AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
A quality Bluetooth speaker is the life of any party, including a solo dance session. Over the years, Bluetooth technology has come a long way to provide stable, high-quality sound from up close and at a distance. Personally, I appreciate a portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life so that the vibes never get discontinued at a party or a yoga class. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best bluetooth speakers for any occasion.
What to consider when buying a Bluetooth speaker
“Like most things in tech, there are dozens of factors to consider when buying a Bluetooth speaker,” says technology expert and founder of TroyPoint, Troy Neal. He names sound quality, brand reputation, price, durability, battery life, portability, connectivity and ease of use as the top things to consider when investing in a new Bluetooth speaker.
Sound quality
“When you're shopping for a Bluetooth speaker, the most important thing is the sound quality,” says Joel Smitt, music expert and founder of All Axess. He details that a driver between 10 to 14 millimeters will deliver “that rich and clear audio.”
“Consumers should consider speakers with balanced sound and quality bass,” adds Neal. “I’d suggest watching some YouTube reviews so you can listen to the speaker before buying.”
Brand reputation
“Brand reputation is everything in tech, and this includes Bluetooth speakers,” says Neal. He recommends JBL, Bose, Sonos and Anker as his personal picks, saying that “these brands offer more reliable speakers and better customer support.”
Price
“Of course, as a consumer, you always have to factor in price,” says Neal. He notes that there are “high-quality” Bluetooth speakers on the market between $50 to $100. “This depends on your use case, but for the average consumer, that’s a good price range,” he says.
Durability
Both experts agree that durability is an important factor when shopping for a Bluetooth speaker. “A durable speaker is one that can last for years even after withstanding water, accidental drops or other minor issues,” says Neal. He notes that looking for “water-resistance” and “shock resistance” on a product label or in the product information section will help you find a durable Bluetooth speaker.
Battery life
Battery life is another feature both experts suggest considering when buying a new Bluetooth speaker. “Nothing is worse than your speaker constantly dying on you,” says Smitt. Per Neal’s suggestion, “A quality speaker should last around eight to 12 hours without needing a charge.”
Portability
“Portability is one of the reasons why Bluetooth speakers have become so popular today,” Neal says. However, he mentions that “portability and sound quality usually have an inverse relationship.” If you plan on traveling a lot with your speaker, I’d suggest looking for an option that is more compact and lightweight.
Connectivity
Having a stable connection is an important factor to consider when purchasing a Bluetooth speaker. “Most speakers will work with a range between 30-50 feet, but premium speakers will usually offer a wider range,” says Neal. “I’d also ensure the speaker is compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later versions (most are).”
Ease of use
“A Bluetooth speaker should be user-friendly,” says Neal. “The pairing process should be simple. Many quality speakers will have clearly labeled buttons and voice indicators to help connect your devices.”
Our top picks for the best Bluetooth speakers
Best pocket bass Bluetooth speaker: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 Small Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - Active Black
Following the advice of our experts, we’ve gone with the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 as our pick for this category. This portable speaker offers ample bass without muddling your music. It’s also more than capable of withstanding the outdoor elements (drop it in the pool and it still plays!) so you can play your tunes outdoors.
Specifications
- Voice assistant: No.
- Bluetooth version: Bluetooth and Bluetooth smart (specific version not listed).
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: 14 hours.
- Mobile app: Not listed.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 131 feet.
- Weight: 1.19 pounds.
- Charging: Micro-USB.
- IP rating: IP67.
- Price on publish: $67.96.
What we like:
- Water- and dust-resistant.
- Wide connectivity range.
- Can handle short drops.
- Lightweight.
What we don’t like:
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is small but mighty. Its compact form can withstand water, dust and drops. It offers high-quality sound, but you won’t be able to connect to Wi-Fi or use voice assistance with this Bluetooth speaker.
Get it here: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
Best top handle Bluetooth speaker: Marshall Stockwell II
Marshall Stockwell II
For a speaker that’s easy to carry while still packing in some old school rock band charm, try Marshall’s Stockwell II. It’s equipped with a sizable top handle that’s easy to hold, plus its long-lasting battery, audio-adjusting knobs and room-filling sound make it well worth a try.
Specifications
- Voice assistant: No.
- Bluetooth version: 5.0.
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: 20 hours.
- Mobile app: Not listed.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 30 feet.
- Weight: 3.04 pounds.
- Charging: USB-C.
- IP rating: IPX4.
- Price on publish: $149.99.
What we like:
- Bluetooth version 5.0 built-in.
- Adjustable volume, bass and treble knobs.
- Easy-to-hold top handle.
What we don’t like:
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The Marshall Stockwell II features one of the most recent Bluetooth versions and adjustable knobs for a customizable listening experience.
Get it here: Marshall Stockwell II
Best budget Bluetooth speaker: Anker Soundcore
Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker Stereo Sound Waterproof 24H Playtime Black
“I define a ‘budget’ Bluetooth speaker as one that’s under $50,” says Neal. “The Anker Soundcore is a quality option. I’ve used Anker speakers in the past and have had zero issues with this brand. It’s a good, reliable speaker at a low price point that will get the job done for most consumers.”
Specifications
- Voice assistant: No.
- Bluetooth version: 5.0.
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 66 feet.
- Weight: 0.79 pounds.
- Charging: Battery-powered.
- IP rating: IPX5.
- Price on publish: $21.99.
What we like:
- Under one pound.
- Waterproof.
- Up to 24 hours play time.
- Features Bluetooth 5.0.
What we don’t like:
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The Anker Soundcore is a Bluetooth speaker with a wireless connection that delivers up to 24 hours of playtime.
Get it here: Anker Soundcore
Best sounding Bluetooth speaker: Bose SoundLink Revolve II
Bose SoundLink Revolve II Bluetooth® Speaker Triple Black
“I personally own the Bose SoundLink Revolve II and this is the speaker I use the most inside my household,” says Neal. He names Bose as one of his personal go-to brands, saying that, “I’ve always been impressed with the sound quality of Bose speakers and the higher price point reflects the quality of their products.”
Specifications
- Voice assistant: Yes (Siri and Google voice only).
- Bluetooth version: 4.2.
- Wi-Fi: Yes.
- Battery life: 13 hours.
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 30 feet.
- Weight: 1.46 pounds.
- Charging: USB micro B port.
- IP rating: IP55.
- Price on publish: $219.
What we like:
- Water-resistant.
- Wi-Fi compatible.
- Compatible with Siri and Google voice.
- It offers 360-degree sound.
What we don’t like:
- Not compatible with Alexa.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
Bose’s SoundLink Revolve II is a compact wireless Bluetooth speaker that offers 360 degrees of rich sound. It’s compatible with Siri and Google Voice, but not Alexa or any other voice assistant.
Get it here: Bose SoundLink Revolve II
Best Bluetooth speaker for charging: Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Night Black
“The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 stands out for its convenient wireless charging,” says Smitt. “It has a 15-hour battery life and supports Qi wireless charging, so you can easily recharge it without dealing with cables.” You do, however, have to buy the wireless charging dock separately ($16.99). This device can also be charged with the included Micro USB.
Specifications
- Voice assistant: No.
- Bluetooth version: Not listed.
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: 15 hours
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 148 feet.
- Weight: Two pounds.
- Charging: Micro USB.
- IP rating: IP67.
- Price on publish: $169.99.
What we like:
- Waterproof, floats if accidentally dropped into water.
- Charges wirelessly (with dock).
- High IP rating.
- Connects to a mobile device up to 148 feet.
What we don’t like:
- Wireless charger must be bought separately.
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 can be charged with or without a wired connection. It’s designed as an indoor-outdoor Bluetooth speaker that can withstand a splash in the pool and float for easy recovery. The only caveat is that the charging dock is sold separately.
Get it here: Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
Best Bluetooth speaker for battery life: JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
As mentioned earlier, battery life is a hugely important consideration for a portable speaker. “The JBL Charge 5 delivers an impressive 20 hours of playtime on a single charge,” says Smitt. “Its large 7,500mAh battery can even be used to charge your other devices.”
Specifications
- Voice assistant: No.
- Bluetooth version: 5.1.
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: 20 hours.
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: Not listed.
- Weight: 2.1 pounds.
- Charging: USB-C.
- IP rating: IP67.
- Price on publish: $139.95.
What we like:
- Built-in power bank for mobile device charging.
- Connects to two phones at the same time.
- Waterproof and dustproof.
What we don’t like:
- While several customer reviews rave about the connectivity, there’s no specified distance listed.
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The JBL Charge 5 has enough battery power to last for up to 20 hours and serve as a portable charger for your mobile devices. But, you won’t be able to connect to Wi-Fi using this Bluetooth speaker.
Get it here: JBL Charge 5
Best premium Bluetooth speaker: Bose Portable Smart Speaker
Bose Portable Smart Speaker Luxe Silver
“For a top-tier Bluetooth speaker, the Bose Portable Smart Speaker is hard to beat,” says Smitt. “It offers Bose's renowned sound quality, smart home integration and a sleek, sophisticated design.”
Specifications
- Voice assistant: Yes.
- Bluetooth version: 4.2.
- Wi-Fi: Yes.
- Battery life: 12 hours.
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 30 feet.
- Weight: 2.34 pounds.
- Charging: USB-C port.
- IP rating: IPX4.
- Price on publish: $399.
What we like:
- Wi-Fi compatible.
- Has a top handle.
- Voice-controlled, compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa.
- Play music directly from the virtual cloud over Wi-Fi.
What we don’t like:
- The IP rating is on the lower end of sufficient water and dust resistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is a top handle-equipped device that delivers quality sound, connects to Wi-Fi and works well with voice assistance. Just make sure you don’t keep this one close to water, as its IP rating is on the lower end of water resistance.
Get it here: Bose Portable Smart Speaker
Best portable Bluetooth speaker: JBL Flip 5
JBL Flip 5
“My choice for best portable Bluetooth speaker is the JBL Flip series,” says Neal, who personally owns this device and has used it for several years with “no issues.” Neal prefers to use this Bluetooth speaker for outdoor activities: “It’s extremely portable, durable and comes with excellent audio quality.”
Specifications
- Voice assistant: No.
- Bluetooth version: 4.2.
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: 12 hours.
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 33 feet.
- Weight: 1.2 pounds.
- Charging: USB-C.
- IP rating: IPX7
- Price on publish: $89.95.
What we like:
- Connects to other JBL products for multi-room sound.
- Under two pounds.
- Waterproof.
What we don’t like:
- No Wi-Fi or voice assistance.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The JBLFlip 5 takes up a similar amount of space as a water bottle. It’s extremely portable and waterproof, with a 33-foot connectivity range.
Get it here: JBL Flip 5
Best micro Bluetooth speaker: Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker Stone Blue
Going by the advice of our experts, we’ve gone with the Bose SoundLink Micro Speaker as our pick for the best micro Bluetooth speaker. Its compact form delivers up to six hours of crisp sound, its waterproof body is ready for outdoor fun and when you set it down, you can still connect to it within a 30-foot radius.
Specifications
- Voice assistant: Yes.
- Bluetooth version: 4.2.
- Wi-Fi: No.
- Battery life: Six hours.
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Yes.
- Connectivity range: 30 feet.
- Weight: 0.68 pounds.
- Charging: Micro-B USB.
- IP rating: IP67.
- Price on publish: $119.
What we like:
- Waterproof and dustproof.
- Weighs less than one pound.
- Works with voice assistance.
What we don’t like:
- Can’t connect to Wi-Fi.
- Battery life is on the shorter side.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
Bose’s SoundLink Micro Speaker is a portable device that can withstand harsh weather conditions while playing tunes up to 30 feet away from your mobile device.
Get it here: Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
Best Bluetooth speaker for Home: Sonos Era 100
Sonos Era 100
While Sonos is best known for its wireless speakers, the brand also makes some very worthwhile Bluetooth speakers, too. Their Era 100 still connects to Wi-Fi and works with voice assistance, and also features Bluetooth version 5.0, one of the most recent editions of the technology.
Specifications
- Voice assistant: Yes.
- Bluetooth version: 5.0.
- Wi-Fi: Yes.
- Battery life: Not listed.
- Mobile app: Yes.
- Water-resistant: Not listed.
- Connectivity range: Not listed.
- Weight: 4.45 pounds.
- Charging: USB-C.
- IP rating: Not listed.
- Price on publish: $249.
What we like:
- Bluetooth version 5.0 built-in.
- Offers room-filling sound.
- Connects to Wi-Fi and offers voice assistance.
What we don’t like:
- Needs to be connected to a power source at all times.
- Only water-resistant against humidity.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
The Sonos Era 100 features one of the latest editions of Bluetooth technology for seamless integration across devices. The main downside is that it needs to be connected to a power source at all times.
Get it here: Sonos Era 100
How we selected the best Bluetooth speakers
The best Bluetooth speakers were chosen based on expert-recommended criteria, as well as customer reviews, personal experience and brand reputation. Beyond Bluetooth, other features factored into the decision-making include voice assistance, water resistance, weight, connectivity range and mobile app control.
If you found this guide helpful, you may also appreciate our guides to the best noise canceling headphones, the best wireless earbuds, the best computer speakers or the best soundbars.
Essential smart features and seamless Bluetooth integration
Seamless Bluetooth integration
“‘Seamless’ Bluetooth integration is when a Bluetooth device (a speaker, for example) easily connects with other media devices like phones, computers or tablets,” says Neal.
Smitt notes that the best seamless Bluetooth integration involves using the most up-to-date technology. “Things like aptX and AAC codecs let you stream high-quality audio without any delays or dropouts,” he says.
Here are Neal’s recommended steps for the best seamless Bluetooth connection:
- Ensure both the speaker and audio device are compatible for a connection.
- Make sure your Bluetooth connection is turned on.
- Click the connect or pairing button on your Bluetooth device, which will initiate the connection process.
- From there, your devices should automatically sync. If not, you should find the Bluetooth device within the Bluetooth settings on your audio device.
Smart features
“Smart features like voice control, companion apps and the ability to sync across multiple rooms (aka multi-room audio) can make your Bluetooth speaker a lot more user friendly,” says Smitt. According to Neal, “other important smart features are wireless charging, automatic software updates and proximity sensing.”
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are IP ratings?
“IP (ingress protection) ratings tell you how well a device can handle dust and water. The higher the IP rating, the better the protection,” says Smitt. Neal adds that “these ratings are two digits. The first represents the protection level against dust and the second indicates the protection level against water.”
According to Smitt, an IP rating between IPX4 or IPX7 will give you ample resistance to dust and water. “An IPX7 rating provides the most protection, but these speakers tend to have a higher price point,” notes Neal.
What's the best Bluetooth speaker brand?
“When it comes to top Bluetooth speaker brands, you can't go wrong with names like Sonos, JBL, UE, Bose and Sony,” says Smitt. “They consistently deliver excellent sound quality, features and build quality.
“While this depends mostly on user preference, my favorite Bluetooth speaker brands are JBL and Bose,” opines Neal.
How do I connect a Bluetooth speaker to my TV?
“Connecting a Bluetooth speaker to your TV is usually pretty straightforward,” says Smitt. “Most modern TVs have Bluetooth built-in, so you can just pair them up. If your TV doesn't have Bluetooth, you can use a little transmitter that plugs into the auxiliary or optical output.”
Here are the steps Neal recommends to connect a Bluetooth speaker to a TV:
- Turn on your Bluetooth speaker and click the pairing button to initiate a connection.
- On your TV settings, look for options related to “Bluetooth” or “audio.”
- There should be an option to “pair new device” — wait a minute or so for your TV to scan for a nearby speaker.
- Your connection may automatically sync, but if not look for your Bluetooth speaker in a list of devices and click it to establish a connection.
- Once paired, you should get a confirmation message on the screen.
What is the loudest Bluetooth speaker?
“The loudest Bluetooth speakers are usually the ones with the most powerful drivers and amplifiers,” says Smitt. “Look for specs like peak or RMS power output, measured in watts. The higher the wattage, the louder the speaker can get.”
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.