Who a Bluetooth speaker suits
A Bluetooth speaker suits someone who plays music or a podcast out loud rather than through headphones: while they cook, potter in the garage, get ready in the morning, or sit in the backyard. It also suits the camper, the beach-goer and the flatmate who is always moving between share houses. It is easy to carry from one place to another.
It is a good housewarming gift and a good teenager's gift. It doesn't need a space of its own, and it works as well in a kitchen as on a campsite.
What to look for in a Bluetooth speaker
- Size. Small speakers clip to a bag or fit in a hand. Larger portable ones play louder, with deeper bass, but live in a backpack rather than a pocket.
- Water and dust protection. IP67 means sealed against dust and able to survive being dunked in up to one metre of water for about 30 minutes. IPX5 means it handles water jets, which covers splashes and rain. Either is useful by a pool or at the beach, and both ratings are measured in fresh water.
- Battery. Play time per charge runs from a handful of hours to more than a day. Some larger speakers can also charge a phone.
- Linking. Many speakers link with a second one of the same family for stereo or a bigger sound.
- The charging port. USB-C is the cable most newer phones use, so it's likely they already own one.
When a Bluetooth speaker is the wrong gift
A portable speaker is made for convenience, not as a replacement for a home hi-fi system. If they want a room full of rich, detailed sound, this isn't it. If they only ever listen with headphones, a speaker will sit idle.
It's also a gift for everyone within earshot, so think about the neighbours. Thin walls and a sleeping baby next door make a hard place for a speaker.