantom, Tropical Edition, Urban Explorer Limited Edition, and Yeti Edition.

Construction quality, durability, and IPX7 waterproof rating

In terms of construction quality, durability, and ruggedness, this is probably the best speaker on the market – it is practically indestructible. It has IPX7 waterproof rating, so it can endure full immersion into the water of up to 1m depth for 30 minutes. Unlike its cousin MEGABOOM 2, this speaker doesn’t float, so if you accidentally drop it while you are in the pool, it will go straight to the bottom.

Connectivity and compatibility

BOOM 2 features Bluetooth 4.0 with extended range. UE claims that this upgraded version has 100ft Bluetooth range, which is not completely true. The maximum outdoor range is some 70ft, and it's even smaller when you are indoors. There are some improvements regarding range, but they are not as great as UE claims. The pairing process is simple, and there is also NFC function, so Android users can simply tap the speaker with their phone and pair two devices in a second. The speaker can remember up to 8 different devices, and you can easily shift between source devices (phones, PCs, iPads, etc.). We haven’t noticed any issues regarding compatibility – speaker works well with Android phones and iPhones, it can be paired with any tablet or PC, and it is also compatible with Echo Dot.

Battery

UE BOOM 2 has rechargeable Li-Ion battery which offers up to 15 hours of playtime (that’s what UE claims). In reality, you will get some 12 hours at 50% volume (which is still very good), and significantly less at maximum volume (5-6 hours). Recharge takes some 3 hours.

UE BOOM 2 app with PARTYUP and EQ settings

UE BOOM 2 app can be downloaded from the app store, and it offers some nice additional features. First, you can pair two (DOUBLE UP function) UE BOOM speakers and get more sound. You can decide whether you want them to act as stereo speakers, or to stream the same source and act as independent speakers. You can also pair 150+ BOOM 2 speakers (PARTY UP function) and get really great party experience. There are also EQ settings with 4 presets, so you don’t have to use equalizer on your phone. You also have the option to set the ALARM and choose the source device from which the music will be streamed at certain time.

Voice integration with Siri, Google Now, and Alexa

BOOM 2 can be integrated with Siri, Google Now, or Alexa, so you can use voice controls to play music, make calls, and do many other things.

Sound quality

Unlike many small Bluetooth speakers, this one offers strong and punchy bass. The bass is not perfect, but it’s much better than the average. Mids and highs lack some cleanliness and authority, but, the sound is still more than decent. It’s not the best sounding speaker, some JBL and Bose speakers are probably better than BOOM 2 in terms of sound quality, but BOOM 2 is still far from being average and unlike many other speakers, it offers 360 sound experience with equal sound distribution across the room. One more good thing about this speaker is loudness – it is definitely one of the loudest mini speakers on the market, but unfortunately, there is some noticeable distortion, when the volume is above 90%.

 Things we don’t like

Controls

We can’t say that the controls are rubbish, but they are far from great. + ad – buttons are kind of oversized and don't feel natural. There are no other control buttons, but you can play/pause or skip track by tapping the top of the speaker which doesn’t always work – if the speaker is on the table, you can’t just simply tap it, but you have to hold it with one hand and then tap it to play or pause the song.

Price

BOOM 2 is great, but the price is probably too high. If you have enough money, and you need something incredibly durable and rugged or you really like the design, then there is nothing stopping you from buying it, but if you are having some doubts, and you are trying to decide between some JBL speaker (they are usually slightly cheaper and have similar features) and UE BOOM 2, then JBL is probably better option, just because of the price.

6. Mini Bluetooth Speaker with The Largest Battery – JBL Charge 3

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JBL is along with Bose and UE, the most popular brand on the market, at least when Bluetooth speakers are concerned. JBL Charge 3 is the latest speaker from the Charge series, it is one of the best sounding speakers on this list, although it is more like mid-sized speaker than mini speaker, so the only normal thing to expect from it, is to sound great. This is probably the biggest and heaviest speaker on our list, but it’s still very much lightweight and portable.

 What’s in the box

JBL Charge 3 comes in a nice packaging, it’s not as stylish as UE BOOM 2, but it’s much better than the average packaging. Inside the packaging, there are speaker, charging cord, AC wall plug, user guide, and 2-year warranty, so it’s pretty much the same content like with UE BOOM 2. You won’t get AUX cable or carrying case, and you will have to buy them separately.

Charge 3 is shielded with rubber-like fabric, which protects the drivers and makes the speaker waterproof. On the top of the speaker, you can find all the control buttons – Bluetooth button, volume down button, power button and JBL connect button, volume up button, and play/pause button (also used as the handsfree button). Right at the bottom, you can see 5 LED battery status indicators, and on the rear panel, you will see small rubber seal which protects input ports – standard 3.5mm port, USB powerbank port, and charging port.

The speaker has two 50mm transducers with combined power of 20W and two passive bass radiators.

 Things we like

Dimensions

As we’ve already said, this is the biggest speaker on this list, it’s hardly mini speaker (more like mid-sized) but we still think that it is very much portable and not too heavy. We won’t be reviewing anything larger than this one and you can consider this our limit in terms of size and weight. This speaker is 8.4 inches wide, with 3.4 inches in diameter, and it weighs 1.8 pounds.

Design

This is another cylindrical speaker, so if you like that kind of shape this is one of the best options. Unlike some other cylindrical speakers, this one doesn’t offer 360-experience since all the drivers are oriented towards the front panel. The speaker is available in six different colors – black, blue, camouflage, gray, red, and teal.

Construction quality, durability, and IPX7 rating

Just like previous UE BOOM 2, this is durable and really well-built speaker, it is compact and looks and feels like it can endure all the rigors of everyday use. It is completely waterproof (IPX7 waterproof rating) so it can be immersed in water. One more interesting thing is that this speaker floats, so if you drop it into the pool, it won’t go straight to the bottom, which is really nice additional feature.

Connectivity and compatibility

The speaker features Bluetooth V4.1 and the advertised Bluetooth range is 50ft. In reality, the connection is steady up until 40ft (only if there are no obstacles between the speaker and Bluetooth device). Pairing is super-simple and quick, and there is no interference if you stay within some 20-30ft range. We haven’t experienced any compatibility issues with this speaker.

Battery

This speaker has large Lithium-Ion Polymer battery with rated capacity of 6,000mAh. The battery offers up to 20 hours of playtime at 50% volume, and probably some 10 hours at maximum volume. This is probably the speaker with the largest battery on this list and the speaker that offers the longest playtime. Recharge takes around 5 hours.

Powerbank port for phone charging

Thanks to its large battery, Charge 3 can be used for charging your phone' battery, and this is something you won't find in a really small speaker and something that must be considered a great advantage.

JBL Connect

This is one more additional feature that could come in handy when you are trying to get louder sound. By pressing this button, you can simply pair two JBL speakers (they don’t have to be the same – you can pair JBL extreme with JBL Charge 3, for example, but if you want stereo sound, you have to use two Charge 3 speakers).

Speakerphone

Charge 3 has built-in mic and speakerphone function which works just fine. It is very simple to use – you can answer/end calls by pressing play/pause button.

Sound quality

This speaker is one of the best among small speakers on the market in terms of sound quality, and it is definitely the best sounding speaker on this list. It produces strong and punchy bass, full mids, and crisp clean highs. The only negative thing is that the drivers are faced forward, so you won’t get 360-sound, and there is no equal distribution of sound, so if you want something with 360-sound, UE BOOM 2 is probably better option. Charge 3 can get really loud, and there is barely noticeable distortion when the volume is at maximum.

 Things we don’t like

No NFC

This speaker doesn't really have some big flaws and the biggest downside is that there is no NFC function, which is something that you expect for this price.

No 360-sound

Lack of 360-sound is not really an issue, but you should be aware that although it’s shaped like a cylinder which kind of suggests that you will get 360-sound, there will be no 360-experience because both drivers are faced forward.

7. Best Mini Bluetooth Speaker for iPhone – Beats Pill+

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Beats is not the brand we like, especially because of all the advertisement, but we have to make an exception sometimes. Beats Pill+ is upgraded version of the Beats Pill and Beats Pill 2.0, and compared to these previous Pill versions it is improved in so many ways – battery and sound quality are much better, and construction quality is slightly improved. On the other side, this new upgraded version doesn't have NFC function (although the previous version had it), and it is not waterproof at all.

 What’s in the box

Pill+ comes in really nice and stylish packaging (which is not a surprise considering how much effort Beats invests in presentation), and together with the speaker, you will get charging cord (USB-A to lightning port), AC wall plug, user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The front and rear panel are covered with sturdy aluminum grille which protects the drivers. The top, bottom, and both sides are made of hard plastic with rubber finish. All the controls are on the top – there are power button with 5 LED battery indicators, multifunction ‘’b’’’ button (used to play/pause songs, skip tracks, or answer/end calls), and +/- buttons (volume controls). On the rear panel, there is a rubber flap covering 3 ports – 3.5mm port, charge-out port (you can use it to charge your phone), and lightning port (for charging battery). If you are wondering why lightning port instead of usual micro USB port, then you probably don't know that Beats is now part of Apple, and every Beats device uses this Apple technology.

Beats Pill+ features four drivers – two tweeters and two woofers. We didn’t manage to find the info on their output power.

 Things we like

Dimensions

Like all the speakers on the list, this one can also be carried around without any problem – it is 8.27 inches wide, 2.5 inches high, 2.72 inches deep, and it weighs 1.3 pounds.

Design

As always, you can expect stylish and elegant design. The speaker looks like a pill (hence the name Beats pill) and it is obtainable in 5 different colors – black, white, asphalt gray, citrus red, and turf green.

Construction quality and durability

The speaker looks and feels really durable, it is very compact and sturdy. An aluminum grille is strong and it's not flexible, so you can be assured that your drivers are protected. The rubber finish gives a good grip, so it’s practically impossible to slip out of your hand. There is also one negative thing regarding durability, but we will talk about that in ‘’things we don’t like’’ section.

Connectivity and compatibility

We didn’t find out which version of Bluetooth was used, but based on our experience, we can say that the connection is pretty stable as long you are within 30ft range. Pairing is simple and starts the moment you turn on the speaker. The speaker works with both Android and Apple devices. We haven't experienced any problems regarding compatibility.

Battery

Beats pill+ has relatively large Li-Ion battery which offers up to 12 hours of playtime at 50% volume. If you crank the volume up to the maximum, you will get some 5-6 hours of playtime. Recharge takes some 3-4 hours.

Charging-out port

This is always nice and useful feature, and we usually like to mention it and praise the manufacturer. This situation is no different, although we think that JBL Charge 3 has larger battery and can offer more juice for your phone.

Connect two Beats Pill + speakers into a system

If you have two Beats Pill+ speakers you can pair them and get louder stereo sound, you just have to download Beats Pill+ app from the app store. The only thing you can do with this application is to connect two speakers, and that’s why we decided not to mention the app separately.

Sound quality

Beats headphones and speakers are known to be bass-oriented, and this one is no different than the others. It really has strong punchy bass (unfortunately it lacks some depth, but you can’t expect everything from such a small speaker), mids are articulate (but nothing more than that, they are not rich enough), and highs are not clean enough. All in all, you will get more than decent sound, but it won’t be perfect, which makes you wonder should you pay that much. Our opinion is that you can probably get better sound with some cheaper speakers (like JBL Charge 3 or UE BOOM 2), but if you want this exact speaker you won’t be completely disappointed.

 Things we don’t like

Not waterproof

Beats Pill+, unlike other pricier speakers on this list, doesn’t have IPX rating, which means that it’s not waterproof at all, and you should keep it away from the water.

No NFC

Although previous versions of Beats Pill had this additional feature, this one doesn’t, and we think, they should’ve kept it. Beats definitely decided to orient production towards Apple users, and we think that’s not a great business decision.

Price

Beats Pill+ probably costs a little bit too much than it should, especially if you take into consideration all the features and downsides, and compare it to other similar speakers.

8. Best Mini Bluetooth Shower Speaker – Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM

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This is one more UE speaker on this list. It is very similar to the previously mentioned BOOM 2, only much smaller – it is half the size of UE BOOM 2 so you could say that this one is truly mini Bluetooth speaker. There is a lot of reasons why you should buy this speaker and the most important are probably not sound-related, but you should keep reading, and find out all the good and bad things about it.

 What’s in the box

WONDERBOOM comes in a nice little stylish box along with charging cord, user guide, and 2-year warranty. You won’t get AC wall plug like with BOOM 2, which is kind of a downside, especially because the idea is to use the speaker on the go, and you won’t always have your laptop with you.

As we've already said, this one looks absolutely the same as BOOM 2, it's just much smaller. The whole body of the speaker is protected with nylon-like material makes the speaker waterproof and dustproof. The top and bottom are covered with some kind of rubber, and on the top, there is small nylon loop, so you can hang your speaker wherever you like. Volume controls (large + and – button) are on the front, and on the top, there are power button and Bluetooth button. There is also Ultimate Ears logo, which is, in fact, multifunction button which can be used to play/pause songs, skip tracks, and connect two WONDERBOOM speakers. Near the bottom, there is one rubber seal which protects charging port.

The speaker has two 40mm drivers, and two passive bass radiators (46.1x65mm), and they are arranged in a way which enables 360-sound with equal sound distribution in all direction.

 Things we like

Dimensions

As we’ve already said, BOOM 2 is small, but WONDERBOOM is truly mini. It is 4 inches wide (or tall depending on the position), and diameter of the base (because it’s cylindrical) is 3.7 inches. The speaker weighs 0.94 pounds, so it is really lightweight and you can easily take it with you wherever you go.

Design

Well, if you liked BOOM 2, you will like this one, too. It has recognizable cylindrical shape and it is obtainable in 6 colors – cashmere pink, fireball red, lilac, phantom black, subzero blue, and stone gray.

Construction quality, durability, and IP67 rating

This is one of the biggest advantages of this speaker, and if something is really impressive about WONDERBOOM it’s the build quality. It is incredibly compact, sturdy, and rugged as hell. All the customers in the past are really happy with its durability, and that was one of the most often mentioned and praised features. WONDERBOOM has IP67 rating which means it is completely waterproof and dustproof.

Connectivity and compatibility

WONDERBOOM offers extended range compared to other mini Bluetooth speakers. The manufacturer claims that Bluetooth range is 100ft, but it’s really more like half of that in reality, especially if there are some obstacles. It is safe to say that the connection is steady if you don’t go more than 30ft away from the speaker. Pairing is very simple and quick. You can pair two different Bluetooth devices with the speaker at the same time. It can remember up to 8 different Bluetooth source devices, and it automatically pairs with the last device when turned on.

Connect two WONDERBOOM speakers for louder sound

If you need louder sound you can always connect two WONDERBOOM speakers by pressing Ultimate Ears multifunction button on both speakers at the same time. They can only stream the same source and you can’t get stereo separation. There is no option to connect more than two speakers into a system, which is kind of a downer.

Battery

The speaker has relatively large battery (for its size) which enables up to 10 hours of playtime at 50% volume, and if you increase the volume to the maximum, you will get much shorter playtime (3-4 hours). Recharge takes 2-3 hours.

Sound quality

This speaker offers much better sound than you would expect from such a small thing. Of course, there will always be some issues, but for its size bass is really punchy and strong, mids are clean and articulate, while the highs are kind of muddy, especially at high volume. There is a certain amount of distortion when you crank the volume up, but it's barely noticeable. You will also get equally distributed 360-sound, which is kind of unusual for such a small speaker. All in all, this is one great-sounding little speaker.

 Things we don’t like

No NFC

We would expect from a speaker in this price range (under $80) to have NFC, and this one doesn’t, so we have to consider lack of NFC a flaw.

Controls and pairing tones

We have used this speaker for a week, and we haven’t managed to really get a nice feeling about the control buttons – they are not complicated or confusing, but they don’t really feel nice. The most annoying thing is incredibly loud sound you can hear when you power on or off the speaker, and during the process of pairing. Also, if you want to check battery status, you have to press + and – buttons at once and you will get a sound (there are three sounds – one for low battery status, one for medium, and one for full battery) and based on the sound you should know how much battery is left, which is not a great idea. Simple voice report would be much better.

No 3.5mm ports

WONDERBOOM doesn’t have 3.5mm port, so you can only pair your speaker with Bluetooth-enabled devices, and there is no way to connect some non-Bluetooth mp3 player or any other device without Bluetooth to this speaker. Adding one simple 3.5mm port would improve the impression a lot.

9. Best Pocketable Mini Bluetooth Speaker – JBL GO

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One more JBL mini Bluetooth speaker on our list, which is not a surprise since JBL is extremely popular brand. This one is really super-small, and for its size offers pretty good performance.

 What’s in the box

JBL GO comes in a simple and kind of cheap packaging, and along with the speaker you will get only small charging cord, user guide, and 1-year warranty, and no additional accessories. You won’t get auxiliary cable, although there is 3.5mm port on the speaker.

The front panel is shielded with aluminum mesh which protects the driver, and the rest of the speaker is shielded with some kind of rubber-like material. There are two big JBL logos on the front and on the rear panel. All the controls are on the top. There are six buttons – power on/off, Bluetooth button, -/+ buttons (volume controls), and speakerphone button. On the left side of the speaker, there are 2 ports – 3.5mm port and charging port and there is built-in mic. On the right side, there is built-in plastic hook,

JBL GO has only one 40mm driver with output power of 3W.

 Things we like

Dimensions

We’ve already said that this one is really small, smaller than the average palm. It is 3.3 inches wide, 2.7 inches tall, 1.2 inches deep, and it weighs 4.6 ounces.

Design

The speaker is boxy and simple without any additional features and details. There is wide variety of colors available – black, blue, gray, orange, pink, red, teal, and yellow, so you will be able to find just the perfect color for you.

Construction quality and durability

The speaker is well-built, and it looks compact. Rubber finish and sturdy aluminum mesh give the impression that it is really durable. For the money, you shouldn’t expect incredible ruggedness, but what you get is more than satisfying.

Connectivity and compatibility

JBL Go features Bluetooth 4.1. The pairing process is fairly simple, we haven't experienced any problem during the pairing process. Bluetooth range is slightly shorter than the average, but you can still have stable connection without interference if you stay within 20ft range. We haven’t experienced any compatibility issues, so it is probably safe to say that you can use it with any Bluetooth-enabled device. There is also 3.5mm port so you can connect any non-Bluetooth device (like mp3 player) to the speaker.

Battery

Speaker has small 600mAh Lithium-Ion battery which offers up to 5 hours of playtime at 50% volume, which is not perfect, but for such a small speaker it is probably enough. Recharge takes 1.5 hours.

Sound quality

Speaker has only one 40mm driver with power output of 3W, but for its size, it performs pretty well. You won’t get strong bass, sub-bass practically doesn’t exist, mids are articulate, while the highs are kind of muffled, so for its size it is satisfying. Of course, there is a lot of room for improvement.

 Things we don’t like

Not waterproof

The speaker is kind of rugged, but it’s not waterproof, so you should be careful if you are going to use it outside. It seems to us that it could survive a couple drops of water, but still, don’t test it.

Speakerphone

The built-in mic is always nice additional feature, and we usually consider it an advantage, but only when it works fine. Unfortunately, JBL Go has mic with passive noise cancelation technology which really doesn't work as advertised and we are not completely happy with it – you will hear the person you are talking with, but he/she will have troubles hearing you.

No NFC

Well, we are maybe being too harsh, and maybe device in this price range doesn’t have to be equipped with NFC, but you still have to be aware of what you are buying.

10. Best Mini Bluetooth Shower Speaker Under $15 – SoundBot SB510

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SoundBot is one of the youngest audio equipment companies on the market. SoundBot makes only headphones, earbuds, and speakers, most of them are Bluetooth and waterproof, One of SoundBot’s first mini Bluetooth speakers is SB510, which is advertised as waterproof shower speaker, but you should be aware that the advertising is slightly misleading since the speaker is only splash-proof (it has IPX4 rating). That doesn’t mean that you can’t use it in the shower – you absolutely can, but you are not supposed to throw it in the pool or swim with it because it won’t survive submersion.

 What’s in the box

SB510 comes in a simple plastic packaging, and besides the speaker, there are charging cord, user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The speaker looks like a calotte, and the whole front is sheltered with protective rubber. At the back of the speaker, there is a big suction cup which you can use to stick the speaker on the bathroom wall (or on any other smooth surface). All the controls are on the front panel, the control panel is shaped like a circle – in the middle, there is play/pause button, above the play/pause button you will see power button with LED indicator, and below the play/pause button is handsfree button. The button on the left side is integrated volume down/backward button, and on the right side is volume up/forward button. On the side of the speaker, there is a small rubber flap which protects the charging port. There are no other ports (like 3.5mm audio jack) since the speaker is meant to be used in the shower. You can, of course, use it outdoors (at the pool, or on the beach).

SB510 features only one small driver with output power of 3W, which is not too much, so you shouldn’t be expecting some amazing performance.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The SoundBot SB510 is rather small speaker, its diameter is 3.54 inches and it is 2.24 inches deep. The speaker weighs only 45g, which is incredibly lightweight, even for a mini speaker.

Design

The speaker has interesting spherical (or calotte) shape with a suction cup at the back, which automatically suggests the purpose of the speaker. SB510 is available in many colors and color combinations – black, pink, yellow, blue, green, white, leopard, zebra, and camouflage.

IPX4 waterproof rating

The speaker is splash-proof and, as we previously mentioned, you can use it in the shower without any worries. The speaker can withstand showering, but it can’t be immersed in water, so be careful if you decide to bring it with you to the pool or to the beach.

Connectivity and compatibility

SB510 features Bluetooth V3.0 and it is one of the rare speakers on the market with this Bluetooth version (not because this version is bad, but because version 4.0 was released soon after V3.0, and practically all the manufacturers automatically started using newer Bluetooth version). Pairing is very simple and intuitive, connection is stable within some 30ft range, but you (your phone) will probably be much closer to the speaker if you decide to use it only in the shower (and we recommend you to do so because this is not the right speaker for other purposes). We haven't experienced any problems regarding durability – the speaker works fine with both Android phones and iPhones.

Battery

SB510 has relatively small 500mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery which can offer up to 6 hours of playback time (at 50% volume), which is far from perfect, but since you are going to use it in the shower there is no need for larger battery. Recharge takes 3 hours.

Sound quality

We’ve already said that the speaker has only one 3W driver, oriented towards the wall. With that kind of driver, you can't expect perfect sound – you will get decent sound quality, something that is slightly better than your phone’s speaker, and something you can use in the shower (because you can't use your phone there). SB510 doesn't provide strong and punchy bass or crisp-clean highs, but it can still be useful. The sound gets pretty muddy when the volume is at 100%, and we recommend listening to music at moderate volume (75-80%).

 Things we don’t like

Durability and construction quality

Although it is splash-proof, this speaker is not shockproof, which is kind of a downer, since there is possibility of falling off the wall. Some customers complained about suction cup being not strong enough which caused speakers to fall off the wall and due to that falling off, the speakers got damaged. This is why we think the speaker is not rugged and durable enough, and you should always pay attention to the suction cup, and check if it is strong.  

Speakerphone function

The idea of having the ability to answer calls when you are in the shower is very good. This speaker has a built-in mic, and you can answer calls with a small handsfree button, but it doesn't really work – you can hear clearly the other person, but the person you are talking to won’t hear you. Even when you remove the shower from the equation, your voice is completely distorted and the person on the other end can’t understand a word.

Control buttons (especially volume and track controls)

Well, it’s no secret that integrated buttons can make us confused. In this case, volume and track management buttons are integrated, so if you want to decrease the volume or to play the previous track you will use only one button (you should press it to play previous song, or press and hold to decrease the volume). The same thing goes for increasing the volume and skipping tracks. It seems simple, but it still happens from time to time that you skip the song when trying to adjust the volume.

11. Anker Classic Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

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We've already had one Anker product on the list, and this is the second one. The reason is pretty simple – Anker makes very affordable speakers with good technical characteristics and decent durability. Anker Classic Portable speaker is another great example of Anker’s business strategy. The greatest feature of this tiny speaker is its battery, which is incredibly durable for its size – you really don’t expect to see such a large battery in such a small speaker. Its performance is definitely not perfect, but this is still one of the best mini speakers for under $20.

 What’s in the box

Anker Classic comes in a simple box, and besides the speaker, the packaging includes charging cord, AUX cable with 3.5mm jacks, user guide, and 18-month warranty.

One of the most interesting things about this speaker is that it has upwards facing driver, which is kind of unusual. Aluminum mesh is on the top and it protects the driver while the rest of the speaker is made of thin plastic with some kind of rubber finish. There are three control buttons on the front panel – +/- buttons (volume controls), and play/pause button (also used as a handsfree button). Above the buttons, there is LED Bluetooth indicator, and at the bottom of the front panel, there is a small built-in mic. On the right end, there is a small and cheap-looking ON/OFF switch, 3.5mm port, and charging port.

Anker Classic has only one 2 inches large driver (with an output power of 4W), and one passive bass radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

This is one of the smallest Anker’s speakers, it’s 3.2 inches wide, 3.2 inches deep, and 2.4 inches tall. It weighs only 9.9 ounces.

Design

The speaker is shaped like a cube, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but it’s still stylish and elegant, and it looks really visually appealing.

Connectivity and compatibility

Anker Classic Portable speaker features Bluetooth V4.0. Pairing is simple and intuitive, you won’t have to read an explanation if you had some Bluetooth speaker before. The moment you turn on the speaker, pairing starts, you just have to enable Bluetooth on your phone (or any other Bluetooth-enabled device) and pair the speaker with your device. Bluetooth range is decent, it’s not exactly as advertised, but you shouldn’t be having any problems (interference or cutting out) within 20-30ft range. We haven’t experienced any compatibility problems – it works fine with Apple and Android devices. It can be also paired with any PC. Another nice additional thing is 3.5mm port, so you can also connect any non-Bluetooth device to the speaker. Not all mini speakers have this port (in fact, many mini speakers don’t), so we have to give some credit to Anker.

Battery

This is definitely the best feature of this speaker. It's like the half of the speaker is the battery. Anker managed to put 2,100mAh Lithium-Ion battery in such a small housing. Thanks to this large battery, you will be able to listen to music for up to 20 hours (at 50% volume) which is much more than you could possibly expect from a mini speaker. Recharge takes 3-4 hours.

Sound quality

Well, for a speaker with only one 4W driver, this speaker sounds great. Don't get this wrong, the speaker is far from being actually great, but for the size and for the price, you can't expect more. Yes, the bass is pretty bad and it gets muddy at high volume, highs are not so clean and mids are articulate. It definitely sounds much better and louder than your phone's speaker, and that's what you should expect, nothing more and nothing less.

 Things we don’t like

Durability and waterproofness

This speaker is far from being completely rubbish, but there are some weak spots and some construction flaws that should be mentioned. First of all, On/OFF switch looks and feels really fragile, we are not assured that it could survive rigors of everyday use. Second, the speaker is not waterproof, so you will have to be careful. The speaker is also not shockproof, so try not to drop it.

12. Best Mini Bluetooth Speaker with FM Tuner – Anker SoundCore

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Anker SoundCore mini is the last Anker’s speaker on this list and it is the most visually appealing one. If you need something small, pretty, and affordable, this is one the best choices for you. If you need something for less than $30, and you don’t really need something waterproof, then you can’t go wrong with this one.

 What’s in the box

Soundcore mini comes in a nice and simple packaging, and along with the speaker, you will get charging cord, user guide, and 18-month warranty.

The upper side of the speaker is shielded with an aluminum grille which protects upwards facing driver, and the rest is made of thick aluminum alloy with a matte finish with really nice grip. On the front side of the speaker, there are 3 control buttons – volume controls and play/pause button (you can also use it to answer and end calls). What makes this speaker really interesting are ports at the back. On the rear panel, right at the bottom, you will see built-in mic, mode button (for shifting between Bluetooth, AUX, SD card, and FM radio), battery indicator, power switch, 3.5mm port, charging port, and SD card slot. Thanks to so many ports, you can stream the music directly from SD card, or from any non-Bluetooth device.

Soundcore mini has one 5W speaker and one passive bass radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

This is one of the smallest speakers on the market, it’s half the size of an average palm so you can take it with you wherever you go. You can even put it in your pocket. It is 2.6 inches tall, and it has 2.6 inches diameter. It weighs only 7.6 ounces. It’s super-small and very portable.

Design

Although it is very much affordable, this one looks premium in every possible way and it doesn’t look cheap at all. It is shaped like a cylinder, and it looks very stylish. When you combine the look with the size, you will get one really cute, nice-looking speaker. Soundcore mini is available in 4 colors – black, gold, gray, pink.

Durability

The speaker is completely made of aluminum, so you can expect it to last very long. This one is truly durable, it can survive heavy use without any problem, and it could probably survive some beating, too. There is one small flaw regarding durability, but we will talk about that in ‘’Things we don’t like’’ section.

Connectivity and compatibility

Soundcore mini features Bluetooth V4.0 technology with EDR. The advertised Bluetooth range is 66ft. The Bluetooth range is slightly shorter in reality (around 50ft), and if you stay within some 20-30ft range, you won’t experience any connection related issues. Pairing is very simple, and it starts the moment you turn on the speaker. We haven’t experienced any compatibility issues and we used Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S8) and iPhone 8. The speaker also features 3.5mm port so you can connect any non-Bluetooth device (mp3 or mp4 player) to the speaker and play music from different sources.

Battery

Inside this small speaker, there is pretty large 1,800mAh Lithium-Ion battery which offers up to 15 hours of playtime at 80% volume. Recharge takes approximately 3 hours.

Micro SD card slot and FM radio

These are two functions that you can’t usually find in a mini speaker. If your phone dies, or Bluetooth doesn’t work, you always have the option to insert SD card or play some radio station. The only problem is that you will never know what song is playing or what station you are listening to since there is no display.

Speakerphone

Built-in mic works better than on many other mini Bluetooth speakers. You will hear the person you are talking with perfectly clear and the person will hear your voice like you are talking from some distance but the voice on the other end will be very much understandable. You can also make calls through the speaker thanks to Siri and Google Now integration.

Sound quality

Soundcore mini offers surprisingly good, well-balanced sound. The bass is not overwhelming (which is often the case with small speakers), it’s pretty strong and punchy for such a small speaker, mids are articulate, and highs are pretty clean. Even at high volume, there is no distortion. For this price, you can’t go wrong with the Soundcore mini.

 Things we don’t like

Not waterproof

This is the only downside of this speaker, so you should be careful when you are outside, especially if you bring it with you to the pool or to the beach. If you don’t expose it to water, then you can be assured that this little thing will serve you well for a very long time.

13. EasyAcc Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker

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If you liked the previous speaker, you will definitely like this one, too. It's very similar to the Anker Soundcore mini, but it looks cheaper, and it is, in fact, cheaper. You will get the same additional functions like with Soundcore mini, but the performance and durability will be slightly worse. Soundcore mini is definitely better option than this one, but if you are not prepared to pay for the better option you can buy significantly cheaper product, and still get decent quality.

  What’s in the box

EasyAcc Mini speaker comes in a simple cardboard box, and along with the speaker you will get AUX cable with 3.5mm jacks, charging cord (USB to mini USB), quick start guide, and 1-year warranty.

This is another upwards facing speaker (just like Soundcore mini), but this one doesn’t have protective aluminum mesh on the top and the driver is more exposed and more vulnerable. The speaker is enclosed with some kind of glossy metal alloy, although it feels plasticky. The controls and ports are on the black panel near the bottom. You will find there 4 buttons – mode button (for shifting between Bluetooth, AUX, FM, and micro SD card), play/pause button (which is also used as handsfree button), – button (you can press it once to play the previous song, and press and hold to decrease the volume), and + button (press it once to skip track, and press and hold to increase the volume). At the back, on the same panel you will find built-in mic, 3.5mm port, micro SD card slot, charging port, and ON/OFF switch.

EasyAcc mini speaker has only one 3W active driver with a small passive radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is, just like the previous one, very small and portable. It can easily fit your bag or even your pocket. It is 2.2 inches tall and it has 2.5 inches diameter. The speaker weighs 9.2 ounces which is slightly heavier than we expected, but that's probably because of the metal casing.

Design

As we’ve already said, this speaker is very similar to Soundcore mini, it has the same cylindrical shape, the same functions, but the casing of EasyAcc mini looks kind of cheaper – it’s shiny and sleek, and we definitely like Anker’s speaker more. But this one doesn’t look that bad, and it is likable. The speaker is available in 3 colors – blue, red, and titanium black.

Connectivity and compatibility

EasyAcc features Bluetooth 4.0. Bluetooth range is 20-30ft. The pairing process is simple and very quick. It functions just like with any other Bluetooth speaker. We haven’t experienced any connection losses or interference within the Bluetooth range. There were no compatibility issues and we tried to pair it with Android phone and with iPhone.

Battery

This is the main and the most important difference between Soundcore mini and EasyAcc. While Soundcore mini has pretty large battery which offers up to 15 hours of playtime, EasyAcc offers up to 4-5 hours of playtime, which is significantly shorter playtime. The battery is the biggest deal-breaker for this speaker, and it is on the verge of being unacceptable, but considering the price, it's not that bad.

Micro SD card slot and FM radio

These features are always a plus, especially for this kind of speaker (very small and very cheap). If your phone dies, or if you are having troubles using Bluetooth, you can play the music directly from the SD card, or you can turn on the radio (in case you want to use it as a radio you have to attach the charging cord and use it as an antenna). The negative thing is that you will never know what song is being played or which station you are listening to because there is no display.

Speakerphone

The built-in mic is not great but it's usable. You will have to be close to the speaker in order for the person on the other side to hear you clearly, but for the price, you can’t get much better experience.

Sound quality

EasyAcc delivers pretty loud sound for its size. You can't expect strong and punchy bass or crisp clean highs. The sound is relatively well-balanced with small amount of distortion at high volume. The sound is satisfying, but there is a lot of room for improvement. Of course, that would make this speaker much more expensive.

 Things we don’t like

Durability and waterproofness

EasyAcc looks and feels kind of cheap and it doesn’t seem durable enough. Maybe we are mistaken after all – the casing is made of metal, but we don’t think this one will survive heavy use for more than a year (and that’s maybe ok considering the price). The speaker is also not waterproof and you should take care of it, especially if you are going to use it outdoors.

14. Rokono G10 BASS+ Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker

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Rokono G10 Bass+ is another affordable mini speaker. Rokono is an audio company that produces only mini speakers. Rokono pays much attention to design, and this unique speaker is perfect example of that kind of approach. Since it is really small, you can’t expect some great performance and big sound, but you can get something slightly stronger and louder than your phone or your laptop speaker.

 What’s in the box

Rokono G10 comes in a premium packaging which looks really nice. Inside the packaging, you will find your G10 mini speaker with built-in audio cable (not detachable), audio extension cord (3.5mm jacks, male to female), charging cord, splash-proof carrying bag, user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The speaker is shaped like a ball, it is completely made of plastic, with rubber finish and Rokono logo on top of the speaker. The driver is located on top of the speaker, and it's not protected with aluminum mesh, but only with two small plastic bars (so it's more vulnerable). At the bottom of the speaker, there is small plastic ON/OFF switch, multifunction button (you can use it to play/pause songs, increase/decrease volume, or play the previous track/skip track), and charging port. Right at the bottom, there is short audio cable with 3.5mm jack. The audio cable is not removable which is kind of a downside, but you can wrap it around the bottom so it won't stand in your way.

Inside Rokono G10, there is one small 40mm large driver (output power of 3W) with small passive bass radiator. G10 also features expandable bass chamber which should provide better bass response. You don't have to expand the speaker in order to use it, only if you want to get a little bit more bass (although there is no much difference between expanded and non-expanded version).

 Things we like

Dimensions

G10 mini speaker is very small, it can easily fit your bag or your pocket since it is smaller than a palm. The speaker is 3 inches tall, and its diameter is 3.9 inches. It is very lightweight (only 3 ounces).

Design

The speaker is very likable. It’s visually appealing, and it looks almost like a toy. It is obvious that Rokono pays attention to details, we only wish they paid a little bit more attention to performance.

Connectivity and compatibility

Rokono doesn’t provide info on Bluetooth version, but based on our experience, pairing is simple and it starts immediately when you turn on the speaker. Bluetooth range is shorter than standard 33ft, so you might want to stay within 15ft range. Speaker can be paired with any Android phone or iPhone, iPad, PC, etc. Even if you have non-Bluetooth device there is always audio cable.

Battery

The speaker has pretty decent battery which offers up to 8 hours of playtime at 50% volume, but since 50% is too quiet for most people, you will get approximately 3-4 hours at maximum volume. Recharge takes 3 hours.

Sound quality

You won’t get impressive sound with G10 mini speaker. This speaker is slightly louder than the speaker on iPhone 8, so if you are happy with this kind of loudness you will be happy with G10. The sound is far from perfect, bass is kind of shallow, and when you expand the speaker you will get small improvement. Bass is the biggest disappointment especially because there is Bass + in the name of this speaker. Bass won’t be strong and punchy, so don’t expect too much. Mids are pretty good and articulate, highs lack some authority, and there is noticeable distortion at maximum volume.

 Things we don’t like

Durability, construction quality, and waterproofness

The whole speaker is made of plastic so it looks fragile. You have to be careful when trying to expand the speaker because expandable bass chamber doesn’t seem strong and durable. The speaker is not waterproof, so be careful if you are going to use it outdoors.

Multifunction control button

There is only one control button for all the commands, so you will need some time to learn how to use it, and even then, you can easily change the song while trying to increase or decrease the volume.

15. Best for Recreational Cycling – Sony XB10

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Sony is one of the big players on the market that always has enough resources to compete in every game, and it’s no surprise to see Sony mini Bluetooth speaker on this list. We will present to you their smallest speaker from the ‘’Extra Bass’’ series – XB10. This tiny speaker reminds us in many ways of Anker Soundcore mini – they offer similar performance and features, and since you know that Soundcore mini is one of our favorites, it’s no surprise that we really loved Sony XB10. This is, along with previously mentioned Anker’s mini speaker one of the best choices if you are searching for something super-small.

 What’s in the box

Sony XB10 comes in a nicely designed small box, and inside this box, you will find only charging cord, user guide, and 1-year warranty (you won’t get audio cable although there is 3.5mm port on the speaker.

The speaker is shielded with rubber and has a nice grip. Black aluminum mesh covers the top and protects the driver, and at the bottom, there are four ports designed to allow air to flow and provide better bass response. At the top, there is also small silicone strap which can come in handy in many situations and it is really nice detail. All the controls and ports are located near the bottom of the speaker – there is LED charging indicator, play/pause button (also used for answering/ending calls, and for skipping songs), ADD button (in case you have two XB10 speakers and you want to connect them and get louder sound), + and – buttons (volume controls), and power button. Above these control buttons there is NFC tag (tap this tag if you have Android device to connect faster), and under the control buttons, there is built-in mic. In-line with controls, there is small rubber gasket which protects 3.5mm port and charging port. Between these two ports, there is also small reset button.

Inside Sony XB10, there is one 2 inches large driver (with 5W of output power) faced upwards, and one passive bass radiator faced downwards.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is very small, smaller than Pepsi can. It is 3.6 inches tall with 2.96 inches diameter, and it weighs 9.17 ounces. It is slightly larger than its direct rival Soundcore mini, but still really small and lightweight.

Design

Sony did really good job designing this small thing, it looks really nice, it’s sporty and elegant at the same time. All in all, we have no complaints regarding the looks. The speaker is available in 4 colors – black, blue, gray, and red.

Durability, construction quality, and IPX5 waterproof rating

This is one more department where XB10 excels. The speaker looks and feels sturdy and compact like it could survive all the rigors of everyday use. It's not shockproof, but we don’t think that one fall would damage it (but don’t test it). The speaker has IPX5 rating which means it’s water resistant (will survive small water jets from any direction) so light rain won't damage it, but it can't survive submersion in water (be careful if you bring it with you to the pool).

 Connectivity and compatibility

XB10 features Bluetooth 4.2 which allows pairing with all Bluetooth devices within 33ft, but you should stay within 20ft range if you want unhindered playback. Pairing starts the moment you turn on the speaker, it’s pretty simple and smooth. We haven’t experienced any compatibility issues – the speaker works fine with Android and Apple devices. If you have non-Bluetooth device you can connect it via 3.5mm audio cable (which you have to buy separately).

NFC function

This is nice additional feature that makes pairing process even quicker. You just tap the NFC logo on the speaker with your phone and you are connected in a second. Not all mini speakers have this function (many of them don’t) so we have to praise the manufacturer here.

Connect two XB10 speakers

If you have two XB10 speakers, you can connect them by pressing ADD button on both of them simultaneously. You can choose whether you want them to play the same source or to act as left and right speaker (stereo). When two speakers are connected into a system, one will be ‘’master’’ and the other will be ‘’slave’’, which means that you will control the volume (and playback) with only one speaker (called ‘’master’’ speaker).

Battery

Sonny doesn’t provide info on battery capacity, but we can say it’s pretty large and it offers 16 hours of playtime at 50% volume (7-8 hours at maximum volume), and recharge takes 4 hours.

Speakerphone function

Speakerphone functions pretty good, you can understand the person you are talking with perfectly, but your voice will sound like you are talking from afar.

Sound quality

It’s not easy to choose what’s the best feature, but we think it’s this one. XB10 offers incredibly clean and balanced sound for such a small speaker (you must have in mind that we are talking about sound quality of a speaker compared to its size). Bass is strong and punchy but not overwhelming, and it doesn’t get distorted at high volume. Mids are full and rich, and highs are pretty clean, although not perfect.

 Things we don’t like

No backward button

XB10 doesn’t have backward button so you can’t play the previous song unless you use your phone. There is also no forward button but you can skip to the next song by pressing play/pause button twice.

Price

Don’t get this wrong. This is definitely not an expensive speaker it’s just a little bit more expensive than Soundcore mini, and this can be deal-breaker for some people.

16. Marsboy Portable Bluetooth Speaker

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Marsboy is one of those companies that make all kinds of electronic devices. You don’t usually expect from that kind of company to make good speakers because it’s not specialized in making audio equipment, but just like those famous companies (Bose, JBL, etc.) can make a disappointing device, these unspecialized companies can surprise you and make some really good piece of audio equipment. Marsboy portable Bluetooth speaker is definitely great example. It is one of the smallest and cheapest mini Bluetooth speakers on the market, and yet, it is very good, probably better than JBL GO which costs twice as much.

 What’s in the box

Marsboy mini Bluetooth speaker comes in a small and simple box along with charging cord, user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The speaker is extremely simple, the housing is made of some kind of metal alloy, and the upper side is shielded with sturdy aluminum grille which protects the drivers. The bottom of the speaker is rubberized, so the speaker will be stable and won’t move while playing. On the front panel, there is only power button and nothing else, and at the rear panel, you will find only charging port. There are no additional control buttons (no volume controls, no track management buttons, literally just power button).

Inside Marsboy mini speaker, there is one small upwards facing 4W driver and passive bass radiator.  

 Things we like

Dimensions

As we’ve said, Marsboy is truly mini– it’s 1.9 inches wide and deep, and 2 inches tall. It is also one of the lightest speakers on the market – it weighs only 3.8 ounces. You can easily take it with you wherever you go, it can easily fit your pocket.

Design

Marsboy looks really elegant and simple. It’s more minimalistic than any other speaker on the list. We have maybe said for some of the previous speakers on the list that they look minimalistic, but this one is the perfect example of minimalism. If you are into flashy colors, then you should maybe look elsewhere because this one is available only in black and white.

Durability and construction quality

The speaker is made mostly of aluminum alloy. It feels and looks very compact and durable. There were no complaints regarding durability in the past, so you can be sure that this one is made to last.

Connectivity and compatibility

Marsboy features Bluetooth 4.0. Advertised Bluetooth range is 50ft. In reality, it is slightly shorter if there are no obstacles, and it is 25-30ft if there are obstacles, so you should stay close to the speaker if you want a playback without interruptions. Pairing is extremely simple and it takes just a few seconds. Compatibility is not an issue – you can stream music from any Android phone or iPhone. You can’t connect non-Bluetooth devices because there is no 3.5mm port.

Battery

The battery is one of the good things about this speaker, although Marsboy company made some false statements about battery in the past. Marsboy claimed that they the speaker has 1,800mAh battery, while the real capacity was 1,000mAh (which is also very good battery for such a small speaker). The battery offers up to 9 hours of playtime (at 75% volume). Recharge takes 3 hours.

Sound quality

This is the best feature of this mini speaker. Marsboy is really loud for its size (louder than many pricier speakers). It offers incredibly clean sound with nice balance between lows, mids, and highs. Vocals are super-clean, even at high volume. Bass is not really strong but it’s present and it’s never overwhelming. There is almost no distortion even at maximum volume. Marsboy really offers great sound for its size, and if you are not prepared to spend more than $20, this is one of the best options.

 Things we don’t like

Not waterproof

Although it seems durable, Marsboy is not waterproof, and you should take good care of it, especially if you are going to use it outdoors.

Controls

If you like having more control buttons on the speaker, this one is not for you. You will have to use your phone if you want to change the track or if you want to adjust the volume. Also, if you want a speaker with a built-in mic and speakerphone function, you won’t be happy with this speaker. Marsboy is made only for listening to music, and if you want any additional feature, you should look elsewhere.

17. Best Mini Bluetooth Shower Speaker Under $30 – iFox iF012

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iFox Creations is small, family-run audio equipment company. iFox makes only Bluetooth speakers and headphones, and we are presenting to you their newest Bluetooth shower speaker iF012. Just like SoundBot SB510 that we previously reviewed, iF012 is meant to be used in the shower, and we are going to make some comparisons between these two during this review. iF012 is one of the best shower speakers under $30, and during this review, you will see why,

 What’s in the box

iF012 comes in a simple plastic box (packaging is not impressive considering the premium look of the speaker, but there are some more important things than presentation). Along with the speaker, you will get only charging cord, short user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The speaker looks premium, it gives the impression that it is more expensive than it really is. The casing is made of ABS, which is a good choice because ABS can withstand high temperature (you are going to use the speaker in the shower, so this is really important). There is big suction cup at the back, so you can stick it on your bathroom wall or shower glass. All the controls are on the front panel – in the middle, there is play/pause button, On the left side, there is backward/volume down button, and on the right side, there is forward/volume up button. At the top of the control panel, you will see power button, and at the bottom, there is handsfree button (for answering/ending calls and accessing Siri).

Inside iF012, there is one active driver with output power of 3W.

 Things we like

Dimensions

Just like all the other speakers, this one is really small – it’s 2.6 inches deep (or tall, depending on the position) with 3.4 inches diameter. It weighs approximately 7.5 ounces, so it’s pretty lightweight.

Design

iF012 looks premium and very elegant thanks to its black color with golden details and glossy finish. It’s available in only one color, so there is no choice – you either like it or not.

Durability, construction quality, and IP67 rating

The speaker looks compact and sturdy. It is completely waterproof and dustproof, and that’s the main reason why you can use it in the shower, but you can also take it with you to the beach or to the pool. The speaker is not shockproof, which would be really useful (suction cup gets weaker during time and if the speaker falls of your bathroom wall it can get damaged).

Connectivity and compatibility

The speaker features Bluetooth V3.0. Pairing is very simple and it starts the moment you turn on the speaker. If you want to disconnect your device, you can press and hold the phone button for three seconds, and then connect any other device. The manufacturer claims that the Bluetooth range is 33ft. In reality, it's much shorter (15-20ft), but you shouldn't be having problems if you leave your phone in front of the bathroom doors. The speaker is compatible with Android phones, iPhones, iPads, PCs, etc. There is no 3.5mm port so you won’t be able to connect any non-Bluetooth device.

Battery

iF012 has not so large 650mAh battery which offers up to 6 hours of playtime at 80% volume, which is not bad for a shower speaker. Recharge takes 3 hours.

Sound quality

This speaker offers decent sound quality. The sound is far from perfect – it’s satisfying for a Bluetooth shower speaker. The bass is tiny, while the vocals are pretty clean. Highs tend to be muddy at maximum volume, so we don’t recommend cranking the volume up to the maximum.

 Things we don’t like

Track management and volume buttons

Lack of 2 buttons is not a big issue, but it can be annoying. Even when you master the controls, you can accidentally change the track when trying to increase/decrease the volume.

Suction cup

Some customers (not many, though) complained about suction cup being not strong enough, and it happened on couple occasions that the speaker got damaged because of the cup. The suction cup should be strong enough to hold the speaker stuck on the bathroom wall.

Built-in mic and speakerphone function

The built-in mic is close to being completely useless. You can answer calls while you are in the shower and you can hear the person on the other side talking to you, but when you talk, the person on the other side won’t be able to understand you properly. Your voice on the other end will be muffled and difficult to understand.

18. APIE Portable Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

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APIE is another generic brand from China. APIE company makes only headphones and speakers, at least that’s what APIE’s website says. This small Bluetooth speaker we are going to present to you is the most popular product made by APIE (at least, for now), and based on our experience, it is one of the best mini speakers on the market. Speaker can be used outdoors because of IPX6 water resistant rating, so it is great option for hiking, biking, camping, or any other outdoor activity,

 What’s in the box

APIE portable speaker comes in a small and simple box, and along with the speaker, you will get AUX cord with 3.5mm jacks on both ends, charging cord, user guide, and 6-month warranty (you can buy prolonged warranty and we advise you to do so, just to be safe).

The speaker is made of plastic with rubber finish. There is a lot of rubber parts and edges are additionally reinforced. The front and back are covered with protective aluminum grille, which is really sturdy and inflexible. All the control buttons are on the top. You will find there 5 buttons – power button, play/pause button, mode button (you can use it to shift between Bluetooth and AUX mode, but also for answering/ending calls), and two volume control buttons. On the left side of the speaker, there is small rubber flap which protects 3.5mm port and charging port. Above the rubber flap, in the upper left corner, there is metal carabiner so you can hook your speaker to your backpack or wherever you like.

Inside APIE mini speaker, there are two 5W active drivers (front panel), and one passive subwoofer (rear panel).

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is very small, it’s not like it can fit your pocket, but still very much portable. It’s 5.9 inches wide, 2.7 inches tall, and 1.7 inches deep. It weighs 11.4 ounces, so it’s not as lightweight as Marsboy or XB10, but it is still far from being heavy.

Design

APIE is shaped as classic boombox, but all the rubber reinforcements and green color (which is the only color available) give to this speaker some kind of military vibe.

Durability, construction quality, and IPX6 rating

APIE looks strong and compact. We’ve already mentioned reinforcements which really make this speaker rugged and capable of withstanding heavy use. The speaker is also water resistant (IPX6 water resistant rating means it can survive strong water jets, but not submersion).

Connectivity and compatibility

APIE features Bluetooth 4.0. Pairing is simple and takes a few seconds. We haven’t experienced any compatibility problems, so you can easily pair it with any Android phone, iPhone, iPad, PC, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Bluetooth range is shorter than 30ft, probably some 20ft in reality. Also, if you have some non-Bluetooth device, you can use aux cable and aux-in port to connect your device with the speaker.

Battery

This speaker has pretty large rechargeable Li-Ion battery (with 2,200mAh rated capacity) which offers up to 8 hours of playtime at 75% volume. Recharge takes approximately 4 hours.

Micro SD card slot

You might not use this function at all, but it’s nice to know that you always have a backup option in case your phone battery dies or you are having problems connecting phone and speaker via Bluetooth.

Sound quality

APIE offers decent sound quality, it’s nothing extraordinary, but it’s definitely much better than a speaker on any phone. The sound is well-balanced, bass is present but it's not impressive, vocals are pretty clean, and there is noticeable distortion at high and low end when listening to music at high volume.

 Things we don’t like

Built-in mic and speakerphone function

This speaker has built-in mic, which is not really useful, since you really have to be close to the speaker so the person on the other end could hear you clearly, and that’s not really the purpose of a speakerphone. You should be able to talk from at least 3ft distance to consider it useful.

19. Best Mini Bluetooth Speaker for Hiking – JBL Clip 2

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As we said earlier, it’s not a surprise to see more than one JBL speaker on the list, especially when talking about small portable speakers. JBL Clip 2 is one of the smallest JBL speakers and it is designed for outdoor use (IPX7 waterproof rating, strong metal carabiner, rugged design) but it can be used inside, too. Build quality and battery are its best features, but the sound could be a little bit better.

 What’s in the box

JBL Clip 2 comes in a stylish box (as you already know, JBL always works hard on presentation), and along with the speaker, you will get charging cord, user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The whole front panel is protected with recognizable waterproof fabric (you can find it on any JBL waterproof speaker – Flip 4, Charge 3, etc.), and the housing is made of silicone or rubber. At the bottom, you will find short built-in aux cord with 3.5mm gold plated jack. The cord is wrapped around the speaker and can be hitched to the bottom of the speaker when not in use. On the left side, there are Bluetooth/pairing button (you have to press it to start the pairing process – pairing doesn’t start the moment you turn on the speaker), power button, and between these two buttons, there is small flap which protects the charging port. On the right side there are three buttons – 2 volume control buttons, and handsfree button, which is, in fact, multifunction button which can be used to play/pause songs (single press), skip the track (press twice), activate Siri or Google Now (press and hold), or answer/end calls. You can’t go to the previous track (nothing happens when you press the handsfree buttons three times) and that’s a small flaw. At the top of Clip 2, there is very strong orange carabiner which implies that the speaker is made for outdoor use.

Inside Clip 2, there is one 40mm active driver (output power of 3W).

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is super small and can fit average palm. Speaker’s diameter is 5.5 inches, it is 1.7 inches deep, and it weighs 6.5 ounces.

Design

Like all the JBL’s speakers, JBL Clip 2 is visually appealing. It is round shaped and it’s made of high-quality materials – the moment you see it, you can tell that it costs more than other mini speakers. JBL always offers wide variety of different colors and color combinations (editions), so you can choose between black, blue, camo, gray, Malta, mosaic, red, and turquoise.  

Durability, construction quality, and IPX7 waterproof rating

The speaker is well-made, it is compact and looks very sturdy. JBL Clip 2 has IPX7 rating, which means it is completely waterproof (can survive submersion up to 1m for up to 30min), and the best thing is that it floats, so if you accidentally drop it into the pool, it won’t go straight to the bottom. All in all, this little thing can survive heavy use during long periods of time without any problem.

Connectivity and compatibility

Clip 2 features Bluetooth 4.2. Pairing is very simple, but it doesn’t start automatically and you have to press Bluetooth button to get into the pairing mode. Once you pair your phone and your new speaker, the connection is very stable, there are no interference or cutting out. Bluetooth range is approximately 30ft. We haven’t experienced any compatibility issues – the speaker works just fine with any Android phone or iPhone. If you want to connect some non-Bluetooth device, you can connect it via built-in audio cable.

Connect two JBL Clip 2 speakers into a system

If you have two JBL Clip 2 speakers, you can connect them and get stronger and louder sound (JBL calls that Daisy chain). Connecting two speakers is very simple – you should first connect one speaker to your phone, then turn on the other speaker, and press and hold Bluetooth button on both speakers for five seconds. After that, you are ready to go.

Battery

Clip 2 has rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with capacity of 730mAh. The battery offers up to 8 hours of playtime at 75% volume. At 100% volume, you will get 4-4.5 hours of playtime. Recharge takes 2-3 hours.

Sound quality

Well, we can’t really say that we love the sound that Clip 2 offers. It’s not bad and it is definitely better than any phone speaker, but it’s not amazing for its size. There are definitely some cheaper and better options in terms of sound quality on this list. The bass is decent, it’s not booming or overwhelming although it gets distorted at high volume. Vocals sound very good, the mid-range is articulate, and highs lack some crispness.

 Things we don’t like

No battery status indicator

This could be an issue for some people – there is no way to know current battery status. You have only one LED indicator which will turn red when the battery is low. On the positive side, if you have an iPhone, you can see battery status in the notifications list (you can see the exact percentage).

Price

Clip 2 is not really that expensive (you can usually find it for less than $60), but it’s still more expensive than some other similar speakers. This one is probably more rugged and durable than the others, but some of those other speakers offer louder and better sound.

20. VicTsing Bluetooth Shower Speaker

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VicTsing is another young company on the market. It was founded in 2012, and it is specialized in audio equipment. We decided to present to you VicTsing Bluetooth shower speaker, which is the third shower speaker on this list, so you can compare it with previously mentioned iF012 and SB510 and decide which one is best for you, based on price, features, and performance. VicTsing costs less than $25, so it is cheaper than iF012 but more expensive than SB510. If you want to find out more about features and performance, keep reading this review.

 What’s in the box

VicTsing comes in a simple cardboard packaging along with micro USB charging cord, removable suction cup and carabiner, user guide, and 1-year warranty.

The speaker is made of plastic which is completely covered with protective layer of silicone. The front panel is completely covered with protective aluminum grille. You can attach the suction cup to the back and stick the speaker on your bathroom wall, shower glass, or a mirror. You can also use the speaker outside – simply remove the suction cup, attach the carabiner, and hook the speaker to your backpack or wherever you want. All the controls are located on the side of the speaker. On the left side, there are volume up/forward button, power button, and rubber flap that protects the charging port. On the right side, there are volume down/backward button, and play/pause button (which is also handsfree button).

Inside this mini shower speaker, there is one small 5W active driver and passive bass radiator.

 Things we like

Dimensions

The speaker is small and lightweight – its diameter is 5 inches, it is 2.2 inches deep, and it weighs 7.36 ounces, so it won’t be a problem to take it with you wherever you go.

Design

VicTsing is another speaker shaped like a hockey puck. It looks more sporty than stylish because of the silicone cover, and it is obtainable in 3 colors – army green, gray, and blue.

Durability, construction quality, and IPX4 rating

The speaker is very compact and very rugged. It feels and looks like it can take some beating. It has IPX4 splash-proof rating, which means that you can use it in the shower, but it won’t survive submersion because it is not completely waterproof, so you will still have to be very careful. Another good thing about this speaker is that even if it falls off your bathroom wall it won't get damaged because it's very rugged.

Connectivity and compatibility

VicTsing features Bluetooth 3.0. Pairing is simple and it starts when you turn on the speaker. Bluetooth range is shorter than standard 33ft – you should probably stay within 15ft range to ensure stable connection. We haven’t experienced any problems regarding connection quality within this range. The speaker is compatible with Android and Apple devices, PCs, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The speaker doesn’t have 3.5mm port, so you won’t be able to connect non-Bluetooth devices.

Battery

The battery is rather small – its capacity is 500mAh and it offers up to 6 hours of playtime at 70% volume, and some 4 hours at maximum volume. Recharge takes 3 hours.

Built-in mic and speakerphone function

Unlike iF012 and SB510, built-in mic on VicTsing really works. It’s far from perfect, your voice still sounds like you are talking from afar but it’s very much understandable, and that’s what matters.

Sound quality

In terms of sound quality, this is the best Bluetooth shower speaker on this list. The main reason is relatively strong 5W active driver (while SoundBot SB510 and iFox iF012 have 3W drivers). VicTsing produces significantly louder sound than other shower speakers, and you don’t even have to crank the volume up to the maximum to hear it. Bass is present, it’s pretty strong but not overwhelming, and mids and highs are pretty clean. Bass can get just a little bit distorted at high volume.

 Things we don’t like

Control buttons

There are two things we would like to say about control buttons. Some might find these things annoying, and some will be ok with the control buttons since these are not really big issues. First of all, the position of the buttons is a little bit awkward – they are all located on the rim, so you don’t really see what you are pressing and that’s not great when you are in the shower. Second, you have to press and hold power button for a really long time to turn the speaker on, and we don’t see a reason for that,

When and where you could use your mini Bluetooth speaker?

Mini Bluetooth speakers are used in many different situations. Some of these speakers are made for outdoor use (waterproof, rugged, compact, sturdy), some are specially designed for showering (waterproof with silicone suction cups), and some are designed only for indoor use (and you can use them outside when the weather is nice – they are not waterproof and they are usually made of plastic). The market is literally flooded with different types of mini Bluetooth speakers, and finding the right one for you demands some time and some research. Our list is designed to help you with your choice – we have offered you more than a few options for every purpose, and hopefully, made your research much easier. You should try to find one speaker that could be used on more than one occasion – this is probably more expensive option, but it is much smarter than having two or three different mini speakers for different purposes.

What kind of sound quality and loudness should you expect?

Most of these speakers are really small and have small drivers, so you shouldn’t expect great sound quality and loudness. Some of these speakers might be surprisingly loud and powerful for their size, but that doesn’t mean they can compete with some powerful large speakers. Some of the speakers from the list, especially those you can’t put in your pocket, offer excellent sound quality and loudness, but still, don’t expect perfect audio separation, great balance between lows, mids, and highs, or incredibly strong bass. You can be very much surprised by what you get, but you have to know what is possible and what is not, and getting absolutely perfect sound from small speakers is not possible.

Recommended Reading: 10 Best Wireless Speakers for TV

Additional features that could come in handy

The most common additional feature is speakerphone. Some people don’t like using it for answering calls, but some really like doing that, so we’ve tried to mention if the speaker has this additional feature, and you can make your decision based on that info. Some speakers have also USB ports or micro SD slots, and they can stream music from any USB stick or micro SD card. Some speakers (only a few) have USB charging port, so you can charge your phone in case your battery dies. This port is not a common feature because mini speakers don’t have large batteries, so it’s already a big challenge powering the speaker itself, and charging one more device would be too much. One more additional feature that you can find only on more expensive speakers (like JBL or UE) is possibility of pairing two or more speakers into a system in order to get louder sound.

Influence of Bluetooth version on power consumption and Bluetooth range

The Bluetooth version is incredibly important for power consumption and range. All the 4.x versions (4.0, 4.1, 4.2) use Low Energy Protocol, which enables much smaller power consumption than all the previous versions (10 times smaller). As a result of this new feature, speakers with Bluetooth V4.x have longer playtime. So, if you have two same speakers with the same battery, and if one of them features Bluetooth V3.0 and the other features V4.x, the one with V4.x will last much longer. A similar rule applies to the range – every new Bluetooth version brought some new features which improved the Bluetooth range, and the last one (V5.0 which just came out) offers incredible range of up to 800ft, but only under certain circumstances (outdoors and if there are no obstacles).

How much should you pay?

Well, this depends on many factors. First, it depends on how much money do you have. If you are prepared to spend more than $150 on this kind of speaker, then you can stop reading this section. If you are trying to save some money and still get decent quality, let’s discuss some prices. If you want a speaker made by some popular manufacturer like JBL, Bose, or Sony, then you will have to pay more than $50, and the price can go well over $100.

Of course, there are even more expensive Bluetooth speakers, but our honest opinion is that paying more than $100 (or $150) is simply too much. If you don’t care about the brand, then you can buy good-quality speaker for $30-$40, and if you want one of those really small speakers, you can find some for $20 or less. As you can see, you don’t have to splash some incredible amount of money on a mini Bluetooth speaker if you don’t want to, and our list is great example of that.