We’ve put some of the market-leading party speakers to the test to discover which is best. More than 30 tireless hours of extensive comparison and advanced testing went into this buying guide. Based on our findings, we conclude that the Braven XXL is the best party speaker on the market. Find out more about the unit below.
Product Overview
It goes – or should go – without saying that a party without music is a party not worth throwing. In order to turn it into an unforgettable experience, you’ll need music and in order to have music, you’ll need speakers that can put out a tune without the usual static that occurs in your run-of-the-mill PC speakers when you crank up the volume.
Nowadays, you can buy a gorgeous and loud Bluetooth party speaker with a minimal investment. This can prove to be a daunting task, though, given that there are so many options to choose from.
If you’re about to throw the party of the century but are at a loss when it comes to opting for some speakers that will last you, there’s no better place to be for you than here.
In the following, we’ll provide some buying considerations and then we’ll review 5 of the best party speakers you can find on the market. Whether you’re on the hunt for and outdoor party speaker or a big indoor unit, we’ve got you covered.
Top Picks: Best Party Speakers
Best Overall
Braven XXL Bluetooth Speaker
Pros
- Loud and clear
- Beautiful design
- Sturdy
- Strap has a bottle opener
- Works as a power bank
Cons
- Slightly costly
- Slow recharging
This Braven speaker is our top pick for multiple reasons. Let’s start with the obvious: it looks absolutely amazing and if you feel nostalgic for the ‘90s, then you’ll appreciate its boombox esthetic.
The speaker is 100% dirtproof, as well as water resistant (not waterproof!). Even though it has only 1 subwoofer, the sound it puts out could not get any cleaner.
Most of the times, turning the volume of the speakers up distorts the sound and it becomes next to impossible to enjoy the music. Thanks to no less than 4 audio drivers, the Braven XXL gets really loud without transforming your favorite songs into an unbearable cacophony.
The speaker features a 3.5 microphone jack (for karaoke or screaming for party attendees that misbehave), a USB charging port and a DC charging port you can use for charging your devices.
Its battery life is quite impressive – you can listen to music for a little over 11 hours on a single charge, provided that the volume is halfway up. If you want to listen to music on the maximum volume, the battery will die out in about 5-6 hours.
As any other Bluetooth party speaker, this has got its shortcomings, although these shouldn’t get you too worried. One of the downsides is its weight: it weighs approximately 18 pounds, so it is exponentially heavier than many other speakers.
And then again, this is one of the factors that contribute to the fact that this is almost indestructible. Another minor disadvantage is its charging time – it can take a few hours to charge fully (perfectly justified by the 11 hours of continuous play).
All in all, this unit is, hands down, the king of the best party speakers you can get these days.
Best Loud Party Speaker
SOUNDBOKS 2
Pros
- Can play extremely loud
- Indestructible
- Military grade batteries
- Incredible battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Insipid, uninspired design
We know that for many of you, the price of a Bluetooth party speaker is the most important factor. Even though this unit is definitely among the best party speakers ever made, we’ve purposely put it in the last place because it’s not affordable at all.
However, the price is, from our standpoint, totally justified. The SOUNDBOKS 2 provides 122 dB of sound and is built in such a way that no shock, no matter how severe, can destroy it.
Due to the huge output power, this isn’t suitable for indoor use, because you won’t be able to turn the volume higher than 50% unless you want the neighbors to call the cops on you.
The bass, especially when the volume is almost on max, is astonishing. This speaker has sold left and right despite its price for 3 reasons: its bass, its durability and its unbelievable battery life (close to 40 hours).
How can batteries last so long? It’s simple: they’re military grade batteries, which means that they charge quickly and drain slowly. If you go to the beach, you can use it there, since it’s water resistant.
Moreover, the sound isn’t affected by wind or other background noises. Another thing you should know about the SOUNDBOKS 2 is that it doesn’t have a single negative review. That speaks volumes about the quality you get in return for your investment.
If you want a Bluetooth party speaker that will last you forever, this is one of the best choices you can make.
Best Budget Party Speaker
Sony GTKXB7BC Home Audio System
Pros
- Looks great & well-built
- Lots of connectivity options
- LED lighting
- SongPal app
- Affordable
Cons
- Very heavy
- AC powered
When it comes to electronics, Sony doesn’t need any introduction. This unit is a Bluetooth party speaker as well as a speaker you can use in your house on a daily basis.
What makes this different from the previous one is the size, of course, the design and the fact that this, unlike the Braven XXL, has EXTRA BASS technology and LED lighting that synchronizes with the pace of the songs and changes colors once in a while.
The unit can be controlled with an app called SongPal and has a USB port. Another cool thing about this one is that it can be connected to other speakers (they’ve got to be the same model).
Considering that one of them is a giant that can burst one’s eardrums, just imagine what 3 of these could do. This was made exclusively for turning your home into a miniature club.
If you thought that the Braven XXL was heavy, try this one on for size: it weighs a whopping 26 pounds; to be fair, it makes up for that with a huge output power, club lights and ability to connect to other similar speakers.
The Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair the speaker with any device you want: phone, iPod, tablet, iPad and even your TV. Whereas other speakers might have a limited signal range, this Bluetooth party speaker has a surprisingly good one.
This way, you won’t have to sit too close to the speaker to listen to music. We think it’s clear to anybody that this is a device that’s been designed specifically for parties and get-togethers. One of the very few drawbacks is that it’s AC powered.
The Alternative
FUGOO Tough XL
Pros
- Great battery
- Handles tough environments
- Compatible with SIRI & Google Now
- Has speakerphone
Cons
- Cannot be paired with another unit
- Doesn't come with a strap
- Somewhat expensive
A guide to the best party speakers cannot simply overlook the giant that is the FUGOO Tough XL – even its name hints that it’s a beast. This loud and big Bluetooth party speaker has everything a music enthusiast would want.
Let’s start with the specs: it’s got 2 passive radiators (if you’re in the least familiar with speakers, you know these make a huge difference in sound), 4 tweeters, 8 acoustic drivers and 2 mid drivers. These specifications allow the Tough XL to blast your music in surround sound wherever you are.
On top of all of these, this model is completely dustproof, shockproof, mud-proof and waterproof. There is nothing that this speaker cannot handle. When it comes to battery life, this is one of its main selling points: if you play music at a decent volume (say 50/100), you get approximately 35 hours of continuous playing.
It also has a USB port that allows you to charge your devices. Even though it looks huge (it basically is), it weighs only 3 pounds, so you can take it anywhere you want. The sound is clear and sharp even when the volume goes past the halfway-through mark, and the bass is rich and doesn’t drown all the other frequencies.
And talking of which – the FUGOO XL renders low, midrange and high frequency with the same degree of success, thanks to the acoustic drivers it’s equipped with. This unit is among the very best party speakers you can get your hands on and it’s totally worth the investment, especially if most of all your parties are outdoors.
2nd Alternative
Pyle PSUFM1035A 2-Way Speaker System
Pros
- Huge output power
- DJ lights
- SD slot and FM radio
- Power bank capability
- Budget-friendly
- Connects to any device
Cons
- Very heavy (over 50 pounds)
- Mono sound
The best party speakers must have some sort of LED lighting that can transform even the tiniest room into a dance floor. This Pyle model has more than that.
Right off the bat, it’s got 1.000 watts (that’s a lot of power), dual subwoofers and two tweezers, 3” each. This speaker works as a power bank, too, as it allows you to connect your devices to a USB port.
Here’s what makes this Pyle a formidable speaker to have, apart from the features we’ve already mentioned: it has 2 microphone jacks and 1 guitar jack, as well as an AUX input. It also has a display screen (a first in our buying guide).
The sound is incredibly clear and stays that way even when the volume’s turned all the way up; the bass is rich and can be tweaked easily either by playing with the control knob or the EQ.
No matter if you want to play guitar for your friends or throw a karaoke party, this Bluetooth party speaker will serve you well for an unbeatable price. This can be purchased either as a passive or active speaker. If you’re willing to invest more, you can consider the speaker set.
The Bluetooth connectivity allows you to play music from any compatible device. The SD Memory Card slot gives you the option to play music without draining the battery of your gadget. If both options are out of the question, you can turn the FM Radio on.
There isn’t a thing that this impressive Pyle speaker doesn’t have. Purchasing it is obviously a safe bet, as it returns unbelievable quality for the money.
Buying Considerations: Bluetooth Party Speakers
“I’ll just buy the cheapest one; it’s for one occasion only, anyway” – this type of mentality won’t get you far. We’re not saying you should purchase the most expensive Bluetooth party speaker, but one that returns good quality for the money.
This is what you should take into consideration when hunting for the best party speakers:
Output Power
When you’re having a party, everybody there must be able to hear the music without wearing ear trumpets.
All the best party speakers have subwoofers that;
- ensure a rich, deep bass and;
- are loud enough but don’t sacrifice the clarity of the music.
Tweeters and audio drivers are highly recommended on a big party speaker, so aim for those features.
Play Time
The battery of a Bluetooth party speaker that’s worth its salt has to last upwards of 10 hours. Battery life isn’t much of an issue when you’re at home and you can just keep the charger in, but it’s crucial when you throw a party outdoors (in the woods, for example, or the mountains).
Power Bank
The vast majority of Bluetooth speakers today work as power banks, too, in the sense that you can plug your phone or tablet into the battery port and recharge it. This can come in handy when your phone’s battery is dying out and there’s no plug for miles.
Weight
Bluetooth speakers can get pretty heavy. It’s not recommended to get one that will make you develop a hernia while carrying it around, especially if you plan on using it for outdoor parties far from home.
Weatherproof
You should get a weatherproof Bluetooth party speaker even if you don’t plan on using it outdoors too often. You can never know when you’ll be stricken with wanderlust.
Weatherproof speakers aren’t any more expensive than non-weatherproof ones, so it makes perfect sense to get the latter if possible.
Now that we’ve seen a few factors that should contribute to your buying decision, we’ll present you 5 of the highest-rated products. You can go with any of these and you’re all set for a fantastic party.
Verdict: Loud Party Speakers
We chose to go with the Braven XXL as the winner because its quality-price rapport is the most justified. Sure, its design had an influence on our decision, as well, but it was nowhere near as important as its features.
If you’re into DJ lights, you should opt for the Sony Home Audio System or the Pyle 2-Way Speaker System. Both are great, qualitatively speaking, and return good quality for the money.
In case you travel a lot and you love road trips, the FUGOO Tough-XL is your optimal Bluetooth party speaker, as it is everything-proof, to put it like this. It’s also quite cheap for what it offers.
The SOUNDBOKS 2 is the most impressive when it comes to output power, but as we’ve seen, not many people can afford it. The ultimate decision is entirely yours. You cannot go wrong with any of the 5 best party speakers we’ve presented in this guide.
Concluding Remarks
Finding the best party speakers, particularly when you’ve never bought any before, can prove to be a hassle, since there are many things you must take into consideration before hitting that “Order” button.
If you don’t know what makes a speaker good, you can easily end up with a unit that you’ll have to send back because it doesn’t serve your needs.
We know that our reviews were kind of brief, but they’re packed with all the information you need in order to purchase a loud party speaker that will turn a few heads around. And, of course, these are really the best party speakers that are available at the moment.
We’ve done quite a lot of research before penning down this buying guide, so you can rest assured that the products we’ve presented are all high-rated. It doesn’t matter if you have a lot of money or a rather tight budget – you’ll certainly find a proper party speaker in our guide.
