Sony SRS-XB23 - Bluetooth Speaker

Portable Bluetooth speakers are a great gift idea. It lets us consume audio at home or on the go. Use a Bluetooth speaker in the shower to catch up on your favourite podcasts. Take it on hikes with friends. Bring it on camping trips and listen to music by the fire.

If you know someone who doesn’t have a portable Bluetooth speaker, you’re in luck. They make the perfect gift during the holidays. There are many options to consider including size, water resistance, voice control, and multi-Bluetooth pairing. To help narrow down your search, here are five portable Bluetooth speakers that make excellent gifts.

JBL Clip 4 - Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Clip 4 waterproof Bluetooth speaker

For the adventurer, the JBL Clip 4 Bluetooth speaker is the perfect gift. It features an integrated carabiner. Users can clip it to their belts, backpack, or gym bag. With an IP67 water resistance rating, it’s dustproof and waterproof. Take it to the beach, by the pool, or camping. With 10 hours of battery life, it makes a great companion to any smartphone.

The JBL Clip 4 has many applications for day-to-day life. In the morning, use it in the shower to listen to music while you get ready. Take it with you on walks to listen to podcasts. Connect it to your tablet and watch movies while you cook in the kitchen. With Bluetooth 5.1, it can also connect to smartphones and laptops. The integrated carabiner ensures it goes anywhere and everywhere while securely staying fastened.

Soundcore Rave PartyCast - Bluetooth Speaker

Soundcore Rave party speaker

Some people are naturally the life of the party. They deserve the Soundcore Rave PartyCast. While it’s technically a portable Bluetooth speaker, it’s really a party in a box. It produces 80W of power and uses BassUp technology to enhance the lower frequencies. The Rave PartyCast features LED lights that move in time to the beat. The Soundcore App provides users with light controls and various modes. DJs can also customize the EQ to accentuate certain frequencies.

With a dedicated handle, it’s easy to carry the Soundcore Rave PartyCast. Any space can instantly turn into a nightclub dancefloor. With 18 hours of battery life, the party will last all night. Alternatively, the built-in USB port can charge smartphones and other mobile devices. Lights, sound, and backup power—the Soundcore Rave PartyCast has it all.

This is also a good gift idea for anyone who already has a Soundcore Bluetooth speaker. With the PartyCast technology, users can link additional speakers together for multi-room sound. Use it as an indoor multi-room speaker system in the winter, and outdoor party speakers in the summer.

Sony SRS-XB23 - Bluetooth Speaker

Sony SRS-XB23 all-round speaker

For everyday use, the Sony SRS-XB23 Bluetooth speaker is a fitting choice. It features a simple, compact design that’s waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof. As part of Sony’s X-Series, it features a non-circular diaphragm to increase the sound pressure. This result is more punch and bass and less distortion. It has 12 hours of battery life and can sit vertically, or horizontally. Use the carrying strap to carry it around, or place it on a hook.

The Sony SRS-XB23 is the perfect Bluetooth speaker for music lovers. The sound quality is impressive for its size, and it’s easy to carry around. With its durable build, you don’t have to be worried if it falls on the ground or in water. It’s the kind of speaker that someone would take everywhere.

Bose SoundLink Colour II - Bluetooth Speaker

Bose SoundLink Colour II speaker and speakerphone

If you know someone who takes a lot of calls, they’ll love the Bose SoundLink Colour II. It features a built-in speakerphone for clear, hands-free calls. It’s a Bluetooth speaker that works as a conference phone, so it’s perfect for busy professionals. Smartphone voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant work alongside the built-in voice prompts for Bluetooth pairing.

This is a great gift for current Bose customers. With Bose SimpleSync technology, the SoundLink Colour II can pair together with Bose Home Speakers. This provides multi-room audio which is perfect during parties and gatherings at home. Inside, it can be a multi-room speaker. Outside, it’s a portable Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone. Its versatility is what makes it an attractive gift for any Bose fan.

Marshall Stanmore II - Bluetooth Speaker

Marshall Stanmore II vintage speaker

Guitar and rock fans will love the Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth speaker. It features Marshall’s vintage-inspired guitar amplifier look. With two 15W class D amplifiers, a subwoofer, and a 50W class D amplifier, this speaker packs a punch. The analogue knob controls pay homage to its vintage design to control the volume, treble, and bass. Nevertheless, it incorporates Bluetooth 5.0 technology and dual Bluetooth pairing, which lets users switch between two devices. Use it with your smartphone and tablet at the same time.

What makes the Marshall Stanmore II unique is the multiple input options. The RCA inputs let you hook up turntables to the speaker. This is perfect for DJs who need a portable speaker for live sets. It also features a 3.5mm input to connect analogue devices like dedicated music players. In all, this is a unique-looking Bluetooth speaker that appeals to people who like vintage looks.

Things to look for in a Bluetooth speaker

When choosing a Bluetooth speaker for someone, there are a couple things to consider. For portability, look for lightweight speakers with a handle or carrying strap. This makes it easy to carry around. Second, check the IP rating. Many portable Bluetooth speakers are waterproof, so you never have to worry about using them in the rain or near a body of water. Lastly, check to see if the speaker offers a companion app. This provides additional controls like EQ, sound modes, and more. With an app, firmware updates are a breeze.

Be sure to read this portable Bluetooth speaker buying guide to help you with your buying decision and check out this gift guide for more ideas.

Andy Baryer
Andy Baryer aka “Handy Andy” is a technology journalist, gadget reviewer, and DIY/how-to content creator. Known as the handyman of tech, Andy enjoys fixing poor wireless networks, building smart homes, and cooking with the latest kitchen gadgets. He’s a competitive whistler, a budding woodworker, and loves gardening in his home-built smart garden.