The 5 best party speakers, tested for sound, portability, and fun

Overview

If you love to host big gatherings, then the best party speakers are an absolute must.

You’re probably asking, “What’s the difference between standard Bluetooth speakers and party speakers?” There's no hard and fast definition, so let's just say we know it when we hear it.

Party speakers are more robust in size, specs, and bass. They’re engineered with bigger drivers and woofers to bump music at insanely high levels. The batteries in these models are higher capacity, and in some cases, can be swapped out to extend playtime. Some speakers even come with DJ features like instrument compatibility and RGB lights. While there's a lot of overlap between portable speakers and party speakers, we prioritize portability in the former (duh) and big, thumping sound in the latter.

portable party speakers arranged on the floor

Some of the speakers tested for this review. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The Mashable tech and shopping teams stay on top of the latest Bluetooth speaker releases, using our expertise and hands-on experiences to determine the market’s most favorable offerings. I've also personally tested dozens of speakers in the last couple years, focusing on features such as overall audio quality, battery life, portability, sturdiness, and whether they serve best for indoor or outdoor play (or both).

So, what is the best party speaker for summer 2025? Mashable’s top picks include the class-leading JBL PartyBox Stage 320, along with audio powerhouses like the Sony ULT Field 7 and Ultimate Ears Hyperboom.

Our Pick

jbl partybox party speaker with rgb lighting activated

The Good & The Bad

Well-balanced sound highlighted by powerful bass
Mobile app with multiple audio-enhancing features
Replaceable battery
Built-in telescope handle to easily roll the speaker around
Decent playtime

Slight distortion at high volume levels
Not waterproof
Incredibly heavy at 36 lbs.

Who it's for

Party throwers who want serious flash and flare from their wireless speaker. JBL speakers have beaten the likes of Sony, Bose, and Sonos in Mashable's testing, and this brand is underrated for its sound quality. The PartyBox Stage 320 has alluring lighting effects and monstrous sound. It can also be used for more than just music listening. Does anyone love karaoke?

Why we picked this

This is the most complete party speaker we’ve tested thus far. JBL sells other models for less, but none match the PartyBox Stage 320’s overall performance.

Up to 240 watts of stereo sound burst out of the machine. Bass is aggressive and tuned well to give contemporary songs an impactful presence. Listening at high volume causes minor distortion. However, bringing it down a few notches doesn’t compromise the speaker’s vibrant output. JBL has a 5-band EQ to adjust frequencies for clearer mids and highs. Multiple modes and presets are available to enhance audio based on content or genre; we liked how immersive videos sounded in Movie Mode.

Several party features are built into this speaker. The lighting effects are bright, charming, and customizable through the app. There are connections for a guitar or two mics, in case you want to live out your Guitar Hero dreams in real time. In the app is a mini-DJ mixer that adds different effects to music tracks. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast lets you broadcast sound from an unlimited number of other JBL-compatible speakers. Then there’s the retractable handle to easily transport this beast from indoors to outdoors (and vice versa).

Battery life isn’t as high as other models on this list (18 hours), but at least the battery is swappable, meaning you can stretch playtime by having a second battery on hand. This might be a hindrance for some. Others will find it more convenient than waiting for the primary battery to fully charge.

Details

Tribit StormBox Lava Portable Bluetooth Speaker with carrying strap

The Good & The Bad

Bold sound you can personalize via companion app
Can pair with up to 160 speakers simultaneously
Compact and light
Longer battery life than party speakers four times its size
Dustproof and waterproof

Generic-looking design
Poor speakerphone
No hi-res/lossless audio

Who it's for

Tribit’s latest wireless party speaker is a bargain for consumers that desire big, room-filling sound in a small package at an affordable rate. Portable speakers have obvious advantages, and whatever the Stormbox Lava lacks in size and style, it certainly makes up for in sound quality and usage. It's also a smart pick for beach parties, as it's easy to carry and fully waterproof.

Why we picked this

I really didn't think this affordable speaker would offer such a shockingly good value. The Stormbox Lava checks the most important boxes: audio, battery life, connectivity, and durability. And you can purchase it for as low as $139.99.

Two 30-watt woofers and two 10-watt tweeters are protected underneath the speaker’s waterproof shell. As stated in my review, this combination of components produces “loud, emphatic sound with booming bass that will satisfy the most hardcore headbanger.” Drums, synths, and other low-end instruments have solid reverberation. Turning on the XBass feature makes significant changes to songs by eliminating unwanted bloat and refining both mids and highs. You can tweak the sound to your liking by playing with the speaker’s customizable 10-band EQ.

Battery life is rated at 24 hours, which is realistically 18 to 20 hours when considering features and high volume. This served me well for back-to-back soirees over a weekend; there was 20 percent left in the tank after two 8-hour parties.

This is also one of the more portable-friendly party speakers sold. The bundled handle and shoulder strap make carrying it a breeze. IP67 certification ensures survival in one meter of submersion, so you’ll never have to worry about the speaker short-circuiting when falling into the jacuzzi. Bluetooth 5.4 keeps multi-device connectivity stable within a 40-foot radius. Tribit’s Party Mode function supports up to 160 speakers at a time. It’s also awesome that the Stormbox Lava acts as a power bank to charge mobile devices on the go.

Details

ultimate ears hyperboom speaker on table at party

The Good & The Bad

Adaptive, bass-heavy sound that gets as loud as a nightclub
Near-indestructible frame
Responsive capacitive touch controls
Stellar multi-pairing with other UE speakers
All-day battery life

Only supports SBC (no AAC or hi-res/lossless codecs)
Max volume decimates playtime
Huge and heavy

Who it's for

The Hyperboom appeals to bass-first listeners who want to blow a hole through their roof, House Party style. A maximum of 229 watts is enough sonic raw power to fill an entire banquet hall. Pairing multiple speakers only heightens performance.

Why we picked this

UE’s flagship speaker cranks out music louder than most, if not all, current party speakers. Two passive radiators, two tweeters, and two woofers sit underneath the hood. The low end is given a high amount of amplification. Normally, this would bloat up the soundstage. Not in this case. You can blast this sucker to the max, and bass response remains crisp. I’ve yet to test another speaker that can do this. There’s a tiny microphone on top that doubles as an adaptive EQ. The feature does a remarkable job of analyzing ambient noise around the Hyperboom and auto-adjusting sound to one’s environment. I noticed the differences in clarity when playing music indoors and outdoors. Mids and highs were also clearer.

UE allows you to pair up to 150 speakers at once. This can consist of multiple Hyperboom, Epicboom, and Megaboom speakers, though all you need is two Hyperbooms to enjoy vastly loud stereo sound. Adding to its versatile connectivity are dual Bluetooth inputs to pair the Hyperboom with two media devices simultaneously. Another cool playback feature that deserves attention is One-Touch Music Control. This is essentially a shortcut to access your favorite playlist by performing the long-press gesture on the play/pause button.

Up to 24 hours of playback (on 50 percent volume) seems reasonable for a speaker this size. We only wished that the Hyperboom lasted longer than 3 hours at max volume.

Details

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus with party lights activated

The Good & The Bad

Conveniently portable and lighter than it looks
Strong audio that can be personalized via 9-band EQ
Customizable light show
Durable and floatable design
Adequate battery life

Plastic design looks chintzy
Radiators rattle at high volumes
Limited inputs

Who it's for

The Boom 2 Plus is for the outdoor adventurer who seeks a handy, boom-heavy speaker for their treks. Lively bass, demonstrated by a beat-driven lightshow, makes for lots of fun underneath the sun or moon.

Why we picked this

Anker’s top selection has all the makings of an outstanding portable party speaker. It sounds fantastic right out of the box. Bass carries so much sonic weight. It’s engrossing, and turning on the BassUP 2.0 feature adds more thump to your favorite tracks. Playing around with the EQ or presets is unnecessary since they bring down the low end. As for how loud this sucker gets, we’re talking up to 140 watts, though certain bass tones at high volume vibrate the passive radiators. It isn’t distortion, but it isn’t pleasant on the ears either.

The Boom 2 Plus has some niche features. People love a good lightshow, and this speaker has a variety of lighting patterns (via the Anker Soundcore app) that bring excitement to any party. IPX7 waterproofing keeps the device fully protected from excessive moisture. Even cooler, Anker designed the speaker to float in water.

The built-in handle is perfect for carrying the Boom 2 Plus in-hand. An adjustable strap comes bundled to easily lug the speaker around. Anker’s plastic construction is adequate for dealing with accidents and all types of weather conditions. It just looks cheap compared to other rivals. Luckily, this doesn’t bring down the speaker’s value, which is compelling, especially when it's on sale for $209 (on Amazon).

Details

sony ult field 3 party speaker in mashable studio

The Good & The Bad

Lightweight and portable with detachable strap
Extra bass level
Loud, room-filling sound
Waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, rustproof

Sound gets a big tinny at loud volumes
Some app connectivity issues
No LDAC/lossless audio support

Our review

Read our full review of the Sony ULT Field 3 speaker.

Who it's for

Brand enthusiasts with a penchant for Sony sound must add the new ULT Field 3 to their virtual shopping cart. It has expansive party features that complement the speaker’s robust audio and battery life. Plus, Sony's signature bass-boosting feature adds an extra punch for parties. If you're looking for bigger sound, I also highly recommend the ULT Field 7 boombox speaker.

Why we picked this

Mashable loves the entry-level ULT Field 3. (Pro tip: If you're looking for even bigger sound or LDAC support, we also love its ginormous sibling, the boombox-style ULT Field 7.) This compact party speaker is a loud, bass-heavy speaker that's best for parties and the outdoors.

The ULT Field 3 fills any room with loud, engaging sound, and you can easily connect it with up to 100 other compatible speakers. Using the newly improved Sony Sound Connect app, it's easy to control your party playlist. And if you engage the signature bass-boosting ULT feature, powerful bass will wallop your eardrums. While we find that blowing up the bass tends to blow out the sound (in any speaker, not just this one), the 7-band EQ settings let you fine-tune the highs, lows, and mids to your liking.

The detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to bring to the pool or a beach bonfire, but it's equally at home indoors. As Mashable Reviews Editor Miller Kern wrote, "The Sony ULT Field 3 speaker is worth it for someone who loves to hear the bass in their music and needs a speaker to fill a large space — or someone who listens to music outdoors often, like at the beach or on a hike."

Details

sony ult tower 9 party speaker in mashable studio

The Good & The Bad

The ultimate karaoke machine
Incredibly powerful speaker for large parties
Great speaker for party planners, bar owners, and other professionals
Strong bass that doesn't overpower sound profile
Control the party lights with Sony Sound Connect app

Wireless microphones sold separately
Very expensive (and battery-powered version costs extra)
Comes with wheels but still hard to transport

Who it's for

If you throw parties with 100 people or more, if you own a bar and want to host a karaoke night, plan parties professionally, or even if you're a wedding DJ, then the newly released Sony ULT Tower 9 party speaker could be your new party companion. You can connect two wireless mics to turn it into the ultimate karaoke machine, or connect it with additional speakers for even more noise. Even on its own, it delivers 360-degree sound that might just result in a noise complaint.

Why we picked this

Mashable has a full review of the Sony ULT Tower 9 — the heavyweight of the ULT speaker series — coming soon. While it's a smart pickup for professionals, or anyone throwing large house parties for 100+ people, its high price tag relegates it to "Honorable Mention" status for now. For the average party planner, the JBL PartyBox will be easier to transport and set up.

However, the ULT Tower 9 does have some killer features. It has two built-in slots for holding wireless microphones and a karaoke feature in the Sony Sound Connect app. On top of that, it was top-to-bottom lights, which can be controlled with touch controls or via the app. Typically, we find that bass-boost features throw off the overall sound balance, but that's less of a problem with this behemoth than with other speakers in the ULT line.

It comes in two versions, one with a 25-hour battery and an AC version, though you'll have to pay more for the wireless model. Likewise, you'll have to supply your own wireless microphones, which is a bummer. At this price, it would be nice to get those included. Still, if you're looking for the best party speaker for large events, this is the kind of speaker your neighbors will hate.

Details

Mashable developed this guide by sifting through our current and past party speaker reviews. In recent years, we've tested dozens of Bluetooth speakers from brands such as JBL, Sony, Marshall, LG, Beats, and Anker Soundcore. Here are the major factors we looked at when compiling our favorite party speakers:

Sound quality: We tested each speaker by playing different media formats, including audiobooks, music, movies, podcasts, and video games. When available, audio codecs and equalizer settings were cycled through to see how they impacted the sound of a speaker. Full volume range was also accounted for to examine balance and potential distortion of sound. Other notable sound features we checked out were adaptive audio modes, digital assistance (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri), mono and stereo, and speakerphone capability.

Battery life: Our reviewers spent one week monitoring power levels through moderate use (4 to 5 hours daily) and a second week monitoring heavy use (more than 6 hours daily). This allowed them to properly assess how often a speaker needed to be recharged. Any models with a built-in power bank were used to portably recharge compatible devices (typically smartphones and tablets). Battery-draining culprits like multipoint, RGB lightning, and volume had been carefully watched as well.

Design: Craftsmanship and size were evaluated to see if a speaker was best suited for a bookshelf, desktop, entertainment system, or outdoor setting (e.g., balcony, patio). We looked at ingress protection (IP) ratings to verify dust-, dirt-, shock-, splash-, and water-resistant/proof claims. Any speakers with attachable or built-in handles were carried multiple times to observe how portable-friendly they were.

Connectivity: Most current party speakers run on Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher). Our reviewers paired each speaker to media devices operating on iOS/macOS, Android, and Windows. This provided a greater sense of compatibility. Range was tested by placing each speaker in different locations at a specified distance (up to 60 feet) from our connected audio source.

Value: Whether you’re spending $100 or $1,000, you want a party speaker that offers the most bang for your buck. Pricier options often come with high-end sound and special features. That doesn’t mean you can’t find less expensive options that perform similarly in certain areas. As we expand our testing pool, we’ll take into consideration how different speakers match up to their competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

It wouldn’t be fair to proclaim one brand the absolute best party speaker maker, especially when the category is still fresh and growing with new entries. JBL currently has the largest assortment of party speakers available at different price points. Anker, Sony, and Ultimate Ears aren’t far behind. Newer brands like Treblab and Tribit have also gained our attention with their relatively affordable speakers, while Sonos remains popular for smart, whole-home sound.

For this guide, we gathered the most popular selections from recognizable and well-respected brands. Every speaker chosen delivers great value. Most importantly, they sound terrific with sonorous bass that enlivens festivities.

First, you need to understand the difference between water resistance and waterproofing. The former grants partial protection against moisture, and the latter prevents water from passing through and damaging items. Here’s a basic breakdown of each waterproof rating to better educate yourself:

IPX0 – No water resistance
IPX1 – Survives vertical drop of 1 millimeter of water
IPX2 – Survives drop of 3 millimeters of water
IPX3 – Survives light water spraying
IPX4 – Survives omnidirectional water splashing (water resistant)
IPX5 – Survives water jet splashing up to 12.5 liters for 1 min
IPX6 – Survives water jet splashing up to 100 liters for 3 mins
IPX7 – Complete submersion up to 1 meter for 30 mins
IPX8 – Complete submersion up to 3 meters for 30 mins

Wattage is basically how loud your speaker can get without distorting sound. You will find the wattage rating somewhere on the package, product page, or spec sheet (look for the capital “W”). Up to 50 watts is sufficient for blasting music at parties. Several of the speakers we listed range from 80 to 240 watts.

One is enough. However, pairing more than one speaker lets you achieve stereo sound. Certain situations may call for a multi-party-speaker setup, and new connectivity technology allows 100 or more speakers to be connected, though we've never heard of anyone testing this to the limit. A catering hall would need multiple speakers to project audio from different angles and at loud volumes, but your apartment or house doesn’t necessarily need this.

alex bracetti headshot

Alex Bracetti is a freelance product reviewer and journalist covering gadgets and men's grooming products. An experienced consumer tech writer, he has bylines at Mashable, Complex, SPY.com, Thrillist, AskMen, CNN Underscored, and Tom's Guide. In addition to writing about the latest tech trends and gadgets, he's also covered men's fashion, sports, and gaming. For Mashable, he primarily covers headphones/wireless earbuds, party speakers, smartphones, and mobile accessories.