Introduction()
Your smartphone is the one device to rule them all. Part communications device, all entertainment centre. It's even a phone. But if you're anything like me you use your phone for listening to music and the radio, and watching movies. When you are out and about on your own headphones are the perfect partner for such activities. But involve other people, or listen and watch at home, and you would benefit from one of our 13 best portable speakers for iPhone, Galaxy, Nexus and other smartphones.
So long as your phone is Bluetooth enabled, all of these devices will add depth and volume to the audio experience. However, these are not audiophile speakers. Channeling audio over Bluetooth requires compression, so a Bluetooth speaker will never match the best wired audio kit for audio fidelity - especially when you consider that the source of your music is a smartphone playing compressed digital music files or a compressed digital radio station.
A good Bluetooth speaker will hugely enhance your smartphone's audio, however, and it will add other great benefits. The best speakers here are truly portable: small, robust and with excellent battery life. They are convenient - I have a Bluetooth speaker in every room of my house which means I can amble around with the radio playing from the phone in my pocket. And these speakers are also stylish, for the most part.
Some things to consider, however - you do tend to get what you pay for in terms of Bluetooth and portable speakers. The Maxell MXSP-BT03 we review here is a great deal for the price, but it can't match the audio depth of the Jabra Solemate, and the Scosche BoomBOTTLE blows both out of the water. A product such as the Minx Air 100 is twice as good as them all, but costs twice as much as the Scosche.
So although we have listed these 13 great Bluetooth speakers in order, you shouldn't presume number 1 will be best for you. All of these devices are great, and each offers something unique. If you are looking for a speaker for your smartphone at your budget, we're confident you will find it in this list.
1. i-box Twist (iPhone, smartphones)
Wireless speakers are being launched at a rate of knots currently, and new British manufacturer i-box is no exception.
It's hard to fault the i-box Twist given how cheaply it can be picked up online. It sounds great and works well as a speakerphone. Battery life isn't the best, but it's probably enough for most people.
2. Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 (iPhone, smartphones)
Wireless speakers tend to favour AirPlay or Bluetooth, but the Minx Air 100 caters for both. It has plenty of other tricks besides as well as sounding great.
Although it isn't a truly portable speaker, the Minx Air 100 is one of the most versatile wireless speakers around. Its ho-hum looks matter not when you consider it has apt-X Bluetooth and AirPlay support, and it sounds great to boot. You can get better sound if you spend an extra £100, but it's good value at this price.
3. Scosche BoomBOTTLE rugged portable speaker (iPhone, smartphones)
The Scosche BoomBOTTLE is a uniquely shaped and rugged portable speaker built for use in the great outdoors.
Reasonably priced and well built. If you don't expect awesome audio this portable speaker set will serve you well. The Scosche BoomBOTTLE is ideal for active types who like to make noise when out and about in the great outdoors.
4. Jabra Solemate (2014) (iPhone, smartphones)
The updated Jabra Solemate is a striking and portable Bluetooth speaker that produces decent sound. If you are looking for a portable speaker for your smartphone, you could do a lot worse.
The Jabra Solemate offers a big sound in a small packet (for a reasonably large price). The Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in a laptop bag, but can easily fill a room with sound. And it is built to last.
5. Bose SoundLink Mini (iPhone, smartphones)
The Bose SoundLink Mini is one of the best sounding portable Bluetooth speakers on the market.
The Bose SoundLink Mini may not be the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker on the market, but it's one of the best sounding and really packs a punch considering its compact size.
6. Maxell MXSP-BT03 (iPhone, smartphones)
The Maxell MXSP-BT03 is an inexpensive and portable Bluetooth speaker set with a certain style.
A good value, very portable Bluetooth speaker. At this price it's hard not to recommend the Maxell MXSP-BT03. Just don't expect the greatest audio quality.
7. Bose SoundLink II (iPhone, smartphones)
Most portable speakers trade off sound quality for size and weight. Not the SoundLink II. It may be on the expensive side, but if you want big-speaker sound, take a look at this speaker.
The SoundLink II isn't cheap, but it delivers well above average quality. We like the built-in cover and stand, but it's a shame it there are no speakerphone capabilities.
8. X-Mini Max Duo portable speakers (iPhone, smartphones)
The X-Mini Max Duo portable speakers are a decent-sounding portable option for pumping up your iPhone's audio output.
At £49.90, the X-Mini Max Duo speakers aren't exactly an impulse purchase, but they remain solidly affordable. While not illegal-rave-spec, the X-Minis sound great for such portable units (alternatively, you could say they're wonderfully portable for such decent-sounding speakers) and look pretty good too. A great buy for summer holidays and outdoor loafing.
9. Bowers Wilkins A5 (iPhone, smartphones)
If you're happy to be limited to AirPlay, B&W's A5 is a great-quality compact wireless speaker.
Here's our Bowers B&W' speakers are never cheap, but the A5 seems a little overpriced. Sound quality is good but not excellent, and it's strictly for Apple devices since there's no Bluetooth. For £70 less, the Minx Air 100 is much more versatile, yet sounds just as good.
10. House of Marley Chant (iPhone, smartphones)
This lightweight Bluetooth speaker also doubles as a speakerphone and is designed to live in its carry case.
The Chant Bluetooth is cheaper than some portable wireless speakers and its eco credentials mark it out, but sound quality isn't the best. If you're prepared to carry something a little larger, i-box's Twist sounds better and is £10 cheaper.
No comments:
Post a Comment