Matthew CoxWe’ve listened to a lot of speakers, and while loudness is easy to find, what can be tougher is to find loud Bluetooth speakers that still offer high-quality audio without excessively muddy bass or piercing treble. In this article, we look at some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers currently out on the market and see how they stack up against each other and which is the best purchase for you.
Our Pick!
SOUNDBOKS Gen 3
If the volume is what you’re after, the SOUNDBOKS Gen 3 is as loud as it gets for a Bluetooth speaker, with an ear-melting 126 dB. When combined with the extensive battery life (up to 80 hours!), this speaker will keep any party rocking.
Our Picks
Our Top Pick
The Soundboks Gen 3 wins our top pick with its 126dB of sound in a relatively portable manner, at least compared to something like the Partybox 1000. It also offers a good sound signature and a lot of bass response.
The Loudest Large Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Partybox 1000 is the ultimate beast of a Bluetooth speaker, which sounds great and looks great too. This speaker also features lighting effects, something not often found in Bluetooth speakers over 110dB. The only downside to some will be that it is not battery-powered and requires an outlet, which is also not portable.
Best for Portability
We love the Turtlebox Gen 2 for portability. Despite bringing up to 120dB of volume to the party, the Turtlebox is also small and light enough to easily carry around at 10lbs. This speaker also sounds great, with a punchy bass response and clean mids. You also get a rugged design that is available in multiple colors.
The Loudest Small Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom is a small speaker that weighs in at a fraction of the cost of the competitors on this list. While it doesn’t bring quite the same level of sound, it carries a lot of power for its size and a sound signature that has gained it a fan following.
Our Selection Of The Loudest Bluetooth Speakers
Below is a selection of the loudest Bluetooth speakers currently on the market. These speakers offer the most volume for their respective size format. We’ve included several of the loudest large Bluetooth speakers, as well as the loudest Bluetooth speakers in smaller sizes, in case portability is important to you.
1. SOUNDBOKS Gen 3
How Loud?
126 dB
Power
216 W
Battery
40 hrs
Weight
24.0 lbs
Size
25.6 x 17.0 x 13.0″
The New SOUNDBOKS is the upgrade to our previous winner, The SOUNDBOKS 2. The self-proclaimed “loudest battery-powered speaker in the world.” This Bluetooth speaker produces a whopping 126 decibels of high-quality audio with incredible 80 hours of battery life. These two features alone put The New SOUNDBOKS at the top of the list as our choice of the loudest Bluetooth speakers.
Battery
The New Soundboks comes with two battery packs (dubbed the “BATTERYBOKS”), which will give you 40 hours of playtime. With the battery packs being removable, this allows you to always keep the other battery on charge. Meaning that you’ll have infinite playtime essentially.
Audio Connections
Aside from Bluetooth, SOUNDBOKS has added XLR inputs as well as 3.5mm AUX inputs to the new model. This allows you to daisy-chain with the previous versions if you already have an older model. The New SOUNDBOKS also features a TeamUp function which allows you to wirelessly connect multiple 3rd Gen speakers together.
Sound
Often loud Bluetooth speakers deliver a lot of noise but low quality. That’s not the case with the SOUNDBOKS. This speaker sounds great at low and high volumes. The bass is nice and punchy, perfect for urban and dance genres.
Portability
is far from a small speaker, and portability isn’t exactly what it’s built for; one can still move the Soundboks around between locations without too much fuss. At around 24lbs, it’s far from the heaviest Bluetooth speaker out there. Because of its larger form factor, you won’t just be able to just pick it up and carry it with one hand, however. For that, there’s the Soundboks Go (listed below).
Why should you buy it?
2. SOUNDBOKS Go
How Loud?
121 dB
Power
2x 75W
Battery
10 hrs
Weight
20 lbs
Size
21.2 x 16.6 x 13.5″
The Soundboks Go is a new Bluetooth speaker on the market, and it doesn’t fail to live up to the Soundboks models that came before it. While the much larger Soundboks 3 model offers 126 dB of volume, the now more widely available Soundboks Go brings 121 dB to the table.
Portability
What Soundboks has focused on with this new speaker is bringing a balance between loudness and portability. Unlike the Soundboks 3, the Go measures only slightly larger in size than competitors like the Hyperboom or Boombox 2 and weighs in at a much more manageable 20 pounds. Now, while this is still no lightweight speaker, it does become possible to carry a Soundboks product in one hand.
We almost placed the Go onto our list of lightweight contenders due to the size, but we do find that at 20 lbs, there is a demographic of people who would struggle to move the Soundboks between locations.
Build Quality
The Soundboks Go is a rugged speaker, and the primary plastic shell feels extremely durable. In terms of weather-proofing, it offers IP65 protection, which is going to be able to keep you safe from dust and most typical splash or rain damage. You’ll also find a removable battery in the Soundboks Go, which makes the Go even more appealing as this allows for easy replacement should the battery give problems or simply deteriorate with time. The Go also provides 40 hours of battery at mid-volume, 10 hours at full volume, 3.5 hours full recharge, about double that of the Gen 3.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Soundboks Go is honestly what we had expected, given our experience with the Soundboks 3. While the Go can’t quite match the same benchmarks, it does bring the same full sound that we come to expect from a Soundboks product with tons of bass and little in the way of distortion, given the volume levels.
To get the most out of the Soundboks Go, we recommend installing the Soundboks mobile app.
Why should you buy it?
3. Sony GTKXB90 High Power Portable Bluetooth Speaker
How Loud?
103 dB
Power
200 W
Battery
16 hrs
Weight
36.5 lbs
Size
29.1 x 15.9 x 16.3″
Another awesome-looking portable Bluetooth speaker is the Sony XB90. The XB90 is the loudest Bluetooth party speaker from Sony. It comes with an array of LED lights, including a strobe effect to add some party ambiance. In addition, the speaker comes with audio effects for the microphone input. This makes the XB90 great for karaoke parties.
Audio Connections
The XB90 features an RCA input and output, USB (also can be used as a power bank), ¼-inch microphone input, and Bluetooth. There is also an NFC tag for the quick pairing of NFC devices. The Sony XB90 comes with some onboard controls, but you also have the option to operate the speaker using the Music Center app for audio and Fiestable app for lighting and party effects.
The XB90 also comes with Sony’s Party Chain feature, which allows you to add up to 50 Sony-compatible speakers. You can also add just one other XB90 in stereo or mono for some extra power.
Battery
The Sony XB90 features a 2,500mAh battery which provides 16 hours of playback at a moderate volume and only about 3-4 hours at max volume. While this battery life may seem minimal when compared to the Soundboks Gen 3, it does align with most LED-focused portable, loud Bluetooth speakers.
Sound
The speaker includes 2 x 7.5-inch woofers with 3 x 2.4-inch tweeters to produce some serious sound. The bass from the woofers is punchy and defined, while the EXTRA BASS feature delivers some serious low-end power. Mids and treble perform well with vocals upfront and clear. Great for karaoke, solo performances, or rapping over some beats.
Why should you buy it?
4. Aiwa Exos-9 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
How Loud?
100 dB
Power
200 W
Battery
9 hrs
Weight
13.0 lbs
Size
7.5 x 11.7 x 19.4″
We have featured the Aiwa Exos-9 a few times on our site. As one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers delivers an incredible 200W of excellent sound quality. The Aiwa Exos-9 features a 10-hour built-in battery with the ability to operate directly from socket power too. You can also buy additional battery packs from Aiwa to keep the party going longer.
The Exos-9 provides an LCD display with HiFi-like features. One of the best features is the adjustable 5-band EQ which allows you to tweak the sound to your exact preference. The speaker comes with four pre-programmed EQ presets tuned for specific genres.
Audio Connections
You have the option of ⅛-inch AUX or Bluetooth for audio inputs. There is also an NFC sensor for the quick pairing of NFC-enabled devices.
Sound
When it comes to overall sound quality, the Aiwa Exos-9 stands out from some of the other loudest Bluetooth speaker options. The bass has a nice weight and definition, while the mids and highs deliver excellent clarity. This means the Exos-9 will sound great with most genres of music and is even great for talk radio or podcasts.
Build Quality
Despite the LED panel in the front warranting careful handling in transportation, the Aiwa Exos-9 is a sturdy speaker with a pretty good build quality. The finish on the sides of the LED is going to be a little more sensitive to scratches than a matte finish would, but overall the Exos-9 offers very fair build quality for the price point.
Why should you buy it?
5. JBL PartyBox 1000
How Loud?
120+ dB?
Power
1100 W
Battery
AC only
Weight
76.5 lbs
Size
45.6 x 18.4 x 18.6″
The loudest Bluetooth speaker in the JBL PartyBox series and potentially the loudest Bluetooth speaker on the consumer market (there are currently no trust-worthy dB measurement comparisons between the two). The JBL follows the popular JBL Boombox in JBL’s new generation of Bluetooth speakers. While JBL might be late to the party, they’ve certainly used that time to create one of the loudest portable Bluetooth speakers on the market. Not only is this speaker loud, but it comes with RGB LED lighting for full party mode.
Battery
Unlike the smaller models in this series, the PartyBox 1000 does not feature a built-in battery. This speaker requires a power outlet to work, something that’s important to consider when purchasing a speaker.
Features
The PartyBox 1000 comes with more features than you’ll find on any other portable party speaker on the market. These include wireless Bluetooth streaming, a full LED light show, and microphone and instrument inputs for your karaoke parties.
The JBL ParyBox 1000 also features an integrated DJ pad, which even allows one to import audio, and comes with an Air Gesture wristband which allows you to control the light show with a flick of your wrist. You can also link two ParyBox 1000 speakers together to create full stereo sound. While not battery-powered, the PartyBox 1000 does feature integrated easy-roll wheels for when you do need to transport it.
Sound
The speaker is made up of 1 x 12-inch woofer with 2 x 7-inch mid-woofers for some serious party power! The PartyBox 1000 is loud with excellent bass response. If you stand within a few feet, you can feel the bass hitting you in the chest. The midrange and highs are also surprisingly high quality for a speaker of this size and offer a good balance of loudness and sound quality.
How does it compare to the JBL PartyBox 300?
At 65dB, the JBL PartyBox 300 is still a contender of its own! It produces the same JBL signature sound, but the PartyBox 1000 definitely excels in terms of volume as well as bass response. With that said, the PartyBox 300 is still JBL’s second-loudest Bluetooth speaker and is also almost half the price of the Partybox 1000. If you don’t need that much volume or you’re looking for something more portable – the JBL PartyBox 300 might be the better option for you.
Why should you buy it?
The Portable Options
These speakers have been selected for their focus on portability; while they may not be quite as loud as the larger speakers above, all of these speakers still put out more than 95dB of volume and are typically available at a much cheaper price point than some of the selections above.
6. Turtlebox Portable Bluetooth Speaker
How Loud?
120 dB
Power
80 W
Battery
25 hrs
Weight
10.00 lbs
Size
11.5 x 6.5 x 8.8″
If you’re looking for something a little more compact but still with the ability to compete with the heavyweights, you might want to check out the Turtlebox Portable Bluetooth Speaker. The Turtlebox was designed specifically for the outdoor market, meaning that it’s also a tough little speaker with a lot of power behind it. It’s small enough to take anywhere, tough enough for the road, and loud enough to get the party started.
Build Quality
The speaker comes with an IP67 (IPX7) waterproof rating and is enclosed in a tough enclosure that resembles more of a small jerry can rather than a speaker. When we say this is a rugged speaker, we mean it. Everything about this speaker’s design is catered to the outdoor enthusiast who loves music. You can easily toss this into your trunk thanks to its great build quality and light weight.
Battery Life
The 8-hour built-in battery will provide enough power to last all day. You can expect around 25 hours of battery life at lower volumes, while at louder volumes, you can still achieve up to 10 hours of battery life. This is more than enough for traditional uses and can even last you several hours-long sessions if you’re using it out in the wilderness.
Audio Connections
With the Turtlebox you have the option of ⅛-inch AUX or Bluetooth for audio inputs. Turtlebox Audio state the Bluetooth range to be about 100 ft which is more than enough for operating the speaker outdoors.
Sound
While the Turtlebox is seriously loud, it doesn’t have as big a bass response as some of the other heavyweight speakers on this list. The midrange and treble perform exceptionally well, and the sound can throw a long way, certainly more than most portable Bluetooth speakers.
Why should you buy it?
7. JBL Boombox 2
How Loud?
97 dB
Power
160 W
Battery
24 hrs
Weight
13 lbs
Size
19.1 x 7.9 x 10.1″
Another impressive speaker design by Bluetooth audio leaders, JBL, brings a modern twist on the classic boombox with a slick design and versatile features for party hosts, athletes, campers and everybody in between.
Portability
While not exactly backpack-friendly and lightweight but not too cumbersome, the JBL Boombox II is an ideal all-around Bluetooth speaker to have whether you’re using it around the house or out and about. Sporting Bluetooth 5.1 and a 3.5mm auxiliary input, the Boombox II can cover most listening needs and can also charge USB-powered devices from its battery.
Battery Life
While the battery life of the Boombox II isn’t that impressive, its 24-hour lifespan is enough for high-volume house parties or weekends away; however, it takes almost 7 hours to fully recharge, whereas other Bluetooth party speakers today can accomplish the same in 60 minutes. My only complaint regarding the Boombox II’s battery is the lack of a USB-C charger, which seems to be the standard nowadays.
Sound Quality
As for sound quality and volume, the JBL Boombox II carries JBL’s well-known sound characteristics that suit practically all lines of listening, and this thing can truly rock your socks off with party-appropriate volume levels. The Boombox II runs a pair of 4-inch full-range drivers and dual 0.8-inch tweeters for audio representation, which form a combined total output of 160 Watts.
For additional volume or stereo separation, the Boombox II can be wirelessly paired with compatible JBL speakers using JBL’s PartyBoost function, which includes the Flip 5, Xtreme 3, and Pulse 4 Bluetooth speaker models. It’s unfortunate that the previous Boombox model isn’t compatible with the Boombox II, though the first generation Boombox can be paired with another set of JBL products.
Why should you buy it?
How Loud?
97 dB
Power
36 W
Battery
20 hrs
Weight
2.9 lbs
Size
3.2 x 3.2 x 8.8″
Ultimate Ears have earned a reputation for designing some of the most trendy-looking portable Bluetooth speakers on the market. The UE MEGABOOM 3 is one of the company’s best-selling speakers because of its compact size and surprisingly big sound.
Audio Connections
The MEGABOOM 3 is a simple Bluetooth speaker nearly double the size of a can of Coke. There are speakers mounted on both sides, giving you 360° sound. On the speaker’s side, you’ll find the UE signature large + and – buttons for volume control, while on top is a tap sensor for skipping tracks.
Features
The MEGABOOM 3 features Ultimate Ears’ Block Party technology which allows you to connect up to 8 UE speakers, including those from the BOOM, BOOM 2, MEGABOOM series. The UE app allows you to control the MEGABOOM 3 functionality like Block Party, PartyUp Remote On/Off, customizable EQ, musical alarm, tap controls, and more.
Sound
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the sound level and quality the MEGABOOM 3 produces. While the bass isn’t as big as some of the heavyweight speakers above, the MEGABOOM 3 certainly delivers a bigger bass sound than most speakers this size. The mid-range and treble provide good clarity, however, don’t expect audiophile quality. The MEGABOOM 3 is definitely tuned to deliver a fun, bassy sound sure to get a small party started.
Why should you buy it?
9. Anker Soundcore Rave Mini
How Loud?
101 dB
Power
80 W
Battery
18 hrs
Weight
7.72 lbs
Size
7.1 x 7.1 x 13.5″
One of the most anticipated party speakers to be released is the Anker Soundcore Rave Mini. The Soundcore Rave Mini is an affordable loud portable Bluetooth speaker with LED lighting to create that party vibe. The speaker is lightweight with a handle on one side so you can easily take your beats on the go.
Battery
Although small, the Soundcore Rave Mini features an 18-hour built-in battery and IPX7 waterproof rating, so you can take this portable Bluetooth speaker anywhere and everywhere. There is also a USB power bank for charging mobile devices.
Audio Connections
The Soundcore Rave Mini allows for ⅛-inch AUX and the latest Bluetooth version 5.0 for audio inputs.
Sound
Even with its compact size, the Soundcore Rave Mini delivers an impressive 80W of power output. The speaker includes 2 x 5.25-inch woofers, 2 x 2-inch tweeters, and a single passive bass radiator for optimum bass performance. The speaker is surprisingly loud for its size, and the sound quality is better than most other Anker speakers.
The bass response is big, albeit a little wooly, with decent clarity in the mid-range and treble response. With its accentuated bass response, the Soundcore Rave Mini is best suited for urban and dance music.
Why should you buy it?
Things to Consider When Buying a Loud Bluetooth Speaker
If you’re unsure what to look for when buying one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market, we’ve put together a guide with some points of consideration. This should help you make an informed decision and understand the drawbacks and benefits of certain speakers.
Volume
Of course, the first thing to consider is volume. For a loud Bluetooth speaker, we recommend only opting for models which can produce more than 90dB of volume. For parties or events, don’t go lower than 110dB; there are now several speakers on the market offering more than 115dB of volume – these are the real monsters.
Don’t pay too much attention to the wattage of the speaker. This doesn’t really mean much in terms of volume and has more to do with how much power the device can consume.
Portability
If you want to be able to move your speaker around between venues or carry it to friends’ houses, or even just move it around your homestead – portability is something you should take seriously.
Look for speakers which are slightly lighter, and those with carrying handles can also prove very useful. If you’re elderly or physically limited, you’ll want to opt for something that is within your capabilities. We’ve included all types of products in our list to best cater to these individuals as well.
Battery Life
Since we’re talking about portable speakers, battery life will be important! In some speakers, you’ll be able to operate them either from the battery or through an AC input. There is no hard rule to battery life as it’s all quite dependent on how you are planning to utilize your speaker.
The Soundboks 3 and Soundboks Go both offer incredible battery life for such large speakers. With up to 40 hours of playtime, these speakers can keep the party going all night or last for days when used sparing when camping away from power sources.
Remember to take a look at both the maximum playtime that the battery can offer as well as how much battery life it has when played at loud volume. It’s pointless buying a loud Bluetooth speaker if you’re scared to crank it up due to excessive battery drain.
Chaining/Pairing
While a single Bluetooth speaker is enough for most people, if you’re someone who hosts events or requires multiple speakers to be set up in stereo or placed in different locations, stereo pairing/chaining is essential.
A paired set of speakers can really add a lot to the sound, both in terms of directional sound improvement due to varying placements and also just having more sound bouncing off the walls.
Sound Quality
Loudness is one thing, but what’s the point in volume when you don’t have clarity? We’ve weeded out the weak on our list by removing speakers we thought had bad sound design and or that distorted excessively at higher volumes.
In many cases, you’re going to be happier with a slightly softer speaker that’s capable of producing good sound than you would be with a louder speaker that distorts at 60% volume.
Weather-Proofing
Finally, if you’re looking to use your speaker around the pool or in open weather conditions, you should highly consider the weather-proofing protection offered. IPX 4 or 5 will serve fine in most situations, but for a versatile speaker that can really handle the outdoors, consider an IPX7 or, better yet, an IP67 option.
Understanding dB Ratings
Let’s clarify some of the most common terms you will need to know to make the best decision when purchasing the loudest Bluetooth speaker. The specifications of a product provide insight into the construction and quality of the product and also guide us to the given purpose of the item.
When it comes to speakers and specifically speaker loudness – it is important to understand the different loudness ratings of a speaker. Let’s have a look at what dB (decibel) means in terms of speaker loudness.
Sound Pressure Level
When we look at the output sound or volume of a speaker and compare it to other speakers – we look at the output SPL, meaning the Sound Pressure Level, which is mentioned as a dB rating. This is also sometimes referred to as speaker sensitivity.
Now, the output dB SPL (Sound pressure level) has to be backed by power. The power of a speaker is the wattage, which tells us the strength of its amplification. Specifically, to find out a speaker’s loudness as well as power rating – you should look at its RMS wattage rating and how much output dB SPL it can handle.
Wattage vs. Volume
You might be wondering, does a higher wattage provide a louder sound? Simply put, no it doesn’t.
There are many factors that affect the volume of a speaker. Looking at the wattage alone might give you an idea of a speaker’s potential volume (a 400W speaker will definitely be louder than a 5W speaker) but make sure you are comparing the RMS wattage instead of peak power.
Do More Decibels mean Louder?
Yes! Volume, or how loud a speaker is, is measured in decibels. Simply put, the louder the speaker, the higher the decibel value is. What is important to note about decibel measurement is that it is measured on a logarithmic scale. This means that for every increase of 10 decibels, the sound is ten times louder!
Simply put, a speaker that produces 100dB of sound is ten times louder than a speaker that produces 90dB. Therefore, the loudest Bluetooth speaker will be the speaker with the highest decibel value.
How We Chose Our Products
We noticed that a lot of online lists with the loudest Bluetooth speakers available were simply not correct. We approached this article with measurements in mind; we wanted to build a list of truly the loudest Bluetooth speakers available on the consumer market. We looked at how these speakers performed in terms of decibel measurements.
Using something like output wattage as a metric is flawed because it doesn’t take into account the efficiency of the speaker design. We also wanted to make sure we don’t recommend speakers that we can’t truly stand by, so we excluded products that offer poor quality or specify volume measurements that aren’t supported by the actual performance.
You’ll notice that we broke this list into two distinct sections, large, loud Bluetooth speakers and the loudest portable Bluetooth section. While we’re already explained the differences, the reason why we separated these products is that many of the large Bluetooth speakers on this list don’t fit into what the average consumer is after. Our lightweight section is a more versatile selection that also makes sense buying as your daily driver of Bluetooth speakers at home.
Why Trust Us?
Our team is comprised of audio experts and audiophiles who spend time researching products. We have experience with dozens of Bluetooth speakers. We’ve gone through the process of disturbing the neighbors so you can achieve the same results with a powerful speaker.
Instead of just listing products based on ratings or sales figures, we carefully examine the products that we select, looking at what we believe makes that speaker best for our customers. We select products that cater to a diverse range of needs.
Just because a speaker is loud doesn’t mean that we’d recommend it. We’ve tried to bring budget options for the cash-strapped consumer while also thinking about the needs of the customer when it comes to buying a loud Bluetooth speaker.
Power VS Volume
Wondering how much of a dB increase you will get if you double the power? As mentioned earlier in this article, the power of a speaker will be mentioned as a wattage rating, which tells us the strength of its amplification.
We now know that every 10 dB (SPL) represents a 10-fold increase in volume – but this rule does not apply to the wattage of a speaker. An 80W speaker is not twice as loud as a 40W one, but rather 3dB louder. The rule of thumb concept is that instead when you double the power of an amplifier in watts, there will be a 3db increase.
This calculation should be considered as a guide, but because the efficiency of speakers varies, one can’t accurately calculate the specific decibels from a provided wattage.
Speaker Efficiency vs. Sensitivity
Ever been confused about these terms? Me too! Speaker efficiency and speaker sensitivity describe the same concept but are technically different. This can be confusing since these two terms are used interchangeably in audio.
Efficiency can be described as the amount of power going into a speaker that is actually converted into sound. Sometimes this is a very low percentage. Why? Because most of the power being sent to a speaker ends up as heat instead of sound. Usually, the measurement is done at one watt at a one-meter distance.
The sensitivity rating tells us how loud it will play with a certain amount of wattage. Remember that every additional 3 dB of volume requires double the power.
So don’t be confused the next time you read up on speaker specs! Now that you understand these terms, the hunt for your next Bluetooth Speaker purchase will be easy peasy.
Interesting Facts on Decibels
Something interesting to note is that a decibel in itself does not tell us anything unless you assign it to something – such as SPL (Sound Pressure Level). We are so used to using decibels as a measurement of sound or music loudness that we would assume that that’s what dB stands for, but the decibel actually needs to be assigned to a unit to mean anything. Interesting, right?
The decibel itself is only a ratio which means that it compares the value of one number to the value of another
So among other things, decibels are used to measure voltage and power in your gear – the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical signal, by comparing it with a given level on a logarithmic scale – which we talked about earlier in this article.
The lowest threshold of human hearing, meaning the lowest sound level we as humans can hear (20 micro pascals) – translates to 0 SPL and is accepted as the reference point by which all other sounds are compared against.
RMS Wattage vs. Peak Power
Sometimes the speaker manufacturer will state the RMS Wattage, and sometimes it will state its Peak Power – or sometimes both. What you need to pay attention to is its RMS Wattage.
RMS
The RMS Wattage stands for how much continuous power the speaker can handle. Simply put, this means playing a few songs through the speaker. That’s essentially what we want it to do, right? If a speaker has 30W RMS, it means it can comfortably run with 30W of continuous power. On the other hand, if it states it has a peak rating of 30W, it means it can only handle short bursts of 30W power.
Peak power
Peak power refers to the maximum power level the speaker can utilize in short bursts. Both RMS and peak values are still important to notice since you want a speaker that can handle both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker?
Currently, the Soundboks 3 is considered the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker with an output of 126dB. There are Bluetooth speakers out there capable of producing more, but these speakers are not what we’d consider easily portable.
Can you have loudness and good sound quality?
In cheaper speakers you’ll often find that cranking the volume results in a drop in audio quality. This typically occurs because the drivers are not well constructed with the device and can become muddy or distorted at volume. It is possible to find good sound quality at higher volumes, but typically regardless of the speaker you choose, you’ll find some decay in quality towards the upper volume limits.
Should I focus on decibels or wattage?
Decibels, when measured correctly, are often a better indication of what a speaker can do in terms of loudness. An inefficient design can use a lot of power (watts) to produce lower volume levels (dB). Think of it like modern lighting, old incandescent lightbulbs were using way more watts to produce the same brightness as a much lower-powered LED light.
How loud is too loud?
According to the CDC, noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears. Every speaker featured on our loudest Bluetooth speaker list exceeds 70 dB, so bear this in mind when purchasing. Be aware of the dangers loud noise poses to your hearing, and never listen to loud music for prolonged periods of time.
Well-written and informative for a novice like myself. Great intro and explanations. ☺️. I have the Sony XB90 and XB72 — but wanted other comparable items that were more outdoor and waterproof. Will try out the SoundBoks & Aiwa! thank you!
Great list! I was expecting the UE Hyperboom to land somewhere on it though. Just purchased one and it’s been great!
Hi, great informative article. However, are the dBs a statement of sensitivity (1 watt, 1 metre) or Max SPL (sensitivity x wattage)?
I’ve just bought the JBL Partybox 300 which has only 65dB of sensitivity and 120 RMS. Apparently 65dB(A) is the volume of a normal human conversation. But I’ve tried having a conversation with this speaker turned up to maximum and the speaker’s 65dB is a lot louder than my vocal chords. What am I missing?
These guys who write the articles can’t distinguish db/1watt at 1 meter and what max spl db is. Lol. The 310 is nearly 112 db max spl. The 1000 is about 120 spl ish
I just had cops come to my front door telling me my music is too loud cause the cop standing 10 ft away said so. I only have a $50.00 cheap JBS portable speaker from Walmart, listening to Jon Batiste “America” had it on for less then 5 min. At 3;15 am doing dishes in kitchen. The speaker maybe a 10 decibels if that even? My ugly neighbor next door who has poisoned me with gas where I’ve past out and smashed my skull, does nasty bad crap to me all the time I don’t even know her name or nothing about her probably made the complaint she’s made many before even about people delivering soil here. So is this actually law? Where I have no rights of privacy? I came hm tonight after shopping and she o believe it was her sprayed my front doorway with some kind of bad poison and it happens often. But so can’t prove it. This speaker is tiny! Is that really the law? I can’t play music in my place at night in my kitchen while doing dishes cause cops say it’s too loud when I openned the door.? Funny they aren’t here in two seconds like they were for her complaint. I found slivers of glass in my ice cream I believe by her breaking into my house. Almost swallowed them but cops NEVER SHOWED UP FOR THAT ONE!!!!! I gave up on the cops cause they never seem to do the right things. I’m sure my speaker is not low enough to warrant the cops . Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi. The Company PYLE constantly advertises a huge amount of watts for its bluetooth speakers–none of which come anywhere close to the advertised loudness. For example, PYLE advertises a 100w bluetooth speaker which, when played, is more like 15w; 300w more like 25w; 500w more like 40w etc… PYLE has done this for years. I’ve tried several of their speakers only to return them. Has this ever come to your attention prior? If so, please shed some light for me to understand this paradox and why the other speaker companies have not responded to the same. TY.
Unfortunately, this practice is still something we see quite often in consumer audio products. While most people have gotten used to referring to wattage in RMS, there are still companies that put out “PMPO” (Peak music power output) wattage in their advertisements in a way to make their products come across as louder than they are. It’s not too dissimilar to lighting companies doing the same thing by advertising wattage equivalency instead of the actual draw of power. One can just chalk it up to marketing gimmicks.
10dB sounds twice as loud for humans. 6dB is twice the sound level (SPL).