Which portable speakers are worth buying?

Contributing Reporter

UpdatedFri, September 19, 2014 at 6:36 PM UTC

While some people like to listen to their favorite music on a quality sound system with a set of high-end speakers or headphones, most people are just fine listening from a cheap headset or the built-in speakers on their phones. But what if you're somewhere in the middle, and want your music to be portable, but still sound great? Plenty of companies have stepped up to give you just that, releasing speakers that deliver solid highs and clear lows, all in a package that you can fit in a bag. There are too many out there for us to review ourselves here at Engadget, so we've pulled together reviews from sources we trust to help highlight some of the better recent options.

The Jambox is a big name in portable speakers, so we'd be remiss not to mention it. But what if it's just a little too big for you? Well, Jawbone has got you covered with the Mini Jambox, packing the solid sound of the Jambox into a smaller, 6-inch form factor with audio that *Mashable* calls "surprisingly good," and we found it "improved" on the original with "smoother sonic waves." While *PC Mag* was disappointed by the "less-than-room-filling" volume, *The New York Times* notes that it's at least "much richer, crisper and louder than the feeble speakers on your phone, tablet or laptop."

Price: $88 and up

The Sound Blaster brand has a long history of quality audio, so it's not surprising that Creative would attach the name to its latest portable speaker. The Roar SR20 is "refined, elegant and would look sharp almost anywhere in the home," according to *TechRadar*. You can even take it out of your home: *Computer Shopper* notes it's "relatively easy to transport," with a battery life that *Pocket-Lint* says "lasts up to eight hours." Of course, you wouldn't take it anywhere if it didn't sound good, and *Android Police* finds that the SR20's "lows are deep and rich; mids are very pronounced; and highs are a well-blended part of the mix."

Price: $150

The Soundfreaq Pocket Kick certainly lives up to the first part of its name: measuring just shy of six inches across, *iLounge* reports that it's "easy to slip into the front pocket of a pair of shorts," and won't take up "much room in many bags and purses." As for the "Kick" part of its name? Well, *iLounge* says it offers "solid lows" and the high-end performance "is crisp and powerful," and while the Pocket Kick is a bit lacking in the low end, *Android Police* finds unless you're a "bass freak," you'll probably be "very happy with the sound quality."

Price: $100

If low-end sound is important to you, the NYNE Bass definitely delivers what its name promises, with *CNET* taking note of its "strong bass performance" that sounds "fairly clean and is reasonably detailed." It's no slouch on the higher registers either, delivering "serious sculpting in the high-mids" according to *PC Mag*, and *Digital Trends* likes the "light and airy" treble. But that big sound comes at the expense of a small package: *CNET* says it's "not all that travel-friendly," while *PC Mag* finds it less of a pocket unit and more of a "throw-it-in-the-backseat-of-your-car" kind of speaker.

Price: $140 and up

Sony is a company known for classy design, and the diminutive SRS-X3 lives up to that reputation with a "straightforward and elegant" chassis that *CNET* says has a "nice, smooth-to-the-touch finish." The X3 also brings strong audio to match those looks, with *PC Mag* noting its "clear mids and highs" that sound "quite good." And though *CNET* reports "the bass isn't huge," the X3 still "manages to have some kick to it."

Price: $148 and up

If you like the clean styling and clear sound of the SRS-X3, but need big, room-filling sound, the Sony SRS-X5 has you covered. It might be a bit bigger than the X3, but *CNET* says you can still easily move it "from room to room." And *PC World Australia* adds that despite its "small footprint," the X5 is "surprisingly loud," though they also note that "signs of strain were evidenced during complex parts." Overall, *CNET* liked its "clean, relatively natural sound, particularly at more modest volume levels."

Price: $198

Good portable speakers tend to stick to a more classic, boxy form factor, but the Logitech X100 defies that trend with a "compact, hockey-puck-size" unit, as *CNET* calls it. The round X100 is small enough to slip into a pocket, and *TUAW* says it's covered in a "soft-feel polyurethane" that ensures the unit "will live through drops and bumps." While the non-water-resistant build means you won't be taking it to the beach, *MacLife* reports that its "impressively rich, clear sound" makes it great for "taking music on the road."

Price: $39 and up

The Logitech X300 has a little more to offer than its sibling X100, including a classic design that *GadgetMac* calls "tastefully modern" and "unique looking." Fans of Logitech's UE line will certainly appreciate it, as *PC Mag* claims it bears a "close visual resemblance" to products like the UE Boombox. It also aligns with the UE reputation for solid audio -- *iLounge* took note of its "balanced sound profile" and *PC Mag* says it offers "impressive sonic punch" that can "fill an entire room with sound."

Price: $63 and up

Beats has never been shy about size, producing big headphones that cover half your head while filling your ears with big bass. The Beats Pill XL takes that reputation and puts it into a 13-inch form factor. And while it's bigger than most speakers, our own Billy Steele still finds it "compact enough to tote along on a picnic or a day at the beach." In action, *TechCrunch* says the XL "really impresses in terms of audio performance," staying "clear and bright" despite bass that *Digital Trends* finds "overwhelming at close range."

Price: $300

1 / 9

Jawbone Mini Jambox

The Jambox is a big name in portable speakers, so we'd be remiss not to mention it. But what if it's just a little too big for you? Well, Jawbone has got you covered with the Mini Jambox, packing the solid sound of the Jambox into a smaller, 6-inch form factor with audio that Mashable calls "surprisingly good," and we found it "improved" on the original with "smoother sonic waves." While PC Mag was disappointed by the "less-than-room-filling" volume, The New York Times notes that it's at least "much richer, crisper and louder than the feeble speakers on your phone, tablet or laptop."

Price: $88 and up

Frank Spinillo contributed to this report.

About our ads

Trending:

Which portable speakers are worth buying?

Jawbone Mini Jambox

Follow Us