Remote work is now very much the norm in many industries, which means more people are spending more time in virtual meetings than ever before. If you’re finding yourself spending hours each day in Zoom meetings, it might be time to upgrade your home AV setup.
Because speakerphones tend to lack a little bass and focus instead on midrange performance (in other words, designed for voices), they’re not like your typical portable speaker.
David Carnoy/CNET The Luna is eMeet’s latest speakerphone and a good value at about $80, though it sometimes dips to even less with an instant coupon at Amazon.
David Carnoy/CNET Anker’s PowerConf offers solid performance for the money, with six microphones arranged in a 360-degree array to pick up the voice of up to eight people in a room. Additionally, there’s a new pink version to support Breast Cancer Awareness that currently costs $109 without the dongle.
It’s also worth noting that the touch button with the rocket icon is programmable using the Plantronics Hub app: You can choose between play-pause music, last-number redial and voice assistant as well as hold/resume call. While it doesn’t have the more robust speakerphone-centric features of other products on this list, this speaker easily sounds the best for music playback. It’s also worth noting that the A1 has multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect this to your PC and smartphone at the same time and easily switch back and forth between the two if a call comes in on your phone. You can get this model with a UC (universal communications) USB dongle that allows you to have a direct wireless connection with a PC.
But the wired USB option is fine, and it offers the same softphone features for Windows PCs or Macs. It also has an integrated USB cable for connecting directly to a computer and includes a UC (universal communications) USB dongle for reliable wireless connections with a Windows PC or Mac without installing any software (there is a companion app for both).
Don’t expect it to sound great for music or movie watching, but it does have more bass than the Speak 510 and the Anker. David Carnoy/CNET Beyerdynamic’s Phonum is arguably the sleekest-looking speakerphone on this list and speakers’ voices come across sounding loud, clear and natural. Music performance is only OK, but it also makes for a good Bluetooth speaker for listening to podcasts and news reports. David Carnoy/CNET The eMeet M0 is a compact USB speakerphone that connects to your computer with an included USB-A to USB-C cable.
It has a four smart microphone array, acoustic echo noise cancellation, noise-reduction technology and is suitable as a conference phone for meetings with up to four people. This conference speakerphone is louder and more clear than your typical laptop speakers and picks up your voice well from several feet away.
Amazon If you can’t afford the Jabra Speak 710 and are looking for a compact, more “professional” Bluetooth speakerphone, the eMeet M2 costs less than $200, has a strong feature set and performed well in my tests (it plays louder than you’d think for its size). It’s equipped with a four microphone array, acoustic echo along with noise reduction technology and can operate with clear sound in larger rooms with five to eight people participating on a conference call.
The little personal speakerphone fits in your pocket and has an integrated Lightning cable so it plugs directly into your iOS device and draws power from it, though not much (it has little impact on battery life).
The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers for 2021
Big, small, portable, expensive, cheap, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi…the sheer amount of choice can seem overwhelming. Bluetooth is a point-to-point wireless system, pairing a transmitter (your phone or computer) with a receiver (your speaker) to play music. It’s very direct and easy to set up, and can stream pretty high-quality music thanks to technological advancements that have greatly improved audio fidelity over what it was a few years ago. It can also integrate into your home network, so you can easily play audio from any device connected to your Wi-Fi without pairing anything.
It’s worth noting that the new Sonos Move supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, so compatibility isn’t an issue at all. With some exceptions, any speaker you pick up at an electronics store will be able to stream audio either over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They let you easily stream from your iPhone or iPad at better quality than Bluetooth, but if you’re an Android user, you won’t find much utility in it. Like Chromecast, setting up multi-room Echo audio is performed through the same app as your voice assistant and smart home devices, only it’s all Alexa instead of Google.
These usually aren’t as complex or robust as Wi-Fi multi-room systems, but they’re a simple option that can provide an alternative to using your home network to stream music.
Larger speakers generally offer fuller sound and richer bass, but they can be more expensive and are often not portable.
For a speaker to be portable, it needs to both be small and light enough to easily carry around, and be equipped with a battery so it can run without being plugged in. Since Wi-Fi speakers rely on a separate network to enable multi-speaker and multi-room audio playback, they’re rarely portable.
Look for speakers with IPX ratings and guarantees of water and shock resistance if you want to carry them around to the beach, the lake, the slopes, or the sewers. Our guide to IP ratings explains what those numbers mean, so you can know whether your speaker can handle getting dunked in the pool, or if it simply will stay intact in a light drizzle. Big bass isn’t for everyone, but unless your speaker is downright tiny, it should be able to reproduce low frequencies accurately without distorting at high volumes. Clarity is more important than sheer power, and a balanced, clean sound should be your goal when shopping for a speaker.
They also generally support third-party skills that let you do anything from order pizza to play trivia games. The most prominent first-party voice assistant speakers like the Amazon Echo and the Google Home don’t have batteries. Don’t be afraid to look for similar speakers to the ones on this list, either; a number of the options included here have solid predecessors that you can now find for much less since they’ve been replaced.
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 Low Stock 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 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 wireless speakers 2021: wonderful wi-fi speakers for the home
When it comes to driver-housing sonic boxes (cylinders, oblongs, spheres, wedges, jewels and teardrops) if you just want something for blasting out tunes in the kitchen, there are now some splendid options out there for little money. But if you need a wi-fi speaker for home with a bit more versatility and have a slightly more malleable budget, you can get a whole host of features plus better sound and multi-room capabilities for marginally (or substantially) more outlay. That means they’ll be at your beck and call when it comes to shopping, weather forecasts or taking charge of smart home appliances including your lights and thermostat. 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 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 gain a 2021 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.
Apple HomePod Mini Apple’s new Siri-powered smart speaker is small but mighty Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.4 x 9.8 x 9.8 Power: 20W Features: Bluetooth 5.0, Siri, Apple Music, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS £89 View at John Lewis £89 View at argos.co.uk £99 View at O2 Mobiles Reasons to buy + Sophisticated, engaging sound + Substantial smart skills + Impressive music discovery Reasons to avoid – Limited third-party service support – Lacks a full control app Get its swirling orb of coloured light up and running (when Siri is listening or processing) though, and you realise you’ve got a classy performer on your hands. From the moment we start playing music, it’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price, quite frankly embarrassing its direct competition with the sophistication and maturity of its sound. Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Just a few tweaks make for a superb second version Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 21 x 22 x 21 Power: : 300W Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Roon Ready, Hi-res up to 24-bit/384kHz, remote control Connections: 3.5mm aux, USB, optical S/PDIF, Ethernet TODAY’S BEST DEALS £749 View at Sevenoaks £749 View at Richer Sounds Prime £1,082.29 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Open, detailed and expressive + Loads of streaming options + Multi-room ready Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price
You can now choose between an Olive, Terracotta or Peacock grille alongside the standard black, but the best tweaks Naim has made go far deeper. 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. Belying its box-like dimensions with a punchy bass alongside sparkling and rich tones across frequencies, the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation scooped up a 2020 What Hi-Fi? Linn Series 3 The best-sounding wireless speaker we’ve heard Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25 x 29.6 x 20.6 Power: : 2x100W Features: Wireless integrated Linn DSM player, Exakt digital crossover Connections: Ethernet, USB, HDMI ARC TODAY’S BEST DEALS £2,690 View at Peter Tyson £2,999.99 View at Selfridges Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Wonderfully articulate + Luxury design + HDMI ARC for TV connection Reasons to avoid – No analogue inputs – No Tidal Masters support
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge This wireless speaker beats the competition by some distance Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25.4 x 28 x 26 Power: : 4x40W + 80W Features: proprietary mesh-system wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth v4.1 aptX HD, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay2, Roon ready Connections: Ethernet, USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS £749 View at Richer Sounds £899 View at Sevenoaks Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Detailed, balanced sound + Multi-room integration + Quality build Reasons to avoid – Limited B&W app – Expensive Yes, it’s pretty expensive for a one-box proposition, but the B&W Formation Wedge offers the kind of detailed, balanced, cohesive sound that cannot be ignored – making it a class-leader in its category.
It has the same minimalist looks that the Scandinavian company is known for, complete with textured surfaces and embossed leather carry handle, but the wireless tech adds a whole new dimension to your listening. JBL Link Portable For a great, affordable, durable home smart speaker, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a product that can match JBL’s Link Portable Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 Power: 20W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, Google Assistant built-in, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £139.99 View at Acer UK Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement
Dynaudio Music 5 A superb sonic performance from a distinctive speaker Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 20 x 66 x 18.5 Power: 250W Features: 2x 25mm tweeters, 2x 8cm midrange, 13cm woofer, multi-room options, NoiseAdapt, RoomAdapt Connections: mains power, analogue audio jack, Toslink optical digital audio 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
Love or loathe the way it looks, (think huge, Indiana Jones-style ruby or the objects in the abstract chamber in Pixar’s Inside Out) we can’t help but be won over by how the Dynaudio Music 5 sounds. While the Award-winning Naim (above) 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. Depending on your room size and requirements, the Dynaudio Music 5 brings a meatier – and more easily adaptable – performance to the table.
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Wonderfully accomplished, sophisticated wireless speakers Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 39.5 x 19.7 x 30.5 Power: 2x 125W per unit Features: Bluetooth aptX HD, wi-fi, multi-room, Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay 2 Connections: USB, Ethernet TODAY’S BEST DEALS £3,499 View at Sevenoaks £3,499.99 View at John Lewis Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent multi-room features + Snappy timing + Tight, authoritative bass + Transparent performance Reasons to avoid – No fully featured app They’re not cheap and the aesthetic won’t appeal to everyone, but if you want a wireless pair of standmounts that nothing comes close to right now in terms of sound, you’ve just found them. The multi-room feature set, while not perfect (we’d prefer a single app to handle every function), is more than made up for by the superb audio performance. This is actually an all-in-one system, comprising a network streamer, Bluetooth receiver and amplifier, all built into a pair of stereo speakers.
A Sonos One without voice control is still a great wireless speaker, whether stereo paired, added to a home theatre set-up or used solo. KEF LS50 Wireless II KEF’s revisions have paid off; these sequels are among the most thrilling speaker systems we’ve heard Specifications Hi-res support: 24-bit/384kHz Streaming services: Spotify Connect, Tidal, Google Chromecast, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon ready Bluetooth: 4.2 with aptX Inputs: USB, TOSLINK optical, RCA, ethernet, HDMI eARC Finishes: 4 Dimensions: 30.5 x 20 x 31.1cm (each) Weight: 10kg (each) TODAY’S BEST DEALS £2,499 View at Sevenoaks Prime £2,499 View at Amazon £2,499 View at Richer Sounds Reasons to buy + Big performance leap + Clean, punchy sound + All-encompassing connectivity Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price Tidal is one of many streaming services directly accessible from the new KEF Connect app – you have Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer and Spotify, as well as internet radio and UPnP servers, at your fingertips too. Their Uni-Q driver array, beautiful Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Crimson Red Special Edition finishes, and curved front panel all combine to create a thorough head turner – and really, they ought to be.
Audio Pro Addon T3 Another compelling wireless speaker from Audio Pro 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 + Good balance + Expressive and dynamic + Faultless build Reasons to avoid – Size won’t suit everyone
And that is where the upgrade on something such as the Roll 2 is justified – the noticeable leap in audio quality will have you enjoying music much more readily than on a smaller speaker. The soundstage is gloriously spacious, giving each instrument enough room to breathe, and the sound is bathed in rich detail and fluid dynamics. Although we’re prepared to give it some good-natured ribbing for an aesthetic that abandons the dashing handsomeness of other Audio Pro speakers, the Drumfire is put together very well.
The big bottom portion of the Drumfire houses a 20cm subwoofer powered by a 200W Class D amplifier to pump bass into the room. Add in multi-room connectivity and the option to extend the Audio Pro family and you have an enticing, excellent high-end speaker.
It’s a refined listen, too, able to handle dynamic shifts without breaking a sweat, with a soundstage that opens up like a vista in front of you.
The multi-room titan’s first travel-friendly speaker (the 2019 Sonos Move is technically portable but weighs a hefty 3kg to the Roam’s 430g) isn’t short on connectivity or features. Specifications Hi-res support: 24-bit/96kHz Streaming services: N/A Bluetooth: 4.0 with aptX Inputs: RCA, 3.5mm, optical digital Finishes: 2 Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 15cm (each) Weight: 4kg (each) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 4 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Detailed, agile sonics + Spacious soundstage + Plenty of features Reasons to avoid – Don’t feel premium – Bluetooth issues – Pricey With Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, compatibility with TVs, and an optical input that supports 24-bit/96kHZ files, you’re not short of choice when it comes to sources you can add.
You’re also spoiled when it comes to placement – the Xeo 10s have a switch that optimises their performance depending on where you put them, be it close to a wall, in a corner or out in open space. DSP and analogue combine to great effect in these wireless wonders, and there are some nice design flourishes to show off (such as the ability to change volume by running your finger along the front edge of the top panel).
To get the most from them, you’ll need Dali’s Sound Hub, which is basically a wireless preamp that adds Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer music streaming, plus Bluetooth. It won’t leave you disappointed – the sound is dripping with drive and energy, while the bass has plenty of precision, agility and texture.
bluetooth speaker for office
Or set it near a wall and sound will radiate and reflect around the room, immersing you in that same feeling you felt at your favorite show. The tapered cylindrical shape makes this wireless speaker easy to grab and go, while a durable aluminum body provides worry-free protection.
Best Wireless Speakers for Your Office
A grating, annoying midrange—the tones where you hear most vocals and many instruments—might not be such a big problem in a portable speaker you take to the beach, but if you’re listening for hours at a stretch, any sonic flaws will stand out. All of the following stylish, good-sounding speakers do well in Consumer Reports’ labs, where we test for ease of use, versatility and, most of all, sound quality.
Best Speakerphone for Home Office-2021 Review and Buyers Guide
It may not even be loud enough to accommodate a good number of people intended for the meeting or conference. With a quality speakerphone, however, all this will no longer be a problem as they are built specifically for such circumstances. Here is where the speakerphone device comes in to save the day by allowing you to handle other minor tasks even when you are engaged in a call. This saves you time as you don’t have to call each person differently just to pass the same message.
This then activates a setting whereby the microphone picks up sound from a larger area than the usual. You can deactivate the setting at the end or even during the call by simply clicking the symbol again.
The speakerphone allows you hands-free calls providing much comfort, especially during longer conversations by eliminating the risk of wrist strain during these extended chats. This is an important feature that you need to put into consideration when selecting a good speakerphone for your home office use.
Consider going for one that comes equipped with a voice algorithm technology that will provide you with crystal clear HD audio.
In order to get the best quality audio experience, estimate the number of people you expect during the meeting.
Knowing the number of people to be served will enable you to optimize the sound proximity capability of your speakerphone. This would avoid instances where your speakerphone switches off due to low power in the middle of a crucial meeting.
Go for a quality speakerphone that is able to respond to voice commands with just a simple setup without you necessarily having to use your hands. A crucial factor is also the ability of your speakerphone to support applications such as FaceTime, Skype, and Cisco among others, to facilitate you conduct your meetings swiftly and seamlessly. This will enable you to easily pair with other devices as well as give you high-quality audio during your meetings. Speakerphones are designed in a perfect size for traveling with all its components in one compact package. They are light and small in size thus can easily fit in your travel bag. It also features an omnidirectional microphone that allows several other people to join the conversation on your end, making it ideal for conference calls.
The speaker is UC compatible, meaning that it can easily connect with most smartphones. What’s more, it has a noise-canceling technology that automatically filters out any background noises on both yours and the receiver’s end, allowing for precise and defined communication. Worried that its battery might die in the middle of an important business call?
It also comes with a smart button that will enable you to connect with Alexa and Siri, with the help of a Jabra Direct App. The buttons are big enough, soft, and LED style, allowing you to operate them comfortably. This speaker is a perfect option, considering it has all the features to provide clear and defined communication between you and your receiver, not mentioning how affordable it is.
It is also lightweight, weighing about 9 ounces, making it suitable for carrying around in your office bag. It is also equipped with noise-canceling technology and acoustic echo cancellation that eliminates any background noises that may be on your and receiver’s ends. It also features soft function buttons with LED indicators, making the speaker easy to operate. Lastly, it has a long-lasting battery that grants you up to 15 hours of talk time.
The device doesn’t work well in confined rooms that have echo problems. Its speakers are crafted to enhance voices on both ends, preventing you or your receiver from struggling to listen to the call.
It is also equipped with big enough LED indicated function buttons, making it easy to operate. It also features soft, LED styled function buttons, making it easy to operate. It is compatible with several conference apps and connects with other devices through Bluetooth or a USB cable.
The speakerphones allow you to keep up with your office without having to be physically present at the same location as your colleagues or clients.
It is easier for people who have a desk job and can’t leave for long hours. It makes it easier to listen and hear what is being said without interrupting someone who might be in your office environment or at their home.
With speakerphones, the speaker on the other end of a call is not interrupted by someone walking in or out of the office to get something from another room, which he/she may have to repeat. The best thing about our speakerphone selection is that they are portable so you can start a professional conference using apps like skype and zoom or conduct meetings through a normal phone call using your cellular network wherever you might be. MakerMag is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
The 9 Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2021
The best options balance high-quality audio with great battery life and durability, while almost all Bluetooth speakers feature some level of water and dust resistance.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portable Bluetooth speakers are the easiest, most affordable way to spread the sound from your phone or tablet across a room, backyard, or beach blanket. With clear vocal reproduction and a decent amount of bass for its size, it offers satisfying sound for a small area, such as across a picnic table or a couple of lounge chairs on a patio.
It has an IP67 rating and is one of the most rugged Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested, able to survive a 5-foot drop and a dunking in 1 meter of water—but because it floats, it’ll probably never dive that deep. The JBL Xtreme 3 is a great choice if you want a Bluetooth speaker that sounds bigger and bolder than our top pick yet is still portable enough to take to the beach or the tailgate.
This speaker is built for adventure: The IP67 rating means it’s waterproof and dustproof, the strong carrying strap makes it easy to lug along anywhere, and in our testing the Xtreme 3 ran for 17 hours on one charge. If you need something that sounds a little louder and fuller than the UE Wonderboom 2 but is more portable and affordable than the JBL Xtreme 3, the Sony SRS-XB33 finds a nice middle ground.
Be First to Comment