Party speakers are ideal for livening up events and providing the musical atmosphere for all your parties and celebrations, large or small. Indoors or outdoors, party speakers adapt to all family events and shows. They offer very high power and generous bass to set the mood and give rhythm to your dances. Lighting effects, but also microphone connectors, guitar connectors, chaining function, etc… the options are endless. So, which party speaker should you choose? Find out in this comparative guide of the best party speakers of 2025.
Party speaker vs Bluetooth speaker
Although party speakers are all equipped with a Bluetooth receiver, they differ from portable Bluetooth speakers by a larger format. Specifically designed for birthday, New Year’s Eve and karaoke parties, these speakers have larger drivers and high amplification power to play music in a large room or in the garden and make all your guests dance. These speakers, also called PA speakers, also provide extensive connectivity to connect all your sources, such as a microphone or guitar, for example. Finally, they are often accompanied by light effects to set the mood on the dance floor.
The importance of bass
Scientists agree on the importance of low frequencies to set the rhythm and make you want to dance. However, parties often take place in large, open spaces, whether it is a large living room, a garage or a space rented for the occasion. Producing decibels and hammering out the beat effectively in these conditions means choosing a party speaker with large drivers and very generous amplification. Some manufacturers also boost their speakers with DSP systems to extend the bass response. This is the case with Sony speakers, which benefit from the Mega Bass mode.
Portable or wired party speaker?
Some party speakers like the Klipsch Miami and JBL PartyBox Stage 320 are equipped with a rechargeable battery. They can therefore be taken to every corner of the garden, to the pool or to your friends’ home, depending on your needs. You are free to party anywhere, even at the beach or in the great outdoors. To keep the party going until the early hours, be sure to choose a model with a substantial battery life, such as the Sony ULT Field 7, which can operate for more than 30 hours.
Portable speakers are practical, but you will need to recharge them after each use. In addition, the autonomy indicated by the manufacturers may drop during prolonged listening sessions at very high volume or when using lighting effects. Therefore, it may be best to opt for a wired party speaker if your biggest events last several days. These wired speakers are intended for use near an electrical outlet, whether indoors, on the terrace or in a patio. The reference models are the Sony SRS-XV800, Sony MHC-V13 and JBL PartyBox 710.
Bluetooth party speakers
All party speakers have at least one Bluetooth controller, like the Eltax Voyager BT 15 Pro MKII, to receive music streamed wirelessly from a smartphone, tablet, DAP or computer. These may be tracks stored in the device’s memory or playlists played from an online music service via its dedicated application (Deezer, Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, etc.). Bluetooth sound quality varies depending on the codec used. Ideally, opt for an aptX compatible speaker for near CD quality. For an even more detailed reproduction, the LDAC codec present on the Sony MHC-V13 and Sony SRS-XP700 speakers is capable of transmitting high-resolution audio streams up to 24 bits at 96kHz.
So that everyone can share their music and overcome the problem of the single, self-proclaimed DJ, some brands like Sony offer the possibility of a multi-device Bluetooth connection on their party speakers. The principle is simple: the speaker can be connected via Bluetooth to several devices simultaneously. If a song is playing, it can be muted and changed at any time by another connected device. So everyone can be the DJ of the party!
Party speaker connectors
In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, party speakers generally feature a wide range of connectors. They are mostly equipped with one or several analog and/or digital audio inputs to connect a CD player, a network player or a pre-amplified turntable, for example. Many party speakers also have inputs for microphones and musical instruments. You can therefore show off your musical or singing talents to your guests. Party speakers with microphone inputs are perfect for karaoke fans. For even more creativity, some speakers include an effects pad allowing you to play the guitar, the piano and even record loops.
Multi-room and stereo chaining
To optimize and extend the sound diffusion, some party speakers offer a chaining function. Sometimes called Party Chain or Daisy Chain, this function most often makes it possible to couple several speakers to simultaneously stream the same music to add sound to large spaces and increase the overall volume. For example, Sony speakers like the Sony ULT Tower 10 use the Party Connect function which allows stereo pairing, but also to associate up to 100 compatible Sony Bluetooth speakers to synchronize music and lighting so that everyone can listen and dance to the same song. The pairing between two party speakers is done wirelessly, using the Bluetooth connection. Auracast chaining, with Marshall Bromley 750 or JBL speakers, also allows you to create a more powerful audio system for very large spaces.
If you prefer to opt for a single party speaker, it is preferable to use a model capable of delivering 360° sound, such as the Sony ULT Tower 10. That way, all partygoers can fully enjoy music in the best possible conditions. If possible, place the speaker up high to further extend the distribution and avoid the feeling of “muffled sound” when someone is in front of it.
Lighting effects
No party is complete without lighting effects to set the mood on the dance floor. Party speakers are often equipped with lighting effects to add a more festive feel. For example, the Muse M-1920 DJ speaker adopts multicolored mood lights, as well as a strobe. That way, it feels like there is a real DJ at your party.
Party speaker resistance
For partying by the pool or at the beach, it is imperative to choose a party speaker that is waterproof, sandproof and dustproof. This capability is certified by the international IP standard. The IP rating is always followed by two numbers and/or a letter. The first digit defines the degree of protection against solid foreign objects, such as dust. The second defines the degree of protection against liquids. For example, the JBL PartyBox Club 120 is protected against splashes of water. Even when you aren’t next to the swimming pool, it is preferable to opt for a robust speaker, capable of withstanding changes in weather, splashes of water and cocktails, as well as rowdy dancers.
Which is the best party speaker?
Throughout this guide, we have sifted through the essential criteria for choosing a party speaker. From these different elements, we have made a selection of the best party speakers for all budgets:
The best party speakers under €300
- Muse M-1920 DJ: battery, 300W, Bluetooth, CD player, lighting effects
- Klipsch Vegas: battery, Bluetooth, mic input, lighting effects
- Sony MHC-V13: battery, 3 drivers, Bluetooth, USB audio recording, lighting effects
The best party speakers from €300 to €500
- Sony ULT Field 7: battery, Bluetooth, waterproof, mic/guitar input, light effects
- Magnat Bulldog 7: battery, 260W, Bluetooth, XLR mic and guitar inputs, light effects
- Eltax Voyager BT 15 Pro MKII: battery, Bluetooth, 2 x mic inputs + 1 guitar input
- JBL PartyBox Club 120: battery, 160W, Bluetooth, mic inputs, light effects
The best party speakers over €500
- JBL PartyBox Stage 320: battery, 240W, Bluetooth, mic and guitar input, 18h battery life
- Sony SRS-XV800: battery, Bluetooth, microphone and guitar inputs, lighting effects
- Marshall Bromley 750: battery, 500W, Bluetooth, XLR/jack mic and guitar inputs
- Klipsch Miami: battery, 105 dB max, IPX4, light effects, wired microphone included
- JBL PartyBox 710: mains, 800W, Bluetooth 5.1, mic and guitar input, light effects
If you just want to enjoy powerful sound and deep bass, you can also opt for the Sonos Move 2 portable Bluetooth speaker. The latter is a good alternative, as it forgoes party functions such as lights and microphone inputs in favor of greater portability.
Want to go further with a portable Bluetooth speaker that you can take into the garden? Need a solution to listen to music throughout your home with connected speakers? Discover our other comparative guides of the best speakers for all situations:
- A comparison of the best portable Bluetooth speakers
- A comparison of the best connected speakers
- A comparison of the best outdoor speakers
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
With 12 hours of battery life or more, a party speaker can play music all night long. Most models can also continue to operate on mains power while the battery is recharging. To extend battery life, you can activate the light effects only when the dance floor is full of guests and the party is in full swing.
Ideally, yes, because sound disperses more easily outdoors. However, many party speakers offer a chaining mode that allows you to easily fill a larger space with sound by wirelessly connecting two devices.
It depends on the number of guests and the type of party you want to organise. A portable speaker will allow you to play background music during a barbecue with friends, for example, but it won’t be enough to get a dance floor going.
Yes. Outdoors, noise levels are limited by neighbourhood noise regulations. In France, the volume must not exceed 5 dB(A) above ambient noise during the day and 3 dB(A) at night, measured at neighbours’ homes. Local council regulations may impose stricter times or levels.
An active speaker offers more freedom to position and move the speaker around, allowing you to adapt to the constraints of your space. It is also an easier solution to set up outdoors (patio, garden, etc.). Party speakers (active speakers) also feature lighting effects that enhance the festive mood and are often IP-certified (dust and liquid resistance).
For a small indoor party (10–30 people), 50 to 200W RMS is sufficient. For a medium-sized party (30–80 people), opt for 200 to 500W RMS. Finally, a large outdoor event (100+ people) requires 1000W RMS or more, with multiple speakers for better sound distribution.
A speaker is considered dust and water resistant with an IPX4 rating (splash-proof).
For true waterproofing and good external protection, aim for IP67, which guarantees total dust resistance and allows temporary immersion in water.
Bluetooth connectivity is standard on all party speakers. It allows you to connect a computer, smartphone or tablet to the speaker wirelessly. It offers more freedom than a wired connection. The mini-jack input is useful for connecting wired sources. The USB port is practical for playing a playlist from a USB stick or hard drive, and finally, a line input (RCA/XLR) or 6.3mm jack allows you to connect a mixing desk or instruments.
Yes, if the speaker has a power bank function or a USB output port (5V / 1–2A). Otherwise, the USB port can only be used to play music or charge the speaker itself.
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