The Wonderboom 2 is a follow-up to an already amazing speaker that blasts its sounds in 360 degrees. A calling card for all Ultimate Ears speakers, the no-nonsense controls with oversized volume buttons of the Wonderboom 3 are excellent, too. There are multiple finishes to choose from, each sporting a hang loop. And the speaker floats, should it tumble into a pool. The activity centers’ straps can detach or break while a child is in the activity center, posing fall and injury hazards to the child. Dorel Juvenile Group Recalls Cosco Jump, Spin & Play Activity Centers Due to Fall and Injury Hazards; Sold Exclusively at Walmart We liked Ultimate Ears' Wonderboom 2and the third-generation model, the Wonderboom 3, offers some small improvements, including slightly better battery life (up to 14 hours instead of 13, at moderate volume levels) and a new Bluetooth chip that allows for extended wireless range of over 130 feet (40 meters). The design has not changed, though the speaker now comes in different color options.

In my tests, the speaker compared pretty favorably to more expensive speakers like the JBL Charge 5. There's plenty of bass and the speaker plays loud for its size, with decent clarity. That said, it's a mono speaker with a single driver and two bass radiators -- that's how you get all that bass. So while you can expect big sound, the soundstage doesn't feel all that wide, particularly at lower volumes. It actually sounds better at higher volumes.

While Polaroid’s better known for its instant cameras, the P1 mini Bluetooth speaker is a great alternative to the JBL Clip if you want more battery life and can do without some durability. While the speaker drivers remain the same, the Qualcomm chipset that powers the speaker has been upgraded (the speaker uses Bluetooth 5.1), bumping the sound quality up a tad, particularly at higher volumes, with better digital signal processing. It remains one of the best-sounding mini Bluetooth speaker models, with richer more tonally balanced sound than other Bluetooth speakers its size -- and it should sound good, considering its elevated price point. Equipped with a single speaker, the SoundCore Mini 2 delivers a RMS rated power of 6 W, ensuring clear and powerful sound output. It can be powered by a battery, allowing for wireless use, or by using a wired connection. The connectivity technology includes both wired and wireless options, providing flexibility in how you connect your devices.

The SoundCore Mini 2 features Bluetooth version 4.2, enabling seamless wireless connectivity with compatible devices. Additionally, it supports AUX in, allowing you to connect external audio sources. Furthermore, it includes a USB charging port, ensuring convenient charging of your devices on the go. The speaker's mic offers solid intelligibility. I tested it with the Voice Memos app on an iPhone and could understand every word I recorded. The speaker is capable of maintaining a strong Bluetooth signal and keeps audio artifacts to a minimum, so with a sufficient cell signal, callers should have no issue understanding you. A Small Speaker With Some Punch The SRS-XB13 Bluetooth speaker produces sound with uncannily powerful bass despite its tiny size. The reason behind its solid low range is Sony’s Extra Bass (hence the XB in the name) technology.With its durable construction, the SoundCore Mini 2 ensures reliability over time. Its sturdy design guarantees long-lasting performance, while its high-quality materials contribute to its overall durability. JBL Pulse speaker is now on its fifth generation and both the sound quality and 360-degree light show have been improved. JBL has "expanded the transparent outer body" so the customizable light show (there's a companion app for iOS and Android that allows you to alter the colorful lighting effects) looks more impressive. The speaker is also IP67 dustproof and waterproof, and it offers up to 12 hours of battery at moderate volume levels. The Mini 3's nine-band EQ is far more effective for adjusting higher frequencies than the lower ones that the speaker can barely muster, which isn’t surprising. I tested the Soundcore Mini 3 with the EQ set to the Soundcore Signature setting, which is the default. When choosing a Bluetooth speaker, what it really comes down to is size and price. If you're looking for a very portable speaker, you'll want to get something very compact, but remember that smaller speakers usually produce less sound and bass than larger ones. So while there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people it's a question of finding a speaker that's not too big or too small -- one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. But finding the best portable Bluetooth speaker also comes down to your budget. Though the 9.6-ounce (272-gram) speaker appears to have the same design as the XB13, Sony says its new sound diffusion processor "realizes richer spread sound," which basically means this has a bit wider soundstage, which I can confirm. It can output only so much sound -- yes, it has its limitations -- but if you add a second XB100, you can get stereo sound. Alas, there's no companion app, but that isn't a huge deal.