Hughes comparison
Best Portable Speakers
for UK homes in 2026.
Portable wireless speakers for moving music between rooms, gardens and trips.
Written by Alex Mercer. Alex compares audio products by the specifications that affect sound, setup and the way a room works day to day.
Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. That does not change the order of our picks or the buyer advice.
Our winner
JBL Authentics 300 Portable Smart Speaker - Black
Stereo sound with dual tweeters and a 5.25-inch woofer enriches every music genre.
£40.00 at Hughes01 Best overall pick
JBL Authentics 300 Portable Smart Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesThe most rounded speaker here for buyers who want useful features without choosing on badge alone.
At £40.00, this is the lowest-priced option in this group. For the best portable speakers brief, this is the speaker to consider when the listed features fit your routine. The sound-quality angle is the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Stereo listed by Hughes.
- Stereo sound with dual tweeters and a 5.25-inch woofer enriches every music genre..
- Priced below 2 of the other 2.
What to check
- The lowest price comes with a simpler position in the range.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | Up To 8 hours Battery |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | Yes |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | Yes |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:195.6 x W:342 x D:180.3mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | Yes |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | Yes |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Number Of Receivers | 1 |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Touch Control | No |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wired & Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £40.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
02 Best value alternative
Sonos Move 2 Portable Stereo Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesA more focused speaker choice when its particular specification suits the room.
The £44.00 price places it above one cheaper pick and below one dearer pick. Within this best portable speakers comparison, its strongest case is the way the published specification matches everyday listening. For listening, the useful detail is the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- Wireless.
- Priced below 1 of the other 2.
What to check
- Costs more than 1 other pick.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 8/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | Voice Enabled |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | No |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Audio Files Playback | MP3 |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:241mm x W:160mm x D:127mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | No |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Number Of Receivers | 1 |
|---|
| Portable | Yes |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Systems | True Play |
|---|
| Touch Control | Yes |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £44.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
03 Best for a clear feature set
Sonos ROAM2 WiFi & Bluetooth Ready Speaker With Voice Control - Black
Check price at HughesA sensible alternative for buyers who value the listed features over a long marketing pitch.
This is the premium-priced pick at £179.00. Its place in the best portable speakers guide comes from offering a different balance of price and features from the other 2 picks. On the audio side, Hughes lists the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- Wireless.
- Priced below 0 of the other 2.
What to check
- Costs more than 2 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 8/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | Yes |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168mm x 62mm x 60mm (HxWxD) / H:168mm W:62 D:60 |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| Portable | Yes |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Price check | £179.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
Buying advice
Choose for the room, not the product badge.
Start with the listening space and intended source. Then compare the published audio features, dimensions and connections. Prices can move, so use the Hughes product page to make the final check.
