1. The list in brief
2. Best for big sound
3. Best for portability
4. Best for Marshall fans
5. Best for sound quality
6. Best for heavy bass
7. Best multi-use speaker
8. Expert buying advice
9. How we test
If you're on the lookout for a speaker that'll really get the party started over the winter, then something from our pick of the loudest Bluetooth speakers should do the trick. Many of the big brands including the likes of Sony, Bose, Marshall, JBL, SoundBoks and Amazon have an array of speakers that'll blow the cobwebs away and deliver rock'n'roll the way it was meant to be heard.
We've put the blast shields up, cranked the volume and dived into a world of loud Bluetooth speakers that are pretty much guaranteed to shake your foundations with their blistering delivery.
Our guide should help you decide which of the loudest Bluetooth speakers is the right fit for your musical leanings – and is capable of hitting the right volume – for you and your music collection.
Scott has spent more than 30 years in journalism covering everything from audio tech and video games, to travel, sport and news. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more.
Loudest Bluetooth speakers: Quick list
Quite simply, this third generation of SoundBoks speaker delivers thunderous sound and will easily shake the foundations of your home when cranked up. You'll get an impressive 40 hours of music from a full charge and it's dust and rain-proof. While you can lug it around to a summer party, it's a bit of a beast weighing in 34lbs. Comes in a variety of colour variations too but some might be put off with the design.
For a big sound with maximum portability, the JBL Boombox 2 fits the bill nicely and will continue to rock out for 24 hours without needing a power boost. JBL have upped the Bluetooth to 5.1 from the original model and it can also hook up with other JBL PartyBoost devices. Available in a variety of colours, the JBL Boombox 2 is an easy recommend for those looking to take the big sounds with them.
When it comes to iconic branding in the world of amps and speakers, Marshall's classy designs are hard to beat. Our pick of the loudest Marshall speaker available right now goes to the Woburn II thanks to its balanced performance, ease of use and ability to deliver earth-shattering sound. The icing on the cake is it's available in three colours: Black, white and brown.
At first glance, you might not think an Amazon product could deliver the kind of thunderous noise associated with the loudest Bluetooth speakers in our list, but you'd be wrong. The Amazon Echo Studio can pump out a whopping 90dB of sound. As you'd expect with a smart speaker, it comes with loads of bells and whistles to tinker with including Alexa voice assistant and comes highly recommended.
At Louder, we're well aware of Sony's range of excellent headphones, and they're no slough when it comes to speakers. The portable SRS-XB33 isn't too bulky but it delivers rich bass and should be on your shopping list if this sounds like your jam. Being a portable speaker, it's also waterproof and dustproof so is a neat choice for those looking to take their sounds to a party.
While the Sonos Move is a great option for portability, it's also a speaker that's comfortable in your living room or bedroom thank to its sturdy design and powerful audio. It can hook up with Google Home which is perfect for those who just want a single speaker in their flat, while its ability to crank out 85 db will keep the party going. Bass is a little lacking but aside from that, the Sonos Move is a solid option.
Below you'll find full and detailed write-ups for each of the loudest Bluetooth speakers that we rate. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
Best for big sound
The third generation of SoundBoks' huge-sounding speaker range delivers yet another sonic assault on the senses. It delivers a whopping 126dB of sound, which is delivered thanks to two 10-inch 96dB woofers and a 104dB compression driver tweeter. In other words, it’s loud.
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.
Sure, it’s not the most stylish of speakers on the market, but to make it a little easier on the eye, SoundBox offer customers a choice of grill colours: Black, white, orange, blue and red. And really, when it’s cranking out your favourite sounds at a thunderous volume, who really cares what it looks like?
Read our SoundBoks (Gen 3) review
Best for portability
The JBL Boombox 2 is a step up from the original model and remarkably, it delivers an more solid sonic punch. The US audio experts call it “the loudest JBL boombox ever” so there you have it.
So what are the differences between the JBL Boombox and this model? For starters, Bluetooth 4.2 has been replaced with Bluetooth 5.1 and can connect with JBL PartyBoost-compatible devices. The audio output has been increased and now boasts an additional RMS-woofer and 2 x 40 W RMS-tweeter and the unit has undergone a design update. It's a smidgen heavier but you’ll still get 24 hours of playtime on a single charge and like its older sibling, it’s completely waterproof thanks to IPX7 tech.
This robust bit of kit is available in black or camo and is well worth a look if you’re in he market for something that’ll shake your foundations.
Read our JBL Boombox 2 review
Best for Marshall fans
Historic brand Marshall has been loyal to loud for decades. Fortunately, this old-timer seems quick to adapt to the modern times when you consider the Woburn II’s Bluetooth connectivity. Other additions include a Marshall app which gives you the ability to turn the speaker on and off, as well as manually control the volume, bass and treble.
The speaker offers great overall sound and was built to sustain clear, low frequencies thanks to its two subwoofers duelled with a bass reflex system and external port.
Although this Marshall Bluetooth speaker is low fuss, it is high maintenance considering it's not waterproof, dirt-proof, beer-proof… so keep this inside and away from spillage.
Read our Marshall Woburn II review
Best for sound quality
At 65% of the market share, it feels like everyone and your mum has an Amazon Echo. But when it comes to smart speakers, “loud” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind? In this case, delivering up to 90dB of sound – as loud as a revved-up lawn mower – the Echo Studio does a very good job of shaking that notion.
It’s unlike other conventional Bluetooth speakers due to the positioning of its five speakers: there's a midrange speaker directed upwards, a midrange speaker facing to the right and another to the left, a tweeter directed forward, and a woofer directed downwards towards the hollowed-out space which Amazon calls the bass aperture. These placements are meant to give listeners an immersive experience – as if you are surrounded by sound.
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.
All in all, the Amazon Echo Studio may not be the choice for someone looking for a pro-level speaker, however it is a great speaker for someone who wants an all-in-one device with great audio.
Read our Amazon Echo Studio review
Best for heavy bass
Sony has always been a brand you can trust in the audio field, and the Sony SRS-XB33 continues this heritage with a portable, dust-proof, waterproof speaker that delivers a superb sound thanks to its unique internal speaker layout.
We liked the quirky fact that you can chain up to 100 of these together, not that we can see a situation where that would ever happen but it’s a nice idea which conjures images of an all-out sonic attack.
Despite its relative size, however, we were impressed with the depth and thud that came from bass and low-end sounds, and can vouch for its volume levels which retain clarity even when you push it to its limit. We could take or leave the flashing disco lights though.
Read our Sony SRS-XB33 review
Best multi-purpose speaker
Times have changed for Sonos with this, their first portable Bluetooth speaker, dubbed ‘Move’.
The difference between this and older models is it’s portability and built-in intelligence. Integration with Google Home and Amazon Echo gives users the ability to use it like any other smart speaker. Plus, all that portability comes complete with resistance to the elements, meaning you can take this speaker outside with confidence.
Although it is plenty loud 85 db – somewhere between a really loud blender and a lawn mower – there is a downside. The Sonos Move includes everything but a subwoofer, a loudspeaker that’s key to bringing out the lowest bass tones in a song.
It’s definitely loud and great for the average listener, but missing the deep low-end may be a deal breaker for some.
Read our Sonos Move review
Loudest Bluetooth speakers: Buying advice
What makes a speaker 'loud'?
First, check out how many decibels (dB) a speaker cranks out, or look at the scaled measurement of the intensity of sound. Not unlike an earthquake, the higher up on a scale, the more exponentially powerful the sound is.
Every 10 dB represents a 10-fold increase – or doubling – in volume. For example, 20dB is 10 times louder than 10 dB, while 30 dB is 100x louder than 10 dB and - with that logic in mind - 1,000x more powerful than 0 dB. For reference, the average concert has an intensity of about 100 dB.
Now let’s talk about Wattage (W) – because all that sound needs to be backed by sheer power. But how many watts do you really need? Every speaker is set at its own wattage, telling us exactly the strength of its perceived amplification. However, a 100W speaker isn’t twice as loud as a 50W speaker, but rather 3dB louder.
Loudest Bluetooth speakers: size and aesthetics
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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!
Some speakers like the SoundBoks (Gen 3) are big and bulky, while the Marshall Woburn II is emblazoned with the audio giant's instantly recognisable label. These won't be a natural fit in some environments. Others like the JBL Boombox 2 hark back to the good old days of the humble ghetto blaster – minus the double tape deck and radio dial – while the Anker Soundcore Rave comes with flashing bells and whistles making it an ideal choice for those who like to party hard.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, you're ready to peruse our guide to the victors of volume, the number ones of noise... the loudest Bluetooth speakers around. Our price comparison widgets have found the best prices online right now for you, too. Just hit the 'product guide' tab to check out our list.
Protecting your ears
How can I protect my ears?
We wouldn’t be a responsible rock site if we didn’t include a word on long-term exposure to excessive volume. While we’re big supporters of playing things loud, it’s possible to cause permanent damage to your ears if you’re always cranking it (don’t believe us, Metal Hammer deputy editor Eleanor Goodman told us what it’s like living with Tinnitus). So, maybe give your ears a rest from time to time.
What is the loudest Bluetooth speaker?
The Soundboks (Gen. 3) is the loudest Bluetooth speaker out there right now. Not only is it a large, weighty speaker, but it packs a serious punch in the volume department too, thanks to two newly upgraded 10-inch 96dB woofers and a 104dB compression driver tweeter. It dishes out 40 hours of playback per charge and features Bluetooth 5.0 for a smooth connection between your device and the speaker.
If the size (and price) of the Soundboks is too much, Amazon's Echo Studio is not only tuned to deliver rich, crystal audio at volumes of up to 90dB, but the stylish design means it would look at home in any room, while built-in Alexa voice control built-in is a welcome bonus.
How we test the loudest Bluetooth speakers
Bluetooth speakers can be for the living room or portable – either way, we need them to be able to play hellishly loud without complaint.
The biggest challenge when it comes to testing Bluetooth speakers has got to be their low frequency response. Can they do justice to deep growls and thunderous bass? A quick blast of Motorhead's Ace Of Spades will usually tell us what we need to know. Does Lemmy’s bass sound dirty but tight? Do Phil Taylor’s machine gun beats knock you back on your boot heels? What we don’t want to hear is a confused mash of noise.
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.
Finally, to assess their treble performance, we inevitably fall back on Do It Again by Steely Dan, which remains a challenging soup of electric piano, cymbals and soaring vocals.
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