With temperatures set to reach highs of 38 degrees, we are definitely in the grip of yet another heatwave.
While we certainly recommend keeping yourself safe and avoiding extreme heat, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some music outside once temperatures are at sensible levels.
And I have found some tempting deals on two of our favourite outdoor Bluetooth speakers.
First up is the Bose SoundLink Max, a rugged, five-star wireless speaker with powerful, tight bass. It is currently back to its lowest price of £299 at Amazon.
However, it has just been pipped by the JBL Xtreme 5, now £279 at Amazon. This new model came out only earlier this year, and we’ve been raving about its impressive sense of scale and excellent clarity.
Both speakers are five-star performers, so whichever speaker you buy will offer fantastic sound for your money.
Visually, the two are quite different – the Bose is the more subtle and understated of the two, a ruggedised, rubberised rectangle complete with a carry handle. It’s practical and highly tactile.
The JBL, while admittedly bulky, is the more modern-looking of the two, with a cylindrical design complete with wraparound, ruggedised grille and passive radiators. There are also floating loops for the straps, and customisable edge lighting that will certainly appeal to partiers.
With an IP68 water- and dustproof rating, the JBL just pips the Bose’s IP67 score, but both should be able to withstand heavy downpours and outdoor use. The JBL is somewhat heavier at 2.9kg, so the 2.1kg Bose might be a better choice if you’re likely to be on the move often.
There is plenty of battery life on both for a day of music – 24 hours from the JBL and 20 from the Bose – and both can be used as power banks for your smartphone or other device.
And the all-important sound? The two sound different, but both are superb. The Bose offers a more meaty, powerful sound – we describ it as a “lively, punchy delivery” in our Bose SoundLink Max review.
The JBL, on the other hand, produces a more clean-cut, precise and detailed delivery. Our JBL Xtreme 5 review praises the separation around the individual instruments, while saying the speaker also offers an impressive sense of scale.
Whichever speaker you opt for, you’re in for a five-star treat – but with the JBL cheaper at £279 at Amazon next to the Bose’s £299 price tag, the JBL may well be the more appealing package.
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