So while there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people it’s a question of finding a speaker that’s not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size.
David Carnoy/CNET When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its extra bass performance.
Available in three color options — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — it’s equipped with Bose’s PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether upright, hanging or flat on its back.
The Flex also floats and Bose says it can survive drops and bumps, with a soft silicone back and powder-coated steel grille that “won’t peel or flake and is resistant to corrosion and UV light.” Aside from its great design, Bose’s SoundLink Micro stood out because it was able to deliver more bass than every Bluetooth speaker in its size class, and it also managed to have limited distortion at higher volumes.
It’s IP67 dust-proof and water-resistant (it can be fully submerged in shallow water for a short time) and has up to eight hours of battery life at moderate volume levels with USB-C charging. Like the Bose, this portable Bluetooth speaker has an integrated strap so you can clip it to your backpack or bike’s handlebars.
But for the fourth-gen Clip 4, JBL has moved to a more oval shape, bulked up the speaker slightly and added USB-C charging. It’s kind of a poor man’s version of JBL’s well-regarded Xtreme 2 speaker, which currently sells for around $200 though its list price is higher.
Equipped with a handle and weighing a little over 4 pounds, the speaker reminds me of one of those giant flashlights or “floating lanterns” that were in vogue about 30 years ago. Anker says the Motion Boom delivers “huge stereo sound” and yes, it plays pretty loud and has a decent amount of bass with reasonable clarity.
According to JBL, the speaker is equipped with a “racetrack-shaped driver,” with a separate tweeter and dual passive radiators, which improves both clarity and bass performance over the Charge 4. The Charge 5 comes in six color options: black, blue, gray, red, teal and “squad” (which looks like a kind of camo). There’s an integrated handle for toting the speaker, but the PartyBox 110 is pretty hefty, weighing in at 23 pounds and measuring slightly more than 22 inches tall. I didn’t test the stereo mode, but I was impressed with the sound of a single PartyBox 110 — it puts out lots of well-defined bass with good overall clarity in the highs and mids — and I suspect that pairing two of these together would be pretty awesome. But it does deliver enough volume to fill a spacious living room with sound and also plays loud enough for a small pool or beach party. This is your best bet if you want a portable speaker that can deliver big, quality sound and operates on battery power. This portable Bluetooth speaker is both dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and is rated for 16 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels (it has USB-C charging while the older XB12 didn’t). David Carnoy/CNET Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth speakers come in a few different sizes, but none of them are as big as the all-new Hyberboom.
A supersize wireless speaker that tips the scales at a hefty 13 pounds, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny. UE Boom reps told me the Hyperboom was created after the company got feedback from its customers looking for a bigger speaker that could play loud enough and have deep enough bass to power a party. Besides sounding decent for streaming your favorite music and more, this affordable Bluetooth speaker is also fully waterproof. Like its predecessor, the fully waterproof Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 with Bluetooth connectivity carries a list price of $100, but often sells for less.
This Bluetooth device also has 30% better battery life — lasting up to 13 hours at moderate volume levels, according to Ultimate Ears — and you can link two together to create a stereo sound pairing by pressing a button on each speaker. Sarah Tew/CNET The Tribit MaxSound Plus ($50 with an instant coupon) is about 30% bigger than its sibling XSound Go and costs about $25 more, but it performs substantially better and is one of the best-sounding speakers in its size and price class. It’s also worth noting that the A1 has multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect this to your PC and smartphone at the same time and easily switch back and forth between the two if a call comes in on your phone. Additionally, the smart speaker is Alexa-enabled, meaning you can activate Amazon’s voice commands assistant by just saying “Alexa.”
Sarah Tew/CNET Although a little pricey, Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in three color options, although the blue version appears to be hard to find.
Best portable mini Bluetooth speaker for 2021: JBL, Bose, Sony and more
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.
The 8 Best JBL Speakers of 2021
The JBL Jr Pop may need to be charged a bit more than your typical Bluetooth speaker, but its tough build and playful design still make it a clear winner for kids. The PartyBox has an IPX4 rating, which means it can withstand splashes and spills and won’t get ruined by an unexpected rain shower. With 18 hours of battery life and an included power cord, you don’t have to worry about running out of juice. The built-in light show feature is an added bonus that provides some extra ambiance while the music plays.
Its customizable light shows automatically sync up with your music, displaying a brilliant array of colors on all sides of the device. Just choose a theme in the JBL app or create your own lighting sequence from scratch, and you instantly have a centerpiece for your room.
You can even connect it to another JBL speaker using the PartyBoost feature to enjoy stereo sound (or twice the light show, if you happen to have a second Pulse 4). Just note that the internet-enabled smart features will not work if it goes out of range of a Wi-Fi signal—at that point it would behave like a regular Bluetooth speaker. If you’re looking for something a little more high-tech or hands-free, the Link Portable adds some fun new features to a classic JBL speaker design.
There are two metal rings built into the top of the speaker and a fabric strap in the box, allowing you to carry it over your shoulder or across your back like a bag. If you don’t mind charging up every night, then the Go 3 is a durable and fun little speaker that won’t break the bank. With an affordable price tag, ultra-compact design, and solid audio performance, the JBL Go 3 lets you take your music everywhere.
That being said, the IPX7 waterproof rating makes it an excellent poolside or outdoor party speaker, and the battery lasts for a full 24 hours between chargers so you won’t need to bring along a charging cord. Bluetooth 5.0 technology supports a stable connection to your music streaming device and lets you pair the Boombox 2 with other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers (if you decide you need even more audio immersion).
Available in a dozen different colors and prints, this speaker can be oriented both vertically and horizontally, delivering room-filling sound with powerful bass. Final Verdict Our top pick is the versatile JBL Flip 5, which delivers rich sound in a durable and portable design.
If you really want the cream of the crop (and have extra money to spend), then we recommend the Boombox 2 for its huge volume and long battery life. Also, some single speakers provide enough bass as standalone options that an additional woofer isn’t required. The brand is known for making speakers with a strong bass response, so they’re a great choice for people who listen to bass-driven music. JBL makes lots of interesting travel speakers that include clips, carrying handles, and straps for easy portability or actual on-the-go listening while hiking or cycling.
If you want powerful sound and don’t need to transport your speaker very far, you may want to look into something bigger and heavier—JBL has a few models that trade portability for premium audio quality and extra features like Wi-Fi connectivity and charging ports. Subpar battery life is frustratingly common with cheaper wireless devices, and it can really take the fun out of a new speaker. Syncing features can be lots of fun because they allow you to quickly create a multi-speaker setup, but there are restrictions about which speaker models are compatible with each other.
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.
Best wireless JBL speakers
Still, its 20-hour battery life is sure to keep the party going and Bluetooth 5.1 will maintain a strong connection between your phone and the speaker. In addition to all the standard features a wireless JBL speaker offers, the Pulse 4 has a whole-body LED light display, which allows it to put on a bit of a show for you while you listen
You also get an upgraded driver system that reproduces louder bass and should sound good for most scenarios.
Unfortunately, the JBL Flip 5 lacks a microphone but it retains the beloved passive bass radiators and woven speaker cover.
This tiny speaker is still IPX7 waterproof and has a new control system that backlights the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons. You don’t get any high-quality Bluetooth codecs here, which is a real shame considering how it also lacks a headphone jack. Still, it’s a forgivable omission seeing how most people are bound to use the Flip 5 attached to a bag or as it hangs from a tree. This speaker isn’t cheap but it’s a great portable party powerhouse, with two stands on the bottom to set it up properly on a table. It’s not going to compete with the Xtreme 2, nor is it going to make you forget about the Charge or Flip—sometimes you don’t have a ton of money and need something to fill the void now. In fact, JBL even has a line of much larger party speakers geared for significant increases in output and cost.
While they’re a lot bigger and more powerful than all the speakers on this list, they also have a few interesting features like lights, microphone/guitar inputs, DJ sampling pads, and more. Additionally, this list doesn’t cover studio monitors because get this: wireless speakers aren’t the right tool for the job.
This means that they can be fully submerged in water one meter deep for up to 30 minutes, making them ideal for summer activities or taking in the shower. Limit: Device max tilt of 60° from sprays IPX4 ✓ Splashes, omnidirectional IPX5 ✓ Water jets (12.5 L/min) Editor’s note: Sara tested a JBL Flip 4’s IPX7 rating by submerging it in a pool for about 10 seconds, and it came out broken. If you’ve got a vision of yourself creating a surround sound outdoor party with your wireless JBL speakers, make sure they play nice with one another.
For Black Friday 2021, many JBL speakers are discounted up to 55% off the original price through Amazon Canada. Occasionally, these huge promotions only apply to older models, so double-check that you’re getting the generation of headset or speaker that you want before hitting “buy.” JBL announced the Flip 6 back in September 2021, and it will make its way to shelves this December for $129 USD. The Flip 6 has the same IP67 rating as the Charge 5 and works with JBL PartyBoost to connect two compatible speakers for stereo listening.
It comes in five colors: grey stone, river teal, ocean blue, midnight black, or squad (camo). In addition to saving a couple bucks, you also get the guarantee of an inspected product that works, backed by JBL’s warranty.
If you’re fine with microUSB charging and want a speaker with two channels instead of one, buying refurbished is the best way possible to grab one of these models’ predecessors. Each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market, and our staff adheres to a strict ethics policy.
We pride ourselves on transparently outlining objective facts, while accounting for the subjective experience to contextualize an audio product’s performance. That’s why we strive to help people wherever they are, instead of just publishing pretty things about the latest tech you can’t afford.
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 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.
JBL Flip 5 review
For years now if you wanted a speaker that you can bring to the beach and won’t break the bank my answer has been to just get the JBL Flip. It’s wrapped in a durable fabric material that gives it an IPX7 rating, meaning: it can survive being submerged in up to three feet in water.
While it’s easy enough to figure out which button is which thanks to them slightly protruding away from the fabric, I feel like they would be much easier to use in low light situations if they lit up or were at least painted a different color. Another underappreciated thing about the Flip series is that they come in a bunch of different colors so whether you want teal, all-black, or even pink you can find one for you. Once it begins blinking and making a beeping sound that means you’ve entered pairing mode. Connection strength is solid, and I had few problems playing music anywhere in my apartment from my iPhone 11 Pro in my pocket.
Unfortunately, there are no high-quality Bluetooth codecs to speak of here so there was a huge lag while watching YouTube videos. For whatever reason, the audio never synced up with what the person was saying, and because JBL removed the 3.5mm input: there’s no real way around this issue.
The roll-off at 60Hz is something that you’re not only able to ignore completely, but you’d have to live with no matter what speaker you buy under a few hundred dollars. JBL upgraded the driver inside the speaker to give it more of a deeper low end, and the company succeeded from what I could tell. JBL’s wireless speakers tend to follow a signature sound that’s roughly similar to the Harman target curve. Essentially, bass notes from middle-C and lower see a bump from 2-8dB, mids are evenly emphasized, and the highs are gently attenuated.
The Flip 5 doesn’t buck this trend, and you’ll likely be happy with the sound without too much futzing with any in-app equalizers or junk like that. The bass response definitely sounds like it was given more of an emphasis this time around than the JBL Flip 4, but it still isn’t going to be the greatest thing you’ve ever heard. The difference is subtle, and if you’re hanging out in the yard or the beach: chances are you’re streaming off of a lowish-quality service like Spotify or Apple Music.
If you aren’t really paying attention to the subtleties of the bass response, you won’t hear them anyway.
Still, it was a welcome addition in The Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala, where the groovy bassline is the main part of the song in my opinion. It sounded good enough to hear but wasn’t able to get super low due to the hard drop off at under around 100Hz.
This isn’t a huge deal when listening to podcasts since there wasn’t a lot going on besides voices, but in songs with a lot going on like Ghost Under Rocks by Ra Ra Riot I found that some instrumentation was lacking in clarity as things like guitars and strings were battling for volume with the vocals throughout the chorus. It has a tough waterproof fabric, good sound, decent battery life, and its portable size makes it a great option for just about everyone.
JBL Xtreme 3 Review
JBL’s latest update to its portable Bluetooth speaker lineup, the Xtreme 3, comes at the right time when outdoor gatherings are the norm. Available in black, blue, or camouflage and measuring 5.4 by 11.8 by 5.3 inches (HWD), the 4.4-pound Xtreme 3 has a cylindrical build with passive radiators on either end.
A large JBL logo is emblazoned on the front face of the speaker, which has wraparound grille and built-in handles for the included removable strap to latch onto. There are buttons for power, Bluetooth, volume, play/pause (pressing it twice skips forward a track, but there’s no backward navigation), and PartyBoost, which links the Xtreme 3 with other compatible JBL speakers. Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the Xtreme 3’s general sound signature. Callahan’s baritone vocals receive an ideal blend of low-mid richness and high-mid crispness, and the higher-register percussive hits and acoustic strumming get a bright, detailed presence, as well. On Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild,” the kick drum loop receives an ideal high-mid presence, allowing its attack to retain its punchiness. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get some added low-frequency punch, but not so much that they sound unnatural—the spotlight still belongs to the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals.
JBL didn’t do much to mess with the recipe here, and that was wise, as Xtreme 3 earns our Editors’ Choice award for bass lovers looking for a portable, rugged speaker.
If this price is a bit high for your budget, consider the $180 JBL Charge 4 or the $250 Sony SRS-XB43, both of which deliver strong audio from smaller, outdoor-friendly frames. JBL Xtreme 3 4.0 Editors’ Choice See It $379.95 at Amazon MSRP $349.95 Pros Powerful, bass-forward audio with four drivers and dual passive radiators No speakerphone function The Bottom Line JBL’s Xtreme 3 speaker delivers robust bass depth in a rugged, waterproof build ideal for outdoor gatherings.
The best portable mini Bluetooth speaker for 2021: JBL, Bose, Sony, etc.
We keep reviewing mini bluetooth speakers here with stable clips on CNET, so we update this list frequently. This Buyer’s Guide presents your current favorites, focusing on small, lightweight models that are perfect for travel but with excellent sound output. Combined with its new design and surprisingly decent sound in its small size, Go 3 ($ 40, £ 35, AU $ 70) is one of the top micro Bluetooth speakers out there.
Apart from its excellent design, the Bose SoundLink Micro stood out because it was able to provide more bass than all Bluetooth speakers in its size class and limit distortion at high volumes.
Sarah Tew / CNET The Bose SoundLink Micro is arguably the best sounding speaker in its small size. It is also fully waterproof (IPX7 rated) and supports the aptX streaming codec for devices such as Samsung Galaxy phones.
It offers better sound with more bass and volume than many cheap general purpose Bluetooth speakers you can find on Amazon in the $ 40- $ 70 range. It’s also a more sophisticated looking Bluetooth speaker available in five different color options: black, taupe, coral red, light blue and olive green.
Equipped with two new full-range drivers and a passive bass radiator, it delivers 12 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and is IP67 rated waterproof, dustproof, rustproof and shockproof.
Sarah Tew / CNET For the first three generations, JBL’s Clip Micro Bluetooth Speaker had a circular design. Sarah Tew / CNET The Tribit MaxSoundPlus is about 30% larger than its sibling X SoundGo and costs about $ 25 more, but with significantly improved performance and is one of the best sound speakers in its size and price class. The A1 also has multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which you can connect to your PC and smartphone at the same time and easily switch between the two when you receive a call.
This model is both IPX67 certified, dustproof and waterproof, and has a 16-hour battery life rating at moderate volume levels (there’s a USB-C charge not found on the older XB12). The speaker plays louder than you can imagine in its small size and has a punch in the bass, but it can only output that much sound-yes, it’s limited.
David Carnoy / CNET I like the Ultimate Ears original Wonderboom Bluetooth speakerThe compact size, good sound, and waterproofness.Now the company has released Wonder boom 2There is a special outdoor boost mode that is a little louder than the original, sounds a little better, has more bass, and boosts treble.
Like its predecessor, the fully waterproof Wonderboom 2 is a compact speaker that costs $ 100, but can be a bit cheaper to sell.
It also improves battery life by 30% (up to 13 hours at medium volume levels, according to Ultimate Ears), allowing you to link the two to create a stereo sound pairing with the push of a button on each speaker. It’s fully waterproof, about $ 50 cheaper than the JBL Flip 5, produces louder sound, and has a battery life of up to 20 hours.
In addition, it is equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can supply power for continuous playback for up to 20 hours. Full Disclosure: This is the only product on this list that we have not directly tested.But its predecessor Oontz Angle Plus, Dating back to 2017.
We’ll do a hands-on assessment right away, but we’ve included it here based on our positive experience with Plus and over 4,800 enthusiastic user reviews on Amazon.
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