3 days ago
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I love having good music around my home, but it gets even better when I'm able to carry that sound with me to different places. That is why I love portable Bluetooth speakers. I have tested several of these, and while the Marshall Emberton 2 remains my favorite for small rooms, there are three other Bluetooth speakers that I'd not mind carrying to picnics and parties this summer.
If you're ready to bring the noise to your Fourth of July cookout (or your favorite tunes to your next beach day) here are the speakers I'd recommend.
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The last-gen Marshall Emberton 2 remains my favorite Bluetooth speaker for at-home music listening. It offers a clean, room-filling sound without getting distorted at high volumes. Plus, it is, hands down, one of the best-looking rugged Bluetooth speakers. While the Emberton 3 carries forward that iconic design language and melodious sound, it costs $40 more than the $130 Emberton 2, so I'm sticking with the second-generation speaker over the third-gen.
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The Marshall Emberton 2 features omnidirectional speakers, so when put in the middle of a gathering, it'll provide sound from both front and back channels to fill your party area with as much sound as possible. In my usage, the Emberton 2 has consistently delivered at least 15 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The 2nd-gen Bose Soundlink Flex is my choice for the portable speaker to take on hikes and picnics this year. Like the Emberton 2, it offers IP67 dust and water resistance, but with a single-direction speaker, which helps deliver music directly to listeners on the move.
The Bose Soundlink Flex (Gen 2) features the company's PositionIQ tech that can automatically detect its orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether it's upright, hanging or flat on its back. It offers good bass and clear treble without compromising the mids. The Bose speaker comes with support for AAC and AptX audio codecs and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity to deliver a no-compromise audio experience. Lastly, it'll last you 12 hours of playtime.
The newly-launched $180 Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro is my recommendation for those who not only want to listen to their favorite tunes but also feel the vibe of their music. While it isn't a traditional Bluetooth speaker, the 2-in-1 lamp adds a flavorful touch of light to JBL-tuned sound. The RGB lamp features modern aesthetics, which makes it seem like it's made of glass. You can use it in both powered and battery modes.
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The Table Lamp 2 Pro is enhanced by the highly customizable and intuitive Govee Home app. You can use it to adjust the layout to suit your needs and surroundings, add a personalized touch to your music, or just explore the ready-made scenes. It comes with a mic to detect sound, change lighting in Music Mode, and support Matter connectivity, too. While the sound of the Table Lamp 2 Pro isn't the best on this list, it can bring a small party to life. It's one of the more versatile speaker choices on this list.
If you are looking for a big and bold Bluetooth speaker that delivers outstanding bass for its size, the Brane X audio is a fantastic device. It is the most expensive portable speaker on this list (at $500), but it brings innovation, like its Repel-Attract Driver (RAD) subwoofer that adds unmatched bass to a speaker this size, that in my opinion makes the price worth it.
The Brane X would be my go-to recommendation for poolside parties or if you need deep bass. You might be (pleasantly) surprised by the furniture-shaking sound. If you are worried about the thumping low frequencies, you can choose from three levels of bass to customize your listening experience. It comes equipped with Apple AirPlay and Amazon Alexa for a smart listening experience.
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That depends on what you are looking to get out of your speaker and how you plan on using the device. These Bluetooth speakers range from $150 to $500 and your choice will depend on the purpose and budget. For instance, I wouldn't take the Govee Lamp 2 to a poolside party or play the Brane X in a small get-together. But if you know what you want from your next Bluetooth speaker, this list should have one for your needs. Each one of these Bluetooth speakers is capable of taking your music listening experience to the next level.
I review products for a living and love having music in my home. I read a report from Sonos earlier this year that said listening to music out loud can lead to more happiness, and have been a big advocate of filling your life with music.I have been writing about consumer tech for 10 years now and while product reviews are objective, this story is subjective and based on my preferences. These speakers aren't just room-filling but have their own vibe and sound that reflect in specific scenarios.
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