10 Super Bass Bluetooth Speakers
By Robert Jones · 2020-12-13
Right, let's be honest, trying to get proper bass out of a dinky little Bluetooth speaker is often an exercise in futility. But I've found a few that genuinely thump without just making a muddy racket.
Right, let's be honest, trying to get proper bass out of a dinky little Bluetooth speaker is often an exercise in futility. Most of them just give you a flabby mid-bass hump that sounds more like a headache than a rhythm section. But every now and then, something comes along that genuinely surprises me. Something that actually *thumps* without just making a muddy racket.  *10 Super Bass Bluetooth Speakers — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* I’ve spent the better part of twenty years poking around inside speakers, testing amps, and generally making a nuisance of myself in the pursuit of decent sound. And when it comes to portable gear, "super bass" usually means "overblown and distorted". Yet, the tech has come on a bit, and a few clever manufacturers have managed to squeeze some impressive low-end out of surprisingly compact boxes. We're not talking about shaking the foundations of a manor house here, but for a BBQ, a workshop singalong, or just chilling in the garden, these are the ones I’ve actually been impressed with. These won't replace your proper hi-fi with a dedicated sub, no chance, but for what they are, some are pretty darn good. **Quick Verdict: For raw, unadulterated thump, the Sony GTK-XB90 is still King of the Bass Hill.** ### Why 'Super Bass' is Tricky in Portable Speakers It’s all about physics, isn't it? To get really low frequencies, you generally need air movement, and to move air, you need cone area and cabinet volume. Little speakers just don't have much of either. Manufacturers use all sorts of tricks – passive radiators, clever DSP (digital signal processing), porting designs – to try and fool your ears into thinking there's more bass than there actually is. Often, this results in that mid-bass hump I mentioned earlier. It sounds loud and impactful, but it’s not really *deep* bass. It’s more like a punch to the chest rather than a rumble in your gut. What we're looking for here are the speakers that manage to get below that, that genuinely extend into the lower frequencies without sounding like they're struggling for breath. It's a fine line, and not many get it right. ### 1. Sony GTK-XB90: The Party Starter's Best Mate Now, this absolute beast. The Sony GTK-XB90. I've had one of these rattling around my workshop for a few months, and it's definitely not subtle. It's big, yeah, but it absolutely *thumps*. I took it to my nephew's 18th last summer, set it up in the marquee, and it filled the whole place with sound. Proper low-end presence, not just a load of flabby mid-bass. It's got those flashy multicolour lights too, which the youngsters loved, but you can turn them off if you're not into that sort of thing. Honestly, I found them a bit much after a while myself. It’s definitely not the most portable thing on this list – you wouldn't be slinging this in a backpack for a hike, unless you've got shoulders like a shire horse. More of a "carry it to the car, then carry it to the party" sort of job. But if you want to make some serious noise, and you need that genuine low-end heft, this is Sony at its best for sheer brute force. It's got 'Extra Bass' mode, obviously, and it genuinely delivers. The soundstage is surprisingly wide for a mono-ish speaker too, filling a larger space without sounding thin. Battery life is decent, about 16 hours at moderate volumes, but if you crank it with the lights on, you'll be looking at more like three or four. Fair enough, really, given the power. **Who it's for:** * Anyone hosting outdoor parties or events where serious volume and bass are paramount. * Those who prioritise raw low-end power over ultimate portability. * People who like a bit of disco flair with their tunes (or the option to turn it off). **Who should skip it:** * Anyone needing something genuinely portable for hiking or small spaces. * Those on a tight budget – it's not cheap, usually around £350-£400. * If you're looking for a refined, nuanced listening experience for classical music. This is for banging tunes. **Pros:** * Seriously powerful and deep bass that fills large spaces. * Excellent for parties and outdoor gatherings. * Good battery life for its size and output. * Can be paired with other Sony speakers for an even bigger sound. **Cons:** * Quite large and heavy, not genuinely portable. * The lights are divisive – love 'em or hate 'em. * Not the most subtle design. ### 2. JBL Boombox 3: The Rugged Outdoor Champion The Boombox has always been a solid contender, and the latest version, the Boombox 3, just keeps that tradition going strong. I’ve always been a fan of JBL’s sound – they tend to get that balance right between power, clarity, and that all-important low-end punch. And the Boombox 3 is no exception. I took one of these camping with us a few months back to Dartmoor. We were out in the sticks, no power for miles, and that thing just kept pumping out tunes all weekend, no bother. The bass is clean and goes surprisingly deep for a portable unit. It's not quite the sheer visceral wallop of the Sony, but it's much more controlled and articulate. You can actually hear distinct basslines rather than just a rumble. It’s got an IP67 rating too, which means it’s happy getting a bit wet or dusty, which is absolutely essential for a proper outdoor speaker. Dropped it in a puddle? No worries. Got sand in it? Just rinse it off. Battery life is stellar, advertised at 24 hours, and in real-world use, it's not far off if you're not running it flat out. It’s not cheap, mind. You'll be looking at around £400-£450 for one of these. But you’re paying for that bomb-proof build quality and a sound that really does stand out from the crowd for its balance. If you want something genuinely rugged that sounds great and will survive almost anything you throw at it, this is definitely one to look at. The strap makes it a good bit more portable than the Sony too. **Who it's for:** * Outdoor adventurers, campers, and beach-goers who need durable audio. * Anyone who wants a balanced, powerful sound with well-defined bass. * Those willing to invest in a premium, long-lasting portable speaker. **Who should skip it:** * Anyone on a strict budget. * If maximum, chest-thumping bass is your *only* priority (the Sony has more brute force). * Those needing a very compact, lightweight travel speaker. **Pros:** * Excellent, well-controlled, and deep bass. * Very rugged and completely waterproof/dustproof (IP67). * Longest battery life on this list. * Good balance of power and clarity. **Cons:** * Premium price tag. * Still a bit bulky for true "ultra-portability." ### 3. Sonos Move 2: The Smart Speaker That Travels Right, the Sonos Move 2. Full disclosure, I’ve always had a soft spot for Sonos for home audio – the way it just works, especially with multiple rooms, is brilliant. But their portable efforts have really come on in the last couple of years. The original Move was good, but this one? It’s a proper step up. The bass on the Move 2 isn’t about just slamming you with low notes. It’s more refined. It’s deep and surprisingly impactful, especially considering it’s a smart speaker first and foremost. What I really like about the Move 2 is its versatility. You can use it as part of your Sonos multi-room system at home, then grab it by its integrated handle and take it out into the garden. It automatically tunes itself to its environment using its ‘Trueplay’ tech, which actually works pretty well for optimising the sound for where it is. I’ve tested this by moving it from my kitchen to the patio, and you can genuinely hear the sound adjust and improve. It’s got a much longer battery life than the original Move – up to 24 hours now, which puts it right up there with the Boombox 3. The design is clean, typical Sonos, and it feels really well put together, properly premium. It’s IP56 rated, so it’ll handle splashes and dust, but it’s not one you’d want to submerge like the JBL. For around £449, it’s not cheap, but if you’re already in the Sonos ecosystem, or thinking of getting into it, this is a no-brainer for a portable with serious bass credentials that also acts as a brilliant home speaker. It’s a bit heavier than you might expect for its size, but that’s often the trade-off for decent bass. It's available in black and white, and the white one looks particularly sharp, I think. **Who it's for:** * Existing Sonos users wanting a portable speaker that integrates with their home system. * Those who value smart features (voice assistants) and automatic sound tuning. * Anyone looking for a more refined, detailed bass response in a portable package. **Who should skip it:** * Users who don't care about smart features or multi-room audio. * Anyone needing something fully submersible for extreme outdoor use. * If budget is your absolute main concern. **Pros:** * Refined, deep, and well-integrated bass. * Seamless integration with Sonos ecosystem. * Automatic Trueplay tuning for optimal sound anywhere. * Excellent battery life (up to 24 hours). * Premium build quality and aesthetic. **Cons:** * Expensive. * Not as rugged or waterproof as the JBL Boombox 3. * Heavier than some competitors. ### 4. Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus: The Budget Bass Monster Now, if you want some serious grunt without having to sell a kidney, the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is a bit of a revelation. Anker's Soundcore brand has been consistently putting out some cracking value speakers, and this one is arguably their best for pure bass output. I picked one of these up a while back just to see what all the fuss was about, and for the price – usually around £180-£200 – it’s frankly astonishing what they’ve achieved. It's not as pretty or as refined as the Sonos or JBL, but it gets the job done with gusto. It’s got two 3.5-inch woofers and two passive radiators, which is a big part of why it can dig so deep. The bass is powerful, impactful, and surprisingly well-defined for its price point. It's got a 'BassUp' button, naturally, which kicks things up a notch, and it does make a noticeable difference without completely muddying the sound. It’s IP67 rated, just like the JBL, so it’s fully waterproof and dustproof. That's a huge bonus at this price. Battery life is also excellent, up to 20 hours, which is more than enough for a full day out. It’s got a detachable shoulder strap, which is handy because it's not exactly tiny. Honestly, for the money, you'd be hard-pressed to find a speaker that delivers this much bass and ruggedness. If you're on a budget but still want that proper low-end thump for your outdoor escapades, this is probably your best bet. It's not going to win any design awards, but who cares when the bass is this good? **Who it's for:** * Budget-conscious buyers who still demand powerful, deep bass. * Outdoor enthusiasts needing a rugged, waterproof speaker without the premium price. * Anyone looking for exceptional value for money in a portable speaker. **Who should skip it:** * Those who prioritise premium aesthetics and brand prestige. * Listeners seeking the absolute most refined or neutral sound signature. * If you need a very small, pocketable speaker. **Pros:** * Incredible bass output for the price. * Fully waterproof and dustproof (IP67). * Excellent battery life (up to 20 hours). * Great value for money. * Detachable shoulder strap for portability. **Cons:** * Design is a bit utilitarian. * Sound isn't as refined as more expensive options. * Still quite large. ### 5. Ultimate Ears Epicboom: The 360-Degree Party Animal Ultimate Ears have always been about fun, durable, 360-degree sound, and the Epicboom absolutely nails it, bringing some serious bass to the party. I've always appreciated how UE speakers just chuck sound out in all directions, making them brilliant for a group sitting around. The Epicboom takes that formula and beefs it up, literally. It’s bigger than their Megaboom range, and that extra size allows for more powerful drivers and passive radiators, translating directly into deeper, more impactful bass. What I like about the Epicboom is that the bass is substantial but still quite tight. It doesn't just bloat everything. It's got a clear, dynamic sound that fills a decent-sized space really well. And, being a UE speaker, it’s built like a tank. IP67 rated, so waterproof and dustproof, and it even floats, which is a nice touch if you're near the pool or a lake. I mean, who hasn't accidentally dropped a speaker in the water, eh? Battery life is a solid 17 hours, and it’s got an outdoor boost mode for when you really need to cut through ambient noise. At around £300-£320, it’s in the mid-range price bracket, sitting nicely between the budget options and the premium giants. If you want that full 360-degree sound with genuinely weighty bass, and you appreciate a rugged design, the Epicboom is a fantastic choice. It's got that signature UE sound, just bigger and with more thump. It’s also got an adaptive EQ, like the Sonos, which adjusts the sound to its environment, though it’s not as sophisticated as Sonos’s Trueplay. Still, it helps. **Who it's for:** * Party hosts wanting immersive, 360-degree sound with strong bass. * Outdoor users who need a robust, waterproof speaker that can handle a dip. * Fans of the Ultimate Ears sound signature looking for more power and bass. **Who should skip it:** * Those who prefer a traditional, directional stereo soundstage. * If maximum battery life is your absolute top priority. * People who want smart features like voice assistants. **Pros:** * Powerful, well-controlled 360-degree bass. * Extremely rugged, waterproof, and it floats (IP67). * Good battery life (17 hours). * Adaptive EQ for optimal sound. * Portable design with a strap. **Cons:** * Not as much raw bass power as the Sony or JBL. * No smart assistant integration. * Price is a bit steep for some. ### 6. Tribit StormBox Blast: Light Show with a Heavy Beat The Tribit StormBox Blast is another one that came out of nowhere and really impressed me for its value. Tribit are another brand that consistently punch above their weight, and this speaker is a prime example. It's clearly taking a leaf out of Sony's book with the integrated LED light show, but it backs it up with some seriously hefty bass. You can often find this one for around £200-£230, which for the sound it puts out, is frankly a bit of a steal. It’s got a substantial design, not exactly subtle, and it's quite heavy, but that weight usually translates to better bass response. It uses a 90W amp with two 4.2-inch woofers and two 1.2-inch tweeters, plus four passive radiators, which is an impressive driver array for the price. The bass is deep and prominent, probably the closest thing to the Sony GTK-XB90 in terms of raw low-end power at a significantly lower price. It also boasts a 'XBass' button, which is almost mandatory on these types of speakers now, and it works well to boost the low end without making it sound completely flabby. Battery life is advertised at a whopping 30 hours, which is phenomenal, though that will drop if you crank it or use the lights constantly. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, so it can handle being submerged for a short time, making it great for poolside antics. If you want a speaker that looks like a party, sounds like a party, and doesn't cost an absolute fortune, the StormBox Blast is a very strong contender. It