Using your smartphone or tablet’s built-in speakers is a last resort if you want to listen to your favorite playlists on the go. Instead, you’ll want good headphones. Or, if you want to listen to music out loud (or with friends), you need a good portable speaker. Many portable Bluetooth speakers are high quality, yet flexible enough to improve battery life and convenience. These are great to carry around while hiking. Or it’s convenient when you want to listen to songs on the go while traveling.
But what should you look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker? We’re here to help.
11 outdoor speakers for your backyard or patio
What kind of sound quality do you want?
Do you use your speakers exclusively for music? For podcasts? Maybe a bit of both? Whether it’s surround sound or Dolby Atmos, great outdoorsor just an old stereo (which is also great, don’t feel pressured to get a super fancy and expensive one if you really don’t need it).
Not all speakers offer the same kind of sound quality, so it’s important to know exactly the kind of listening experience you’re looking for before you buy. , the sound quality is not as good as larger devices. Consider whether size or sound quality matters.
What’s the deal with Wattage?
When shopping for new speakers, you’ll often see the term “wattage”. It may not make sense when you look at it on the product page, but it’s actually a very simple concept. Wattage basically defines the volume limit a speaker can put out without distorting the sound. 50 watts is usually enough for the average listener, unless you like to play your music loud or host parties regularly. But really, if he likes going up to 11 watts, the more watts the more fun. Small portable Bluetooth speakers tend to be low wattage, but there are certainly some exceptions (as you can see in the selection below).
How many speakers should I buy?
We always say you should choose quality over quantity. One or two good speakers will give you better results than multiple speakers. Plus, having too many speakers around takes up an unnecessary amount of space. If you have room, I think up to 2 speakers is a good number. Two speakers are ideal especially if you listen to a lot of music. Music is usually recorded in a stereo setting, so having left and right channels greatly improves fidelity. And if you have a small space with great acoustics, one really good speaker is all you need.
Does it need to be waterproof?
No, but it can’t really hurt. Even if you don’t plan on taking your speakers out by the pool during the summer, it’s not out of the question that your speakers can spill out wherever you put them in your home. It would be a shame if a rogue glass of water ended up being the demise of your brand new speaker.If you have the option to make it waterproof, go for it (unless you have your heart set on something that doesn’t. )feature).
What are the best portable Bluetooth speakers?
If you’re not an audiophile and want to get away from using your smartphone’s built-in speaker, don’t stress too much about whether the bass is strong and the mids are crisp. , will be satisfied. Here are our top picks for the best portable Bluetooth speakers.