It is pretty much a given that when you’re listening to music, great sound is absolutely essential to the whole experience. Nobody wants to listen to a tinny sound when you’re trying to rock out to your favourite jams. And, let’s face it, today’s tablets and smartphones don’t have the power to really throw out some serious audio punch. That’s why if you like to enjoy your sounds on the go, you absolutely need a portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s a market that’s exploded recently, and you’ll find a lot of options out there, which is why I’m here to help you figure out which portable Bluetooth speaker is right for you.
What is a portable Bluetooth speaker?
Just in case you happened upon this article by accident or were wondering just what a portable Bluetooth speaker is, I’ll throw down the basics, so you can better understand what they offer and what you may need in one. As the name implies, a “wireless” speaker allows you to connect your mobile phone, tablet, computer, game console or mp3 player to an external loudspeaker without cables. Typically, these types of speakers use any number of connection technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC (Near Field Communication) to pair with your devices. However, some of those connection types are more about setting up a network with several integrated speakers, and sometimes are not as user-friendly as one would want when it comes to setting things up.
However, if you are going out to the beach or pool, or hanging on the patio or in the backyard, a portable wireless Bluetooth speaker is what you’re after, because they are really easy to carry around (hence the “portable” part of the name) and a snap to pair with almost any device (that’s where Bluetooth comes in).
Why do you need a portable Bluetooth speaker?
Have you ever wanted to share a new song or a video with someone using your phone? There you are, furiously pushing the volume button to its max. But, the amazing beats or whisper-sweet vocals just don’t come though on that little phone speaker. Tablets are the same.
My problem, among many, is I am a bit of a snob when it comes to sound. I need decent audio to enjoy anything, especially music. That’s one of the reasons I recommend having a portable Bluetooth speaker around. Let’s face it. We live in a world where streaming and digitally stored content is the dominant media. Everyone has extensive playlists, movies and other media packed onto their phones, tablets and other portable devices. A wireless Bluetooth speaker is going to allow you to share and enjoy your various media as it should be enjoyed, in glorious and loud stereo. You’ll be the life of the party no matter where you are.
What features should you look for in a portable speaker?
Okay, now that you’re convinced you need a portable Bluetooth speaker, I should tell you there are a ton of different types, with a bunch of options from which to choose. If you like sticking to particular brands, you will find all your favourites represented, from JBL and Ultimate Ears, to Sony and Bose. So, which one do you buy? Don’t panic. I can help you narrow the field a bit.
Where are you using your speaker?
One of the biggest factors in choosing your speaker will be where you plan on using it. You don’t want to buy a non-waterproof speaker if you plan on mainly using it at the beach. If you are just looking to have a portable speaker for around the house that you can move from room to room, then you probably don’t need something that’s all that rugged. However, if you want to bring that rich audio experience outside to the backyard barbecue, camping or anywhere with more extreme conditions than your living room, you will want to look at some of the speaker made to withstand the elements. You can find Bluetooth speakers that are water-resistant, snow-resistant, dirt-resistant and drop-resistant. Some can even withstand being completely submerged in water.
Do you want a mic with that portable speaker?
Some portable Bluetooth speakers come equipped with microphones. This lets you take calls over the speaker. So, you can have a conference call right at the beach. Some speaker models even give you the ability to access digital voice assistants such as Cortana, Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant. That means you can have voice control over your speaker, and ask it to play certain songs, advance or rewind, or even ask for the weather report.
Other features to consider
Battery life is something to keep in mind. You won’t need to have tons if you just want to lounge around listening to tunes for a few hours. But, if you want to enjoy rich portable audio from sunset to sundown, then you’ll need something that is up to the task. But, your speaker can also top up your other portable devices, if it is the right model. Some indeed come with handy this handy feature of being able to charge your phone or tablet, making them quite handy on overnight camping trips.
If you are in a much larger space, you may want to consider speakers that offer the ability to pair or connect with each other, so you can really fill your environment with sound. A couple of portable Bluetooth speakers paired together would be ideal for something like a backyard movie night.
Finally, you will want to consider if you’re willing to pay a little extra for better sound quality. Some speakers are going to just sound better than others, and typically they are going to be of the higher-end variety. It is up to you, though, if you want to sacrifice some clarity or a less-than-heart-thumping bass, in order to get all the features you want – and all without breaking the bank.
The final word
In today’s streaming and digital media age, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a handy and almost essential piece of tech to own. Whether you need it for around your home, going room-to-room so you can enjoy and share better sound for your smartphones, mp3 players, tablets, portable game consoles and laptop—or whether you need something everything-proof for outdoor or backcountry use, is up to you. Maybe you need something in-between? Either way, you can check out the best-selling Bluetooth speakers online at Best Buy and find one with all the features you need.
