A Bluetooth speaker is one of those devices that, once you find one you like, you wont be able to imagine how you lived without it.
Since both Bluetooth and speakers arent exactly new technology, youll find that this is one of the more expansive product categories (admittedly, this feels like the case for almost anything you buy these days).
Enter: the Mashable tech and shopping teams. We stay on top of the latest Bluetooth speaker releases but also use our audio and product testing expertise to determine when old favorites are the better choice. We spend time testing the speakers in our own homes, evaluating the balance in their sound, portability, and of course, their prices. (To learn more about how we choose the best Bluetooth speakers, check out the How we tested section).
As of May 2025, our top picks include the smart home sound system the Sonos Move 2, the waterproof JBL Charge 6, and the charmingly retro (but brand new) Marshall Emberton III. Youll find all of our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers below, along with our latest faves from Bose, Sony, and Ultimate Ears.
The JBL Charge 6 is big enough to produce sound that will fill an outdoor party, yet still small enough to live on your bookshelf. Plus, it can charge other devices with a USB-C connection. On balance, we think its the best Bluetooth speaker for most people right now.
The Charge 6 is one of the latest speakers from JBL, the brand behind the popular Flip Bluetooth speakers. Though the Charge 6 is bigger and $50 more expensive, we prefer it for the versatility and superior sound it offers.
We have to start with the namesake of this speaker — its ability to charge devices. That makes it an exceptionally good choice for beach days or camping trips. JBL ditched the USB-A port on the Charge 5, opting instead for a USB-C to USB-C cable that allowed us to charge phones, earbuds, and even other speakers. Cool as it was, this feature alone isnt what made this speaker stand out.
Even at the lowest volumes, the Charge 6s sound easily filled a living room, but never sacrificed quality for loudness. When listening to Japanese Breakfasts For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), the sound balance came through strong and clear. I could hear both the bass notes and Michelle Zauners voice ringing out with impressive clarity, and without losing the sound of the guitar. The companion app also comes with four different equalizer presets and a custom equalizer, so you can adjust the sound to be just right for your ears.
The Charge 6 also offers a couple of ways to amplify your sound even further. Thanks to the included Auracast, you can pair it with other JBL speakers with Auracast to double up on the sound or create a studio mode. When we tested it out with the Flip 6, it worked without a hitch. If you want a louder sound and more battery life, you can toggle on the speakers PlaytimeBoost mode, which offers an extra four hours of battery life, though the quality of the sound sometimes struggles in this mode.
Whether youre taking it with you on the go or using it at home, the Charge 6 gives you options. For instance, the flat base allows it to sit on a table without any danger of rolling off, but if you prefer it to stand instead, its also reliably balanced, thanks to the silicone ends. Though this speaker is larger than most of our other picks, it does come with an adjustable handle strap, which you can loop, use as a handle, or remove entirely. Ultimately, though, if youre looking for something that can easily fit into most bags, we recommend the smaller Flip 7 instead.
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is not a must-have upgrade for anyone who owns the Wonderboom 3, but like the former version, its a powerhouse for its size and price. This speakers small (and rugged enough) to take along for a hike, while traveling, and for tossing next to the pool. Plus, its so easy to find on sale that its often available at a cheaper price than the older Wonderboom 3.
The Wonderboom 4 is basically the same exact speaker as the Wonderboom 3, visually and internally. Like the Wonderboom 3, you can drop it from heights of up to five feet without worrying about destroying it. It’s also waterproof with an IP67 rating. If you drop it in water, it can float for up to 30 minutes and come out the other side working completely fine. It also features a healthy 14 hours of battery life, which is more than other speakers of a similar size.
So whats different? On the sound front, the Wonderboom 4 has less muddiness than its predecessor, especially at higher volumes. In addition to the Outdoor Boost mode, youll also get a Podcast Mode. We will say that were not necessarily fans of the new addition — hosts voices came through compressed, while background static felt more pronounced. Generally, this mode shone much better on the brands Everboom speaker.
However, the standard audio is good enough for listening to podcasts and music, so ignoring the new EQ feels like a fine concession. As with the Wonderboom 3, we found that overall, the sound profile is well-rounded and can get loud. We do wish that this speaker had been updated with a companion app for more customization.
On the bright side, its very easy to plug, play, and now charge, thanks to the addition of a USB-C charging port. While its not all that different from the Wonderboom 3, anyone who wants a no-frills speaker that sounds good will be happy with this one. The Wonderboom 4 is easy to find in stock and on sale, making it our updated pick for the best speaker under $100.
Check out our full review of the Sonos Move 2.
If portability is at the top of your list when looking for a Bluetooth speaker, the Sonos Move 2 might not be for you. As Mashables Stan Schroeder writes in his review, It sounds fantastic, but its essentially a home speaker that also happens to be somewhat portable. However, if you want great sound, battery life, and smart features, this could be the best Bluetooth speaker for you. Its also the best choice for shoppers who already use other Sonos products in their home.
We formerly recommended the original Sonos Move, but we like the newer version for its newly added stereo sound and 24 hours of battery life (as compared to the originals measly 11).
To be clear, this speaker isnt perfect, but we think the trade-offs balance out. For instance, you need a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter for line-in playback, but you can charge your phone from the Move 2s battery by connecting it with a USB-C cable (similar to the Charge 5). It isnt very portable for hikes or trips to the beach, but its easy enough to move from the kitchen to the backyard (and has IP56 dust and water resistance), making it great for entertaining. Its also a great choice if you like using a speaker to listen to music around the house. While it doesnt work with Google Assistant, it does work great with Alexa.
It can burn through the battery life faster at higher volumes, but it gets plenty loud without sacrificing sound clarity. In essence, there are a few trade-offs you make with this speaker, but if youre looking for the best-sounding smart speaker, and the cons of this one dont clash with your needs, we think the Sonos Move 2 is a great pick.
While we would never recommend a speaker solely on how it looks, we do care about the aesthetics of a speaker. If youve worked hard on decorating your space, then you deserve a speaker that will make its new home look even better.
So, for folks who appreciate good design, we recommend the new Marshall Emberton III. Not only does this premium Bluetooth speaker have Marshalls iconic vintage look, but its also a solid-sounding speaker for its price point.
No matter where we put the Emberton III — on a desk, the middle of a coffee table, a bookshelf, even the kitchen counter — it instantly elevated the vibe of the room. In all honesty, because it looks so good, we were a little skeptical that it would have the performance to match its pretty face.
To our surprise, the speaker did perform. Right out of the box, it produced clear and well-rounded sound. Though it had a slightly heavier-bass mix, it made Still Woozys Get Down and Billie Holidays Solitude sound equally as good. We wish it had a custom equalizer, but if you download the companion app, you can choose between the Marshall preset (the speakers default sound), the Push preset that boosts bass and treble, and the Voice preset that enhances the mid-range for voice-focused content. The presets sounded markedly different, which isnt always the case with the audio devices we test. We wouldnt recommend the Voice preset, unfortunately. Like the podcast mode on the Wonderboom 4, this setting made podcast hosts voices sound compressed and less clear.
As for the on-speaker features, a light indicates battery life and both the power and Bluetooth buttons make the speaker ultra-easy to turn on and pair — we never had to spend more than 10 seconds connecting or switching between devices. Finally, the speaker also comes with a unique knob in the center to toggle the volume and song selection. This worked fine, but the dial control might not be for everyone.
Marshall promises a 32-hour battery life with this speaker, and after several days of medium to heavy use, the speaker still sat at about 60% battery life. With the app, you can also turn on battery preservation features to keep the charge going as long as possible.
For $169.99, its a good, but not incredible, sounding speaker, but it more than makes up for its small drawbacks with a cool retro design. Released in August 2024, its feature set and design arent that different from the Emberton II. So, if you want to save some money, you can pick up the Emberton II at a discount without sacrificing much sound quality.
Check out our full review of the Sony ULT Field 1.
Sonys entire ULT line was created for anyone who considers impressive bass a crucial part of their listening experience, and the Sony ULT Field 1 is no exception. For good bass that keeps things relatively affordable, we recommend the Field 1.
Were generally fans of the audio quality Sony delivers, and were always fans of saving money, so when we saw the brand released a speaker thats more on the affordable side, we needed to try it out. Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern took up the task and found that this speaker delivers on bringing the bass.
This speaker already brings the bass on its default settings, but its two ULT settings, which can be controlled directly from a button on the speaker, allow you to amplify the bass even more. Kern wrote that in her testing, regardless of volume or bass setting, it never sounded blown out or fuzzy. She also noted that this speaker gets loud, which makes it a great contender for anyone looking for an outdoor option, along with the fact that its waterproof, dustproof, rustproof, and shockproof.
The more intense audiophiles among us will likely appreciate the customizable equalizer on this speakers companion app, which isnt always a given at this price point. You might notice the shortcomings of this speaker most with its battery life, which caps out at 12 hours.
There are portable speakers, and there are speakers that are truly built to move with you. The JBL Clip 4 isnt just small and easy to carry around, but also easy to clip on just about anything, from a backpack to a belt loop. So, if youre looking for the absolute best blend of portability, affordability, and sound, this is a smart bet.
We do want to note this isnt the latest in JBLs Clip line — the Clip 5 came out in June 2024. The newer speaker is in our testing pipeline, but in the meantime, the Clip 4 is our recommendation. Its also the more affordable option (barring any great sale prices on the Clip 5).
This is the ultimate portable speaker — its compact and thin enough to slip into basically any bag, some pockets, and it gives you a backup plan with the built-in carabiner.
Even though youre getting maximum portability, the speaker doesnt sacrifice basic functionality: Youre still getting 10 hours of battery life and an IP67-rated water- and dust-proof speaker that can be taken along on most adventures. That means it can function as well on a hike as it would as a shower speaker (plus, the carabiner might give you more options on where to place it in your bathroom versus a more traditional Bluetooth speaker).
When we tested this speaker, we found that it reached an impressive volume, but in comparison to a speaker like the Wonderboom 3, which is only about $20 more, the sound does get muddled at higher volumes. In other words, if sound is more of a priority, wed say spring for the Wonderboom. If you want something something small and built for going basically anywhere, save a bit of cash and get the JBL Clip 4.
If you dont need the most customized, crystal-clear sound and simply want a speaker that works and wont break the bank, the JBL Go 4 is an excellent option under $50.
We previously recommended the JBL Go 2 speaker as our budget pick, and have been looking for an adequate replacement since it was discontinued. JBL just released the Go 4 in June, and after testing it out, were happy to recommend it as our new budget option.
For starters, the Go 4 is just as lightweight and compact as its predecessor, with just a bit more silicone padding around the edges that adds minimum bulk, but gives the speaker a feeling of increased durability (also helped by its IP67 rating). Though it may be tiny, its definitely mighty when it comes to how loud it can get: you probably wont feel the need to use the highest volume unless youre outdoors and in a noisy area. JBL improved on the bass clarity over the Go 2, as it came through noticeably more prominent on the Go 4 during our testing, without sounding overblown.
However, you are likely to notice the sound gets a little muddier at higher volumes, and especially so with more dynamic pieces — the Final Fantasy VII Remake soundtrack suffered a bit during our testing (the JBL Flip 5 we tested against the Go 4 handled the climatic moments in the soundtrack much better). Still, the Go 4 is only $50, so its hard to complain too much, especially as during our testing, this speaker lasted a good two and half hours beyond its promised seven hours of battery life when played constantly at a low volume.
Its about as simple as a speaker can be, but for only $15, it does the job for someone just looking for the basics.
A Bluetooth speaker at this price point practically invites skepticism, but we tested it out for a few reasons: its from IKEA (and not some random Amazon brand), had decent reviews on the retailers website, and is one of the lowest priced speakers weve ever seen.
Surprisingly, the VAPPEBY portable speaker did actually deliver. Sure, being only $15 means it does come with its shortcomings: it wont come with a charging cable or power adapter, it feels cheap and plasticky, and the audio quality suffers with music thats more mix-heavy (especially at higher volumes). Plus, the connection can be touch and go if youre not sticking to one device.
However, it gets decently loud and isnt exorbitantly expensive, so you dont need to feel overly precious with it. The sound quality is decent enough to use as a simple desktop speaker, or one you can bring with you in the shower or to the beach without too much stress (helped by its IP67 water- and dust-proof rating).
With just one button to play music and power it on and off, IKEA really brings this speaker down to the basics. All in all, youll get a speaker thats compact, cute, and keeps the features and price down to a minimum.
Topics
Bluetooth
Music
Gadgets
We created this guide by sifting through our past Bluetooth speaker reviews from Mashable staff and freelancers, as well as testing out new speakers specifically for this article.
Sound quality: This category speakers for itself (get it?), but we make sure to test every speaker with a variety of audio types (from videos to podcasts) and music genres. Where available, we look at any equalizer options and see how they impact the sound of a speaker. Of course, we also test out the full volume range of every speaker and evaluate whether it impacts the balance of the sound at any point.
Battery life: A speakers portability (and usability) suffers if it cant stay alive for a least a few hours. Typically, we test speakers out for at least a week with regular use to see how often someone might have to charge them. Its not a perfect science, as we play around with the volume settings, but we try to get the most accurate read of how the battery life might be for the average user, and ultimately see if speakers fall within the battery life claimed by brands.
Design: For a Bluetooth speakers design, we look at a few different factors, including any water or dust proof rating, its size and options for taking it on the go, and even whether or not it would like nice (or distractingly bad) on a bookshelf in someones home.
Value: Finally, we look at how all the above contribute to the speakers price point. We expect a $200 speaker to have markedly better sound quality and more features than a $80 speaker. As we expand our testing pool, we take into account how different speakers match up to their competition.
If youre twisting our arm, we have to give it up to JBL (theres a reason three of the brands products appear here). Not only have JBL speakers beaten brands like Sonos and Bose in Mashables blind sound tests, but theyre also on the more affordable side. Thats a hard combo to beat. Still, if you have the budget, you can find phenomenal speakers from upscale brands like Bang & Olufsen and Sony as well.
Bose, JBL, Ultimate Ears, Sony, and Sonos tend to be the most popular Bluetooth speaker brands. Its hard to say one brands speakers are definitively the best, especially because the right pick for you will depend heavily on your budget. Obviously, you shouldnt expect a $40 speaker to sound the same as the $180 JBL Charge 5, but that doesnt mean you have to blow out your budget to get high-quality sound. What we can say is that these brands tend to be popular for a reason.
For our guide, we put together the standouts from each brand. All of the speakers we chose offer good value, portability, smart home compatibility, and durability. Most importantly, they sound fantastic, with deep bass and high fidelity.
No, but it really cant hurt, especially if youre buying a portable Bluetooth speaker. Even if youre not planning on taking your speaker out by the pool during the summer, its not out of the question that it could be a target for spills no matter where you have it in your home. It would be a shame if a rogue glass of water ended up being the demise of your brand-new speaker. So, if you have the option to go waterproof (and you do), do it.
When youre shopping for a new speaker, youre going to see the word wattage a lot. While that might be meaningless to you when you see it on a product page, its actually a pretty simple concept. Basically, wattage refers to how loud your speaker can get without distorting the sound. Unless you enjoy really blasting your tunes or you regularly host parties, 50 watts is going to be more than enough for the average listener. But if you do like to crank it up to 11, the more watts, the merrier. While smaller portable Bluetooth speakers tend to have lower wattage, there are certainly some exceptions, including some of the products in this guide.
We always say that you should choose quality over quantity. Having one amazing speaker is going to get you better sound than having multiple speakers that are just okay. For the vast majority of people, we think two speakers is the perfect number. (Just make sure the speakers can sync up). Music is normally recorded for a stereo setting, so having a left and right channel will do wonders for fidelity. And if you have a smaller space with good acoustics, one really good speaker should do the trick.
Bethany Allard is a Los Angeles-based shopping reporter at Mashable covering beauty tech, dating, sex and relationships, and headphones. That basically means she puts her hair through a lot, scrolls through a lot of dating apps, and rotates through a lot of different headphones. In addition to testing out and rounding up the best products, she also covers deals for Mashable, paying an especially obsessive amount of attention to Apple deals and prices. That knowledge comes in handy when shes covering shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, which shes now done for three years at Mashable.