There's nothing better than kicking back at home or outside with your phone by your side, streaming your go-to playlist, podcast, or audiobook to a Bluetooth speaker. The delight of occasionally going headphone-free is worth the cost of admission.
The latest Bluetooth speakers are more capable than ever and incredibly well-priced — many great ones cost just around $100. Today's best will deliver great sound, have next-level craftsmanship and durability, and pack a plethora of convenient additional features.
We're constantly researching and testing the latest top Bluetooth speakers on the market today to find you the absolute best.
Best Overall: Best Budget: Most Versatile: Best Rugged Speaker: Best Smart Speaker:
Before the testing began, I spent a few days researching today's latest portable Bluetooth speakers from leading brands like Bose, JBL, Marshall, Sony, Soundcore, and more. I looked for products with stellar audio hardware, made from durable materials with an official rating for water resistance, and futureproof connectivity in various forms and price points.
The is a big-name Bluetooth speaker that didn’t make the cut in early 2024 due to its dated Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity. This version of the wireless protocol dates back a decade, so it has a more limited range and power efficiency than newer iterations.
Good sound is a must for a top-tier Bluetooth speaker, and the more audio drivers it packs, the better its fidelity will be. Unless you are looking for a compact offering or one that offers unique features, keep an eye out for at least two onboard audio drivers.
On the other hand, bass radiators will help the product produce a powerful and entertaining low range. More radiators will bring a boomier bass, but keep in mind that the additional rumble might negatively impact the treble and the mid-range.
Water resistance used to be a niche feature for Bluetooth speakers, but today, the handy functionality's growing availability has made it a must-have for any great Bluetooth speaker.
All product suggestions (with the exception of one) can handle direct exposure to water, and many can survive complete submersion and even float on the surface. Before making a pick, it's essential to know that speakers with an IP rating can survive exposure to water and dust, while IPX-rated ones can only handle the former. So, if you're shopping for a beach- or hike-ready Bluetooth speaker, consider one with an IP rating.
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A good Bluetooth speaker should offer double-digit battery life, regardless of its size and price point. The product category's finest offer endurance beyond the 10-hour bare minimum.
Bluetooth 5.0 (and higher) is the most desirable wireless connectivity standard a speaker should offer. Depending on your usage preference, options beyond Bluetooth (e.g., wired and Wi-Fi) are worth considering, too.
A companion app with speaker controls and audio customization options is also worth considering for your next Bluetooth speaker. Thankfully, there's no need to break the bank to access this functionality.
Now that you know how to shop, find the best Bluetooth speaker for your lifestyle and budget among these high-quality tested products.
Best Overall
Best Overall
$170 at AmazonPros
| Sound | Three audio drivers, Hi-Res and spatial audio |
|---|---|
| Durability | IPX7 waterproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 4.1 pounds |
| Other | Companion app |
Available in black, blue, or pink, the aluminum handle and speaker grille make the Motion X500 look like a pricier product. Its backlit button controls sitting on both sides of the illuminated upwards-firing audio driver are super easy to operate. I found the backlighting convenient, as it practically eliminated the learning curve of the speaker's controls when I began testing it. I also liked adjusting the lighting color via the companion app.
Equipped with two full-range audio drivers and an upward-firing unit, the Soundcore Motion X500 delivers the best sound for the money. Unlike its rivals, the device is capable of producing immersive spatial audio. Available with the press of a button, the feature makes the speaker sound more entertaining than its compact footprint suggests.
What’s more, the X500 can stream Hi-Res Audio content wirelessly. The functionality allows it to deliver high-fidelity sound than its rivals. My go-to Tidal tracks for testing audio gear came out detail-rich and vibrant, once again making me feel like I’m interacting with a speaker that costs more.
Consider the if you are looking for even more powerful sound and don’t mind spending an extra $50. It weighs an extra pound, but it packs two more drivers than the X500.
Best Budget
Best Budget
$80 at AmazonCredit: Trevor RaabPros
Sleek and durable
Amazing sound for the money
Backlit button controlsCons
No rating for dust-resistance
| Sound | Two audio drivers, Hi-Res Audio |
|---|---|
| Durability | IPX7 waterproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 13 hours |
| Weight | 2 pounds |
| Other | Companion app |
The stereo sound of the Soundcore Motion 300 is surprisingly detail-rich for such an affordable speaker. Like the pricier X500 and X600 Bluetooth speakers from the same maker, the Hi-Res Audio-capable Motion 300 made me feel like I was playing my test tracks on a pricier device. Its bass is also stellar, and you can boost it with the press of a button.
Like costlier products, the Soundcore Motion 300 has been tuned to deliver an optimal sonic experience depending on its placement. I enjoyed great sound when I placed it facing up or standing, though the second option treated me to a better stereo experience. And once again, the Soundcore app is packed with intuitive tools for customizing the sound.
Available in black, blue, and green, the Soundcore Motion 300 has a soft-touch rubber shell and a luxurious metal grille. If you are shopping on an even tighter budget, consider . For around $50, it has a more compact design, a fully waterproof build, and great sound quality for its size.
Best Design & Battery Life
Best Design & Battery Life
Now 24% Off$129 at AmazonCredit: Trevor RaabPros
Retro-inspired design is very cool
Great audio quality for its size
Tough build and convenient controls
Excellent battery lifeCons
Could use a carrying strap
| Sound | Two full-range audio drivers, two passive bass radiators |
|---|---|
| Durability | IP67 water- and dustproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Other | Companion app |
Featuring a rectangular shape with rounded corners and a distinctive speaker grille with an embedded Marshall logo, the Emberton II looks like a miniaturized guitar amp. Impressively, you can stack multiple speakers like the Marshall amps to create an even more powerful sound system.
The multi-direction control knob is another thoughtful design bit that makes the Emberton II a great buy. I like that instead of peppering the speaker with buttons, Marshall opted for a single, do-everything key. I found the setup to be cooler and more convenient than a standard set of buttons.
The audio performance of the Marshall Emberton II is worthy of its design and brand credentials. Two full-range audio drivers produce crisp and enjoyable stereo sound while a pair of passive radiators pump out a powerful bass that defies its compact form factor. The sound is customizable via a companion app with an intuitive interface.
You can order Emberton II in black or cream colors, each featuring contrasting branding and control knob. Consider if you’re after a more powerful sonic experience. It is slightly bigger, and its controls feature dedicated buttons for adjusting the bass and treble. The is a smaller and cheaper Emberton II alternative.
Most Versatile
Most Versatile
$180 at AmazonCredit: Trevor RaabPros
Powerful sound with booming bass
Rugged design
Stellar battery life
Doubles as a battery packCons
No carrying strap
| Sound | Long-excursion woofer, tweeter, two bass radiators |
|---|---|
| Durability | IP67 water- and dustproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours |
| Weight | 2.1 pounds |
| Other | Companion app, backup battery pack |
Sound-wise, the Charge 5 is one of the most entertaining Bluetooth speakers for the money, courtesy of two audio drivers and two passive bass radiators. Sitting on the sides of the speakers, the last-mentioned bits pump out a powerful low-range that can turn any outdoor gathering into a full-on party. That said, as powerful as it is, the Charge 5 can match the Soundcore X500 and X600 in sheer audio fidelity.
I enjoyed my favorite downtempo albums on a JBL Charge 5, both indoors and outside. The additional bass rumble served the beats-heavy tracks well without seriously distorting the mid-range and the treble. Thankfully, the sonic experience is customizable via an app, so you can tone down the bass if necessary.
I like the speaker’s design, too. Its fabric-covered housing with an oversized JBL logo is available in several colors, and it will look equally great on a kitchen counter, a patio table, a beach towel, or a camping site.
The is a smaller alternative to the Charge 6 that doesn’t skimp on durability. Its sound and battery life are a step behind those of the Charge 5, but it’s considerably cheaper.
Best Rugged Speaker
Best Rugged Speaker
Now 32% Off$135 at AmazonPros
Excellent sound quality
Incredibly durable build
Amazing battery lifeCons
No spatial audio
| Sound | Dual audio drivers and passive bass radiators |
|---|---|
| Durability | IP67 waterproof, dustproof, shockproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours |
| Weight | 3.4 pounds |
| Other | Companion app |
Equipped with full-range audio drivers and passive radiators, the SRS-XE300 delivers a detail-rich and powerful sound that’s customizable via the Sony Music Center app. The drivers have a non-circular shape, allowing the speaker to blast distortion-free audio at any volume. I was particularly impressed by this feat, as many portable speakers lose detail to thumping bass and screaming treble at high volume.
The SRS-XE300 sounds like a bigger product thanks to a clever line-shaped sound diffuser. It delivers an equally great sonic experience when placed horizontally or vertically, and there's also an option to seamlessly connect many units for a bigger sound. That said, its lack of support for Hi-Res Audio or immersive spatial content are glaring omission in 2024.
Sony offers the SRS-XE300 in black, blue, red, and light gray. If you want a smaller Bluetooth speaker, consider with the same design and features for less.
Best Mini Speaker
Best Mini Speaker
$80 at Amazon$48 at WalmartPros
Super compact and tough
Good sound quality
Onboard carabiner makes it easy to carryCons
Only one audio driver
| Sound | 40-millimeter audio transducer |
|---|---|
| Durability | IP67 waterproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 0.5 pounds |
| Other | Integrated carabiner |
Powered by a single 40-millimeter audio driver, the JBL Clip 4 emits a bigger sound than its palm-sized form suggests. By providing me with a good harmony between bass, treble, and midrange, the tiny gadget exceeded my toned-down expectations when I streamed my playlists for evaluating audio gear.
Thanks to the JBL Clip line's signature carabiner, the speaker can easily attach to a bag or a bicycle, among countless other items. With a weight close to that of a big-screen phone like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Clip 4 is also impressively light for a Bluetooth speaker.
Available in a multitude of color options that range from understated to eclectic, the latest Clip iteration rocks an oversized JBL logo and a back with a textured finish that makes the speaker easier to handle and less prone to slipping on any surface.
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Best Smart Speaker
Best Smart Speaker
$179 at AmazonPros
Excellent sound quality for its form
Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Durable buildCons
So-so battery life
| Sound | Built-in mid-woofer and tweeter |
|---|---|
| Durability | IP67 water- and dustproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 0.9 pounds |
| Other | Wi-Fi connectivity, compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands |
Having Wi-Fi connectivity and up to 10 hours of battery life makes the speaker ideal for use in a patio, garden, poolside, or another outdoor spot that’s within the range of the user’s home network. Mundane tasks like changing playlists and adjusting the volume, to name a couple, are more convenient than reaching for your phone or the speaker itself.
Sonos speakers are known for delivering top-notch audio, and the compact Roam is no exception. The device treated me to a well-balanced sound with easily customizable bass and treble via the Sonos app. Thanks to sophisticated tech, the Roam will automatically optimize its sound based on where and how it’s placed (horizontally or vertically).
The speaker’s IP67 durability rating is on par with that of the JBL Charge 5. I wish the Roam had more than 10 hours of battery life, but its USB-C port and wireless charging compatibility more than make it for this omission.
Sonos offers the Roam in several colors. The is a great buy if you are looking for a more powerful and longer battery life. It’s worth the extra coin over the Roam.
Best Lighting Effects
Best Lighting Effects
$250 at AmazonPros
Immersive, easy-to-customize lighting effect
Entertaining sound with powerful bass
Impressively tough buildCons
Similarly priced rivals produce more detail-rich sound
| Sound | Built-in woofer, tweeter, bottom-firing bass radiator |
|---|---|
| Durability | IP67 water- and dustproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 4.8 pounds |
| Other | Companion app, 360-degree light |
A built-in tweeter, woofer, and passive bass radiator allow the Pulse 5 to deliver powerful 360-degree sound that’s customizable via the JBL Portable app. The speaker is designed to sit vertically, ensuring that the bass is stronger than the low-range output of its rivals. It sounds much boomier than its footprint suggests.
However, in terms of sheer audio fidelity, the Pulse 5 is far from the level of our top picks due to its inability to produce stereo sound. You can link two speakers to get the latter and more striking visuals, but that’s too expensive for my taste.
The Pulse 6 is more durable than its looks suggest. The speaker is water- and dustproof and equally suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Its 12-hour battery life is solid, considering the lighting effects it brings.
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