Not only can you stream your tunes from a phone, tablet or computer, but some Bluetooth speakers have built-in microphones so you can use them as a speakerphone for calls or meetings. Luckily, wireless Bluetooth speakers have improved with time, and now offer better sound, longer battery life, more reliable connectivity and increased durability, particularly when it comes to water resistance.
We continue to review mini Bluetooth speakers at a steady clip here at CNET, so we update this list fairly frequently. This buyer’s guide offers a look at our current favorites, with a focus on small and lightweight models that are well suited for travel and still have excellent sound output.
David Carnoy/CNET When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its bass performance. Available in three colors — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — the speaker is IP67 dust- and waterproof, and rated for 12 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels.
It’s also equipped with Bose’s PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether it’s upright, hanging or flat on its back. The Flex also floats and Bose says it can survive drops and bumps, with a soft silicone back and powder-coated steel grille that “won’t peel or flake and is resistant to corrosion and UV light.” Aside from its great design, Bose’s SoundLink Micro stood out because it was able to deliver more bass than every Bluetooth speaker in its size class, and it also managed to have limited distortion at higher volumes. It’s IP67 dust-proof and water-resistant (it can be fully submerged in shallow water for a short time) and has up to eight hours of battery life at moderate volume levels with USB-C charging. Sarah Tew/CNET Although a little pricey, Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. David Carnoy/CNET E D I T O R S ’ C H O I C E Anker’s Soundcore Motion Plus came out in 2019 and managed to slip beneath my radar, which is a shame because it’s arguably one of the best-sounding speakers under $110, if not the best (it sometimes costs slightly more but the black model usually is around $105).
A little larger than many mini Bluetooth speakers, it’s still compact and manages to sound quite a bit fuller than much of the competition in this price range, with bigger bass, more volume and better clarity. It’s also a sleeker looking Bluetooth speaker that’s available in five different color options: black, taupe, coral red, light blue and olive green.
Equipped with two new full-range drivers and passive bass radiator, it delivers 12 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and is water-, dust-, rust- and shock-proof with an IP67 rating. But for the fourth-gen Clip 4, JBL has moved to a more oval shape, bulked up the speaker slightly and added USB-C charging.
Sarah Tew/CNET The Tribit MaxSound Plus is about 30% bigger than its sibling XSound Go and costs about $25 more, but it performs substantially better and is one of the best sounding speakers in its size and price class. It’s also worth noting that the A1 has multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect this to your PC and smartphone at the same time and easily switch back and forth between the two if a call comes in on your phone.
David Carnoy/CNET I’ve long been a fan of Sony’s smallest Bluetooth speaker, which has been modestly upgraded for 2021 with some design refinements and slightly improved sound. This model is both dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and is rated for 16 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels (it has USB-C charging, while the older XB12 didn’t). David Carnoy/CNET We liked Ultimate Ears’ original Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker, which sounded good for its compact size and was also waterproof. It also has 30% better battery life — up to 13 hours at moderate volume levels, according to Ultimate Ears — and you can link two together to create a stereo sound pairing by simply pressing a button on each speaker.
17 Best Bluetooth Speakers (2021): Portable, Waterproof, and More
By (mostly) forgoing voice assistants and Wi-Fi radios, Bluetooth speakers gain portability, with the ability to venture outside of your house and withstand rugged conditions like the sandy beach or the steamy Airbnb jacuzzi. Be sure to check out all our buying guides, including the Best Soundbars, Best Wirefree Earbuds, and Best Smart Speakers.
9 Best Mini Bluetooth Speakers for 2021
We spent the past couple weeks investigating the product category further to discover the best mini speakers made by leading brands like Anker, Bose, JBL, and Sony, among others. However, you should be mindful that mini Bluetooth speakers typically pack less audio drivers than their larger siblings in order to remain compact.
All mini Bluetooth speakers have a take-anywhere design, so we focused our analysis on the products’ ability to survive the elements.
With the above in mind, find your favorite mini Bluetooth speaker among these top-rated options now, all priced below $100.
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The Best Portable Speakers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers
“I wanted a more intertwined and seamed-together theater sound,” they write. After connecting the two to create a kind of surround-sound setup, the speakers make you feel as if “the singer is directly in front of you,” they explain.
The Portable Speakers Our Editors and Writers Use
While my library is centered around guitar music and Motown-era R&B, my colleague and fellow Wonderboom owner Jordan Bowman says his rotation has “a lot of hip-hop, grime, and reggae” that sounds just as great pumped from the speaker. My former colleague Nikita Richardson, meanwhile, told me that she starts her day by cueing up the “latest episode of Morning Edition or Small Town Murder” on hers, and that it plays those podcasts just as crisply.
The Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2021
Typically, spending more on a speaker will mean better clarity of sound, louder volume, and more bells and whistles. With that being said, choosing a big brand name in a slightly higher price range ($80 or more) can result in an all-around amazing, premium product. 20-hour battery life for average use ✓ Premium materials make this high-quality and durable Cons ✗ High price The JBL Charge 5 is a versatile Bluetooth speaker that will ensure your audio can be heard loud and crystal clear.
At $179, you get a speaker that is IP67 waterproof, has a 20-hour battery life, and includes a power bank to charge your device while you listen. When holding the Charge 5, the premium materials used make it feel like it can take a beating and last a long time.
You do have to keep in mind that the Charge 5 is larger than an average portable speaker, though, so you have to account for the space it’ll take up in a bag more. Overall, the JBL Charge 5 is a powerhouse of a speaker that has the durability, versatility, and battery life to be used every day in every way.
There’s even an Amazon review that claims this speaker still works after it has been dropped in mud, rained on, and used consistently for over four years. Ultra-portable carabiner design easy transport ✓ Great sound quality for small size
Typically, a speaker of this size will begin to sound muddy in the bass when brought to volumes past 90% or so, so it’s impressive that the Clip 4 manages to avoid it. If you need something super small with clear sound quality to clip onto your bag and rock out or listen to podcasts on hikes or bike rides, this is the one.
20-hour battery life ✓ Great bass response Cons ✗ Sound quality less impressive in mids and highs When it comes to sound, the mids and highs aren’t as clear as the Charge 5, but the LEHII bass response does hold up to JBL’s high-quality speaker.
The Charge 5 is still our top pick due to the superior materials used and better sound quality overall, but the LEHII BT-A7Pro is still a heavy hitter in the Bluetooth speaker arena. Loud enough to replace car stereo, plus built-in mic for phone calls ✓ IP67 waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof
IP67 waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof ✓ Live Sound Mode- enables an auditorium-like listening experience Live Sound Mode- enables an auditorium-like listening experience ✓ 24 hour average battery life Cons ✗ Price is high, yet relatively fair considering features
Price is high, yet relatively fair considering features ✗ Slightly larger size than most portable speakers (comparable to JBL’s Charge 5) The Sony SRS-XB33 is the best Bluetooth speaker for a car for three simple reasons: It’s loud, immersive, and has great sound quality. Its size and profile are similar to the JBL Charge 5 and is small enough to be portable, but it will take up a little more room than most speakers in a bag or purse. Includes ports for a microphone or guitar ✓ 500 watts of power for a low price Cons ✗ The largest sized speaker on this list (22 inches tall and about a foot wide)
The largest sized speaker on this list (22 inches tall and about a foot wide) ✗ Battery only lasts up to six hours The Gemini GC-206BTB may be the least “portable” Bluetooth speaker on this list, but it can kick any party up a notch with its 500 watts of power and color-changing LED body.
It is of course Bluetooth compatible, but you can also use it with an SD card, USB slot, AUX port, or a quarter-inch input to plug in a guitar or microphone. It is the largest speaker on this list, although the included lightweight and shoulder strap makes it still easily portable.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portable Bluetooth speakers are the easiest, most affordable way to spread the sound from your phone or tablet across a room, backyard, or beach blanket. With clear vocal reproduction and a decent amount of bass for its size, it offers satisfying sound for a small area, such as across a picnic table or a couple of lounge chairs on a patio. It has an IP67 rating and is one of the most rugged Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested, able to survive a 5-foot drop and a dunking in 1 meter of water—but because it floats, it’ll probably never dive that deep. The JBL Xtreme 3 is a great choice if you want a Bluetooth speaker that sounds bigger and bolder than our top pick yet is still portable enough to take to the beach or the tailgate. This speaker is built for adventure: The IP67 rating means it’s waterproof and dustproof, the strong carrying strap makes it easy to lug along anywhere, and in our testing the Xtreme 3 ran for 17 hours on one charge. If you need something that sounds a little louder and fuller than the UE Wonderboom 2 but is more portable and affordable than the JBL Xtreme 3, the Sony SRS-XB33 finds a nice middle ground.
The best cheap Bluetooth speakers in 2021
They might not match the hardware, specs, or feature set of the best Bluetooth speakers overall, but that doesn’t mean these portable music systems can’t deliver top-tier performance for a bargain. Some of the latest low-cost speakers have stepped up their game, boasting audio-sharing capabilities, longer battery life, and even waterproofing that’s on the level of what premium models like the Sonos Roam and UE Megaboom 3 offer. Below is our list of the best Bluetooth speakers based on performance and value, helping you find something that will suit your budget very nicely. The Soundcore 2 delivers on the things we think are most important in an affordable wireless speaker: it produces well-balanced sound, is water-resistant, and plays for an amazing 24 hours on a full charge.
This sequel in JBL’s popular Bluetooth speaker series improves on its predecessor in several ways, including design, sound, and battery life. Anker Soundcore 2 The best cheap Bluetooth speaker overall Specifications Size: 6.5 x 2.2 x 1.8 inches Weight: 14.6 ounces Battery: 24 hours Waterproof: Yes (IPX5) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 67 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great battery life + Excellent sound quality Reasons to avoid – No app
The 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.77-inch wireless speaker is small enough to be easily toteable, and its fantastic 24-hour battery life means you can listen for a long time between recharges. The attachable carabiner installed at the top makes the speaker simple to carry around by easily clipping onto any item: backpack, bike handle, carry-on bag…you name it. The waterproof exterior (IPX7) is another major hallmark that offers peace of mind when tossing the speaker into the pool or cycling with it through the park during a surprise rainstorm. Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3 The best cheap Bluetooth speaker under $40 Specifications Size: 5.3 x 2.8 x 2.6 inches Weight: 9 ounces Battery: 14 hours Waterproof: Yes (IPX5) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 27 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Big sound for its size + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – No app It produces bright, clear vocals and crisp treble, and it even delivers a bit of bass—something missing from other cheap speakers. Sound quality is good rather than great, with thick bass but less of an ear for detail than the Soundcore 2, but on the whole this is an outstanding bargain.
Tribit XSound Go Another great, fully-waterproof cheap Bluetooth speaker Specifications Size: 6.7 x 2.3 x 2.2 inches Weight: 13 ounces Battery: 24 hours Waterproof: Yes (IPX7) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart View at Best Buy Low Stock View at Walmart 20 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Strong waterproofing + Excellent battery Reasons to avoid – Lacks bass – No app For a few dollars less than the Anker SoundCore 2, the Tribit XSound Go comes pretty close to matching the specs for our top budget Bluetooth speaker: 24-hour battery life, excellent wireless range and auxiliary input. However, while the Tribit delivers very good overall sound for a small speaker, it can’t match the bass output of the SoundCore 2.
This is a much more compact speaker than its cousin, the XSound Go, and it’s both fully waterproof (in depths up to 1 meter) and protected against dust and dirt.
Unlike a lot of very small speakers, it also sounds great, producing clear vocals and some surprisingly strong bass. The only drawbacks are the lack of an app 9though you can pair with two devices at once) and a relatively low battery life, which sees the StormBox Micro run dry after 8 hours. Doss SoundBox A desk-friendly cheap Bluetooth speaker Specifications Size: 6.6 x 2.9 x 2.7 inches Weight: 19.7 ounces Battery: 12 hours Waterproof: Splash-resistant (IPX4) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon 905 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Good bass + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Doesn’t project sound well But it’s 1.2 pounds, so the 6.6 x 2.9 x 2.7-inch unit isn’t really a great fit for the outdoors, even with its impressive 12 hours of battery life and water resistance.
It comes in black, white, blue, pink and red to better match your personal style, and has a touch-sensitive dial on top for controlling volume. The unit produces clear vocals and sharp treble thanks to its two drivers, though the bass comes across a bit muddy. To make it easier to tote, you can attach it to your bike using a tripod mount or buy the Aomais Sling Cover to give it a handle. Almost six years since its original launch and this ultraportable speaker remains a popular item to take on bike rides and hikes.
SoundBot SB510 HD The best cheap shower speaker Specifications Size: 12 x 8 x 6 inches Weight: 1.6 ounces Battery: 6 hours Waterproof: Yes (no IP rating stated) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 9 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Good vocals and treble + Sharp treble Reasons to avoid – Made of flimsy materials – Limited bass If you know you’ll want to take the speaker with you on hikes and to the pool, opt for one that is light, offers waterproofing and ideally gets loud enough to be heard over environmental noise.
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