If you're in the market for a speaker that'll get the party rocking over the festive season, then something from my pick of the loudest Bluetooth speakers should do the trick. Many of the big audio brands including the likes of Sony, Bose, Marshall, JBL, SoundBoks and Amazon have a brilliant selection of speakers that, in my experience, will blow the cobwebs away and deliver rock'n'roll the way it was meant to be heard... and that's LOUD!
In the name of science, I decided to put the blast shields up, crank up the volume and dive head-first into a world of cacophonous Bluetooth speakers that I feel are pretty much guaranteed to knock you off your feet with their blistering delivery.
My guide should help you decide which of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market is the right fit for your musical leanings – and is capable of hitting the right volume – for you and your music collection.
Loudest Bluetooth speakers: Quick list
Quite simply, this fourth generation of SoundBoks speaker delivers thunderous sound and will easily shake the foundations of your home when cranked up. You'll get up to 40 hours of music from a full charge and it's dust and rain-proof. While you can lug it around to a new year party, it's a bit of a beast weighing in 35.5lbs. The grill even pops off so you can paint it in any style you like for a nice customisation option.
For a big sound with maximum portability, the JBL Boombox 3 fits the bill nicely and will continue to rock out for 24 hours without needing a power boost. JBL have upped the Bluetooth to 5.3 from the 2nd gen model and it can also hook up with other JBL PartyBoost devices. Available in a variety of colours, the JBL Boombox 3 is an easy recommend for those looking to take the big sounds with them.
When it comes to iconic branding in the world of amps and speakers, Marshall's classy designs are hard to beat. My pick of the loudest Marshall speaker available right now goes to the Woburn III thanks to its balanced performance, ease of use and ability to deliver earth-shattering sound. Simply and all-round excellent Bluetooth speaker for your home.
At first glance, you might not think an Amazon product could deliver the kind of thunderous noise associated with the loudest Bluetooth speakers in my list, but you'd be wrong. The Amazon Echo Studio can pump out a whopping 90dB of sound. As you'd expect with a smart speaker, it comes with loads of bells and whistles to tinker with including Alexa voice assistant and I think it's a great option.
After purchasing several Sony headphones over recent years, I can safely say that when it comes to audio, they're very hard to beat - and the portable SRS-XB33 speaker is a top choice. It isn't too bulky and it delivers rich bass and should be on your shopping list if this sounds like your jam. Being a portable speaker, it's also waterproof and dustproof so is a neat choice for those looking to take their sounds to a party.
While the Sonos Move is a great option for portability, it's also a speaker that's comfortable in your living room or bedroom thank to its sturdy design and powerful audio. It can hook up with Google Home which is perfect for those who just want a single speaker in their flat, while its ability to crank out 85 db will keep the party going. Bass is a little lacking but aside from that, the Sonos Move is a solid option.
The Louder choice
✅ Buy if you want a massive-sounding speaker: With up to 126dB of earth-shaking audio and top battery life, these SoundBoks truly deliver.
❌ Avoid if you're after a more lightweight model: Weighing in at 16.1kg, you might be after something lighter - and it's heavier than the SoundBoks (Gen 3).
The fourth generation of SoundBoks' huge-sounding speaker range delivers yet another sonic assault on the senses. It delivers a whopping 126dB of sound, which is delivered thanks to two 10-inch 96dB woofers and a 104dB compression driver tweeter. In other words, it’s loud.
The SoundBoks 4 retains the excellent 40 hours of battery from previous versions when played at mid-volume, with a playback time of 6 hours when cranked to the max and it can be connected to your smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth 5.0.
While it’s classed as a portable speaker, it’s still a heavy thing to lug around as it weighs in at a considerable 35.5 pounds - that's even heavier than the Gen 3's 34lbs. But the good news is it features IP65 tech, so it’ll cope with rain and dust with no problems.
Sure, it’s not the most stylish of speakers on the market, but to make it a little easier on the eye, the SoundBox 4 has a removable grill which can be spray painted so you can get creative and give your speaker a unique twist.
It also hooks up to the SoundBoks app where you can tweak EQ settings, add a personal pin number to protect your speaker and update firmware.
Best portable
✅ Buy if you want a big-sounding, waterproof speaker: This is made to be taken to parties and with 24 hours of battery and completely waterproof, it's a top option.
❌ Avoid if you're after something you're planning on using indoors : The design might be a bit old school for some tastes and won't suit all interior spaces.
The JBL Boombox 3 is a step up from the second generation model and really delivers when it comes to blasting out rock music.
So what are the differences between the JBL Boombox 2 and this model? For starters, Bluetooth 5.1 has been replaced with Bluetooth 5.3 and it also now carries a IP67 rating meaning it's protected from water and dust.
The JBL Boombox 3 utilises an 80W RMS-subwoofer alongside 2x40W RMS-midrange and 2x10W RMS-tweeter when plugged in to the mains, while in batter mode, you'll get 60W from the RMS-subwoofer, 2x30W RMS-midrange along with 2x8W RMS-tweeter.
Talking of battery power, the JBL Boombox 3 retains the second generation's 24-hour playtime and although designed for portability, the weight in the 3 has been increased from 13lbs to a hefty 14.7lb
This robust bit of kit is available in black or camo and is well worth a look if you’re in he market for something that’ll shake your foundations.
Best for Marshall fans
✅ Buy if you're a Marshall fan looking for a powerful speaker: All Marshall speakers look the business, but the Woburn II is our pick if you want LOUD!
❌ Avoid if you're after a portable solution: The Woburn III is strictly for indoor use only.
Historic brand Marshall has been loyal to loud for decades. Fortunately, this old-timer seems quick to adapt to the modern times when you consider the Woburn III’s Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. Other additions include a Marshall app which gives you the ability to turn the speaker on and off, as well as manually control the volume, bass and treble.
The third generation of Woburn speaker offers a brilliantly robust sound and has been built to sustain clear, low frequencies thanks to its 90W Class D amplifier for the woofer, alongside a total of four15W Class D amps for the mids and tweeters.
Although the Marshall Woburn III Bluetooth speaker is low fuss, it is high maintenance considering it's not waterproof, dirt-proof, beer-proof… so keep this inside and away from spillage. All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reviewing it.
Read our Marshall Woburn III review
Best audio quality
✅ Buy for voice controlled convenience: All Amazon speakers have Alexa integration - and the Echo Studio has the added bonus of 90 dB of audio delivery.
❌ Avoid if you're after a pro-level speaker: The Echo Studio does a lot of things right, but if you're after a dedicated music speaker, there are other options available.
At 65% of the market share, it feels like everyone has an Amazon Echo. But when it comes to smart speakers, “loud” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. If that's what you're thinking, then let the Amazon Echo Studio change your mind, as it delivers up to 90dB of sound – as loud as a revved-up lawn mower.
It’s unlike other conventional Bluetooth speakers due to the positioning of its five speakers: there's a midrange speaker directed upwards, a midrange speaker facing to the right and another to the left, a tweeter directed forward, and a woofer directed downwards towards the hollowed-out space which Amazon calls the bass aperture. These placements are meant to give listeners an immersive experience – as if you are surrounded by sound.
As a smart home device, users get the perks of software updates, plus the ability to connect to a whole host of other smart home devices. It’s worth noting that this speaker is designed for use within a home setting, not for outdoor use.
All in all, the Amazon Echo Studio may not be the choice for someone looking for a pro-level speaker, however it is a great speaker for someone who wants an all-in-one device with great audio.
Read our Amazon Echo Studio review
Best heavy bass
✅ Buy if you're looking for extra bass: This another excellent portable speaker and comes highly recommended if you're after some beefy bass.
❌ Avoid if you don't want something flashy: The Sony SRS-XB33 is a neat portable speaker - just bear in mind it also has inbuilt disco lights!
Sony has always been a brand you can trust in the audio field, and the Sony SRS-XB33 continues this heritage with a portable, dust-proof, waterproof speaker that delivers a superb sound thanks to its unique internal speaker layout.
I like the quirky fact that I could chain up to 100 of these together, not that I can see a situation where that would ever happen, but it’s a nice idea which conjures images of an all-out sonic attack.
Despite its relative size, however, I was impressed with the depth and thud that came from bass and low-end sounds, and can vouch for its volume levels which retain clarity even when you push it to its limit. On a personal level, I can take or leave the flashing disco lights.
Read our Sony SRS-XB33 review
Best multi-purpose
✅ Buy if design matters: Some of the speakers featured here might be an acquired taste when it comes to design, but the Sonos Move looks and sounds the business.
❌ Avoid if you want portable power : The Sonos will take care of all your indoor audio needs - just don't think about taking it outside.
Times have changed for Sonos with this, their first portable Bluetooth speaker, dubbed ‘Move’.
The difference between this and older models is it’s portability and built-in intelligence. Integration with Google Home and Amazon Echo gives users the ability to use it like any other smart speaker. Plus, all that portability comes complete with resistance to the elements, meaning you can take this speaker outside with confidence.
Although it is plenty loud 85 db – somewhere between a really loud blender and a lawn mower – there is a downside. The Sonos Move includes everything but a subwoofer, a loudspeaker that’s key to bringing out the lowest bass tones in a song.
It’s definitely loud and great for the average listener, but missing the deep low-end may be a deal breaker for some.
Read our Sonos Move review
FAQ
What makes a speaker 'loud'?
When looking for one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers around, first, check out how many decibels (dB) a speaker cranks out, or look at the scaled measurement of the intensity of sound. Not unlike an earthquake, the higher up on a scale, the more exponentially powerful the sound is.
Every 10 dB represents a 10-fold increase – or doubling – in volume. For example, 20dB is 10 times louder than 10 dB, while 30 dB is 100x louder than 10 dB and - with that logic in mind - 1,000x more powerful than 0 dB. For reference, the average concert has an intensity of about 100 dB.
Now let’s talk about Wattage (W) – because all that sound needs to be backed by sheer power. But how many watts do you really need? Every speaker is set at its own wattage, telling us exactly the strength of its perceived amplification. However, a 100W speaker isn’t twice as loud as a 50W speaker, but rather 3dB louder.
Does the size and design of a speaker affect volume?
Of course, this is all well and good but you'll also have to take into consideration how the speaker will look in your living room, music study or outdoor space. Some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers can, it has to be said, be a little on the plain side, with the majority of the energy involved going into how the blasted thing sounds. Fair enough!
Some speakers like the SoundBoks 4 are big and bulky, while the Marshall Woburn III is emblazoned with the audio giant's instantly recognisable label. These won't be a natural fit in some environments. Others like the portable JBL Boombox 3's design hark back to the good old days of the 1980s when I owned a double-tape deck ghetto blaster.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, you're ready to peruse my guide to the victors of volume, the number ones of noise... the loudest Bluetooth speakers around. Our price comparison widgets have found the best prices online right now for you, too. Just hit the 'product guide' tab to check out our list.
How can I protect my ears?
We wouldn’t be a responsible rock site if I didn’t include a word on long-term exposure to excessive volume. While we’re big supporters of playing things loud, it’s possible to cause permanent damage to your ears if you’re always cranking it (don’t believe us, Metal Hammer editor Eleanor Goodman told us what it’s like living with Tinnitus). So, maybe give your ears a rest from time to time. And if you're going out to see live music, take a peek at Louder's guide to the best earplugs for concerts.
What is the loudest Bluetooth speaker?
The Soundboks (Gen. 4) is my top choice when it comes to packing a serious audio punch, but all the speakers above have enough fire power to kick start a raucous party - and that includes the Amazon Echo Studio. It's not only tuned to deliver rich, crystal audio at volumes of up to 90dB, but the stylish design means it would look at home in any room, while built-in Alexa voice control built-in is a welcome bonus.
How we test the loudest Bluetooth speakers
Bluetooth speakers can be for the living room or portable – either way, we need them to be able to play hellishly loud without complaint.
The biggest challenge when it comes to testing Bluetooth speakers has got to be their low frequency response. Can they do justice to deep growls and thunderous bass? A quick blast of Motorhead's Ace Of Spades will usually tell us what we need to know. Does Lemmy’s bass sound dirty but tight? Do Phil Taylor’s machine gun beats knock you back on your boot heels? What we don’t want to hear is a confused mash of noise.
The Louder team also listen for ‘presence’. Bluetooth speakers can sound monophonic, with all their energy emanating from the same physical space. What we value is a wider soundstage, whether this is achieved through clever digital signal processing or an inventive driver/passive radiator configuration, it doesn’t really matter.
Finally, to assess their treble performance, we inevitably fall back on Do It Again by Steely Dan, which remains a challenging soup of electric piano, cymbals and soaring vocals.
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