It takes some research when shopping for a Bluetooth speaker. Whatever you think is the best available now can change by the day as this is one of the most crowded electronic gadget categories. They come in small, medium and large. With a big sound in each, some features are the same, and some are different.

Sound and size are critical features, along with battery life, waterproof rating and cost. The Bluetooth version is critical as it affects the range and whether it supports pairing with more than one speaker to get full stereo sound. Even built-in microphones can be important if you want to use the speaker for hands-free calls, karaoke or accessing voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.

Soundcore's Select 4 Go portable Bluetooth speaker is perfect for any situation: It's small, budget-friendly and more. The $24.99 speaker can even be considered pocket-sized, measuring just 4.76 by 3.26 by 1.91 inches. Its built-in handle makes it easy to attach to a belt loop, backpack or anywhere else you want.

Inside is the Select 4 Go speaker, a great-sounding 5-watt speaker that produces the clear and dynamic audio performance that is Soundcore’s signature. A 2600 mAh rechargeable battery should play your tunes up to 20 hours before a USB-C charge is needed.

To say the Select 4 Go is summer-ready is an understatement, given its IP67 dust and waterproof rating. The speaker loves to float along with you and can withstand harsh outdoor conditions, including heavy rainfall and wind/dust storms. Inside is Bluetooth 5.3, which enables authentic wireless stereo sound by connecting a pair of speakers.

The Soundcore companion app's 9-band EQ allows for customized sound. The Select 4 Go is available from Amazon for $24.99 in six color choices. A charging cable is included.

https://www.soundcore.com/collections/speakers

The Fender X Teufel Rockster GO 2 is a medium-sized Bluetooth speaker with great sound and great looks. It measures 2.4 by 8.3 by 4.3 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds. The company's website accurately describes it as a rugged, waterproof Bluetooth speaker with a long-lasting battery and enormous stereo sound that can stand up to whatever outdoor adventures you throw its way.

The Rockster GO 2 is built with a rugged black rubberized case and lightweight aluminum. It has great sound coming from under the front side grill, where two wide-band drivers in stereo arrangement, along with a passive radiator, produce some ultra-deep bass. Dynamore technology, which you control on or off with a press of a button, helps produce a clear, crisp sound with the right amount of bass and a more powerful sound.

The rubber casing helps protect the speaker from accidental drops, and its IPX67 dust and waterproof rating gives it more versatility. You can take it for a swim for up to 30 minutes in three feet of water. Bluetooth 5.3 allows wireless pairing, so if you purchase a pair of Rockster GO 2 speakers, you can pair them together for true stereo sound.

Teufel testing shows it playing for up to 28 hours of battery life (in Eco Mode at medium volume) before a USB-C charge is needed (cable included). A flexible carrying strap is also included and works well for carrying the speaker or attaching it to whatever you choose. Top-side buttons control volume and music selections. Power, Bluetooth pairing, and LEDs that display the battery status are on the back.

https://us.teufelaudio.com/fender-x-teufel-rockster-go-2. $99.99

The Tribit StormBox Blast 2 is big and powerful, resembling a boombox of yesterday. With 200 watts of power, the Blast 2 can easily be the life of a party.

It has a built-in carrying handle, which you'll need with its 18.7 by 10.1 by 7.6-inch, 15.7-pound size. The big size comes with powerful sound from dual 45-watt mid-range drivers, an 80-watt subwoofer and two 15-watt tweeters.

Customized Dynamic Lighting turns the speaker into a party light show, which can be synced to the rhythm of the music. With the help of the Tribit app, you can pick the colors and lights to match the atmosphere. The Tribit X-3D sound effect expands the reach of the sound with the press of a button. The Tribit app also has EQ presets to customize the sound.

Depending on the volume level, you can get up to 30 hours of playtime at 50% volume with the XBass and lights off. Charging takes five hours with the AC charging cable or 12 hours with USB-C. If the speaker has at least 20% power remaining, the USB-A port can charge other devices.

The StormBox Blast 2 is karaoke-ready with full professional-grade functions, including an adjustable Reverb effect. It supports dual wired or wireless microphone connections (not included) for taking your party to another level. The karaoke controls are under a waterproof rubber cover, which is critical to keep closed when you want to take advantage of the IPX67 waterproof rating.

Other controls include a 3.5-mm input, USB-A output, USB-C input, dual 6.35mm microphones and AC power inputs. The other basic controls are on the top and include power, pairing, volume, and music selections.

The StormBox Blast 2 has Bluetooth 5.4, which allows for True Wireless Stereo if you purchase two and pair them together.

https://tribit.com/products/tribit-stormbox-blast-2-portable-bluetooth-speaker $299.99

©2024 Gregg Ellman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.