We need to rectify the misconception that all “boom boxes” are “JBL speakers”. They aren’t—there are hundreds of portable Bluetooth speakers on sale at different sound equipment stores. Calling every and any wireless Bluetooth speaker box a ‘JBL’ simply because JBL party speakers have dominated the wireless speaker department is something that requires dispelling. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Bluetooth speaker boxes of 2023, including JBL speakers.
The audio equipment market offers a plethora of Bluetooth speaker box options that come in diverse shapes, sizes, and designs. Offering a myriad of budget-friendly or high-end audio entertainment features. When it comes to a Bluetooth speaker box, the first thing many people look out for is portability. Nobody wants to haul around a hunk of junk to the beach, summer parties, podcasts, night hangouts, etc.
All the speakers on our list are deemed portable and come with rechargeable batteries. Although some of them may be a bit hefty to carry around, a good number of them come with a handle or strap for added convenience.
Our Pick of Best Bluetooth Speaker Box of 2023
Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus 1P67
The Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus 1P67 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers high-quality sound with an impressive 80W stereo output. It weighs 5.29 pounds and comes with dual 3.5-inch woofers and dual 1-inch tweeters. The Motion Boom Plus 1P67 has a built-in power bank that can charge smartphones and other devices. It boasts an IP67 certification that assures users that the speaker is water and dust resistant and even capable of floating if dropped in water. Which in our opinion is beyond impressive.
The Motion Boom Plus is super portable with a built-in handle and detachable strap. It’s easy to carry around your sounds with you wherever you go. The speaker is highly customizable; it can be paired with up to two devices at once. It can also be adjusted to get the ideal sound using EQ settings in the Soundcore companion app for iOS and Android. It’s also designed with a long battery life that saves users the stress of constantly charging it. The 13,400mAh battery power lasts for about 15 to 20 hours after charging. Definitely, a good place to start if you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker box with long-lasting battery life.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Another high-end, highly portable Bluetooth speaker box is the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 speaker. Much similar to its predecessor the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 in sound profile, only different with better battery life. What makes the newer version even more unique is that it’s made entirely from recycled plastic. The rounded, aesthetically pleasing design of this speaker is second to none. Just like the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus 1P67, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 can pair with two devices at the same time.
Its capabilities extend beyond just aesthetics; it has a booming bass with a 360-degree soundstage. For bulk, it measures 0.34 ft (104 mm) in height. 0.31 ft (95.3 mm) in diameter, and weighs 14.8 oz (420 g). The rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the Wonderboom 3 can last for up to 14 hours. Unlike the Wonderboom 2, which has a limit of 13 hours of battery life.
Another great feature of the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is that it can withstand dust, dirt, and water. When it’s dropped in water, it can stay submerged for about 30 minutes. Which is very ideal for beach or pool parties. The features of this Bluetooth speaker box no doubt make it one of our best picks for speakers in 2023
JBL Boombox 3
JBL, one of the leading global audio equipment manufacturers seems to be on a roll with high-quality Bluetooth boom boxes and the Boombox 3 is no exception. It boasts a similarly attractive and rugged design to its predecessor—the JBL Boombox 2. But is the new JBL Boombox 3 worth it?.
The Bluetooth speaker box has become a favorite among party buffs craving excellent sound quality. It is integrated with a handle that makes it very easy to carry around. Part of the few significant upgrades to the Boombox 3 includes a subwoofer that provides superior low-end sound quality and the JBL Portable App that allows for customized EQ settings.
The JBL Boombox 3 is available in black or camouflage and has a metal handle with silicone grips, twin sidecaps, and a waterproof and dustproof design. For the bulk, it measures 19.0 x 10.1 x 7.9 inches in height, 48.2 x 25.7 x 20.0 (cm) in length, and weighs 14.7 pounds.
Sony SRS-XG500
Sony has always been a strong competitor of JBL when it comes to Bluetooth speakers. Although the JBL Boombox 3 is incomparable side by side with the Sony SRS-XG500, the Sony SRS-XG500 can still hold its own with some JBL products. Such as the JBL Boombox 2, which has a similar design and handles.
The Sony SRS-XG500 Bluetooth speaker box is designed for smartphones and tablets and features 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and X-Balanced Speakers for deep bass and unmistakable boomy sound quality.
At 12.34 pounds (5.6 kg), it has an IP66 water-resistant and dustproof design, suitable for outdoor activities like beach hangouts, hiking, camping, etc. It supports lightning-fast charging and it comes with very impressive battery power that lasts up to 30 hours after juicing it up.
Perfect for long music sessions, the Sony SRS-XG500 Bluetooth speaker box is lightweight and comes with a handle. Though it doesn’t appear miniature enough for one to easily carry around, the speaker is weightless and portable.
It also has a mic/guitar rear input, a USB port for charging, and subtle LED ring lighting for ambiance. The speaker features are also customizable from the Fiestable App which is optimized for Sony speakers to enhance the audio experience, and the Music Center App even allows users to further personalize sounds.