Best wireless Bluetooth boom box for 2021 – CNET [CNET]

You can play your favorite music on the go with a supercompact portable Bluetooth speaker that travels well and weighs just a few ounces. But if you’re looking for monstrous sound with thumping bass, you have to step up to one of the jumbo models. They don’t always look quite like the boom boxes of yesteryear, but they’re still sometimes referred to as wireless boom boxes.

The speakers on this list weigh a minimum of 6 pounds (2.7 kg) and some weigh a lot more than that. The powerful higher-end models require a bulky AC adapter — not just a standard USB phone charger and cable — for charging. They also have built-in straps or handles for transport. All of them are designed to play a long time at moderate volume levels on the go. But if you want to go loud, the battery life drops to more like 3 to 5 hours. 

Since these are designed for everything from camping trips to tailgating to pool and beach parties, they’re all fairly rugged, with most offering a good degree of water resistance and several being fully waterproof. I’ve personally listened to all of these (or, in the case of the Soundcore Trance Go, its nearly identical sibling speaker).

Read more: Best Bluetooth wireless speaker for 2021