Portable Speakers

If you're looking for a convenient way to listen to your music when you're on the go, portable speakers may be a good option since most operate on rechargeable batteries without cords, and they can be linked wirelessly to your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Plus, it's easy to link a portable speaker to most of the available MP3 players, or to one of the popular Apple^® iPod^® models like the iPod Touch, giving you a handy way to listen to music, audiobooks or podcasts anywhere, and anytime.

Most wireless speakers can be used both indoors or out, as long as they are within range of your wireless network or hotspot. Use a portable wireless speaker in combination with a projector for events and meetings, or you can use the pairing to set up your own outdoor theater to watch movies under the stars.

The huge portable speaker selection available at Best Buy means you can find the best speaker model to fit your specific needs. Whether you need Bluetooth speakers or Wi-Fi speakers will be somewhat determined by device compatibility, although many wireless speakers support both technologies. Portable Bluetooth speakers are almost universally compatible, with available ranges up to 100 feet, and don't rely on your home network for connectivity. Wi-Fi speakers will generally work at greater distances, and will connect with your home network to allow access to a wider range of entertainment options from your various networked devices.

Other considerations include how often you'll need to recharge the batteries. Some will last up to a full day on a single charge. You’ll also want to consider size. If you're going to use the speaker on the patio or at the beach for parties, you may want a larger, ruggedly constructed speaker that is also splash-proof, or one that offers 360° sound. On the other hand, a speaker you can clip to your belt or a chair may better suit your needs. There are portable speakers that can accept input from two devices so you and a friend can both contribute playlists, or options with USB ports or auxiliary input to allow use with your other tech.

To get maximum advantage from your speakers, you may want to consider portable speaker accessories like a charger, stand or mount. And to keep your speakers in like new condition, a stylish speaker cover or a carrying case might make sense. Other options include a Bluetooth audio transmitter for equipping your audio source with streaming capability, or a Bluetooth audio receiver if you need to add Bluetooth capability to your audio source, to make it compatible with your Bluetooth portable speakers.