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. 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. These speakers are obviously not portable at all, but if you want a centerpiece sound system for your living room or office they’re likely your best choice. 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.
How To Connect Wireless Speakers To Receiver Easily
One of the easiest ways is to buy an off-the-shelf speaker wireless connection kit. One thing to consider before you buy your wireless connection kit is the type of your speakers. Some transmitter kits have volume control and a connector button.
The quality of sound does not suffer in converting your wired speakers wireless.
Your 5.1 or 7.2 home theater set-up can even sound amazing with these wireless connection kits.
The best Bluetooth speakers 2021: the top portable speakers for any budget
The best Bluetooth speakers of 2021 are must-have devices for any music lover, thanks to their portable, durable designs and fantastic audio performances. Marshall Kilburn II Small and mighty Specifications Weight: 2.49Kgs Output: 36W Battery life: 20 hours Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 Aux-in: Yes Water resistance: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon 1 Amazon customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Clear top notes + Rugged and portable + Cool retro aesthetic Reasons to avoid – Slightly muddy bass – Can feel heavy For those who plan on taking a portable speaker to an outdoor party, Marshall Kilburn II will be a perfect companion.
While the bass can be a little muddy at times, it’s excellent for playing guitar music, and its portability means the Kilburn II is great for taking on the road. The loudness of the portable speaker is best suited for festivals and parties as it comes with multi-directional sound and backfiring tweeters. Marshall Kilburn II definitely stands out from the crowd with its retro look and portable feel, and of course, it all comes at a hefty price tag. The JBL Charge 4 is slightly bulky at 965 grams, but if that doesn’t bother you, it should be at the top of your shopping list. It offers thumping and loud audio without distortion at high volumes; is light enough to carry on a camping trip but remains durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected.
Google Nest Audio Specifications Weight: 1.2Kgs Battery life: Always connected Aux-in: No Water resistance: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Visit Site Reasons to buy + Subtle and unassuming design + Picks up voice commands very well + Better sound than its predecessor Reasons to avoid – Missing detail in the mids and trebles – Can sound harsh at higher volumes While Google promised better sound quality over the Home speakers, the Nest Audio doesn’t deliver the jump in performance we were hoping for.
The three microphones also did a good job of picking up our voice, amid both loud music and other noise in the room. It is also worth mentioning that this speaker is not made for outdoor usage as it needs to be plugged into a power outlet all the time.
The Nest Audio is good enough for the kitchen or a bedroom, but it doesn’t deliver enough volume to fill a bigger space. Amazon Echo(2020) Specifications Weight: 970g Battery life: Always connected Connectivity: Bluetooth BLE, Wired Aux-in: Yes Water resistance: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Futuristic look + Improved, adaptive sound + Alexa responds faster + Zigbee hub integration Reasons to avoid – Max volume isn’t loud enough – Not as clear as the Echo Studio – No Chromecast or Home Kit support To make things fancier, Amazon has wrapped the new Echo in a fabric grille and light ring around the base.
While it might not be the best sounding speaker, the additions like a built-in Zigbee smart home hub and a new AZ1 neural edge processor, the Echo provides 2x faster voice processing.
Sony SRS-XB23 Specifications Weight: 570g Battery life: 12 hours Connectivity: Bluetooth 5 Aux-in: Yes Water resistance: Yes, IP67 TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Good sound quality + Competitive price + Stereo pairing and Party Mode Reasons to avoid – Lower peak volume – Unclear battery level alerts While the Sony SRS-XB23 doesn’t have the best sound quality in its class, it seems like an affordable outdoor speaker that most people will love.
In terms of battery life, Sony promises about 12 hours of playback on a full charge but that’s the average when listening to music at 50% volume. BoAt Stone 1400 Specifications Weight: 1.8Kgs Battery life: 7 hours Output: 30W Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2 Aux-in: Yes Water resistance: Yes, IP67 TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Soundcore Anker Flare Specifications Weight: 531g Battery life: 12 hours Connectivity: Bluetooth Aux-in: Yes Water resistance: Yes, IPX7 TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Visit Site Reasons to buy + Impressive sound for the size + Waterproof + Excellent mobile app Reasons to avoid – Bass boost and EQ are very mild – Average battery life – Harsh at max volume
One of the best looking speakers on the list, the Anker Soundcore Flare brings the best features of its competitors into an affordable package that’s tough to beat.
For the price, the Flare offers good sound, a tough waterproof build and an excellent user experience. Sony SRS-XB13 Specifications Weight: 253g Battery life: 16 hours Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2 Aux-in: Yes Water resistance: Yes, IP67 TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Visit Site Reasons to buy + Relatively affordable + Diffused sound + Balanced sound quality + 16-hour battery life Reasons to avoid – Low max volume – Four-hour charge time – Awful microphone
On the brighter side, you get a pretty portable design, and in terms of sound quality, the SRS-XB13 is far better balanced than it was in years past. The Mi Smart Speaker comes with two mics with far-field voice wake up support which means you will be able to trigger the Google Assistant.
Wireless & Multiroom Audio: Speakers, Receivers & Audio Systems
If you’re setting up a home theater system, maybe you’ve already looked at adding a multiroom receiver that adds the ability to deliver high-quality audio to multiple speakers at once. If adding the ease of voice control is on your list of requirements, just look for speakers and sound bars that have Google Home or Amazon Alexa built in.
The 21 Best Indoor Bluetooth Speakers for Every Home
The best Bluetooth speakers used to be relegated to small, portable music players with often subpar sound, but the market has exploded in recent years. Or maybe a multi-room array like the systems Sonos specializes in, so you can wake up, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, and head into your home office, all without missing a single measure of Pharaoh Sanders’ life-giving melodies.
For listeners leery of Bluetooth’s audio quality—and it’s true that the technology uses lossy codecs, though many won’t notice the difference—a growing number of products connect directly over your wifi network to utilize Apple’s higher-resolution AirPlay system. Emily Lazar, a Grammy-winning engineer who has mastered records for Haim, Vampire Weekend, Clairo, Beck, and more, likes the Sonos One for its sound and versatility.
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. 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. These speakers are obviously not portable at all, but if you want a centerpiece sound system for your living room or office they’re likely your best choice.
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 Home Bluetooth Speaker
Using a Bluetooth tabletop speaker is the simplest way to get satisfying sound in the home, and we think Klipsch’s The One II is the best all-around choice. It has a full, clear, robust sound that made it the favorite of our panelists in a blind listening test, and its operation couldn’t be simpler. Bluetooth pairing is simple, and the One II, with nothing but an on/off switch, a volume control, and an input selector, is one of the simplest audio systems you can buy. The Marshall Woburn II is the muscle car of Bluetooth speakers, with dual woofers that produce powerful bass and a sound that’s robust enough to get a dozen people dancing.
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 £69 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 £1,519 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 The bass, made feasible by that larger chassis, doesn’t ruin the balance, instead it does just what it should, offering extra stability. 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. 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.
Best multi-room speakers 2021: one wireless system, music everywhere
Sonos is probably the best known maker of multi-room speaker systems but it’s facing stiff competition, with rivals offering simple-to-use controls and great sound quality. To help you pick a multi-room speaker that suits your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the best options, rated according to performance, connectivity, build quality and value for money. The Sonos One is one of the best-sounding multi-room speakers on the market, combining room-filling sound with Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant voice controls.
It also features Apple AirPlay 2 tech built in, so you can stream music, podcasts and radio stations directly from your iPhone or iPad.
Previous Echo products have appeared overly forward, brash in comparison with this now more sophisticated, insightful presentation. There are textures here – hisses, warbles and sweeps – that the Echo Plus seems to enjoy exploring, organising them neatly across a soundstage with great depth and dimension.
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 – and a previous 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.
Audio Pro Addon C10 MkII Audio Pro adds Google Cast and AirPlay 2 to a winning recipe Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD: 16.6 x 32 x 18cm Power: 2x5W + 15W Digital class D Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth V4.0, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast Connections: RCA, subwoofer 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 Now, the Swedish firm has released a sequel, the sensibly named Addon C10 MkII, promising enhanced functionality, sound quality and design.
It’s worth noting the 3.5mm aux input has gone, as has Alexa voice control (in favour of Google) and the carry handle. In the name of improved sound quality, Audio Pro has enhanced the electronics here and revised the bass port design, while for control there are additional buttons on the speaker itself. 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 £1,519 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 our most recent What Hi-Fi? Apple HomePod Mini 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): 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 £69 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.
But if you want stunning design and audiophile sound, you can’t go far wrong with the impressive Naim Mu-so 2, which sits more towards the top end of the price spectrum.
Building a multi-room system around the Mu-so 2 won’t be cheap, but you’ll be rewarded with premium build-quality, rich sound and plenty of bass. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the (appropriately-named) Roam is rated IP67 waterproof and boasts a 10 hour battery life – despite being a sixth of the size of the Move.
Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD: 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 cm Features: wi-fi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth V4.2, multi-room, Google Chromecast 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 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.
Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 25 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 Reasons to buy + Detailed, balanced sound + Multi-room integration + Quality build Reasons to avoid – Limited B&W app – Expensive Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD :17 x 34 x 15.5cm Power: : 100W Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD, Apple AirPlay2, Amazon Music, Tidal Connections: Ethernet, USB, 3.5mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Huge sound for its size + Detailed and spacious soundstage + Impressive functionality Reasons to avoid – Dynamics could be better – Lacks rhythmic precision
Detail, presentation and bass response are truly impressive, but the Pulse Mini 2i doesn’t quite have the authority to earn a coveted five stars. If its previous incarnation sounded somewhat muddled when pitted against current class leaders such as the Audio Pro Addon C10, the Pulse Mini 2i now feels more confident in such company.
Specifications Dimensions HxWxD: 4. x 10 x 10cm Power: 40mm driver Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Google Assistant, Chromecast Audio Connections: Micro USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock £29 View at B & Q Low Stock £29 View at B & Q £32.49 View at 365games.co.uk Reasons to buy + Affordable Google Assistant + Chromecast compatibility + Fine sound for speech radio Reasons to avoid – Sound quality is average for music – No aux or Bluetooth output – Device support could be better Pairing multiple Chromecast speakers for multi-room audio is delightfully simple, but it’s worth noting that the Mini lacks Bluetooth and an aux input.
Best Bluetooth wireless speaker for 2021
So while there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people it’s a question of finding a speaker that’s not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. David Carnoy/CNET When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its extra bass performance.
Available in three color options — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — it’s equipped with Bose’s PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether upright, hanging or flat on its back.
The Flex also floats and Bose says it can survive drops and bumps, with a soft silicone back and powder-coated steel grille that “won’t peel or flake and is resistant to corrosion and UV light.” Aside from its great design, Bose’s SoundLink Micro stood out because it was able to deliver more bass than every Bluetooth speaker in its size class, and it also managed to have limited distortion at higher volumes.
It’s IP67 dust-proof and water-resistant (it can be fully submerged in shallow water for a short time) and has up to eight hours of battery life at moderate volume levels with USB-C charging. Like the Bose, this portable Bluetooth speaker has an integrated strap so you can clip it to your backpack or bike’s handlebars.
But for the fourth-gen Clip 4, JBL has moved to a more oval shape, bulked up the speaker slightly and added USB-C charging. It’s kind of a poor man’s version of JBL’s well-regarded Xtreme 2 speaker, which currently sells for around $200 though its list price is higher.
Equipped with a handle and weighing a little over 4 pounds, the speaker reminds me of one of those giant flashlights or “floating lanterns” that were in vogue about 30 years ago. Anker says the Motion Boom delivers “huge stereo sound” and yes, it plays pretty loud and has a decent amount of bass with reasonable clarity.
According to JBL, the speaker is equipped with a “racetrack-shaped driver,” with a separate tweeter and dual passive radiators, which improves both clarity and bass performance over the Charge 4. The Charge 5 comes in six color options: black, blue, gray, red, teal and “squad” (which looks like a kind of camo). There’s an integrated handle for toting the speaker, but the PartyBox 110 is pretty hefty, weighing in at 23 pounds and measuring slightly more than 22 inches tall. I didn’t test the stereo mode, but I was impressed with the sound of a single PartyBox 110 — it puts out lots of well-defined bass with good overall clarity in the highs and mids — and I suspect that pairing two of these together would be pretty awesome.
But it does deliver enough volume to fill a spacious living room with sound and also plays loud enough for a small pool or beach party. This is your best bet if you want a portable speaker that can deliver big, quality sound and operates on battery power. This portable Bluetooth speaker is both dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and is rated for 16 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels (it has USB-C charging while the older XB12 didn’t). David Carnoy/CNET Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth speakers come in a few different sizes, but none of them are as big as the all-new Hyberboom. A supersize wireless speaker that tips the scales at a hefty 13 pounds, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny.
UE Boom reps told me the Hyperboom was created after the company got feedback from its customers looking for a bigger speaker that could play loud enough and have deep enough bass to power a party.
Besides sounding decent for streaming your favorite music and more, this affordable Bluetooth speaker is also fully waterproof. Like its predecessor, the fully waterproof Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 with Bluetooth connectivity carries a list price of $100, but often sells for less.
This Bluetooth device also has 30% better battery life — lasting up to 13 hours at moderate volume levels, according to Ultimate Ears — and you can link two together to create a stereo sound pairing by pressing a button on each speaker. Sarah Tew/CNET The Tribit MaxSound Plus ($50 with an instant coupon) is about 30% bigger than its sibling XSound Go and costs about $25 more, but it performs substantially better and is one of the best-sounding speakers in its size and price class. 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. Additionally, the smart speaker is Alexa-enabled, meaning you can activate Amazon’s voice commands assistant by just saying “Alexa.”
Sarah Tew/CNET Although a little pricey, Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in three color options, although the blue version appears to be hard to find.
The best wireless speaker 2021: our top picks from Sonos, Bose, Google, and more
The best wireless speakers in 2021 come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, from compact voice assistant-enabled desk buddies right through to big multi-room models that’ll fill your home with sound. Sonos One The best wireless speaker you can buy Specifications Weight: 4.08 lbs Dimensions: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 inch / 161.45 x 119.7 x 119.7 mm Drivers: 1 x tweeters, 1 x woofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 2 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Full-bodied, rich sound + Alexa and Google Assistant + Combine two for stereo setup Reasons to avoid – Expensive for its size Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021) The best wireless speaker for a detailed sound Specifications Weight: 6.5kg Dimensions: 210 x 650 x 194mm (H x W x D) Drivers: 2 x 1-inch tweeters, 2 x 3.5-inch midrange, 1 x 6-inch subwoofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 5, Spotify Connect, Bowers & Wilkins Music App (with Deezer, Qobuz and TIDAL support) Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Balanced, detailed, full-range sound + Very acceptable control app Reasons to avoid – Not quite the stereo separation we were led to expect – Would suit an HDMI input nicely
While it isn’t a substitute for an actual pair of stereo speakers, the Zeppelin serves up a wide, well-defined and endlessly engaging sound, no matter the genre of music.
Sonos Play:5 The best-sounding wireless speaker from Sonos Specifications Weight: 13.8lbs Dimensions: 8.03 x 14.33 x 6.06 inch / 204 x 364 x 154 mm Drivers: 3 x tweeters, 1 x woofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon 288 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Easy to setup + Powerful sound Reasons to avoid – Simple design – Too big for some spaces Pure Evoke C-F6 The best wireless speaker with a radio Specifications Weight: 9.2lbs Dimensions: 14.9 x 5.7 x 8.7 inch / 380 x 145 x 223 mm Drivers: 2 x 3″ full range Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Modest and attractive design + Incredible playback options + Built-in radio Reasons to avoid – No Google Cast support
There’s a dazzling array of audio source options on offer here, with the biggest draws being Spotify Connect, DAB, Internet radio, Bluetooth and old faithful CD playback. 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. Naim Mu-So Qb The best wireless speaker for stylish homes Specifications Weight: 12.3lbs Dimensions: 8.26 x 8.58 x 8.24 / 210 x 218 x 212 mm Drivers: 1 x Woofer, 2 x Mid-range, 2 x Tweeter, 2 x Passive Radiator Supported Connectivity: UPnP, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 122 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Amazing looks + Full and vibrant sound + Small form factor Reasons to avoid – Setup isn’t seamless You might not have heard of it before, but Naim audio is a company that produces some of the most stylish connected speakers in the business, and we think the Mu-So Qb is the best they’ve put out yet.
But even if you don’t have your phone in hand, this wireless speaker is still controllable using its sleek touch-screen which allows you to access internet radio stations, for example. Sonos Arc The best wireless speaker for your TV Specifications Weight: 24.6lbs Dimensions: 3.4 x 45 x 4.5 inch / 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm Drivers: 11 high quality drivers Supported Connectivity: Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Sonos US & Canada View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus + Discrete all-in-one soundbar + Amazing surround sound and music playback Reasons to avoid – Doesn’t suit every room It then enhances the 3D soundscape using Dolby Atmos object tracks to bounce certain sounds off the walls around you so they feel like they’re coming at you from all angles.
While all this might sound complicated, the Sonos Arc setup couldn’t be simpler, involving just a couple of steps on the smartphone app.
The minimalist cable connections and all-in-one system construction add to this no-fuss feeling and streamlined aesthetic – making it the best soundbar you can buy in 2021 that doubles up as a fantastic wireless speaker for your TV. Google Home Max The best Google Assistant home speaker Specifications Weight: 7lbs Dimensions: 13 x 7.3 x 5.9 inch / 335 x 187 x 150 mm Drivers: 2x Tweeters, 2x Woofers Supported Connectivity: DLNA, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Bed Bath & Beyond View at Musician’s Friend Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Sounds incredible + Google Cast built-in + Bluetooth compatible Reasons to avoid – Better sounding speakers are available
KEF LS50 Wireless II The best stereo wireless speakers Specifications Weight: 44.31lbs Dimensions: 12 x 7.9 x 12.2 inch / 305 x 200 x 311 mm Drivers: Uni-Q Driver Array, low frequency aluminium cone, high frequency vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON Ready, UPnP Compatible. Add to this a vastly improved app, the ability to adjust the EQ settings, and blissfully easy setup, and you have yourself a pair of stereo speakers that can really do no wrong in our eyes.
Marshall Stanmore The best speaker for rock lovers Specifications Weight: 10.3lbs Dimensions: 13.8 x 7.3 x 7.3 inch / 350 x 185 x 185 mm Drivers: 2x Mid-to-high range, 1x Woofer Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, USB, Toslink/3.5mm Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Verishop Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon 2 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Lots of connectivity options + Great retro design Reasons to avoid – Big heavy build – Pricey compared to better-sounding options The Amazon Echo Studio is an impressive offering – a smart-speaker and Dolby Atmos immersive sound home cinema unit, all in one tidy package. Some of its experiments with upmixing stereo sources can sound a bit confused, but it’s otherwise a very powerful, feature-rich smart speaker – especially considering the price. But that’s a huge expense, and not practical for all living room arrangements, making the powerful Echo Studio an impressive value option.
[Update: We’ve just reviewed the Amazon Echo Show 10, which comes with a rotating screen and can double up as a home security camera.] Apple HomePod mini The best wireless speaker for Siri Specifications Weight: 0.76lbs Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch / 8.43 x 9.79 x 9.79 cm Drivers: Full-range driver and dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, AirPlay Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy View at Walmart View at Staples Reasons to buy + Incredible sound + Sleek design + Only smart speaker with Siri built-in Reasons to avoid – Needs Apple Music for full function – Small number of compatible smart home devices Braun LE01 The best one-box hi-fi system Specifications Weight: N/A Dimensions: 27.5 x 10.6 x 3.89 inch / 700 x 271 x 99mm Drivers: 3 x front-firing drivers, 2 x passive radiators and 3 x class D amplifiers Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, AirPlay, Chromecast Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Refined sound and build quality + Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast streaming Reasons to avoid – Needs to be set up using Google Home – Basic app The Devialet Phantom I is a continuation of the French audio brand’s iconic range of wireless speakers, which come with powerful side-firing bass reflex ports that pulse in time to your music.
The sound is nothing short of outstanding, and a good range of connectivity options and an easy-to-use app make the Phantom I easy to recommend – if you have a lot of money to spare, that is. This speaker packs a real punch, presenting a powerful, immersive sound, thumping bass, smooth mids and detailed trebles.
If you’re looking for room-filling sound, check out models that feature 360-degree grilles and disperse audio at all angles; the Amazon Echo Studio or the Sonos One are good places to start.
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