Are you looking for the best portable PA systems? Then, you’re in the right place.
Many different people, mostly musicians and public speakers, can significantly benefit from an excellent public address system (PA system) or knowing what makes a good or bad system.
However, slight differences between seemingly very similar PA systems can bring a lot of confusion when you select the suitable unit for your needs. That’s why we have compiled our list and reviewed the most popular models to help you make an informed buying decision.
Best Portable PA Systems – Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behringer Europort PPA500BT | 500W 20.5 x 12 x 26.5 44.75" | Check Price |
 | Behringer Europort EPS500MP3 (Close Runner-Up) | 500W 10.9 x 10.1 x 18.4 41.45" | Check Price |
 | Yamaha STAGEPAS 600I (Our Pick for Larger Venues) | 680W 30.2 x 16.6 x 24.9 15.43" | Check Price |
 | Fender Passport Venue PA System (2nd Best Choice) | 600W 32 x 15 x 25 60" | Check Price |
 | Behringer Europort MPA40BT-PRO (Most Portable) | 40W 12.2 x 9.5 x 16.5 19.73" | Check Price |
 | Harbinger Compact PA System (Best for Bass) | 200W 7½ x 28 x 6½" 23.3" | Check Price |
 | Bose L1 Compact PA System (Best for Coffee Shop Gigs) | 200W 16.8 x 13.3 x 78.5 26.9" | Check Price |
 | Fender Passport Event PA System | 375W 32 x 15 x 2 57.5" | Check Price |
Behringer Europort PPA500BT (Editor’s Choice)
The Europort PPA500BT is very much a response to the Passport Event. However, it is not quite as powerful as the Yamaha STAGEPAS 600I, and therefore I consider it to fall nicely in the “small venue” camp.
It is pretty powerful for something that you will use in small venues, so I would say that you can comfortably provide sound for about 75 people and maybe push it to a room suitable for 90-100 attendees.
The feature set here is comparable to the Event, although it loses a point for only having six channels compared to its seven-channel setup. The major downside is that you cannot connect a sub to this unit as there is no sub output. So if you plan on getting a package that you can add a subwoofer to, this is not your unit.
If you are looking for a unit that can provide comfortable volume for about 75 people, this is one of the higher value products on this list.
Pros
- Very high value
- Quite portable
- Comparable to the Passport Event in most of the important respects
Cons
- Lacks some of the channels found on the Passport
- 500 watts makes it almost too powerful for a small venue but not powerful enough for a medium-sized venue
Behringer Europort EPS500MP3
This particular offering from Behringer is very similar to the ones we review below. The only advantage I would say is the addition of the two extra channels, and that’s the only reason this model is on top of our list.
Furthermore, I prefer this unit’s looks and setup over the PPA500BT (please see full review above). I am not sure if there is any reason beyond this particular unit’s looks and build quality to be much higher than the PPA500BT.
On top of that, this unit is very portable and great for moving to different band mate’s houses for practice and jam sessions. The 500 Watts provide more than ample power for practice and jamming. However, you’ll need something more powerful for larger venues, and we show your options for that below.
Pros
- Quite similar to the PPA500BT as far as components go, and I did not have many complaints there
- Better build quality than the PPA500BT
- Priced competitively
Cons
- Not powerful or clear enough for larger venues; it’s a great practice and coffee shop PA system.
Fender Passport Venue PA System
Fender Passport Venue is the best portable PA system on the market.
One of the most well-known and respected portable PA systems is the Fender Passport, and that reputation is not undeserved.
The Fender Passport Venue system is an exciting mix of a modular all-in-one with features of a less compact setup. In addition, the Passport Venue features ten channels of Class D amplified sound along with a few effects, a dB dial, and some additional features that help set it apart as one of the portable PA systems to buy.
The small, 3 unit footprint makes sure that it is compact enough to fit in the back of your car (I have fit one of these in the back of a two-door sedan!). Even though it is relatively compact, it does not skimp on features.
The Passport Venue is one of the models to get if you are playing small coffee shops, medium-sized speaking engagements, or small church gatherings that need to be a little bit mobile.
Some extra features add a decent amount of incredible value, including a USB port for recording or playing mp3 and WAV files. If this is something that you think would benefit you, the Fender Passport Venue has it and so much more.
Pros
- Made by highly reputable music manufacturer Fender
- Good sound
- A fair amount of features considering the compact focus
Cons
- Limited to gigs of 50-75 people
- Ten channels mean probably not going to mike all of the drums and be able to mix them into the system
- Somewhat limited effects
Bose L1 Compact PA System
Bose is well-known for its speaker production, so what could be better than a highly compact and portable PA system created by the legendary Bose company?
I will carefully say that very few ultra-compact PA systems are quite this good, with many caveats to follow.
Firstly, the speakers on this thing are pretty good. Furthermore, the “Spatial Dispersion Technology” unique to Bose does a reasonably good job living up to its expectations. Still, it is not perfect, and it cannot compete with larger setups in medium-sized venues.
Additionally, the two “ToneMatched” channels have presets tuned to vocals and imposed acoustic guitar. So, this limits the possible use-cases of the system. The Fender Passport Venue does not have these limitations and allows the operator to customize the preset settings at a much deeper level.
The significant advantages of the L1 come in its portability and sound quality for small venues. If you are looking for a sub 30 pound, sub $1000 portable PA system for smaller, coffee house style venues, this is something to consider.
Pros
- Super compact and lightweight
- Decent sound quality with a fair amount of power for its size
- Easy to setup
- ToneMatched channels, while limiting, provide great sound for the singer-songwriter.
Cons
- Limited feature set, but this comes with the territory of something ultra-compact
- Some of Bose’s claims (Spatial Dispersion) are not borne out by usage
- ToneMatched channels sound strange for setups other than guitar/vocal, but this can be adjusted slightly
Yamaha STAGEPAS 600I
The STAGEPAS 600I can reasonably be considered Yamaha’s response to the Fender Passport Venue.
Clocking in at 680 Watts, this thing has a lot of power. This amount of power means you can expect to be loud enough for venues of around 150 people. That is slightly more than what I would recommend putting the Passport Venue up against. Not only that, this thing, even in the larger configuration reviewed here, is $100 less than the Passport Venue.
The features are all similar to the Fender Passport Venue.
- Ten channel mixer
- AUX input for mp3 players and other devices
- Feedback suppressor
But it does have a few things to push it a little bit beyond the Passport.
- High-quality FX built-in
- The mixer is of higher quality.
Of course, I think that the speaker quality in the Fender setup is a tiny bit nicer. However, many different people state that this setup is exactly what they needed for venues of 150 people.
If you are looking for a portable PA with a few more features than the Fender Passport Venue and a little bit lower price while sacrificing, in my opinion, speaker quality, then the STAGEPAS 600I might be for you.
Pros
- Loud enough for 150 person venue
- Similar features to Fender Passport Venue at a lower price
- High value, according to most reviewers.
Cons
- Not as portable as the Bose L1
- Speaker quality not as good as Fender Passport Venue
Fender Passport Event PA System
The Fender Passport Event is the youngest brother of the Passport series. It features many aspects that set the line apart from other portable PA systems, including the quality speaker setup.
But, the Passport Event is relatively tiny. So, on the one hand, like the Bose L1, it is pretty portable and quite powerful for being mobile. But, on the other hand, it is nowhere near as powerful as its older brothers or the Yamaha 600I.
I can only recommend the Passport Event for the smallest venues.
Pros
- Very small
- Well-known Fender name
- Good sound for its price
- Nice feature-set for its price
- Bluetooth for playing music via phones
Cons
- Cannot compete with larger setups
- Sound quality barely competitive against the Bose L1
Harbinger Compact Portable PA System (Best for Bass)
It is the only system on the list here that features a subwoofer standard on the setup. That, I think, pushes this package to the top of my list for some applications, especially ones that require more bass response.
Unfortunately, a mixer is included with this package, but it is lackluster, so you would have to provide a decent one yourself. That provides some advantages. This package’s cost is relatively low for what you get and leaves plenty of room to get a good mixer and be out the door for about $600.
The whole setup will cost a little more than half of the $1000 setups on this list at this price point. So it’s something to think about.
Pros
- Good sound
- Low price
- Portable
- SUBWOOFER INCLUDED
Cons
- Bad mixer in the package
- The subwoofer might be a little heavy for some
Behringer Europort MPA40BT-PRO (Best for Speaking Events)
It is the most portable and the most limited option on the list. If you are looking for something to amplify your voice in a small venue, this is the option you need to go with.
If contrarily, you are looking for something to amplify a musical performance, this is not the best option.
The manufacturer claims that this amplifier is suitable for audiences of up to 250 people. However, I would caution strongly against relying on this for any audience over 50 people. Forty watts is not enough for 250 people.
There is a complete lack of technical features on this device which could be a blessing or a curse. If you purchase this device expecting a high level of control over the sound, you will not get it. On the other hand, if you buy this device for simple voice amplification, I think you will have made a great decision.
Pros
- Most portable on the list
- Simple
Cons
- Maybe be too simple for some people
- The very limited feature set
How to Find the Best Portable PA System
Performing musicians, public speakers, and other performers will mostly get a lot from owning a reliable, portable PA system. But how do you pick the best mobile PA system?
There are, of course, several variables that go into figuring out which PA system is suitable for your needs. But, a good PA system should be able to do each of the following quickly.
- Produce acoustic sounds from digital signals.
- Provide mixing capabilities
- Amplify signals
- Produce sound through speakers
- Monitoring features
While the system must accomplish these simple tasks, many PA systems do so in very different ways to make each system more or less portable than the other.
Prepackaged vs. DIY vs. All-In-One
There are some ways that you can purchase PA systems. First, you can buy an entire setup prebuilt for you in the form of a package deal. These often include components all from the same manufacturer and are pretty much guaranteed to work together. Beyond that, you can go with a modular, All-in-one system that provides a few units meant to do the work of many. Finally, you can purchase individual components yourself, customize your setup, and ensure you get the best part for the job.
Each of these different options provides advantages and disadvantages.
Prepackaged PA System
Buying a prepackaged system comes with the following considerations.
Pros
- Guaranteed compatibility between components
- One single purchase
- Uniform look
Cons
- Cannot customize components until after the initial investment
- May not contain the best components for the price
- Maybe less portable than an all-in-one.
All-In-One PA Systems
Before buying an all-in-one, you should consider these aspects.
Pros
- Tend to be the most minimal and clean
- Very little fuss
- Offer good sound
- Tend to be quite portable
Cons
- Minimal customization
- Focused on portability, not a range of options
DIY PA Systems
If you want to go the DIY route, you should consider the following.
Pros
- Complete control of the components in your setup
- Learn a little bit more about audio setups
- Can optimize your initial investment
Cons
- Longer time to get up-and-running
- The most amount of fuss
- Must test for compatibility
Portability vs. Customization in PA Systems
The previous consideration of the different purchasing methods of a PA system leads me to the following question: do you care most about the portability of your system or your ability to control and customize your sound?
Unfortunately, these two are a trade-off. The most portable PA systems will feature minimal customization and sound controls. In contrast, most feature-rich systems will feature huge mixing boards and massive arrays of speakers and effects racks.
Suppose you are a working musician and responsible for transporting your sound system. In that case, it probably is not in your best interest to purchase large individual components unless you also want to buy a large trailer and a truck to pull them. But, on the same token, the quality of your sound does matter. So what trade-offs are you willing to make?
Going the all-in-one, the super-compact route has advantages in portability but disadvantages in customization and output realms. You will have minimal inputs on an all-in-one. How will you manage all of those drum microphones with only three inputs on your PA system? Things to consider.
Power Considerations for PA Systems
When you purchase a power amp for your PA system, you need to consider how much power you need, and this should also inform the other components you are buying as they need to handle the amount of power you are going to throw at them.
Ensure that your amplifier is the proper choice for your system if you go the DIY or prepackaged route.
As a general rule, make sure your amp has at least double your speakers’ wattage to ensure that there is ample power to crank your speakers without distortion.
Wrap-up: What’s the Best Compact PA System?
Determining which PA system is the absolute best depends very heavily on what you need it to do.
For simplicity’s sake, if you are looking for a PA for speaking events, get the Behringer Europort MPA40BT-PRO.
If you are looking to amplify coffee shop gigs, the Bose L1 will suit you quite well. However, if you need more bass response, the Harbinger is excellent.
The Yamaha 600I and Passport Venue are great options for small-medium-sized gigs.
Think about what you need your PA system to do and purchase accordingly.