Dorm life and apartment living is all about compromise. There’s probably not room for your parents’ 50” TV in a tiny apartment (and mom and dad aren’t giving it up any way!) and it might not be wise to pack your nice harman/kardon stereo system if you’ve got roommates and strangers coming and going from your new pad.
One way to keep your entertainment options open while still saving space and cash is to bring along a small Bluetooth portable speaker. You’ll get great sound, the ability to take it not only from room to room but place to place, plus many of these small speakers have multiple functions too. Check out 5 great bluetooth speakers to make your student living quarters better:
Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
Not only does this speaker look cool, it can crank. The Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 pumps out incredible sound with deep bass in all directions thanks to a 360-degree design, meaning it can drown out your roommates or become the life of the party. It’s got a 100-foot range and 15-hour battery life, so you can stream music for hours, plus it’s waterproof so if you were to recreate the movie Hot Tub Time Machine, you won’t wreck your electronics.
You can also play DJ with this speaker using its included “Block Party” function which allows three people to connect to a single UE Boom 2 and use a variety of music services to share songs through the same speaker. With the ability to also wirelessly connect a second UE speaker, this small portable music machine is sure to become indispensible.
Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
Bose speakers are known for their excellent sound quality, so this is a great place to start looking if you want high quality, big sound and deep bass in a compact design. The Bose SoundLink Mini II comes with a base station that will automatically recharge the speaker for you, and it can provide up to 10 hours of wireless sound off the base station.
Integrated Bluetooth technology gives you the freedom to wirelessly stream your tunes from a Bluetooth-enabled device like your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
iHome Colour-Changing Bluetooth Speaker with Speakerphone
This speaker is the chameleon of Bluetooth music systems. The iHome Colour-changing bluetooth speaker is a speaker, but it also has an integrated colour-shifting party light that can change colour to set the mood. It’s also got a built in speakerphone for taking calls hands-free.
With Bluetooth, you can stream music wirelessly from your compatible smartphone, tablet, MP3 or other digital music player, and the rechargeable battery will last up to 8 hours.
House of Marley Get Together Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
The team at House of Marley has got a lock on cool with their line of chic, stylish and nature-inspired sound devices. The Get Together Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is just one example of how great sound and easy connectivity can be wrapped in a cool package. The island print wrap and the bamboo facing are really fun, and the sound is great too. I had a chance to test one out briefly a few months ago and I enjoyed it. The speaker is heavier than it looks thanks to solid construction and its 3.25″ high-output woofers. A rechargeable battery means it’s always ready for jammin’.
Polk Audio Swimmer Jr. Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
It’ll come as no surprise that multitasking can make student life better, and with the Polk Audio Swimmer Jr. you can get more done in less time. This waterproof, shockproof speaker has many applications for student life. Listen to a book on tape while you’re in the shower, or use the flexible tail to wrap it to your bike handle or backpack so you can keep learning on the ride or walk to class, even on rainy days. Swimmer Jr. can even be immersed in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes.
While the practical applications of this speaker are obvious, you can also have fun with it. Neither pool parties, outdoor gatherings, nor outdoor winter sports can keep the Polk Audio Swimmer Jr. down since it has a hard shell and a silicone bumper, it’s waterproof, dirt proof, and shockproof. Plus with a built-in speakerphone, you can take calls on the go too.
Bonus pick: I reviewed the small but mighty Sony SRS-XB2 bluetooth wireless speaker earlier this summer and was blown away by how great it sounds. Read my review here and consider adding it to your list too.
While studying and getting good grades is student job #1, you still want to be able to enjoy college or university life. A new Bluetooth speaker is just the gadget to get the party started!
