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A portable Bluetooth speaker is one of the easiest gifts to get right: everyone from teenagers to grandparents will use one in the kitchen, the garden or on holiday. Three of the best are on offer right now. Here’s how they compare.
We haven’t tested these products ourselves. Our picks are based on independent expert reviews (linked below) and the manufacturers’ specifications. Prices change often, so each product links to today’s price.
The short answer
- Get the JBL Charge 6 for the biggest sound and the longest battery. What Hi-Fi? gave it 5 stars.
- Get the JBL Flip 7 for a great balance of size and sound.
- Get the Sony ULT Field 1 if you want the smallest and easiest to carry.
| Feature | 8.9 JBL Charge 6 Portable Bluetooth SpeakerSee today’s price See today’s priceat Amazon.ie | 8.7 JBL Flip 7 Portable Bluetooth SpeakerSee today’s price See today’s priceat Amazon.ie | 8.1 Sony ULT FIELD 1 Portable Bluetooth SpeakerSee today’s price See today’s priceat Amazon.ie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Store | Amazon.ie | Amazon.ie | Amazon.ie |
| Price | See today’s price | See today’s price | See today’s price |
| You save | – | – | – |
| Buyer rating | – | – | – |
| DealDepot score | 8.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Best for | Parties and outdoors | Tough, loud portable speaker | Tough travel speaker |
| Our verdict | A terrific upgrade to JBL’s best-selling speaker, with punchier, clearer sound, a tough waterproof build and about 24 hours of battery. There’s no USB-C cable in the box and it’s… | One of the best portable speakers around: big sound for its size, a properly tough IP68 build and good battery life. Skip it if you already own a Flip 6,… | A tough, waterproof little speaker that goes loud and handles knocks and rain. Audio purists may find the mids a bit thin, but for beaches, gardens and travel it’s a… |
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| Specifications | |||
| Battery | About 24 hours, plus Playtime Boost | Up to 14 hours (+2 with Playtime Boost) | Up to 12 hours |
| Water/dust rating | IP68 | – | – |
| Connection | Bluetooth, USB-C audio | – | – |
| Extras | Carry strap, charges your phone | – | – |
| Protection | – | IP68, drop-proof from 1m | – |
| Bluetooth | – | 5.4 (SBC, AAC) | 5.3 |
| Output | – | 25W woofer + 10W tweeter | – |
| Weight | – | About 560g | About 650g |
| Waterproof | – | – | IP67 (water and dust) |
| Shockproof | – | – | Yes |
| Charging | – | – | USB-C |
Sound
The Charge 6 is the biggest and loudest of the three, with punchier, clearer sound than the Charge 5. The Flip 7 is smaller and easier to carry, and the ULT Field 1 is the most compact. Our Flip 7 vs ULT Field 1 comparison covers how those two sound.
Battery and toughness
All three are made to go outdoors. The Charge 6 lasts about 24 hours and is IP68 waterproof and dustproof, so it’s happy by the pool or on the beach. See each product page for the full specs.
Which is best for you?
- Garden parties and holidays: Charge 6.
- Bedrooms, kitchens and day trips: Flip 7.
- Hiking, cycling and travel: ULT Field 1.
Want better TV sound instead?
If voices on your TV are hard to hear, a soundbar helps more than a speaker. The Hisense HS3100 is a budget 3.1 soundbar with a centre speaker for clearer dialogue and a wireless subwoofer, on offer at Currys.
- 18.9
JBL Charge 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best for: Parties and outdoors
A terrific upgrade to JBL’s best-selling speaker, with punchier, clearer sound, a tough waterproof build and about 24 hours of battery. There’s no USB-C cable in the box and it’s less lively at low volume, but it’s a superb all-rounder.
What we like
- Punchy, clear sound
- Rugged, waterproof and dustproof
- About 24 hours battery
- Wired lossless listening over USB-C
Watch out for
- No USB-C cable in the box
- Less lively at low volume
See today’s price - 28.7
JBL Flip 7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best for: Tough, loud portable speaker
One of the best portable speakers around: big sound for its size, a properly tough IP68 build and good battery life. Skip it if you already own a Flip 6, as the upgrade is modest.
What we like
- Very loud, full sound for its size
- IP68 and drop-proof
- Up to 14 hours of playtime
- Lossless audio over USB-C
Watch out for
- Won’t pair with PartyBoost speakers like the Flip 6
- No USB-C cable in the box
- Playtime Boost reduces sound quality
See today’s price - 38.1
Sony ULT FIELD 1 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best for: Tough travel speaker
A tough, waterproof little speaker that goes loud and handles knocks and rain. Audio purists may find the mids a bit thin, but for beaches, gardens and travel it’s a great pick, especially at this discount.
What we like
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- Shockproof, rugged build
- Goes loud, with a ULT bass boost button
- Small and easy to carry
Watch out for
- Midrange sounds a little thin
- About 12 hours of battery (rivals can last longer)
See today’s price - 47.4
Hisense HS3100 3.1 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
Best for: Clearer TV sound on a budget
-34%A no-frills soundbar that noticeably improves weak TV sound, with a dedicated centre speaker for clearer dialogue and a wireless subwoofer. It distorts if you push the volume and bass is limited, but it’s great value for everyday TV.
What we like
- Centre speaker for clearer voices
- Wireless subwoofer
- Works with any TV
- Great value
Watch out for
- Distorts at high volume
- Limited bass and thin treble
- No eARC or HDMI pass-through
€119Was €179-34%
Read our full JBL Flip 7 vs Sony ULT Field 1 comparison for more detail on those two.
Sources: What Hi-Fi? (JBL Charge 6 review), CyberShack (Hisense HS3100 review).