Portable Bluetooth speakers will never be able to reproduce the thumping power of a Sonos or Bose in-house system, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a tinny sound that’s barely audible.

Some Bluetooth speakers have plenty of punch—you just need to know which models to look out for.

What Makes a Loud Speaker?

Determining “loudness” isn’t as simple as looking at a single rating and ranking speakers accordingly. There are several factors at play, all of which can affect the decibel output of your device. Generally speaking, you need to consider size, volume capacity, wattage, and sound insulation.

You also need to consider battery life. The louder the speaker, the more power it uses. Portable Bluetooth speakers need to strike a balance between volume and playback time.

Here are some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers to suit every budget.

1. UE Megaboom 3

“Booming sound for a hefty budget”

The UE Megaboom 3 is the sequel to the immensely popular Megaboom 2. It hit the shelves in mid-2018.

The speaker doesn’t come cheap, but if your budget will stretch, you’ll struggle to find a louder portable Bluetooth speaker on the market today. At half-volume, the sound will comfortably fill a medium-sized room. Full power will be audible at even the busiest parties.

Despite its sleek design, the UE Megaboom 3 is tough. It’s drop-proof, it’s waterproof, and it floats. The speaker has a Bluetooth range of 150 feet.

On the downside, despite bragging about a 20-hour battery life, you’ll be lucky to see half that much if you’re playing it at full volume.

2. AOMAIS GO

“30W of sound with the option for stereo output”

From a pure portability standpoint, you will struggle to beat the AOMAIS GO; it has a handle built into the design so you can carry it anywhere.

Under the hood, you will find two 15W full range drivers and two passive subwoofers which combine to produce 30W of output. And if you and your friend both have an AOMAIS GO speaker, you can pair them together for 60W of sound in stereo.

People who spend a lot of time off the beaten path, such as hikers and campers, should give the speaker serious consideration thanks to its built-in USB charging port.

The battery life is also impressive. The speaker has a 7200mAh capacity cell which supports eight hours of playback at 60 percent volume.

3. Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2

“Deceptively loud lightweight speaker”

Loud doesn’t have to mean large. The Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 packs an impressive punch despite its easy portability.

The speaker itself weighs just 3.6 pounds and is about the size of a regular paperback book, meaning you can comfortably carry it around in one hand when you’re on-the-go. It’s 20 percent smaller than its predecessor.

But what about the speaker’s loudness?

Firstly, unlike most portable Bluetooth speakers, it includes two amps rather than one. One powers mids and lows, while the other powers highs. As such, the dual amps let the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 reproduce the entire audio spectrum and lead to a fuller, more dynamic sound.

There’s also a loudness boost feature called ROAR. It uses a digital signal processor to increase sound and widen the audio output.

Lastly, like the AOMAIS GO, the speaker can act as a charger for your smartphone and other electronics.

4. Brookstone Big Blue

“The best speaker for large parties”

With a maximum power output of 72W, the Brookstone Big Blue is one of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers that money can buy.

To produce that sort of volume, the speaker includes four 2.5-inch drivers, a 5.5-inch subwoofer, and a 5 x 7-inch passive radiator. The Brookstone Big Blue also offers genuine stereo sound, which isn’t overly common on portable speakers. The total output is 36W on each channel.

Importantly, the sound quality is also top notch. Even at full volume, the bass does not distort, and the trebles are clear.

Lastly, the Brookstone Big Blue speaker has 360-degree sound, meaning you can make it the centerpiece of your gathering and let the music reach every corner of a room or garden.

5. BOSE Soundlink Revolve Plus

“BOSE perfection that straddles the divide between indoor speaker and portability”

The pricey BOSE Soundlink Revolve Plus made its debut in early-2018.

As you’d expect from any BOSE product, the design is flawless. It will look great on your mantelpiece, but also comes equipped with rugged durability that makes it a great portable Bluetooth speaker. It has an IPX4 water-resistant rating and is shock-proof.

The speaker offers more battery life than its predecessor—the capacity has gone up from 12 hours to 16 hours.

It’s also worth noting that the BOSE Soundlink Revolve Plus is one of the few portable Bluetooth speakers that offers voice controls. It integrates with Siri and Google Assistant.

6. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1

“The most unique portable Bluetooth speaker”

All the speakers we’ve looked at so far follow a fairly formulaic design. Yes, the shapes vary slightly, but they’re all intended for placing on a table or countertop. They’re also all similarly sized.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 breaks the mold. At 1.3 pounds, the speaker is small enough to fit in your pocket, yet it can still deliver 360-degree sound. The speaker is also designed for hanging on a peg or hook rather than placing on a surface.

The device is unrivaled in terms of its size-to-output ratio. It has a peak power of 2 x 140W. The sound is created by a ¾-inch tweeter and a 3.5-inch full driver.

Battery life is also impressive. The speaker can run for 24 hours of continuous playback off a single charge.

7. Photive M90

“Affordable speaker to suit all terrains”

As you’ve probably noticed by now, if you want to own a loud portable Bluetooth speaker, you’re going to need to be prepared to get your wallet out.

However, if your budget won’t stretch to some of the other models we’ve discussed in this article, you might want to consider the Photive M90. It has 20W of acoustic drivers and a passive subwoofer.

It’s also one of the few loud portable Bluetooth speakers that has an IPX5 waterproof rating, rather than IPX4. The rating means the speaker is protected against water jets (think hose pipes) instead than just splashes.

Other features include a tripod mount, a 5000mAh battery which offers 10 hours of continuous playback, and a 3.5mm auxiliary jack.

The Loudest Bluetooth Speaker

These seven Bluetooth speakers are all really loud. Buy any of them, and you won’t need to worry about your music getting drowned out by people talking or other ambient sounds.

Of course, if you’re buying a speaker, there are things to consider beyond loudness. To learn more about what else is available, check out our articles on the best outdoor wireless speakers and the best Bluetooth speakers for under $50.

Image Credit: Olivier26/Depositphotos

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