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The best Bluetooth speakers 2021: the top portable speakers for any budget
The best Bluetooth speakers in 2021 all tick three key boxes: they’re portable, durable and they offer superb audio quality in all kinds of environments. Last year, the Sonos Move was discounted by $100 / £100, and we saw lots of excellent deals on models like the JBL Flip 5 and the UE Boom 3 – so it’s well worth shopping the sales. Save $50 – This Bluetooth speaker boasts excellent sound, a lovely water resistant shell and a powerful rubberised finish – and it’s at a great price for Black Friday. Save $20 – This cute Bluetooth speaker comes with an IPX7 water resistance rating, so you can take it in the great outdoors without a worry. Save £6 – This tiny Bluetooth speaker sports Micro SD support and AUX capability to provide endless audio options, a 15-hour battery life, and a 66ft wireless range. Well, portable speakers that stream music from your devices via Bluetooth are a great idea if you want high quality audio at home.
They’re also a solid option if you like to listen to music outside, whether that’s while you’re entertaining outdoors or working out, as well as if you like to be able to take a speaker to social events – like a party in your local park or down at the beach. Many of the best portable speakers you can buy today are multi-functional and may also feature voice assistant integration alongside audio playback.
This device can seamlessly switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, integrate into a Sonos system, and it comes with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant onboard. The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control. A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling. Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors.
Sonos Move The best-sounding Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg) Battery life: 10 hours Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Integrates with a home Sonos speaker network + Great for on-the-go tunes Reasons to avoid – Not as feature-rich when using Bluetooth – Cant be used as rear cinema speakers It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, it’s expensive due to its rich feature set, and it sadly can’t be used as rear channels for a home cinema set-up. This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on a camping trip but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected. JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if you desire a rugged, great-sounding portable speaker and can sacrifice voice control or hands-free call functionality, you won’t be disappointed.
Coming in a range of cool colors – including an eye-catching camo print – there’s now a limited Eco Edition that’s made from 90% recycled plastic, while the portable speaker’s entire packaging is biodegradable. [Update: Don’t miss our JBL Boombox 2 review – we were mightily impressed by this portable speaker’s IPX7 waterproof rating, long battery life, and distortion-free sound.]
It doesn’t quite meet the sonic dexterity of the Sonos Move, or the value for money of the UE Boom 3 and JBL Charge 4 – but if you love that Bose sound and build quality, this is the portable speaker for you. Anker Soundcore Flare 2 The best budget Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 1.29 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: 20m / 66ft Frequency response: N/A Drivers: Dual drivers and passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No Bluetooth version: N/A Weatherproofing: IPX7 Charges devices over USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Low Stock View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack UE Wonderboom 2 The best outdoor speaker gets a refresh Specifications Weight: 0.93 pounds Dimensions: 104 x 95.3mm (H x D) Battery life: Up to 13 hours Wireless range: 100 ft (33 m) Frequency response: 75 Hz – 20 kHz Drivers: two 40 mm active drivers and two 46.1mm x 65.2mm passive radiators NFC: No Bluetooth version: N/A Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Dell Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 5 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great sound for its size + IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating + 30% better battery life than its predecessor Reasons to avoid – Restrictive soundstage
JBL Charge 5 The best mid-range speaker Specifications Weight: 2.11 pounds Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 (W x D x H) Battery life: Up to 20 hours Wireless range: 30 ft (10 m) Frequency response: 65Hz–20kHz Drivers: N/A NFC: No Bluetooth version: 5.1 Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Crutchfield Reasons to buy + Balanced sound quality + Gets extremely loud + Long battery life up to 20 hours Reasons to avoid – Takes a while to charge – No more Aux jack
UE Hyperboom Powerful sound for parties both big and small Specifications Weight: 13 pounds Battery life: 24 hours Wireless range: Approx. In terms of features, the Ultimate Ears app allows you to connect the Hyperboom to other UE speakers and use them together, you can switch audio source and adjust volume, and you can select four different playlists in Amazon Music, Deezer or Spotify that can be started by holding down the Play button in three seconds.
Sony SRS-XB23 A powerful canister of sound for all your outdoor adventures Specifications Weight: 1.3 pounds Battery life: Up to 12 hours Wireless range: 30 feet Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz Drivers: X-Balanced Speaker, dual passive radiators NFC: Yes Aux-in: Yes USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Good sound quality + IP67 rating (waterproof) + Stereo pairing and Party Mode Reasons to avoid – Lower peak volume In terms of performance, it can get pretty loud without a massive amount of distortion and the passive radiators help the bass to sound clearer than it has on any of Sony’s previous models. That’s because the XB23 uses Bluetooth 5 and supports three major codecs – SBC, AAC and LDAC, the latter of which you’ll find on newer Android devices and sounds absolutely great. Outdoor adventurers will love the ruggedness of this Sony Bluetooth speaker while us kick-back-and-relax folks will enjoy how snugly it fits into a lawn chair’s cup holder. Visually near imperceptible from the original A1, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) is an appealing and highly portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with (admittedly flawed) Alexa support. Urbanista Brisbane Scandi design meets decent sound Specifications Weight: 1.5 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 30m (100ft) Frequency response: 80-20,000Hz Drivers: 2 x 52mm NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Great audio performance + Second speaker pairing Reasons to avoid – Could be more rugged – Boring design
Loud and rich-sounding, it’s a well-priced addition to anyone’s home, with a good battery life and the option to pair it with another Brisbane for true stereo sound. 1MORE Portable BT Speaker A luxurious Bluetooth speaker for the office and the home Specifications Weight: 268g Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: N/A Drivers: N/A NFC: No Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Great sound quality for the size + Impressive bass response at low volume Reasons to avoid – Limited IPX4 rating – Average battery life
Some portable speakers are built with durability in mind, and will feature rubberized builds to prevent damage from drops and lightweight designs to make them easy to carry around. Of course, you can absolutely use your new portable Bluetooth speaker solely inside your home – and that means you can choose from a wider range of designs that will look great with your decor. Sonos Bluetooth speakers are great if you want to bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors, with the ability to form part of a wider multi-room system – and you can be sure that they’ll sound fantastic, too. If waterproofing is a priority then look out for models from Ultimate Ears, which combine fun, colorful designs with rugged builds – many of which can withstand a dip in the pool.
Consider high-end audio brands such as Bose and Bang & Olufsen if you want a combination of stylish design and great sound – but be prepared for relatively high prices. If you want to save money then Urbanista, Tribit, and Anker offer brilliant speakers that won’t break the bank.
Best Bluetooth speakers 2021: portable speakers for every budget
It’s nothing to do with shortage of options – every online manufacturer from Apple to Ultimate Ears is vying for a bite of the Bluetooth cherry and by association, your hard-earned cash. We’ve done the heavy lifting and rounded-up our pick of the best Bluetooth speakers across all shapes, sizes and prices to ensure you discover a product you’ll be over the moon with.
It may sound obvious, but the number one piece of advice we always offer when looking for a Bluetooth speaker is to avoid opting for the first model that catches your eye. JBL Xtreme 3 JBL’s rugged wireless speaker serves up a sonic surprise Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.9 x 29.8 x 13.4cm Power: 100W Features: Bluetooth v5.1, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IP67 rated Connections: 3.5mm, USB-C, USB-A out TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £279 View at Amazon £299 View at Richer Sounds £299.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Rugged build + Impressive detail and dynamics + Strong sense of timing Reasons to avoid – No smart features – No hands-free for phone calls
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a versatile, talented wireless speaker that’s as happy chilling at home as it is being the life and soul of a party. Yes, it’s rugged, it’s IP67 dust- and waterproof certified and you’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that it might be more preoccupied with the amount of bass it’s producing rather than musical quality.
The JBL Xtreme 3 gained five stars across the board during our rigorous in-house testing, never appearing out of its depth no matter how complicated the musical arrangement. Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.8 × 26.9 × 4.7cm Power: : 2 x 25W Features: Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, apt X HD, USB-out for device charging, battery life of 30 hours Connections: 3.5mm aux, dedicated mains charging port and adapter with UK, EU and US adapter plugs TODAY’S BEST DEALS £299 View at Richer Sounds £299 View at Peter Tyson Low Stock £329 View at Audio Visual Online Reasons to buy + Excellent clarity + Impressive bass weight + Classy build and finish Reasons to avoid – No daisy-chaining for multiple Katch G2s Although portable enough to be your travel speaker (and boasting a stylish retractable travel handle and a 30-hour battery) the Katch G2’s dedicated mains charging port and adapter with bundled UK, EU and US adapter plugs makes it an easy fit for your lounge too – and once there, it’ll sound as detailed, clear and expansive as this money can buy. It’s at the pricey end of the market, yes, but it’s a stone cold stunner, delivering excellent clarity, impressive bass weight and good looks in spades – so much so that we recently handed it a What Hi-Fi? If all you want is a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as you can currently buy for around £100 ($100, AU$119), you’ll be hard-pressed to better the fantastic Flip 5. Assuming you don’t mind the lack of an aux-in port or inbuilt microphone (as seen in the Flip 4), you’ll almost certainly be wowed by this speaker’s sonic chops.
Tribit Stormbox Micro A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 9.8 x 9.8 x 3.5cm Power: 9W Features: water/dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo-pairing mode Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £42.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Mature, musical sound + Surprisingly weighty bass + USB-C charger Reasons to avoid – Short battery life It’s hard to imagine a home decor, backpack or personal taste that the Tribit Audio Stormbox Micro couldn’t merge in with happily.
Although a speaker of such dimensions is obviously limited in terms of bass weight, it does remarkably well; close your eyes while listening and you’ll picture a bigger product.
Take note, Ultimate Ears: a little-known brand called Tribit Audio just produced a budget belter of a Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Charge 5 Updated specs and subtle tweaks for JBL’s fifth-generation Charge Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.6 x 9.4cm Power: 30W + 10W tweeter Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v5.1, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: USB-C, USB-A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £159 View at Amazon £159 View at Richer Sounds £159.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Clearer and more detailed sound + Wider soundstage + Updated dustproofing Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this level Its predecessor carried an IPX7 rating, meaning it could handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m, but the IP67-rated Charge 5 builds on that durability by also being fully dustproof.
Thanks in part to a new 10W tweeter and racetrack-shaped driver, the Charge 5 is currently as good a sound as you can get in a portable Bluetooth speaker design for under £200 ($200, AU$300). Throw in its classy, well made design, easy to use operation and the bonus of Alexa, and you’re looking at a Bluetooth speaker sequel that has very much been worth the wait.
JBL Go 3 JBL’s newest soap-sized speaker sounds good – but the finish and battery life won’t wash with today’s class leaders Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.8 x 7.5 x 4.1 Power: 4W Features: Water/dustproof IP67, Bluetooth 5.1 Connections: USB-C TODAY’S BEST DEALS £29.99 View at O2 Mobiles £34 View at Richer Sounds Prime £34.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Sensible treble + Fuller bass + More volume Reasons to avoid – Poor battery life – Not very durable finish Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.5 x 9.3 Power: 30W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 148 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Rugged and water resistant + USB port for charging + Great sound quality Reasons to avoid – Perhaps too subtle for some
Not only is this one of best-sounding Bluetooth speakers around at this end of the market, it serves up a whopping 20 hours of playback from a single charge and, thanks to the arrival of its newest sibling, you’ll find this slightly older model discounted across several retailers. Ultimate Ears has really made a splash in the Bluetooth speaker market with a number of colourful, fun-sounding and portable models.
When pressed, it restricts the bass frequencies, allowing the UE to play louder through the midrange, which in turn makes the sound easier to hear when the unit is used outdoors. Specifications Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi Power: 250W (mains powered) Inputs: analogue audio jack, Toslink optical digital audio Battery life: N/A Dimensions (hwd): 20 x 66 x 18.5cm : Weight: 5.4kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive, weighty and accurate + Great for larger rooms + Top-notch build Reasons to avoid – No AirPlay 2 – No Spotify Connect While the Award-winning Naim (below) just edges it for both subtlety and a slightly livelier sound, there isn’t much in it – and the Dynaudio Music 5 boasts superiority in other ways. Open up the Dynaudio app and you’ll discover NoiseAdapt, a feature that helps sound cut through a noisy room – useful during loud parties.
Audio Pro Addon C10 MkII Audio Pro adds Google Cast and AirPlay 2 to a winning recipe Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 16.6 x 32 x 18cm Power: 2x20W + 40W Digital class D Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 Connections: RCA, sub out TODAY’S BEST DEALS £349 View at Electricshop Prime £349.62 View at Amazon £359 View at Richer Sounds Reasons to buy + Levelled-up streaming support + Greater clarity + Cleaner and tighter bass Reasons to avoid – Lacks the fun of the original The 2021 update (sensibly titled MkII) to the three-time Award-winning Audio Pro C10 (also listed, below) adds AirPlay 2 and Google Cast to complete a multi-room home run – and gets itself a What Hi-Fi? We’re happy to report that it’s still the case today – if £500 ($500) is your maximum budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a speaker that comes close to the Audio Pro C10 MkII. We miss the leather handle and fun, slightly rock’n’roll aesthetic and sonic presentation of the original, but we can’t argue with three options for multi-room streaming (AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Audio Pro’s own slick and functional app) or the levelled-up grippy bass and improved hi-fidelity performance.
The Audio Pro Addon C3 isn’t just the best Bluetooth speaker at this price, it’s a stylish, wi-fi connected, multi-room capable centrepiece – plus it’s a What Hi-Fi? It has an fantastic sense of refinement for such a small speaker, not to mention a rear-firing bass reflex port that delivers plenty of low-end grunt. This model won’t charge your smartphone but it does feature an ethernet port, giving you the option to hardwire it to your home network. The C3 supports streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and Apple Music, and while there’s no built-in voice assistant, you can control the speaker via the Alexa app.
Remove whatever colour grille you’ve gone for and you’ll be rewarded with upgraded and optimised midrange and bass drive units, all powered by a total of 300W of amplification. Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 Power: 2x 5W + 15W Digital class D Features: Bluetooth V4.0 Connections: 3.5mm stereo, USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS £179 View at Currys Check Amazon 411 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Full sound + Expressive and dynamic + Faultless build Reasons to avoid – Size won’t suit everyone Audio Pro tends to ignore gimmicks in favour of high-quality sound but this speaker does have the facility to charge up your smartphone or tablets via a USB port.
Specifications Connectivity: Bluetooth Power: Battery Inputs: 3.5mm Battery life: 15hrs Dimensions (hwd): 13.6 x 28.8 x 13.2cm Weight: 2.39kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £241.90 View at Amazon 8 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Clean, clear sound + Balanced bass + Robust build Reasons to avoid – Hefty design – No wi-fi or multi-room smarts The rugged, IPX7 waterproof exterior, 15 hour battery life and ability to charge your phone from its USB port mean it’s a great option for the beach – and you’ll probably find deals on this model thanks to the arrival of the latest iteration, the Xtreme 3 (above). And it won’t let you talk to Alexa or Google Assistant, just set a button to activate them in the manner of an earphone’s in-line remote. You get Bluetooth, wi-fi and Alexa smart assistant voice controls, meaning you can turn up the volume or play songs through Amazon Music Unlimited without lifting a finger. The 360-degree sound and bass output is far better than one might expect for this kind of money; throw in Alexa smarts and you have a fun, energetic speaker that offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Yes, it is intended to get us all invested in its virtual assistant, Alexa, but where much of the Alexa-enabled kit out there is audio based and concentrated on the Bluetooth speaker market in particular, the Echo Show 5 embraces both sound and video in its abilities to communicate. Specifications Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi Power: Battery Inputs: N/A Battery life: 16hrs Dimensions (hwd): 23.7 x 8.8 x 8.8cm Weight: 1.19kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 338 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Dynamic, detailed sound + Enthusiastic, punchy rhythms + Precise, taut basslines Reasons to avoid – Presentation is slightly lean – Not fully featured just yet Features includes support for AirPlay 2, voice controls and Sonos’ Trueplay tech, which uses the built-in mic to tune bass and treble to suit your surroundings. Other Bluetooth speakers offer a more expressive and detailed sound but if you’re invested in the world of Sonos, the Roam is a smart buy.
The Best Bluetooth Speakers For Any Budget in 2021
Then it’s down to prioritising extras like waterproofing and dustproofing, stereo pairing, aux in (old-school but helpful), plus more new-fangled features in the category such as Alexa voice controls and USB for charging devices. If a smart assistant is your main focus then you could opt for an Amazon Echo or Google Nest speaker, but these are typically limited in their portability. Fewer speakers, but still quite a lot, are also built to withstand being thrown in a bag or, in more extreme cases, take a bash on a hard surface as you plonk it down ready for some outdoor listening. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to how manufacturers decide whether two of their speakers should be able to team up together for stereo sound – so always check before buying.
The benefits are obvious, allowing your favourite tracks to play from multiple speakers for a more immersive sound – rather than a single fixed point. So, if you see a device referred to as a wireless speaker then you’ll often find a lack of Bluetooth support but it’s always worth double checking.
Our top budget pick, the Tribit StormBox Micro (£32), offers stellar sound and gets remarkably loud with just 9W.
Best Bluetooth Speaker with AUX Input | Top 5 Options
Having an AUX-In cable is a great idea that increases the flexibility of a wireless speaker and means you don’t have to depend on your phone for your music. Having an AUX-In cable is a great idea that increases the flexibility of a wireless speaker and means you don’t have to depend on your phone for your music. If your Bluetooth speaker didn’t have an AUX Input, you wouldn’t be able to make the most of the sound it can produce. Speakers that are equipped with an AUX jack also allow you to connect to pretty much any device, as AUX-In ports are very commonly available. Your speaker should start taking its input from the auxiliary cable and the device sending it, rather than depending on a wireless signal, and you should notice improved sound quality as a result of this. It’s a powerful portable speaker with some incredible bass capacity and a waterproof design that makes it perfect for use both – indoors and outdoors.
It’s easy to have this portable Bluetooth speaker ready whenever you need it, and it should be perfectly capable of handling a long party without giving up. However, if you’re looking for this sort of sound quality and battery life, you have to sacrifice somewhere – and as long as you’re going to be carrying a bag, it should be okay to take this speaker along. It even has a built-in power bank, so you can charge other devices from it, although bear in mind that this will affect the battery life! This speaker has up to 13 hours of battery life, so not quite as long as the JBL Boombox 2, but that’s plenty for any event you might want to take it to. It represents a nice middle ground; it’s more portable than the JBL Boombox 2, but has better battery life than the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II. If you’re not fussed about the bass, or you really want the maximum playtime, you can extend the battery life by not using the Extra Sony SRS-XB43 Bluetooth Speaker
It weighs 8.8 ounces and measures less than 3 inches in each direction, making it perfect for stowing in a backpack when space is tight. It has a micro SD slot, an AUX-In jack, and FM radio capability to offer a range of different options while you’re on the move. Cheap Portable Bluetooth Speaker Option: OontZ Angle Solo With AUX-In It doesn’t quite hold up to the Soundcore Mini’s battery life, but still offers a solid 10 hours of playtime. With the broad range to choose from, you might have difficulty making a final decision, but this means you should be able to find something budget-friendly that still does what you need.
Top 10 Bluetooth Speakers with AUX Input in 2022
Designed in a small size and lightweight package, the Doss E-Go Bluetooth speaker is easily portable on your hand or mounted on your bag. Additionally, the E-Go II boasts of a durable inbuilt battery that lasts for up to 12 hours at 50% volume level.
Incredible Sound: Powered by 2X6W stereo drivers and a passive radiator, DOSS E-go II Wireless Bluetooth… Verdict: With 12Watts audio drivers, the Doss E-Go II is a portable powerhouse in a lightweight package.
Exhibiting a sleek metal casing and simple controls, the Anker Soundcore 2 Portable is built to give you a stylish look in any environment. With dual full-range drivers and two tweeters, the speaker delivers a full-bodied sound for an immersive audio experience.
It allows you to enjoy rich bass and luscious tremble at any volume level, giving you 25watt RMS power. Equipped with Anker’s innovative power management technology, the Soundcore Pro+ features a 1800mAh battery with an18-hour playtime. Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with… Unbelievable sound: 12W of pure audio power with enhanced bass Thunders from dual neodymium drivers. Verdict: The Anker Soundcore Pro+ is among the best Bluetooth speakers to elevate your audio experience with immersive HD sound and a reliable 18-hour battery.
It boasts of an exclusive BassUp technology that enhances the bass, a rich midrange, and brilliant highs. Made to outlast your musical adventure, the OontZ Angle 3 speaker features a rugged rubberized build that withstands drops, shocks, and wear & tear.
This durable speaker rocks a resilient IPX7 waterproof construction that protects it from rain, dust, splashes, and sand. With a 24-hour music playtime, the VAVA Voom 23 delivers a loud voice for various outdoor activities like camping and pool parties, among others.
Made to Outlast the adventure: rubberized rugged build withstands shocks, drops, and wear and tear; included… Verdict: As one of the most durable Bluetooth speakers with AUX input, the Vava Voom 23 boasts of rugged, rubberized construction that will outlive your musical adventures.
The Etekcity RoverBeats T3 is a compact and round portable Bluetooth speaker with a small carrying pouch and a multi-hole silicon protective layer. It has an outstanding Bluetooth connection that streams music seamlessly within 33 feet, giving you a wonderful audio experience.
The speaker also comes with a long-lasting lithium battery that lasts for up to 8 hours, while allowing you to enjoy an enhanced bass and crystal clear sound. WIRELESS FREEDOM: Built-in mic supports hands-free phone calls & outstanding bluetooth connection range of up…
Verdict: Retailing at a very affordable price, the Etekcity RoverBeats T3 is a compact and ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. The inbuilt microphone gives you solid performance for handsfree calling and the battery life can last up to 8 hours.
The sound is also amazingly good for its size, though the bass is a bit low with some musical genres. It has been designed with a USB port, SD card reader slot, and an additional line-in function suitable for virtually connecting everything in the house; from PC, 6.
For purposes of power, it has a rechargeable battery that can last considerably longer during continuous in-play mode. Comes with USB and SD card support as well as a line-in function: suitable for PC, mid, TV and other Audio… Verdict: With a built-in 3-inch subwoofer, the Axess SPBT1031 is a powerful Bluetooth speaker ideal for both indoor and outdoor parties.
The Zosam Portable Bluetooth speaker is a durable unit boasting of weatherproof and anti-drop construction. Performance-wise, the Zosam portable wireless speaker gives you an incredible bass and high-fidelity 10watt sound to enjoy your music. Additionally, it comes with a high capacity 2200mAh battery that delivers up to 10 hours of playtime depending on the music volume.
SUPERIOR SOUND – Incredible Deep Bass and HiFi 10W full-bodied stereo(dual drivers), make you extremely… Verdict: This powerful little speaker is solidly built to deliver an amazing sound for any outdoor gathering.
It’s sleek, ultra-compact design makes it easy to carry around, though you’ll need to be careful when hanging it as its spring clip is a bit poor. The battery life offers an impressive 24-hour playtime at a medium volume level, allowing you to have your music on the go all day long.
It’s a great choice under a budget, with an auxiliary input and an inbuilt mic for hands-free calls. Verdict: While the Tribit XSound Go is built in a tiny and sophisticated housing, the sound is impressively loud for its size.
Its tough exterior coating is built to last and you’re free to take it to the shower, pool, or the beach since its completely waterproof. Aside from the great audio, this portable speaker rocks an IPX5 waterproof design that protects it from water splashes and spray. The NBY Bluetooth speaker is an easy pick not only because of its unbelievably low price but hugely due to what it offers performance-wise. Additional features include FM radio, MP3 player support, and TF slot to make your gadget as versatile as possible. LONG PLAYING TIME – Built-in Li-Ion 1200 mAh rechargeable battery guarantees up to 7-8 hours playtime…. Verdict: Retailing below the $20 price range, the NBY Portable speaker is among the most affordable Bluetooth audio systems on the market. It comes with a solid inbuilt microphone for hands-free calling, though it can be a bit challenging to use the control buttons. The silencer portable BT speaker is synonymous with HD stereo sound and robust design for all occasions.
It is a single speaker with a myriad of functions, all professionally fixed to provide easy access manually. While 4 hours of continuous play is not too bad, it falls short of what other similar gadgets offer regarding battery management.
★ HIGH QUALITY CRYSTAL CLEAR SOUND: Dual 2 x 4.5W full range speakers with high-performance drivers deliver… Verdict: Designed in a stylish housing, the Punkcase Silencer is a robust, multifunctional Bluetooth speaker with a dedicated AUX input.
It comes with high-performance audio drivers, delivering powerful, distortion-free sound in a small and lightweight package. That involves using a stereo cable paired with a 3.5 mm jack on one end to allow you to connect with the AUX input on your speaker. Some speakers will automatically turn off if the device stops playing for more than 30 minutes to save the battery power.
That’s mainly because the AUX IN port only allows the audio signals to flow inside the system which will amplify them according to the power of your Speaker
That means you’ll be able to connect your audio device with the speaker system whether you are using an android phone, an iPhone, or a decade-old walkman. Additionally, the connection process is quite simple since you only need to unplug your music player and plug in a new audio source.
Since mobile phones are built with headphones and earbuds in mind, they don’t feature line-level outputs, and hence noise may be mixed with the audio signal when going through the amplifier.
Best Bluetooth speaker 2021, including today’s best portable speakers
You can surprisingly large and refined sound from a can-sized lump of aluminium, and enough power for a big party from a bigger portable speaker. The Beosound A1 v2 finds its way to the top of this list thanks to sheer audio quality for the size – if you want a full, punchy sound that’s fairly expansive, and that doesn’t crush when going loud, then this is the place to start. And it follow B&O’s usual MO of having quite a neutral sound out of the box, but you can use the app to customise the audio – we at T3 like to push up the bass of B&O’s products a little, and that’s so easy to do and then save as a preset. Better sound, longer battery life (13 hours instead of 10), cool new buttons to play with, dust- and sand-proofing (as well as the previous imperviousness to water), and a great price.
Even with just one Wonderboom 2 in play, the 360 degree audio is better than it has any right to be at the price, especially with pop, hip-hop, EDM, bro rock and other outdoor party-friendly sounds. Being IP57 rated, it’s also well protected against grit, salt water, dust and beach-side sand, so long as you keep the USB charger cover in place.
Audio Pro Addon C3 The best Bluetooth speaker for the home – also with Wi-Fi streaming Specifications Power output: Not quoted Battery life: 9 hours Apt-X: No AAC: No Reasons to buy + Superb sound, chic Scandinavian looks + Very compact + Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth for streaming Reasons to avoid – No Apt-X or AAC – Audio Pro’s app could be slicker TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Currys View at Electricshop 92 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ There are Bluetooth speakers that are more like updates to the old hi-fi mini systems – you plug them in, they’re mainly for streaming but have a line in, and the emphasis is on superior sound quality.
It also piles on AirPlay and Spotify Connect via Wi-Fi, as well as Audio Pro’s own app, so you can even use it as part of a very chic multi-room setup. Although one thing you should definitely use the app for is to set up the 5 preset buttons on the front of the C3 – these then give instant access to your favourite web radio stations or Spotify playlists.
Slightly surprisingly when connected via Bluetooth there’s no support for the audio-improving Apt-X (Android) or AAC (iOS) codecs. While it may be targeted at those who want dance, pop and rock tunes in the outdoors, its relatively small footprint and attractive design mean it can function perfectly happily indoors – in the kitchen, for instance.
In contrast to the simplicity of the Wonderboom 2, Ultimate Ears has trowelled on the bonus features here, with the ability to pair two in stereo as well as the option to chain anything up to ‘hundreds’ of them (!) A ‘magic button’ on top lets you easily play, pause and skip tracks and, uh, not-so-easily control playlists. With 20 hours of battery life, impressive bass and volume, 360º sound, and build quality that renders it essentially unkillable, the UE Megaboom is by far the best outdoor speaker you can get. And as noted, you don’t need to wait for summer to come back to enjoy it, as it does work well (for pop music in particular) in the kitchen, bedroom or elsewhere. The JBL Charge 5 is a relatively small speaker that doesn’t skimp on sound – it’s chunkier than the B&O A1, and the design is a bit more ‘practical’ (though is likely a little tougher against drops, too). With powerful, accurate audio and some serious volume capabilities, this is a great speaker for a barbecue on the beach or picnic in the park.
The real trick to it is that it can also function as a full member of a Sonos or Apple AirPlay 2 setup at home, over Wi-Fi, and it easily switches between the two options. Audio Pro P5 Best portable Bluetooth speaker for audiophiles Specifications Battery life: 4 hours on 100% volume / 14 hours on 50% AAC: Yes Waterproof: IPX4 Aux-in: Yes Weight: 720g Reasons to buy + Connect using Bluetooth or 3.4mm aux + Excellent sound quality + Simple, splash-proof design Reasons to avoid – No music control from the speaker – Battery life isn’t amazing TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Electricshop
Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i Best Bluetooth speaker – also has Wi-Fi streaming and can be made portable Specifications Power output: 25W Battery life: none (6 hours with optional battery pack) Apt-X: Yes AAC: Yes Additional connections: AC Wi-Fi, 3.5mm input, USB audio, 3.5mm headphone output Reasons to buy + Sounds brilliant for the compact size + Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth for streaming + Well designed app Reasons to avoid – Quite drab looks TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Sevenoaks Check Amazon With a wired connection it’s even capable of playing hi-res audio files, for audiophiles, but Tidal (CD quality) and even the likes of Spotify (compressed MP3) sound wonderful. Compared to the Audio Pro speaker further up, Bluesound’s champ is bordering on ugly, but since it sounds even better than the C3, has even more connectivity, and boasts an app that works better, we’ll set aside our aesthetic reservations. This Marshall speaker brings the brand’s penchant for guitar-amp stylish to a a smaller frame, and impressively still keeps most of the signature look with having annoying knobs sticking out and catching on your pockets.
The only downside is that there are a few missing features – there’s no mic (which can be handy for calls) and no way to adjust the sound’s balance, such as an app with EQ settings. Designed to be used outside, the JBL Xtreme 3 is a waterproof, dustproof portable Bluetooth speaker that will withstand all kinds of conditions – be it rain or sandy beaches.
It certainly looks and feels durable, though it is pretty damn big compared to most of the speakers here, so you’ll definitely need to use the included shoulder strap to carry it around.
You can pump up the volume to seriously high levels, and the sound quality is crisp, detailed and bassy, all of which make it a great party speaker.
Kanto TUK Bluetooth speaker disguised as a complete music system Specifications Power output: 260W Battery life: none Apt-X: Yes AAC: Yes Additional connections: 3.5mm input, phono, pre-amp turntable, optical digital, USB audio, 3.5mm headphone output Reasons to buy + Proper stereo + Good physical connections Reasons to avoid – No Wi-Fi streaming TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Amazon Most higher-end wireless speakers also include Wi-Fi and cloud connectivity to service Tidal, Spotify, AirPlay, Chromecast et al. Kanto TUK has no truck with such new-fangled notions.
I’ve seen reviews of this saying the bass is a bit thin, but I can assure you on a half decent pair of stands or a reasonably substantial shelf it is booming. A massive, recessed ‘handle’ on the back makes it easy to transport, and as well as being rugged, the base and paint finish are cunningly designed so it doesn’t get marked and scarred by a life of being hefted about and placed on patios.
Sonos’ app provides support for any music service you can think of or subscribe to, as well as allowing voice control of tunes via Alexa or Google. Audio quality takes a noticeable hit when you switch to Bluetooth, compared to Wi-Fi or cloud streaming.
UE Hyperboom A big Bluetooth speaker with a huge engine Specifications Power output: 229W Battery life: 24 hours Apt-X: No AAC: No Reasons to buy + Excellent sound overall + Twin Bluetooth connections + Easy to get going with Reasons to avoid – Large and not pretty at all TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at John Lewis View at Currys Check Amazon The sheer scale of the audio here, and how well it maintains its poise while being so big and loud, is beyond what the Sonos Move can manage, though that’s the higher quality speaker overall, we’d say.
Ruark MR1 Mk 2 An even more compact stereo Bluetooth speaker than the TUK Specifications Power output: 20W Battery life: N/A Apt-X: Yes AAC: Yes Reasons to buy + Effortless stereo + Great sound + Optical and line inputs Reasons to avoid – Not entirely wireless TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Amazon With a 3.5mm input and an optical digital one and an output for an active subwoofer, this could be the basis of a neat little system, but it’s also mighty fine as a Bluetooth-only setup.
The best Bluetooth speakers in 2021
The few noteworthy ones prove to be worth the investment and offer sound quality on par with the best headphones, long battery life, and a practical design that is either portable friendly or sits handsomely on your coffee table. If the budget allows, then consider dropping $399 on the Sonos Move, the brand’s first portable speaker with both WiFi and Bluetooth, and lots of features to boot.
UE Megaboom 3 The best Bluetooth speaker overall Specifications Size and Weight: 8.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches, 2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 20 hours Water Resistance: Yes Maximum Sound Level: 90db Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Dell View at Walmart 23 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Big bass and full vocals + Good battery life + Can pair with older Megaboom and Boom models for stereo sound Reasons to avoid – Big and heavy for a portable – No speakerphone
Thanks to its excellent sound quality, long battery life and travel-ready ruggedness, the UE Megaboom 3 is the best Bluetooth speaker you can buy right now.
This big, bold portable speaker pumps out rich 360-degree sound complete with crisp highs and satisfying low-end, and maxes out at 100 decibels of noise. The Megaboom 3 is on the bigger side compared to other portable speakers, and unlike many of its competitors, it doesn’t have Alexa or Google Assistant support, or any other smart features.
Anker Soundcore 2 The best Bluetooth speaker under $50 Specifications Size and Weight: 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.77 inches, 12.6 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 24 hours Water Resistance: Yes Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 67 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great battery life + Waterproof Reasons to avoid – Not ideal for larger rooms The speaker lasts a whopping 24 hours, thanks to Anker’s best-in-class battery technology, and the Soundcore 2’s dual neodymium drivers ensure you’ll get powerful sound in any setting.
The Soundcore’s compact, 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.77-inch design makes this speaker perfect for tossing into your bag for a quick road trip, and it comes in vibrant blue and red color schemes in addition to the standard slick black. Sonos Roam The best Bluetooth speaker with Wi-Fi smarts Specifications Size and Weight: 6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches, 15 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67 rated) Voice Controls: Yes (Alexa and Google Assistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Lightweight + Extensive connectivity + Auto TruePlay sound tuning Reasons to avoid – No Bluetooth multipoint – Middling battery life
It’s much more portable and more affordable than the Move, though, and its Auto TruePlay feature automatically adjusts the sound to suit its surroundings, whether you’re listening in a noisy, urban park or a quaint, airy campground. This tiny speaker delivers huge sound within a small 4-inch cylinder, complete with throbbing bass, balanced midtones and crisp vocals.
It can survive being dunked in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes and is dust-resistant, making it perfect for your next trip to the pool, beach or park. Other key features include an impressive 13-hour battery life and the ability to pair two Wonderbooms together for immersive stereo sound. The UE Hyperboom is the best Bluetooth speaker for large gatherings, thanks to its massive size and big, booming audio output.
Pair that with seamless Bluetooth connectivity and plenty of volume, and you have the ultimate speaker for filling a big area with great sound.
LG XBoom Go PL7 The best Bluetooth speaker for sheer style Specifications Size and Weight: 9.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches, 3.2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 24 hours Water Resistance: IPX5 Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Crisp treble and defined bass + Good battery life + LED lights add to the fun Reasons to avoid – No integrated voice assistant – Few sound adjustments available Every Bluetooth speaker on this list delivers great sound and functionality, but only the LG XBoom Go PL7 does it while boasting awesome LED lights. The XBoom’s appropriately booming sound holds its own against the best Bluetooth speakers in this price range, delivering balanced bass and satisfying treble. Sonos Move The best high-end Bluetooth speaker for outdoors Specifications Size and Weight: 9.4 x 6.3 x 5 inches, 6.6 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP56 rated for splashes) Voice Controls: Yes (Alexa and Google Assistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Superb audio quality + Built-in Automatic TruePlay technology + Easy Wi-Fi-to-Bluetooth connection conversion Reasons to avoid – Pricey – No smart features in Bluetooth mode
Alexa and Google Assistant support allow you to do anything from check the weather to control your smart home, and the Move’s Auto TruePlay automatically tunes the speaker’s audio output for wherever you’re listening, whether you’re having a rooftop party or rocking out in your bedroom. V-Moda Remix The best Bluetooth speaker for bass heads Specifications Size and Weight: 8.1 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches, 1.9 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: No Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Musician’s Friend 139 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Loud, balanced audio with booming bass + Stunning design + Lots of customization options + Daisy-chain multiple speakers Reasons to avoid – A bit expensive – No multi-room solution
The base model looks slick in aluminum or vegan leather, while, people with bottomless budgets and a penchant for style can opt for steel or platinum finishes (the later of which will run you well over $300,000). Most importantly, the Remix sounds great, offering plenty of bass as well as a built-in headphone amp for enhancing the audio of your favorite set of cans.
The Remix’s 10-hour battery life certainly makes this speaker worthy of longer jam sessions, and its trusty microphone allows for crisp call quality whether you’re set up inside your house or out. JBL Link 20 JBL’s best Bluetooth speaker with Google Assistant Specifications Size and Weight: 8.3 x 3.7 inches, 33.5 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes Voice Controls: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Musician’s Friend View at Musician’s Friend Check Amazon 216 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + +owered by Google Assistant + Portable and rugged + Well-balanced overall sound Reasons to avoid – Can’t make calls – Expensive
That means you can ask the speaker for standard stuff like dinner suggestions or traffic info, or have it control any of best Google Home compatible devices. Let’s not forget that the Link 20 is an actual speaker system, and it delivers premium balanced sound with an emphasis on bass.
The speaker has a plastic strap that makes it easy to attach to a backpack or bike, an IP67 water-resistant rating, so it’s fully protected against dust and dirt as well as submersion in water. While a number of wired speakers like the Amazon Echo provide excellent Bluetooth listening, you can’t bring them outside your kitchen or living room. These smart features will not work beyond your home’s Wi-Fi, so opt for a non-smart Bluetooth speaker for the beach or other outdoorsy locales.
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