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.
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.
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 5 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers 2021
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.
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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 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.
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. Tribit StormBox Micro The best cheap Bluetooth speaker for portability Specifications Size: 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches Weight: 9.6 ounces Battery: 8 hours Waterproof: Yes (IP67) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Small and lightweight + Decent bass + Water- and dust-proof Reasons to avoid – No app – Short battery life
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. JBL Clip Plus An old-timer with plenty of value Specifications Size: 4.2 x 3.5 x 1.7 inches Weight: 5.3 ounces Battery: 5 hours Waterproof: No (water resistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon View at Amazon 47 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Impressive audio quality for its size + Convenient integrated clip + Built-in speakerphone Reasons to avoid – Limited battery life – Not waterproof
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.
The best Bluetooth speakers 2021: the top portable speakers for any budget
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 View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 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 View at Walmart Low Stock View at Walmart 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 View at Dell Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 5 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 Low Stock View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Crutchfield 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. 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 View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy 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. Urbanista Brisbane Scandi design meets decent sound Specifications Weight: 1.5 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 30m (100ft) Frequency response: 80-20,000Hz Drivers: 2 x 52mm NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Great audio performance + Second speaker pairing Reasons to avoid – Could be more rugged – Boring design
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 Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 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. If you want to save money then Urbanista, Tribit, and Anker offer brilliant speakers that won’t break the bank.
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