I recently tested a handful of ultra-portable speakers, and while in the past I’ve always leaned towards ‘bigger and better’, I came to really appreciate the value these smaller speakers offer! The awesome thing about these speakers is that they’re all IP67 Water and Dust Resistant, making them great for all types of settings whether it’s the shower, the bath, the outdoors, or sloppy kick-ons. Each of them stood out in their own separate ways, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every specific need.
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Best Value - Xiaomi Sound Pocket
The cheapest and most compact speaker on this list is the Xiaomi Sound Pocket. It really is compact enough to just slip into your pocket or handbag, making it ultra-portable and the perfect ‘emergency’ speaker to have on you at all times. It’ll barely take up space in your bag, but when time calls for an emergency dance party, kick-ons, or some tunes, it’ll become the saviour of that moment. Its rubber lanyard also lets you attach it to your bag and carry it with ease.
Don’t expect magnificent sound from this tiny thing, but it’s decent enough. It’s not bad for casual listening, especially when it’s so convenient for taking on the go. It’s certainly better than most smartphone speakers and a good speaker to vibe out in the shower and small spaces. At less than $50, it’s a good affordable choice for situations where the best sound quality and volume isn’t necessary.
Best Shower Speaker - JBL Clip 5
The JBL Clip 5 has a unique design, featuring a carabiner clip that allows you to effortlessly attach it to a shower head, backpack, belt loop, camping chair, or anything else that’ll fit (which is quite a lot of things considering the width and size of it). This made it my favourite shower speaker of the lot. My shower shelves are already filled with hair and body products. The only spot left for a speaker is the floor, unless it’s the JBL Clip 5, in which case, I can simply clip it to the shower head, shower caddy, curtain rod, or soap dish.
The sound quality is decent too - better than the Xiaomi Sound Pocket, with a fuller, bassier sound. This would be thanks to the powerful driver and passive radiator that is designed to deliver bigger JBL Pro Sound and punchy bass. It’s only slightly larger than the Xiaomi Sound Pocket meaning it is also ultra-portable and the second most compact choice on the list. It’ll give you up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, and Playtime Boost can prolong the battery life an extra 3 hours by tuning and optimising the performance.
Best Volume for Price - Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker is the largest one of the lot, but still fairly compact, standing at 197 cm tall, 6.8cm wide, and weighing 597g. With 30W of output power, it’s also the loudest and most powerful speaker for this end of the price range. While it may not fit into the 'ultra-portable' category as well as the others, it's an option for those wanting more power at an affordable price. Dual passive woofer radiators on both ends of the speaker delivers fuller and richer bass for dynamic, natural, and energetic sounds. This makes this speaker perfect for small indoor gatherings/parties or outdoor picnics.
In terms of sound quality, it’s just ‘good’. Don’t expect it to compete with speakers at double the price, but for the casual listener who simply wants decent, rich sound, without spending too much, the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker is a good option. The multi-pair feature will sync up with similar speakers for a more immersive sound experience. This Sound Outdoor Speaker will last for up to 12 hours of playtime and re-charge quickly using USB Type-C 15W fast charging.
Best All-Rounder - UE Wonderboom 4
While I didn’t get a chance to thoroughly test this one (only in passing) - I knew an article on the top ultra-portable speakers needed to include Ultimate Ear’s most portable option, the UE Wonderboom 4. With a maximum volume of 86 dBC in Standard mode and 87 dBC with Outdoor Boost, you can trust this speaker to deliver full, rich 360° sound, despite its petite package. When it comes to sound quality, the Wonderboom 4 is the winner here. It’s known to deliver excellent audio that’s both crispy and bassy.
Along with its IP67 rating, the Wonderboom 4 also floats, meaning you can throw it in the bath or pool with you. This speaker is the perfect all-rounder, being a top-tier choice for the shower, outdoor fun and adventures, and even small-to-medium parties, with up to 14 hours battery life to go the mile! Enjoy listening to podcasts or audiobooks? It comes with Podcast Mode too! This makes vocals sound rich, so you can hear with ease, even with shower sounds or loud ambient noises around you. This one is definitely the priciest on the list but it makes up for it in performance and features.
While I didn’t think I needed one at first, I’m pretty pleased with the addition of an ultra-portable speaker to my audio lineup. Pick one up for yourself or browse our entire range of Portable Bluetooth Speakers here!
