Portable Bluetooth speakers will never be able to reproduce the thumping power of a Sonos or Bose in-house system, but that doesn't mean you're stuck with a tinny sound that's barely audible.
Some Bluetooth speakers have plenty of punch—you just need to know which models to look out for.
Here are some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers you can buy today.
With incredible battery life (40 hours) and a monster maximum volume level (126 dB), The New Soundboks speaker (yes, that is the official name!) is powerful enough to fill a room or outdoor venue with music.
The IP65 waterproof rating means it will be fine when used in the rain, and it has inputs for both microphones and musical instruments (3.5mm and 6.35mm) in case you want to set up a karaoke session or use it for your band practice.
This isn't the speaker to buy if you want to throw it in your bag and travel; it clocks in at a hefty 33 pounds and is more than 30 inches tall and 20 inches wide.
- 126dB output
- Concert-level volume
- Swappable battery pack
- Brand: Soundboks
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 6.35mm jack, 3.5mm jack
- Battery: 40 hours
- Water Resistance: IP65
- Inputs for microphones and instruments
- Can link multiple speakers together for surround sound
- Can be paired wirelessly, unlike previous generations
- Too large to be easily portable
- Expensive
For those who want a larger Bose speaker than models like the SoundLink Mini II and SoundLink Color II, the S1 Pro might be the solution. It offers 110dB of output; that's more than enough to fill an outdoor event with sound, and it can even double as a PA system in case you want to make announcements or speeches over a microphone.
But it's the Bose touches that make the S1 Pro really stand out. For example, there are built-in sensors to make sure the sound is always as good as it can be, regardless of placement or orientation. You will also get access to a three-channel mixer and independent ToneMatch, reverb, and equalizer controls on two channels.
- 110dB ouput
- Support for musical instrument input
- Automatic equalizer
- Brand: Bose
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, XLR quarter-inch, 3.5mm jack
- Battery: 11 hours
- Water Resistance: None
- Works on AC and battery
- Independent ToneMatch, reverb, and EQ controls on two channels
- Three-channel mixer
- No water resistance
- No smart assistants
The Marshall Woburn II speaker is has a classic speaker design, yet on the inside, it boasts some of the latest technology available. That includes two one-inch tweets and two 5.25-inch subwoofers, as well as an amp, Bluetooth 5.0 aptX technology, and a frequency response of 30-20,000 hertz. All that comes together to provide 110 watts of power
It's not all rosy, however. The lack of a battery means the Marshall Woburn II is no good for beaches, camping trips, and other off-grid events (unless you also have a generator). There's also no microphone for hands-free phone calls, and it does not have support for Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri.
- Two one-inch tweeters
- Dual 5.25-inch subwoofers
- 110dB output
- Brand: Marshall Woburn
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
- Battery: Requires mains connection
- Water Resistance: None
- Incredible sound quality
- Physical bass and treble knobs
- Looks beautiful
- No battery, mains supply only
- Quite heavy
- No multi-directional sound
The Turtlebox Loud isn't a big speaker—it only measures 11.50 x 6.50 x 8.75 inches. However, it offers a volume level that surpasses almost all other portable Bluetooth speakers on the market.
At 120dB, the speaker will cut through the wind, rain, and other conditions. That, paired with an extremely rugged design and a sound frequency curve specifically designed for outdoor use, makes it a perfect speaker for adventures and outdoor events.
Because the Turtlebox Loud is rugged, it does have a bit of extra weight. At eight pounds, it's not onerous, but it's not something you're going to forget you're carrying either.
- 120dB ouput
- Massive 50 hours of battery life
- Highly rugged design
- Brand: Turtlebox
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Battery: 50 hours
- Water Resistance: IP67
- Can be paired for stereo sound
- Runs on AC or battery
- Sound frequency curve designed for outdoor use
- No smart assistants
- Heavier than average speakers
The Aiwa Exos-9 has five powered drivers, a 6.5-inch subwoofer, 200 watts of power output, and a five-band equalizer with four presets, all of which combine to produce an impressive 100dB of volume when the speaker is turned up to the max.
Indeed, it is the speaker's components that help it stand out. Aiwa openly admits it spends less on marketing and endorsements than its competitors, thus freeing up resources to improve its products.
And if you're planning to use an Aiwa Exos-9 at parties, you'll love the Bluetooth lock feature. It means you can either let anyone take over the music or enable a feature that will keep it paired with the current device indefinitely.
- 100dB ouput
- 200-watt speaker
- Integrated audio amplifier
- Brand: Aiwa
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
- Battery: 9 hours
- Water Resistance: None
- Wired and wireless connections supported
- Works on 120- and 240-volt power supplies
- EQ mode selector
- Battery life could be better
The audio quality of a Bose speaker is a given; the SoundLink Mini II is no different. However, this speaker also blows away similar-sized units with its volume. Despite only measuring 2.1 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches, the speaker produces 50W of power and 85dB of noise.
Having Siri and Google Assistant capabilities is also a big plus, but the lack of Alexa will undoubtedly leave some people feeling a bit disappointed. Of course, the big downside of the Bose SoundLink Mini II is the lack of water resistance.
Although it can withstand drops and heavy shocks, you won't want to be using it around the pool on vacation. Those who want water resistance should check out the Bose SoundLink Color II instead.
- Siri and Google Assistant support
- 50W speaker
- Built-in microphone
- Brand: Bose
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
- Integrations: Siri, Google Assistant
- Battery: 10 hours
- Water Resistance: None
- Very loud given small size
- 30-foot Bluetooth range
- Great design
- Bose-quality audio
- No water resistance
- No support for Amazon Alexa
Some Bluetooth speakers are more portable than others. If you want something you can throw in a rucksack but that still offers a powerful sound punch, check out the Anker Soundcore Boost.
The core design principle of the speaker is to improve the bass on your music. To that end, Anker has included its own proprietary BassUp technology. Combined with the dual drivers and twin subwoofers, the speaker possesses an impressive depth of sound given its size.
The IPX5 waterproof rating means it can withstand a spray of water from a hose or tap but cannot be fully submerged.
- Incredible bass
- Twin subwoofers for 20 watts of power
- Built-in microphone
- Brand: Anker
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC
- Battery: 10 hours
- Water Resistance: IPX5
- External USB port for phone charging
- NFC connectivity
- Waterproof
- No wireless stereo pairing
- Plain design
If you want to party anywhere, you're going to need a powerful outdoor speaker that can cut through the sound of wind and rain with ease. The Treblab HD77 fits the bill; with 25W of sound output in a 360-degree array, you can fire up this speaker anywhere to get people jumping.
Importantly, stereo output is supported—that's an essential feature for better music quality at parties. Just pair two TWS-enabled speakers together to get started.
Similarly, the IPX6 water rating is vital if you want to use the speaker outside; you don't want the party to end because of a bit of rain. The most significant reoccurring criticism from users is the battery-low warning sound. It starts at around 5 percent and won't stop until you are back above that level.
- Bluetooth 4.2
- 25W output
- 360-degree HD sound
- Bluetooth range of 33 feet
- Brand: Treblab
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX port
- Integrations: None
- Battery: 20 hours
- Water Resistance: IPX6
- Can be paired together for stereo playback
- Bass levels are excellent
- Shockproof
- Many accessories available
- Battery warning indicator is annoying
- Too many flashing lights can be distracting
FAQ
Q: Watts vs. Decibels: What's the Difference?
When looking for the loudest speaker, should you be considering watts or decibels?
Watts are important—they measure the power output of the amplifier in that speaker. However, it is the efficiency with which the amplifier converts the power into acoustic energy (the sound pressure level, expressed as decibels) that you need to keep an eye on.
Q: How Loud Is Loud?
The speakers we've looked at in the article all offer between about 80 and 120dBs of volume. But how loud is that in practical terms?
For comparison, heavy traffic on a highway is about 80dB, a motorbike is about 100dB, and a rock concert is around 120dB.
Q: I Need More Volume, What Should I Do?
If the speakers in this article do not meet your needs, you will be unlikely to find an alternative Bluetooth speaker that goes louder. You will probably need to turn to larger, wired equipment for professionals. It will not be readily portable.
