Portable speakers, an actual audio (or even social) phenomenon of the 2010s, are now available in many sizes, from the most compact to the most powerful. This buying guide focuses on mid-size models, which are the first to be adopted by the general public. Here you will find the best portable speakers ranked by price.
Under 30,00 KSH(240 euros)
Libratone Zipp Mini 2
With the Zipp Mini 2, Libratone offers a broader range of touch controls as well as the possibility of adapting the sound reproduction to the acoustics of the listening room and the integration of Alexa benefiting from an exemplary capture of the user’s voice. Therefore, from an ergonomic point of view, this is undoubtedly the most exhaustive and functional portable speaker on the market. Thanks to the many ways of customizing the rendering and acoustic design of the speaker, the sound performance is rich, balanced, detailed, omnidirectional, and particularly powerful for a speaker of this size.
Bose SoundLink Mini II
Even if it didn’t take many risks, Bose remains at the top level with this new SoundLink Mini II. It offers a beautiful construction and, above all, an excellent sound reproduction, and this, in a very compact volume. On the other hand, looking for a more churning speaker with broader distribution, look at the EU Boom side.
Below Ksh 19,000(150 euros)
Marshall Emberton
Marshall Emberton is a portable speaker that goes straight to the point. It is certainly not perfect, but it ensures the job on the main criteria, making it a pleasant model to use and listen to as long as we don’t ask too much of him. The lack of features, however, could disappoint technophiles. In a completely different style, and if you have nothing against a slightly larger and heavier speaker, we recommend that you turn to the Sony SRS-XB33, much more complete and powerful.
LG XBoom Go PL7
The LG XBoom Go PL7 seduces its balanced and remarkably dynamic audio reproduction, which will delight lovers of very percussive music. However, it lacks a bit of transparency and sound “cleanliness” to tease its category references. In particular, it is advisable to put it in competition with the excellent Sony SRS-XB33, which outperforms it on several criteria.
Below Ksh 10,000(80 euros)
Libratone Too
The Libratone Too is a compelling speaker in the field. It offers, with a neat design, a wonderful and complete user experience. The sound rendering, well mastered on the first part of the spectrum, is not to be outdone, but we expected a little better at the high midrange / treble level. The homogeneity of the 360° rendering is also a little disappointing. On this point, other models do much better, including the Boom 2 or the SoundLink Revolve, for example.
Sony SRS-XB23
It certainly doesn’t make a perfect sound copy. Still, the Sony SRS-XB23 can count on its excellent build quality and remarkably balanced audio reproduction to appeal to people looking for a portable speaker that is as versatile as possible. We advise all the same, before any purchase decision, to oppose competitors like the JBL Flip 5, with shallower bass but better controlled … or even its sister, the SRS-XB33, certainly more voluminous and a little more expensive, but with the musicality of a completely different caliber.
Below Ksh 7,000(60 euros)
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
Suppose the Wonderboom 2 is more autonomous, more powerful and offers a better sound performance than the first of the name. In that case, Ultimate Ears persists and signs on ergonomic shortcomings that were already criticized to its predecessors, such as the absence of analog input, the lack of hands-free kit or the impossibility of returning to the beginning of the track, and does not take advantage of this minor stroke of expense to offer it multipoint Bluetooth.
Anker SoundCore Boost
