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Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth headphones/earbuds have infiltrated almost every area of our life. We like having them in our homes, offices, backyards. We also like taking them outdoors and bringing them to picnics, parties, sporting events, etc. The golf course was one of the rare areas where speakers and headphones (basically, any kind of music) were absolutely forbidden, but even there, the rules are getting softer. Listening to music in order to eliminate distractions, especially during the official game, is still forbidden, but there are some cases and certain situations when you can play some quiet background music on the course or during the practice on the golf range.
If you are looking for the best golf cart Bluetooth speaker for your golfing sessions, this is a great place to start your search. In this article, we will discuss some of the rules regulating the use of audio and video equipment on golf courses, talk about the most important characteristics of golf cart Bluetooth speakers, and offer you some nice choices. We’ve made an interesting selection of 9 best golf cart Bluetooth speakers in 2021. Some of them are portable and battery-powered while others have to be plugged into the 12V car charger, but they are all quite rugged and durable (designed for outdoor use) and they all sound good.
Table of Contents
- 9 Best Golf Cart Bluetooth Speakers – Comparison Table
- Bringing the Bluetooth Speaker to The Golf Course
- Rules Regulating the Use of Audio Equipment on the Golf Course
- 1. NOAM NUTV4 Golf Cart Bluetooth Speaker / Stereo System
- 2. Celtic Blu Tallboy Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- 3. FUGOO Tough XL
- 4. Ultimate Ears BOOM 2
- 5. JBL Xtreme Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- 6. Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
- 7. NYNE Boost Portable Bluetooth Speakers
- 8. Golfjams Bluetooth Speaker
- 9. PUMA Mini Soundchuck
- Important Things to Look for In a Golf Cart Bluetooth Speaker
- Design – Mounting System (carabiners, straps, clips, etc.)
- Build quality – Rugged, Waterproof, Dustproof
- Bluetooth Connection – Bluetooth range, Connection Quality
- Battery Life
- Directional VS Omnidirectional (360-degrees) Speakers
- Sound Quality
- A Few Pieces of Advice You Should Follow When Playing Music on A Golf Course
9 Best Golf Cart Bluetooth Speakers – Comparison Table
Golf Cart Bluetooth Speakers | Rating | Price | Review |
---|---|---|---|
NOAM NUTV4 | 4.3 | Check Amazon | Read Review |
Celtic Blu | 4.2 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
FUGOO Tough XL | 4.3 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
UE BOOM 2 | 4.3 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
JBL Xtreme | 4.3 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
Bose SoundLink | 4.7 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
NYNE Boost | 4.4 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
Golfjams | 5.0 | Check Amazon | Read Review |
PUMA Soundchuck | 4.0 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
Bringing the Bluetooth Speaker to The Golf Course
Bringing any kind of music to the golf course was considered blasphemy in the past. It was like breaking the rules of nature or breaking the law. Just remember the scene from that 80s comedy Caddyshack when Al Czervik opens a secret compartment on his golf bag, turns on the radio, and starts dancing.
Caddyshack – Music on the golf course scene
All that music made Judge Elihu Smails (aka Ted Knight) so angry. He considered it a violation of his personal privacy. Almost 40 years after, the situation is not much different. The majority of golfers will tell you that bringing the Bluetooth speaker to the golf course is a violation of the rules. It’s like insulting the gods of golf. Still, there are more and more people breaking and bending these rules, especially the younger population. Based on a Golf Digest survey made in 2013 and 2014, more than 20% of golfers under 35 was listening to music while playing. The older population (55+) was much stricter when it comes to ‘’no music’’ rule. We can only imagine the situation today. These percentages are definitely much higher. The rules are still in force and they apply to official games and tournaments but there are certain scenarios when playing some quiet background music on your golf cart Bluetooth speaker is perfectly acceptable.
Rules Regulating the Use of Audio Equipment on the Golf Course
You can check different sets of golfing rules issued by different golfing organizations and associations, and you will find at least one rule that deals with the use of audio equipment on the golf course. We’ve checked the Rules of Golf section on the R&A (Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) website and we have found the section on Allowed and Prohibited Equipment (4.3a). Based on this rule, the background music is allowed but only if it doesn’t distract other players and if it’s not used to eliminate distractions and help you with your swing tempo. You have to admit that this sounds vague (who can tell if the music is helping you or not). One thing is certain – you should always ask other golfers if they are ok with the music. If someone doesn’t want you to play it, even if it’s just background music, you should turn off the speaker.
The Rules of Golf – Section 4.3a Allowed And Prohibited Equipment (source – randa.org)
There is also the rule 14-3 issued by the US Golfing Association. This rule deals with the use of headphones and ‘’any other artificial device” that could help you with your play. This rule is a bit more rigorous and it doesn’t allow you to play your Bluetooth speaker during a stipulated round and during an official game. On the other hand, you can use it during practice (on the golf range or on the golf course) if it’s not against the Club’s rules.
Rule 14-3 – The usage of headphones/earplugs during stipulated round (Source – USGA)
So, to conclude, the use of golf cart Bluetooth speakers (and other audio equipment) is allowed in some cases (mostly during the practice) but it’s not allowed during the official game.
Now that you know when and where to use your golf cart Bluetooth speaker, we can start with the reviews.
This is our selection of 9 best golf cart Bluetooth speakers in 2022.
1. NOAM NUTV4 Golf Cart Bluetooth Speaker / Stereo System
Noam Audio is specialized in making speakers for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Their NOAM NUTV4 speakers come in pair (priced around $220) or you can buy two pairs (NUTV4 QUAD) for less than $300. NUTV speakers are Bluetooth-enabled but they are not battery powered and have to be installed properly and connected to your cart’s battery. This procedure is definitely a bit complicated and requires some drilling. If you are not a techie person, you are going to need some help. Also, if you don’t have your own golf cart, this is not the system for you. Instead, you can buy a simple portable Bluetooth speaker (you can find those on our list, too).
What’s in the box
Inside the packaging, you will find your 2 NUTV 2-way speakers, one 4-channel amplifier, one backlit controller with a built-in Bluetooth module, all the necessary connection cables, rubber pads, speaker brackets, user manual, and 1-year warranty.
The speakers look quite interesting. They are shaped like mini airplane turbines. The enclosures are made of black shiny plastic. Each speaker features one 4in poly injection cone woofer and one 1in neodymium tweeter. Also, there are two speaker brackets for attaching the speakers to the golf cart bars (supported bar size 1.5in-2in).
The amplifier supports up to 4 channels (4x100W), which means that you can buy additional 2 speakers and add them to the existing system. The amp has all the cables connected to it and they all have watertight plugs. The amp also features inline on/off switch.
The controller is simple and it’s supposed to be installed next to your steering wheel. There are 6 buttons – input/power button, play/pause, two track buttons, and two volume buttons. All the buttons are backlit.
Things we like
NUTV4 speakers look quite interesting. They are shaped like airplane turbines which is more appropriate for UTVs and ATVs but they look good on golf carts, too.
Build quality is quite impressive. The speakers are made of hard plastic and look quite compact. Both speakers and amplifier are IPX6 certified (water resistant). All the cable connections are also watertight. It would have been better if they are all fully waterproof and dustproof, but some protection is better than no protection at all.
The controller features Bluetooth 3.0 and an additional AUX input. Bluetooth connection delivers pretty much standard performance with a 30ft range (no obstacles) and continuous playback within this range. We haven’t experienced any compatibility issues – the speakers work fine with Android and iOS devices.
Sound quality is pretty good when Bluetooth is used, but it’s much better when the phone is connected through the AUX cable. Those two coaxial drivers deliver solid and nicely defined midrange and perfectly clear highs. The bass is a bit tiny but you can hardly expect more from these small speakers. If you prefer something bassier, you can go for something like NOAM NUTV5-S with an additional 8-inch subwoofer, but you don’t really need anything stronger than NUTV4 for your golf carts. The speakers can also get really loud which is also something you’re not going to need on a golf course.
Things we don’t like
This is not a hassle-free speaker set. It requires some technical knowledge and you will need to drill and cut some holes and install it properly in order to make it work. Connecting the wires is the easiest part, but you have to perform all the preparations first.
The system can’t be used for answering phone calls which is a standard feature on most of today’s portable Bluetooth speakers.
2. Celtic Blu Tallboy Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Celtic Blu Tallboy is a small and very portable and very capable little speaker. The thing that makes it great for golf is the mount (cage) that comes with it. This mount is primarily designed for bikes but it works just fine with golf carts.
What’s in the box
Inside a nice-looking box, you will find your speaker and many accessories. Besides the speaker, there’s a very strong mount (looks like a standard water bottle cage), metal carabiner, a few rubber straps, AUX cable, micro USB charging cable, Allen wrench and two screws (for mounting), simple 3-button remote (can be attached to any surface like bike handlebar or any golf cart bar), user manual, and 1-year warranty.
The speaker is shaped like a water bottle with a square base. It’s 7in tall, 2.6in deep, 2.6in wide, and weighs 1.3lb. The whole speaker is wrapped in aluminum grille and then additionally protected with rubber. There’s a comprehensive control panel on the top – you have the track, volume, and play/pause/call buttons as well as 3 additional buttons (mode, charging, and power button). The microphone is also located on the top. All the inputs are at the bottom and they are all protected with rubber flaps One flap protects AUX input and micro SD card slot while the other protects micro USB charging port and a USB power bank port.
Tallboy features two 8W drivers. The driver arrangement enables omnidirectional 360-sound.
Things we like
There’s nothing new or revolutionary when it comes to design. Tallboy is similar to those popular JBL and UE portable speakers. It looks quite durable and rugged. The drivers are wrapped in aluminum and the aluminum grille is additionally reinforced with rubber. The speaker is shockproof and it’s IPX4 certified (splash proof).
The control buttons located on the top are simple and intuitive. You’ll know how to use them the moment you take the speaker. Another great thing is that you can attach that 3-button remote to your steering wheel and that you don’t have to use the controls on the speaker while driving.
The battery is quite large (6,000mAh) and it can deliver up to 30 hours of playback per one charge (at 50% volume) which is more than enough, even for the longest golfing practice. The recharge takes 6-8h.
Tallboy features Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR. We’ve had no issues with the Bluetooth connection. The range is larger than 100ft (when there are no obstacles). If you don’t want to use the Bluetooth, you have some other options available – you can use a standard 3.5mm AUX input or you can insert your micro SD card (up to 32Gb) and play the music from it.
Tallboy also has a built in FM antenna and allows you to listen to available FM stations.
Powerbank is another great feature. It’s not absolutely necessary but it gives you more freedom and it allows you to stay on the course as long as you want – you don’t have to be afraid that you’re going to run out of juice.
Thanks to a built-in microphone, Tallboy allows you to answer or make calls.
The speaker comes with two mounting options – carabiner and a rubberized cage. Installing the cage on your golf cart requires some drilling but it’s not complicated and it takes less than 5 minutes to install it.
The sound quality is pretty good. When compared to some more popular speakers, Celtic Blu Tallboy is very similar to JBL’s Flip 4 (the same kind of loudness and just a little bit clearer and less bassy sound).
Things we don’t like
There’s not much to complain about, especially when you consider the price. It would have been better if the speaker is fully waterproof (IPX7 certified), but that’s not absolutely necessary if you are only going to use it on a golf course.
3. FUGOO Tough XL
FUGOO XL is one of the best small portable speakers on the market. The greatest advantages of this speaker are ruggedness (especially with the Tough XL jacket), great sound quality and surprising loudness, impressive battery life, and stable Bluetooth connection. One thing we don’t like about this speaker is the price. It’s priced around $200 and it’s one of the most expensive small portable speakers on the market.
What’s really interesting about FUGOO is that you can change its look by changing the jacket. You can choose between Style, Sport, and Tough jackets. Tough is, obviously, the strongest one and it’s the most suitable for outdoor use.
What’s in the box
Inside a nice-looking illustrated box, you will find your speaker (speaker core + one jacket), AC power/charging adapter, micro USB cable (for updates, not for charging), 3.5mm AUX cable, thumbscrews, hex wrench, user manual, and a one-year warranty.
Additional jackets (Style and Sport) are sold separately. Also, if you want to mount the speaker on your golf cart, you are going to need the FUGOO Mounting Kit (also sold separately) and if you want more convenient controls, you are going to need FUGOO remote.
FUGOO XL consists of two parts – speaker core and jacket. The core will work without any jacket but it’s not recommended to use it like that and it looks kind of naked without the jacket. The dimensions depend on the jacket and when the Tough XL jacket is used, the speaker is 13.2in wide, 4.65in tall, 4.37in deep, and weighs 4.65lb.
FUGOO XL features 8 drivers arranged symmetrically on the front and rear panel. There are 4 1.1-inch tweeters, 2 2.5-inch midrange woofers, and two 4×2.6in passive bass radiators. Their combined power output is 38W. Frequency response spans from 50Hz to 20kHz.
The controls buttons are located on the top. You have 6 buttons – 2 volume buttons, 2 track buttons, play/pause/call button, and action button (for activating Siri or Google Assistant). Right in the middle, there’s a built-in omnidirectional microphone.
All the other buttons and inputs are on the left and right panels. On one side, you have a DC charging port, USB powerbank port (for charging other devices like phones and tablets), and micro USB port (for updates). On the other side, you have a power button, AUX input, Bluetooth/pairing button, and a small LED indicator.
Things we like
The design of the FUGOO XL speaker depends on the jacket. The core is simple, plastic, and completely black. Adding a jacket could give the speaker sporty, stylish, or robust design. We recommend Tough XL jacket because it looks more appropriate for outdoor use than others. FUGOO XL combined with Tough jacket is shockproof, dustproof, and fully waterproof (IP67 certified).
Controls are easily accessible, simple, and responsive. The remote is not included but you can buy it separately and wrap it around your wrist or around your steering wheel so you don’t have to approach the speaker to control the playback.
The speaker also features Siri and Google Now support. You just have to press the action button on the speaker or on the remote and activate Siri or Google Now.
FUGOO XL features Bluetooth 4.0 with a standard 33ft range. Bluetooth supports aptX, SBC, and AAC codecs. Pairing is quick and easy. NFC is not supported. The connection is stable within the advertised range. If you don’t want to use the Bluetooth connection, you can use the included AUX cable (wired connection).
The battery is one of the greatest highlights. It delivers up to 35h of playback at 50% volume. It can be charged very fast thanks to 19V DC charging adapter. The speaker also features one USB powerbank port. You can use it to charge other devices while playing music.
The speaker also has the auto shut down feature. It will turn off automatically after 15min of inactivity (if not connected to audio source and not plugged into the power source).
FUGOO XL features a built-in omnidirectional microphone. You can use it to answer calls, to talk to Siri or Google Assistant, and to make calls.
The sound is quite impressive and surprisingly loud for the size. The speaker is equipped with 8 symmetrically arranged drivers (actually 6 drivers + 2 passive bass radiators). That kind of arrangement enables 360-degree sound which is always better than directional sound when it comes to outdoor use. The speaker also has two sound modes (EQ presets) – normal and outdoor mode. The normal mode is a bit more balanced while the outdoor mode puts an emphasis on the midrange. The speaker delivers clear mids and sparkling highs, but the bass lacks some impact.
Another awesome thing about this speaker is the mount kit. The kit includes all kinds of mounts and straps but it’s not included in the package (and you have to buy it separately). Luckily, it’s not that expensive.
Things we don’t like
One thing that’s not so attractive about this speaker is the price. There’s a lot of competition at this price point. All the UE portable speakers and many JBL and Harman Kardon speakers are cheaper than the FUGOO XL and they all offer pretty good performance and are very durable.
Considering the price, we have expected some of the advanced connectivity options. Unfortunately, FUGOO XL lacks NFC quick pairing feature, it doesn’t support daisy chaining (you can’t pair two for stereo sound), and doesn’t support multipoint pairing (can’t pair two or more devices with the speaker simultaneously).
4. Ultimate Ears BOOM 2
If you are looking for something really good, portable, relatively affordable, and powerful, BOOM 2 is a great choice. In fact, you might want to check out the whole UE speaker line (BOOM, MEGABOOM, BLAST, MEGABLAST) – they are all awesome. BOOM 2 is available for less than $100 (depending on the model, the price goes up to $180), and it delivers really great performance for the price.
What’s in the box
Inside a premium box, you will find your BOOM 2 speaker, micro USB charging cable, power adapter, removable D ring (covers the tripod mount), weather door (rubber flap) protecting the AUX port and micro USB charging port, user manual, and 2-year warranty.
Like all the other UE speakers, BOOM 2 features cylindrical design. The base diameter is 2.64in and the height is 7.1in. The speaker weighs 1.2 pounds. There are two 1.75-inch drivers and two passive bass radiators.
The whole speaker is wrapped in a recognizable waterproof/shockproof fabric. On the back of the speaker, there’s a silicone strip with two huge volume buttons. On the top, you will find two control buttons – power and Bluetooth/pairing button (+ LED indicator). On the bottom, there’s a rubber flap with D ring holding the flap in place and covering the tripod mount. When you remove the flap, you will see the AUX port and micro USB charging port.
Things we like
BOOM 2 features very familiar cylindrical design but what makes this speaker really interesting are those waterproof fabric grilles in different colors. There are so many versions and they are all so vivid and so fun (BrainFreeze, Cherrybomb, Green Machine, Marina, Urban Explorer, etc.).
The speaker doesn’t look very rugged at first, but once you feel the grille fabric and see that the top and bottom panels are covered with silicone, you will realize that this is a durable product. BOOM 2 is fully waterproof (IPX7 certified). It’s also shockproof and dustproof. It can be used literally anywhere (including the golf course).
Controls are really simple and quite innovative. You won’t find many buttons on the speaker – there are only two buttons on the top (power and Bluetooth) and two large volume buttons on the speaker body. Some people might not like the tap controls. If you want to play/pause you have to tap the top panel (not to press the button) and if you want to skip forward, you have to tap it twice. There’s no skip backward button.
The battery delivers up to 15h at 50% volume which is more than enough for any golfing session. The recharge takes less than 3 hours (up to 5 hours when using a USB port on your PC). There’s also the auto shut down feature – the speaker is going to turn off after 15 min of inactivity.
The Bluetooth connection on BOOM 2 is really capable. There’s no info on the Bluetooth version but we were impressed by the performance. The range is close to 100ft and the connection is very reliable. The speaker can memorize up to 8 devices (it will try to reconnect to the last paired). The BOOM 2 also supports multipoint pairing (you can pair two devices simultaneously with the speaker). It also supports daisy chaining – you can pair up to 150 speakers together for a great party sound. The best thing is that you can pair it with any speaker from the UE line (not only two or multiple BOOM 2 speakers). Before pairing two or multiple speakers together, make sure that all the speakers have updated firmware.
BOOM 2 comes with the app (BOOM and MEGABOOM app). The app is available for Android and iOS devices. You can use this app to adjust the EQ settings (5 adjustable bands), set the alarm, pair (double up) two or multiple speakers together, etc.
BOOM 2 has a built-in mic. You can answer calls by pressing the Bluetooth button. Also, if you want to activate Siri/Google Now, you can simply press the Bluetooth button.
The speaker sounds great. It’s a little bit on a bassy side, but it’s still really good. The mids are nicely pronounced and perfectly clear at low and medium volumes (tend to get muffled at high volumes because of the bass).
When it comes to mounting options, BOOM 2 has only one tripod mount on the bottom but you can always buy some universal golf cart mount if you want to mount it on a golf cart.
Things we don’t like
Some people might not like the controls. There are no dedicated track and play/pause/call buttons. You have to tap the top of the speaker to play/pause, press the Bluetooth button to answer calls or tap three times to skip forward. If you like having separate playback controls, this is not the speaker for you.
You can pair two speakers together in Bluetooth mode but you can’t play them in stereo mode. There’s only party mode. You won’t get better stereo separation when two speakers are paired together.
5. JBL Xtreme Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
JBL portable Bluetooth speakers are, along with the UE speakers, the most popular on the market. They are pricier than some generic brands but they also offer better performance, they are more durable and have longer lasting batteries.
JBL Xtreme is priced under $200 (some versions are priced under $150), which is quite reasonable considering the performance. The biggest highlights are huge rechargeable battery, recognizable JBL’s build quality and design, great connectivity, and pretty big sound considering the size of the speaker.
What’s in the box
Inside the familiar JBL box, you will find your speaker, DC charging adapter, one shoulder strap, user manual, and 2-year warranty card. You won’t find any mounting gear inside and if you want to mount the speaker, you should buy some kind of mounting kit separately.
Like all the other JBL speakers and many other speakers on the market, JBL Xtreme features familiar cylindrical design. It’s a bit larger than the Flip 4 or JBL Charge and it’s hefty but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Xtreme is 11.1in wide, 5in tall, 4.8in deep, and it weighs 4.66lb.
The controls are configured in a familiar way. You can find a similar control button layout on any JBL speaker. On top of the speaker, there are two metal clips on each end (for connecting the shoulder strap) and an array of control buttons (there are Bluetooth button, 2 volume buttons, power, JBL Connect button, and play/pause/call button).
On the bottom, there are two rubberized feet and a simple zipper. The zipper covers and protects the compartment with all the inputs. You have one micro USB port for updates (not for charging), 3.5mm AUX input (AUX cable is not included), 2 USB charge out (powerbank) port, and DC charging input.
Xtreme features two 2.5in woofers, two 1.4in tweeters, and 2 passive bass radiators. Combined power output is rated at 40W and frequency response spans from 70Hz to 20kHz.
Things we like
There’s nothing new when it comes to design. It’s a standard cylindrical speaker and you can choose between blue, black, camouflage, and red. In our opinion, the UE speakers have better-looking jackets/grilles (that doesn’t mean that JBL speakers look bad). All the JBL speakers have the same kind of waterproof fabric grille and they all look rugged. Based on JBL’s advertisement, Xtreme is splash proof but there’s no IPX rating to confirm that. The thing that prevents it from being fully waterproof is probably the zipper protecting the inputs. The upgraded version (Xtreme 2) features silicone flap instead of a zipper and it’s fully waterproof (IPX7 certified).
The controls are pretty much standard and if you have ever used any JBL portable speaker, you won’t be having any problems with the Xtreme. The buttons are responsive and easy to use.
Xtreme features Bluetooth 4.1. The pairing is quick (no NFC). The speaker supports daisy chaining. You can pair two or multiple JBL speakers together for stereo or louder sound (you can only pair JBL Connect compatible speakers). Xtreme also supports multipoint pairing and allows you to pair up to 3 phones simultaneously with the speaker.
The battery is one of the best things about this speaker. It’s huge. The capacity is rated at 10,000Ah. The speaker also has power saving feature (auto shut down) and it also has 2 powerbank ports (allows you to charge two devices simultaneously).
Xtreme has a built-in mic. You can answer calls by pressing the play/pause buttons. Siri and Google Now are also supported.
If you want to activate stereo pairing, upgrade the speaker, or activate the voice assistant, you can use the JBL Connect app (available for Android and iOS). If you want your two Xtreme speakers to play in stereo, you have to use the app. You can pair them together without the app, but they will play the same audio (not left and right channels).
The sound is quite bassy and can be really loud. The mids are clear and dynamic at low and moderate volumes. Unfortunately, they get overpowered by the bass at high volumes. The highs are crisp and clear. The driver arrangement enables 360-degree sound which is a great thing, especially if you are going to use the speaker outdoors.
Things we don’t like
Xtreme lacks dedicated track buttons (forward/backward). You have to press the play/pause button twice to skip forward.
Xtreme is not fully waterproof. The manufacturer decided to use the zipper instead of a protective flap and that basically made it only splash proof.
The app doesn’t allow you to adjust the EQ settings and it’s very limited (it has only basic features).
6. Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
Bose is another reputable manufacturer and SoundLink Micro is their smallest portable Bluetooth speaker. This speaker comes with a strap that you can attach to any bar on your golf cart in a second. This is a simple, hassle-free, and affordable solution. Bose SoundLink Micro is priced under $80. The greatest highlights of this speaker are high portability and IPX7 waterproof rating.
What’s in the box
Inside a nice little box, you will only find your Bose SoundLink Micro speaker, micro USB charging cable (without power adapter), user manual, and 1-year warranty. The rubber strap for mounting the speaker on your bike’s handlebar or any other bar is attached to the back panel of the speaker.
Volume buttons and a multifunction control button are located on the front panel. You can use the multifunction button to play or pause the music, skip forward/backward, answer calls, and activate Siri or Google Now. On top of the speaker, you will see the power button on the left side, Bluetooth button on the right side, and a micro USB charging port in the middle. Right under the charging port, you will see 5 LED battery status indicators and 1 LED Bluetooth status indicator.
Things we like
SoundLink Micro is supper small and squarish. All the edges are rounded and the whole enclosure is wrapped in silicone. Micro is IPX7 certified which means that it is fully waterproof (submersible in water of up to 3ft depth).
Controls are super simple and easy to use. There are some advanced features (like daisy chaining two speakers in party or stereo mode) that you can activate by pressing two buttons simultaneously. This can be confusing but you have everything nicely explained in the manual. The buttons are rubberized and responsive.
The only available connection option is Bluetooth. Bose never publishes specs so there’s no info on the Bluetooth version. Based on our testing, Bluetooth connection delivers average performance. The connection is stable within the 30ft range. The speaker can memorize 8 devices and two devices can be simultaneously paired with the speaker (multipoint pairing). You can also daisy chain two Micro speakers and play the music in stereo or party mode (party mode is the default mode). Micro can also be paired with SoundLink Color II, Revolve or Revolve+. The distance between the two speakers should not be longer than 10ft. In order to pair two speakers together, you can use the Bose connect app (easier way) or you can follow the instruction given in the user manual for pairing without the app.
The battery can deliver up to 6h of playtime (50% volume) which is slightly below the average for speakers of this size. The recharge takes 4 hours. You will only get micro USB charging cable (no power adapter) and you will have to connect it to your laptop or PC to charge it. There’s also the power saving feature. The speaker will automatically turn off after 20 minutes of inactivity.
Micro has a built-in mic – you can answer and make calls or you can use the multifunction button on the front side to activate Siri or Google Now. The speaker is also compatible with Amazon Alexa.
Bose Connect app allows you to pair two speakers in stereo or party mode, rename the speakers, change the voice prompt language or turn off the voice prompts, and to adjust or turn off the auto-off feature.
SoundLink Micro delivers pretty clear and undistorted sound with a slight emphasis on the midrange. The bass is tiny and the highs are nice and detailed.
Silicone strap on the back of the speaker is the only mounting option.
Things we don’t like
The speaker is waterproof but it doesn’t float so be careful around pools.
Most Bluetooth speakers have at least one additional connection besides the Bluetooth (usually AUX input). SoundLink Micro supports only Bluetooth. There’s no alternative connection.
7. NYNE Boost Portable Bluetooth Speakers
NYNE Boost is one of the cheapest portable Bluetooth speakers on this list. If you don’t want to spend more than $50, this could be the speaker for you. It’s quite small and very portable, it delivers an impressive playtime, it’s very rugged and entirely waterproof and dustproof.
What’s in the box
NYNE Boost comes in a simple cardboard box along with the user manual and 1-year warranty. Micro USB charging cable is not included in the package which is surprising and kind of stupid. This is probably the first ever portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t come with a charging cable. Also, there’s no mounting gear included and if you want to mount the speaker, you will have to buy some kind of mount kit separately.
The speaker is shaped like a pentagonal prism. It’s similar to JBL and UE speakers but not the same. There are two drivers on the front panel protected with a metal grille. Passive bass radiator is located on the bottom.
The controls are located on the right panel. You have 6 buttons – power, Bluetooth/call button, play/pause button, 2 volume buttons, and a pairing button (for pairing two speakers together).
All the inputs/outputs are on the back side, right next to the control panel. There are 3 ports – micro USB port for charging, USB powerbank port, and a 3.5mm AUX input. They are all protected with a rubber flap.
The speaker can be placed either horizontally or vertically but it sounds better when placed horizontally.
NYNE Boost is 8.5in wide, 3.5in deep, 3.5in tall, and it weighs 1.9 pounds. Those two full-range drivers have a combined output power of 12W (2x6W).
Things we like
The speaker features an interesting and distinctive pentagonal prism design. The grille is made of aluminum and it’s hard and inflexible. The rest of the speaker is rubberized and looks solid. The speaker is compact, durable, and it’s dustproof and waterproof (IP67 certified).
All the controls are located in one place (on the right panel). The buttons are rubberized and responsive. Everything is pretty much self-explanatory and you won’t be having any difficulties understanding the controls.
NYNE Boost features Bluetooth 4.2 with up to 100ft range (line of sight). You can achieve more than 50ft in any situation. The connection quality is satisfying and remains stable without signal loss within the 50ft range. The pairing is simple (there is no NFC – you have to go through standard pairing procedure). You can pair two speakers together (daisy chain) and get a louder sound. You don’t need an app to pair them together – you just have to press the pairing button on both speakers. When paired, two speakers will deliver stereo sound (left and right channels). Party mode is not available. If you don’t want to use the Bluetooth, there’s a 3.5mm AUX input (AUX cable is not included).
The battery inside the speaker is not huge (2,200mAh) but due to small power consumption, you will get up to 20h of playback at 50% volume. NYNE Boost also has a powerbank port – you can charge your phone/tablet while listening to music which is a useful thing to have.
The built-in mic allows you to answer calls and use Siri and Google Now. The microphone is not perfect and it will muffle your voice but it’s still usable and the voice is still intelligible.
Sound quality is not the greatest highlight. It’s clearer and louder than you would assume, but you can’t expect the same kind of performance you would get from some $150 JBL or UE speaker. The bass lacks some real punch but that’s not a bad thing when it comes to small speakers. In our opinion, the lack of bass is a much better thing than overpowering and distorted bass. There’s a lot of speakers on the market tuned to produce more bass and to go lower than they actually can and that could lead to huge distortion and very unpleasant sound. NYNE Boost doesn’t deliver huge bass but it has smooth and clear mids and pleasant highs.
Things we don’t like
We were quite surprised to see that there is no charging cable in the box. That was a stupid decision and something we haven’t seen before.
NYNE Boost has only two drivers located on the front panel which means that it can’t deliver 360-sound.
8. Golfjams Bluetooth Speaker
Golfjams is the only speaker that we know about that’s made specifically for golf carts. Well, there’s actually one more called Ampcaddy but we were not impressed enough to include it in the list. Golfjams is small, portable, very easy to mount and unmount, it delivers an impressive playtime, and it sounds pretty good for its size. It’s the only speaker that comes with patented golf cart clips (1in and 1.25in clips). Golfjams is priced under $200 but, if you are patient enough, you can find it for less than $150.
What’s in the box
Inside a premium looking green and black box, you will find your Golfjams speaker with a loop Velcro bottom and a lot of accessories. Basically, you will get everything you need for mounting the speaker – 2 golf cart clips (1inch and 1.25inch), universal device holder (so you can attach your phone to the clip), two 2x7in pieces of loop Velcro, 2 poker chips (ball markers), simple carrying bag, micro USB charging cable with a charging adapter, and a short AUX cable. You will also get a simple user manual and 1-year warranty.
Golfjams is quite small and compact. It’s 7.5in wide, 2.75in deep, and 2.4in tall. It features 2 small 5W drivers on the front and one passive bass radiator on the back side.
The front panel is covered with a black grille. Most of the control buttons are located on the top. There are 7 buttons – mode button (for switching between AUX and Bluetooth), call button, track buttons (forward/backward), play/pause button, and two volume buttons. Between the M (mode) and call button, there’s an infrared thermal sensor which illuminates the control buttons in the dark. In the left corner of the top panel, you will see the NFC logo and a built-in mic.
On the right panel, you will find the power button, AUX input, headphone output, and micro USB charging port.
Things we like
Golfjams is small and simple. What impressed us about this speaker is the loop Velcro bottom which is supposed to be attached to the golf cart clip (which has a Velcro hook). Velcro doesn’t seem like something that could hold the speaker in place but it actually does a great job and provides great stability. The speaker will be perfectly secured – you don’t have to worry about that.
Build quality is not the most impressive feature of the Golfjams speaker. It’s almost entirely made of plastic and doesn’t look rugged enough for outdoor use but it’s IPX5 certified (water resistant).
Controls are very simple and very easy to use. We like the fact that there are no multifunction buttons, which eliminates the possibility of making a mistake (changing the song while trying to adjust the volume, for example).
The battery is quite impressive. It has the capacity of 4,400mAh and it can deliver more than 15 hours of playtime. The speaker doesn’t have a USB charge out (powerbank) port which is something that would make this speaker even better.
Golfjams features Bluetooth 4.0 with a standard 33ft range (within the line of sight). The connection delivers a satisfying performance. It’s stable and reliable. Instead of standard pairing process, you can tap the NFC logo on top of the speaker and you’ll be paired in three seconds.
There’s also a built-in mic so you can answer/make calls and you can activate Siri or Google Now.
You should have reasonable expectations when it comes to sound quality. Two 2in drivers can’t deliver deep and punchy bass and that’s the only issue. The reproduction is balanced and very pleasant. The mids are smooth and detailed. The highs are clear – they are not too emphasized or harsh. You can get better sound for the same amount of money but you will hardly find a better mounting system.
The most important thing about this speaker is the mounting kit specially designed for the golf carts. If you need something that can be easily attached to your golf cart, Golfjams speaker is a perfect option. This kit can also be bought separately – you can buy it and mount some other speaker instead of Golfjams but there’s no guarantee that you will get the same kind of stability.
Things we don’t like
Golfjams is not fully waterproof. It’s only water resistant (IPX5 certified) and it doesn’t look very rugged.
Daisy chaining is not supported. You can’t pair two Golfjams speakers for stereo sound.
9. PUMA Mini Soundchuck
Puma is a famous sports brand. The speakers have never been their thing – they are much more into sneakers. Their Mini Soundchuck can be considered a piece of sports equipment. The manufacturer claims that it’s made for golf but it’s not as good and elegant solution as Golfjams, especially when it comes to mounting. Mini Soundchuck is priced under $70 which puts in the same price category as Bose SoundLink Mini or Flip 4. Our overall impression is that you can get better sound and more convenient mounting solution for the same kind of money, but it’s not all that bad.
What’s in the box
Soundchuck mini comes in a simple box along with a micro USB charging cable, short user manual with some basic explanations, and 1-year warranty.
The speaker itself is cylindrical and entirely wrapped in silicone. On top of the speaker, there’s a silicone cord which ends with a metal clip that you can attach to any bar.
The speaker is 4.3in tall and has 2.4in in diameter. It’s one of the smallest speakers on the list and it’s very compact and portable.
There are only three control buttons on the speaker body – 2 volume buttons and power button. They are all multifunction buttons, which is not something we like. Volume + button is used for Bluetooth pairing, the power button is used for answering calls, and volume down is used for ending/rejecting calls.
Things we like
The design is definitely distinctive. We can’t really say that we like it but it’s very recognizable. It’s basically a small cylinder with a silicone cord on top and a metal clip. We are not fans of this mounting solution because it dangles too much. Dangling is not an issue when you are not moving but the moment you start your golf cart, you will be really annoyed by it.
Build quality is not amazing. Soundchuck is entirely wrapped in silicone and it is shockproof and weatherproof but it’s not IPX certified.
The battery delivers below-average performance. You will get 5-6 hours at 50% volume. You can get a much longer playtime for the same price (Flip 4, for example).
Bluetooth connection delivers average performance. There’s no info on the Bluetooth version, but it’s all pretty much standard. Pairing takes a few seconds and the range is approx. 30ft (within the line of sight). We have experienced some issues with obstacles (signal cutting out when there’s a wall between the speaker and phone). Bluetooth streaming is flawless when there are no walls and when the distance between the speaker and the phone is less than 20ft.
Sound quality could be described as ‘’good for the size’’ but we were not impressed, especially when you know that you can get a much better sound for that kind of money. This speaker is trying to produce some bass but it’s not really capable of doing that. At low to moderate volumes, Mini Soundchuck delivers pretty clear and detailed mids and highs but the sound gets really distorted at high volumes.
Things we don’t like
It’s never good when you have too many multifunction buttons. This speaker has only three buttons and they are all multifunction buttons. There are no separate track buttons and there’s no play/pause button.
The sound is really tiny. You can get a much better sound for the same price.
This is the end of our list of 9 best golf cart Bluetooth speakers, but we have also prepared a short buyer’s guide. Before you go, let’s discuss some important features you should be looking for in a golf cart Bluetooth speaker.
Important Things to Look for In a Golf Cart Bluetooth Speaker
Design – Mounting System (carabiners, straps, clips, etc.)
When it comes to design, it’s important to pay attention to the mounting mechanism (especially if you want to mount it on your golf cart). Many speakers come with some kind of carabiner, strap, and some speakers come with a whole mount pack with different types of mounts. If there is no other mounting option, you can always buy a portable speaker mount for a golf cart. It’s relatively cheap and it fits many portable Bluetooth speakers.
Build quality – Rugged, Waterproof, Dustproof
Your new golf cart Bluetooth speaker is going to be used outdoors so it’s important to find something really durable. Rugged exterior is highly desirable. Also, some kind of waterproof/dustproof rating is considered an advantage. Ideally, your new speaker should be IP67 certified (fully dustproof and waterproof) and the body should be reinforced with silicone, metal, or some kind of rubbery fabric.
Bluetooth Connection – Bluetooth range, Connection Quality
The number of different obstacles is smaller when the speaker is used outdoors (compared to indoor use) and you will get greater Bluetooth range but, that doesn’t mean that you should care less about the Bluetooth version. Latest Bluetooth versions (4.1 to 5.0) offer better range, greater speeds, better connection quality and reliability, and better sound quality. Some Bluetooth speakers featuring Bluetooth 5.0 allow more than 100ft range.
Battery Life
As you’ve seen, some of the speakers on our list are powered and are supposed to be plugged into the 12V car charger (NOAM NUTV4). These speakers are specially made for golf carts, ATVs, UTVs, etc. but if your golf cart doesn’t have a 12V socket, you should probably buy some regular portable (battery-operated) Bluetooth speaker. You should also consider the average duration of your golfing sessions when buying this kind of speakers. Some speakers can deliver more than 20h of playtime per one charge which is more than enough for any kind of activity.
Directional VS Omnidirectional (360-degrees) Speakers
When you are outdoors, the sound can’t bounce off the walls and that’s why it’s better to get a speaker that can deliver 360-degree sound. It’s not absolutely necessary if you are going to use your speakers only while riding in your golf cart, but if you are going to use it in other outdoor scenarios, it’s probably smarter to buy a 360-speaker.
Sound Quality
This one is not a surprise. After all, we are all looking for the sound that suits our taste. If you are only going to use it on a golf course, you should be looking for something with well-defined and balanced sound at low volumes (you don’t want to disturb other golfers with loud music). This kind of sound is not easy to find since many speakers need some volume to shine.
A Few Pieces of Advice You Should Follow When Playing Music on A Golf Course
As you already know, playing music during the official game is forbidden but you can play it on a golf range or while practicing on the golf course. Even then, you are supposed to play it quietly and not to disturb others. It’s probably smart to play music only while riding in your golf cart. When on the green and when the situation requires precision and silence, don’t play it.
Recommended Reading :
- 15 Best Bluetooth Light Bulb Speakers
- 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers with Lights
- 18 Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems
Dancing and frequent track skipping are also not recommended and are considered inappropriate. In the end, certain genres seem more appropriate than others. Playing rap, hip-hop, or heavy metal songs on a golf course doesn’t sound like a good idea.
To conclude, the number of occasions when you can use your golf cart Bluetooth speaker is very limited but there’s still some space to spice up your golfing experience with a little bit of music.

Hello, my name is James Longman.
I’m a writer and editor at AudioReputation. I disassembled my first portable AM/FM radio when I was only 8. At the age of 11, I burned the circuit board on my old boombox cassette player. I’m not going to explain how but it was reckless and stupid.
Since then, I have become much more careful around radios, boomboxes, and other audio devices (at least, I like to think so) but I have never lost the passion for audio equipment. Throughout 20 years of my professional career, I’ve been working for various audio equipment manufacturers and even started building speakers on my own in my little workshop.
I love the work we do here at AudioReputation. Testing, comparing, and evaluating all kinds of audio devices (speakers, soundbars, headphones, home theater systems, etc.) is something I truly enjoy. I try to be unbiased and give you my honest opinion on every piece of equipment I test. Still, you should take my reviews with a pinch of salt and always be just a little bit skeptical. The fact that I liked some speaker or soundbar doesn’t mean that you are going to love it. If you have the opportunity, you should test it/hear it before buying it.
Hey James,
All this speakers are for outdoor use? Can you please confirm this?
Yes, Alvaro. They are all made for outdoor use. However, they are not all fully waterproof – that’s something you should pay attention to when buying a speaker.
Hope this answers your question
Your AudioReputation Team
Does this speakers have an audio jack?
Yes, Mathew
They all have standard 3.5mm AUX jacks.
Your AudioReputation Team
Fugoo XL is a top-quality speaker if you ask me
Thanks for sharing your impressions about Fugoo XL, dangle
Your AudioReputation Team
Why do old people love golf?
No idea, Hang 11. But I don’t think it’s only old people.
Your AudioReputation Team
Hello Mister,
Do you have a chance to test G-ROK portable wireless golf speaker from Rokform?
Hi, Qaiser
This one wasn’t on our radar but, based on other reviews, G-ROK is a really good choice for golfing. We will try to obtain a test unit soon. Thanks for the heads up.
Your AudioReputation Team
how to hook up speakers to a golf cart?
It’s different with every speaker. In some cases (UE BOOM 2 or NYNE), there’s nothing to hook up. Other speakers, like Golfjams, come with all the necessary equipment and you can find all the info in the manual. NOAM NUTV speakers are the hardest to install but you can find video tutorials on YouTube.
Hope this answers your question
Your AudioReputation Team
I cannot pair my nyne speakers together. Instructions that I have are not helping. Can you please help meeee
Well, Rafael
If you have already tried with the instructions, then you should contact the manufacturer.
Your AudioReputation Team
which one are ipx7 waterproof?
Hi, Justin
FUGOO Tough XL, UE Boom 2, JBL Xtreme, Bose SoundLink Micro, and NYNE Boost are fully waterproof (IPX7 certified). Some of them are also dustproof (FUGOO Tough XL and NYNE Boost).
Hope this answers your question
Your AudioReputation Team
I want to be prepared for summer! Thank you for your article!
Thank you for your kind words, ZeroCharisma
Your AudioReputation Team
Hi audioreputation team,
What do you think about NOAM N5 speakers?
These speakers look really great
Waiting for your response
Thanks!
Hi, Bryan
In terms of features, installation, and sound quality, these are fairly similar to NOAM NUTV4 speakers. NOAM NUTV4 is the first speaker on our list – read the review if you want to find out more.
Hope this helps
Your AudioReputation Team
Thank you for writing this in-depth review!
And thank you for reading it, Robert
Your AudioReputation Team
Hi,how long does it take to charge a bose soundlink micro?
Hi, phydeaux
The recharge takes up to 4 hours.
Your AudioReputation Team
Hello Mr. James,
fugoo tough or NYNE boost? Please help me with decision
Thank uou
Hi, Anil
Fugoo Tough XL is a much better choice. It’s more durable, it looks and sounds better, and it offers much longer playtime. However, Fugoo is also significantly pricier than NYNE Boost speaker ($200 VS $60) and that could easily be the decisive factor when choosing one of these two speakers.
Hope this answers your question
Your AudioReputation Team
Highly recommended JBL Xtreme!
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Golf Fanatic
Your AudioReputation Team
Question about soundlink speaker from bose. How long does the battery take to charge?
Hi, Craig
It takes less than 4 hours to fully charge the battery.
Your AudioReputation Team
I purchased NYNE Boost speaker and no matter how long i charge this speaker it only charges to 30%, what can I do James?
Hi, Crystal L.
You should contact the customer service. Your speaker obviously came with a defective battery. Here’s the link.
Hope this helps
Your AudioReputation Team
Thank you for your help James!
Best wishes
hi there
which sound is louder bose soundlink or ue boom 2?
Hi, Peter
UE Boom 2 is louder than Bose Soundlink.
Your AudioReputation Team
Hello mate,
What is the difference between bose soundlink and Fugoo tough XL. Which speaker is better James, recommendation?
Hi, Hitolo
You forgot to mention which SoundLink (SoundLink Mini, SoundLink Color, SoundLink Revolve, or SoundLink Revolve+). Considering the price of FUGOO Tough XL ($198.99) it would be best to compare it with Bose SoundLink Revolve (priced at $199.00).
FUGOO Tough XL is definitely better when it comes to construction quality and durability. It’s extremely rugged and it features IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. SoundLink Revolve is only IPX4-certified (splash-proof).
FUGOO Tough XL has a larger battery and delivers longer playtime (35h VS 12h). It also has one USB charge-out port for charging other devices.
As far as sound quality is concerned, it all depends on your preferences. Both speakers deliver 360-sound and are pretty loud for their size. Bose speaker is a bit more mid-centric, while FUGOO Tough XL has a stronger bass.
Hope this helps
Your AudioReputation Team
Hi guys,
I have owned 2 Celtic Blu speaker almost 3 years…If you want to ride with music you can definitely don’t wrong with them 🙂
P.S. Nice article James!
Cyaaa
Hi, Old Regret
Thanks for sharing your experience with Celtic Blu. And thank you for your kind words.
Your AudioReputation Team
All the best and take care 🙂
I buy Bose SoundLink speaker and no matter how long i charge this speaker it only charges to 30%, how can i fix this and what is the problem?
Thanks!
Hi, Miguel
If the warranty period hasn’t expired, call the manufacturer and ask them to repair or replace the speaker. You obviously have a faulty battery.
Your AudioReputation Team
Very well written and explained!
One question about Golfjams….
This model have only 2 review on Amazon website,only Golfjams made specifically for golf carts…..I do not understand why it’s not popular?
Hi, Barry
We have absolutely no idea why it’s not popular. It could be because of the lack of proper advertising. In our opinion, this thing is really great for golfing – it’s compact, IPX5 certified (water resistant), it has a large battery, and it comes with all the necessary mounting equipment.
Your AudioReputation Team
All this speakers are waterproof?
No, they are not. Some of them are only splash-proof (IPX4) or water resistant (IPX5 or IPX6). FUGOO XL, BOOM 2, BOSE SoundLink Micro, and NYNE Boost are fully wateproof (IPX7 certified). FUGOO XL and NYNE Boost are also dustproof (IP67 certified).
Your AudioReputation Team
Do you know dimensions of the cutout controller for NUTV4?
Hy, Kyle
The only piece of equipment that requires some cutting is the Bluetooth remote (the amp requires some drilling). You won’t get the cutout template but you can find some numbers and instructions in the user manual. If you prefer flush mount installation, the size of the hole should be 85mmx49mm (3.35×1.93in).
Hope this answers your question
Your AudioReputation Team
Another great review from you James,as always.
Cheers!
Alex T.
Hi, Alex
Thanks for your kind words. We’ll do our best to keep up the good work.
Your AudioReputation Team
Are you planning in the future to write article about what is the best smart speakers currently on the market?
Alex T.
Hi, Alex T.
That’s a good question. Smart speakers are most definitely on our to-do list. You should visit our webpage in a few weeks.
Your AudioReputation Team