The Best Speakers for Travel

When you hit the road, you want your tunes to come with you. But sometimes a pair of earphones—even noise-cancelling headphones—just isn’t enough. Whether it be serving as impromptu DJ for your friends or enhancing a presentation with a soundtrack, you need a portable speaker.

Here are the best speakers for travelers that will let you pump up the volume without weighing you down.

JBL Clip 3

If you’re looking for the most portable speaker out there, the JBL Clip 3 is the best option to consider. This diminutive, waterproof Bluetooth speaker can pump out 10 hours of tunes with surprising clarity. It comes in a wide variety of colors, which is good, because the integrated carabiner will let you clip it to whatever’s handy—so much more convenient than a cloth strap. It’s a fashion accessory and a powerful speaker.

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Bose SoundLink Micro

A diminutive device with a soft touch silicone exterior and waterproof interior, the Bose Soundlink Micro is a 6-hour portable speaker that you can put in your bag and forget about until you need it. While the battery life isn’t quite on par with the JBL Clip 3, you can also use it to activate your phone’s voice assistant.

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JBL Flip 5

If you need a little more power, then turn to the Flip 5 by JBL. It has 12 hours of battery life, and gets impressively loud without distortion. With an IPX7 waterproof rating, it’s fully submersible, so you don’t have to worry about it ending up in the pool. The Flip can also connect to two phones via Bluetooth at the same time and up to 100 other JBL speakers (that have PartyBoost). It also comes in a wide array of colors, so feel free to mix and match if you want better coverage at a backyard party. What’s nice is that, even if it’s a little bigger, it’s still compact enough to fit easily in a backpack or carry-on.

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JBL Pulse 3

If you’re looking to push your party to the next level, then the Pulse 3 is your device. It has all the same features as the Flip 5—it’s waterproof and submersible, and has 12 hours of battery life, Bluetooth and PartyConnect connectivity. But where the Pulse 3 stands out is its integrated LED light show. Using the JBL Connect app, you can customize how the LEDs flash, bringing an audio-visual spectacle to your party. Think of it as a portable Electric Daisy Carnival.

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Anker Soundcore 2

But what if you need all-day sound? And by “all day” I’m not talking about just those hours you’re awake. What if you need 24 hours of uninterrupted audio? Then you get Anker’s Soundcore 2. Despite its small size, the Soundcore 2 can get crazy loud. It also features some of the most impressive bass of any portable speaker on the market; a benefit of Anker’s own BassUp technology. The speaker’s waterproof, dustproof—just generally outdoor-proof, and can pair with another unit for stereo sound.

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Bose SoundLink Revolve+

If you’re looking for that revolutionary Bose sound, but in a portable format (and want something a little more robust than a clip-on speaker), get the Soundlink Revolve+, connect to the speaker via Bluetooth, and pump out tunes in every direction. With its distinctive design, the Soundlink Revolve+ can deliver 360-degree sound. It has a seamless aluminum body and is water-resistant (so no dunking it in the pool, but it’s safe if it gets caught in a drizzle). It’s also fully speakerphone-capable (so remember that everyone around you will be able to hear your call). The speaker has a 16-hour battery life and can pair with another unit for stereo sound. And if you want even more convenience, get a charging cradle so you boost the Revolve+ between sessions and have it ready to go.