Portable Speakers

If you own a CD, DVD, or MP3 player, portable speakers  are an essential add-on to your audio experience. Using headphones  is appropriate when you are in public spaces that require you to keep the noise level down but when you are hanging with friends you'll want the ability to let the good tunes flow. Whether you are heading to the beach, the park, the office, or just about anywhere, lightweight portable speakers will do just the trick. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles to please the most fickle or the most demanding consumers. They are even suitable in most cases to double as computer speakers,  although you will be lacking an amplifier that often comes with computer speaker packages.

The Checklist

  • Lightweight Portability
    • You want something that is compact, lightweight and fits neatly in your duffel bag or backpack when you travel.
    • Check models in person if possible to see how durable they are and what the quality of the craftsmanship is like. Remember that these things are going to get bounced around quite a bit and there's nothing like investing a pretty penny in what you expect to be a quality product only to find out that one drop is all it takes to send them to the speaker graveyard.
    • When available, a travel case is a great accessory to have.
  • Sound Quality
    • Sound quality on mini speakers will never quite suffice for big sound when compared to a home system, but technology is getting bigger as units are getting smaller.
    • You want the speakers to emulate good highs and lows (treble and bass). To get the best range, you'll want units that have a treble and bass control. Also, be sure to opt for a 2.1 system over a 2.0 system. That means that you'll be getting right and left speakers plus a subwoofer (built-in).
    • Look at the amplifiers. Are they 3-watt or 7-watt? The general rule of thumb is the more wattage, the louder and more powerful the sound.
  • Power
    • When it comes to powering the speakers, most have an AC adapter and input so that you can plug them in when you are at home or in the office, or ditch the wires and roam free with the help of batteries.
    • Batteries may be standard, but most often with wireless speakers, they'll use some sort of rechargable batteries.
  • Style and Appearance
    • Look for a model that blends with your interior décor if you plan to use the speakers for your home or office.
    • If you are taking your speakers with you on the go, pick the pair that match your MP3 player.

Models & Manufacturers

Sony SRS-T33 : Inexpensive and a very cute, colorful one-piece portable speaker. Choose for portability, not sound quality.

Philips ShoqBox : Supports MP3 and WMA formats and can store up to 16 hours of music. Also has an alarm and FM tuner. Battery life is 10 hours. Includes travel case.

Logitech mm28 : Super slim and sleek with a clamshell design that integrates a protective cover. Impressive 45 hour battery life and plays from any of your audio equipment.

Saitek A 250 : Small, trendy 2.1 speaker design and it's lightweight. Wirelessly streams music from your PC or plays from your MP3 player.

JBL on Tour : Light and great-looking portable speaker system for portable music players and notebook computers. It creates surprising output from such a small box.

Related Buying Guides

Mini System

Computer Speakers

iPod Speakers

Digital Music Systems

Home Theater in a Box (HTIB)

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
DE: Tragbare Lautsprecher

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