Turn up the volume: The best party speakers of 2024

For the ultimate party experience, look no further than the JBL PartyBox 710 – one of the most powerful speakers on the market at its price. With an astounding 240W of audio output power, the JBL PartyBox 710 is ideal for massive gatherings, whether inside or outdoors.

With exciting options for guitars and microphones – you can step up your party to the next level with some ear-blasting live music, or even link your JBL speakers together for a surround sound effect.

The overall sound of the PartyBox 710 also doesn't disappoint. There's a thrilling bass and booming rumble to accompany the great-sounding vocals and sharp treble, and needless to say, it's very, very loud. Despite its seriously demanding 65 mm tweeters and 176 mm subwoofers, the PartyBox 710 is still quite capable of getting up to 18 hours of playtime.

For this amount of sound and versatility you'll have to part with plenty of cash. The PartyBox 710 has an RRP of £699.99, so decide what price you're willing to pay to ensure your party goes off without a hitch.

A soundbar may seem like an unusual choice for a party speaker, but with one look at this Stealth Soundbar's portable design and RGB lighting, it becomes clear that this is where it belongs.

The 10W output isn't incredible, but the audio clarity more than makes up for it. Dialogue, music and more all come through very crisp and distinct. The battery is also impressive, with a solid eight hours on a single charge.

When one of our tech writers, Kyle Purves, reviewed the Stealth Soundbar, they had this to say: "There are numerous portable Bluetooth speakers out there, but a soundbar usually stays in one place. Initially, I was unsure about what use the portability of the Stealth Soundbar would be. Sure, a lightweight design is always nice, but I wasn't convinced it would serve a practical function. Now that I've tested it, however, I understand. This is a party speaker.

"Whatever kind of social gathering you're heading to, whether it's a flat party with music or a simple hangout with friends, this is a fantastic speaker to take with you. The lights help create a fun atmosphere, it should fit fine in a decently-sized backpack, and it's reasonably affordable. If you've got the room to bring it along, you might as well."

Brimming with sublime features that make this speaker a joy to use, especially at parties, Soundcore Anker's Motion Boom Plus steals the show at almost half the price of even some midrange speakers on the market.

With a staggering 80W audio output, the Motion Boom Plus is a force to be reckoned with. It has enough bass to pulse through you, whether you're listening at home or outdoors.

Soundcore has designed the Anker Motion Boom Plus with versatility in mind – from its portability to its ability to link with several speakers and its vast battery life (24 hours), it's made to keep going all night long.

As for the Motion Boom Plus's sound, it delivers in body and volume, with plenty of bass to boot, but it isn't perfect. The speaker struggles to avoid distortion at higher volumes, so you lose some of the precision which is present at lower volumes.

That said, the Soundcore Anker Motion Boom Plus is an excellent party speaker and, at its price, one of the best outdoor speakers on the market.

For those who often host parties, the Sony SRS-XV900 speaker is top-tier. Standing nearly three feet tall and weighing 26.6 kilograms, it's larger than your typical Bluetooth speaker. However, it comes with a built-in handle and wheels, making it easier to move around – though getting it out of the box might be a task...

What justifies its weight? The answer lies in its powerful sound capabilities. Equipped with six crisp tweeters strategically positioned for omnidirectional sound projection and a jet bass booster for deep, thunderous bass, this speaker delivers an immersive sound experience. Its impressive mid-range drivers enhance vocal clarity, while its volume capacity can reach levels that will shake your windows.

It lasts up to 25 hours of uninterrupted listening, so you don't need to worry about running out of charge. Additionally, 10 minutes will give you three hours of instant playback if you only have time for a quick charge.

If you want to get everyone involved in the music, the speaker has a microphone and guitar input for karaoke and amp use. The speaker also features LED lights, which you can control using Sony's dedicated app. They flow when the speaker is moved, adding to the mood of your party by changing and flowing along with the vibe of your music.

For those seeking a more convenient and portable speaker with great sound and multi-room pairing at an affordable price, the Sonos Roam 2 is the perfect choice.

The Roam 2 is a small, elegant speaker that delivers impressive sound despite not being as powerful as the larger speakers on this list. Plus, queuing music has never been easier thanks to its voice-smart functionality – a rare feature in portable speakers.

Sonos has made significant improvements to its latest model. Users had complained about the multi-function button on their site's forum, so Sonos replaced it with two separate buttons for power and Bluetooth. The new design features a sleek monotone finish in black, white, red, blue or green which complements Sonos' other products. Additionally, the new USB-C to USB-C design allows for faster and more efficient charging, giving users more time to enjoy their music.

The Sonos Roam 2's sound quality is perfect for enjoying a variety of music genres, from energetic rock anthems to relaxing playlists. It creates an ambience that more flashy speakers might struggle to achieve. Among the best smart speakers for your party, few do it better than the Sonos Roam 2.

Are you ready to bring the concert home? This ULT Tower 10 is all you need for a lifetime of superior sound.

This speaker features an immense 12.6-inch woofer, two mid-range speakers, and four impressive tweeters. Max the volume, and you might just blow your house down! Its deep, rich bass and crystal-clear treble are phenomenal and can be enhanced with the ULT button. When maxed out it can reach an incredible 110 decibels.

You don't need to worry about providing party-themed lights for your night either. Its bright, fully customisable party illuminations can be controlled through the Sony Music Centre and Fiestable apps, offering a variety of wondrous light show options that sync with the music. The Fiestable app also allows you to add DJ effects, host karaoke (a wireless microphone is included for instant MC status), or connect your guitar to an unbeatable amp. The top panel also features easy-to-navigate buttons that make operation a breeze.

Although Sony has considered portability by adding handles and wheels, it can still be challenging to move, as it weighs 29 kilograms and stands at just over a meter. Having some friends around to help with the handling is a good idea.

This stylish monochrome speaker is simple and sleek. Thanks to its high volume capability, it delivers a powerful sound that can fill large spaces without distortion. Its balanced mid and treble tones ensure clear vocals and delightfully powerful bass, making it ideal for larger parties.

Its Adaptive EQ technology enables the speaker to automatically adjust to its environment, allowing for optimum audio performance whether at a crowded house party or outdoors. The user-friendly companion app also allows for customisable presets.

Ultimate Ears has made its speaker certifiably party-proof with an IPX4 rating. This means it is durable enough for outdoor use and protected against inevitable splashes and spills.

The standout feature of this speaker is its incredible battery life, lasting up to 24 hours. It's perfect for all-day and all-night parties. Additionally, it has a built-in USB port that allows you to charge your mobile devices while on the go.

A great, bass-blasting mega speaker doesn't always have to cost over £500, as the Sony SRS-XP700 proves.

Bold and brilliant, Sony's SRS-XP700 delivers an array of flashing lights, options for karaoke, and smartphone charging capabilities.

As with plenty of party speakers, the SRS-XP700 is understandably bass-heavy – and therein lies its first major flaw. At higher volumes, there certainly seems to be a pattern of sound muddying and compression.

The result? Music genres such as hip-hop and electronic work amazingly and manage to retain their clarity, but subtler sounds and songs that should sound far more balanced, become quickly oversaturated.

The Sony SRS-XP700 remains great value and is worthy of your consideration if you plan on being the host with the most.

Sony's ULT Field 7 is a top choice for outdoor and party use. It offers thunderous 360-degree sound and a versatile, party-proof build. It's an ideal investment for those who frequently entertain and need reliable, high-quality, well-balanced sound and easy portability.

The ULT Field 7 is designed for both horizontal and vertical placement. It features a cylindrical hard plastic design with rugged mesh weaving. It has IP67 protection, including salt water resistance, making it ideal for trips to the beach. However, it's important to note that the silicone and fabric are prone to attracting dust.

At the top of the device are the following buttons: power on and off, Bluetooth, play and pause, volume up and down, and ULT. ULT offers Sony's two bass boost modes: the first for deep bass and the second for punchier bass. On the back of the speaker, a protected compartment houses additional features such as AC, USB, Audio In, and Mic/Guitar inputs. There is also a guitar button to indicate whether you are using the latter input as a guitar amp or for a mic input for karaoke.

Sony's ULT Field 7 delivers a mighty bass with its X-balanced speaker unit and dual tweeters. This combination produces a loud, full, far-reaching sound, ideal for any outdoor or party setting. With an impressive 30-hour battery life, depending on use, and fast-charging capabilities, you can immerse yourself in true-sounding audio for extended, uninterrupted periods. Sony also offers Battery Care and Stamina modes to ensure you get the most out of your speaker.

With its strong Bluetooth 5.2 connection, you can enjoy an extended range, Party Connect, and multi-point pairing. This versatility allows for easy device switching and the ability to link multiple devices.

Soundcore's Anker Motion Boom is the essential budget party speaker for excellent bass and plenty of bang for your buck.

Perhaps our most waterproof option on our list, the Motion Boom, is fully floatable, making it ideal for pool parties. As for the sound, the Anker Motion Boom has huge titanium drivers, giving plenty of rumble and some nice high-note clarity, especially with punchy electronic music.

It has a chunky, static handle which might not be to everyone's taste and mid-range tones can be swept away in the flood of bass (which is to be expected at this price). However, you can do some tweaking with Anker's Customizable EQ app.

Marshall's Woburn III is a show-stopping powerhouse of a party speaker from the brand with the brass logo which is loved by audiophiles.

As discussed in our review of the Marshall Woburn III – it's not lacking in bass, crisp-sounding highs and warm, natural mid-tones.

Most party speakers prioritise a multitude of tech features over sound. Marshall's Woburn III may not have a 20-hour battery life (or a battery at all), flashy lights, and the ability to connect to hundreds of speakers. However, its sound quality is undeniably exceptional.

What's more, for the price of the Woburn III Bluetooth speaker, you're not just getting a great party speaker; you're also getting a wonderful TV speaker thanks to its HDMI and RCA inputs, giving you plenty of freedom.