Portable and compact; Once fully charged you can listen to your music wirelessly for up to 10 hours Long range; 12-metre Bluetooth range so you can listen to your favourite music, audio books or watch a film with improved sound, without the hassle of it being plugged directly into your device Compatible; Play it your way with the choice of using micro SD, Bluetooth, Aux or USB input, giving you more freedom to listen to whatever you want, wherever you want Features; Also enables you to listen to FM radio and has a microphone so you can make hands-free calls at home Zennox Bluetooth Speaker Unleash the sound potential of your devices with this brilliant speaker from Zennox.
Best bluetooth speaker 2021: Wireless and portable speakers from Sonos, Anker and Bose
We’re not talking about music streaming services – that’s another kettle of fish entirely – or weighing up if vinyl is better than the rest. From clean, Scandi speakers to flashy light shows, the Bluetooth audio game has really gone up a notch.
On that point, we’ve tried to give you as wide a range of offerings as possible, from super portable poolside devices to boombox party starters and luxury, desktop setups. So, whether you’re looking for a backpack-friendly offering or are ready to invest in something for home; after hours of listening and testing, we have you covered.
– Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1: £200, Johnlewis.com Loudest Bluetooth speaker – Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd gen: £749, Premiumsound.co.uk
Best DAB radio 2021: The best digital radios for every budget
Don’t get us wrong: a good DAB radio makes the most of every station, bringing talk shows and music to life, but if you’re expecting hi-fi quality audio, you may feel mildly disappointed. The problem, until fairly recently, was that the UK authorities weren’t making DAB+ mandatory for stations, and only a handful broadcast in the format.
Some also have features that allow you to pause, and even rewind, live radio so that if you’ve missed the start of a programme or have to answer the door in the middle of a song, you don’t lose out. Some DAB radios work better as Bluetooth speakers than others, but it’s definitely a handy option if you’d rather drop the DJ and listen to your own playlists for a change.
The Majority Little Shelford does a decent job of capturing that fifties vintage look, but the gold plastic doesn’t look as good in the flesh and there are some minor issues with usability. It’s fine for news and talk shows, while pop, rock, classical and country programmes are perfectly enjoyable as long as you don’t push the volume up too high.
Key specs – Output: Not supplied; Display: 2 line mono LCD; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphone; Batteries: 4 x AA; Dimensions: 130 x 110 x 170mm While the quality is still a bit boxy and congested, with a muddy low-end, it’s both very listenable and easily tunable through preset and custom EQs.
Key specs – Output: 700mW; Display: 2.4in colour TFT; Bluetooth: 5; Connections: Headphone, micro-USB; Batteries: 4 x AA; Dimensions: 187 x 109 x 85mm It’s a practical option, too, with simple controls, basic features and a built-in battery that around 20 hours without a break when listening at moderate volume. Sure, the titchy display can be hard to read and the micro-USB charging port feels a bit outdated, but with its slick retro styling, zingy colours and smooth sound, this is one of the most desirable DAB radios out there. Key specs – Output: 6W; Display: 2.8in colour TFT; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphone, line-in; Batteries: Internal lithium-ion; Dimensions: 124 x 76 x 73mm
The Pure Evoke H3 is a lovely example of a mid-range DAB radio with a choice of oak and walnut cabinets in a compact bookshelf format that’ll fit as well in the kitchen or bedroom as the lounge. It’s easy to tune, switch sources and flick between stations, thanks to the clear 2.8in colour screen and a dual-mode dial that scrolls through menus and changes levels. Pure has done some clever audio tuning here to make the best of DAB and DAB+, and the Evoke H3 has a really crisp and lively presentation that’s superb on talk radio and great for rock, pop, classical and jazz. Key specs – Output: 6W; Display: 2.8in colour TFT; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphone, line-in; Batteries: Optional ChargePak B1; Dimensions: 115 x 110 x 180mm VQ’s Monty gives you the style of a high-end radio at a lower cost than the premium brands, with a choice of oak and walnut finishes that look fantastic. It’s best with talk radio, news and pop rather than more complex rock or classical music, as the output can be slightly boxy and some of the detail gets lost along the way. Get over that, though, and it’s easy to add your own presets or set alarms – and we like the way the sound fades in gently rather than giving you a sudden shock-start to the morning. Key specs – Output: 10W; Display: mono LCD screen; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphones, line-in, USB; Batteries: Optional Li-ion rechargeable; Dimensions: 130 x 186 x 100mm
The Revival RD70 combines the best of 1950s style and modern features, hiding a colour TFT screen among the old-school knobs and buttons at the top, while cramming in DAB, DAB+ and Bluetooth. Key specs – Output: Not stated; Display: 2.4in colour TFT; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphone, line-in; Batteries: 4 x AA; Dimensions: 252 x 160 x 104mm
Key specs – Output: Dual 4W; Display: CrystalVue+ LCD; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphone, line-in, USB; Batteries: No; Dimensions: 145 x 155 x 80mm Like the Revival RD70, it’s easy to use, and it sounds even better, with two drivers at the front and a bass unit at the rear delivering beefy, warm lows and mids and crystal-clear highs.
It looks great and sounds fantastic, with more weight and authority than you might expect from a compact, bookshelf radio and impressive levels of space and detail. Whether you like listening to rock and pop, classical or jazz, you’ll be impressed, and it handles radio news, sport, documentaries and drama with just as much skill.
Key specs – Output: Not stated; Display: 2.5in Monochrome OLED; Bluetooth: Yes; Connections: Headphone, line-in, USB Type-C; Batteries: Optional Backpack MkII; Dimensions: 130 x 135 x 175mm
10 of the best cheap Bluetooth speakers
There are nice big ones with great sound, and smaller portable (even waterproof) speakers that you can take with you to the beach. Battery life: Certain Bluetooth speakers will last for days without needing to be plugged in while others seem to run out of juice after just an afternoon of playing music.
A decent range is considered to be around thirty feet but you might want to go a bit higher if you live in a larger space or a two storey home.
Look for things like waterproof or water resistant capabilities and built-in drop protection if you expect to use your speaker outside or at parties.
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