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Portable PA Systems

Our range of portable PA systems puts everything you need into one case, so you can set up in a field, a school hall or a market stall without hunting for a socket. Most run on a rechargeable battery and include a microphone, with Bluetooth on hand for backing tracks. Found it cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price.

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What to look for in a portable PA

A portable system is judged on three things: how long it runs, how loud it goes and how quickly you can get it working. Look for a built-in battery with a stated run time, at least one microphone input with its own volume control, and a Bluetooth or USB input for music. A wheeled trolley design and a telescopic handle make a real difference if you are moving it alone, and a top hat socket lets you lift the cabinet onto a pole for better coverage.

Battery life and charging

Manufacturers quote run time at moderate volume, so treat the headline figure as a best case and expect noticeably less if you are running flat out with a wireless microphone charging from the same battery. For a full day of use, look for eight hours or more, or choose a model that will run from mains power while the battery charges. Sealed lead acid batteries are cheap and heavy, while lithium packs cost more but cut the weight considerably and hold charge longer between jobs.

Wired or wireless microphones

Many systems ship with one or two wireless handheld microphones, which is the practical choice for presenters, fitness instructors and anyone who needs to move. Check whether the receiver is built into the cabinet and whether extra microphones can be added on separate channels. A wired microphone input is still worth having as a backup, since a cable never runs out of battery halfway through a class.

How much power do you need?

For a classroom, a fitness class or a stall, 30W to 60W is plenty. A school hall, a wedding breakfast or an outdoor gathering of a hundred or so wants 100W upwards, and busking in a busy street benefits from the extra headroom even if you never use it all. Outdoors there are no walls to reflect sound back, so a system that fills a hall comfortably will sound much smaller in the open air. Buying a little more power than you need is the safer error.

Busking, fitness and outdoor use

Buskers value weight, battery life and a microphone plus instrument input on separate channels. Fitness instructors want a headset microphone so their hands stay free, and enough level to sit above a class and a backing track. For outdoor events, get the cabinet up on a pole and check the weather, since almost no portable system is rated for rain. A simple cover in the bag is cheap insurance.

Connecting phones, laptops and instruments

Bluetooth is the quickest route for backing tracks, though it introduces a small delay that matters if you are playing along. A cabled 3.5mm or RCA input avoids that and cannot drop out mid set. Guitars and keyboards need a line or instrument input rather than a microphone channel, so check the socket labelling before you plug in, and turn the volume down before connecting anything.

Looking after the battery

Both lead acid and lithium batteries last longest if they are stored charged rather than flat, so put the system on charge after each use even if you only ran it briefly. If it will sit unused for months, top it up every eight to twelve weeks. A battery that has been left flat over a winter often will not recover, which is the most common reason a working system suddenly has no run time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will a portable PA run on battery?
Quoted run times assume moderate volume, so expect less at full output or when a wireless microphone charges from the same battery. Eight hours or more suits a full day of use. Many systems will also run from mains while charging.

How much power do I need?
Around 30W to 60W covers a classroom, fitness class or market stall. For a school hall, wedding or an outdoor crowd of a hundred, look at 100W and upwards. Outdoors there are no walls to reflect the sound, so allow more power than you would indoors.

Does it come with a microphone?
Most systems in this range include at least one microphone, commonly a wireless handheld with the receiver built into the cabinet. Check how many extra microphones can be added and whether they need their own channel.

Can I use a portable PA outdoors in the rain?
Very few portable systems are weather rated, so keep the cabinet under cover and out of standing water. A cover in the bag is worth having. Getting the speaker up on a pole also helps outdoors, where there are no surfaces to reflect sound.

Can I play music from my phone?
Yes, by Bluetooth or a cabled 3.5mm or RCA input. Bluetooth is quicker to connect but adds a small delay, which matters if you are singing or playing along. A cable avoids the delay and will not drop out.

Can I plug a guitar or keyboard in?
Yes, but use a line or instrument input rather than a microphone channel, since microphone inputs expect a much smaller signal. Check the socket labels and turn the volume down before connecting.

Lead acid or lithium battery?
Lead acid is cheaper but heavy. Lithium costs more, cuts the weight noticeably and holds charge better between jobs. Either type lasts longest stored charged, so recharge after every use and top up every couple of months if the system sits idle.

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