Portable, durable, weatherproof: we’ve tested the best Bluetooth camping speakers of 2024

Best Bluetooth camping speakers

by William Lobley |
Updated

The right portable Bluetooth camping speaker can be a nice addition to your trip, especially when sitting around your tent with friends at the end of a long day in the great outdoors.

With a wide range of options available for Bluetooth camping speakers, from waterproof designs to rugged builds with integrated lanterns, choosing the best one requires considering factors like sound quality, battery life and durability. We’ve tested dozens of portable speakers on our camping trips over the past few months, and this guide explores some of the top picks our team of camping experts have found.

Member of the Live for the Outdoors team testing Bluetooth camping speakers
©LFTO

Speakers used at campsites and further afield in the great outdoors can be divisive. So if you choose to use one make sure you're respectful other campers and mindful of your surroundings, because nobody likes music inflicted on their eardrums while they're trying to get some sleep.

If you plan on using a speaker at a campsite, we recommend making sure that your campsite allows speakers, as many have restrictions or a noise curfew.

What are the best Bluetooth camping speakers of 2024?

Best Bluetooth camping speaker: Pure Woodland Glow

Best value speaker: Sony SRS-XB100

Best for backpackers: JBL Clip 4

Great battery life: Marshall Willen II

The shortlist above includes some of the top picks from our testers. Scroll down for detailed reviews of each products, plus a buying guide on how to choose the perfect camping speaker for you.

Editor's note: This article was last updated in September 2024, after a long summer of camping for our testing team. Look out for more updates ahead of the Spring 2025 camping season.

How we tested the best Bluetooth camping speakers

Hiker carrying a cluetooth camping speaker on a backpack
©LFTO

Each speaker included in our roundup has been tested by one of our experienced and trusted contributors, including a mixture of the LFTO team and tech experts from our colleagues at What's The Best. All the speakers below were adopted into daily life for a number of weeks, with a mixture of music, radio and podcasts played through them. We used them everywhere from campsites and mountaintop wild camps to at home in the garden and even in the LFTO office.

We’ve tested many, many speakers in recent years and at all price ranges, and have a detailed understanding of the factors contributing to sound quality. When we listen to speakers, we pay attention to performance and frequency response by playing a mix of music genres and podcasts.

Aside from sound quality, we also look at build. All connection types were tried and battery life claims were put to the test. We also confirm weather resistance by leaving speakers out in the rain or fully submerging them in claims of total waterproofing. CLICK HERE for more info on how we test outdoor kit.

The best camping speakers reviewed:

Best in test

LFTO

What you're getting with the Woodland Glow is a high-quality, multi-functional piece of kit that provides great audio and also doubles up as a camping lantern. The 360° sound quality is so good that our tester (LFTO editor Oli) has been using as one of his main speakers at home, while also testing it on every summer family camping trip, and two weeks of Eurocamping in France.

The key stats are that you not only get up to 9 hours of light, but you can also play your tunes for up to 14 hours via a 5.3 Bluetooth or AUX connection. Power is supplied via a 5200mAh rechargeable battery, and it is water-resistant with an IPX6 rating. Pure don't make any full waterproof claims with the Woodland Glow, but it is built to withstand heavy downpours.

We love the quality of the lamp which can be dimmed to give off a warm glow rather than a bright light, and the sound quality and battery life are both excellent. The loop of rope on the top that you can hang it from is also a nice tough. Overall, we couldn't think of anything more we'd want from. acamping speaker.

Pros

  • Fantastic 360° sound quality
  • Doubles up as LED lantern with excellent dimmer control
  • Weatherproof and durable
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Too chunky and heavy to carry in a backpack

Best value

Sony SRS-XB100LFTO
Price: £121.00

We think the Sony SRS-XB100 is a must-have for any camping trip. It offers a compact yet durable design that fits easily into your pack. This speaker, about the size of a tennis ball, punches well above its weight in terms of performance, delivering powerful sound and deep bass. Its IP67 water and dustproof rating ensures it can handle everything from sudden rain showers to sandy beaches. The 16-hour battery life makes it a reliable companion for those long weekends outdoors.

The multiway strap makes it simple to attach to your backpack, keeping it secure when on the move. The USB-C charging is another bonus, allowing quick top-ups before heading out. Whether by the fire or on a hike, the SRS-XB100 brings high-quality audio to any camping adventure.

Pros

  • IP67 waterproofing perfect for outdoor use
  • Compact size with multi-way strap for easy portability
  • Brilliant battery life for extended trips

Cons

  • Lacks power bank functionality
  • May not deliver enough volume for large, open spaces

Best for backpackers

JBL Clip 4LFTO

Rrp: £49.99

Price: £47.05

The JBL Clip 4 is the ideal cost-efficient camper companion. Its clever carabiner design and lightweight 239g build make it perfect for attaching to backpacks or tents, saving valuable space while hiking or camping. With an IP67 rating, this portable speaker is both waterproof and dustproof, so you don’t have to worry about the elements affecting your audio.

The 5W speaker delivers surprisingly solid sound for its size, and although it struggles at max volume, it’s more than enough around a campfire. JBL promises up to 10 hours of battery life, though our experience leaned closer to four when cranked up to max.

Pros

  • Rugged, lightweight design for easy travel
  • IP67 rating for comfortable protection against the elements
  • Punchy sound for its compact size

Cons

  • Not as loud as other speakers on this list
  • Battery life falls short at higher volumes

Great battery life

LFTO
Price: £119.99
Alternative retailers
Best Buy$119.99View offer
Newegg$119.99View offer

A practical choice for campers already overburdened with gear, the Marshall Willen II’s small but robust design offers a lightweight solution that’s heavy on sound. We found the audio performance to be well balanced, with a mid-tone response that’s ace for guitar-led music, coupled with a surprisingly punchy bass given its size.

Though this is arguably the most stylish speaker in our round-up, it's far from fragile and is rated to an IP67 rating – dust, mud, and rain will be of no concern here. There’s a 17-hour battery life, and the Willen II’s rubber strap is one of its most useful features whilst journeying outdoors with friends, simply unclip and fasten around practically anything, from bikes to backpacks.

Pros

  • Excellent rugged design
  • Brilliant sound quality
  • Strong 17+ hours battery life

Cons

  • Not the loudest speaker for outdoors
  • Bass is good but bassier units available

LFTO

Rrp: £79.99

Price: £62.99

If you need a speaker that won't weigh you down while still delivering some heavy bass, the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is what you're after. About as wide as a coaster and thick as a deck of cards, we never had to worry about fitting it around a sleeping bag and stove.

The Micro 2 can go anywhere you want thanks to its IP67 dust- and waterproof rating, and the strap on the back means you can keep it secure on bags, even bike handlebars, so you'll never be without your music. We think that if there's one environment where the StormBox Micro 2 would shine, it's out in the wild.

When we tested it, its ruggedness impressed us, and its sound surprised us. The bass is powerful, and the mid and high range is clear, treating music and podcasts well. A nice bonus? The Micro 2 can double as a power bank.

Pros

  • Size is small enough to take anywhere
  • Power bank feature condenses technology and keeps you powered up while away from power
  • Heavy bass with the option to adjust in the app offers a stellar listening experience no matter the environment

Cons

  • Though small, it is on the heavier side
  • Port for the power bank is only USB-C

LFTO
Price: £59.99

We love the Motion 100 for its portability and performance. As can be expected of an Anker Soundcore speaker, the 20W output and full-range drivers ensure excellent audio quality for an affordable price. It was well-suited for all types of music and podcasts in our time with it. The audio is consistently rich and high-quality, with very good sound projection. Five hours of charging for 12 hours of playtime isn’t the best, but we feel that the affordability here makes that a worthwhile tradeoff.

As for the physical aspects, we’re fond of the speaker’s durability. It feels very sturdy, and the IPX7 waterproofing means it can tackle all sorts of weather without bother. And yet, it still manages to be quite lightweight, so it shouldn’t add too much weight to your backpack.

Pros

  • Brilliant audio quality
  • Very durable with great waterproofing
  • Budget-friendly and affordable

Cons

  • Bass boost is so-so
  • Five hours to charge may not be ideal for camping

If you’re looking for a more versatile speaker, the JBL Tuner 2 has a unique angle you may appreciate. It doubles as a portable radio, so you can tune the antenna to DAB and FM stations. While we’re usually quite happy to stick with a Bluetooth speaker, there’s nothing quite like listening to the radio on a cold night. The range is also very impressive, so you shouldn’t have too much issue with it. Despite being both a speaker and a radio, it remains relatively lightweight.

The volume could fall a bit short at times when using it outdoors. That said, other aspects of the design make up for it. It has a waterproof rating of IPX7, so you can take it with you no matter the weather, and the 12-hour battery life combined with the 3.5-hour charging time ensures it’s practical to keep topped up.

Pros

  • Easy to operate and change modes
  • Very reliable range
  • Dual function is unique and interesting 

Cons

  • Not the best volume
  • Some might prefer a longer battery life

The JBL Go 4 is a small but mighty speaker well equipped for light listening sessions camping in the wilderness. Its mesh exterior makes it totally durable against the elements, which is also helped in part by its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. Weighing a mere 190g and nestling in the palm of your hand, there’s no question of portability. You can take the JBL Go 4 on the lengthiest of trails, and you won’t even realise it’s there.

This budget-friendly audio companion doesn’t lack in capability either. No, there’s not an astounding amount of bass, but with a small speaker, that’s a big ask. Although it lacks bass, it well makes up for audio clarity. Even at maximum volume, there isn’t any tinniness or loss of quality. We found the EQ settings a nice inclusion too, but slightly overkill. Seven hours of battery life make it ideal for sporadic listening on camping trips, whatever the weather.

Pros

  • Super durable and compact speaker - ideal for the outdoors
  • Super durable and compact speaker - ideal for the outdoors
  • Lightweight and portable, you can take this speaker absolutely anywhere

Cons

  • In-app EQ settings seem a little redundant
  • Clip loop could be a little bigger

We think the overall sound of the Wonderboom 4 is terrific, and its bass-rich 360-degree audio, which provides an excellent, full sound wherever you may camp. A nice feature for campers is the Outdoor Boost mode, which changes the sound to make up for the lack of walls and surfaces that it usually uses to increase its performance, adding clarity and volume.

The Wonderboom 4 has a fabric loop which can attach to the outside of a pack with a carabiner, and its IP67 protection means that it will be safe from the elements. Adding to all this is the 14-hour battery life, which makes this an ideal companion if you are away for a few nights on an offroad adventure.

Though small, this speaker is wide and bulky. If you’re looking to travel light this isn’t the way to go, but if you’ve got space to spare the Wonderboom 4 is a great camping companion.

Pros

  • Fantastic 360-degree sound
  • Durable design
  • ‘Outdoor Mode’ offers better sound while camping

Cons

  • ‘Outdoor Mode’ quality isn’t the best
  • Fairly large compared to other smaller options

LFTO
Price: £79.99

Though it may be on the larger side, the StormBox Flow is one of the most powerful speakers on this list in more ways than one. The sound has a built-in bass boost, and we found this feature had the Flow outperform the more expensive and larger competition.

The Flow is powerful in sound and, well, power. Its whopping 30-hour battery life makes it a worthy companion for extended trips, and if you are worried about your phone battery, the Flow doubles as a power bank.

If your adventures take you near water, you needn’t worry; with its IP67 dust and waterproof rating (plus it floats), it’s protected against any eventuality. If you’re worried about music on your next long-distance camping trip, don’t worry; just go with the Flow.

Pros

  • EQ button accesses a lot of bass very quickly
  • Big beefy battery for long journeys away from a power source
  • Build quality make it a sturdy companion no matter where you go

Cons

  • Heavier than other speakers on the list
  • Design doesn’t make it stand out

LFTO
Price: £249.99
Alternative retailers
Newegg$249.99View offer

While we wouldn't advocate taking this with you on a backpacking trip, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is hard to beat for camping trips that are more party than peace. Whether for a lively festival or a backyard bash, the Boom 2 Plus lets you experience 140W of power directed through three drivers.

It's a contemporary boombox, complete with impactful bass, a max volume worthy of an encore and razor-sharp clarity. If you're feeling extra, you can turn on the Dynamic Light which kicks in preset light displays that flicker and pulse to the beat of your favourite tunes.

You can carry the speaker from the car to camp with the handle atop the unit, but we prefer to use the detachable shoulder strap, which makes hauling it around a lot easier (it does almost 4kg, after all).

Pros

  • Tremendous power, everything a party speaker should be but with added portability
  • Packed with features like Dynamic Lighting, BassUp, and PartyCast 2.0
  • Smart, modern design

Cons

  • No easy way of telling how much charge is left

Best for backpackers

Wolf C200 Waterproof SpeakerLFTO

This easy-to-use Bluetooth speaker weighs only 185g and is about the size of a good double burger, so fits easily into a backpack (or dangling from the outside of it, see pic above) and can be easily hung from a tent or tree to keep it off the ground while you're camping. All of the above makes this an ideal Bluetooth speaker for backpackers and wild campers who enjoy chilling out with a few tunes – and maybe even a hip flask – at the end of a long day on the trails.

Wolf claims the C200 is fully waterproof and we've left it out in the rain long enough that we trust it can handle a fairly decent soaking or spillages. It's robust enough to survive a few bangs and scrapes, which is a key requirement if you're carrying your speaker long distances on tough terrain. Connecting your phone via Bluetooth is incredibly simple, and although the sound quality isn't high enough for this to be a device you'd want to rely on at home, it's plenty good enough for outdoor use. And a great price too!

Pros

  • Portable and easy to stash in your backpack
  • Very good weatherproofing – can handle a good soaking
  • Useful loop for hanging from a tent or tree
  • Excellent value for the build quality you're getting

Cons

  • Not the greatest sound quality

What to look for in a camping speaker

Weather resistance

A speaker’s weather resistance is measured in an IP rating, for example, IP67. The first digit represents solid particle protection (0-6), and the second liquid protection (0-9). IPX4 is the minimum we recommend looking at, as this score means that the device is protected against water splashes and rain (the X means that dustproofing hasn’t been assessed). IPX7 and above will be fully waterproof and stand some temporary submersion.

Portable camping speakers tested in the rain
©LFTO

Battery life

The advertised battery life of a speaker will indicate how long you can enjoy music between charges. Note that the advertised time usually refers to ideal listening environmental conditions at mid-volume. Cold weather, high volumes and additional features, like bass boost, will speed up battery drain.

A large battery life can have other benefits when combined with special features. For example, portable speakers can double as a power bank for charging other devices. We wouldn’t recommend a speaker as your only power bank option, but it's a nice backup should you need it.

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth is a wireless technology with different iterations. The most recent versions are Bluetooth 5.0, 5.1 and 5.2. The higher the number, the newer the version. Typically, each version improves power consumption, range and audio quality. We would consider anything about Bluetooth 4.0 acceptable for a camping trip.

Other connections

Some speakers have a 3.5mm/Aux-in port to connect a device via a cable – the plug looks like your standard headphone connection. These ports are good if you cannot access a Bluetooth connection but can negatively impact dust and water protection.

Hiker testing the Wolf C200 Waterproof Speaker on a wild camp
©LFTO

Size and weight

Note that larger and heavier speakers generally have a better sound quality, but the size and weight of the portable speaker you need will depend on your trip. If you’re camping as part of a walking route, then small and light will be of high priority. If you’re setting up with family and friends at a campsite with your car nearby, then a larger speaker becomes a viable option. Note that larger and heavier speakers generally have a better sound quality.

About the authors

LFTO and Trail editor Oli Reed wild camping on Wansfell in the Lake District
©LFTO

The speakers featured in this article were tested by LFTO editor Oli Reed, plus audio specialists and experienced reviewers from What’s The Best, including Olivia Sheed, Jack Barrell, Ryan Houghton and Harvey Isitt.

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