A wireless speaker can transform how you enjoy music, podcasts, and more. Most wireless speakers connect with your devices via Bluetooth, a wireless radio frequency commonly used in computers, tablets, and smartphones.
But Bluetooth speakers come in a lot of different forms with different features. Luckily, with a range of options available, from compact portable Bluetooth speakers to feature-rich smart speakers, there’s a wireless speaker for everyone.
So, whether you’re hosting a party, working from home, or exploring the outdoors, the right speaker offers excellent sound quality and convenience. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for a wireless speaker and a few options you may like.
Why Buy a Wireless Speaker
Bluetooth speakers allow you to enjoy your music without wrangling wires and cords. But besides that, here are some other reasons to invest in a wireless speaker:
- Portability: These wireless speakers are easy to carry, and many can fit in a bag or even a pocket, so you can bring your music wherever you go.
- Wireless convenience: No tangled cables for a clutter-free setup.
- Versatility: You can use a portable speaker in various settings like your home, office, outdoors, and parties.
- Battery-powered: A wireless speaker operates on rechargeable batteries, perfect for use in places without power outlets.
- Durability: Many models are rugged, waterproof, and dustproof, designed for outdoor use.
- Connections to other electronics: A good wireless speaker easily pairs with smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
These features make portable Bluetooth speakers an excellent addition to your audio arsenal.
Types of Wireless Speakers
When choosing a wireless speaker, there are several options for different lifestyles and needs. For those always out and about, durable and portable speakers are ideal for forest hikes to beach days.
Meanwhile, if you’re planning on using your wireless speaker mainly at home, soundbars offer a sleek solution, blending into your home entertainment setup while giving you enhanced audio for movies and music.
Still, for those who mainly want their speaker to fit into their decor, there are speakers that offer stylish features like lights to complement your living space.
What To Consider When Shopping for a Bluetooth Speaker
Evaluate Sound Quality
The primary purpose of a speaker is to deliver excellent audio. So, pay attention to how the speaker is described when it comes to bass, treble, and overall clarity. Keep in mind that high-quality speakers will provide rich, balanced sound even at high volumes.
Think About if You Need a Portable Speaker
If you plan to carry your speaker frequently, consider size and weight carefully. If you will be on the go often with your speaker, a compact model will be easier to travel with and store. However, make sure the smaller size doesn’t compromise the sound quality.
Assess Durability
If you’re planning on taking your speaker with you on hikes, bike rides, beach days, or camping trips, durability is crucial. Look for speakers with IP ratings, which measure water and dust resistance.
Understand Battery Life
Battery life varies significantly among different Bluetooth speakers. If you need a speaker for extended use, look for models offering long battery life—preferably over 10 hours on a single charge.
Ensure Connectivity & Compatibility
Make sure the speaker is compatible with your devices and supports the latest Bluetooth version for better connectivity and energy efficiency. Some models also offer additional features like NFC pairing or voice assistant integration.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to find a portable Bluetooth speaker that fits your needs perfectly.
Top Speaker Pick for Sound Quality
Excellent sound quality means clear, balanced audio with deep bass and crisp highs. If sound quality is the most important thing to you, check out the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 Bluetooth Speaker, which stands out for its rich, 360-degree sound. This design means that no matter where you place the speaker, you’ll get crisp surround sound. Another plus is that the Boom 4 delivers deep, accurate bass without overpowering the mid and high notes in your favorite music.
For easy use, the Boom 4 has customizable equalization (EQ) settings via the UE BOOM App. This means you can use the app to adjust levels to balance the audio mix, so you can tweak the sound for different music genres and environments.
With up to 15 hours of battery life and a wireless range of up to 147 ft., you can listen to the Boom 4 during long listening sessions with flexible placement.
Best for Long Battery Life
The Tribit Stormbox Flow is a prime example of a wireless speaker designed with extended playtime in mind, ideal if you don’t want to stop the music frequently for recharging.
The Tribit Stormbox Flow boasts an impressive battery life, offering up to 30 hours of playtime. This makes it perfect for long trips, outdoor adventures, or all-day events. Plus, the speaker charges fully in just four hours via a USB-C port, ensuring quick turnaround times between uses.
In addition to its remarkable battery life, the Stormbox Flow includes customizable EQ settings through the Tribit App. This allows you to tailor the sound profile to suit your preferences.
Ideal Small-Size Speaker
Small-size speakers are ideal for when you’re on-the-go without sacrificing too much on sound quality. One standout option in this category is the JBL Go 4 wireless speaker.
This small speaker packs a punch despite its small size. Designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, it’s easy to carry around. It even boasts a newly redesigned integrated loop, making it simple to attach to bags or backpacks.
Yet, despite its small size, the JBL Go 4 delivers powerful and clear JBL Pro Sound with impressive bass. Additionally, it offers up to seven hours of playtime on a single charge, and an additional Playtime Boost feature extends the battery life by another two hours.
Our Most Favorite Durable Wireless Speaker
Durability is key when choosing a portable Bluetooth speaker, especially if you plan to use it outdoors or in rugged environments. Luckily, a durable speaker can withstand harsh conditions without sacrificing performance.
So, if you need a speaker that can stand up to the elements, the Move 2 wireless speaker from Sonos may be for you. With an IP56 rating, it’s resistant to:
- Water
- Dust
- Humidity
- Sunlight
This makes the speaker ideal for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and beach trips. Additionally, the shock-absorbent materials also protect the speaker from drops and bumps.
In addition to its durability, the Sonos Move 2 offers impressive sound quality with upgraded acoustic architecture. It features two angled tweeter speakers for crisp high notes and a precision-tuned woofer for deep, dynamic bass. Another feature is Automatic Trueplay Tuning, which optimizes the sound based on your environment, ensuring excellent audio quality wherever you are.
The battery life of up to 24 hours ensures long-lasting playback, perfect if you’re outside and can’t recharge your speaker often.
Best Portable Wireless Speaker
A compact design and convenient carrying options make some wireless speakers perfect for on-the-go use. One such option is the JBL Clip 5, which fits comfortably in one hand, making it easy to take along on any adventure. The redesigned, fully integrated carabiner has a wider opening, allowing you to effortlessly attach it to backpacks, belt loops, or other gear.
Despite its small size, the JBL Clip 5 delivers powerful JBL Pro Sound with impressive bass. It offers up to 12 hours of playtime, with an additional 3 hours available through the Playtime Boost feature. This ensures extended listening sessions without frequent recharging.
A Great Speaker for Biking
If you love to bike, you need a wireless speaker that’s compact, durable, and easy to attach to your bike. Fortunately, there’s a pick that ticks all the boxes. Luckily, the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 attaches securely to your handlebars using the integrated strap. This ensures you can enjoy your music without worrying about the speaker falling off during your ride.
Despite its small size, the StormBox Micro 2 delivers powerful sound with deep bass, thanks to its 48mm NdFeB driver and passive radiators. It also features Tribit’s exclusive XBASS technology for enhanced audio quality.
As for battery life, the speaker offers up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, ensuring it lasts through your long rides. Additionally, it doubles as a portable power bank with a built-in USB-C charging port, allowing you to charge your phone or other accessories.
Easiest to Pair With Smartphones
With a wireless speaker, it’s especially important for it to easily connect to your other devices. That way, it’s easy for you to play the music that’s on on your phone or tablet through the speaker. Fortunately, the Beats Pill makes pairing incredibly simple. With one-touch pairing, it connects quickly to iOS and Android devices.
This speaker also supports Class 1 Bluetooth technology, providing an extended range and fewer dropouts. This means you can move around freely without worrying about losing connection.
In addition to easy pairing, the Beats Pill features:
- High-resolution lossless audio when connected to a laptop or other device via USB-C cable
- 24-hour battery life
- Rugged design
- Integration with Find My for Apple devices and Find My Device for Android
Wireless Speaker With Integrated Lights
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker that adds a visual element to fit in with your decor, the ION Bright Max Plus is worth considering.
The ION Bright Max Plus combines powerful sound with exciting lighting effects. As for sound, it features a high-power 60-watt sound system with a 3.5-in. full-range speaker and two 1-in. tweeter speakers that deliver clear high notes.
When it comes to the lights, the speaker offers five multi-color LED light modes, including a flame/flicker effect and beat-sync mode. With these options, you can match the lighting to your event’s ambiance or mood. Additionally, it comes with ten atmospheric sounds, like white noise and ocean waves, to add to the immersive experience.
High-End Luxury Speaker
If you’re in the market for a premium Bluetooth speaker with exceptional sound quality and design, the Bose Portable Smart Speaker is an outstanding option.
This wireless speaker offers a premium audio experience with 360-degree sound. This ensures rich, immersive audio that fills any space.
Besides the audio quality, this wireless speaker:
- Connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and is Apple Airplay 2 compatible, so you can connect it easily to Apple devices
- Is water resistant with an IPX4 rating, so a light rain or splash won’t cause damage
- Has up to 12 hours of playtime and charges via USB-C
- Is compatible with voice control for hands-free use
Retro-Styled Wireless Speaker
You may want a wireless speaker that has a retro look with modern audio capabilities. If so, consider the Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Marshall is known for their iconic guitar amps, and they’ve brought that rock ‘n’ roll tradition into this wireless speaker.
When it comes to sound, it offers a rich, clear sound despite its compact size. With two 2-in. full-range drivers and two passive radiators, it delivers powerful audio that fills the room. The 360-degree sound ensures consistent sound quality from any position around the speaker.
Then, as far as design, it has a rugged and durable build with a textured silicone sleeve and a solid metal grille.
As for other features, the speaker boasts an impressive battery life of over 30 hours, allowing for extended listening sessions. It also recharges fully in about three hours, ensuring you’re back to your tunes quickly when you need to recharge.
Finding Your Perfect Wireless Speaker
Choosing the right portable Bluetooth speaker depends on your specific needs and preferences. So, whether you prioritize sound quality, battery life, portability, durability, or unique design features, there’s a wireless speaker to suit your needs.
