The Best Bluetooth Speakers

Buying Guide for Bluetooth Speakers

Why buy Bluetooth speakers?

Bluetooth speakers allow you to listen to music and podcasts and take calls hands-free and with good sound quality. They’re wireless, compact, portable, and likely far more affordable than your surround sound computer speakers. If you enjoy listening to music outdoors, you may also appreciate that many models are water-resistant or waterproof. If you’re looking for something durable and cheap that will still do justice to your favorite tunes, a Bluetooth speaker is just the thing you need.

What should you look for in a set of Bluetooth speakers?

• Connectivity: Though it’s not very common anymore, you or some of your music-loving friends may own devices that don’t have Bluetooth capability. If that’s the case, look for Bluetooth speakers that offer an aux port for non-Bluetooth devices like MP3 players. An excellent connection also entails range, so look for a product that offers the latest Bluetooth standard to use your speaker from further away.
• Special Features: Some Bluetooth speakers are made with military-grade durability; some are able to be submerged underwater without skipping a beat. There are also models out there that offer attachable speakers that can be separated for stereo sound and others that can be paired with similar speakers to amplify the music. Be sure to do your research to find the best model for your needs.
• Sound Quality: Fantastic sound quality is everything when shopping for speakers of any kind. Bluetooth speakers have a remarkable range of audio capabilities but aren’t exactly known for professional-quality sound. Nevertheless, some pill speakers offer powerful bass technology, like bass radiators and adjustable bass and treble levels. Look for a wide range frequency response depending on your preferences (20 to 300 Hz is bass, 300 Hz to 4 kHz is mid-range, and 4 kHz+ is treble).

How do you choose a Bluetooth speaker that’s best for you?

To find the best Bluetooth speaker for you, first, consider the product’s price. If it’s in the budget, scrutinize its sound (and be sure to check out other reviews). If it seems promising, it’s time to take a deep dive and figure out what it brings to the table regarding battery life, water resistance, durability, and connectivity options. If its attributes seem to vibe with your lifestyle, you’ve found a great speaker for you.

Our Picks for the Best Bluetooth Speakers

Pros: Featuring an affordable price point, impressive IPX5 water-resistant construction, and surprisingly good sound quality for the money, the Angle 3 Bluetooth Speaker should exceed the needs of most people. Many praise its long-lasting battery life, making it an excellent option for daily use and extended sessions. Factor in its durable build quality, and you have a product that’s well worth the asking price.

Cons: Like most budget Bluetooth speakers, this one makes up for its lack of booming bass with surprisingly rich mid tones. However, if you want to feel the music to your bones, this speaker is probably not ideal for you.

Bottom Line: Given this product’s excellent battery life and water-resistant design, it’s tailor-made to be your go-to shower speaker or to supply the tunes in your humid garage gym. While its sound is overall incredibly solid, bass heads will likely need to invest a bit more to find a product that can do their favorite tunes justice.

 

Pros: The variety of capabilities and features of the SUPNIU is impressive. It’s a party-making machine with RGB LED lights, flashing strobe modes, and a 360-degree stereo effect. The SUPNIO isn’t just a speaker; it’s a four-in-one powerhouse with dual tweeters and woofers. It’s more than a party in a box, though. With the microphone playback system and the purchase of a microphone, this speaker can also be used for presentations, teaching, and unforgettable karaoke jam sessions.

Cons: This speaker is definitely bulkier than most Bluetooth speakers you will come across. Also, some reviewers noted that it was not as loud as they anticipated.

Bottom Line: Overall, this comes with dozens of details that appeal to the widest range of customers possible. This party-making, karaoke-equipped, portable Bluetooth speaker transitions to professional settings and at-home enjoyment seamlessly.

 

Pros: Featuring a beautiful design and four understated color options, the KOVE Commuter 2 has a lot to offer, even if it’ll cost a couple of extra bucks compared to other Bluetooth speakers. This unique speaker can be split apart for true stereo sound or attached for a fairly robust surround sound effect. Its Bluetooth 5.0 connection works wonders, even at a fair distance, and its bass and IPX7 water resistance are tailor-made for pool parties and booming pop tracks. Factor in its seven-hour battery life, and you have a speaker that won’t let you down when it’s called upon.

Cons: Some noted having connectivity issues, which can be a real downside for Bluetooth speakers. 

Bottom Line: If you want a speaker with loud, crystal-clear sound and an ingenious design, this one is well worth considering. However, it’s better for listening to music and podcasts than it is for gaming since you’re likely to contend with minor latency issues.

 

Pros: With the Flip 4, you get a reliable Bluetooth connection, noise cancellation, and the abillity to connect up to two devices. The speaker is IPX7 waterproof so that you can enjoy music at the pool, and its 3,000-mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery is nothing to scoff at, either. Even better, if you have friends with JBL Connect+ enabled speakers, you can have a huge dance party with the Flip 4 because it connects with up to 100 of the same speakers.

Cons: This speaker’s battery life looks great on paper, but expect only around four hours of play time if listening at the loudest volume level possible.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a colorful way to enjoy music wirelessly by the pool or in the work shed, the JBL Flip 4 is a stellar choice regarding volume, sound quality, and durability. The ability to pair it with other Flip 4s makes it a great choice for those who like to enjoy their favorite tunes with friends.

 

Pros: This Bluetooth speaker has an impressive wireless range of up to 66 feet—which is definitely impressive for a Bluetooth speaker. Its battery life is also stellar, so you can use it repeatedly without needing to charge it. More importantly, this speaker delivers incredibly loud sound while maintaining the crispness of its high and mid tones, so music lovers are bound to appreciate the wide frequency range this little behemoth is capable of.

Cons: Those with highly sensitive ears may notice some distortion. However, if you’re not an audiophile, you will likely be impressed by what you hear.

Bottom Line: You can’t go wrong with the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker in terms of its quality sound, impressive battery life, stellar wireless range, and durable build quality. For this product’s low-asking price, Anker has produced a gem that’s worthy of anyone’s hard-earned cash.

Final Thoughts

A great Bluetooth speaker is more like a Honda Civic than a Lamborghini; you can treat it rough and use it for years, and it’ll be just as reliable as the day you first got it. Granted, you probably won’t receive a product with world-class sound, but let’s face it—you’re not spending your entire paycheck here. What you will receive, however, is the ability to jam out whenever you want, wherever you want, and all you’ll need is your smartphone and speaker.