We 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. 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!

The SoundBoks (Gen 3) matches the excellent 40 hours of battery from the last model at mid-volume, 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 34lbs. But the good news is it features IP65 tech, so it’ll cope with rain and dust with no problems. The controls on the W-KING D8 are simple and easy to use. There are large buttons on the top for volume, play/pause, power, and EQ modes. I appreciate the fact that the buttons are so large and easy to use with gloves on, or when your hands are full. Another feature that has started to become common with Bluetooth speakers is the built in charge capability for USB devices. Plug your phone in via USB and charge it up. The MINI SUPERBEETLE AUDIO provides the standard controls for TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS, as well as a SUB-BASS to support the sub frequencies in dance music and electronic music.The D8 is rated at 50 watts output, 70 watts peak. That’s enough power to deliver some impressive volume. If you set the D8 on your toolbox, you’ll be able to hear music from across the shop with ease. Alas, Ultimate Ears, which is owned by Logitech, has not upgraded the charging port to USB-C. The speaker still charges with a Micro-USB cable, which is a bit of a bummer. The app also has a setting for enabling the internal microphone, allowing you to hail your phone’s voice assistant via the speaker, as well as using it to take calls. As the voice assistant isn’t built into the speaker, but rather just relaying to your phone, commands take a second to register, but it’s efficient enough with playing and pausing audio to be worth the inclusion. 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.

One of the neat features that sets the D8 apart from other rugged portable Bluetooth speakers is the ability to pair with another D8 speaker to form a stereo pair. You could put one on each side of the shop and get more volume, bass, and sound coverage. Typical battery life will be up to 30 hours. That’s right in range with most other Bluetooth speakers in this price range. That gives you about 3 typical 8 hour shifts before needing a recharge. What I Liked When choosing a Bluetooth speaker, what it really comes down to is size and price. If you're looking for a very portable speaker, you'll want to get something very compact, but remember that smaller speakers usually produce less sound and bass than larger ones. So while there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people it's a question of finding a speaker that's not too big or too small -- one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. But finding the best portable Bluetooth speaker also comes down to your budget.The base is coated in a soft plastic, with a matching layer on top of the body. Here, you’ll find the Soundcore logo in the middle of a circular, upward-firing speaker grille, with buttons for volume control and playing/pausing on the right and the power and Bluetooth buttons to the left, alongside toggles for the spatial audio and BassUp modes. Many Bluetooth speakers now are now fully waterproof and some fully dustproof. If you're planning on taking the speaker with you to the beach or on a hiking trip, having a more durable speaker is a desirable trait. Speakerphone capabilities