One of the biggest challenges for many DJs (or artists that perform live) is deciding on whether you should buy your own PA system, and if you decide to, knowing what is the best portable PA system to buy.
This is especially true if you’re providing the front-of-house sound at a venue because you’ll very quickly decide that owning your own portable PA system is a much better idea than hiring one every time.
Between determining the type of venue you’re going to, your intended audience, how much power you’ll need, or how much weight you’re willing to carry around, the number of things you, as a portable PA system buyer and user, have to think about and keep in mind is pretty extensive.
Also check this article out: Best DJ Speakers [Top Picks for 2022]
Luckily, we’ve been there and done it so we’ve got some solid tips for you. A portable PA system comes into its own when you’re a mobile DJ. Someone who gets booked regularly to DJ at weddings and events.
What we used to call a mobile DJ, but these days most refer to as a ‘party DJ’.
When someone comes to book you for a party or event, and you have your own mobile pa system, you’re a better option for them.
You not only come ready to rock the party, but you’ve got all the tech gear, including the sound system sorted. In other words, having your own portable DJ pa system makes you more bookable and you’ll get more gigs.
Depending on the kind of places you normally get booked to play and how bad the sound issues of the venues might be, you may have to decide if a single-box option alone will be good enough, or if you’ll need to go all-in on a multi-component system.
The problem – and most gigging musicians and mobile DJs agree on this – is that “bigger” doesn’t always mean “better” when it comes to deciding on your PA speakers and system.
Having a super huge sound system might seem like a great option until you’re actually required to hump it along with you and start playing in venues.
Then, that same huge option becomes more of a sound liability than anything all that reliable or useful.
Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case.
Below, we’ve used our lifelong experience, hands-on testing, and DJ network to work out what are the 10 best portable PA systems available on the market today.
Each of these options offers incredible sound coverage while also ensuring you’re never carrying anything particularly hefty or dealing with a power vacuum.
If you’re someone that’s struggled with finding a DJ PA system that does what you need without weighing a ton and costing you a fortune in electrical costs, keep reading. It just might be closer than you think.
1. Electro-Voice Evolve 50
Best for gigging regularly with
If you’re looking for something compact yet uncompromising on sound quality, then the Electro-Voice Evolve 50 is probably the best pick for most mobile DJs.
This system comes with a 12-inch subwoofer that’s topped by a slim column array. It can put out around 1,000 watts of electricity, making it a great option for any small venues that need a bit of an audio boom inserted.
The Evolve 50’s speaker column is made up of eight 3.5-inch drivers that each provide 120-degree horizontal coverage and 40-degree vertical coverage.
Because of this and its smaller subwoofer size, the Evolve 50 works great in smaller gig settings like your local coffee shop, spin class, or even karaoke parties!
While it’s not the most powerful option on this list, if you need something small and compact yet still amazing in its sound quality, the Evo 50 is well worth taking a hard look at.
- Seriously good-quality sound
- Good quality sub
- Easy to assemble
- Phantom power only 15 Volts
What Makes It Great
- Compact Design: If you’re not into huge, bulky systems, this is the perfect option for you.
- Carrying Bag Included: Comes with its very own carrying bag to transport all of your couplers as well as your column array.
- Bluetooth Playback: Its Bluetooth function ensures you can keep the music going even if you’re not there.
2. Bose S1 Pro
Best for easy setup and configuration
We have to suggest that you also consider this legendary bit of DJ pa kit that has been a top choice since its introduction in 2018.
The S1 Pro by Bose truly fits its moniker as a system that is “all-in-one.”
Whether you’re someone that works on their own as a DJ or is using this in a small group as a live band, this system offers a ton of coverage while dealing with virtually no hot spots.
Not only that, but the system is also battery-powered. This means that, rather than requiring an outlet just to function, the S1 Pro keeps its energy use relegated to its battery before needing to be recharged. The battery offers about 11 hours of power on a single charge.
This means you can perform an entire event without once bothering to hook the system to a power cord cable for “extra juice.”
If that was good enough on its own, the S1 Pro is amazingly small and versatile, only weighing around 15 lbs.
The system can also function as a playback device, meaning you can keep the party going even if you’ve got to take a quick break yourself.
And the price is also very reasonable for the spec of the pa system.
Truly, this system really is all-in-one.
- Good quality of music
- Sound power is nearly 160 watts
- Great Portability
- Instructions are over complex
What Makes It Great
- Mobile: The Bose S1 Pro is scaled at 15 lbs., making it fairly mobile and easy to maneuver.
- Ease of Use: Very easy to operate without any of the complexity found in other PA systems.
- Multiple Mounting Options: Unlike other systems, the S1 Pro can be used in virtually any placement (seated, tilted, mounted, or on its side) without any issues.
3. Bose F1 Model 812
Best for expansion and multiple configurations
If the S1 Pro from Bose was a great addition, you’ll love their F1 submission just as much. The Bose F1 PA offers an incredible sound while in a very small and compact setting. It comes with four speakers total: two loudspeakers and two subwoofers. Both speakers have a 1,000-watt array while the subwoofers both have 1,000 watts of power.
If you’re trying to do a legit event but want coffee shop-sized speakers, the Bose F1 is the option to beat.
Each speaker has eight vertical drivers with a custom 100-degree waveguide to deliver consistent and incredible coverage. Both subwoofers are loaded with two 10-inch high-excursion drivers to produce a bass so intense, that it’ll have your floor shaking.
- Excellent sound
- Easy to setup
- Built-in stands
- Expensive
- No phantom power on the Model 812 mic input.
What Makes It Great
- Easy Setup: Unlike other setups, the F1 keeps its speakers on top of their subwoofers, making the setup process incredibly easy and simple.
- Incredible Power: If you are interested in using a lot of power, the F1 has four speakers, each with 1,000-watts of power, making them perfect for mid and upper-midsize venues.
- Comes with Carrying Bag: This awesome setup comes with an easy-to-carry set of bags making it perfectly mobile as well as powerful.
4. JBL EON One Compact
Best for Bluetooth connectivity and compact size
If there was ever a portable PA system that perfectly represented the word “compact”, it would be the JBL EON One Compact. This micro-array JBL portable PA system is so small and mobile, it can easily sit next to you in the passenger’s seat of your car.
The PA has an 8-inch woofer that works alongside a 1-inch tweeter to create a perfectly balanced sound that works well for small-to-mid-sized venues and audiences.
The PA comes with a 4-channel mixer and two XLR inputs with phantom power. It also comes with a 3.5 mm aux input, a hi-Z input, and a reverb level control.
For those that aren’t using this for DJ’ing – maybe you are a singer/songwriter – the JBL’s small design makes it blend in perfectly with the background, keeping everyone’s attention squarely on you. It has a built-in handle while and rechargeable batteries that will work over 12 hours per charge.
That said, this JBL portable pa system is still a great choice for any party DJ who needs a small size, big performance, and a great price.
- Sound quality is excellent
- Long battery life
- Can use with App
- App is tricky to use
What Makes It Great
- Bluetooth Playback: The JBL comes with an integrated Bluetooth playback feature that allows it to play music for hours on end, whether you’re there or not.
- Small Size/Big Power: Despite its unassuming frame, the JBL has an 8-inch subwoofer that can deliver over 112dB of power
- Perfect for On-the-Go: Super portable, the JBL is a perfect companion to solo musicians that don’t have a band or an actual crew
5. Roland BA-330
Best for built-in FX and simple setup
A stellar option for the DJ or performer that isn’t interested in the standard PA rig, the Roland BA-330 is space-saving while simultaneously strong enough to operate well in smaller venue events.
Of course, mobility and power aren’t the only things going for the BA-330. It is also a 4-channel configuration with mic and line inputs as well as two stereo channel inputs.
- Great sound Quality
- High Volume Level
- Rugged Build
- Heavy
- Connectivity is poor
What Makes It Great
- Flexible Power: There are many levels in different areas of the Roland BA-330. One of the most interesting is its ability to alternate between AC power and around eight AA batteries
- Single-unit Operation: If you’re a single person, using the BA-330 is great due to the fact it simply requires being super simple to use it.
- Included Built-in Effects: BA-330 uses reverb, onboard EQ, and delay as a way to properly tailor your overall performance to what your audience and venue are interested in.
6. QSC K12.2
Best for build quality/heavy duty
Next up, the QSC K12.2 makes this list as it’s the whole package. Not just a portable PA system, the K12.2 comes with stands, cables, and covers in addition to two speakers and a subwoofer.
Each speaker has a peak power output of 2,000 watts while the subwoofer can put out around 3,600 watts of power, meaning you can use this setup for any large venue without any issues.
However, if you thought that alone made this option such a find, there’s more! In addition to coming with everything you need to rock out in large areas, you can also rest assured that you can do it all quickly and without having to stress over a lack of portability.
Not only that, the speakers come pre-loaded with EQ options to best match the type of music you’re playing as well as various other adjustable parameters like crossovers and delays.
If you’re looking to get an incredible setup for your next DJ show, the QSC K12.2 is the one to beat.
- Very affordable
- Loud and clear sound
- EQ for fine-tuning
- Basic mixer on board
- Not much!
What Makes It Great
- Power Galore: This setup comes with a 3,600-watt subwoofer and two 2,000-watt speakers.
- Complete Package: The K12.2 comes with two speakers, a subwoofer, a speaker stand, a speaker cover, and a tote bag.
- Smooth Coverage: The K12.2 offers Directivity Matched Transition to get rid of hot spots and dead areas for a smooth and complete sound coverage.
7. Bose L1
Best for superior sound quality and sleek design
Third on the list of Bose options, the Bose L1 is the perfect option for singers, songwriters, and lectures. We include it here as there are going to be some event DJs who need just this configuration – if you DJ at slightly more relaxed events, for example. Short for Bose L1 Compact, the Bose L1 PA system holds to their “all-in-one” approach by offering a 200-watt PA and monitoring system. This gives better sound and sound coverage than many similarly-sized systems available today.
Speaking of its compact size, the L1 is as easily transported as it is easily ignored. Honestly, most people would be hard-pressed to even note its existence during an event. The system has its subwoofers serving as part of its base with its speaker array mounted on top.
The speaker array has six mounted drivers, each offering 180-degrees of coverage. This makes sound manipulation super effective, ensuring everyone can hear, no matter what part of the area the audience is in.
As the third brother in the three Bose options on this list, it may be easy to write the L1 off as third-best. In reality, if you are a DJ playing less raucous events or a solo performer or otherwise doing gigs on your own, the L1 can be easily the best option on this list.
- Immaculate sound
- Easy-to-use app
- Excellent EQ features.
- Only 3 inputs
- EQ controls can feel weak
What Makes It Great
- Incredible Sound Coverage: Its six mounted drives give the L1 true 180-degree coverage, granting it incredible sound in all immediate areas
- ToneMatch channels: The L1 comes preset with several playback options for handheld microphones as well as acoustic guitars
- One-man Music Machine: Certainly one of the most portable options on this list, the S1 system can be operated and used entirely by one person, often without others even knowing it’s a PA system.
8. Mackie FreePlay LIVE
Best for lightweight and simple-to-use app
The Mackie FreePlay LIVE acts as a super lightweight PA option that is Bluetooth-enabled. It’s so incredibly light that it can easily rest on a tabletop while pumping out over 150 watts of power easily. Similarly, because of its more modern technological aspects, the FreePlay LIVE has a battery that lasts right up to 15 hours while producing an impressive amount of sound for anyone that’s in the vicinity to hear.
An ideal companion piece for any DJ or gig performer, the FreePlay LIVE comes with two channels while having two XLR combo inputs that can handle instruments, mic inputs, and line-level sources. It also comes with an onboard EQ to perfectly tweak and optimize your performance sound so it’s always presented as the best.
- Excellent sound for size
- Mic-stand mountable
- Heavy duty
- Fairly expensive
- Output level quite low
What Makes It Great
- Super Lightweight: As mentioned before, the FreePlay LIVE system is incredibly light, weighing right around 9 lbs.
- Bluetooth Connection: This allows you to wirelessly play tunes and use a wireless microphone over Bluetooth even if you’re not there
- FreePlay Connection App: A great inclusion for all those that want a system that adheres to more modern technology, this app allows you to easily tweak and adjust the various levels, effects, and mutable functions.
9. Behringer Europort PPA500BT
Best for overall value with built-in FX
This is an extremely lightweight PA system but it certainly packs a load of strength and quality.
This Bluetooth PA system comes with a 40W amplifier and two-way premium speaker system that push out a powerful sound. The rechargeable batteries gives you 12 continuous hours of playtime on a full charge.
You get a high-quality dynamic microphone included which smoothly connects with the inbuilt Bluetooth feature. It is also incredibly lightweight at only 9kg.
For ease of mobility, this system has a luggage-style handle with built-in wheels so that it can be transported around easily.
The Behringer Europort PPA500BT features a built-in two-channel mixer, and a two-band equalizer, and the you can stream audio from your smartphone or tablet. It really is a great allrounder!
- Good quality of sound
- Simple connectivity to other devices
- Compact, portable system
- Not compatible with all speaker stands
What Makes It Great
- Ultra Lightweight: Super easy to transport weighing in at a featherweight 9kg
- Bluetooth Connection: The Behringer Europort can wirelessly connect, via Bluetooth, with any instrument, wireless mics, or streaming device.
- Ultra-high quality klark teknik fx processor: The 100 presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter, and various multi-effects
10. Peavey Escort 6000 Bundle
Best for all-in-one setup and transportation
The Peavey Escort 6000 speaker system offers a super easy setup while also being incredibly mobile and portable. If you’ve got small or medium-sized gigs coming up, the Peavey portable PA system is the perfect resource available. It includes two speakers, a 9-channel mixer, several cables, and a stand along with a pair of 300-watt speakers. Each speaker comes with a 10-inch woofer and tweeter that is used to create crystal-clear sound.
The Escort has a 9-channel mixer that is equipped with seven XLR combo and stereo RCA inputs, each with a 3-band EQ per channel. The Escort PA system also has a 7-band master EQ as well as a Feedback Locating System alongside digital effects to allow complete access to its incredible sound quality.
While certainly amongst the stiff competition on this list in terms of balancing portability with power, the Peavey Escort 6000 certainly holds its own and then some.
- Highly reliable
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Good sounding all round package
- Speaker stands are a bit flimsy
What Makes It Great
- Complete EQ Versatility: The Escort comes with a 7-band master EQ that gives complete control over its sound
- Impressive Power: The Escort comes with a pair of speakers that each have 300 watts of power, giving it over 600 watts when combined
- Included Accessories and Rolling Case: Because it’s super mobile, the Escort comes with a molded protective case that keeps your system and mics safe while also coming with cables and speaker stands.
11. Yamaha StagePas 600BT
Best for advanced audio processing and clever design
If you’re looking for a PA system that operates well in midsize venues as well as smaller ones, look no further than our last (but certainly not least) inclusion, the Yamaha StagePas 600BT. This Yamaha portable pa system offers 680-watts of power with two speakers, each with a 10-inch low-frequency driver and a 1.4-inch high-frequency driver. The StagePas also comes with a built-in stand mount as well as a 10-channel powered mixer.
The system also comes with a mixer that has two XLR inputs with phantom power. These inputs are matched by each coming with a hi-Z and a stereo line. Each channel is equipped with a 3-band EQ per input. Similarly, at the same time, StagePas offers Yamaha Stage Pass as a way to customize your waveguides and greatly improve the overall sound distribution.
- Lots of helpful accessories
- Very portable
- Good sound quality
- Expensive
- Questionable build quality
What makes it great
- It’s Great for Bands as well as DJs: If you’ve got a moderately-sized group, then the StagePas works perfectly for you. Its 10-channel mixer can perfectly handle multiple mics and instruments without any issues. That makes it great for any mix of DK gear too.
- Intelligent Feedback Suppression: A great feature not shared by many, the StagePas can eliminate various disruptive frequencies immediately, oftentimes working even before they have a chance to cause a disruption in the first place
- Bluetooth Connection: The StagePas can wirelessly connect, via Bluetooth, with any instrument, wireless mics or intermission music plugged into its “9” and “10” channels
Best portable PA system: Summary
And there you have it, folks. These top 10 (ok, we actually ran to 11!) portable PA systems are all perfect options for the DJ (or live act) running a small or medium-sized gig or venues needing public address systems.
Our best portable PA system overall pick would be the Electro-Voice Evolve 50.
By taking a bit of time and investing some energy and attention into this list, you can find the perfect portable PA system for you and be on the road to your next event in no time.
