When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, JBL take some beating. In the past decade, they’ve produced some of the most renowned wireless speakers that let you enjoy your favourite music, regardless of location.

But with so many JBL speakers to choose from, it can be tricky to find the right one for you. So, in this article, we’ll showcase the best JBL Bluetooth speakers that cater to various needs. Whether for home entertainment, travel, or personal enjoyment, we’ll make it simpler to understand what sets these models apart.

2. JBL Clip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Key features

• Ultra-portable JBL Pro Sound
• 12-hour battery life
• IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection

Pros

• Impressive sound quality
• Waterproof and dustproof
• Long battery life

Cons

• Limited bass depth

The JBL Clip 5, a slight step-up from the Clip 4, is a pocket-sized portable speaker that’s ideal for adventurers and music lovers on the go. Despite its compact size (it’s super portable), it delivers impressive JBL Pro Sound, providing the kind of rich audio you wouldn’t expect from such a small speaker.

Making it easy to carry around, the Clip 5 has a built-in carabiner with a wide opening – so you can clip the speaker to your bag, suitcase, or even a shower rail. Plus, with an IP67 rating, the Clip 5 is both waterproof and dustproof, ensuring durability in any environment.

Connectivity is a breeze with Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast, and you can pair multiple speakers for a more immersive sound experience. Adding to its portability, the Clip 5 has a 12-hour battery life on a single charge, plus an extra three hours with Playtime Boost. And to ensure you look as cool as you sound, the speaker is available in various colours – it’s as stylish as it is functional.

If you want something cheaper but equally as portable, the JBL Go 3 is a great option – but with a lower price comes a shorter playback time. However, it still includes all that rich bass, Bluetooth 5.1, and an IP67 rating. 

3. JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Key features

• JBL Original Pro Sound
• IP67 water and dust resistance
• Integrated power bank feature

Pros

• Up to 20 hours of battery life allows for long listening sessions
• Dual JBL radiation offers a crisp bass response and wide soundstage
• Stylish ensures great visual appeal

Cons

• There’s no EQ customisation

The JBL Charge 5 takes everything that’s already great about the Flip 6 and goes a step further. While not quite as budget-friendly, the Charge 5 offers a longer battery life of up to 20 hours, perfect for all-day events without the need for frequent recharging.

It can even serve as a portable charging station. Simply connect your smartphone or tablet to the speaker via the USB-C port, and it will recharge your devices while playing music.

With an IP67 rating, this speaker is fully waterproof and dustproof. Plus, the cylindrical design is very easy to carry, and there are numerous controls to manage playback, volume, power, connectivity, and more.

This speaker is 5cm wider than the Flip 6. This means it can house JBL’s Original Pro Sound principles, combining a 52mm x 90mm long-excursion driver, a dedicated tweeter, and two JBL bass radiators to elevate the low-end frequencies.

If you’re after a wider sound, PartyBoost connectivity will do the trick. You can pair up to 100 separate PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers together, including the Xtreme 3 and Pulse 5. It’s perfect if you want to create a broad soundstage while hosting a party outdoors.

Finally, the JBL portable companion app will let you effectively manage the playback straight from your smart device. Unfortunately, you do miss out on EQ customisation.

4. JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Key features

• Wirelessly connect two devices simultaneously
• 24 hours of playback
• Built-in power bank and bottle opener

Pros

• Deep bass and detailed highs
• IP67 enables strong water and dust resistance
• Features a carry strap to ensure portability

Cons

• Doesn’t include a 3.5mm audio jack or USB-A port – but you’re not likely to need these with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity

The Xtreme 4 is one of the best JBL Bluetooth speakers for parties. It boasts a combination of two woofers, two drivers, and two JBL Bass Radiators, ensuring a balanced sound with deep, thumping bass and crystal-clear highs. It’s ideal for any music lover who wants to be able to take the party with them wherever they go.

Engineered to be as rugged as it is powerful, the Xtreme 4 boasts an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, allowing it to withstand even the harshest environments.

Using Bluetooth, you can connect to up to two smart devices simultaneously, giving everyone the chance to add their favourite songs to the Spotify queue.

As with the Charge 5 and Flip 6, the JBL Xtreme 4 features the PartyBoost function, so you can create a wider sound, perfect for larger gatherings.

Built for practicality, it comes with a durable carrying strap that includes a built-in bottle opener, adding a touch of convenience to your outdoor trips. Plus, for added portability, the battery life can last up to 24 hours before needing to charge – but this is sorted with the integrated power bank. It’s an incredible amount of playtime – the longest on our list!

If we had to find a drawback, it’s that this speaker doesn’t include a 3.5mm audio jack or USB-A port. But this is a “best JBL Bluetooth speakers” list, so if you’re looking for a high-quality sound that you and your friends can enjoy wirelessly, the Xtreme 4 fits the bill.

5. JBL Pulse 5 Bluetooth Portable Speaker

Key features

• Vibrant 360-degree LED light display
• JBL Original Pro Sound
• 12-hour battery life with USB-C charging

Pros

• Up-firing driver provides an all-direction sound
• Bluetooth 5.3 ensures great connectivity
• Stylish design is an aesthetic standout

Cons

• Limited on-board controls

The Pulse 5 is one of the best JBL Bluetooth speakers out there and one of the most unique choices on our list.

Firstly, its inner 360-degree RGB light display offers a full spectrum of vibrant colours that sync with the rhythm of your music, creating the perfect party vibe.

The up-firing driver projects JBL Original Pro Sound in all directions, whilst the passive radiator brings some vibrant bass. Better still, the broad 58Hz – 20kHz bandwidth ensures every song is played with precision, from a heavy rock track to a sombre trip-hop song.

Its Bluetooth 5.3 is an improvement on 5.1, and it means you’ll be able to connect to two separate devices at the same time. This is great if you want to share the responsibility of selecting songs. For larger social gatherings, PartyBoost is on hand to help you maximise the dispersion of sound. There’s also a 12-hour battery life.

Sadly though, every speaker comes with its downsides. The manual controls at the back of the speaker include no playback buttons, a common feature amongst many portable speakers. Having said that, the JBL Portable app lets you remotely manage the sound from your phone.

6. JBL Authentics 300 Portable Smart Speaker

Key features

• 25mm tweeters and 6.5-inch passive radiators
• Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity
• Stylish manual controls

Pros

• Automatic tuning will optimise your living space
• Comprehensive voice control with Chromecast and Amazon Alexa
• Stylish retro design with modern tech integration

Cons

• Battery life shorter than some competitors

The JBL Authentics 300 Portable Smart Speaker is one of the most versatile choices on our list, offering a mix of retro aesthetics and modern technology.

Equipped with a 5.25-inch woofer and a 6.5-inch passive radiator, the Authentics 300 boasts crisp highs and deep lows that create a detailed sound output. This model will even automatically adjust the audio output to suit the acoustics of any environment, ensuring optimal sound quality in any type of room, be it small or large.

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable compatibility with AirPlay, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, so you can stream music seamlessly from any device or service.

Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa grant voice-controlled multitasking without interrupting your music flow. Alternatively, if you prefer manual control, there’s a control panel at the top of the speaker where you’ll be able to play/pause the music, skip songs, and control the volume.

Out of the three speakers in the Authentics series, we felt the Authentics 300 showcases all the best factors this series has to offer. It’s bigger in size than the Authentic 200, meaning it packs a more powerful sound and is considerably more portable than the larger Authentics 500.

However, its eight-hour battery life can be limiting if you’re after long listening sessions.

7. JBL PartyBox Ultimate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Party Speaker

Key features

• Vibrant, customisable light show
• Dual mic and guitar inputs
• IPX4 splashproof design

Pros

• Dynamic Original JBL Pro Sound with Dolby Atmos gives you an immersive experience
• Compatible with AirPlay and Spotify Connect, and it has Chromecast built-in
• Features a handle and wheels for easy transport

Cons

• IPX4 rating offers minimal resistance

If it’s a party speaker that you want, the JBL PartyBox Ultimate Wi-Fi Bluetooth Party Speaker is a hard one to top.

Much like the Pulse 5, the PartyBox Ultimate offers a dazzling light show that syncs up with your songs, creating an instant party atmosphere. You can customise this light show, adjusting the starry lights, light trails, and strobe effects to suit your vibe.

And to really get the party going, the speaker comes with dual mic and guitar inputs, which can be used for live performances or late-night sing-alongs.

In terms of sound, the Ultimate delivers Original JBL Pro Sound, ensuring your music is loud and clear, with deep bass and vibrant tones across a variety of genres. The JBL One app then gives you control over your music and lights during your party, letting you tailor your sound’s EQ, manage the light show, and connect multiple PartyBox speakers.

The speaker’s handle and wheels make it easy to move the party from one location to another. Plus, it’s compatible with AirPlay and Spotify Connect and has Chromecast built-in, so you can effortlessly line up songs.

It’s also worth noting that the PartyBox Ultimate’s IPX4 rating, while suitable for protection against light water splashes, provides minimal resistance during heavy rain. Nevertheless, the sound quality and light show make up for it!

8. JBL 4305P Wireless Studio Monitor Speakers

Key features

• 300W RMS Class D amplifier
• Advanced HDI tweeter
• 24-bit/192kHz DAC with MQA support

Pros

• Versatile analogue and digital inputs
• Hi-res streaming via Chromecast, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2
• Ideal for hi-fi system integration

Cons

• A little weak on the bass output

A far cry from our portable selections, we have the JBL 4305P Wireless Studio Monitor Speakers. Since they’re active speakers, they feature a built-in 300W RMS amplifier, giving you powerful, high-quality audio without the need for an external amp.

The 2410H-2 1-inch tweeter features a High-Definition Imaging horn, which provides crystal-clear highs with wide dispersion. Unfortunately, while commendable, the 5.25-inch woofer delivers moderate bass performance that’s slightly weak for this price range. But you can use the bass contour control to adjust the low-frequency response to better match the acoustics of your home.

Thanks to Bluetooth 5.1, these speakers can pair to your smart devices, with options for hi-res streaming via Google Chromecast and AirPlay 2.

This speaker offers great wireless sound through a built-in DAC that can deliver up to 24-bit/192kHz audio. There’s even support for MQA, so you can hear your favourite songs in the studio-like quality in which they were recorded.

In terms of analogue connectivity, the JBL 4305P employs USB, optical, RCA, and subwoofer connections to give you plenty of room to broaden out your hi-fi system.