The best Bluetooth speakers 2024: top portable speakers
The
The best Bluetooth speakers have become a staple household (and travel) item thanks to their compact size and convenience for listening anywhere, whether you’re in the shower, mowing the lawn, chilling in your hotel room, having a house party or cleaning the kitchen.
We’ve been testing the best portable speakers for years, in all shapes and sizes – and crucially, for all budgets. Audiophile sound quality and a thumping low end is always going to be a big ask if you’re looking at something the size of a coffee cup, but you can get a portable speaker that delivers balanced and clear audio outdoors, especially if you go larger. These are our priorities when testing Bluetooth speakers and obviously we balance that with battery life and price – aka value for money.
If your biggest priority is a rugged speaker design that can deal with being dropped and dunked, our dedicated guide to the best waterproof speakers is a great place to look. And if portability isn’t a factor, check out our guide to the best wireless speakers.
The quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which Bluetooth speakers are the absolute best in the business? Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices for different needs. You can also jump to a more detailed review of each product, and the best deals on them online.
The best Bluetooth speaker overall
The Sonos Roam delivers powerful sound for a small box, a rugged design that can take a tumble, excellent connectivity features (including Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth) and even smart home control.
Read more below
2. Tribit Audio Stormbox Micro 2
The best budget Bluetooth speaker
The most fully-featured mini Bluetooth speaker we’ve tested, with great sound quality. It’s not the loudest option, but at this size and price, you can’t buy better.
Read more below
The best mid-range Bluetooth speaker
This is a speaker that sticks to the basics, and gets them all right. This rugged model is super simple to use, sounds good and can be linked to up to 100 other JBL speakers to create a big wall of sound.
Read more below
The best Bluetooth speaker for sound
This sophisticated speaker offers crisp audio performance that makes it ideal for the audiophile: think impeccable balance between bass, mid and treble in a bijou design.
Read more below
The best Bluetooth speaker for parties
A large speaker packed with features. It sounds great and is well-balanced with powerful bass. It’s also waterproof, easy to carry, has top battery life – and is ready to party!
Read more below
Best Bluetooth for reverse charging
Looking for a portable speaker that can charge your phone too? Here it is. In terms of features it’s fairly basic other than this trick, but the sound is solid and it’s built tough (and waterproof).
Read more below
Load the next 3 products…
The best Bluetooth speaker for long battery life
It’s not a looker and it’s a tad heavy to boot, but that’s because it’s got a massive 30 hours of battery life under the hood. With a sub-$80 / £80 price tag, it’s hard to complain…
Read more below
The best premium Bluetooth speaker
This robust, go-anywhere wireless speaker isn’t the cheapest option, but the sound will make you overlook its steeper price tag. Want your soirée to go with a bang? Look no further.
Read more below
9. Ultimate Ears Epicboom
The best Bluetooth speaker for design
This 2023 starlet looks the absolute business. It’s pricey, but if you want that funky Ultimate Ears design aesthetic and sound, it’s back – in a big way.
Read more below
Becky Scarrott
I’ve reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. I’ll always extol the virtues of listening (and dancing) to the best musical file quality and audio gear you can stretch to.
July 30, 2024
Updated the ‘Also consider’ section with information about the latest products we’ve reviewed, and why they didn’t make it into this list.
The best Bluetooth speaker overall
BUY IT IF
✅ You own more Sonos speakers: Given that you can pair multiple Sonos speakers together, the Roam is perfect for a home audio system.
✅ You like your tech to look as good as it sounds: Sonos’ minimalist design aesthetic makes it standout in the crowded Bluetooth speaker space.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You’re an audiophile: The Roam’s sound quality isn’t flawless due to the bass being a little unruly. Instead, look to B&O at #4 in this list for the best in portable audio.
❌ You’re often far from a plug: With only 10 hours of battery, the Roam offers a lot less than most like the JBL Charge 5 at #6 in the list, which doubles it at 20 hours.
What you need to know: Since its release in 2021, the Sonos Roam has remained our favorite Bluetooth speaker, winning the TechRadar Choice Awards two years in a row (2021 and 2022). While there are plenty of portable speaker options around, the Roam remains our top pick for its big, room-filling sound, compact design and long list of connectivity features, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which means it can work as both a portable speaker and as part of your wider multi-room Sonos system. It also has Google Assistant and Alexa onboard (when you’re on Wi-Fi) to make it double as a smart speaker too.
Audio performance: The first thing we noticed about the Roam’s audio performance is that it’s bass-heavy, which makes it ideal for outdoor use. During our testing, we found that the bass was powerful enough to cut through wind noise but it was a bit overbearing while inside. Despite its small stature, the Roam delivers a powerful sonic performance – even if it does lack the rhythmic accuracy you’d expect from an audiophile speaker.
Design: Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home. But it also has a rugged, waterproof and dust proof build that makes it ideal for listening to music outdoors. The battery life isn’t huge, though. It’s enough for a day out, but if that’s a priority then check out either JBL Charge at #6 in the list or the B&O Beosound A1 Gen 2 at #4 in this list instead.
Value: Compared to similar priced Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested, you’re getting a lot of features for your money here. Sonos has also now added the Sonos Roam SL to its lineup, which is a slightly cheaper version of the Roam that lacks a microphone – but it’s otherwise identical in terms of specs. If you’re concerned about privacy and want to save around $20 / £20 / AU$30, then the Roam SL could be exactly what you want.
Read our full Sonos Roam review
Visit our Sonos coupon page for our latest deals and discounts.
The best budget Bluetooth speaker
BUY IT IF
✅ You love to listen to music while on the move: As the smallest and lightest speaker on this list, the Stormbox Micro 2 is by far our most portable pick.
✅ You don’t want the music to stop: At 12 hours, this doesn’t have the longest battery life but it is above average. If you need 30 hours, look to the Stormbox Flow at #7 on this list.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You want the best sound quality: It’s a small speaker, which is why it goes for such a low price, don’t expect big volume and class-leading detail.
❌ You value a good control app: While Tribit does have an app for some of its other products, this isn’t one of them so you won’t be able to access settings through your phone.
What you need to know: Considering its extremely small size, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is the best-sounding and most fully-featured mini Bluetooth speaker we’ve had the pleasure of testing. It’s not the most powerful or the loudest out there, but at this size and price you can’t currently buy better.
Audio performance: We particularly enjoyed the bass response here, which is where small speakers usually fall down. Tribit is keeping quiet about the exact specifications of the driver in this model but whatever it is, it delivers impressive bass for such a small footprint. And battery life is superb, up from the 8 hours of the original Micro to a travelling or beach day-friendly 12 hours.
Design: The Micro 2 is a brilliantly pocketable portable speaker that delivers a surprisingly loud audio performance, which makes it an excellent option for listening to podcasts or just watching TV shows on a mobile device. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a stereo pair of speakers for a small room: you can pick up two of these for what you’d pay for one of its better known rivals.
Value: If you’re looking for a speaker to toss in a bag or clip to a bike, you’ll find it hard to get a better speaker for such a low price. It’s superb, and its flaws are very minor – only that there’s no wired connection, really.
Read our full Stormbox Micro 2 review
The best mid-range Bluetooth speaker
BUY IT IF
✅ You’re a technophobe: JBL has made the Flip 6 extremely easy to use. Just connect the speaker to your phone or laptop and that’s it!
✅ You love the great outdoors: The Flip 6 has one of the most hardiest shells, boasting an IP67 rating, which makes it both water and dust resistant.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You want the best possible sound quality: Without Wi-Fi like the Sonos Roam at #1 in this list, the Flip 6 is restricted to Bluetooth’s limited bandwidth.
❌ You tend to run out of charge often: If this is feature you value, then we suggest looking at the JBL Charge 5 at #6 in the list as it can also charge your phone.
What you need to know: There’s not a lot that a portable speaker needs to do outside of delivering good quality audio while on the go – and if that’s all you need, then look no further then JBL. The Flip 6 is a no frills Bluetooth speaker that is easy to use and sounds great. It was released in 2021 so we’re expecting a new model to be announced soon but until then, it remains our top pick at this mid-range price point. Being a JBL speaker, it also offers access to features like being able pair up to 100 speakers from the brand at once to create an even larger sound system, but there is no reverse charging with this model – instead check out at #7 in the list if that’s something you need.
Audio performance: Given that the Flip 6 doesn’t have a lot of features, its main focus is on delivering clear and accurate audio – yes, it does one thing but it does it very well. While we were reviewing the Bluetooth speaker, we described its sound as warm and well-balanced, which was surprising for a speaker of this size. Its small stature does mean that the treble can sound a little harsh at times when played at loud volumes but there’s still a lot of clarity and detail on offer.
Design: Unlike a lot of other portable speakers on the market, the Flip 6 doesn’t have an obscure shape to it. Rather, it comes in a classic cylinder style that fits in the side pocket of any backpack. There’s also a wide range of colors to choose from so there’s plenty of options to make sure it matches your gear. It is also extremely rugged, and can withstand a splash of water so you don’t have to worry too much about it breaking or running out of battery with its 12 hours battery life.
Value: The Flip 6 is an ideal speaker for anyone who wants to simply play their music, crank it up loud, sit back and enjoy for a reasonable price – no matter whether you’re listening at home or on the go. It’s also priced slightly lower than the JBL Charge 5 due to it not having the extra phone charging feature, which places it firmly in the mid-range part of the market.
Read our full JBL Flip 6 review
The best Bluetooth speaker for sound
BUY IT IF
✅ You appreciate a well designed speaker: Bang & Olufsen is renowned for its Scandi style and the Beosound A1 embodies that minimalist charm effortlessly.
✅ You’re an audiophile: This speaker values premium sound quality above all else and really does pull it off. It is by far the best sounding we’ve come across with Bluetooth.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You want a speaker with big, powerful sound: This is better suited to a more intimate environment. For something bigger, look at the Tribit at #5 here or the Sonos at #8 on the list.
❌ You’re known to be clumsy: Yes, it’s waterproof and dust proof but it isn’t as tough as say the JBL speakers in this list like the Flip 6 at #3 and Charge 5 at #6.
What you need to know: Bang & Olufsen didn’t make too many changes to the second generation of the Beosound. The A1 is quite similar in looks to its predecessor but there are some helpful improvements at the feature level. One of those features is Alexa support, although being a Bluetooth speaker without any Wi-Fi support, this does require you to connect to your phone so can be a bit slow sometimes.
Audio performance: Despite being a small speaker, the Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) delivers an exceptionally clear and crisp sonic performance. It manages the difficult task of balancing treble with the mids and bass to produce a smooth sound. During our review, we found the sound quality to be so accurate that it was as if we were listening to our favorite songs for the very first time. The way it manages to control the bass, while still delivering a punchy and exciting sound is outstanding for a Bluetooth speaker.
Design: Thanks to its circular shape, it can also achieve a full 360-degree soundstage that is surprisingly immersive for such a small device. It’s also simply stunning to look at. It has been designed with a slick, minimalist look that makes it feels very classy thanks small details like a thin leather strap. However, although it has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, it is not the most rugged of Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested and didn’t feel it would be best suited for say a muddy hike.
Value: Bang & Olufsen is known for being a premium audio brand and so the Beosound A1 is a top shelf Bluetooth speaker. Despite this, it is half the price of our top premium pick, the JBL Xtreme 4 at #8 in this list. As a result, we think the Beosound A1 is best suited to hardcore music lovers who appreciate a beautifully designed speaker.
Read our full Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) review
The best Bluetooth speaker for parties
BUY IT IF
✅ You want a reliable party speaker: Expect excellent durability thanks to its IP67 dust- and waterproof rating, and it’ll play for ages thanks to its 24 hours of battery life.
✅ You want powerful bass: Its bulky size means it packs a punch. Once you’ve tweaked the speaker’s EQ settings enjoy clear low-frequency sound that beats background noise.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You’re on a budget: There’s a lot to love about this speaker, but it isn’t exactly cheap…
❌ You want a small, slim design: It’s portable, but it’s pretty large still – don’t get this if you want something to slip into a backpack.
What you need to know: The latest in JBL’s Xtreme range is a large and rugged portable speaker that may look a little dull, but come on, you want your guests and outfits to be the star – and this speaker delivers when it comes to utility. With an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, powerful and high-quality sound, and an excellent battery, it’s the ideal do-anything premium outdoors speaker. At $379 / £329 / AU$499, it’s not cheap, but it is a great option if you can make your budget stretch.
Audio performance: Expect a strong and well-rounded performance across the frequencies. We were particularly impressed by its mastery of crisp highs straight out of the box, vocals sound great even at high volumes. The bass here is also impressive, which is ideal for outdoor use where you’d expect background noise. During our testing we did have to tweak the app’s EQ settings to dial up those lower frequencies, but once we did, we were thoroughly impressed with how the Xtreme 4 handled itself. In our review we wrote: “The Xtreme 4 was very competent at bridging deep bass to the mid-range and maintaining clarity with more demanding audio profiles.”
Design: It’s not the best-looking speaker, but that’s because it’s been made with durability and longevity in mind above all else. It’s bulky at 4.63lbs/2.1kg with rubber strips underneath for a steady foundation, and a detachable strap for carrying it around easily. As you’d expect from an outdoorsy speaker, it’s IP67 certified, which means it’s both dustproof and waterproof.
Value: This is undoubtedly a superb speaker, but at this price you have to call it a premium pick. It delivers great sound, an impressive 24-hours of battery and a rugged design. But it’s expensive, especially compared to other options in this guide. So is it worth the price? Yes. But you have to really want something this big and tough.
Read our full JBL Xtreme 4 review
The best Bluetooth speaker for charging
BUY IT IF
✅ You want a speaker that sounds detailed: Compared to its predecessor, the Charge 5 has an additional tweeter that makes it have better clarity, with more impactful bass.
✅ You tend to need a charger while on the go: With 20 hours of battery life, the Charge 5 can top up your device’s battery life thanks to a USB-C port.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You want to play music extremely loudly: It may not have the big sound that the Tribit at #5 and Sonos Move at #8 can deliver, but it holds its own against the loudest.
❌ You want delicate audiophile sound: It sounds great, but it’s still made for impact outdoors, not for refined ears. Think fun and energetic, not classy and controlled.
What you need to know: There aren’t a lot of speakers on the market that are extremely small and portable and have detailed sound alongside helpful features like reverse charging, but JBL has pulled it off with the Charge 5. It’s priced a little bit more than JBL’s more streamlined Flip 6 at #3 in this list, but that’s down to the added tech, which we think makes it’s a worthwhile pick if these are the three main things you need out of a Bluetooth speaker.
Audio performance: One of the big highlights of the Charge 5 is its balanced sound, which has a striking amount of clarity. The only downside is that it unfortunately starts to distort at high volumes. Because of this wouldn’t advise turning it up past 60% of the volume bar as this is where we found it started to struggle. For the optimum volume, we found the sweet spot was more between 50–60%.
Design: The cylinder-shaped speaker looks exactly the same as the Flip 6 except for a waterproof USB-C charging port and flap hiding the USB-A port that can be used to charge up your smartphone. There’s no aux input for a 3.5mm jack but you do still have access physical buttons for playback, volume, power, pairing and dedicated party sound mode that turns up the volume up to 11 (use this sparingly).
Value: The only thing about the cost of the Charge 5 is that it puts it squarely in line with the Sonos Roam at #1 in this list, which we think is by far the better all-rounder based on its added connectivity features like Wi-Fi that unlocks multi-room pairing and access to voice assistants. But frankly, there’s no reverse charging so this will be the biggest point to consider if choosing between the two.
Read our full JBL Charge 5 review
The best Bluetooth speaker for battery life
BUY IT IF
✅ You take long vacations: Going away, don’t have the necessary adapter, want music to last the whole trip? You’ll get a whopping 30 hours from this.
✅ You like a clean, fuss-free aesthetic: Look, it’s not the last word in design, but it’s durable, solid, and does the job of playing your music very well indeed.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You like to pump up the volume: the Tribit Stormbox Flow sounds best up to 75% volume, because of its bass-heavy tuning. Crank it up further and things get a little congested.
❌ You’re concerned about baggage weight allowance: considering its bijou dimensions, the Tribit is heavy, at 660g, so if you’re struggling with flight carrier weight stipulations it may be a little much.
What you need to know: It’s one of the newer products in this list, arriving in August 2023 and Tribit’s making quite a name for itself in this particular arena – ie. Bluetooth belters at around $79 / £79. It’s not winning any awards for design, but it is IP67 water- and dustproof and it has a loud, likeable, bass-heavy sound that’ll work for many a summer gathering – at home or on the road.
Audio performance: For a little speaker, the Stormbox Flow can boom out tunes at the pool party, or give you some impressive sound-per-pound audio if you’re chilling at home. The bass is arguably the most impressive aspect – although it does get a little cluttered and bloated you turn things up beyond 75% volume.
Pair two of them up in stereo mode (like we did, because they’re affordable little speakers, so this is a viable and cost-effective option for a desktop or party) and it’s even more compelling, with a much wider soundstage, just don’t be surprised if you lower the volume a little more than usual. Another tip for the best listen: stick to the XBass sound mode, for the punchiest, crispest sound through the low end.
Design: Tribit’s a little hit-and-miss when it comes to design flourishes and, truth be told, you won’t be bowled over by how the Stormbox Flow looks. There’s nothing offensive or ugly about it, but there’s nothing particularly classy about it either. Also the power button takes a bit of getting used to for timing. Other than that, it’s a solid home run here – oh, and did we mention the awesome 30-hour battery?
Value: Compared to similarly-priced Bluetooth speakers, the battery life here offers immense value for money. In fact, value for money is one of Tribit’s main selling points as a brand, and the Stormbox Flow proves it. Yes, the Stormbox Micro 2 at #2 is a great little thing, but if you want a slightly larger, louder product that’ll last out your entire trip without needing a charge, you may have found it.
Read our full Tribit Stormbox Flow review
The best premium Bluetooth speaker
BUY IT IF
✅ You fancy big sound no matter where you are…
The Bose SoundLink Max is more than ready to fill a very large space with sound – even the great outdoors is no issue
✅ … and you might be in dusty and/or damp scenarios
An IP67 rating means the Bose is happy to travel wherever you go
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You really do mean ‘quick-charging’
Five hours isn’t an age, but if you’re waiting for your speaker to charge so you can take it to the beach, it’ll feel like it.
❌ You’ve got a firm grasp on what ‘portable’ means
The handle is useful it’s true, but the Bose will start to feel its 2.13kg weight sooner rather than later.
What you need to know: The 2024-issue Bose SoundLink Max is the biggest, burliest model in the company’s already well-stocked and well-reviewed SoundLink lineup. It’s a rugged (IP67), go-anywhere design with the stamina to keep you entertained right around the clock. The carry-handle can be swapped out for a shoulder-strap (as an additional extra, mind you), and when you’re out and about, the Bose SoundLink Max is a truly enjoyable companion.
Audio performance: Sonically, the SoundLink Max is as big and heavy as the speaker that delivers it, but don’t get us wrong – it is by no means a blunt instrument. It’s actually quite a gifted and agile listen for something with as much out-and-out punch as this, and can gesture, albeit only slightly, towards a truly stereo presentation, too.
Design: The silicone element of the build here is tactile and helps the Bose SoundLink Max absorb the bumps and shocks it’s sure to get at the shindig. The quoted 20 hours of battery life is both acceptable and achievable – but do note that to go from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ takes five hours via the USB-C socket on the rear when it does run out of juice. There are some nice controls on the top of the speaker – power on/off, Bluetooth pairing, play/pause and volume up/down – plus a cutomizable ‘shortcut’ button too.
Value: OK, so a few cents short of $400 / £400 / AU$600 is a fair wedge of cash for a Bluetooth speaker without a hint of smart functionality. But the Bose SoundLink Max is specified to perform beautifully in pretty much any realistic environment. Think big, burly and oh-so convincing sound, which it can churn it out for hour after hour. As long as you accept the SoundLink Max for what it is (a very talented Bluetooth speaker; nothing more, nothing less), this beast of a Bose speake represents very good value indeed.
Read our full Bose SoundLink Max review
The best Bluetooth speaker for design
BUY IT IF
✅ You appreciate UE’s iconic aesthetic: If you adored the mug-sized 2019 Wonderboom, you’ll love this much bigger version.
✅ You’ve just redecorated your apartment: Few audio products will look as good next to the clean, chic lines in your newly-updated bedroom, den or kitchen as this speaker.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You want a speaker that’ll work over Wi-Fi: No dice here. For all its talents, it is just a Bluetooth speaker, unlike the Sonos Roam or larger Sonos Move 2.
❌ You’re on a tight budget: UE kit doesn’t often come with a tiny price tag (the Wonderboom being a notable exception) but this one of the priciest options on this list, owing to its size, newness and talent.
What you need to know: Epicboom arrived in September 2023 and, we mean this, it is finally something to get excited about from Ultimate Ears. It is surprisingly big, very talented and essentially does for big Bluetooth speakers what the Wonderboom 2 did for mug-sized options – level up the game in terms of audio prowess. But this is also a fair wedge of money for a Bluetooth speaker and however likeable it is, it won’t play nice with your home Wi-Fi to create a multi-room system, where cheaper options from Sonos (above) can.
Audio performance: It’s meaty, it’s zealous, it’s fun, it’s resoundingly tight through the bass even at high volumes. It’s basically everything that made Ultimate Ears a household name in this product category. If we were worried, we needn’t have been; this is where Ultimate Ears’ engineers shine.
Design: Those big tactile plus and minus signs for volume are back along its body, and the flecked rubberised plastic is now much more eco-conscious. The wrist strap is somewhat surplus to requirements (don’t allow it to take the full weight of the thing on your arm – it’s 1979g and that might hurt) but it’s a beautifully crafted thing – and it offers truly omnidirectional sound too.
Value: The Boom companion app here is an excellent addition. That said, at this level we might have expected wireless connectivity using your home broadband (hey, Sonos!). Another fly in the ointment is this: although a fan-favorite feature within UE’s Boom app, PartyUp, lets you pair multiple compatible Ultimate Ears speakers to beef up the audio, it’s limited to Epicboom, Boom, Boom 2, Boom 3, Megaboom, Megaboom 3, and Hyperboom speakers. Want to pair it with your beloved Wonderboom 2 or newer Wonderboom 3? Sadly, that’s not possible, because PartyUp is not compatible with any Wonderboom, Blast or Megablast UE speaker. Harrumph!
Read our full Ultimate Ears Epicboom review
Other Bluetooth speakers to consider
We’ve had the chance to review some great Bluetooth speakers this year that were impressive but didn’t quite make the cut for this guide. These include the Ultimate Ears Everboom, a Bluetooth speaker we rated but ultimately decided that, for the money, it doesn’t offer quite enough value to justify pushing any of the other options out of our list. You can find out more about this Bluetooth party speaker option in our Ultimate Ears Everboom review.
Take a look at our Tribit XSound Plus 2 review for a budget Bluetooth speaker that we rated highly for its big, booming sound. It’s great value with an impressive 24 hour battery life. However, like the Ultimate Ears option above, we wouldn’t pick it over any of the speakers we’ve already recommended here.
We’ve also got our hands on the Beats Pill, a Bluetooth speaker that boasts great sound and oodles of style. The problem? There’s no dedicated iOS app. This isn’t a deal-breaker in itself, and the speaker could make up for this with plenty of on-device controls… but they’re just not there. This means some of the simplest things, like turning it on and off, become unnecessarily frustrating. You can find out more about Beats’ latest speaker in our Beats Pill review.
The Bose SoundLink Max has made its debut in this guide for July 2024 and the older Tribit Stormbox Blast has gone. But we’d still recommend that as a viable option. Take a look at our Tribit Stormbox Blast review to find out why we awarded this big speaker that delivers meaty, room-filling, talented sound 4.5 out of 5 stars.
How to choose the best Bluetooth speaker
What’s the best Bluetooth speaker brand?
The best Sonos speakers are great if you want to bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors, with the ability to form part of a wider multi-room system – and you can be sure that they’ll sound fantastic, too.
JBL is well known for making some of the best waterproof speakers affordable prices, and it’s line of party speakers even come with built-in light shows.
If waterproofing is a priority then look out for models from Ultimate Ears, which combine fun, colorful designs with rugged builds – many of which can withstand a dip in the pool.
Consider high-end audio brands such as Bose and Bang & Olufsen if you want a combination of stylish design and great sound – but be prepared for relatively high prices. If you want to save money then Tribit and Anker offer strong speakers that won’t break the bank.
Is JBL or Bose better?
Both JBL and Bose produce a range of speakers, some are small and compact whereas others are big enough to fill a room with sound at a party. Bose tends to make products that are at the premium end of the spectrum in terms of both excellent audio performance, design and price. JBL is more affordable and its products tend to fall in the mid-range when it comes to quality.
The brand you choose is all about what you’re looking for. If you value quality sound above all else, pick a Bose option, like the Bose SoundLink Flex. But the JBL Flip 6 pushes this speaker out of our list because it’s a fantastic all-rounder, sounds good and handles drops, knocks and splashes well. Bose might be the better audio tech brand, but we think JBL outperforms in the portable Bluetooth speaker competition, especially when it comes to sheer value for money.
Is Bose better than Sonos?
Both Bose and Sonos create excellent-sounding audio tech that tends to be at the premium end of the spectrum. We love Bose products and often recommend them, but in terms of the best Bluetooth speakers and portable speakers, we think Sonos is the better option.
The Sonos Roam has been sitting at the top of our best Bluetooth speakers list for some time now and we love that it seamlessly becomes part of your Sonos Wi-Fi multi-room setup indoors, too.
How we test the best Bluetooth speakers
We’ve tested and thoroughly reviewed all of the Bluetooth speakers in this guide ourselves by listening to them on their own and by comparing them to the current class-leaders. Basically, if it’s listed here, you know we think it’s worth it over the myriad rival models we’ve reviewed (because plenty do not make it here, believe us).
We test countless portable speakers every year at TechRadar, and that means we know exactly which features and specs to look out for. It’s important for us to compare the performance of these speakers against the specs claimed by their manufacturers, which is why we take the time to make sure the battery life and connectivity is as good as the brands say they are.
We test each Bluetooth speaker in a range of environments and against its chief competitors too, so you know that the product will work just as well in the great outdoors as it does in your home. We live with these speakers in our homes to make sure that their performances are consistent, and we don’t finalize our testing until we are certain of the sound quality.
On this, we test the audio performance using a range of musical genres and stream from various sources, to ensure that these speakers can handle everything from thumping dance tracks to softly-spoken podcasts.
With more years in this game than we’d care to admit behind us, we are truly confident that our star-rated reviews are the best indication of the quality of the Bluetooth speakers in this list. There are no sales teams involved in our verdicts, which means if we don’t like it for sound, design, usability and features, we simply won’t recommend it.
The latest updates to this Bluetooth speakers guide
July 30, 2024
Updated the ‘Also consider’ section with information about the latest products we’ve reviewed, and why they didn’t make it into this list.
July 1, 2024
Removed the older Tribit Stormbox Blast and added the JBL Xtreme 4 as our recommendation for best party speaker. Added the new Bose SoundLink Max as our pick for the best premium buy. Removed the quick menu, updated the copy throughout.
June 5, 2024
Replaced Sonos Move 2 with the JBL Xtreme 4 as our best premium pick, due its more portable nature. Updated our other options to consider based on the latest reviews.
May 8, 2024
Updated the intro, and checked all products against our latest reviews. Updated some product information throughout.
April 4, 2024
Removed the Cleer Audio Scene as best for aux-in and Ultimate Ears Hyperboom as best for powerful sound. Added in a new ‘Also consider’ section that highlights upcoming new releases to look out for.
March 4, 2024
Added Tribit Stormbox Flow and Ultimate Ears Epicboom to this buying guide. Updated biog and key points. Reworte intro to reflect current tech updates in the category.
January 25, 2024
Updated write-ups for each product to include extra summaries from key points of their respective reviews.
November 30, 2023
Updated copy throughout, added Sonos Move 2 details.
September 25, 2023
Updated lead image, added ‘buy it if’ boxouts to product write-ups and swapped out the Sonos Move for the Move 2 as the best premium Bluetooth speaker.
Aug 10, 2023
Updated intro, checked prices, considered other competing options for entry to this guide
July 25, 2023
Added links to our recent IKEA shower speaker feature and mini Bluetooth speakers roundup. Updated the intro to reflect current trends and best choices.
June 15, 2023
Updated the format of this guide to make it easier to navigate. Added more about how we test Bluetooth speakers to the introduction. Updated FAQs at the end to reflect our current choices. Removed a discontinued product from the list.
June 6, 2023
Updated introduction to reflect the new season, and checked all products.
May 18, 2023
Changed images to our own hands-on pictures. Reordered products to reflect the latest prices.
April 13, 2023
Checked all products against our latest reviews and ratings.
February 17, 2023
Added Cleer Audio Scene to the list. Reordered products accordingly.
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