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 Prime View at Amazon View at Sevenoaks View at very.co.uk 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 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 Prime View at Amazon View at very.co.uk View at John Lewis 8 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 View at Currys Prime View at Amazon View at argos.co.uk 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. 150 ft Frequency response: 45 – 20,000Hz Drivers: N/A NFC: Yes Aux-in: N/A USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at John Lewis View at Currys Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent sound performance + Smart dual connection function + Stylish design Reasons to avoid – Fairly heavy at 13lbs
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 Prime View at Amazon View at John Lewis View at very.co.uk 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.
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 Check 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.
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 Prime View at Amazon View at Sevenoaks View at very.co.uk 582 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 John Lewis View at Sevenoaks Check 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. 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. Sonos Roam The best Bluetooth speaker that comes with Wi-Fi Specifications Weight: 0.95lbs Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inch / 168 x 60 x 62 mm Drivers: One tweeter, one mid-woofer Supported connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 Aux-in: No USB : Yes (USB-C) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Sevenoaks View at very.co.uk Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Powerful audio performance + Easily portable design + Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Reasons to avoid – Bass can be overwhelming
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 Low Stock View at Audio Visual Online Check Amazon 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 Prime View at Amazon View at Sevenoaks View at very.co.uk 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.
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. 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. As ever with virtualized surround sound, it’s not as impactful as having discrete physical speaker channels above and behind you, hooked up to an AV receiver. 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 John Lewis View at very.co.uk View at argos.co.uk 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 That’s a good thing, because the LE01 smart speaker comes with only Bluetooth 4.2; there’s no sign of aptX hi-res audio streaming. 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.
10 Best Wireless Speakers For TV In 2021
If you’ve been searching for an easy way to improve the sound of your TV, you have come to the right place. It all started with mobile phones – people loved the convenience of having a device without wires.
The introduction of Bluetooth technology made it possible to make wireless headsets and headphones.
Since Bluetooth connection was such a convenient way of transferring sound, the only normal thing was to start making wireless speakers.
You can place your wireless (RF, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi) speaker near you while watching TV and hear everything loud and clear. In some cases, wireless speakers feature voice enhancement software in order to make all the dialogues clearer for people with hearing issues.
You will find there a lot of soundbars and bookshelf speakers with Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi connectivity. That base has to be connected to your TV through some of the available audio output ports (usually AUX or RCA OUT) and it has to be powered (have to be plugged into a wall socket).
The bad thing is that there shouldn’t be many obstacles between the transmitter (base) and the receiver (speaker).
It is not absolutely necessary for the base and the speaker to be in line of sight – RF signal will go through one or multiple walls, but it will get much weaker and the reception won’t be great. Because of this compression, you won’t get perfect audio quality and, even more important, you might experience some sound delays (or lags). There is no way to completely eliminate audio delay but making it imperceptible is good enough for most people.
Having a Bluetooth speaker that supports aptX low latency isn’t the only precondition. Most of the manufacturers recommend using one of the digital (or even analog) INPUT/OUTPUT ports to connect your TV to your wireless speaker and use the Bluetooth feature to stream audio content from other Bluetooth-enabled devices (phones and other Apple, Android, and Windows devices). You can use a Bluetooth connection to pair your TV with your speaker (soundbar) but you have to know that sound won’t always be in sync with the video. Wi-Fi speakers for TV are the next big thing when it comes to wireless audio.
The same goes for any other brand – the fact that all the speakers use the same Wi-Fi network is mandatory but it isn’t the only condition for them to work together. You will find a bunch of small devices called Bluetooth transmitters (or transceivers) on the Amazon and you can buy one for $25-$60.
Serene Innovations was established in 2002 in California but their products are engineered and manufactured in China. Serene Innovations does not make only audio equipment but all kinds of electronic devices for people with different disabilities (for those who are hard of hearing, for those with low vision or with limited mobility). Some of their most recognizable products are amplified phones, loud ringers, and TV speakers. Some of the biggest flaws are construction quality, occasional static noise, and price (in our opinion, this speaker is overpriced). Depending on the type of TV you have, you might need additional equipment to make things work. The greatest part of the front side is covered with that grille that protects two 5W drivers (and 2 class-D amplifiers) On the left side, you will find TONE switch (there are three available positions – HI, MED, and LO and you can use them to adjust or enhance certain frequencies depending on your preferences), AUX input (you can use this port to connect the speaker to your TV or to any other audio source (phone, tablet, PC) through AUX cable if there is some problem with wireless connection), headphone output (in case you don’t want to disturb others with the sound, you can connect any wired headphones to the speaker), and DC input (in case you buy that AC to DC adapter you can power the speaker if the battery is running low).
You just need to connect the base to your TV with one of the cables from the box (or those digital optical or coaxial that you bought separately) and plug the adapter into the wall outlet. The speaker is very lightweight, it has a small footprint, and the range is approximately 100ft so you can take it to the kitchen, to your bedroom, or even to the bathroom and still get great reception. TONE modes will improve the listening experience for people who are hard of hearing. They say that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder but we still think that Serene Innovations should make some improvements regarding the design. A certain number of customers (maybe some 5% of them) experienced battery issues and had troubles connecting the speaker to the base. We should also mention the fact that the base uses 2.4GHz frequency to transmit the audio signal and it might interfere with your Wi-Fi network.
If you have a dual-band wireless router, you can avoid any interference by using 5GHz frequency for your Wi-Fi devices. It’s one of the oldest American audio equipment manufacturers and it’s been making all kinds of speakers, amplifiers and other electronic devices (for everyday and professional use) for decades (since the 1960s).
If your TV doesn’t feature any of these ports (some newer TV devices have only digital inputs and outputs), you are going to need some digital optical (or coaxial cable) and DAC device in order to connect everything properly. Also, if you want, you can buy an additional AC to DC adapter for the speaker (you will only get one for the base). There is nothing difficult about the setup process if your TV has RCA OUT ports or headphone OUT, but if it doesn’t you will need additional cable and a DAC device. Just like with Serene Innovations TV Soundbox, you will be able to pair up to 50 speakers with only one base and play the same audio on all of them (great expansion abilities).
This speaker is not as loud as Serene Innovations TV Soundbox and that’s one of the features that should be improved. Considering the number of people that are happy with this device we can’t really say this is a common issue and you will always have that 1-year warranty in case something happens (unless you break the speaker or the base). It was established in 1998 and, since then, they’ve been making hearing aid and voice clarifying devices (headphones and speakers) for TV. The best thing about this speaker and the thing that makes it so expensive is voice clarifying technology that enhances voices and dialogues and reduces all the other noises and music making it much easier for people with all kinds of hearing impairment to hear the dialogues loud and clear. The speaker comes in a nice branded box with different illustrations and all the important features written on it. Inside the packaging, there are one speaker and one infrared transmitter (this transmitter can be used as a charging station for TV Ears headphones but they are not included in the price and you will have to buy them separately), two power adapters (one for transmitter, the other for the speaker – speaker is not battery-powered and has to be plugged in all the time), a set of cables (3.5mm to 3.5mm auxiliary cable, 3.5mm to RCA, and digital optical cable), user manual, and 5-year warranty card. Inside the speaker, you will find two full-range drivers with two small bass ports. On the top of the transmitter, there are two charging cradles for TV ears headphones (you can buy them separately if you want). Also, the speaker and the transmitter have to be in line of sight and if someone or something blocks a signal by standing between these two devices, the audio will stop playing.
It has been part of the audio industry for less than 2 decades and, in that time, SONOS has become one of the most popular brands when it comes to wireless (Wi-Fi) speakers, soundbars, and home theater systems. To be honest, there is not much competition in this field – there are only a few manufacturers worth mentioning that make this kind of speakers and manage to maintain certain quality (Bose, Denon, and a few more). When someone says wi-fi or multiroom speaker system, the first name that comes to mind has to be SONOS (at least, for the majority of people).
Some of the best things about this soundbar are great sound quality and clarity, fashionable and attractive design, wi-fi connectivity (and with wi-fi connectivity comes compatibility with Amazon Echo and Alexa, and with bunch of streaming services and internet radio stations), possibility of expansion to 5.1 home theater system (Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound format is supported), ease of use, and some additional modes you can activate via SONOS app (like Night Mode and Dialogue Enhancement). Downsides of this PLAYBAR are the lack of support for DTS surround sound formats, the fact that you have to use SONOS app to stream anything, and unimpressive bass-response. You will get a nice-looking box with all the important things you need to make it work (including cables).
The most of it is black and there is only nice silver strip with SONOS logo on the front side.
There is only one IR sensor on this side and it will light red when you increase or decrease the volume. There are only three control buttons on the right end of the soundbar – play/pause/mute button and two volume buttons along with LED status indicator (it will be solid white when the soundbar is on and working properly, you will see flashing white light during boot up, solid green when muted, flashing green when the soundbar is ready for setup, solid orange if it’s overheated, alternating between orange and white or if it’s flashing green it means that there is something wrong with the unit (probably overheating), if you get flashing white and green it means that your product hasn’t been registered, and if you get flashing red and white it means that the update wasn’t successful).
SONOS speakers, as well as this soundbar, are among the best-looking audio devices on the market, and when it comes to design, we think that there is probably no one who wouldn’t like this kind of simple and stylish look. You can control the volume through those buttons on the unit itself, but you can also use your TV remote (you just have to follow the instructions from the user manual), or your SONOS app that you have to install on your phone or tablet (both Android and Apple devices are supported). Setup takes some time but it’s actually really simple and you just have to follow all the steps to connect the soundbar to your home wi-fi network.
The soundbar has to be connected to your TV through a digital optical cable which kind of ruins wireless nature of this device. The great thing about this soundbar is that it allows expansion to a real home theater system by adding a subwoofer (SONOS calls it simply SUB) and/or two PLAY:1, PLAY:3 or PLAY:5 speakers. So, if you like SONOS devices and you don’t have enough money for all of them at once, you can buy each unit separately (start from PLAYBAR and then make upgrades).
The soundbar doesn’t support any of DTS surround sound audio formats and if you buy any of those upgrades (SUB or SONOS speakers) you won’t get much use of these upgrades when playing some Blu-ray video with DTS surround sound. It’s been one of the biggest players in the audio industry for more than 5 decades and it has a huge fan base, especially in the US. It’s more like something that you can use to slightly improve the sound of your TV if your room is not big enough for something stronger (bigger) or for home theater system. Like all the BOSE products, Solo 5 comes in a premium box, nicely packed and protected.
Inside the box, you will find your soundbar, a universal remote with 2 AAA batteries (you can use that remote not only for the soundbar but also for your TV, Blu-ray or DVD player), power cable, digital optical cable, user manual, and 1-year warranty card. The front side is covered with black aluminum grille with BOSE logo in the middle of it. There is also a power input and a USB port (can’t be used for music playback, only for firmware updates). Today’s audio equipment becomes more and more complicated with a bunch of buttons and different modes.
BOSE didn’t put any control buttons on the soundbar and made it look really elegant. Of course, this is only one point of view – some people might actually like having a bunch of control buttons on the soundbar and if you are one of them, you won’t be impressed with Solo 5. You can do all the basic stuff (increase and decrease the volume or activate dialogue mode) immediately but if you want to program the remote and use it for your TV (or some other device), you will have to read the manual carefully and follow the instructions. You can pair Solo 5 even with your TV but you can’t use it to watch movies because the soundbar doesn’t feature support for aptX low latency codec and there will be significant sound lag.
There is a bunch of cheaper options on the market that sound better (more balanced and accurate) than this Solo 5. Everything from the mid-range sounds pretty good, voices are loud and clear even without Dialogue Enhancement mode but the lack of bass and high frequencies is a bit too obvious.
There are only 2 full-range drivers in the middle and that’s not the way to make a wide soundstage or to achieve great sound imaging.
Bass is really weak so don’t expect explosions or special effects to sound good. Yamaha is one of the most popular brands when it comes to home theater systems, TV speakers and soundbars, and AV receivers. Yamaha offers great sound quality and performance for a decent price.
Yamaha products are usually not too pricey and they do tend to offer very good quality for the price. Some of the upsides of this soundbar are very good sound quality with built-in ‘’subwoofers’’ (they are not really subwoofers since they are small (3 inches diameter) and for a good bass response you need at least 8 inches), 2 woofers and 2 tweeters, possibility of adding one more (external) active subwoofer, HDMI input and output ports with HDCP 2.2, HDR, CEC, and ARC support, Bluetooth connectivity, simplicity of use, different audio filters and Voice Enhancement mode.
It is made of plastic, but everything is wrapped in some kind of soft fabric that makes it look much less plasticky and maybe more expensive.
You can see that it’s made of plastic only if you look at the back (or if you look at bass reflex ports on both ends of the soundbar).
There is a control bar with really small LED status indicators (DD/DTS, DPL, HDMI, TV, ANALOG, BLUETOOTH, SURROUND, BASS EXTENSION, CLEAR VOICE) and touch-sensitive control buttons (SOURCE, MUTE, VOLUME UP/DOWN, POWER ON/OFF) near the bottom. The design of this soundbar is visually appealing – it’s super-slim, simple, it’s not flashy or distracting, but it still brings a small touch of elegance to your room.
After selecting the source, you can adjust the volume, select one of the audio filters, shift between stereo and surround sound modes, adjust the amount of bass or mute the subwoofers (this comes in handy if you decide to buy an additional subwoofer), etc. 3D surround sound is a way of simulating different effects in order to make your listening experience more lifelike and it works with DTS:X object-based audio (you have to install firmware update in order to make your soundbar capable of playing this audio format).
In surround sound mode you can choose one of the audio filters – Music, Sports, TV Program, Game, Movie. The soundbar also features Bluetooth version 4.1 but unfortunately, you can’t connect it wirelessly to your TV because there is no aptX Low Latency codec support. In Bluetooth mode, there is also an audio filter called Clear Voice that really improves the sound quality of streamed music by reducing the noise. What is really interesting is that Yamaha already predicted that some of the users may not be happy with the amount of bass the unit produces and they included additional subwoofer output so you can extend your home audio system from soundbar to soundbar + active subwoofer.
This unit struggled with bass heavy music and with some explosions and gunshots during movies and there was a noticeable distortion at higher volumes. It’s affordable and it offers some audio improvement compared to your TV speakers, but do not raise your expectations too high. If you have a smaller TV (30-40 inches), you will experience more noticeable improvement in loudness and sound quality. It looks quite stylish – the front and top side are wrapped in some nice-looking fabric with an aluminum part with controls and LED status indicators in the middle. Digital optical input is always preferred connection but you will have to buy the cables separately since you won’t get any. Connecting the unit to your TV is quite simple – you can use one of the inputs depending on the output ports on your TV (most of today’s TVs feature only digital outputs so you will have to buy digital or coaxial optical cable).
You can use the Bluetooth to stream music from Bluetooth-supported devices (phones, tablets, PCs). You can’t use your TV remote to control the soundbar unless it features Infrared learning option.
Also, the unit won’t remember your device after you turn it off and you will have to go through pairing process every time. Edifier is a Chinese company but it’s not like a bunch of others that make cheap products with mediocre quality.
Edifier manufactures high-quality audio equipment (different types of speakers and headphones) for everyday and professional use. Edifier exists for more than two decades and it is one of our favorite brands when it comes to mid-end affordable products. Edifier’s speakers are definitely not cheap but they maintain a perfect ratio between the price and quality. The best things about Edifier S1000DB are great audio clarity with detailed mids and highs, great loudness, a bunch of connection options along with Bluetooth connectivity, premium design with wooden finish, and simple installation and use.
The biggest downsides are unresponsive remote buttons and maybe a bit weaker bass for our taste. The front side of the passive and active speaker is very similar – it’s covered with removable and transparent black grille and you can see the drivers through it. The only difference between two speakers is that the active one has IR receiver with LED status indicators at the bottom. You can connect multiple devices to the speaker (your PC, TV, DVD player, gaming console, etc.
The installation process is very simple and you shouldn’t have any problems connecting the speakers to your TV, PC, or any other device. In order to connect the TV, you should use either digital optical or coaxial inputs, and you can use LINE IN for your PC.
Make the initial volume, bass, and treble adjustments and you are ready to use the unit. The buttons are not responsive and you have to press them twice or three times to get the input you want or to adjust the volume. The company is best known for its TVs but they also make mobile phones, tablets, soundbars, speakers, and home theater systems. The greatest highlight in terms of sound quality is the reproduction of mid-range frequencies.
We were also not completely happy with the ease of use (we have experienced some issues regarding LED status indicators, remote, and source changing) but the worst thing was the bass – it is incredibly weak, almost nonexistent. Along with the soundbar, you will get a remote, power adapter, digital optical, coaxial, RCA to 3.5mm cable, wall mount brackets, screws, and template, a quick start guide, and 1-year warranty card. On the front side, in the left corner, there are 12 small LED status indicators. Inside the speaker, there are two 2.5-inch full-range drivers (this is basically 2.0 stereo sound system). There is a possibility that your TV remote will work with the soundbar without any additional settings, but VIZIO doesn’t provide any info on this. With this remote, you can turn on or off the soundbar, choose input or go to Bluetooth pairing, adjust the volume, control the playback (in Bluetooth mode), activate DTS TruVolume (TVOL button) or DTS TruSurround HD (TSHD), mute the unit, or adjust the bass or treble.
The setup of the unit should not take more than half an hour (even if you want to mount it on the wall). The soundbar features a Bluetooth connection and you can use it to stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can’t connect your smart TV to the soundbar wirelessly via Bluetooth and watch video content since it doesn’t support aptX low latency (sound delay is too big). Pairing is simple (you just have to press Bluetooth button on the remote or on the soundbar, find SB2920 on your phone, tablet, etc.
One more good thing we have to notice is that voices and mid-range frequencies really sound loud and clear, even at high volumes. You can’t expect something with only two small drivers sitting in front of you to imitate cinematic surround sound experience. You can adjust (add) the bass through the remote, but the reproduction of mids will suffer a lot. In general, that’s a good thing but you probably don’t want it to turn off if there is no signal for a few minutes.
A group of former Cambridge SoundWorks employees led by Tom Hannaher (the CEO of the ZVOX) decided to start their own business.
ZVOX is one of the pioneers when it comes to soundbars and sound base home theater systems. In 2008, ZVOX made the first ever sound base – low profile cabinet with a bunch of drivers packed inside in order to offer perfect home theater sound in one small device that goes under your TV. The best features of this soundbar are extraordinary build quality, great sound quality (when it comes to soundbars, this one is comparable only to SONOS PLAYBAR), AccuVoice and Output Leveling features along with different surround settings, digital inputs, Bluetooth connectivity, and subwoofer output.
We didn’t find a lot of bad things to complain about – the remote and the display look like they came from the 1980s and some improvements in this area could be beneficial. Bass on this device is better than on any other soundbar we’ve reviewed but you can’t expect extremely deep and rich lows. That’s why you have the option to expand this system by adding a powered subwoofer (preferably one with a low-pass filter). The presentation doesn’t really match ZVOX 500 quality but everything is nicely packed and protected and that’s the most important.
You can use it to turn on/off the soundbar, shift between 4 different inputs (one analog, two digital, and Bluetooth), turn on the AccuVoice feature, choose one of the three surround sound modes, adjust bass and treble, adjust or mute the volume. Depending on the position, you should choose a different type of sound profile from the PS menu.
You can activate this menu by pressing Power and Volume Up button (on the unit itself, not on the remote) for five seconds. It’s not perfect, and it won’t leave you speechless, but you can’t expect a mind-blowing bass from a soundbar anyway.
It comes in handy during the commercial breaks, but it’s not perfect and we preferred watching movies with Output Leveling turned off.
Without the additional subwoofer, this unit is not a great choice for music, but it is perfect for any TV content. If you didn’t find the right speaker for your TV on this list and you are planning to keep on with your search, we have a few pieces of advice for you. The Most Important Characteristics You Should Pay Attention to When Buying Wireless Speakers for TV
If you are hard of hearing, you are going to need a speaker that’s able to enhance some frequencies (voices and dialogues, for example). If your hearing is fine and you just need something that’s going to improve your listening experience and immerse you in the content you’re watching (movies, series, etc.) you will need something with a stronger and punchier bass (in order to bring all those special sound effects to life).
If you are buying RF speaker you should always check which inputs are available on the base and which outputs are available on your TV (usually, you will have to use AUX or RCA).
If you have a Bluetooth speaker (and if it features aptX low latency support) and a TV with built-in Bluetooth (with aptX low latency support), you don’t really need any wires and inputs but it’s always nice to have a backup option. Wi-Fi speakers (especially the unit that gets connected to your TV) usually have one or more inputs (digital optical, coaxial, RCA, AUX, etc.).
Bluetooth and RF speakers have batteries and most of them are portable which means that you don’t have to use them only indoors. Wireless speakers have been available for more than 10 years and they are getting better every day but still, if you need a great audiophile experience you should always go for wired ones.
Some of them have base (charging station) that has to be connected to your TV and has to be plugged into the wall socket all the time (like RF speakers).
Can a Smart TV Connect to Bluetooth Speakers?
Most smart TVs allow users to browse the web, stream videos on YouTube—even connect their television to an external Bluetooth speaker. Most first-generation smart TVs may lack the ability to connect to a Bluetooth speaker, unlike recent TV models. While most smart TVs today are compatible with Bluetooth-related devices, you should keep in mind that other, older models may not be able to do so.
To find out whether your smart TV can work with Bluetooth devices, look at its specs online or in the manual that came with it to see if it is compatible.
If you’ve confirmed that your TV is Bluetooth-compatible, it should be easy for you to connect it with your speakers using the steps below: If you find that you still cannot connect your Bluetooth device, make sure your speaker is also compatible with smart TVs. If so, and you still can’t connect after multiple attempts, contact your TV manufacturer’s customer service helpline for more assistance. However, if you plan on using a large portable speaker to connect, make sure that it’s compatible with your TV before attempting to pair them.
That being said, Bluetooth speakers offer plenty of benefits, especially when you connect it to your smart TV.
Connect a Bluetooth device to your Samsung TV
A Samsung representative at Best Buy can set up a personal demonstration for your next galaxy device.
Best premium Bluetooth speakers that offer the best sound quality
Its compact form factor and striking design make for an attractive Bluetooth speaker. It is perfect for outdoor settings and features like water resistance, wireless charging and 10 hours playback time make it a great option. It comes with a waterproof, dustproof and shockproof design that makes it a good option for pool parties and beaches.
It comes with Alexa built-in, allowing users to check the weather, make calls, set alarms and more with voice commands.
It supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to play music, pay bills, set reminders and more with voice commands.
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.
The benefits are obvious, allowing your favourite tracks to play from multiple speakers for a more immersive sound – rather than a single fixed point.
Our top pick is the Ruark R1 Mk4 (£229) – offering DAB and FM options in a stylish, living room-friendly design. 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 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
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. Similarly, if you only have a small zip compartment in the top of your backpack for a sonic travel companion, this speaker is worthy of that space. 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
The Roam works perfectly well as a standalone Bluetooth speaker but it’s also designed to be immersed in the company’s burgeoning multi-room ecosystem. 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.
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.
Top 10 Best Wireless TV Speakers You Should Buy In 2021 Reviews
A home theater system is front of center of any modern living room. These days, high-definition television reigns supreme when it comes to enjoying your favorite content.
Nothing can ruin the aesthetic of an otherwise brilliant home theater set-up than a sound system with clunky, tangled wires running from your mounted flatscreen to speakers located elsewhere.
That’s why if you are looking to pull out all the stops, you should consider a wireless TV speaker to add to your collection.
Equipped with Dolby Digital surround sound, this wireless speaker system provides dramatic spatial dimension to soundtracks and enhanced audio definition for an engaging listening experience. This VIZIO speaker includes a separate wireless subwoofer that adds deep bass for an immersive media experience.
It can be placed up to 60 feet away from the bar speaker, allowing you to create a personalized and optimal sound bubble within your home, regardless of the size of the room. With built-in Bluetooth technology, you can link up any of your devices to effortlessly stream music with the touch of a button. Featuring Dolby, this wireless speaker offers up to 97 decibels of clear and powerful sound with less than 1% harmonic distortion.
And at 5.2 pounds, this lightweight device can be placed anywhere and moved around to another location at a moment’s notice. With Bluetooth capability, this speaker connects effortlessly with any device so you can create an immersive musical experience when you aren’t watching your favorite movie. Effortlessly control the volume, connect a device, or switch inputs in a relaxed reclined position.
With the Sonos Playbar Soundbar, you can enjoy crisp and clear dialogue along with impressive, high-quality bass. This speaker was specially tuned by Oscar winning sound engineers to provide excellent voice quality so that you can easily follow the storyline of any TV show or movie. Using Wifi, you can connect to any other Sonos speakers you have in the house, allowing you to bring your entire home together in one sound experience. If you have an Alexa device, you can sync it with the Playbar and control it with voice commands. It is also made to be mounted directly onto the wall, leaving your surfaces free for other things. The Yamaha Sound Bar also includes a wireless subwoofer that can be placed at a distance from the TV, allowing you to truly hear and feel what is happening on screen.
So, you can control all aspects of its functionality with the sound of your voice without having to buy an entirely different device. 5 Polk Audio MagniFi Mini Home Theater Surround Sound Bar At a little over a foot long, the Polk’s powerful drivers, coupled with patented SDA audio technology, provides crystal clear sound akin to some of the best wireless speakers for TV.
Included with the speaker is a wireless subwoofer that fills whatever room you choose with deep multi-dimensional surround sound. It also features mode settings that you can use to find the perfect levels for sports, movies, music, and a lot more. You can link up with Google Play, Spotify, or Pandora to listen to your favorite songs and podcasts.
If you are a person that considers themselves a minimalist but doesn’t want to sacrifice quality or sound, then our next best wireless TV speaker might just be the one for you. Built directly into the speaker are dual subwoofers that provide deep and rich bass without needing a completely separate unit. DTS Virtual:X surround sound, this speaker will make you feel like the action is right in the middle of your living room. You can also use Alexa to play your favorite music from Spotify, listen to the news, or set alarms. When putting together a home theater system, some people want to bring the full power of the cinema into their living rooms. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite is the first true discrete soundbar with two wireless subwoofers and two rear speakers that give you an incredible and completely immersive sound. The industry’s first dual rear speakers create a spacious and rich dynamic surround sound. Each is constructed with a tweeter that faithfully reproduces high frequencies with clarity, and a driver that delivers surround effects with precision.
Nakamchi’s patented Spatial Surround Elevation SSE Technology features three advanced audio processing engines that work to improve directionality, spaciousness, and detail of any movie or TV show. With up to 7.2.4 channels of Dolby Atmos or DTS:X moving audio, this speaker envelops your space with 106 decibels of room filling sound. Improve your television sound experience with JBL Boost TV’s deep bass, virtual surround sound, and Dolby Digital for HD movies and TV. Go from unboxing to relaxation in minutes with a simple analog or digital one-cable connection to your television.
With a wired subwoofer and built-in woofers, this speaker system delivers rich bass to your movies and shows. Deep lows from the subwoofer and balanced audio from the Soundbar come together to produce an unmatched home theater experience. The app lets you control your home entertainment system from any android enabled device.
With it, you are able to manage the soundbar’s controls, adjust the equalizer settings, create playlists, and so much more.
Last but certainly not least on our list of the best wireless speakers for TV is a sleek yet powerful system that is sure to make your senses ignite. You can enjoy your favorite TV shows or games with clarity delivered by two tweeters for treble and two full-frequency speakers for the mid range and bottom end. It’s wired powerful subwoofer creates a deep bass impact that you can truly feel. Touch-sensitive buttons and remote control offer intuitive accessibility for users of all ages and abilities. This speaker system offers near universal compatibility with any device that has a standard 3.5 mm AUX jack, Optical or Bluetooth, such as Television, computer, tablet, smartphone, or projector.
While it’s usually true that bigger is better since larger soundbars don’t always offer more drivers, it’s possible that all you’re paying for is a longer speaker. In the past, soundbars didn’t sound that much different when you switched between stereo and surround modes. But with new technologies such as Dolby Virtual:X, soundbars have really improved the immersion you get from single bars.
Some speakers even have the option of subwoofers built directly into the soundbar itself, which is great if you want to go with a more minimalist set-up. If you want to take it a step further, consider a system with rear speakers in addition to subwoofers.
With WiFi connectivity, many wireless speakers are able to be played all at once in different rooms if they are of the same brand, which allows you to keep the movie, music, or podcast going as you move around your house.
More and more people these days are investing in Alexa, Google Assistant, or an Echo system to help them make life a little easier.
Buying a voice assistant speaker depends on how you feel about a device with a live microphone in your house. The assistant waits for you to say the activating word, and then responds, so in that way is basically like a web search.
Essentially all wireless TV speakers will come equipped with a remote that will at least handle play/pause, volume, and skipping, but a few also offer equalizer adjustment options that will allow you to get the perfect sound setting for whatever you are using it for. If so, consider purchasing a speaker that has a compatible app that features a remote control. If you are seeking a sleek and simple home theater set-up without having to sacrifice on quality, then we suggest the…
Best Bluetooth Speakers 2021: Home & Portable Wireless Speakers
Many Bluetooth speakers are cheap but if you can afford to splash out a bit, you’ll get a significantly better experience with superior sound quality, smart features and more. As mentioned, we’re looking at the more expensive premium Bluetooth speakers here from the likes of Bose, Bang & Olfsen, UE and Marshall. If you’re looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker that’s stylish, durable and offers amazing sound quality then you’ve just found it in the Marshall Emberton.
Sonos has hit a decent price-point with the Roam and there’s a lot to like about this stylish, compact and clever speaker.
Bluetooth is limited to streaming so you’ll only get the most out of the Roam by using it over Wi-Fi as well with digital assistants and Sound Swap features. 3 JBL Charge 5 – Best for Parties Pros Link countless speakers Durable design Also a power bank JBL hasn’t added smart features to the Charge 5 like some rivals, so there are no microphones to use your digital assistant or take calls. Battery life is long plus, as the name hints, the Charge 5 can be used as a power bank to top up devices like your phone to keep the tunes flowing. 4 Bose SoundLink Revolve II – Best 360 Sound Pros 300 design Microphones Aux input There’s not a huge amount of upgrades here but that doesn’t stop the SoundLink Revolve II from being an excellent Bluetooth speaker. Sound quality is excellent for a small speaker with a true 360-degree experience and battery life is much longer than the quoted 13 hours. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen is an almost perfect portable Bluetooth speaker with a luxurious design and high-end build quality.
Battery life is solid and support for Amazon Alexa (via your phone anyway) is a standout feature but then, in a negative way, so is the high price. 6 Creative Stage 360 – Best Soundbar Pros Great sound Bluetooth Dolby Atmos Affordable The sound is great and it has a whole host of features including Dolby Atmos, HDMI ports, remote control and even comes with a subwoofer.
Beautifully made and offering a credible Hi-Fi performance, Huawei’s Sound X is not going to disappoint those seeking a Bluetooth speaker with high-end aspirations, but the lack of smart connectivity is a significant consideration.
If the booming bass isn’t enough, you can pair up more speakers and UE offers 24 hour battery life and wide range of connectivity options so you’re not limited to Bluetooth. Built-in support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa delivers the smarts, though be warned that this integration isn’t as fully featured as on official products or even other third-party rivals, so it might not do everything you want it to.
Whereas Bluetooth used to be a primary way of connecting to a speaker without wires, some now feature Wi-Fi on the spec sheet which is useful for various reasons. Having Wi-Fi might also add the ability to use the speaker directly with music streaming services like Spotify or internet radio stations so you’re not limited to what tunes you’ve got on your device.
8 Best Wireless Speakers For TV In 2021 (Under $50 to Over $300)
Wireless speakers are a great way to improve your TV’s sound quality without tripping over cables on your way to the couch. We have curated the ultimate list of the best wireless speakers for TV, so that you can easily find the best option for your budget. Particularly for setups that don’t include external subwoofers, we paid close attention to its bass capabilities. For you to have the optimal TV experience, we searched long and hard for those crisp high sounds and smooth mids.
✔️ What we like: Great bass performance for the price ❌ What we don’t like: Can lack sound clarity compared to its competitors Standout Features 50 Hz to 19 kHz This SB2821-D6 is kitted out with Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround which means that you will be flying through the air, just like the planes in Top Gun!
As far as wireless speakers go, this Bluetooth compatible soundbar is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their TV experience. ✔️ What we like: Water-resistant design ❌ What we don’t like: Does not include a subwoofer Standout Features 100 ft wireless range
Up to 14 hours playtime Sale OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker, Louder… Even if you love your child to the moon and back, I think we can all agree that sometimes mistakes happen and owning expensive electronics around children can be a recipe for disaster. This is perfect if you need to step out of the TV room for dinner preparations but still want to hear everything that’s going on. ✔️ What we like: 2.1 channel speaker system ❌ What we don’t like: Can lack sound clarity Standout Features 80 W peak power
This Logitech Z337 is for all the people who want to dive a little bit deeper into upgrading their TV sound. The bold bass and stand-out highs will put you in great stead to enjoy a variety of sound applications. Whether you’ll be spending your time binging Friends or you prefer being immersed in your fast-paced games, you will be fully covered.
✔️ What we like: Three different sound modes ❌ What we don’t like: Can lack some bass Standout Features DSP technology
It blends in with your TV setup seamlessly and you will barely notice its presence, until you blast the sound, of course. There is also the option of Movie mode to enhance those rich sounds and make you feel like you are part of the action. WOHOME manages to provide a fantastic sound system with great features, all at an exceptionally affordable price. ✔️ What we like: Excellent value for money ❌ What we don’t like: Not compatible with universal remote Standout Features Four total drivers
This extra versatility is always a bonus for times when you want to stream your best tunes over your lunch preparations or dinner parties. Bose has developed a strong reputation for its products being high quality and this speaker is no exception. It doesn’t just offer excellent sound quality; it also sets you up with a range of different features. This Bose speaker may carry the high price tag like many of its other products, but it is still worth every dime.
This nifty feature is a huge advantage for any TV room with asymmetrical layouts or couch areas on the outskirts of most sound systems. The SoundLink speaker boasts an average battery life of up to 12 hours which should last most people throughout the whole day.
If you’ve never been a fan of tedious controls and always needing to search for a remote to change the settings, Bose has your back. ✔️ What we like: Excellent sound quality ❌ What we don’t like: Doesn’t offer NFC Standout Features Robust build These can be great if you have space in your TV room and don’t mind the size of the system, but it isn’t a good approach for everyone. This JBL Charge 3 speaker is a neatly packaged sound system that fits into a 19-inch exterior.
This is perfect if you decide to give it a break from the TV room and want to take it out to the pool for some music. You can freely go from watching your favorite series on your TV to listening to your best music streamed from your smartphone to even playing a video from your tablet.
✔️ What we like: Incredible value and great sound ❌ What we don’t like: Isn’t compatible with certain Samsung TVs Standout Features Wireless Subwoofer Connects to many different types of TVs Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar |… Personally, I really like the Polk Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar for many reasons, but I particularly like that you have access to a wired or wireless version with Wi-Fi. Depending on your needs, you can save a little money and go with the wired version, or if you prefer, you can splurge and spend a little extra to get the Wi-Fi hook up, which is definitely a great way to go if you plan on bringing this speaker outdoors at some point.
So, there’s definitely going to be an effective option for everyone, which is great because connectivity will never limit you from choosing this amazing sounding ultrathin speaker. One fair warning though: one customer owned a 2019 Samsung television and attempted to connect the speaker to it wirelessly.
This is because, if your sites are set on high sound quality but your budget is tight, you may become disheartened by the options on the market.
This would include finding speakers that give clear and dynamic sound, with a kick from the bass.
If you have a small space to fill, you won’t need as high a volume to create an amazing effect. So, with that in mind, we recommend that you analyze your volume needs for your space and your preference so that you can target products that are best suited to you.
In general, slim and compact designs can be more versatile because of their portability but if you are happy with a larger setup, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The extra features included with a wireless speaker can enhance your experience a great deal.
So, we would recommend prioritizing other aspects of the speaker, such as sound quality, before giving too much weight to the features.
We kept these aspects in mind to find you the best value for money and the best-sounding speakers across a wide range of designs and prices.
Best soundbar UK 2021: The top soundbars for improving your TV’s audio
Audio is just as important as visuals when watching TV, but manufacturers tend to overlook sound quality when producing their televisions. By buying one of the best soundbars, you’ll significantly enhance your audio experience while watching movies, sport and TV shows.
More expensive soundbars typically offer a wider range of features and connection options, so it’s important to work out which you need and those that you can live without.
A standalone unit is easier to set up and looks more elegant, but these bars can lack the dynamism and sense of immersion that a more complex setup can deliver.
Although optical digital can’t carry a lossless surround-sound signal such as Dolby True HD or DTS:X, it’s often the easiest way to hook up a music source, console or TV if the soundbar doesn’t support HDMI ARC. As well as wired connections, many soundbars also support Bluetooth for wirelessly connecting phones and tablets and some also have Wi-Fi, allowing for higher-quality music streaming, potential integration in a multiroom wireless speaker network and support for digital voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. Dolby Atmos soundbars also tend to be more expensive than simpler 5.1-enabled units and they have a nasty habit of neglecting support for other, non-Dolby, surround-sound standards. Many Blu-ray movies come with the surround-sound soundtrack encoded in some form of DTS standard and have no Dolby surround track at all.
The discrete subwoofer helps deliver rich, impactful bass, and the bar itself articulates mid-range and treble frequencies very capably.
Optical, HDMI ARC and AUX connections are all supported, while a USB-C port allows you to hook the bar up to your PC and use it as a desktop soundbar. It’s a standalone bar, with no subwoofer supplied, but it delivers such astonishing depth and breadth of sound that most of the time you simply won’t care that some of the really low frequencies are a little absent. Key specs – Channels: 5.0.2; RMS power output: Unknown; Dimensions: 1,142 x 116 x 87mm (WDH); Weight: 6.25kg; Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 1 x HDMI ARC/eARC
Samsung has a reputation for producing fantastic-sounding soundbars and the HW-800A, which was designed to be paired with the company’s 2021 4K and 8K TVs, doesn’t disappoint. The bar is compact but manages to deliver delightfully detailed, natural sound, while the accompanying subwoofer adds impactful low-end depth regardless of the content you’re watching.
There’s support for both the spatial and object-based audio formats Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and even 5.1 content sounds great thanks to the bar’s surround-sound mode. The DHT-S16’s big selling point is the incorporation of DTS Virtual: X technology, which gives the impression of surround sound with height effects.
Dolby Atmos soundbars are becoming more and more popular as the amount of supported content increases and the Creative Stage 360 is our pick of the options available under £250. There are four sound modes to choose from: Music, Movie, Wide and Night, along with near-field and far-field profiles which take into account how close you are to the bar.
If you want to enjoy Atmos content but can’t stretch your budget to a true surround sound system, the Creative Stage 360 is your best bet. The Polk MagniFi Mini is the smallest soundbar we’ve ever set eyes on and yet, despite its tiny dimensions (it’s around the same size as a loaf of bread), it produces the sound of a much larger speaker.
That’s largely thanks to its wireless subwoofer, which packs in a 6.5in downwards-facing driver and lends movies and music a real solid thump. Its six drivers, all individually amplified, produce a surprisingly wide soundstage for a speaker so small, and there are no worries at all about it being able to fill a room. Key specs – Channels: 2.1; RMS power output: 150W; Dimensions: 340 x 109 x 81mm; Weight: 1.76kg; Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optical, 3.5mm So those with older TVs will probably want to avoid it, but if you do own a TV with eARC, you’ll struggle to find a better-sounding standalone soundbar.
Key specs – Channels: 2.0; Total power output: Unspecified; Dimensions: 651 x 100 x 68mm; Weight: 2.8kg; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI (eARC), 1 x optical If you’ve only got £100 to spend on a soundbar and don’t have room for the subwoofer that comes with the Creative Stage V2, this standalone bar from JBL is your best option. Although it lacks any audio modes to play around with, they’re not really needed: the Bar 2.0 delivers decent detail in the mid-range, treble is articulated crisply and bass frequencies hit home with plenty of weight. Connectivity is limited to HDMI, optical and Bluetooth, but those options cover all the main bases and keep things pleasingly simple.
Key specs – Channels: 2.0; Total power output: 80W; Dimensions: 614 x 90 x 59mm (WDH); Weight: 1.61kg; Connectivity: Bluetooth, 1 x HDMI (ARC), 1 x optical It doesn’t create the same level of immersion you’d get from a 5.1 soundbar, but it’s compatible with LG’s wireless rear speakers if you want to transform your setup into one capable of delivering surround sound.
Key specs – Drivers: 8; RMS power output: 420W; Dimensions: 1,440 x 150 x 32.5mm; Weight: 5.8kg; Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 1 x HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth, USB Smart functionality is becoming increasingly important in the world of soundbars, and the Polk React offers built-in Alexa at a competitive price.
If you’re part of the Alexa smart home ecosystem and want an affordable soundbar to slot neatly into it, the Polk React is the best choice around. If you’ve got a bit more cash to play with and want superior audio quality, we recommend you take a look at the Sonos Beam 2. It has a built-in subwoofer and supports Dolby Atmos, DTX:X and DTS Virtual:X in addition to 4K HDR passthrough. All three modes were jointly created with the sound team behind FFXIV Online, and there’s even a special Final Fantasy edition of the soundbar available if you’re willing to fork out an extra £50.
Audio quality is impressive for what is a small soundbar, though the bass response isn’t as weighty as a similarly priced bar with a separate subwoofer. Polk’s patented Voice Adjust technology does a good job of enhancing dialogue when you’re watching films, and there are three EQ settings to choose from – Movie, Music and Sport – all of which feel appropriately tuned for their subjects.
Chromecast is also built into the Signa S3, so you can stream music from your favourite services to your heart’s content, while there’s also the option of connecting to your phone or laptop via Bluetooth. If you’re after an affordable soundbar and subwoofer combo and aren’t fussed about having some form of surround sound, the Signa S3 ticks all the right boxes and looks good on your TV cabinet while doing so.
Its 11-driver setup is capable of getting seriously loud and delivers an impressive sense of width, though it’s not quite as adept at articulating height when utilising Dolby Atmos. It’s modelled on the 1970s Beogram 4002 turntable and is stunning, with its thick-gauge, brushed aluminium trim complementing the fabric covering perfectly. We’ve linked to the most affordable of the three options available, which is still very much in premium territory, but the version with a Smoked Oak finish will set you back a whopping £1,700. Its sound quality is truly impressive, with forward-sounding mids and a wide soundstage that delivers excellent instrument separation.
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