UPDATED: I ended buying the OontZ Ultra.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Great recommendation. It sounds better than many systems that cost more and holds its own with many others. It’s not on the same level as the top end Bose systems and similar models but the savings is substantial. I was looking for something I could use camping and to play scary Halloween music - we’ve got a reputation for a decent Halloween decorations in our front yard and I wanted to add music this year.

I’m in need of a portable bluetooth speaker that can be used outdoors. I’ve looked at all the usual suspects at Amazon, Best Buy and Costco but find the selection somewhat daunting. I’ve kind of narrowed it down to the two listed below but I’m not firm. Looking for suggestions. I’d like to keep the price about where these two come in. Thanks.


No. 1: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimat...ywords=ultimate+ears


No. 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H...&qid=1538697587&sr=1

Thanks again.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BB61,

Upon rave reviews of the Oontz Angle 3 speaker on this very forum, I purchased one for my travel/beater/pool speaker. It was $35 and worth every penny. I can't see spending a ton of money on a portable speaker for my preferred use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

YMMV.

This is the one I have and it's awesome for the money. I'm surprised by the quality of the sound and the listening range.

https://www.amazon.com/AOMAIS-...s=bluetooth+speakers

Jim

I have a JBL Flip 4 that I am happy with.

I was looking for something no more than $100, that had decent enough sound, was portable and water/sand/beer/margarita proof, with good battery life, and the JBL checked all of the boxes.

There are lots of choices out there, but I did not have much time to shop (nor the patience) in this case.

Good luck!
__________

Jbl flip 4. You can put it in party mode and connect 2-3 of them or connect 4 and put in stereo. Waterproof, good sound and good battery

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Upon rave reviews of the Oontz Angle 3 speaker on this very forum, I purchased one for my travel/beater/pool speaker. It was $35 and worth every penny. I can't see spending a ton of money on a portable speaker for my preferred use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

YMMV.

How long does the battery last playing a decent sound level?

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
This is the one I have and it's awesome for the money. I'm surprised by the quality of the sound and the listening range.

https://www.amazon.com/AOMAIS-...s=bluetooth+speakers

Jim

How long has the battery lasted while playing at a decent sound level?

quote:

Originally posted by FlyingScot:
Jbl flip 4. You can put it in party mode and connect 2-3 of them or connect 4 and put in stereo. Waterproof, good sound and good battery

What type of battery life have you (and Cookster) experience playing above a nominal level?

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Upon rave reviews of the Oontz Angle 3 speaker on this very forum, I purchased one for my travel/beater/pool speaker. It was $35 and worth every penny. I can't see spending a ton of money on a portable speaker for my preferred use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

YMMV.

+1 Mine stays in my shop and does a great job.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:

quote:

Originally posted by FlyingScot:
Jbl flip 4. You can put it in party mode and connect 2-3 of them or connect 4 and put in stereo. Waterproof, good sound and good battery

What type of battery life have you (and Cookster) experience playing above a nominal level?

JBL advertises 'up to 12 hrs of playtime' which may be possible playing lullabies at low volume.

I have not yet used it to the point where it totally ran out of juice, but in my experience playing rock'n roll (zep, who, stones, ac/dc, tuna, skynyrd, kr, g'nr, etc.) at moderate or louder volume, I easily get 6 - 7 hours of playtime out of it, which leaves one 'bar' on a battery scale of five still lit.
_________

I have the UE Boom. It sounds surprisingly good for how small it is. It being waterproof has been nice, my wife uses it in the shower.

JBL Charge 3. I have one and it is very good. Advertised as 20 hours of battery life and I believe it. I know that I have had it going for a couple of 15 and 17 hour days.

If I turn it up on the bus with the windows down everyone can hear it at highway speeds.

It has good sound, a little lacking on bass, but it's a compact Bluetooth speaker, so what do you expect. Yet it sounds good and turned all the way up no distortion.

I'm looking at getting another one and they can be tethered.

I was looking for long battery life and this one has about the longest I found. So it's what I got and I'm very happy with it. I highly recommend the JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth speaker.


ARman

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:

How long does the battery last playing a decent sound level?

I haven't used the battery up in one sitting yet, so it's hard to say but if I had to guess, id say 8-10 hours conservatively.
Oontz says 20hrs but I don't pay that much attention. I had it with me on vacation a few weeks back and it definitely ran for 5-6 hours by the pool and then for dinner and drinks afterwards.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Upon rave reviews of the Oontz Angle 3 speaker on this very forum, I purchased one for my travel/beater/pool speaker. It was $35 and worth every penny. I can't see spending a ton of money on a portable speaker for my preferred use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

YMMV.

Another vote for Oonntz- I picked up two of them the last time this was discussed

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:
Another vote for Oonntz-

Count me in with a vote for Oontz also. I picked one up during Prime Day and am very happy with it so far.

I have the original Boom & it is excellent. Great sound (I'm a metalhead). Last 2-3 hours at 2/3-3/4 volume.
A bit expensive, but I'm happy with it. I'd like to have a megaboom.

I like Jambox by Jawbone.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Upon rave reviews of the Oontz Angle 3 speaker on this very forum, I purchased one for my travel/beater/pool speaker. It was $35 and worth every penny. I can't see spending a ton of money on a portable speaker for my preferred use.

[url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073BVWRSP
/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/url]

YMMV.

Same here

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
This is the one I have and it's awesome for the money. I'm surprised by the quality of the sound and the listening range.

https://www.amazon.com/AOMAIS-...s=bluetooth+speakers

Jim

How long has the battery lasted while playing at a decent sound level?

To be honest, I don't know. I think the longest I've used it was around 4-5 hours at a friends BBQ gettogether. I like the fact that it charges up fairly fast, which is nice.

Jim