Entertainment
The best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Playing music out loud from your smartphone is a crime against music. Good sound is one of the few things that smartphone tech brands have never quite mastered. For the best audio experience from your phone or smart device it comes down to one of two options: great headphones or a great Bluetooth speaker.
If you’re more inclined towards the communal listening experience, or you don’t like having to rely on headphones, the range of portable Bluetooth speakers is getting better all the time. Wired speakers were once considered to go-to option for audiophile-quality sound, but that isn’t necessarily the case anymore. Though it’s true that the real appeal of Bluetooth speaker is the convenience of listening anywhere.
Indeed, there are lots of high-quality portable Bluetooth speakers. These are great for taking out on a picnic, or when you’re travelling away and you want tunes in the hotel or at the poolside. Or even for just moving from room to room around the home. But what should you look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker? What’s the difference between a great-sounding and under-performing Bluetooth speaker? Here’s a quick guide and a selection of the best available Bluetooth speakers.
How good is Bluetooth speaker sound quality?
It’s as good as you need it to be. So ask yourself the following questions: Will you be using your speakers solely for music? For podcasts? Maybe a bit of both? This factors into what kind of audio power you need, whether that’s surround sound, Dolby Atmos, or traditional stereo. Not all speakers produce the same kind of sound quality, so it’s important to know exactly what kind of listening experience you’re looking to get out of it before you make the purchase. Typically, smaller speakers are more portable, but their sound quality isn’t quite as strong as larger devices.
How many speakers do you need?
Always choose quality over quantity. Having two amazing speakers, for instance, will always ensure better results than multiple average speakers. However, having too many speakers around is just going to take up an unnecessary amount of space. Indeed, two speakers is a sweet spot, and certainly an ideal set-up if you listen to a lot of music. That’s because music is normally recorded for a stereo setting. Having a left and right channel will do you wonders. Fortunately several of the options below can be connected to other speakers for stereo sound. If you have a smaller space, however, one good speaker is perfectly adequate.
What smart features do Bluetooth speakers have?
As with everything in life, it’s a case of getting what you pay for. Some low-price Bluetooth speakers are good at just pumping out lively tunes. Others will include smart features such as voice assistant, EQ customisation, app control, and other advanced tech. Ask yourself if you want to integrate your speaker into a system of smart devices. Several of the below options have smart functions and access to Alexa.
Are portable speakers waterproof?
Finding a waterproof speaker is not absolutely necessary, but plenty of portable speakers are waterproof or water resistant — the portability means they’ll see a lot of poolside and party action, which means lots of splashing and spillages. It would be a shame if a rogue glass of water ended up being the demise of your new speaker, so if you have the option to go waterproof, do it.
What is the best portable Bluetooth speaker?
If you’re not much of an audiophile and simply keen on stepping away from using your smartphone’s built-in speaker, don’t get too stressed over whether the bass is strong and the mids are crisp. Go with the type that suits you best, and you’ll be satisfied regardless. We’ve tried to make the buying process a little easier by handpicking some standout speakers from top brands. There should be something for everyone in this roundup of the best portable speakers, with a speaker for every budget.
These are the best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
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Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
