We all love a party full of music and friends. But does your party DJ have the right gear for the event? Your friend has the energy and the musical knowledge, but they need the right portable speaker too. So here is a quick look at a variety of portable speaker options that can fit whatever your holiday spending plans are. These are my picks for the best portable and party speaker gifts for every budget.
Most affordable portable party speakers
I know how important it is to stretch your gift-buying dollar as far as it can go. I always make it a priority to look for gifts that are kind to my budget, and these speakers fit the bill. They do a good job for a reasonable price. And if there’s a need to replace them, there won’t be much crying. (I’m cheap, so I cry any time I have to replace something).
Altec Lansing HydraMini
This Altec Lansing HydraMini waterproof speaker is music to my ears. I’m not saying my teen is clumsy, but things fall frequently around him. I have learned to accept it. So a durable Bluetooth speaker that’s also waterproof is a great option for him, and me. And you can easily afford to replace it if, somehow, it does get irreparably damaged.
Marley No Bounds
Another great budget choice for your gift receiver is the Marley No Bounds waterproof speaker. Not only is it waterproof, it is buoyant! You can let it float beside you in the pool or jacuzzi. Well, you might let it float. I would be more hesitant to do that, because I get nervous about things. You can also pair two of these speakers to get stereo sound to take it to the next level.
Bose SoundLink Colour II
If you like to give gifts that have a strong brand behind them, then there’s few better speaker brands than Bose. The Bose SoundLink Colour II Splashproof Bluetooth speaker gives you Bose quality at an affordable price. It can be integrated into a Bose smart home speaker system. And, the Bose connect app will give you full control over the configuration and settings from your mobile device. You should note that this speaker is splashproof, not waterproof, so it will need to be kept out of the pool.
Portable speakers that are a balance of price and functionality
We all like balance in our lives. These speakers are a great compromise between cost and available features. You’ll get good quality without putting a big dent in your bank account, and that will help make sure everyone on your list gets a nice holiday surprise.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2
My favourite feature of the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 speaker? The opportunity for me to shout “WONDERBOOM!” when the gift is opened. But if you’re a serious person who doesn’t prioritize shouting things they think are funny, then this speaker has features you’ll like. Notably, it promises up to 13 hours of life on a fully charged battery, which will get you through an all-night party. And it has basic control buttons on the speaker itself, so you can skip that one song on the playlist that no one likes. Why is that song even on the list?
JBL Flip 5 Eco Edition
The JBL Flip 5 Eco Edition boasts a racetrack-shaped driver that improves the speaker’s ability to pump out low frequency sound. It’s all about the bass with them. It also sports a 12 hour battery life, and is waterproof to a depth of three feet. You can’t take it scuba diving, but it will do just fine by the pool. This one is a great gift choice for anyone who likes to be active and on the move outdoors.
Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS
Is it even a party without party lights? You can rest easy, because the Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS speaker has lights around each of the internal speakers and line lights around the edge. And of course, it has the extra bass power that the name proclaims in capital letters. The battery life is up to 24 hours, which is very impressive and makes it perfect for long dance party sessions.
Soundcore by Anker Rave Neo
The Soundcore by Anker Rave Neo speaker has all the features you need from a portable party speaker. It has an IP7 waterproof rating, so it can take a little rain or getting splashed poolside. You can control the speaker and its built-in LED lights via the mobile app. And the Soundcore can be linked to up to 100 other PartyCast speakers to fill a venue with music!
Premium portable and party speakers
These are the speakers for anyone who really gets into the music, or spends a lot of time with someone who does. After all, shouldn’t you consider your own enjoyment when picking a speaker gift for your friend? You’re going to be around them when they use the speaker, so the money you spend on it will benefit you. Check out these high end offerings.
LG XBOOM ON9 Bluetooth party system
The LG XBOOM ON9 Bluetooth Party System is no simple speaker, it’s a full blown party system. A system! Strobing and dancing LED party lights! Karaoke creator with voice filters to make you sound like a better singer! A party accelerator slider! I can’t contain my excitement! It even has a clock and an alarm clock, though keeping accurate time seems to be antithetical to the party atmosphere. You can also plug a guitar into the LG XBOOM for an impromptu performance.
Sony MHC-V13 High-Power Bluetooth party speaker
The Sony MHC-V13 High-Power can deliver high quality bass and customizable playlists through its free Fiestable app. And in terms of boring but valuable features, the MHC-V13 has a power cord so you can save battery power for when you really need it.
JBL Partybox 310 splashproof Bluetooth wireless speaker
Here’s a fun addition: live music! The JBL Partybox 310 Bluetooth speaker has a microphone input and a guitar input, so your friend can finally live the dream of being a rock duo. It also has a USB input so you can pop a flash drive full of tunes into the Partybox. The 18 hour battery life is good, and a power cord is included for situations where you can plug in. It also has a variety of sound effects to entertain the party guests.
Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM
You have the WONDERBOOM’s bigger brother here. The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM could in fact connect to its little brother to be a pair of speakers. It can have 4 different input devices connected at the same time, letting you switch the music source from song to song. The 24 hour battery live and adaptive EQ add to the appeal of this speaker. And the Hyperboom is also certified carbon neutral!
Find portable and party speaker gifts for every budget
I hope that this quick list has helped you find the perfect gift for your music fan. At the very least, you’re thinking about what features are most important. Every good purchase starts with knowing what you’re looking for. Check out the full range of wireless speakers available on bestbuy.ca. Good luck and rock out!
