6 Best Compact Bluetooth Speakers: Perfect for Travel

The right compact Bluetooth speaker transforms your phone or tablet into more than just a “boombox on the go”.

Compact Bluetooth speakers are perfect for people that are on the go.

compact bluetooth speakers on a bench

If you’re traveling a lot and don’t have a lot of space, one of these speakers is undoubtedly what you are looking for.

Capable of pumping out rich, authentic sound (with plenty of bass), the compact portable speakers have a whole host of other features squeezed under the hood, too. We are talking about voice assistant control, devices that double as a speakerphone and speakers that can go underwater – and maybe even give your phone or tablet a “jumpstart” when its battery is running low.

Sounds too good to be true?

Then you need to check out our six favorite compact Bluetooth speakers below and see for yourself.

Our Top 6 Compact Bluetooth Speakers

We’re an Affiliate

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you, if you use our links, we really appreciate it!

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
JBL Go 3 Ultra-Portable Speaker

JBL Go 3 Ultra-Portable Speaker

  • Waterproof
  • Dustproof
  • Lightweight
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • IP67 rated
Buy on Amazon
Tribit StormBox Micro a Top Bluetooth Bicycle Speaker

Tribit StormBox Micro a Top Bluetooth Bicycle Speaker

  • IP67 waterproof
  • Rubber mount
  • 8 hour playtime
  • Dual speaker capable
  • Dustproof
Buy on AmazonBuy from Tribit
JBL Clip 4

JBL Clip 4

  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • 10hrs playtime 
  • USB Type C
  • Waterproof IP67
  • Integrated carabiner
Buy on Amazon
Soul S-Storm

Soul S-Storm

  • IP68 rating
  • 20hrs playtime
  • Hands-free calling
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Great sound
Buy on Amazon
Soundcore Flare Mini

Soundcore Flare Mini

  • Waterproof
  • Linkable
  • Equalizer
  • 12 hours playtime
  • Lightweight
Buy on AmazonBuy at Soundcore
Soundcore Mini 3 Portable Speaker

Soundcore Mini 3 Portable Speaker

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 360 degree sound
  • Small and loud
  • Long warranty
  • Daisy chain
Buy on Amazon

1. JBL GO 3 Small Bluetooth Speaker

Features

Battery powered

Powerbank

Aux-in

Microphone

Waterproof

Equalizer

Voice assistant

Dustproof

Multipoint

Speakerphone

Linkable

App

LED lights

AM/FM Radio

Multi connect

JBL has always had a good reputation for producing incredible wireless audio accessories, and the JBL Go 3 only adds more praise to this brand.

Specifications

  • Bluetooth version: 5.1
  • Battery life: 5 hours
  • Waterproof rating: IP67
  • Dimensions: 3.4″ x 2.7″ x 1.6″
  • Weight: 0.46 lbs
  • Charging: USB-C
  • Speaker wattage: 4.2 watts
  • Warranty: 1 year

Conveniently small (weighing less than half a pound), this compact speaker sounds a lot larger than it looks.

The carefully constructed 4.2 watts sound system is the reason for this. 

While it would have been nice for this JBL device to be compatible with their mobile application (a mobile app that works with other, larger JBL wireless speakers), you’re not missing much.

The stock equalizer is well tuned – even if it’s a little heavy on the bass – and the sound that comes pouring out is pretty well-balanced.

100% water and dustproof, this speaker is great on the go. 

Battery life gives you up to five hours of playtime (needing half that to get back to 100% full), and the whole thing quickly recharges with USB-C.

The wireless range of this JBL device is exceptional.

The Bluetooth 5.1 technology is known to add considerable range (and reliability) to wireless devices, and you can expect to play audio from up to 30 feet away from your media source without much interference at all.

Small, stylish and about as portable as they get, this is a “don’t leave home without it” kind of Bluetooth speaker.

It’s our favorite for having music while hiking, biking, hitting the gym or just generally something to keep in your bag or in your car.

JBL Go 3 Ultra-Portable Speaker
  • Waterproof
  • Dustproof
  • Lightweight
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • IP67 rated

2. Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Best Compact Speaker

Features

Battery powered

Powerbank

Aux-in

Microphone

Waterproof

Equalizer

Voice assistant

Dustproof

Multipoint

Speakerphone

Linkable

App

LED lights

AM/FM Radio

Multi connect

The first time you play a song over this compact Bluetooth speaker you’ll be blown away by how good it sounds – and then, if you crank up the volume, you’ll discover just how loud it gets, too!

Specifications

  • Bluetooth version: 5.3
  • Battery life: 12 Hours
  • Waterproof rating: IP67
  • Dimensions: 4.1″ x 3.9″ x 1.6″
  • Weight: 1.06 lbs
  • Charging: USB Type-C
  • Speaker wattage: 10 watts
  • Warranty: 12 Months

One of the loudest of all the compact Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested, this remarkable little device has clear and loud sound for its size.

This is all thanks to the 48 mm proprietary sound driver and passive radiators under the top shell of this speaker, combined with XBass technology that really pumps.

Nothing about this speaker sounds thin or tinny the way that other compact options can.

For true wireless sound (TWS), pair to another StormBox Micro 2. 

As if that weren’t reason enough to snap up this speaker, though, the fact that it does double as a powerbank helps to separate it from the rest of the pack.

The RunStretch technology inside this device leverages the high-capacity lithium-ion battery to not only power the speaker itself, but also provide extra “juice” to any mobile device you connect through the USB port.

Because of those capabilities, not to mention up to 120 feet of wireless range, this is our favorite compact Bluetooth speaker for folks off the grid.

Camping, hiking or just taking a trip to the lake will never be the same when you have this speaker with you.

Tribit StormBox Micro a Top Bluetooth Bicycle Speaker
  • IP67 waterproof
  • Rubber mount
  • 8 hour playtime
  • Dual speaker capable
  • Dustproof

3. JBL Clip 4 Waterproof Speaker

Features

Battery powered

Powerbank

Aux-in

Microphone

Waterproof

Equalizer

Voice assistant

Dustproof

Multipoint

Speakerphone

Linkable

App

LED lights

AM/FM Radio

Multi connect

The latest version, which is the fourth generation Clip speakers, has a more oval-shaped design. It makes it a little more modern and less child like. It now looks a little more stylish, and it even has a slightly larger housing to accommodate a larger speaker and a new quick charging system.

Specifications

  • Bluetooth version: 5.1
  • Battery life: 10 Hours
  • Waterproof rating: IP67
  • Dimensions: 1.8” x 3.4” x 5.3”
  • Weight: 0.5 lb
  • Charging: USB Type C
  • Speaker wattage: 5 watts
  • Warranty: 12 Months 

The bigger speaker, which is 5 watts, produces cleaner sound and a lot richer bass as well.

Proprietary JBL sound components help to squeeze every drop of power out of this speaker, too.

A little room was left over to add to the battery life of this Bluetooth speaker.

You can get up to 10 hours of playback time reliably, with the whole unit only taking three hours to charge back to 100%. And also, a fraction of that to get to 50% thanks to quick-charging technology.

JBL made sure that this device was fully waterproof across the board. That means you can take it to the pool, the shower, to the hot tub, to the river or just listen to your favorite music in a downpour. The speaker is now dustproof too.

The controls are simple and straightforward. Add in Bluetooth 5.1 wireless technology, and you can expect a strong, stable connection good for up to 30 feet or so.

If you’re looking for a little compact JBL portable speaker for use in dusty or wet environments like the beach, then this is a great option for you.

JBL Clip 4 Best Portable
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • 10hrs playtime 
  • USB Type C
  • Waterproof IP67
  • Integrated carabiner

4. Soul S-Storm Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Features

Battery powered

Powerbank

Aux-in

Microphone

Waterproof

Equalizer

Voice assistant

Dustproof

Multipoint

Speakerphone

Linkable

App

LED lights

AM/FM Radio

Multi connect

The battery in this compact Bluetooth speaker is what separates it from the rest. It will give you 20 hours (and then some) of playback on a full charge. There aren’t too many other options in the compact Bluetooth space that can go toe to toe with that kind of longevity.

Specifications

  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
  • Battery life: 20 hours
  • Waterproof rating: IP68
  • Dimensions: 2.2’’ x 5.1’’ x 2.3’’
  • Weight: 13 lbs
  • Charging: USB-C
  • Speaker wattage: 5 watts
  • Warranty: 1 year

It takes approximately 5 hours to charge this ultra portable speaker. 

As far as crystal clear audio is concerned, the design of the speaker system and the audio drivers is the secret to its clarity.

A 5-watt speaker is the heart of this system, pumping out a full tonal range with audio authenticity tough to find in speakers this size.

Mix in Bluetooth 5.0 (which means 30 feet of wireless range, give or take), auto-pairing capabilities, quick charge technology and water/dustproof construction thanks to a full IP68 rating, and it’s not hard to see why this unit is so popular.

If you want loud but balanced audio, and a speaker that you can drop underwater without worrying about killing it, Soul has you covered.

Soul S-Storm
  • IP68 rating
  • 20hrs playtime
  • Hands-free calling
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Great sound

5. Soundcore Flare Mini LED Light Show

Features

Battery powered

Powerbank

Aux-in

Microphone

Waterproof

Equalizer

Voice assistant

Dustproof

Multipoint

Speakerphone

Linkable

App

LED lights

AM/FM Radio

Multi connect

Anker smashed this one out of the park, even if the Flare Mini is a little on the larger side of things as far as compact Bluetooth speakers are concerned.

Specifications

  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
  • Battery life: 12 hours
  • Waterproof rating: IPX7
  • Dimensions: 3.3’’ x 2.8’’ x 5.5’’
  • Weight: 1.0 lbs
  • Charging: Micro USB
  • Speaker wattage: 10 watts
  • Warranty: 18 months

360° sound will be heard in every direction.

The highs, mids and bass are all perfectly balanced with the added ability to crank that bass all the way up using the built-in EQ system and BassUp technology.

You can also link two of these speakers for even larger sound. 

The battery will last up to 12 hours and recharges in approximately four hours via a micro USB port. Not bad, right?

Customizable LED lights that pulse and surge to the beat of your music, audio enhancement technology built by GRAMMY-winning audio engineers, and one of the better warranties (18 months) in the industry help make this unit a must-have.

Pair two of these together, and it’s the ultimate “party on the go” speaker.

This is our pick for entertaining small groups of people.

Soundcore Flare Mini
  • Waterproof
  • Linkable
  • Equalizer
  • 12 hours playtime
  • Lightweight

6. Soundcore Mini 3 Portable Speaker

Features

Battery powered

Powerbank

Aux-in

Microphone

Waterproof

Equalizer

Voice assistant

Dustproof

Multipoint

Speakerphone

Linkable

App

LED lights

AM/FM Radio

Multi connect

And one more from Soundcore, this Bluetooth speaker, too, delivers 360° surround sound and has an 18-month warranty. It is slightly smaller than the model above and doesn’t feature LED lights. 

Specifications

  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
  • Battery life: 15 hours
  • Waterproof rating: IPX7
  • Dimensions: 2.8” x 2.8” x 3.3”
  • Weight: 0.55 lb
  • Charging: USB
  • Speaker wattage: 6 watts
  • Warranty: 18 Months

The IPX7 waterproof rating guarantees that this compact speaker can take a dip with no concern at all.

It produces rich and authentic sound at all levels of volume.

You can bump up the bass quite a bit with this little speaker, too.

As far as the battery capacity is concerned, you’ll be able to party all day – and well into the night – with 15 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Quick charging technology (via USB-C) gets you back up to 50% battery in an hour or so, and back to 100% in 3 to 4 hours.

And, of course, you can still use the speaker while it is charging.

The ability to daisy-chain up to 100+ of these little speakers together makes this the ultimate choice for fleshing out your whole home sound setup.

You can’t go wrong with this little gem!

Soundcore Mini 3 Portable Speaker
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 360 degree sound
  • Small and loud
  • Long warranty
  • Daisy chain

Conclusion

At the end of the day, all six compact Bluetooth speakers we highlighted above are well worth owning.

They all are available at similar price points and offer rich, authentic sound – some more than others. 

And, they all are nearly indestructible, are fully waterproof and some are dustproof too.

Think about how you’re going to use your new Bluetooth speaker before you pull the trigger on a purchase.

We are sure you’ll find something to suit your needs in the list we covered above!

compact bluetooth speaker sitting on a bench