Best Bluetooth wireless speakers

Top pick: Bose SoundLink Max — the best all-rounder for a speaker that lives on a shelf and comes to the garden or beach. Big, warm sound, sturdy build, rated for outdoor use, and it's the most widely sold here, so it's easy to hear one first.

Who the others suit:

• JBL Xtreme 5 — the loudest, most party-ready of the group; pick it if volume outdoors matters more than size.
• Soundcore Boom 2 Plus — lots of bass and power for the money; great for a patio or garage.
• Sony ULT Field 1 — the sweet spot for most people: compact, rugged, easy to carry, plenty of bass.
• Tribit StormBox Lava — long battery and full waterproofing for hikes and camping.
• Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 / XSound Go — tiny, cheap second speakers for a bag or a desk.
• Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 — the most refined, design-led choice for a small room.
• Turtlebox Ranger / Original — for tailgates and job sites where loud and tough beats hi-fi.
• JBL Flip 7 / Charge 6 / Clip 5 — the familiar middle ground: Flip for balance, Charge for battery and phone charging, Clip for clipping to a bag.

Skip the Turtlebox Grande unless you need huge outdoor volume — it's heavy and overkill indoors.