Portable speaker specifications converge because physics constrains them. Size sets bass, and volume sets battery life.
The three real trade-offs
- Size against bass: a pocket speaker rolls off low frequencies; no tuning fixes it.
- Volume against runtime: quoted battery life is measured at moderate volume, often half of what you will use outdoors.
- Weight against ruggedness: waterproofing adds seals and mass.
What to check
Whether it can charge while playing, whether two units can pair in stereo, and whether the USB port is covered. Those details decide long-term usefulness.
Where the money goes
Above a modest price, you are buying build quality and slightly better tuning. Below it, you are buying a plastic box that will be adequate in a kitchen and inaudible outdoors.
Bottom line: match the size to the room. A larger speaker at low volume always beats a small one at maximum.
