The best party speakers are introducing the idea of raving anywhere to a whole new generation who may have missed the classic block-party boom box of the 1980s. These new speakers look like compact PA systems, and often sound just as loud, with bold and brash looks and bass-heavy profiles. They’re honestly a huge amount of fun.
The rising popularity of party speakers coincides with a broader shift toward entertaining at home rather than in bars and nightclubs, particularly among younger consumers. A July 2026 Harris Poll found that 68 percent of US Gen Z adults say going out is just too expensive, while Attest found that 64 percent now drink primarily at home, up from 42 percent a year earlier.
Where people socialize may be changing, but the need for good atmosphere certainly isn’t. Traditional Bluetooth speakers are convenient and sound great, but they struggle to bring the party. Party speakers, with their serious volume, portability, and LED lights, don’t have that problem.
For more audio guidance, check out WIRED's guides to the Best Bluetooth Speakers, Best Turntables, and Best Computer Speakers.
What Is a Party Speaker?
Party speakers are large, high-output Bluetooth speakers designed for social gatherings, sitting somewhere between a conventional wireless speaker and a portable PA. Current battery-powered models range from around 100 to 800 watts of power, with most offering between 12 to 25 hours of battery life, if not more. Expect large drivers, bass-boost modes, LED lighting, handles, wheels, and even replaceable batteries to keep the party going. Microphone and instrument inputs, karaoke controls, and the ability to link multiple speakers are also common, as are partner apps that give you the chance to play DJ, curate the lighting, and alter the sound.
How I Test Party Speakers
I’ve tested party speakers indoors and out, and at background, party, and ear-bleeding volumes. Sound quality is still important, but it’s party time, so bass, vocal clarity, and minimal distortion are key, as is how well the sound can travel (especially outdoors). Karaoke testing was dutifully undertaken by a gaggle of excitable but discerning tweenagers.
As well as playing rave classics at top volume (sorry, neighbors), I’ve analyzed the various EQ and control apps, AI features, digital signal processing (DSP) modes, and the speaker's ability to pair with DJ equipment, separate sources, and musical instruments.
What Should I Look for in a Party Speaker?
Power: Party speakers range from boxes one person can comfortably carry to 60-pound-plus towers on wheels. Power varies, but I’ve tested designs from 100 to 800-plus watts. As a general rule, the more watts it can output, the louder it will be, but clever DSP means brands like JBL and Sony can often make more noise with less watts than you might think.
Battery life: Your needs will again depend on how you party, but between 12 to 25 hours is common. Remember, though, high volume and lighting can cut that number down. Soundboks, for example, quotes 40 hours at mid volume but only six to eight hours at maximum, depending on the speaker.
Connectivity: As well as Bluetooth for wireless convenience, 3.5-mm or other line inputs are useful for DJ controllers, mixers, and sources beyond your phone, while some models add RCA, quarter-inch, or XLR connections. Outdoor users should look for an IP rating. Replaceable batteries, wheels, sturdy handles, and physical controls become considerably more important once a speaker leaves the living room.
Can I Use a Party Speaker With DJ Decks?
Yes, provided it has a suitable wired input. DJ controllers and mixers typically have a line-out option, commonly through RCA, quarter-inch, or XLR connections, although a 3.5-mm aux input can also work with the right cable.
If you are mixing, use a cable where possible, as Bluetooth introduces enough latency between moving a control and hearing the result to make accurate cueing and beat-matching difficult. Some specialist DJ systems like the Aiaiai Unit-4 Wireless+ Studio Monitors use proprietary low-latency wireless connections to get around this, but ordinary Bluetooth isn’t designed for the job.
What About Karaoke?
There’s plenty of crossover between party speakers and karaoke machines, but they’re not always the same thing. Some party speakers include one or two microphone inputs, while better-equipped models add wireless mics, separate vocal volume, echo or reverb, ample controls, and even vocal removal. The $350 Soundcore Rave 3S, for example, includes two wireless microphones and real-time vocal removal.
A dedicated karaoke setup puts singing rather than music playback first, and may offer more extensive microphone controls, song management, and accessories. WIRED’s Best Karaoke Gear guide covers those options in more detail.
How Do I Connect Multiple Phones to the Same Bluetooth Speaker?
Bluetooth multipoint lets two phones stay connected simultaneously, although switching between them varies by speaker. For larger groups, Spotify Jam and Apple Music SharePlay let guests choose music from their own phones while one device stays connected to the speaker. YouTube Music also supports collaborative playlists, enabling several people to add songs in advance or during the party.
LG xboom Stage 501 Specs
The Stage 501 turned the open workshop next to my testing studio into something close to a daytime rave (minus the crowd and superstar DJ). Bass was deep and clean, and carried easily across the room. Even when it was so loud I couldn’t hear myself think, there was volume to spare. And best of all, it sounded good, not just loud.
Part of LG’s xboom collaboration with producer, Black Eyed Peas star, and tech obsessive will.i.am, it has twin 5.25-inch woofers and two 2.5-inch full-range drivers. There’s 160 watts available on battery and 220 watts when plugged in. The battery is replaceable and lasts up to 25 hours. At full power, with the light show on, it’s less than that, but still more than enough for me.
There are louder and larger options here, but for me, the Stage 501 strikes the ideal balance between outright party power and decent sound quality. It even manages to impress at normal indoor listening volumes, which is often the downfall of party speakers.
LG has embraced the sillier side of the genre too. The app gives you EQ, AI karaoke, synchronized lighting, and DJ effects that are a bit cringe but hard to ignore. Two built-in phone/tablet stands are genuinely useful for karaoke, and there are twin mic inputs, though microphones are sold separately.
At 25.8 pounds, the cabinet remains manageable enough for me to move around on my own, but it is still a big unit to carry and find space for. If it’s too big, the smaller xboom Stage 301 keeps much of the same styling and app functionality, just in a much smaller package.
JBL PartyBox 130 Specs
At 24.8 pounds, the JBL PartyBox 130 isn’t exactly lightweight, but its modest size hits the sweet spot for me in my city home and garden. It’s solidly built, has impressive power for the size, and can be moved without risking my fragile L5 vertebrae.
Two 5.25-inch woofers and a pair of 1-inch tweeters produce 200 watts of output, with plenty of bass and enough volume to get a decent-sized party moving. JBL’s AI Sound Boost uses DSP (clever digital wizardry) to keep distortion under control as the volume rises, while an automatic EQ adjusts the balance depending on what’s playing. Both work well, although I got better results tweaking the EQ myself in the app, and for my ears, the LG xboom Stage 501 still outperforms this speaker.
The light show on this speaker is one of the best, and the app has a collection of lighting and DJ effects that range from fun to downright silly. Big, easy-to-use physical controls on the top of the speaker also make it easy to use without reaching for my phone.
The 15-hour replaceable battery feels a little short, but a 10-minute charge gives another 80 minutes of raving. The speaker is IPX4 splash-proof and has Auracast, optical, USB-C, and aux connections, plus dual mic and guitar inputs.
Marshall Bromley 450 Specs
Marshall has been bringing the party with its speakers since 1962, so its recent foray into Bluetooth party speakers isn’t much of a stretch. The brand's first release was the $1,300 Bromley 750, an enormous, hugely impressive party speaker that makes you look like a roadie.
But for most people and typical house parties, the smaller but still premium Bromley 450 is a much more manageable option. At 27.2 pounds, it’s still hefty, but it packs the punch of a small PA system.
It also looks the part, with Marshall’s signature black-and-brass finish and metal grille giving proper rock-and-roll vibes. Maybe I’m just old, but the classic design feels more authentic than the modern LED-loaded Bluetooth boxes. (The tiny reactive LEDs, however, feel a little limp compared to its rivals.)
Two 6.5-inch woofers powered by 90-watt Class D amps, plus four full-range drivers with 55 watts each and a pair of passive radiators (400 watts total power) provide plenty of volume. The 360-degree arrangement spreads sound impressively around a large room or garden, and bass is powerful without overpowering everything else. If you prefer your vocals front and center-, you may want to spend some time tweaking the EQ in the app regardless.
Connectivity is anything but retro, with Auracast, multipoint, RCA, USB-C, aux, and twin mic/instrument inputs. The physical controls are particularly nice and a joy to use. The replaceable battery lasts an impressive 40-plus hours, while IP55 protection makes this speaker genuinely usable outdoors without having to baby it.
Soundcore by Anker
Soundcore Rave 3S Specs
With two wireless microphones and ingenious AI Vocal Removal that extracts the vocal track from almost any song you stream, the Rave 3S is already WIRED’s favorite karaoke speaker. But its 200-watt output, strong bass, and impressive beat-synced lighting also make it a solid party speaker.
The AI vocal removal tool is impressive, and much better than the party trick I thought it might be. It isn’t flawless— it occasionally leaves traces of vocals in a song, but it’s customizable via the Soundcore app, and more than capable of enabling enthusiastic duets with Olivia Rodrigo.
A 6.5-inch woofer and three 2.5-inch full-range drivers are loud and clear without sounding too bass-heavy, although if you’re looking for more boom with your bap, there is a BassUp mode that pushes the lower frequencies hard.
At 23.1 pounds, with a well-balanced handle, it’s fairly easy to move about, although being the size and weight of a full carry-on bag, it would benefit from wheels. My only other gripe is that the quoted 12-hour battery life doesn’t compete with the best, and it fell short of that figure in testing.
Sony ULT Tower 7 Specs
Sony’s new ULT range of speakers stretches from the relatively manageable $450 ULT Tower 5 to the frankly ridiculous $1,200 ULT Tower Max. Sitting between them is the ULT Tower 7, with excellent sound, an ample selection of inputs, a combined 420 watts of output, and a 30-hour battery. Be warned, though, while it’s smaller than the Tower Max, it is still absolutely enormous and weighs 50.3 pounds.
Most party speakers will accept music from a DJ controller, but Sony goes further with RCA and balanced XLR inputs, plus an XLR output for expanding a wired setup. Auracast-based Party Chain can also connect up to 100 compatible speakers, so you can go head-to-head with Madison Square Garden on volume.
Inside is an 11-inch woofer, two 4.7-inch midrange drivers, and four tweeters, including a rear-facing pair that spread audio around the room. Bass is deep and effective, and at close quarters with the volume cranked, I could really feel it. It’s not quite bone-shaking at the club levels, but it’s still impressive.
The 360-degree driver configuration helps sound spread out and avoid sounding too boxed in, and while the bass is still quite directional, I really enjoyed the scale and ease with which this speaker filled the room.
If you have the budget and space, and you want to play loud all night, the Sony delivers, but I do wish it had a retractable handle. The built-in corner handles are OK-, but you need to angle it sharply at an odd angle to engage the wheels, and trust me, you don’t want to carry this speaker by hand very far.
Sony ULT Field 7 Specs
After testing the ULT Tower 7, JBL, and LG xboom models, Sony’s Field 7 felt positively pocket-sized. It sits at the junction between full party speaker and oversize Bluetooth speaker, and makes a great case for both. I think it’s ideal as a hi-fi replacement in a college dorm or apartment that can also escape outside.
The 13.9-pound cylindrical design is certainly different, but it’s well made, and can be used vertically or horizontally (though the vertical orientation does scream ashtray to me).
Sound is satisfyingly big for something you can easily pick up and carry. There’s plenty of depth and weight to the bass, and it kept a houseful of girls dancing in the garden without getting distorted. Just as importantly, at lower volumes, it remains controlled enough to work as an everyday speaker rather than something you only wheel out for parties.
The illuminated end rings are fun once the sun goes down, although plenty of rivals do the same trick better. More useful is the IP67 rating and excellent 30-hour battery life, which means this speaker really will survive soggy, grubby, festival style conditions.
There are also mic/guitar and aux inputs, and two levels of bass to choose from, plus a good smattering of inputs, as well as multipoint Bluetooth. It’s not designed to rattle windows, but it is a more practical size and weight without massively compromising on party volume.
Soundboks Rider Specs
WIRED editor Harry Rabinowitz tested the small but mighty Soundboks Rider and found a punchy, portable party speaker that swaps flashing lights and karaoke for serious volume and durability.
At 14.3 pounds it is much easier to move than most party speakers, but an 8-inch woofer and 1.2-inch tweeter still generate up to 118 dB of sound. Harry described the output as “astonishing,” especially as it stayed clear and detailed across the volume range, with bass that didn't overwhelm.
It’s also built for considerably rougher treatment than the average speaker, with a steel grille, thick plastic cabinet, and silicone ball corners. During his drop test, Rabinowitz was more worried about damaging his stairs than the speaker. IP66 dust and water resistance makes it well suited to outdoor use too.
The swappable battery lasts up to 35 hours at mid volume, or eight hours at full blast, which is up there with the best. It also charges over USB-C, which is very convenient for most people.
It's not without compromise, however. Especially given the price, Bluetooth 4.2 feels very old, and connectivity is limited to a 3.5-mm aux input. For $600, it is niche, but if your priorities are portability, durability, and huge, clean sound over party gimmicks, the Rider is difficult to ignore.
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Source: Wired
