Best Budget Portable Speakers of 2022
We’ve listed the best budget portable speakers that you can take around with you this year. Enjoy great sound, and save money for summer fun!
Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for any music lover that enjoys a bit of adventure. Whether you are hooked on fishing, or crazy for camping, having a way to soundtrack your activities brings another level of entertainment. The thing is, not everyone wants to splash out loads on a portable speaker. Investing bigger in your main, at-home, audio setup makes more sense to most people. That doesn’t mean your backpack has to go speakerless.
Rather than having to part with hundreds of dollars, some nifty budget portable speakers will set you back as little as $40. You don’t necessarily have to compromise hugely on sound, either. Plus, some speakers are perfectly suited to the wetter or dustier recreational activities you enjoy this summer. We’ve listed some of the nifties, greatest sounding, wallet-friendly portable speakers you can own in 2022!
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
The UE Wonderboom 2 is a miniature speaker that packs a lot of punch. This compact bit of tech features a decent 13-hour battery life, meaning it will survive those longer outdoor sessions. The small design and nifty attached loop means the Wonderboom 2 is the ideal backpack addition. The IP67 rating means it is ready and raring to go whenever you are.
In terms of audio, the sound delivered by this waterproof speaker is detailed and intricate. But, the extra bass injection gives it a heft you wouldn’t expect from such a petite package. Whilst this isn’t the cheapest speaker in our list, at around $100 for all these great specs, it’s difficult to argue with.
JBL Go 3
No bigger than a bar of soap, the JBL Go 3 is one of the most affordable portable speakers in our list. Its compact design makes it the ideal bit of kit to sling into a packed bag. Being nicely lightweight, it won’t add unwanted bulk on long hikes. The handy rope loop attachment means it’ll attach to belt loops and bag straps securely, for easy transportation.
The Go 3 features Bluetooth 5.1, as well as a max power output of 4.2W. The biggest drawback to this speaker is its battery life. A 2.5hr charge will get you 5 hours of playback time, so you’ll need to bring a power bank with you on any longer trips. Considering the $45 price tag, you could forgive the slightly lacking stamina.
Tribit Stormbox Micro
For such a small box, this speaker can really blast out some great audio. With the sound of a not-so-portable speaker, the Tribit Stormbox Micro boasts weighty bass and mature musical sound.
Its tiny design makes it ideal for grabbing and taking on adventures, and its IP67 rating means you don’t need to fret about water or dust. You can also connect two speakers together to create “party mode”. At the incredibly affordable price of $49.99, that is highly achievable. It’s little wonder this speaker made our list of the best Bluetooth speakers of 2021.
Sony SRS-XB13
Boasting a relatively boomy sound profile with a nicely balanced mid-range, the SRS-XB13 from Sony is a brilliant budget portable speaker for music. Equipped with a carrying strap, it’s great for grabbing and listening to on the go.
Whilst the volume never reaches crazy levels, some compression artefacts do ensure cleaner audio at higher volumes. The fairly wide sounding soundstage is great, although it does struggle to reproduce satisfyingly thumping low-bass. But, for as little at $50, it’s still a fantastic addition to any active and adventurous music fan.
JBL Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 is the most expensive of the budget portable speakers, but it’s certainly worth it.
It has a rating of IPX7, meaning it can be submerged in up to a metre of water for 30 minutes. It’s no wonder it’s on our list of best waterproof speakers. If you like listening to your favourite tunes poolside, the Flip 5 is the perfect companion.
An impressive 20 hours of batter life makes this a real audio pack horse, and ideal for longer camping trips. This battery life could be down to the lack of added extras. There’s no built-in mic, nor will you find an aux-in port. The thing that makes the Flip a solid speaker choice is the sound. Offering solid bass and timing, plus a great sense of acoustics, this is a durable but awesome sounding bit of kit. You can grab it for around $140, meaning it’s a bit more of an investment but still very reasonable!