The Best Boomboxes of 2025

The original boomboxes offered one of the first ways to bring music anywhere. We’ve got plenty of options for portable music now, but a boombox brings more than that, with plenty of features, playback options, and volume.

What to Look For in a Boombox

We live in a different world from the one that produced the boomboxes of old. As much as we might feel nostalgic for the style and utility of older boomboxes, that doesn’t mean we’re not looking for modern features.

Bluetooth, or wireless communication in general, is the cornerstone of those modern features we’re talking about. For most of us, our phone, tablet, or computer is the main source of our music. Every model we’re looking at in this article features Bluetooth, so the boomboxes can link to these devices and play the sounds you want.

Of course, if you’re looking for improved audio fidelity, you might prefer another option on your boombox, like an auxiliary input jack. Not every boombox we’re looking at here has an aux jack, but we’ll mention when they do.

If you’re looking to buy a boombox, chances are good that you’re also looking for one with a built-in radio. Most of the boomboxes we’re focusing on in this article feature a built-in radio, but not all do, and some are limited to FM radio only.

The original boomboxes relied on physical media in addition to their built-in radios. More and more people are going digital-only with their music, so this may not apply to you. But if you have physical media, you’re likely looking for a CD player. Some of the boomboxes we’re highlighting here also feature cassette playback if you’re feeling truly old-school.

Finally, size is a major consideration. Some people want something small and portable, while others seek something huge that pumps out the sound. Before you decide on a boombox, it’s important to consider just when and how you’ll be using it to make sure you’re buying the proper size.

If you’re ready to pick up a modern boombox, check out one of our recommendations below!

Philips may not be the first name that comes to mind when you imagine a boombox, but the company has been making them since the 1970s. While the form factor hasn’t changed much, the style and features of the Philips Portable CD Player show how far the humble boombox has come over the years.

As a glance at the front reveals, the Philips offers nearly anything you’ll likely look for in a modern boombox. You have the advertised CD player, but also a built-in cassette deck and FM radio, complete with 30 memory presets. Beyond these traditional features, you’ll find some more modern touches as well.

Like many modern boomboxes, the Philips features a USB port for playing back files from portable storage, with a maximum supported capacity of 128GB. You also get Bluetooth connectivity for playing music from your phone, tablet, or computer. This model even has a remote to let you skip songs and adjust volume without being next to the boombox.

For connecting players that don’t have Bluetooth, you get a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, and Philips even included a cable. You also get another 3.5mm jack for the headphone output. That said, don’t forget about the speakers built into the boombox when you want to crank the volume, complete with a bass boost to enhance the low end.

If you want to keep the Philips Portable CD Player portable, you’ll need six D batteries. That said, you can plug into AC power for home listening, but you’ll still need a single AAA battery for the remote.

Bluetooth Connectivity?

Yes

Brand

Philips

Connectivity

Auxiliary, Bluetooth, USB

Colors

Black/Blue, Black/Red

Weight

8.78 pounds

The Philips Portable CD Player Boombox takes the company’s years of experience with the boombox format and adds plenty of modern connectivity and features. Playback from CD, cassette, USB, or Bluetooth, all while kicking back and controlling everything with the included remote.

Pros & Cons

• Features CD player, cassette player, and FM radio for the real old school feel
• Also offers Bluetooth and USB playback for more modern music needs
• The bass boost offers an increased low end

Philips

If the Philips Portable CD/Cassette Player is above your price range, you can opt for the Philips AZ318B/37 Boombox instead. This particular boombox is only $70 (and often on sale for less), and it still offers a vintage look and feel. It’s reminiscent of a boombox radio someone would have in their room to listen to music, and the AZ318B/37 fills that particular purpose perfectly.

This is a small, lightweight boombox, so it’s easy to carry around with you, whether from room to room or from party to party. It’s also thoughtfully built—the handle tucks in neatly around the built-in CD player, and the big speakers take up most of the AZ318B/37’s surface space. Combine that with its decidedly 90s feel, and this is a winner.

But this Philips boombox is more than a CD player, as you’ll also get FM radio and a USB slot to play MP3s. However, what you do not get are a cassette player or Bluetooth capabilities.

The lack of a cassette player is understandable—​​​​​​given the size, it’s unlikely one would have fit in the AZ318B/37. No Bluetooth is a bit more of a bummer, though, since that means you can’t have all of your music on deck at any given time. But this is a vintage-style boombox, so some missing modern features are to be expected (and maybe even preferred).

So if you’re looking for a boombox that’s reminiscent of the old days that won’t drain your wallet, you can’t do much better than this.

Brand

Philips

Colors

Black, Silver

Weight

3.25 pounds

Battery

6 C batteries

Measurements

11.14 x 10.24 x 6.26 inches

The Philips AZ318B/37 costs less than the company’s bigger vintage boombox, making it perfect for those who just want a retro experience and possibly a CD player. There are some features missing becuase of the low price point, however.

Pros & Cons

• Very lightweight and portable
• A built-in CD player and USB port for MP3s should cover most of your music needs
• Vintage aesthetic reminiscent of 90s era boomboxes

• No cassette player
• No Bluetooth capabilities

JBL

Back in the day, boomboxes were all about cassette decks, radios, and that classic rectangular design. JBL has flipped the script by delivering a boombox that’s not just powerful, but perfectly built for today’s music lovers.

With a whopping 180W of power, the JBL Boombox 3 isn’t just its most powerful boombox yet—it’s one of the best boomboxes for anyone who loves to crank the volume and feel the beat.

Essentially a large Bluetooth speaker with a handle, the Boombox 3 features a dedicated subwoofer, which delivers even punchier bass, so your party vibes are stronger than ever. Plus, it handles highs, mids, and lows like a pro, keeping your music balanced at any volume.

Whether you’re at the park, the basketball court, or an all-day event, this boombox has the juice to keep up. It also doubles as a power bank, so your phone won’t die while you’re DJing. And if you want to mix it up, you can connect two devices at once so you and a friend can take turns dropping tracks. Do you have more JBL PartyBoost speakers in the mix? Sync them all up for an even bigger bang.

This boombox doesn’t just sound amazing—it looks and feels the part too. The updated JBL silhouette, metal handle, and orange silicone grips make it extremely portable. JBL’s boombox is dustproof and waterproof, so no worries if the party gets messy. And while it skips the old-school radio and CD player, it’s got an audio jack for wired connections.

Plus, JBL’s commitment to sustainability shines through with eco-friendly design and packaging. Whether you’re bringing the beats to a backyard bash or hyping up a crowd at the court, the JBL Boombox 3 is your ticket to unforgettable sound and serious fun.

Brand

JBL

Speaker Type

Portable Bluetooth speaker

Battery

Up to 24 hours

Water and dust resistance

IPX7

The JBL Boombox 3 packs the bass you’d expect from a massive sound system into a portable package. If you’re looking for all the music you need for the perfect party soundtrack in one box, this is it.

Pros & Cons

• Gets extremely loud and has a massive bass response, ensuring everyone can hear it
• IPX7 water- and dustproof
• Long battery life of up to 24 hours of playtime

• No retro boombox features like a CD/cassette player
• Far more expensive than the other boomboxes we recommend

With the price of boombox parts falling over the years, manufacturers can pack more features into them for a budget-friendly price. For example, the MEGATEK Portable CD Player Boombox features typical boombox mainstays, but also several other useful ways to connect and listen.

To start, you get a CD player and FM radio, both key features of a more traditional boombox. While the radio’s FM limitation is somewhat disappointing, the CD player makes up for it. This model can also play MP3 CDs, which lets you pack much more music onto a single disc, perfect for playlists or audiobooks.

That said, if you prefer more modern forms of connectivity, you’ll find them here as well. The boombox features Bluetooth input, letting you pair your phone or another device. It also features USB playback, letting you easily play media from a flash drive. The boombox also features an aux-in for wired connectivity.

This is a smaller, more portable boombox, meaning the speakers are three inches long. Still, they’re stereo, and you get a built-in EQ with five presets to tune the music to your liking. The MEGATEK also features a headphone out port.

For power, you’ll need four C batteries, or you can plug in the included AC cable.

Bluetooth Connectivity?

Yes

Brand

MEGATEK

Colors

Black, Blue Jay, Cherry Red

Measurements

11.81 x 9.45 x 5.31 inches

Battery

4 C batteries

The MEGATEK Portable CD Player Boombox is packed with features considering the bargain price, complete with a CD player, FM radio, Bluetooth, and USB playback. Plus, it features five onboard EQ presets and comes in three different colors.

Pros & Cons

• Top loading CD play and FM radio gives you some retro features
• AUX, Bluetooth, and USB ports give you more ways to play music
• Very portable at just over two pounds

Anker

An upgraded version of our original pick, the Soundcore Motion Boom 2, the Soundcore Boom 3i further refines Anker’s boombox formula. The 3i has Bluetooth 5.3, an IP68 water resistance rating, and an almost completely overhauled design.

One of the significant design updates from the Boom 2 to the Boom 3i is replacing the plastic handle with an adjustable strap. Overall, it’s an improvement, as you can easily sling the 3i onto your shoulder or strap it onto something else without fear of it falling off. It is also a fair amount smaller than the Boom 2, coming in at 8.27 x 3.09 x 3.35 inches, as opposed to the 2’s 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches. The color and LED choices also make the newer Soundcore Boom model more striking.

But this updated model does come with one big negative for those worried about aesthetics—it just doesn’t look all that much like a boombox anymore. This may seem like a petty complaint, since it’s not as though the Boom 3i is an ugly piece of tech. But given that we’re looking at boomboxes, it’s a shame that the design moved a bit away from a more ‘iconic’ silhouette.

Even so, though, the Soundcore Boom 3i is too good to knock just from its looks. It’s loud and has a battery life of up to 16 hours, and the 3i even floats, meaning you don’t need to worry about it taking a dunk at a pool party. The $140 price point is also very good—more expensive than our budget picks, but far below the price point of JBL’s boomboxes. So if the looks don’t bother you, this boombox won’t let you down.

Brand

Anker

Colors

Black, Blue, Brown, Green

Weight

27.5oz

Speaker Type

Portable Bluetooth speaker

Dimensions

8.27 × 3.35 × 3.09 in

Battery

Up to 16 hours

Anker’s latest Soundcore boombox has many helpful features, such as the ability to float in the water. So, you won’t have to worry about this portable piece of tech getting wet.

Pros & Cons

• Adjustable strap make it easier to carry around than a plastic handle
• IP68 and the ability to float makes this a perfect pool party companion
• A great middle point in terms of price

• Doesn’t really look like a boombox