Last year's awards saw the portable audio category split in two, creating a best portable speaker award and a best headphones award and like 2013, the former has some excellent nominees.
There have been some fantastic devices launch over the last 12 months, all of which are capable of producing excellent sound despite their small and compact sizes from Cambridge Audio's great Minx successor - the Go V2, to the portable and performing Pure Voca and the quirky designed Libratone Loop.
Many of the Bluetooth speakers available combine style and substance, so choosing the top five was no easy job given the sheer number of products out there. But whittle down we did and so here is shortlist for the Best Speaker 2014 in a little more detail.
Cambridge Audio Go V2
The Cambridge Audio Go v2 portable Bluetooth speaker is the second version in the series, updating the Go Minx, and while it drops the saucy name, the Go v2 still flirts with excellent audio given its price point.
READ: Cambridge Audio Go V2 review
The Cambridge Audio Go v2 takes the already solid foundations of its predecessor, but is the better device by virtue of NFC one-touch connectivity and aptX Bluetooth. It may be a little more expensive than last year's model, but for those after a slice of the best of British, albeit on a budget, then the Go v2 portable Bluetooth speaker is a more than worthy contender.
Creative Sound Blaster Roar
The Creative Sound Blaster Roar may look small and just like many other Bluetooth speakers priced around £130, but it delivers great sound with decent volume, good bass levels and it has a good battery life.
READ: Creative Sound Blaster Roar review
The Creative Sound Blaster Roar is an exceptional portable. It offers a sturdy design and sound quality that will outsmart plenty of its rivals plus there's a lot of bass that warmly sweeps into the mix - far more than you'd anticipate for a device of this scale. It's a little weighty for a portable but it's one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers out there.
Libratone Loop
The Libratone Loop's circular-fronted design is quirky and distinctive and while it isn't cheap at £399, it offers plenty of bass, great sound and an array of colours that give it a good edge.
READ: Libratone Loop review
There is no Bluetooth and we had a few AirPlay issues but the Libratone Loop is big, bold, loud, full of bass and there's a lot to love in the output. If you're not thinking about the cash so much then Libratone has struck the right balance of design and audio quality. The Loop is a tidy, attractive audio product that does things a little bit differently and yet still sounds top quality.
Pure Voca
The Pure Voca is a lovely mini Bluetooth speaker that is ideally suited for taking away on travels or holidays, where its portability and performance will be valuable, while at home it has the performance to bring you music to any room.
There are some technologies missing: aptX and NFC are both absent and these would have seen the Voca hit some important spec-sheet points but overall, the Pure Voca offers a great quality design thanks to its brushed aluminium body, while audio is rich and bassy considering the compact body. It's a Bluetooth speaker that gives you plenty of boom for your buck.
Ruark MR1
British firm Ruark created the Ruark MR1 speakers as an entry point for those who want better sounding music, but aren't prepared to dish out lots of cash and they not only sound great but they are easy to set up and offer a great design.
READ: Ruark MR1 Bluetooth speakers review
The Ruark MR1 are a brilliant little pair of speakers that deliver big sound and they are portable too if you use the optional battery pack. The bass isn't subwoofer huge but they look good and sound good, so for something simple but effective then the home grown Brit brand is certainly one for the options list.
Voting for your favourite
Voting in the 11th annual O2 Pocket-lint Awards is now open so you can let us know which one of these great devices you think should win the Best Speakers 2014 award and give us your verdict on all the other tech across the 13 select categories.
VISIT: O2 Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2014 hub
Winners will be announced at the exclusive event in London on 27 November in association with O2 and Hotwire. For now, keep an eye on the O2 Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2014 hub for all the latest on how the voting works, who the elite judges are and the O2 Pocket-lint Gadget Awards shortlist.
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