The Best Bluetooth Speakers for Summer Fun

As temperatures warm up and beautiful summer weather abounds, now is the perfect time to bring out the picnic blankets, cold drinks, and a couple of pals. Of course, you’re going to want music while you’re kicking it, and we have a couple of great portable speaker options to consider while you plan your first summer hang.

– Best Bluetooth Speaker Overall: Bose® SoundLink Revolve+™ II
– Best Compact Bluetooth Speaker: Marshall Emberton
– Best Versatile Bluetooth Speaker: Sonos Roam
– Best Bluetooth Speaker for Parties: JBL Boombox 3

Best Bluetooth Speaker Overall: Bose® SoundLink Revolve+™ II

With a built-in handle, the SoundLink Revolve+™ II is a beautiful portable speaker to grab and go anywhere. This speaker sports a 360-degree design that makes placement a non-issue, filling the area with music from its 3.6" driver. 

In larger gatherings, you can link two Revolve+™ speakers in stereo mode or use the threaded mount to elevate and project music farther with an optional tripod. Bose® makes setup and operation a breeze with NFC support, voice prompts, and voice control via Siri or Google Assistant. With a durable IP55-rated water- and dust-resistant body, you can enjoy your tunes outdoors worry-free for up to 17 hours. 

Best Compact Bluetooth Speaker: Marshall Emberton

If big gatherings aren’t your jam, a compact personal audio solution might be your move. The palm-sized Emberton from Marshall is the sleek and hip-looking speaker that says, “ask me about my excellent music taste.” Its design mimics that of the iconic Marshall amp with the same textured black surface, silver grille, and white “Marshall” emblem. Your audio is streamed via Bluetooth through two 2" drivers for 10W of sound. Its small size means it can easily slip into a backpack, purse, or tote for spontaneous shindigs. 

Best Versatile Bluetooth Speaker: Sonos Roam

If your home is already equipped with a Sonos home sound system, the Sonos Roam is the perfect complement to your ecosystem by enabling you to bring the party outside. With the Sonos app, your music syncs with other speakers, meaning you can maintain the vibe throughout your home from the backyard. Thanks to Sonos's Automatic Trueplay, your audio is optimized based on the Roam's location and the type of audio you're playing. 

Supporting a wide variety of devices, you can stream via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and access more than 60,000 live stations with Sonos Radio. The voice controls on this bad boy even allow you to go phone-free with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant support. Best of all, the Roam can stream for up to 10 hours on a full charge, perfect for a day poolside soaking up that breathtaking summer sunshine.

Best Bluetooth Speaker for Parties: JBL Boombox 3

If you’re looking for a statement speaker, look no further than the Boombox 3 from JBL. With a built-in handle like the SoundLink Revolve+™ II, this massive speaker is a modern interpretation of a classic boombox.

Weighing around 14.8 lb, the speaker contains a robust audio spectrum that delivers impressive sound and deep bass, regardless of how high you crank the volume. Even more impressive is its 24-hour playback on a single charge, meaning that it can keep up if you anticipate multiple summer parties on the docket. The Boombox 3 is also IP67-rated water- and dustproof, so you can look forward to bringing it to the beach, as well.

After a cold winter, we hope you get a chance to enjoy some quality outdoor time accompanied by your favorite sounds. If you are a summer lover or have a favorite portable speaker for this roundup, we want to hear from you in the Comments section, below.