Portable speakers are a very clever thing to own no matter what, but make sense, especially when holidaying in a campervan. These little devices will play music via Bluetooth wherever you want, free from wires or reliance on power sockets. Perfect for an extra slice of in-car entertainment.
While a good infotainment system is a must, running one while the engine is off will drain the battery and confine you to a small radius outside a campervan, which is no good for enjoying music.
We’ve looked for the very best portable speakers on the market, examining price, size and ruggedness, all factors a campervanner will need to consider. All of these portable speakers are excellent and will make the perfect campervan accessory for your next campervanning adventure.
The best portable speakers for your campervan shortlist:
Editor’s choice: JBL Clip 4 – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best budget portable speaker: Anker Soundcore 2 – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best Stylish Portable speaker: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 – Buy now from John Lewis
The best portable speakers for your campervan
Editor's choice
Fully dust and waterproof (IP67), the Clip 4 is a small Bluetooth speaker with a carabiner built into the top for easy storage. It’ll securely clip onto pretty much anything, backpacks and some car grab handles included, which makes it a very versatile choice. For effortless portability, this speaker cannot be beaten.
Pros
- Small but powerful
- Clever carabiner design
Cons
- 10-hour battery life isn’t the longest here
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| IP rating | IP67 |
| Weight | 238g |
The best portable speaker on a budget
Rrp: $39.99
Rrp: $39.99
Dual neodymium drivers ensure that the speakers sound crisp, even if not the most powerful. The battery life is simply outstanding, with a claimed 24 hours of solid music before the Anker needs charging. As a testament to this, my personal Soundcore 2 has sat in my car’s glovebox since July without being charged once and still turns on each time with no fuss.
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Tough
Cons
- Bass could do with more oomph
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| IP rating | IPX7 |
| Weight | 400g |
The best portable speaker for style
Rrp: $249.99
Rrp: $249.99
With two 140W speakers hidden beneath the sleek aluminium design, the Beosound A1 offers exceptional sound quality while the 18-hour battery life ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy the music for longer. It’s also water and dustproof, important for both camping and justifying the expensive price tag.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Gorgeous design and quality
Cons
- The app could be better
| Battery life | 18 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| IP rating | IP67 |
| Weight | 558g |
The best portable speaker for surround sound
Rrp: $39.99
Rrp: $39.99
Offering surround sound, extra thumpy bass and a ‘sound diffusion processor,’ this meaty speaker is small in size but can deliver excellent sound quality. It also has the usual dust and water protection you’d expect from a good portable speaker.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Robust design
Cons
- Not the loudest
| Battery life | 18 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| IP rating | IP67 |
| Weight | 558g |
The best tiny portable speaker
On the downside, there’s no mention of any water or dust protection, only a rubber casing on the bottom of it. Even so, this gadget is so small it can be chucked in the bottom of any bag or drawer and used for some semi-decent music, so long as it doesn’t rain.
Pros
- Tiny
- Good sound quality for the size
Cons
- No water protection
| Battery life | 5 hours |
| Charging | Micro-USB |
| IP rating | N/A |
| Weight | 68g |
Some things to consider:
Before you make your final choice, it’s worth considering a few points to make sure you get the speaker that’s best for you.
Sound quality: This is obviously the most important factor for most people. Look for a speaker with clear, balanced sound and good bass response.
Portability: Consider the size and weight of the speaker, as you’ll be using it in a confined space and possibly carrying it with you.
Battery life: Look for a speaker that offers at least 6 hours of playback on a single charge, and make sure it has an easy and convenient charging system, like USB connectivity.
Durability: Your speaker will probably be subject to some bumps and drops, so make sure it’s rugged enough to withstand some rough treatment as you travel.
Waterproofing: Even if you don’t plan on using your speaker outdoors, you never know when a spillage might occur, so look out for weather or water resistance.
Those are the main things you should look out for, but there are other features that you might want to consider, such as additional controls like play, pause or skip, EQ controls to adjust the sound or multi-speaker connectivity.
Happy listening!
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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