6 best portable speakers in Australia 2021: From $49.95 | Finder
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Best portable speakers in Australia

These are the 6 best portable wireless speakers so you can enjoy a quality audio experience no matter where you are.

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Tim Falk
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The best portable speakers in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the portable speakers on this list based on extensive research, real customer reviews and personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall portable speaker: Sonos Move

Pros

  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • IP56 rated

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not as small as some other options

Price (RRP): $649

Buy at The Good Guys

Why we chose it

The Sonos Move has garnered a wide range of positive reviews from Australian customers and tech reviewers around the world. It also offers a range of practical and portable features, so it's our pick as the best overall portable speaker. It also features in our round-up of the best smart speakers in Australia.

The Move lets you stream music via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, while Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built-in. It has an IP56 weatherproof rating to help it stand up to the elements, while it can be recharged on a charging base and offer 10 hours of playtime.

It is a little larger than some other portable speakers, so some users will prefer products that are a little more compact. But if you're searching for a versatile speaker that reportedly delivers impressive sound, there's a lot to like about the Sonos Move.

For more information, check out our full review of the Sonos Move.

Best portable Bluetooth speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2

Pros

  • 13 hours of battery life
  • Outdoor Boost feature

Cons

  • There are cheaper options available
  • No voice assistant compatibility

Price (RRP): $129

Buy at Amazon
Buy at The Good Guys

Why we chose it

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 has earned many positive ratings from consumers and tech reviewers, plus it boasts a number of practical features. In addition, Ultimate Ears was chosen as the best Bluetooth speaker brand in the 2019-20 Finder Retail Awards, so the Wonderboom 2 takes the win here as the best portable Bluetooth speaker.

Boasting up to 13 hours of battery life, the Wonderboom 2 has an IP67 rating for its waterproof and dustproof capabilities. It also includes an Outdoor Boost feature to enhance the outdoor listening experience, while its compact size means the speaker is easy to take with you wherever you go.

Best cheap portable speaker: JBL Go 2

Pros

  • Compact
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Could do with more bass
  • Some users complain about energy-saving shut-off feature

Price (RRP): $49.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at The Good Guys
Buy at Catch
Buy at Betta

Why we chose it

If you're searching for a portable speaker priced at under $50, the JBL Go 2 is well worth a look. It's earned plenty of positive consumer reviews and is a practical speaker you can take with you on the go.

Allowing you to wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth, the Go 2 offers up to five hours of playback time. It features an IPX7 waterproof housing if you want to take it to the beach or the pool, while it also offers audio cable input and speakerphone compatibility.

The Go 2 measures 7.12 x 8.6 x 3.16cm and weighs in at less than 200g, so it's highly portable.

Best high-end portable speaker: Bose Portable Home Speaker

Pros

  • Lightweight design
  • Crisp and clear sound

Cons

  • Some app connectivity issues
  • No charging cradle

Price (RRP): $499.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at David Jones

Why we chose it

When we reviewed the Bose Portable Home Speaker, we were impressed with its sound quality, ease of use and stylish design. If you've got a bit of extra cash to spend on your portable speaker, this Bose unit is definitely worth considering.

Offering up to 12 hours of playtime per charge, the Bose Portable Home Speaker features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, while it has also been designed to survive drops, splashes and more. Three passive radiators are also included to boost bass levels.

Check out our full review of the Bose Portable Home Speaker for more information.

Best portable speaker with bass: Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3

Pros

  • Durable design
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • There are cheaper options available
  • Some users question claimed battery life

Price (RRP): $299.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at The Good Guys
Buy at Bing Lee

Why we chose it

With a large woofer, a host of impressive features and plenty of positive reviews, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is a good choice if you're looking for a portable speaker that delivers extra bass.

Designed to deliver 360-degree sound, the Megaboom 3 features dual 50mm drivers, a large woofer and dual 55 x 86mm passive radiators. It also offers 20-hour battery life and comes in a range of colours, while its IP67 rating means it's waterproof and dustproof. A charging dock is also available but is sold separately.

It also features on our list of the best Bluetooth speakers.

Best small portable speaker: JBL Clip 3

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Up to 10 hours battery life

Cons

  • Some users report front cover falling off
  • Some users complain about connectivity issues

Price (RRP): $85.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at The Good Guys
Buy at Bing Lee

Why we chose it

The JBL Clip 3 is portable, practical and affordable. It's also been highly rated by customers at retailers like The Good Guys, so it's our pick as the best small portable speaker.

Measuring 137 x 97 x 46mm and weighing 210g, it's certainly compact. And with an integrated carabiner clip, it's also easy to attach to your backpack or clothes.

The Clip 3 offers up to 10 hours of playtime from a single charge, while its IPX7 rating means it can tolerate getting wet. Other features include speakerphone functionality and a 12-month warranty.

Methodology

18
Brands considered
35+
Products compared
6
Best portable speakers chosen
  • We compared portable speakers from 18 leading brands that are widely available across Australia.
  • We based our findings on our expert reviews, key product specs and reviews from real customers (as of September 2020).
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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