As CNETs portable audio expert, Ive reviewed dozens of Bluetooth speakers. Here are my current top picks for every budget based on sound quality, size, durability and battery life.
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What to consider
Budget
Before anything else, youll want to figure out how much youre willing to spend on a new Bluetooth speaker.
Size
Be sure to balance size with performance if youre looking for something thats easily portable.
Durability
Many Bluetooth speakers are now fully waterproof and some are fully dustproof. If youre planning on taking the speaker with you to the beach or on a hiking trip, consider a more durable speaker.
Speakerphone capabilities
Some speakers have a built-in microphone that turns them into a speakerphone when making calls on your cell phone.
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Editors note, Oct. 5: Amazons October Prime Day sale is Oct. 7-8, with Big Deals on some products already underway. That means there should be lots of opportunities to save on Bluetooth speakers, as many of the top wireless speaker brands, including Bose, JBL, Sony and others typically discount certain models to their lowest prices of the year — or close to their lowest prices. Several speakers on this list should be on sale.
I test everything from tiny speakers that strap onto bike handle bars to big Bluetooth boom boxes that pump out surprisingly powerful sound that can fuel your outdoor pool and beach parties. With each passing year, Bluetooth speakers continue to improve, offering better sound quality, longer battery life and more durable designs that makes them suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Many are fully waterproof, and some even float. I’ve included options across every size and price range, with plenty of budget-friendly picks for those who don’t want to spend much.
With so many great Bluetooth speakers out there, its hard to declare one the best overall. Currently, the new Bose SoundLink Plus tops our list, striking the right balance of performance and price, earning a CNET Editors Choice award in the process. The Soundcore by Anker Boom 2 remains an excellent overall value along with Ankers new Soundcore Boom 3i. Im also also a fan of the the just-released Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), even if it is a little pricey for a tiny Bluetooth speaker.
What We Updated: September 2025
We added the new Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) and JBL Grip speakers.
As Bose continues to expand its SoundLink portable Bluetooth speaker line, its become harder to choose which is best for you. That said, the new-for-2025 SoundLink Plus ($269, £250, AU$430), which sits between the more compact second-gen SoundLink Flex ($149, £150, AU$250) and the beefier and pricier SoundLink Max ($399, £400, AU$600), may just be the best of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth speakers. While it cant play quite as loud or deliver as much bass as the larger Max, it costs significantly less and puts out clear, potent sound thats a big step up from the Flexs sound. It strikes the right balance of performance and price, earning a CNET Editors Choice award in the process. Read my full review.
Sony has released a couple of new-for-2025 portable Bluetooth speakers, the ULT Field 3 ($200) and ULT Field 5 ($330), to fill out its ULT line, which now includes six models. I liked the ULT Field 3 and ULT Field 5. Both are IP67 waterproof, dust-proof, rust-proof and shock-resistant. They include a removable shoulder strap and offer significantly improved sound over their predecessors, with more bass and better overall clarity. As you might guess, the larger ULT Field 5 delivers a bigger sound with more bass than the ULT Field 3. While somewhat pricey, its one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers Ive tested in its size class and is also equipped with party lighting and a USB charge-out port. Battery life is rated for up to 20 hours at moderate volume levels (or 10 with party lighting on).
When the SoundLink Flex speaker launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new Bluetooth speaker, particularly its bass performance. But it mostly lived up to the hype and is arguably the best-sounding wireless speaker for its compact size. A second-gen model quietly arrived in October 2024 that adds a few features, including a new customizable shortcut button, Bose app compatibility (you can now tweak the sound profile with an equalizer and create a SimpleSync connection with another compatible Bose product) and support for the AAC and AptX audio codecs. Its also equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 instead of Bluetooth 4.2. While those arent major upgrades, they do make an excellent portable Bluetooth speaker slightly better.
The second-gen SoundLink Flex is available in black, blue dusk, sandstone and a new alpine sage color. Like the original, its equipped with Boses PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speakers orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether its upright, hanging or flat on its back.
I liked the original Soundcore Motion Boom, which made our best Bluetooth speakers list and was one of the better mini boom box Bluetooth speaker values over the past few years, selling for about $80). The 3.75-pound Boom 2 costs more but sounds substantially better (read full review), with more than double the power rating of the original, so it not only plays louder but kicks out more bass and offers better clarity at higher volumes (its equipped with two tweeters and one subwoofer). It also has a couple of built-in LED lights to help create that party vibe. Its an impressive sounding speaker for its size and a good value.
Waterproof (IPX7-rated) with a floatable design, the speakers battery life is rated at up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels (it charges via USB-C) and you can tweak the sound and customize the lighting with the Soundcore app for iOS and Android. Theres also a USB-out port to charge your devices. Read full review.
LGs partnership with Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am is paying dividends as the companys latest crop of Bluetooth speakers measure up well against key competitors in the space. I tried the Xboom Grab ($140) and the Xboom Bounce ($200) and came away liking both speakers. But the larger Bounce has significantly fuller sound, with a lot more kick to the bass. On both speakers, I appreciated that they seemed well tuned and more natural sounding than many Bluetooth speakers I test, particularly in the midrange where vocals live (vocals are a bit forward, but I liked that).
The speaker has an interesting concept for a handle. Its a flexible strap that you can also use for hanging the speaker from a hook or anything that the strap will hook onto (the strap is integrated into the design of the speaker). The only question I had was whether it might stretch out over time. That said, it does appear to be replaceable.
The speaker is IP67 dust- and water-resistant, which means its fully waterproof. LG also says it offers military-grade durability and is able to withstand high temperature, rain, salt fog, blowing dust, vibration, immersion and shock. Its also rated for an impressive 30 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and has an understated lighting element that adds a little bit of flair. Finally, the Bounce is Auracast-enabled and works with LGs ThinQ app for iOS and Android (not its Xboom app), where youll find software updates and equalizer settings to tweak the sound profile a bit.
Note that there doesnt seem to be any difference between the Bounce and Bounce Core, so get the cheaper model. Weirdly, a search on the topic gets this AI result from Google: The LG Xboom Bounce and Xboom Bounce Core are essentially the same speaker, with the main difference being the manufacturing location and time. They are the same model, manufactured at different times and places, but offered at the same price point.
The Soundcore Boom 3i comes in three color options.
In some ways, Ankers new Soundcore Boom 3i is the spiritual successor of the companys popular Soundcore Motion Plus speaker that was released in 2020. Its similarly shaped but has more of an outdoor adventure slant with Anker calling it built for the wild and billing it as the first Bluetooth speaker with playback in water, as it floats and auto-corrects to keep the speaker drivers facing upward just above the surface.
As youd expect from a speaker that promotional photos show strapped onto a kayak (it does have a detachable carrying strap), the Soundcore Boom 3i is fully waterproof and dust-resistant, with an IP68 rating. Anker takes things a step further, touting the Boom 3i as 5X saltwater-resistant.
You shouldnt expect audiophile sound from a mono Bluetooth speaker of this ilk. But for the most part, the Soundcore Boom 3i gives you what you want from a portable Bluetooth speaker from a sound perspective. By that I mean it plays loud for its size — it weighs about 1.8 pounds and measures 8.3 by 3.1 by 3.3 inches — plus it puts out a reasonable amount of bass and has fairly respectable clarity. You can find speakers that sound a little more natural, but these types of rugged portable speakers arent designed for critical listening (it can distort a little at higher volumes).
I tested the speakers playback in water and indeed it flipped over, so the speaker drivers were facing up, and the music kept playing, though the audio got a little garbled when a little wave passed over the speaker, and the drivers started spitting water out. The speaker also has another interesting feature: Holding down the BassUp bass-boost button for 5 seconds sets off a 96-decibel emergency alarm — Anker says its clearly audible at up to 100 meters — with flashing red LED lights (yes, the speaker has a built-in light show). You can hit any button to turn the alarm off.
JBL hasnt radically redesigned the Charge 6 on the outside — it looks pretty similar to its predecessor and weighs the same (2.11 pounds) — but it does feature better sound, battery life and lossless audio over a USB-C connection. One of the more noticeable external changes is to the new models charge-out port (that port is why the speaker line is called Charge). Instead of a USB-A out port hidden under a gasket, theres a single exposed USB-C port thats both charge-in and charge-out. It allows you to use this fully waterproof and dust-proof (IP68) speaker as a power bank and charge devices like your smartphone while streaming music to the speaker. Additionally, JBL has added a removable handle to the Charge 6.
The larger Charge has always sounded significantly better than the smaller Flip, and that hasnt changed with the Charge 6, even as the Flip 7 has also improved its sound quality. The Charge 6 produces more bass and a bigger overall sound with minimal distortion at higher volumes (both speakers feature better overall clarity). While the Flip 7s smaller size makes it easier to carry around, the Charge 6 is worth the extra money if sound quality is a priority. I have some quibbles with its somewhat high price — its list price is $20 higher than the Charge 5s — but the Charge 6 is easily one of the best speakers in its size class.
The best way to describe Boses new SoundLink Home speaker is as the spiritual successor to the SoundLink Mini 2, which was quietly discontinued in late 2018. Available in two color options, the SoundLink Home is a portable Bluetooth speaker with up to nine hours of battery life, but it has more of an indoor design, with an aluminum chassis and no water resistance (you can move it around but its not a speaker youd take to the beach or take camping).
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and weighing slightly more than 2 pounds, its able to deliver an impressive amount of bass sound for its compact size. Overall, it sounds excellent for a mini Bluetooth speaker, offering decent clarity and bigger sound than the SoundLink Flex. However, like any small speaker, it has its sound limitations (if you push the volume up with certain tracks, it can sound a bit restrained in certain frequencies, as its digital processing seeks to prevent distortion). Pairing two of these speakers together as a stereo pair produces significantly better sound and you can link the speaker directly to a computer, smartphone or tablet with USB-C cable for wired sound (it does sound a little better in wired USB-C mode). On a more critical note, its somewhat expensive and doesnt link to Boses companion app for headphones and other Bluetooth speakers, so you cant tweak the sound profile.
The Beats Pill of 2024 has improved in some key ways from its predecessor, particularly in sound quality, durability, battery life and price point. I do like the form factor and lighter weight of the Bose SoundLink Flex. The Pill does have a few extras like USB-C audio wired mode and speakerphone functionality that are appealing.
Youll have to decide how important those extras are when weighing the Pill against the Bose SoundLink Flex. Any way you look at it, the Pill is a very good compact Bluetooth speaker. Like the Bose, its an easy portable wireless speaker to recommend, especially if its price dips by $20 to $30, as the SoundLink Flexs price sometimes does during flash sales.
Sonos Move 2 portable speaker is a pretty straightforward product to review. Thats because it improves upon its already very good predecessor in a couple of key ways. In addition to offering more spacious sound thanks to a new dual-tweeter acoustic architecture, it also delivers much improved battery life (up to 24 hours). Sonos also tossed is some modest design updates, including new touch controls. Alas, those upgrades come with a higher price — the Move 2 with an included a wireless charging dock costs $449 (£449, AU$799), or $50 more than the original. But its being sporadically discounted to $350, and if you can afford it, its an excellent portable speaker that makes for a nice addition to your homes Sonos lineup, with the ability to travel more widely thanks to its Bluetooth support. Read our Sonos Move 2 review.
Boses most compact Bluetooth speaker, the SoundLink Micro, has finally been upgraded after eight years (yes, it was first released in 2017). Slightly larger than the original, this 2nd-gen model offers Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C charging instead of the old micro USB, improved battery life and sound quality, plus a new integrated Velcro strap for attaching it to a backpack strap, bike handlebar or just about anything else. Although its list price has gone up to $129, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. Its a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in two color options: blue and black.
While this model is truly pocket-size — and thats certainly an appealing feature — the bigger but still compact SoundLink Flex sounds better and is also the better value, though it costs more.
Sony made some mistakes with its LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker. First, it launched it in its LinkBuds line with a couple of new LinkBuds, so it kind of got lost in the shuffle. Second, its a little too expensive at its list price. But ignoring all that, I was surprised how good it sounded for its tiny size. Its easily among the best-sounding micro Bluetooth speakers out there and is equipped with a two-way speaker system featuring a dedicated tweeter and Sonys X-Balanced Speaker unit (woofer), giving it much fuller sound than youd expect with punchy bass and good clarity. Its still a mono speaker, though you can pair two of them together for stereo sound.
Battery life is also impressive. At moderate volume levels, its rated for up to 25 hours of battery life. It also comes with its own wireless charging dock, which clearly added some cost to the speaker, which is IPX4 splash-proof and comes in light gray or black. The LinkBuds Speaker gets its name from its ability to seamlessly take over (auto switch) from your LinkBuds Fit, LinkBuds Open or LinkBuds S earbuds, as well as Sonys 1000XM5 earbuds, when you walk into your home and put your earbuds back in their case (your smartphone must be in Bluetooth range of the speaker). Also, your music will automatically switch from the speaker to your buds when you put the buds in your ears.
New for 2025. JBL hasnt drastically changed the design of its seventh-gen Flip portable Bluetooth speaker, which looks similar to its predecessor but has a new Push-Lock accessory system that allows you to swap between a carabiner and a loop (both are included). There are also some upgrades on the inside, including a newly developed woofer that helps improve bass performance. Like its big brother, the Charge 6, this fully waterproof and dust-proof (IP68) speaker is equipped with something called AI Sound Boost, which JBL says keeps the speakers from distorting as their drivers are pushed to their maximum capability. In other words, JBL has improved the speakers digital processing with upgraded algorithms and the Flip 7 mostly manages to avoid distorting at higher volume levels. (I didnt find it distortion-free, though.)
If sound quality is a priority, the large and more expensive Charge 6 is a better option (it does produce bigger sound with bass noticeably more bass). But, as I said, the 1.21-pound Flip 7s sound has been leveled up, and it remains one of the better-sounding speakers for its size, improving its standing against Boses similarly priced SoundLink Flex, which received some small upgrades in 2024. Read our Flip 7 first take.
When I first heard about the SoundLink Max, I was a little surprised Bose would put out a $399 Bluetooth speaker after the $149 SoundLink Flex speaker did so well. The Flex was so successful because it not only sounds good for its compact size but it doesnt cost that much, at least not for a Bose product. Not surprisingly, the 4.89-pound Max also sounds impressive — it may just be the best-sounding for its size — and has a premium design with a built-in rope handle thats replaceable (the Max is fully waterproof and dust-proof). Its a great Bluetooth speaker but its high price tag may turn some folks off.
JBL makes a lot of Bluetooth speakers, and its new-for-2025 Grip model falls somewhere between its micro-sized Go 4 and Clip 5 speakers and the Flip 6, which is more mini-sized. While it doesnt sound quite as good as the Flip 7, it costs less and is more compact, weighing in at .85 lbs., or 385 grams, which makes it easy to carry around. While it certainly has its sound limitations, particularly in the low-end, theres just enough bass to avoid sounding flat, and the speaker offers good treble clarity and strong midrange performance (the midrange tends to be where these small speakers perform best). I also liked the integrated loop and built-in lighting element on the back thats programmable via the JBL companion app for iOS and Android. Its more subdued than the light shows on some of the larger speakers and more accent or ambient lighting, as JBL calls it. Available in multiple color options, the Grip is rated for up to 14 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and is fully waterproof and dust-resistant with an IP68 rating.
I like the new designs of Sonys new-for-2025 ULT Field 3 and ULT Field 5 Bluetooth speakers, which can stand vertically or lay horizontally. Both speakers are fully waterproof, dust-proof, and rust-proof (IP67 certification) and offer significantly improved sound over their predecessors, with more bass and better overall clarity. Both also include a new removable shoulder strap; I used it more with the heftier ULT Field 5 than the lighter ULT Field 3, which is about half the size of its more-expensive sibling.
Needless to say, the ULT Field 5 sounds better, delivering bigger sound with more bass. But the ULT Field 3 also delivers more bass and volume than youd expect, given its relatively compact size (and it offers better clarity and bass performance than its predecessor, the SRS-XE300). Its battery life is also a little better (up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels), but it is missing the charge-out port found on ULT Field 5.
The Soundcore by Anker Select Go 4 doesnt have quite the build quality as JBLs Go 4 micro Bluetooth speaker (it has a slight budget feel to it), but it offers comparable sound quality and costs half the price. Like the JBL Go 4, the similarly named Select Go 4 sounds decent for its tiny size and is able to output just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny. Also, its fully waterproof and even floats. Battery life is rated for an impressive 20 hours at moderate volumes and you can pair two of these speakers together for stereo sound. Its definitely a good value.
In 2024, Tribit released a second-gen version of its popular Stormbox Blast Bluetooth boom box speaker. The Stormbox Blast 2 has an upgraded design — its less boxy and generic looking than the original — along with upgraded speaker drivers and two inputs for wired microphones for karaoke (the microphones are sold separately). The speaker is quite beefy, weighing in at 15.8 pounds, and its rated for 200W of power, with an 80W subwoofer, dual 45W mid-range drivers and two 15W tweeters.
This thing plays loud, has powerful bass (I mainly kept the bass boost mode engaged) and measures up well against more premium Bluetooth boom box speakers from JBL and Sony that cost about twice as much. Like the original, this also has a light show component — its customizable or can be turned off — and the speaker is fully waterproof with an IP67 rating. While the Stormbox Blast 2 is rated for an impressive 30 hours of battery at moderate volume levels and the light show off, battery life does drop significantly when you really crank the volume. Also worth noting: theres a charge out port, and interestingly, the speaker can be charged with a USB-C cable or the included two-prong power cord.
Sonoss original Roam speaker sounded very good for its compact size, but many users complained that it was tricky to go from Wi-Fi mode at home and Bluetooth mode on the go. With the release of the new Roam 2, which comes in five color options, those connectivity issues go away. The reality is the Roam 2 isnt much of an upgrade. It has the same acoustic architecture (and the same impressive sound for its size), but now it has two buttons — one for power and the other for Bluetooth — instead of a single power button. That Bluetooth button lets you pair the speaker with any Bluetooth-enabled audio device right out of the box. Previously, the setup was more convoluted and required you to connect to your Sonos home Wi-Fi network first.
Not too long ago, Ultimate Ears released its higher-end Epicboom Bluetooth speaker, which sounds very good but is pretty pricey at $300 and somewhat large. The newer Everboom is about half the size, weighing in at 2.1 pounds (the Epicboom weighs 4.36 pounds), and more travel-friendly. It cant produce as much sound or bass as the Epicboom, but it does play relatively loud, and I was in some ways more impressed with its sound than the Epicbooms. By that I mean for its size, its one of the best-sounding speakers out there, delivering punchy bass and nicely detailed sound.
Fully waterproof (it floats) and dustproof with an IP67 rating, it offers up to 20 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and can be wirelessly linked up with most of UEs current family of Boom Bluetooth speakers, which includes the Boom 4, Megaboom 4, Epicboom and Hyperboom. Alas, the only strike against it is its relatively high price tag ($250).
The Tribit XSound Plus 2 is the successor to the similarly priced MaxSound Plus, which was a very good value. The XSound Plus 2 plays a little louder (it has a 30-watt vs. 24-watt power rating) and also has a slightly better battery (up to 24 hours at 50% volume vs. 20 hours). Additionally, this speaker is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and is able to connect to the Tribit app and link up in party mode with Tribits XSound Plus 2, StormBox Flow and StormBox 2 Bluetooth speakers.
The speaker, which weighs in at 1.28 pounds, does play quite loud for its size and delivers an ample amount of bass. The sound can be a bit uneven (the speaker sounds very good with some tracks and a little brash with others), but you can tweak the sound profile with some EQ settings, including three preset sound modes built into the speaker itself.
Overall, the speaker seems pretty durable and has a removable lanyard and an IPX7 rating, which means its fully waterproof. It does have speakerphone capabilities as well as an auxiliary input.
In 2020, Tribit released the StormBox Micro, a budget version of Boses excellent SoundLink Micro speaker that delivered surprisingly good sound for its size and modest price. The second-gen StormBox Micro 2 offers improved sound and battery life, along with a charge-out feature that turns the speaker into a power bank for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. An integrated strap allows you to clip it to your backpack or your bikes handlebars.
Like the original, its an excellent value and easy to recommend if youre looking for a super-compact portable wireless speaker. It does cost $60 but sometimes goes on sale for closer to $50.
Ankers Soundcore Motion X600 mini boom box not only has a premium look and feel with a metal grille and carrying handle, but includes some interesting features like spatial audio and support for Sonys LDAC audio codec. It sounds impressive for its relatively compact size and is a good value.
Weighing 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg), it has some heft to it but its light enough to carry around without feeling like youre getting a workout. The speaker is available in gray, green and blue and is equipped with five drivers, including two woofers, two tweeters and one full-range, upward-firing driver in a unique speaker array that combined with Soundcores audio algorithm and DSP helps create a wide (and tall) soundstage for listening to any type of music, according to Anker. Its rated for 50 watts of total power, with two 20-watt amps devoted to the woofers and tweeters and a third 10-watt amp powering the upward-firing driver.
At the default sound setting without bass boost or spatial audio engaged, I wasnt exactly wowed with sound quality (the bass is a bit underwhelming, the mids are recessed and theres a bit too much treble push). But as soon as you engage the bass boost and spatial audio, everything sounds more balanced and full. You can also tweak the sound profile further in the Soundcore companion app for iOS and Android.
I consider the smaller Boom 2 the best value among current Soundcore by Anker Bluetooth speakers because it delivers very strong sound for a speaker that costs a little more than $100. But the larger and more expensive Boom 2 Plus is a better-sounding speaker that plays louder and produces bigger sound with more bass. It costs about $250 and it competes well with boom box speakers from JBL and Sony that cost upward of $400.
This speaker has dual 50W woofers and dual 20W tweeters, Anker says, and charges via USB-C, which is nice. There is also a charge-out option to charge your devices and the Boom 2 Plus is rated for up to 20 hours of playback time at moderate volume levels. The speaker has a handle and removable strap to make it easy to carry around and is IPX7 waterproof. It also floats should you drop it in a body of water and has a customizable light show option.
The JBL Clip 5 has a redesigned carabiner with a bigger and more accessible opening, making it easier to clip on anywhere. In my tests, the speaker ended up sounding slightly better than its predecessor, which JBL says is because the increased driver power allows for more streamlined sound and consistent bass at every volume.
Battery life is rated at 12 hours at moderate volume levels, and the speaker is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 with LE audio capabilities. Its IP67 waterproof and dustproof and has JBL Portable app support, along with multispeaker connectivity via Auracast. Its available in several colors.
Read full review
Ultimate Ears fourth-generation Wonderboom 4 offers some small improvements over its predecessor, including USB-C charging (finally) and a new Podcast EQ mode. Otherwise, the speaker is unchanged and sounds very similar with an identical battery life rating of 14 hours (at moderate volume levels) and a Bluetooth chip that allows for extended wireless range of more than 130 feet (40 meters). The design hasnt been altered either, although the speaker now comes in different colors.
Like its predecessor, the Wonderboom 4 carries a list price of $100 but sometimes sells for a little less. Its IP67 rating means that its not only waterproof but also dust-proof (and able to float).
This model retains the Outdoor Boost mode that boosts treble and you can link two together (or pair up with a Wonderboom 3 or Wonderboom 2) to create a stereo pair by simply pressing a button on each speaker. Featuring very good sound for its small size, theres some decent punch to the bass (being short yet squat helps it produce more low end), but it can only deliver so much kick.
The fourth generation of JBLs smallest Bluetooth speaker not only has an upgraded design but it delivers slightly better sound and significantly better battery life — up to 7 hours versus the JBL Go 3s 5 hours at moderate volume levels. The speaker can only deliver so much sound for its tiny size (dont get your expectations up too high), but it sounds better than you think given just how small it is (it truly fits in a pocket) and manages to output just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny. Available in multiple colors, the speaker is also durable and has an IP67 water-resistance rating, which means it can survive being submerged in water and is also dust-proof. All in all, its one of the top micro Bluetooth speakers out there.
The successor to JBLs popular PartyBox 110, the Club 120 packs some serious punch and delivers a bigger sound than many portable boombox speakers, including JBLs own Boombox 3. The speaker has been slightly redesigned from its predecessor and now features a replaceable battery (you can swap in a second battery to extend battery life, but only one battery is included) and Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast.
Theres an integrated foldable handle for toting the speaker, but the Club 120 is pretty hefty, weighing in at 24.4 pounds (1 pound more than the PartyBox 110) and measuring slightly more than 22 inches tall. You can stand this Bluetooth boom box up vertically as shown in the picture above or place it horizontally, as it has rubber feet on both sides of the speaker.
Its rated for up to 12 hours of playback time at moderate volume levels and has a light show that syncs to the beat of your music (you can customize the light show from the speaker itself or use the JBL PartyBox companion app). The speaker has Bluetooth or a wired USB connection and there are guitar and mic inputs. Its also worth noting that the speaker is IPX4 splash-proof and you can wirelessly link multiple JBL Auracast-enabled speakers for even bigger sound.
Before anything else, youll want to figure out how much youre willing to spend on a new Bluetooth speaker. Value-priced wireless speakers continue to improve, so you can find good cheap Bluetooth speakers from Chinese brands like Tribit for not too much money (less than $60). If youre looking for a more premium speaker, you can expect to pay $100 or more, especially for larger portable speakers that deliver better sound.
Bigger speakers tend to sound better, delivering a bigger sound with more bass. Going bigger means they weigh more, which can make them a little harder to carry around. So you have to balance size with performance if youre looking for something thats easily portable. If youre interested in a larger portable speaker, one feature worth looking out for is a built-in handle.
Many Bluetooth speakers are now fully waterproof and some are fully dustproof. If youre planning on taking the speaker with you to the beach, pool party or hiking trip, having a more durable speaker is a desirable trait.
Some speakers have a built-in microphone that turns them into a speakerphone when making calls on your cell phone. Many speakers dont offer that feature, so choose accordingly if thats something youre looking for. If youre looking for more speakers that fit this bill, check out our roundup of the best speakerphones here.
In assessing what the best Bluetooth speakers are, we consider six key criteria. These criteria include design, durability, sound quality, battery life, extra features and value. We test everything from compact mini models and pocket-size micro versions to heftier models with powerful audio. For more, check out our lists of the best smart speakers, best PC speakers and the best Wi-Fi speakers and music systems.
Evaluating design, we first assess how comfortable the speaker is to carry, position and adjust (their ergonomics), including grip surfaces and carrying handles or straps. We also measure and weigh each speaker to assess how easily it can be transported. Then we consider visual aesthetics, noting available colorways and finishes and how the speaker looks in different environments.
We test the durability of each speaker in both indoor and outdoor environments to simulate real-life conditions. We stress test ports and buttons, cycling through physical controls and repeatedly connecting/disconnecting cables to assess long-term reliability. We also verify IP (dust- and water-resistance) ratings when applicable and examine all external materials for signs of potential wear or degradation.
We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the speaker to top competing products in their price range. Some of my test tracks include Spoons Knock Knock Knock, Athletes of Gods Dont Wanna Be Normal, The Doors Touch Me – Take 3, Orbitals Dirty Rat, Taylor Swifts Vigilante Shit, Jvkes Golden Hour and Drakes Passionfruit. Tested sonic traits include:
Because battery life can be affected by volume, we test each speaker at both moderate and high volumes to provide a realistic assessment. We also measure how long the speaker takes to reach a full charge using all available charging equipment, including USB-C, micro-USB, proprietary connectors and wireless charging where applicable.
Some great-sounding Bluetooth speakers arent loaded with features, but we do take into account what extra features are on board. These include everything from voice assistant integration (Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, for example) to speakerphone abilities. We also also test multi-speaker capabilities, or party modes, that allow stereo pairing and multi-room functions. Models with Bluetooth multipoint, or the ability to connect to several devices at once, are also noted within the additional details section of each product. We also take a look at the companion app for the speaker if there is one evaluate for stability, user-friendliness and useful features like EQ adjustment, firmware updates and speaker finding.
We determine value after evaluating the strength of the Bluetooth speaker against all these criteria and what theyre able to deliver compared to other models in their price class.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300: Bose makes its excellent SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker that sells for about $150 and sometimes goes on sale for less. The Soundcore Motion 300 is Ankers answer to that Bose speaker. Around the same size as the Bose, it doesnt sound quite as good but it sounds impressive for its compact size and lists for only $80. Like the SoundLink Flex, it can be laid down flat with its speaker firing up toward the ceiling or propped up as shown in the photo above. Its IPX7 waterproof and delivers up to 13 hours of audio at moderate volume levels. Theres also support for Sonys LDAC audio codec for Android and other devices that support Bluetooth wireless streaming with LDAC.
Tribit Stormbox Flow: Tribits StormBox Flow is another Bose SoundLink Flex knockoff for less that shares some similarities with the Soundcore Motion 300, including the same list price. The Tribit may sound slightly better than the Motion 300, edging it out for bass performance by a tad, but the Anker speaker wins on design. Like the Bose SoundLink Flex, the Tribit StormBox Flow can be laid down flat with its speaker firing up. You can also wirelessly pair two of the speakers together for stereo sound. It has an IP67 rating, which means its dust-resistant and fully waterproof. Tribit says it delivers up to 30 hours of audio at moderate volume levels. Thats impressive.
Harman Kardon Luna: Harman Kardon, which is owned by Samsung, makes popular JBL Bluetooth speakers like the Flip 6 and JBL Charge. The under-the-radar Harman Kardon Luna may just be the best mini Bluetooth speaker youve never heard of. Its not only attractively designed — it comes in black or white — but sounds surprisingly good for its size, with clear, natural sound and punchy bass (its a mono speaker with a dual-driver design that features a woofer and a tweeter).
Sony ULT Field 1: Sony launched the SRS-XB23 a few years ago and it was a fairly popular portable Bluetooth speaker. The lightweight and compact ULT Field 1 sort of looks like a cross between the XB23 and the newer SRS-XE200. It sounds significantly better than the XB23, which had bass forward sound but just didnt offer enough clarity and detail for my tastes. The ULT Field 1 sounds fuller and more balanced and competes favorably with JBLs popular Flip 6, which lists for the same price.
Tribit Stormbox Lava: Tribits new-for-2025 Stormbox Lava speaker can be best described as a poor mans JBL Xtreme 4 speaker. It doesnt sound as good as that JBL speaker, which costs $380. The Lava looks a little generic, but it does output a lot of sound with pretty powerful bass and costs a lot less (a removable shoulder strap and carrying handle are included). This is not the most refined-sounding speaker — it lacks some clarity — but if big sound is what youre after in a boombox-style speaker, the affordable Stormbox Lava fits the bill. With an IP67 dust- and waterproof rating, it also seems pretty durable and offers up to 24 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. As for extra features, theres a charge-out port, and you can link multiple Tribit speakers in party or stereo mode and tweak the sound via the Tribit app for iOS and Android.
Marshall Middleton: With Marshall recently releasing the Middleton in 2025, the original Middleton speaker is being discounted. It isnt exactly compact, but tt also isnt so beefy that you get a workout carrying it around. Weighing 4 pounds (1.8kg), its bigger than Marshalls Emberton speaker and smaller and more portable than its Kilburn II speaker. Any way you look at it, it sounds very good for its size and puts out a surprising amount of quality bass while offering good treble detail and natural-sounding mids (where vocals live). I also liked that it has equalizer controls on the speaker itself and is fully waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating.
JBL Clip 4: JBL has released the newer Clip 5, which features slightly better sound and a new carabiner design. But the Clip 4 is still a very good micro Bluetooth speaker and can be had at a discount.
Sony SRS-XB100: Sonys smallest Bluetooth speaker was once again modestly upgraded in 2023, with a new Bluetooth chipset, slightly improved sound and speakerphone performance. This portable Bluetooth speaker is both dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and, like its predecessor (the SRS-XB13), its rated for 16 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels and charges via USB-C. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, the speaker plays bigger than youd think for its small size, with some punch to its bass. Its pretty impressive for a mini mono speaker.
JBL Flip 6: As JBL has launched the newer Flip 7, which has improved sound and a little better battery life, the Flip 6 is being discounted. While it doesnt sound as good as its successor, the Flip 6 is still a good Bluetooth speaker that offers good sound quality in a rugged design (its IP67 waterproof and dust-resistant) — and it doesnt look much different from the Flip 7.
JBL Charge 5: I still like the Charge 5, which also comes in a more expensive WiFi version, but JBL has released the improved Charge 6. That said, with that newer model available, were seeing some nice discounts on the older Charge 5. At that right price, it is worth considering.
Sonos Roam: Available in white or black for $179, the Roam is currently the smallest and most affordable Sonos speaker (if you dont count those $99 Sonos-compatible Symfonisk Ikea Wi-Fi bookshelf speakers), although its fairly expensive for a mini wireless speaker. This Sonos Roam model, like the bigger Sonos Move 2 portable speaker, is equipped with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and can tap into an existing Sonos multiroom audio system and link with other Series 2-compatible Sonos speakers. Learn more about the Sonos Roam with our hands-on review.
Tribit XSound Go: Despite being on the market for several years, the Tribit XSound Go remains one of the top Bluetooth speakers for the money. Besides sounding decent for streaming your favorite music and more, this affordable Bluetooth speaker is also fully waterproof. It has had some small upgrades over the years. Read our full review of the Tribit XSound Go to find out more.
JBL Pulse 5: JBLs Pulse speaker is now in its fifth generation, and both the sound quality and 360-degree light show have been improved. JBL has expanded the transparent outer body so the customizable light show looks more impressive. (Theres a companion app for iOS and Android that allows you to alter the colorful lighting effects.) The speaker is also IP67 dust-proof and waterproof, and it offers up to 12 hours of battery at moderate volume levels. I did a full review of the JBL Pulse 5 in January of 2023, and it still holds as an excellent speaker option.
Anker Motion Boom: Ankers more expensive Soundcore Motion Boom Plus (see above) is a substantial sound upgrade over the original Motion Boom but this model remains a very good mini boom box for the money. 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. For the record, the Motion Boom actually does float and is fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating. Find out more in our full Anker Motion Boom review.
UE Hyperboom: Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth speakers come in a few different sizes, but none of them are as big as the Hyperboom. A supersize wireless speaker that tips the scales at a hefty 13 pounds, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny. Its not cheap, but its sound quality is better than a lot of the jumbo portable speakers on the market right now. Read our full review of the UE Hyperboom.
Marshall Willen: Marshalls little mono Willen speaker is similar to Boses SoundLink Micro and other micro speakers like the Tribit StormBox Micro 2. Also like those speakers, it has an integrated strap on its base so you can clip it onto a backpack or even to your bikes handlebars. Its 2-inch full-range driver and two passive radiators put out more sound than youd think it would for its tiny size, and it offers decent clarity as well as just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny (you can choose from three preset sound modes).
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen): A couple of years ago, Bang & Olufsen upgraded its dome-shaped aluminum-clad A1 speaker with improved battery life, better speakerphone performance (it now has a three-microphone array) and slightly improved sound. Its not only the smallest wireless speaker from the Danish company; its technically the most affordable. You can learn more about the small-but-mighty B&O Beousound A1 in our full review.
Bose SoundLink Micro: Although a little pricey and due to be upgraded, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. Its a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and is available in three color options, although the blue version appears to be hard to find. I tested the speaker in 2018 and rated it an 8.3 out of 10 in the Bose SoundLink Micro review.
Anker Soundcore Motion Plus: Ankers Soundcore Motion Plus came out in 2019, but it remains one of the best-sounding speakers for around $100. Its larger than many mini Bluetooth speakers, but its still compact. It manages to sound quite a bit fuller than much of the competition in its price range, with bigger bass, more volume and better clarity. Its also fully waterproof (IPX7-rated) and has support for the aptX streaming codec for devices like Samsungs Galaxy phones that support it. Read more in my Anker Soundcore Motion Plus review.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: Its a little overpriced for the sound quality it delivers, but the Beosound Explore is a very good little speaker that has a sleek, eye-catching design, is fully waterproof and dustproof (IP67 rating), and offers excellent battery life, with up to 27 hours of music listening at moderate volume levels.
Monoprice Soundstage 3 (Out of Stock): Monoprice tends to make pretty generic-looking electronic products, and its understated Soundstage 3 Bluetooth speaker probably isnt going to wow you with its design although its minimalist aesthetic has its appeal. Its a good value thanks to its ability to play big sound with strong bass and decent clarity, with 50 watts of power that drives a 5.25-inch concave aluminum cone woofer flanked by two 1-inch silk-dome tweeters. It also has good connectivity options, including digital optical, 3.5mm analog and RCA analog wired inputs that allow you to connect your television or another stereo component. Theres also a sub-out port.
Tribit XSound Mega (Out of Stock): Over the last few years, Tribit has made several Bluetooth speakers that deliver a lot of boom for the buck. Add its new XSound Mega to the list. Tribit is billing the XSound Mega as more of an outdoor speaker — a lanyard is included for toting it around as a sort of mini boombox — but it works just fine indoors. It has an LED light show that you can turn on or off and there are three EQ settings for sound: XBass, Music and Audiobook. Additionally, it can be used as a power bank to charge your mobile devices.
Tribit StormBox (Out of Stock): The StormBox looks like a cross between a UE and a JBL speaker. We suspect thats not an accident. This fully waterproof speaker costs significantly less than the JBL Flip 5 and Flip 6 and produces a bigger sound. Its rechargeable battery offers up to 20 hours of battery life for playing music and more. Tribits XSound speakers are probably a better value, but the StormBox is more stylish.
When choosing a Bluetooth speaker, it comes down to size and price. If youre looking for a very portable speaker, youll want to get something very compact, but remember that smaller speakers usually produce less sound and bass than larger ones. There are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver a bigger sound than you might expect, but they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people, its a question of finding a speaker thats not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. Finding the best portable Bluetooth speaker also comes down to your budget.
Price can be a limiting factor. You may not want to spend $150 or more for a small speaker. Luckily, there are plenty of good options for $100, and some decent mini Bluetooth speakers can cost less than $50. Also, certain value brands that sell primarily on Amazon are strongly worth considering because they do offer a lot for the money.
If youre looking for the best sound quality, as I said, bigger is usually better, and some larger portable Bluetooth speakers — sometimes referred to as Bluetooth boom boxes — can put out a lot of sound and have an integrated handle for toting them around.
Well, first of all, you need a TV, video streaming device or set-top cable or satellite box that has Bluetooth. You connect a Bluetooth speaker just like you do Bluetooth earbuds: through the Bluetooth settings menu on your TV or those aforementioned devices (Apple TV, for instance, has Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect your AirPods).
The only issue with connecting a Bluetooth speaker to your TV is that there can be some audio-video syncing issues due to Bluetooth lag. In some cases, where your Bluetooth speaker has an audio input (a few high-end Bluetooth speakers even have digital audio inputs), you can use a wired connection to the speaker via the audio outputs on your TV. Soundbars tend to use the optical or HDMI connection on your TV to get sound. Many soundbars have a Bluetooth option so you can wirelessly stream music from your phone to the soundbar. So if youre looking to really build out the sound on your television, you may want to look into building a true home theater system or a great soundbar audio experience.
The loudest Bluetooth speakers are the biggest ones. Sometimes theyre referred to as boom boxes or party speakers. Some of those speakers are portable and have built-in rechargeable batteries while the biggest party speakers have wheels on them for transport and need to be plugged in with an AC adapter because they require so much power.
We have a list of the best wireless boom box speakers if youre looking for a bigger Bluetooth speaker. Its also worth noting that Bluetooth speakers from the same company can be daisy-chained together to augment their sound or paired together as a left-right stereo pair. Often, the best way to get a bigger sound is to pair two Bluetooth speakers together in a stereo pair.
Quality Bluetooth speakers usually cost between $50 and $400. Budget-friendly options like the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 ($50-$80) offer decent sound quality for more casual listening. Mid-range Bluetooth speakers such as the JBL Flip 6 ($150-$200) can provide better audio fidelity and battery life for more serious listening. If youre hoping to splurge, premium models like the Bose SoundLink Max ($250-$400) deliver exceptional sound quality, build materials and additional features for the highest quality audio experience.
Waterproof Bluetooth speakers are an excellent option if you plan to use your speaker outdoors, by the pool, at the beach or in the shower. Models with an IP rating of IPX3 or higher are protected against spraying or splashing water, while IPX7 ratings or higher can withstand full submersion in water for up to 30 minutes. Be sure to consider where you plan on bringing your Bluetooth speaker and take a look at the manufacturers IP rating before you choose a model.
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNETs Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. Hes also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks.