Best small bluetooth speakers for quality sound at home or on the go

Forget listening to quiet, tinny music on your phone - it’s time your sound got an upgrade with a Bluetooth speaker.

These small speakers can elevate the quality and volume of your audio and are ideal for putting one on the shelf in the living room, on your bedside table in the bedroom or take out and about with you as you enjoy the sun.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of small speakers out there, meaning shopping for one isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t know exactly what you’re after. But you can count on ES Best: we’ve done all the hard work, and have listed the three factors to consider when purchasing your first, or next, speaker.

Portability: Of course these are all small speakers so are easily portable, however there still can be a difference in size and weight. If you plan on travelling with your speaker, look for a specifically lightweight one that won’t weigh you down.

Additional features: Many small speakers are water and dustproof - perfect for those planning to take them on a trip to the beach or poolside. You can also get voice controlled ones that’s a great addition if you already have a smart home system.

Sound: When it comes to sound, consider two things: quality and volume. For the music obsessed amongst us, the quality of sound will be more important than the volume. In contrast, if you’re after a speaker that will fill the room, make sure it’s loud enough to fill the space. On each product description you will be able to read what size room the speaker is designed for.

With these factors in mind, shop the best small speakers on the market from cheap and cheerful to seriously tuneful ones.

Anker Soundcore 3 Bluetooth Speaker

As one of Amazon’s top rated products, with thousands of reviews and purchases, you can bet this will be a good speaker. The main update from previous models comes in the form of sound quality - Soundcore 3 has dual drivers with 100 per cent pure titanium diaphragms. This enhances the bass perfectly and you can hear it pumping even at low volumes.

The most impressive feature? The ultra long playtime that allows you to listen to a whopping 480 songs in just a single charge. You’ll never need to worry about forgetting to bring the charger on a weekend trip again.

Buy now £55.99, Amazon

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Wireless Speaker

The perfect speaker for every occasion, this UE speaker has deceptively loud sound for its small size. Its 13-hour battery life makes it perfect for day trips and its waterproof feature means you can use it everywhere from the pool to your shower.

The best part? A new outdoor boost mode increases clarity in sound and volume so you can bask in the sun and enjoy your tunes at top volume. Pair multiple UE speakers together for a truly unique wireless music experience.

Buy now £70.73, Amazon

Betron KBS08 Bluetooth Speaker

At the cheapest speaker on our list, those after a high quality product at an incredibly affordable price tag have hit the jackpot.

The sound is surprisingly good given the price and with its aux capabilities and MicroSD support, the options for listening to music are endless.

Alongside the standard dark colours, it’s also available in bright and bold red, blue and yellow. We’d recommend this as a great speaker for kids or for adding a bit of background music to a small room.

Buy now £17.99, Amazon

LG XBOOM 360 RP4 Omnidirectional 360˚Sound Speaker

If you’re after exceptional quality sound in a portable format then you’ve found the winner thanks to the speaker’s tItanium tweeter & 2.5 inch glass fibre woofer.

The quirky and aesthetic lantern design sets it apart from competitors and we love the three mood lighting features - ambient, nature and party.

Sure, it’s not cheap but it is perfect for every occasion and the premium quality means it’s built to last. Download the XBOOM app to unlock extra features such as customisable 360 degree lighting.

Buy now £249.99, Amazon

Roberts Beacon 320 Bluetooth Speaker

We’re all about our music speakers looking as good as they sound, that’s why we love this retro look option from Roberts available in chic hues like teal blue, mustard yellow and charcoal grey.

Tones are warm and deep thanks to the multi-directional dual bass radiators and there’s a whole 12 hours of play time between charges.

With a slightly higher price tag and its delicate textured design, we’d suggest keeping this indoors - which is fine because the Bluetooth radius is exceptionally good so you can listen anywhere in the house.

Buy now £78.99, Amazon

Sony SRS-XB13 - Compact & Portable Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth speaker

Add some colour to your life with these ultra compact speakers, available in a range of colours including can’t-miss-it neon yellow.

One of the smallest in size and amazingly lightweight, it’s ideal to travel with and will take up barely any room in your luggage. The detachable, multiway strap is ideal for carrying it or attaching it to the outside of a bag. For its size, it has powerful sound and an extra deep bass thanks to the sound diffusion processor.

With 16 hours of battery life and retailing at under £40, it’s a no-brainer.

Buy now £37.49, Amazon

JBL Flip 6

Looking for big sound that’s perfect getting the party started? Say hello to the Flip 6, one of the loudest small speakers we tried.

The quality is pitch perfect, thanks to the racetrack-shaped woofer and a separate tweeter. There are plenty of fun colours to choose from, and to get the most out of it, pair it with other JBL products for a sensory delight.

Don’t forget to download the app where you can tailor the audio to your preferences by altering the bass and amplification.

Buy now £129.00, JBL

Sonos Roam SL Wireless Speaker

If you’re short on space but after a speaker that produces the same quality as larger ones, the Sonos speaker is a great investment. It can seamlessly be paired with your smart home services and it can be synced up via Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth. Enjoy multi-room listening by syncing it with other Sonos products

Buy now £159.00, Argos