Depending on your needs, the category of Bluetooth speakers can feel quite specialised. These multipurpose gadgets occupy a space between your home audio system and your cell phone (which likely has decent built-in speakers all on its own). Instead of requiring a complex, expensive speaker system, Bluetooth speakers offer a compact, inconspicuous solution to increase the loudness and richness of the music you wish to listen to.

The Bluetooth speaker market has expanded significantly in recent years, including options like waterproof, adventure-safe gadgets that you can take to the beach or simple smart speakers that look great on your bookshelf. You’ll discover a couple excellent options from each of those categories in this roundup at a range of different price ranges.

1. Bose Home Speaker 500: Smart Bluetooth Speaker

Bose dominates the premium audio market, especially with customers who want fantastic sound without worrying about it. Fair enough, Bose doesn’t offer stunning audiophile quality or even minute detail. The Home Speaker 500 does offer a contemporary smart speaker experience with nearly flawless audio quality. The Home Speaker 500 is a gadget that will appear at home in your office on the kitchen counter. It takes up less than a square foot of space and is available in a sophisticated white or a sleek black hue.

Bluetooth 4.2 is used for connection, which is competent but isn’t nearly as fluid as Bluetooth 5.0. Although Bose’s use of the term “wall-to-wall” doesn’t reveal much about the technical details, it does convey the impression that the company is attempting to deliver rich, potent sound. The device’s touch controls are simple to use and even have six preset buttons for calling up previous listening sessions.

The speaker has built-in voice assistants that you can use to operate it, and if you want to customize your experience further, you can also utilize the Bose app. If you prefer Apple Airplay, the speaker supports it because it can connect to Wi-Fi. Additionally, the colorful built-in LCD offers some excellent visual touch points when listening to music. Although the speaker costs roughly $300 and doesn’t have many native app integrations, it is still a good option based only on appearance and sound quality.

2. JBL Charge 4

JBL is a complete audio company, especially in the market for portable Bluetooth speakers. In many ways, the JBL Charge 4 is the company’s premier portable speaker. This is because it has many of the same capabilities as the Flip series but also doubles as a power bank, hence the name “Charge.” When ultimately charged, that 7500mAh battery provides roughly 20 hours of playback; however, it’s crucial to note that this number will probably decrease if you frequently charge your phone or listen to loud music.

Even more so considering the small, the sound quality is rather good. Its length is around 8.5 inches. On either end of the cylindrical speaker, JBL has installed its “passive bass radiators,” which are essentially just two rubbery subwoofer ports that move and pulse in time with your music. The speakers from JBL are always very loud, and this one is no exception. JBL completes the package with IPX7 water resistance (ideal for beach days) and an incredible ten color variations, including outlandish choices like fluorescent mint green or mustard yellow.

3. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The Beoplay A1 portable speaker from Bang & Olufsen tries to take the eponymous design language of the luxury audio company and scale it down to a portable size. Even though the speaker is slightly larger than a typical household smoke detector and is approximately 2 inches thick, it still feels very hefty, even if it fits neatly into a backpack. However, the use of premium materials and the brushed surface (B&O refers to it as “pearl-blasted aluminum”), together with a strap that resembles leather, do give the speaker a premium feel.

Even IP67 dust and water resistance are present to safeguard the gadget. Of course, the sound quality is perhaps more of an issue at a $250 price point than it would be for speakers that cost under $100. Manufacturers of high-end portable speakers prioritize balance and detail over volume and bass. This is unquestionably the situation. Although it isn’t the loudest, the 360-directional playback gives the speaker the impression of being louder than it is. The speaker has two 30W Class D speakers with a frequency response that ranges from 55 to 22,000Hz. Eighteen hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.1, and voice assistant features are all included.

4. Anker Soundcore 2

One of the portable speakers in this category with the highest sales is the Soundcore 2. And it makes sense because Anker produced a fantastic product for $30. This little rectangular powerhouse, which comes in black, blue, or red, produces a surprisingly powerful 12W volume. It is supported by Bluetooth 5’s capable connectivity and rugged, robust construction. With an IPX7 classification, that design is also reasonably water-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor use.

Although the rubberized outside shell increases durability, pushing the controls can be difficult. The 24 hours of battery life—which easily outperforms most other speakers in the class—is arguably the most impressive aspect of this device. Additionally, because it costs around half as much as mid-tier speakers and even less when compared to premium brands, buying this speaker is essentially a no-brainer for anyone who needs a portable speaker they can grab and go without breaking the bank.

5. JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker

Functionality, portability, and passably loud sound are all combined in JBL’s Clip line to provide an intriguing Bluetooth speaker option. However, considering its low price, excellent build quality, and trusted JBL sound quality, we’re awarding it our top rank for affordability. Let’s explore the real reasons behind that .Although the enclosure is tiny, a reasonably significant speaker driver occupies most of the construction. Thus the playback has plenty of power and bass. JBL fits a 1000mAh battery within the device, which it claims will allow for around 10 hours of playback on a single charge.

If you are loudly playing music, your results may differ, but that is to be expected. The battery life is adequate but not exceptional in either case. The design, which offers about ten color options and a distinctive carabiner-style clip, is arguably the other most intriguing feature. This function makes it possible to attach the speaker to a backpack or keychain, making it ideal for listening while traveling.
The speaker will endure the weather thanks to its IPX7 water resistance. Overall, this is a good product for the price. The device is a little too big for genuinely portable use, and the sound could be more robust if there were more of a ported design.

6. JBL Flip 5

The JBL Flip range is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about portable Bluetooth speakers as a category. For several reasons, The Flip 5 is one of our favorite entries in the market. First, this thing can pump some full sounds thanks to its 20W power and reasonably hefty 44mm primary driver. It also has JBL’s renowned pulsing bass ports on either end of the cylinder, making it an excellent playback device.

Despite the 4,800mAh battery being present, the battery life is just about 12 hours, much less than we had hoped. The construction quality comes next. It isn’t the lightest speaker available, weighing well over a pound, but that weight results from its rugged construction. This speaker can endure being banged around in a bag and will survive modest drops thanks to the solid and rubberized bumpers on either side. The speaker grill has a mesh covering over a rigid shell.

Because of its IPX7 rating and the fact that it feels remarkably tightly sealed, this speaker earns our top water resistance designation. Holding the speaker in your hand reveals how dense and protected it is. The $120 price tag is hard to swallow when you don’t fall into the luxury end of the features spectrum. However, if longevity and sound quality are your primary requirements, the cost might be justified.

7. JBL Pulse 3

The JBL Pulse 3 is one of the most distinctive-looking Bluetooth speaker options. It isn’t just a Bluetooth speaker, which is why. Although they aren’t quite as large as the drivers featured in JBL’s Flip and Charge lines, the foundation of the design includes multi-directional firing speakers that deliver enough power.
Plenty of low-end assistance is provided by the pulsating bass vents on the end of the cylinder. It is on par with the other portable speakers in JBL’s line thanks to the IPX7 water resistance, and you can pair it with other speakers from the same line thanks to JBL Connect+ compatibility.

But the use of light is where this speaker shines (figuratively). Rows of RGB LED lights are located below an opaque plastic shell that covers the remainder of the chassis. These lights pulse, move, and transform to the beat of your music, creating a stunningly adaptable light show that follows you. Pair the speaker with the JBL app to select your preferred light patterns.

Even when no music is playing, you can leave the speaker on as a night light or color feature. The battery life does suffer when employing the lighting features, but it may be worse with 12 hours of playback. The enormous speaker is challenging to categorize as “portable” due to its weight and ungainly design.” Overall though, this is a physically and acoustically fantastic device.

Final Words

The most crucial decision you must make when selecting your ideal Bluetooth speaker is whether you prefer something genuinely portable or one that integrates better into your house. Because of this, we gave the Bose Home Speaker 500 our top spot. It’s difficult to match its rich sound quality and easy integration into your home music listening as far as intelligent Bluetooth speakers are concerned. The JBL Charge 4 is our runner-up because it provides the best portability thanks to its rich, robust sound, outstanding water resistance, and even the ability to charge additional devices while in use. In other words, your choice of speaker will entirely depend on how and where you want to utilize it.

How We Ran Tests

Our qualified reviewers and editors rate Bluetooth speakers according to their appearance, functionality, connectivity, and features. We test their functionality in real-world scenarios, such as outdoor music listening and workplace podcast broadcasting (from various inputs). Additionally, our testers consider each speaker’s value proposition, including whether or not a product’s pricing is reasonable and how it stacks up against alternatives. Megafinder bought each device we evaluated; neither the manufacturer nor the reseller provided any evaluation units.

About Our Reliable Consultants

With almost ten years of experience writing for tech and media firms, Jason Schneider is a writer, editor, copywriter, and musician. Jason has written on technology for Megafinder as well as Thrillist, Greatist, and other publications in the past.

A professional journalist with more than five years of experience writing about technology, Alex Williams is a qualified web developer. His work has been featured in several prestigious tech journals, and since 2016, he has been reviewing products and contributing to roundups for Megafinder.

Benjamin Zeman, a Megafinder contributor and musician with over 20 years of experience is an authority in Bluetooth speakers. He gave the Bose Home Speaker 500, our top pick, a comprehensive evaluation. He discovered that it was fashionable and loaded with built-in capabilities like Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and Audible.

For more than ten years, Jeffrey Daniel Chadwick has reviewed audio equipment. His review rated the JBL Charge 4 an excellent 5-star rating for its powerful, crystal-clear sound.

Technology journalist Rajat Sharma has been covering and reviewing the most cutting-edge devices for over six years (and counting), encompassing everything from TVs to smartphones. He has collaborated with The Times Group and Zee Media Enterprises Limited, two of the largest media companies in India, during his nearly two years as a contributor for Megafinder. The JBL Clip 3 on our list is a favorite of commerce and technology writer Alice Newcome-Bill. She adores the portability, lightweight design, and long battery life.

The Definitive Guide to Purchasing Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers

Bluetooth speakers are rapidly replacing traditional home audio systems, much like Bluetooth headphones have dominated the consumer audio industry. The market has seen an increase in sleek, high-end speakers delivering fantastic sound and the convenience of beaming your music wirelessly from apps and phones, especially in the last five years. This is not to say that home theatre systems, floor speaker sets, and the like are not still commonplace. It’s interesting to note that the spec information for Bluetooth speakers isn’t as transparent as it is for high-end, audiophile goods.

This is due to a few factors:

First, Bluetooth speakers are typically confined, compact (almost), and single-driver devices. As a result, these speakers frequently employ extensive in-house digital audio processing and place less emphasis on characteristics like impedance, sensitivity, and frequency response. Many businesses fail even to state these figures, which is unheard of when marketing a set of floor speakers.

With all that in mind, there are some core considerations when purchasing Bluetooth speakers, and oddly, this purchase has a lot more in common with Bluetooth headphones than it does with normal consumer speakers. Because sleek design is so common, and because a small footprint is important for aesthetic reasons, you’ll find a lot more manufacturers going in the whole home audio direction, and as such, many of the best speakers offer great smartphone software to support your system.  Sound quality is a factor too, of course, but you have to look at it differently, mainly relying on a brand’s track record rather than the raw numbers we mentioned above. Read on for a breakdown of what to consider when making the purchase.

Form Factor: A Competitive Space

Design: Do They Look as Good as They Sound?

When you consider how Bluetooth speakers are used, design becomes significant, which you might not initially assume to be a crucial component in an audio product. Numerous gadgets are designed to be placed on a bookshelf or a kitchen counter, providing rapid access to music while blending in like an appliance. As a result, you’ll notice that many manufacturers are now producing extremely compact, futuristic designs in place of large, functional speaker enclosures.

Consider the Bose SoundLink and Home range speakers, which resemble Star Wars droids more than standard speakers. Additionally, if you choose a battery-operated Bluetooth speaker, the manufacturer will probably favor sportier designs, providing you with various color possibilities. All of this makes sense when you think about the purpose of a Bluetooth speaker: because we’re attempting to do away with bulky wires and aux cords, why would the speaker itself be made to seem bulky?

Build Quality and Durability: How much ruggedness do you need?

This category heavily depends on what your speaker’s primary objective is. Are you looking for a battery-operated, compact item to throw into your beach bag? Or are you seeking a household appliance that has greater power and may serve as the focal point of your office? These two use cases indicate quite different build quality strategies. Portable speakers often have rugged construction, frequently with rubberized bumpers and enclosures. Additionally, they frequently include dust resistance and waterproofing with an IP rating. These characteristics make these speakers ideal for outdoor gatherings and brief listening sessions while traveling, but you will undoubtedly give up some sound quality.

On the domestic front, build quality is integral to the design discussion. Although hybrid wood and composite enclosures from many top brands are often heavier than battery-powered speakers, they will withstand years of at-home listening, even with the volume turned up. However, these speakers won’t react well to drops and won’t react well to the weather. The higher end of the pricing spectrum will provide more remarkable finesse in the materials utilized in terms of premium structures. At the same time, budget manufacturers would typically eschew more acceptable materials in favor of more plastic-like constructions.

Audio Quality: The Most Important Factors

Frequency Range: How much can you hear?

This category significantly depends on what the primary goal of your speaker is. Are you trying to find a small, battery-operated gadget that you can throw in your beach bag? Or are you looking for a home appliance with more power so it can be the center of attention in your office? These two use cases suggest two very distinct build quality approaches. The construction of portable speakers is typically robust, featuring rubberized bumpers and enclosures. They usually combine an IP certification with dust and waterproofing resistance as well.

These speakers are perfect for short listening sessions when traveling and outdoor events, although you will sacrifice some sound quality. On the home front, the topic of design is fundamentally dependent on build quality. Despite being heavier than battery-powered speakers, hybrid wood and composite enclosures from many top brands can sustain years of at-home listening, even with the volume dialed up. These speakers, however, won’t respond well to drops, and they most certainly won’t respond well to the weather. Regarding premium structures, the higher end of the price range will use materials that are more skillfully crafted. At the same time, budget manufacturers would often forgo more acceptable materials in favor of more plastic-like constructions.

Drivers: The bigger, the bassier

The physical size of the speaker cone inside the enclosure is another crucial element for frequency response. The driver department has many alternatives available because the Bluetooth speaker category includes both portable and stationary models. However, larger 8- to 12-inch cones may be found inside larger units. Small speakers, often just a couple of inches in diameter, are typically found in portable units. Since more prominent speakers are typically better at supporting and producing power at the bassier end of the frequency range, many speakers also include tiny tweeter drivers set to the high end of the frequency range to add sparkle and clarity. While a business may not always make it clear what a speaker’s measurement is in advertising, you may get a good sense by glancing at the enclosure’s measurements. Just keep in mind that many speakers will use bigger, ported enclosures to produce bass-friendly echo chambers and enhance the low-end.

Loudness: Don’t rely too much on specs

When looking for speakers, you’ve probably come across the terms sensitivity and impedance. While all sound systems depend on these elements, you shouldn’t worry too much about the raw figures in the Bluetooth speaker market. Impedance, measured in ohms, is the amount of resistance a speaker can support in proportion to its amplifier, and sensitivity roughly corresponds to peak loudness.

Together, these two figures represent the strength and volume of a speaker/amp pair.
Because Bluetooth speakers almost always include an integrated amplifier, the loudness and impedance are already matched. Furthermore, what you hear won’t match the raw data because companies like Bose add many processing effects. You can look into these figures if you want an extremely loud speaker, but generally speaking, this is another factor that is more significant for sound systems than wireless speakers.

Bluetooth and Audio Codecs: A sound quality tradeoff

When looking for headphones or speakers, it’s common for people to forget that Bluetooth, despite being convenient, has inevitable inherent trade-offs with sound quality.
That’s because the Bluetooth protocol must, by definition, compress the audio source file to transfer it fast and effectively via wireless.

SBC and AAC are the most used codecs, but they compress files with the most significant loss of the original material.
This will work OK if you’re streaming MP3s from Spotify or watching YouTube videos. Still, if you want to stream high-res audio files (like WAV or FLAC), a speaker unit that supports a higher-quality Bluetooth codec like Qualcomm’s aptX would be preferable.

Amps and Space Considerations: Mostly all-in-one

One last observation regarding amplifiers: Bluetooth speakers are virtually always separate devices, unlike speaker systems and home theatre setups, which often focus on a specialized amp unit to power a series of multiple passive speakers. This implies that the amount of power and control you receive will depend on the amp that the speaker’s manufacturer installed. That doesn’t imply that you can’t buy Bluetooth-enabled soundbars or standalone amplifiers, which can fold into a more extensive system.

These are excellent methods to add wireless convenience to a conventional home cinema setup. The majority of users will find this to be overkill. Yes, they can be helpful if you need a lot of coverage for large spaces and events. However, most small-format Bluetooth speakers are loud and provide rich sound, and since they frequently feature multi-room app functionality, they make excellent party systems. 

Connectivity and Software: How it all works together

Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi speakers are an essential category to consider, but as this article is solely about Bluetooth speakers, we won’t spend much time on them. The best illustration of this is Sonos. Sonos would typically be at the top of a list of wireless speakers, but the company has chosen not to incorporate Bluetooth capability in any of the speakers it makes. The proprietary software system for which Sonos is famous is primarily to blame for this. Instead, such speakers must be linked to a Wi-Fi network to be controlled by a computer or app on the same network. Bose has similar features, but you also have the choice of Bluetooth connectivity. With Wi-Fi, you’ll get greater lossless audio performance, but it will be much more difficult for visitors who aren’t Sonos account guests to patch in and play music.

Bluetooth Pairing and Software: Standard across the board

If you’ve ever attached Bluetooth headphones to your phone, syncing most speakers is relatively simple.
Most speakers start off in pairing mode by default, but practically all speakers feature a clear Bluetooth connecting button. The speaker can then be located in your device’s Bluetooth menu. Although it’s lovely that certain manufacturers, like Bose, have created mobile apps for easier control of the speakers your phone is linked to, these apps typically aren’t as feature-rich as Sonos’ apps for Wi-Fi speakers.

Range and Stability: How far can you wander? 

The Bluetooth version should also be taken into account. Most speakers now use Bluetooth 4 or 5, and these two versions are more than sufficient for use within the home. However, Bluetooth 5 significantly extends your speaker’s line-of-sight range if you want to take it out in the open for a picnic or larger gatherings. The ability to attach two host devices to the same speaker is another advantage of Bluetooth 5, making it simpler to switch between music sources.

Portability and Battery Life: How Long Can You Listen?

While most high-end Bluetooth speakers are for use in one’s house, choosing a battery-powered model has many additional advantages. The ability to transport the speaker anyplace is the most apparent benefit. New factors are taken into account as a result of this mobility. First, you require more durability, especially water, dust, and drops protection. In this aspect, JBL and Anker are excellent companies, but Bose offers a few tough battery-powered choices that stylistically complement the sporty headphones in the SoundSport series. Battery life is the opposite side of the portability coin. Anker and Bose have slightly less impressive options than the 20 hours of listening offered by the JBL Charge series. Altec Lansing models have the most extended battery life, up to 40 or 50 hours, but you’ll have to spend more.

Smart Speakers: An Added Layer of Functionality

Smart speakers are perhaps the most famous example of this product category, even if they aren’t really “Bluetooth speakers” in and of themselves. Does one need a second Bluetooth speaker when most houses already have at least one Alexa or Google Home? Most intelligent speaker solutions will function well for in-home music streaming and offer the bonus of voice control.

The designers of Apple’s HomePod took the effort to create a unique sonic response for a smart speaker, making it a compelling choice. However, these speakers typically fall short of Apple’s audio quality. But it’s also crucial to remember that many Bluetooth speakers from unaffiliated businesses have Alexa and Google Assistant licenses for their devices, making them immediately usable.

Price: How Much Budget Do You Have?

There are many different price points. However, there is a distinct difference between cheap battery speakers and expensive home speakers. High-end systems from Bose, Marshall, and Bang & Olufsen can be found for close to $1,000. Alternatively, you can purchase inexpensive portable speakers like JBL and Anker for under $100.

Although there are many other characteristics (ranging from a smart functionality to battery life to whole-home audio functions), price isn’t necessarily a good indicator of sound quality, so it’s vital to consider your tastes before setting a budget. You can probably save a tonne of money if portability is your top priority.