Portable Bluetooth Speakers: Wireless With Bluetooth, Radio And USB. What Are The Best Portable Speakers For Your Phone? Rating Of The Most Powerful

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

In order to listen to music outdoors or in a large company, it is inconvenient to use smartphone players and headphones - they will not be able to provide comfortable sounding of a melody from a distance. And it is rather difficult to take stationary acoustic systems with you on the road. Portable speakers with Bluetooth are the optimal solution. Let's dwell on the features of these devices and give an overview of the best models on the market.

Advantages and disadvantages

A portable Bluetooth speaker is a good solution for remote playback of song recordings. This is a mobile and very compact acoustic device, while its sound quality is in no way inferior to stationary stereos and players . The advantage of bluetooth acoustics is the built-in battery, so the speaker can be used on a single charge for 3-5 hours.

Thus, portable speakers with Bluetooth do not restrict the freedom of movement of users in any way, do not tie it to the house - you can listen to your favorite tunes in the forest, at a picnic and even on a morning jog.

The use of modern Bluetooth technologies makes it much easier to move and connect the device. Such speakers can be connected to computers, as well as to tablets and modern smartphones. The received signals are not distorted in any way under the influence of interference from other sources of electromagnetic radiation.

The communication range of a bluetooth speaker with a carrier reaches 30 m - this is quite enough for organizing a small musical party in nature . However, according to user reviews, in 75% of cases, the device does not find a wireless portable speaker. There may be a lot of reasons for this. Most often this is turned off Bluetooth - usually this becomes a consequence of the user's carelessness or when crossing the boundaries of visibility of a paired device.

However, sometimes the problems are deeper. So, if you connect speakers to a laptop or computer, the device will not detect the speaker system unless special drivers are installed. In addition, they may be incompatible with the operating system of a PC or other modern gadget.

When connecting the speaker to all available devices - phone, computer or tablet, you will have to install the "automatic connection" option. Otherwise, the device will simply not see the speaker, since it will already be connected to something else.

Bluetooth speakers often face another problem - audio interruptions or stuttering at fixed intervals . This usually happens when the connection is unstable. Often the cause of a malfunction is the incorrect setting of the speaker frequencies. To remedy the situation, you need to start the low frequency mode and hold the volume and bluetooth buttons recessed for about 10 seconds.

Sometimes this can fix the situation, but if the interruptions persist, then you cannot do without a trip to the workshop.

How do they work?

Bluetooth speakers can be started in several ways.

Via laptop

To begin with, pay attention to the fact that not all laptops have the ability to run Bluetooth. Therefore, you have to buy separate modules for them. Attention: to connect a computer to the speaker, you may need to enter a code - it is indicated on the manual or etiquette.

In general, the sequence of actions when turning on the column is as follows:

• press the Fn + F3 buttons at the same time;
• start Bluetooth on the speaker - for this you need to click on the corresponding button in the gadget control panel;
• then you should find the column in the devices available to the laptop and connect.

Then you can find your favorite song and enjoy the music.

Via smartphone

Almost everyone has a mobile phone these days. As a rule, they have a built-in Bluetooth module and come in a ready-made package. To connect a speaker, proceed as follows:

• start Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet;
• turn on Bluetooth on the speaker;
• find the device among the list of available for the smartphone - usually the column has the model name, so it will be difficult to get confused;
• connect.

Via AUX

AUX is a wire that is usually found in gadgets of any configuration; it looks like a paired 3.5 mm mini-jet on both sides.

The connection is very simple: one end of the wire needs to be inserted into special connectors on a PC, laptop or into the headphone input on a smartphone, and then just start the speaker and select music.

What are they?

Depending on the features of Bluetooth itself, options for remote control of the speakers or through file exchange are possible. Wherein the sound quality depends on the version: for example, the latest is Bluetooth 5, and the most demanded is Bluetooth 4.

Modern portable bluetooth speakers can be equipped with a variety of additional options.

For example, models with FM receiver . Such products have a built-in tuner, which allows the speaker system to work as a full-fledged radio receiver and broadcast music radio in the FM range.

Some models are equipped with a hands-free option, in which case the portable acoustics can be used as a mobile phone. The device connects to the phone via Bluetooth, and the voice of the interlocutor on the other side of the line is output to the speaker, and not to the speaker of the phone . This is usually much more comfortable than holding the phone to your ear. This option is especially relevant when it is necessary that several people take part in the conversation at once.

As a complement Bluetooth acoustics often have an NFC chip, which greatly facilitates connection setup . For example, in order to start sound playback, a smartphone with such a module just needs to be brought up to a speaker with a similar function - both devices quickly recognize each other, and all that remains for the user is only to confirm the fact of connection.

Columns with hours are relevant for people who value time display . Of course, for portable acoustics, such a function is not vital, but in some cases, looking at the time on the speaker is much faster and more convenient than looking for any other clock.

Usually, the clock comes with an alarm clock, which beeps at the time specified by the user. A distinctive feature of alarms in portable speakers is that any musical composition will be used as a signal.

Rating of the best models

We offer you the top of the most popular models of portable speakers with Bluetooth.

JBL Go 2

It is the most compact product on the market today. In terms of its dimensions, the column does not exceed a smartphone, so you can carry it with you absolutely everywhere. In addition, such a column is among the cheapest and, what is noteworthy, the low price in this case does not entail a decrease in quality - savings are achieved due to the modest size of the device.

Technical specifications:

• battery capacity - 600 mAh;
• autonomous work - 6 hours;
• power - 3W;
• availability of USB-input;
• device weight - 0.13 kg.

Pros:

• the presence of 5 modes of comfortable listening with the ability to customize the individual parameters of sound reproduction;
• affordable cost;
• increased device mobility;
• suitable for iPhone.

Minuses:

• the sound quality is inferior to analogs;
• the case is not strong enough.

Such a speaker is suitable for those who do not have a sufficient budget for an expensive speaker system or if you just want to test portable speakers for yourself.

JBL Clip 2

A powerful but small round model that is, in fact, a slightly more advanced version of the GO2 speaker. The rounded shape gives the product a more stylish look. In addition, it is much more difficult to damage such a case, and the sound from the speakers comes out more harmonious.

Specifications:

• wider sound range than GO2;
• the presence of protection of the case from moisture and dust;
• providing 8 hours of work without recharging;
• there is a built-in plug.

Pros:

• miniature sizes;
• affordable cost;
• wide range for speakers of similar dimensions.

Minuses:

imperfect sound quality

However, this disadvantage can be called very conditional, since the sound quality fully justifies the device's mobility and its cost. Among the speakers in this price category, the sound quality of this device has no analogues.

JBL Charge 3

Quite a popular speaker with Bluetooth connectivity. Thanks to the increased waterproof characteristics, this technique can be used absolutely everywhere: in the pool, in the showers on the beach, in the rain and even under water. These speakers are distinguished by improved bass, stable mid and high frequencies of sounds.

Technical specifications:

• bluetooth 4, 1;
• power at the level of 20 W;
• autonomous work for 20 hours;
• product weight - 800 gr.

Pros:

• strong acoustics with an extended sound range;
• organic user-friendly design;
• surround stereo sound.

Minuses:

• models are more expensive than previous products;
• in the modern market, fakes are offered in 70% of cases.

Sony SRS-XB10

High-quality audio system for bluetooth listening to records. The speaker features a solid case, high build quality and good battery capacity. Models are made in different designs that are pleasing to the eye. Thanks to the convenient structure of the outer part, the column can be mounted on a carabiner, which is very convenient for users.

Specifications:

• increased mobility;
• weight - 600 gr;
• the presence of a built-in NFC module;
• work in standalone mode up to 18 hours.

Pros:

• the device is completely protected from water and other negative external influences;
• stylish design;
• output power - 5 W.

There are no downsides as such, but some users do not like the location of the speakers.

In fact, this speaker became a kind of starting point for Sony in the release of acoustic portable devices.

Xiaomi Mi Round 2

This speaker is a well-known Chinese manufacturer, which has long been one of the leaders in the loudspeaker segment. The design clearly traces the corporate identity of the brand - laconic color and roundness of forms. Differs in high purity of sound, atypical for mono speakers.

Technical specifications:

• work offline for 10 hours;
• the ability to control through the ring-key;
• small size and light weight.

Pros:

• affordable cost;
• stylish design;
• increased autonomy.

Minuses:

• reduced power;
• lack of water and dirt protection of the case;
• lack of bass.

Criterias of choice

When buying a Bluetooth speaker, you need to pay special attention to the following parameters

• The number of channels . Thus, one-channel models provide mono sound reproduction, while two-channel models provide a pronounced stereophonic effect.
• Frequency range . For high-quality sound, devices with a corridor of 20-20000 Hz will be quite enough. The big difference will simply be indistinguishable, since an ordinary person distinguishes sounds in the corridor from 16 to 20,000 Hz, and this range decreases with age.
• Power . This parameter only affects the sound volume. So, 1.5 W models will reproduce sound at the level of the most ordinary smartphone. In order to listen to the speaker outdoors, you will need equipment with parameters from 16 W and above.
• Weight and dimensions . If you prefer to listen to music while cycling or jogging, then products weighing 200-250 grams are suitable for you, but their capacity will not be enough in order to provide good sound at a picnic - in this case, larger products will be required.
• Additional connectors . In addition to the charger socket, some devices have a special USB port, which allows the speaker to be used as a power bank. And the presence of a slot for a flash drive or micro SD card provides comfortable listening without the need to connect to a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
• Hull protection . The degree of protection of the column from dirt and water is marked with numbers from 1 to 10. For example, models with the IP3 index can withstand splashes of water, and the IP7 coding indicates that the column can be used even when immersed in water.
• Battery capacity . Everything is simple here - the higher the parameter, the longer the device will work on a single charge.

Please note that when choosing a Bluetooth speaker, you do not need to rely solely on the technical parameters of the device. Individual requirements for acoustics are quite subjective, so before you pay for a speaker, be sure to test it.