These aren’t cheap, and though they’re not the most expensive or best sounding speakers you’ll ever hear, you still want to get your money’s worth. It’s also missing high-quality Bluetooth codec support, but you can use the PartyBoost button on the speaker to pair it with another compatible JBL product for stereo output.
However, you will get a few improvements over the fifth-generation model like an IP67 dust- and water-resistant rating, a new multi-driver sound system, and Bluetooth 5.1. Although we’re looking at speakers to reproduce your favorite songs, it’s important to remember that a $100 USD budget won’t buy the best sound quality on the market. If you want something that sounds incredible, you’ll have to compromise on portability for a good pair of desktop speakers or a home theater soundbar setup. Bose is a company that you can usually count on the make some pretty good audio products, and the SoundLink Micro is no exception.
This durability, paired with the longer battery life, and the fact that it floats make this an ideal option for summer adventurers, people who want a decent shower speaker, and those trying to spice up a pool party. Prioritizing a bassy thump in a small package, this speaker also sports Bluetooth and NFC, making pairing with your phone just a bit more seamless.
If out-of-the-box tuning of the SRS-XB23 is not your taste, you can use the Sony Music Center app to adjust your EQ settings, which is especially helpful when transitioning from a quiet living room to a park, for example. If you’re set on getting one of the best quality codecs, the SRS-XB23 is LDAC compatible, which makes it easier to forgive the lack of an auxiliary input port.
Bonus points for Sony’s reliable warranty, some cool color options, and a carry cord to attach to your pack. That success continues with the Flare 2, which features new drivers that result in even louder bass and improved treble reproduction.
The Soundcore app allows you to adjust settings such as EQ, or control the speaker’s dual-LED halo lights. However, for its durable and stylish build, coupled with its decent sound quality, the Flare 2 is a worthy adversary in the affordable Bluetooth speaker category.
If a speaker made it onto this list, then you can be sure we’ve had firsthand experience with it, and in many cases put them through our entire review process. Whittling down an entire product category to only a handful of recommended items takes a lot more work than you might expect.
For most of us, that means a speaker that sounds good, isn’t too expensive and can withstand being used in a setting where anyone might want to listen to music. Anker Soundcore Flare+: At a slightly higher price point than the Flare 2, you get a more powerful speaker with significantly increased bass reproduction.
Anker Soundcore Select Pro: It’s new, so we haven’t tested this boombox style speaker yet or found enough reviews to wholeheartedly recommend it, but with an IPX7 rating, 16 hours of music on a single charge, and fun lights, there’s no reason to not consider the Anker Soundcore Select Pro. Jam Hang Up: This compact speaker looks a bit like the Bose SoundLink Micro but instead of a semi-elastic strap, it features an adhesive pad that sticks to nearly any flat surface.
The integrated carabiner makes it easy to attach the Clip 4 to any bag, and its IP67 build means you can take it anywhere without worrying about breaking it. In addition to the fact that this site is all of our day jobs, each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market.
We do this because we genuinely want you to be happy with your purchases—none of our writers see a dime from partnership deals or referral purchases—and nobody here is allowed to benefit from steering you towards one product or another. While this site does make money from referrals, the individual writers are paid based on their work regardless of whether or not people clicked that “buy” icon.
Best Bluetooth speakers under $100
Bluetooth speaker tech has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years and the latest models are loaded with features and can blast out room-filling sound despite pocket-sized proportions. And while all the speakers here feature Bluetooth connectivity, some have an aux input so you can plug in a good old analog cable and play music from any source. So, whether you want the best Bluetooth speaker for your boat, your bathroom, your balcony, the kitchen or the beach, you’ll find something to suit every budget in the list below. Ultimate Ears has made a splash with a string of high-quality waterproof Bluetooth speakers pitched at those on a budget.
The 2019-released Wonderboom 2 is slightly older now but still – a small but mighty Bluetooth speaker with a great 13-hour battery life and impressive 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
Roughly the size of a stack of drinks coasters, the Stormbox Micro provides a serious amount of sound for around sixty bucks. The Micro is IP67 rated, which means it can be dropped in a metre of water for up to 30 minutes and live to tell the tale, and it comes with a useful rubberised strap. Although a speaker of such dimensions is obviously limited in terms of bass weight, the Micro does remarkably well; close your eyes while listening and you’ll picture a bigger product. Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) The new Echo Dot is the most compelling and affordable case for choosing Alexa Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 10 x 10 x 8.9 Power: 15W Features: Alexa inbuilt, Bluetooth, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £28.99 View at argos.co.uk £28.99 View at Currys £34.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement But by updating its most popular and affordable Echo device with this degree of skill, Amazon has laid down the most compelling case yet for choosing Alexa. OK, to put the Google Nest Hub’s 7in (1024 x 600) touchscreen into context, the display real estate is only marginally bigger than the 6.7in one sported by the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max when measured on the diagonal – and here, there’s no camera for selfies, video calls or security duties – but still, it’s a lot of features for the money.
But thanks to Disney Plus, Sleep Sensing tech and a good (if not great) sound, the Google Nest Hub is a worthy proposition depending on your priorities or budget. 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 The Echo Dot is also one of the most affordable ways to bring Alexa, the Amazon’s impressive AI-powered voice assistant, into your home – especially since this model has just been superseded by the 4th gen. iteration, above. Even better, the Echo Dot can be integrated into a ton of smart home and AV products, from the humble Ring doorbell to high-end multi-room audio systems.
Best of all, it sounds surprisingly good given its tiny proportions, providing an open, three-dimensional listen the belies its bargain price tag. Topping out at a mere five hours, it won’t last you a full day, which is something many look for in the best Bluetooth speaker, especially those headed to the beach.
If you don’t mind the lack of aux-in port or microphone, or the inability to partner it with older JBL speakers (the PartyBoost function is not backwards compatible), the sonically-superior Flip 5 will reward you will stellar sound for less than $100. It’s a bigger version of the Audio Pro T3 – however, unlike the smaller model, the T5 doesn’t have a in-built battery, so this isn’t really portable.
Provided that’s not a dealbreaker, the T5 rewards with a big scoop of bass, plenty of detail and a great sense of timing. It scores highly in the style stakes, too, making a bold statement with a matte housing that showcases two 20mm tweeters and a 10cm subwoofer, which punches out lower frequencies with ease. Specifications Bluetooth: Yes Wi-Fi: Yes Inputs: USB, 3.5mm Multi-room: Yes Waterproof: Yes 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 It’s packed with neat features including wireless streaming over Bluetooth and wi-fi hands-free voice assistance and a charging dock.
The 5 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 – Fall 2021 Reviews
This colorful Bluetooth speaker has a portable design, and you can pair it with up to two devices at once, making it easy to switch your audio source between your phone and your laptop.
10 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Now that you can buy an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker that hooks up to your phone or laptop, then you can have access to all the music in the world, as well as podcasts and audiobooks. We’ve now shown you our top ten picks, and we’ll now answer the most commonly asked questions about this little device. This means that you can seamlessly switch between your phone and laptop without needing to unpair and re-pair again. It’s also useful for it to have NFC technology that allows you to pair with a device without needing to go through lots of time-consuming steps.
Check what drivers are inside the speaker, what the power rating is, and also if it has bass radiators, so you can know what sort of sound you’ll get from it. It can also be a good idea to check reviews of the speaker before buying so you know how its users rate its performance in terms of sound.
Modern technology means that high-grade speakers can be mass-made for low prices. Of course, a budget speaker won’t offer the level of performance as a premium product that costs hundreds of dollars. It will always deliver better quality than the stock speakers in your phone or laptop, so it’s a safe investment, in our opinion.
The majority of our reviewed Bluetooth speakers in this article have water resistant properties making it a very tough one to call. From those at the top of their game in this price region, we would say choice for best waterproof Bluetooth is undeniably narrowed down to the Flip 4 from JBL or another option is the Sony XB10 but it isn’t quite as loud as the JBL and you need to purchase 2 for stereo sound. Remember if you are wanting louder volume levels the JBL speakers can be multi-linked and for a budget of $100 dollars, you can get 2 to start you off.
So, if you prefer your speaker to sound good and you don’t care about it having all the bells and whistles like LEDs or apps, then this one is perfect for you. As a team of audiophiles, we take sound quality seriously, and this product certainly met our high expectations. It’s easy to find a good Bluetooth speaker these days, as there are so many great ones on the market. If you have decided on your exact budget, then you can focus your time and efforts purely on speakers that are in this price range. We hope that our article has provided you with lots of valuable information and that you’re now ready to buy your new speaker.
10 Best Speakers Under $100 in 2021 (Review)
Typically cheaper speakers will be of a smaller size, this reduction in stature and miniature components can reduce costs sufficiently for a lower overall retail price. Loud volumes and low frequencies displace a lot more air and so bass-ier audio can sound muffled or distort and within a small enclosure this can cause buzzing. It is sometimes advisable if you are buying a cheap product to go with a brand you recognize, as usually, the more notorious they are the more careful they are not to put their name on something so low quality it will damage their reputation. As we hinted in our introduction expectation should be kept reasonable, You aren’t likely to run into a set of speakers at this price level that will satisfy the most dedicated audiophile.
So to answer the question simply, yes there are some decent models on the market in this modern era and some with the link up options that make starting a block party entirely feasible. You also can’t help but admire the futuristic promise with these modern innovative devices, you can literally have Alexa secure your entire home, shut out the lights, and wake you with your favorite song and a cup of java in the morning. It is however at the upper limit of our budget for a cheaper option we say go with the Anker Soundcore it has Bluetooth 4.0 onboard a staggering 24 hr battery life and is Alexa compatible anyway. To put it into perspective newer models which feature IPX7 certified designs will actually survive full accidental submersion so are arguably more waterproof.
Each is an excellent example of wood composite active powered speakers with effectively designed enclosures, that provide optimal resonance and prevent muffling or distortion. If low cost is a key factor for you and you are shopping for your PC then you will probably find our article 10 Best Computer Speakers Under $50 a good read.
Over the years the design of a speaker hasn’t really evolved very much, it functions in a very simple manner, the math for calculating optimal enclosure sizes, however, is a little more complex.
The Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
You’ll still need to spend more money for a high-fidelity listening experience, but the audio delivered by today’s sub-$100 portable Bluetooth speakers is nothing to scoff at. While you might be looking for something for your office desk or home bookshelf, many speakers in this price range feature tough, water-resistant builds that can take a beating on a hike, and backpack-friendly designs so you can easily tote them anywhere. They won’t make you think there’s a subwoofer inside your small speaker, but passive radiators work quite well to create an extended sense of the lows without using more power. Some passive radiators vibrate so powerfully that many speakers feature design tweaks to accommodate them, like rubber feet to prevent the devices from scooting across desks and counters. Without passive radiators, bass response in this price range would still seem rather weak, so if a little extra thump is important to you, you’ll want to find a speaker that uses one, which we mention in our reviews. It almost seems like some manufacturers are making more mono (single-driver) speakers than they used to, perhaps favoring the addition of a passive radiator to create stronger bass response over a second driver.
The advantage here is obvious: If you connect two speakers to your phone (most likely using an app) and assign one to the left channel and one to the right, you can suddenly create a very wide stereo field. Obviously, this is useful when you’re away from home and your phone or tablet is running low on juice, but charging your device will definitely decrease the speaker’s battery life, so there’s some trade-off.
Thus, it’s becoming standard practice for manufacturers to list the speaker’s IP rating (we’ll address the mysterious “X” in a moment) in the specs section of its product page.
The best Bluetooth speakers under $100
It’s not easy to get a wireless speaker to sound like high-fidelity audio gear, especially when you’re not ready to drop hundreds of dollars on premium brands. The Anker Sundcore Select Pro is the best value for most budgets, but there are cheaper options if you’re looking for them, along with speakers built to handle rougher situations. Everything from the Bass Boost button to Bluetooth 5.0 support is designed to provide a superior audio experience in an outdoor setting, and those large drivers offer plenty of clarity whether you’re hiking a mountain or chilling by the pool. The battery is rated for up to 16 hours of playback time, but it can also act as a charger for your phone or other mobile devices (charging occurs via USB-C). For the best combination of sound and portability in one affordable speaker, we recommend Anker’s Soundcore Select Pro model without reservation. However, you do have to pay the full $100 (and perhaps a bit more as prices fluctuate) to take advantage of this speaker — we’ve included some more affordable picks below if you prefer. We’ve always enjoyed the way JBL coaxes balanced, loud sound out of small speakers, and the Flip 5 continues that tradition. The Flip 5 has an excellent wireless range, and thanks to its PlayBoost feature, you can connect it with multiple other compatible JBL speakers.
Why should you buy this: Small size, big sound, flotation, and waterproofing all make the UE Wonderboom 2 the no-brainer pool-party accessory.
Now that the Wonderboom 2 has become even more affordable than the original model, we won’t hesitate to recommend this pod-like speaker as an excellent companion for the poolside, beach, lake, or anywhere in between. The UE Wonderboom 2 looks kind of like a patio lantern crossed with a pool toy, and that sums up its strengths perfectly. Outdoors, where the Wonderboom belongs, you need volume and decent bass response, and it handily delivers both in spite of its pint-sized stature.
Battery life is fairly standard for this category at about 10 to 13 hours, and the Wonderboom 2’s wireless range is very good — you’ll probably get up to 100 feet of coverage when outside barring any barriers. Why should you buy this: Tiny yet mighty, the Oontz Angle 3 delivers wireless stereo sound at a crazy-low price. Let’s not beat around the bush: We picked the Oontz Angle 3 because you simply won’t find a cheaper Bluetooth speaker that isn’t a piece of junk. The Angle 3 has many of the features available from our other picks, like 12- to 15-hour battery life, excellent wireless range, and speakerphone compatibility — you’ll just pay a lot less for them.
Even so, its modest footprint delivers clear and surprisingly loud audio quality, which is ideal for situations where your phone or tablet’s internal speaker just isn’t up to the task of sharing music or YouTube videos. Amazon took its fourth generation of the Echo speaker and updated it to a spherical design that further emphasizes its excellent sound, ideal for filling a room with music for a party or linking to an entertainment system.
Internally, the speaker’s excellent audio range is powered by a 3-inch woofer and dual, front-firing 0.8-inch tweeters, which combine to beautiful effect. Today’s Bluetooth speakers aren’t actually that expensive: Manufacturers try to price them right around the $100 mark when possible to help appeal to a wide range of consumers.
It’s only when you get to full soundbars or high-end options like the Echo Studio that prices start rising significantly above this level.
Best Cheap Bluetooth Speakers 2021: Budget Wireless Speakers
Cheap Bluetooth speakers are one of the best affordable pieces of technology you can get, giving you a quick and easy upgrade to the sound on your phone, laptop or various other things. Luckily, there are loads out there that don’t cost the earth and still provide a decent amount of boom – and they’re not all unknown brands. It doesn’t quite manage to get under the £50 mark but the EarFun Uboom is worth the money, offering all the key things we look for in a cheap Bluetooth speaker. There might not be aptX and AAC codecs but sound quality is good and like the UE Wonderboom 2, there’s a dedicated outdoor mode.
Furthermore, latency is low making it suitable for video, there’s a microphone so for hands-free calls and you can create a stereo pair if you buy two. For the money sound quality is outstanding, benefiting from Tronsmart’s own SoundPulse algorithm and a dual-passive radiator to deliver balanced and clearly defined audio, with no sign of distortion.
And getting audio to the speaker couldn’t be easier, with support for microSD, USB flash drives and Bluetooth streaming. We like the compact design which means the Play is super portable and is even IPX7 waterproof, which isn’t a given at this price point – the mesh just takes a while to dry out.
Creative offers decent punchy sound for not much money here thanks to a pair of full-range drivers and a couple of passive bass radiators.
Although the speaker is suited well to a lot of music and podcasts, it does struggle a little bit at the bass end, only able to reach down to 70Hz – when human hearing goes to 20Hz. Though the Tribit StormBox Micro comes in at a low price and a small size, it still produces a very admirable sound quality – especially when it comes to bass-levels. Its portable design means that it can fit in the palm of your hand with ease, and the fixed strap is also handy for attaching it to your bike should you wish.
The sound quality is loud enough to fill a room, though if you’re hosting a large gathering we’d recommend purchasing two of these to use in stereo mode. Most of the Bluetooth speakers we test at Tech Advisor are portable but the Edifier D12 is an interesting option if you have a shelf or desk space in mind. Sound quality is good but there’s no stereo field and the speaker can’t automatically switch between different paired Bluetooth devices. With a lithium-ion battery inside, the Lava BrightSounds 2 Bluetooth speaker and smart lamp can offer a whopping 36 hours of music playback. Despite the budget price tag, we had the Lava BrightSounds 2’s 5W ultra-wide stereo speaker on full-blast and didn’t hear a hint of distortion. It’s loud enough to fill a room with sound, and for a budget Bluetooth speaker, audio quality is more than acceptable with decent bass and a clear mid-range, although there’s a slight compromise at the top-end. 9 Tronsmart Force – Best Connectivity Pros Waterproof Digital assistant support Long battery live The Tronsmart Force is a Bluetooth speaker built for the outdoors, sporting a robust design with a shockproof grippy rubber surround and a black metal grille on the front and rear.
The outdoors-y design doesn’t mean it skimps on smarts though; you can access Siri or Google Assistant, and there’s a number of ways to connect too.
Alongside Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC support, the speaker sports a 3.5mm jack for non-Bluetooth devices and a microSD card slot for standalone music playback.
While the tone goes on the sharper side when the volume is blasted, this doesn’t make for an unpleasant listening experience, especially when the music is mostly for ambient purposes. The Diggit is ideal for outdoor gatherings, like barbecues and picnics; though it’s versatile enough to be used for indoor shindigs too, like in a dorm or living room.
Also, it’s worth keeping an eye out for speakers that double up as portable battery chargers, as it’ll probably come in handy when using your smartphone to play music. Traditionally, using a Bluetooth connection (5.0 is the latest version) will give you a 10m range, which means that you’ll only be able to play music from a speaker in the same room as you – any further and you’ll probably experience the audio cutting out.
While it doesn’t need an IPX7 rating to be used outside, it’s always a good idea to have some kind of protection against spills, rain, and general damage or you’ll quickly find yourself buying another!
A Bluetooth speaker should provide you with multiple days of moderate usage, while it must be durable enough to be thrown in a bag or on the ground without too many issues.
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.
16 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 In 2021
This article is designed to present you 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100 in 2021 that we could find on the market. The most popular speakers belong to the first category and that is understandable because they offer a lot and don’t cost a fortune.
However, that doesn’t mean that the other models aren’t worth their price and your attention.
They offer great quality and if you have enough money to spend on a Bluetooth speaker, we advise you to read our reviews. They allow you to listen to music or anything you want wirelessly, without annoying cables scattered all over your house. If you’re throwing a party during sunny days, it is normal to do it in front of your house or in some park. Besides, you can use them also in the house or at work in case you hate cables or don’t have enough space for them. Bluetooth speakers are extremely popular devices mostly because they make our lives more interesting and easier.
Bluetooth technology is invented in order to reduce the number of wires in our houses or our offices. Life without wires is much easier – nothing makes such a huge mess in your house, in your pockets or bags like cables. Even if you keep it only in your house, they can make your life easier as the cables won’t be scattered all over the floor and the room will look much cleaner and spacious. If the Bluetooth signal range is good enough, you can easily leave the speaker in one and take the phone with you to another room.
If you don’t have that, your speakers will definitely stay at home and you won’t be able to enjoy your music whenever and wherever you want. Bluetooth speakers can be taken anywhere as their connection doesn’t depend on your home Wi-Fi network but only on the compatibility with your phone or some other Bluetooth-enabled device you’re using at the time. We have listed the most important disadvantages since you have to be aware of what you are dealing with in case you buy some of these speakers.
They may last more than 10 hours per charge, but they will eventually lose the juice and your speaker will stop working unless you recharge it.
Besides, rechargeable batteries have definite (limited) number of charging cycles. Bluetooth devices give you more freedom and enable you to move around without worrying about the cables. OontZ Angle 3 is very small (5.25×2.6×2.8 inches) and quite light (9 ounces) inexpensive speaker. It is probably the most popular product made by an American audio company called Cambridge Soundworks.
It is not much, but it can survive unwanted contact with a small amount of water (few drops, shower, rain, etc. The speaker has a built-in mic and it works nicely, so you can normally answer calls whenever you need to. It was hard to admit, but the truth is that OontZ Angle 3 doesn’t deliver amazing sound. In addition, if you use the speaker at max volume, the battery life shortens to 4-5 hours.
Aomais Sport II is quite cheap and small (8.2×3.2×2 inches) speaker that weighs 22 ounces. It is not too light but it has definitely become very popular thanks to its size, low price and good quality/performance. It has unusual square-like shape and all the controls are located on the top panel of the speaker.
The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0 version with 33ft signal range, it has an IPX7 rating and the battery can last up to 8 hours at moderate volume. The speaker has 2 drivers with a total output power of 20W while the passive bass radiator is on the back side. The speaker comes in a rather simple cardboard box with micro USB to USB charging cable, 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable, 1-year warranty card, user manual as well as the swim ring. Aomais Sport II is very durable and well-built speaker with reinforced and nicely rubberized parts. Once you realize how to use the control buttons, you will see how simple Aomais Sport II is.
Sport II supports NFC technology and it can also be connected to another Aomais speaker into one system with a total output power of 40W. This is a matter of individual taste, but we should all agree that it isn’t the prettiest speaker on the market. The signal range drops under 33ft while the battery life shortens and after some time you can’t use it for more than 4 hours per charge. In addition, the control buttons are quite confusing and it can happen that you want to do one thing and end up doing another.
Anker Soundcore can be bought in black, blue and red colors. It is made mostly from plastic but it is reinforced with an aluminum grill which makes it quite durable and also more stylish. By pressing the Bluetooth button, you can choose the mode you want, wait until the LED light turns blue and you can pair your phone with the speaker.
Considering the fact that small portable speakers are usually used outside, it can be problematic as you won’t be able to use it in case it rains.
If your phone is close to the speaker, the connection will be stable, but at a greater distance, you can expect some cutouts. In addition, the mic can be too sensitive, and it can sometimes become completely unusable as the other person won’t be able to hear anything you say. It has some plastic parts while the mesh that goes around the speaker is made from aluminum, which makes it very durable. Doss Touch speaker uses quite satisfying Bluetooth version and has decent signal range.
The speaker has a small built-in mic that allows you to make calls and it works well in quiet environment. When used at moderate volume, the speaker offers quite balanced and pleasant sound without noticeable distortion. Anker Classic has the shape of a cube and on the front side, you can see the control buttons (volume controls and play/pause button that is also used for answering calls), LED indicator light and a small built-in mic. The sound quality is decent considering the price, the size, and speaker’s power.
In addition, the power on/off button is quite fragile, it doesn’t seem solid and we wouldn’t recommend exposing it to severe use. On the front side, you will see the mesh that hides and protects the driver, and company logo. On the right, there are volume controls and multifunction button that’s used to answer/end calls, play/pause songs, activate voice assistance or skip between tracks. The speaker is not expensive and it comes in black, blue, mint, malta, camo, gray and red color combination/styles. In the box, you will find a charging cable, 1-year warranty card and user manual. It may seem fragile but it is in fact waterproof and that proves its IPX7 rating that makes the speaker resistant even to submerging into water.
The rest of the speaker is made from some kind of rubber that also protects the charging port. JBL has enabled you to connect your Clip 2 speakers into a system as two of them can be paired with the same device simultaneously. At the bottom, you will find 4 ports that enable air to circulate and deliver better bass. At the top, you will see small silicone strap, while the control buttons are located on the side.
The speaker comes in a nice box with a charging cable, 1-year warranty card and user manual. XB10 delivers balanced and pleasant sound with powerful and punchy bass.
In addition, the speaker doesn’t have backwards button, so if you want to listen one more time to the previous song, you will have to use your phone and play it. UE ROLL 2 Tropical Anime Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker In comparison to the previous version, UE Roll 2 has the same dimensions (5.3x 1.6 inches), it weighs 1.05lb, it has the same shape but the signal range is way better (it goes up to 100 ft) and the speaker itself is a bit louder. The speaker has round shape and on the front side, you will see the acoustic fiber with gigantic volume controls. On the back, you will see the hook, power on/off and Bluetooth pairing buttons while the 3.5mm aux and micro USB charging ports are hidden below the rubber protective cap near the bottom. Thanks to the big hook on the back, you can hang the speaker anywhere you want, even in your bathroom in case you like to listen to music or podcasts while showering. The speaker is completely waterproof, you can dig it into the mud and wash it afterward, nothing will happen to it. The connection quality is more than satisfying, including the extended signal range. The battery life is quite decent and if you take care of the volume, you can get even more than 9 hours. If you press the volume controls at the same time, the female voice will tell you the battery percentage. On the front side, you will see the grill that protects 2 40mm drivers and one passive radiator. The battery offers approximately 6h of playback time if used at moderate volume.
The battery is also satisfying for the price if you don’t like to listen to music at maximum volume. Etekcity RoverBeats T3 is very cheap, very small (2.5×2.6 inches) and very light (6 ounces) speaker.
It has a compact size, it is highly portable and most of the speaker is nicely rubberized so it won’t slip out of your hands.
Besides, it has some sticky pads on the bottom that prevent it from sliding from the surface it is standing on.
The aluminum mesh on the top protects the driver nicely, while the plastic at the lower part seems quite durable. The speaker has a decent signal range for the price and the connection quality is also satisfying. The sound quality is not great – the lows are quite shallow and the distortion appears at higher volumes (above 80%). The battery life shortens significantly if you listen to music at maximum volume and you will get only 2-3 hours out of it. The mic doesn’t work great outdoors as it picks up too much ambient noise. AYL SoundFit is one more inexpensive, small (2×3.6×3.9 inches) and light (9.4 ounces), portable speaker.
At least, that’s what we can conclude from the rugged design, rubberized surface and metal mesh that protects the drivers. The speaker is well-built and it can even be dropped or in contact with smaller amounts of water without being damaged.
The pairing process is simple and fast but this speaker can also be connected to any non-Bluetooth device with a 3.5mm output port via 3.5mm cable. The speaker can be used as a speakerphone as it has a small built-in mic so you can answer calls by pressing the hands-free button. On the left side, you will find micro USB charging and 3.5mm aux ports protected with rubber caps. Apie speaker has good build quality, especially because it is reinforced with rubber and aluminum.
You can pair it with any kind of Bluetooth enabled device, as well as non-Bluetooth as it comes with 3.5mm audio cable. The Bluetooth range remains stable and uninterrupted at approximately 20ft distance, while the battery can last up to 8 hours at 75% volume.
The speaker has IPX 4 rating, its signal range goes up to 33ft and the battery can last up to 25 or 30 hours at 70% volume. On the front side of the speaker, you will see the metal grill with the company logo that covers the drivers. The protective mesh is made from aluminum and the rest of the speaker is nicely rubberized. Thanks to its size, weight and the fact that it can be attached or hung on any backpack, bike, tent, etc., you can take it anywhere with you. It can be connected to both Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth devices (through 3.5mm aux cable) and it sounds great. Even if you’re listening to music at the max volume, you will get up to 8 hours of playback or talk time.
The sound is clear and pleasant for listening while the speaker gets really loud, louder than you would expect. It is not as good as we would like it to be, especially at high volumes when it sounds distorted and it affects the general impression.
It comes in black, blue, white, gray, teal, red and camouflage styles.
It has an IPX7 rating and it uses Bluetooth 4.2 version with 33ft signal range and a powerful battery that offers up to 12 hours of playback time. It also looks well-built and durable, especially because of the IPX7 rating that allows you to submerge the speaker into the 1m deep water for short period of time. The signal range stays stable even at longer distance than advertised.
There is also the app you can download and switch between stereo and party modes in case you have two Flip 4 speakers. The speaker has a built-in mic that works nicely and offers surprisingly good performance. JBL Flip 4 has to be used carefully in water as it can’t float and you have to pay attention so it doesn’t sink to the bottom of the pool. The battery life significantly shortens if the speaker is used at max volume and you will get only 5 hours of playback.
Photive M90 is made to be used outdoors and the metal protective grill that is screwed to the plastic housing confirms that. The buttons and the protective cap on the back panel are rubberized and the controls are easy to use and very responsive.
The speaker feels rather durable and it has an IPX5 rating which means it can survive contact with drops of water or even rain. It is advertised that the battery lasts up to 10 hours, but you can get even more if you turn the volume a bit down.
The pairing process is easy and the speaker is compatible with all kinds of Bluetooth enabled devices. The connection will remain stable at the distance larger than 33 ft in certain circumstances (if there is no obstacles). The sound quality seems good and mids, highs and lows are distinctive, pleasant and balanced. It comes in blue, wood, and silver styles and it has dual drivers and a subwoofer.
The drivers are protected with aluminum mesh and the rest of the speaker is made from durable plastic. The Bluetooth connection is good and there are no significant cutouts within 30-40 ft range depending on the environment and obstacles.
BlueSync BX is one loud speaker and the sound quality is quite good considering the size and the price. They claim that the signal starts to cut out when the battery life approaches to its end. The other buttons work only in case you’re playing music from some flash drive and that is not normal. If you want to complete the purchase in the right way, you should define the maximum sum you can spend on your new Bluetooth speaker.
If you’re buying some of the products from our list, then your limit is set at $100 but you should also decide if you want to spend all the money on only one speaker. You know that there are many levels of IPX rating, even those that combine water and dust resistance, but not all of them are considered good enough.
If you want to buy a speaker that is truly waterproof or dustproof, you should try to find one with higher protection level. It affects connection quality, signal range, and battery life. The older versions of Bluetooth offered basic features, lower speeds and high compression rate. We couldn’t really feel the true pleasure of using Bluetooth connection until the 4.x versions were introduced. They brought higher speeds, longer signal range and lower power consumption. The next version 5.0 brought higher speeds, longer signal range and even lower power consumption. They aren’t bad and they do offer a lot, but we are eager to try out the newest technology. Whenever you’re buying a Bluetooth speaker, one of the things you have to pay attention to is their size (dimensions) and weight. However, if you need something to take with you wherever you go, we would advise you to buy some smaller and lighter speaker that can fit your backpack. Sound quality is the most important characteristic of any audio device and speakers aren’t excluded.
Power rating is expressed in W. In case you want or need a loud speaker, you should know that its sensitivity should span from 90 to 95dB. Some people might not like answering calls through the speaker, but the majority loves this feature and you can find it even in some cheaper models.
They have USB ports and micro SD-card slots that enable you to play your music from your USB drive or SD card and that’s a great option in case you run out of battery or if you have to use the phone for something else. Sometimes, it is even possible to charge your phone and stream music at the same time and that can be really useful, especially if you have a speaker with very powerful battery.
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