If you love to host big gatherings, then the best party speakers are an absolute must.
You’re probably asking, “What’s the difference between standard Bluetooth speakers and party speakers?” There's no hard and fast definition, so let's just say we know it when we hear it.
Party speakers are more robust in size, specs, and bass. They’re engineered with bigger drivers and woofers to bump music at insanely high levels. The batteries in these models are higher capacity, and in some cases, can be swapped out to extend playtime. Some speakers even come with DJ features like instrument compatibility and RGB lights. While there's a lot of overlap between portable speakers and party speakers, we prioritize portability in the former (duh) and big, thumping sound in the latter.
The Mashable tech and shopping teams stay on top of the latest Bluetooth speaker releases, using our expertise and hands-on experiences to determine the market’s most favorable offerings. I've also personally tested dozens of speakers in the last couple years, focusing on features such as overall audio quality, battery life, portability, sturdiness, and whether they serve best for indoor or outdoor play (or both).
So, what is the best party speaker for summer 2025? Mashable’s top picks include the class-leading JBL PartyBox Stage 320, along with audio powerhouses like the Sony ULT Field 7 and Ultimate Ears Hyperboom.
