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Best Bluetooth Speakers: The best budget and premium speakers
In This Article
Introduction
A Bluetooth speaker improves the quality and volume of your audio, but with so many to choose from, it can be hard to decide on which one is the best Bluetooth speaker.
That’s where we come in. We’ve tested plenty of Bluetooth speakers, from outdoor to indoor models to party speakers to provide you with the best options for purchasing a Bluetooth speaker.
And how do we come by these recommendations? We put these Bluetooth speakers through the paces by listening to music (or watching movies), testing the features to make sure they work as described. We’ll carry out battery drains where possible, and test the Bluetooth connection range to make sure they work as implied.
And the speakers that feature on this list are Bluetooth only. Unlike some other sites, we don’t include speakers that do both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity when the majority of the testing has been done with a Wi-Fi connection. We don’t believe that’s a fair reflection of the speaker’s overall performance.
We’re regularly reviewing Bluetooth speakers and updating this list is an ongoing process. We’ve added new speakers such as the Bose SoundLink Max as our best premium option, as well as the Sony HT-AX7 as the best model for watching movies on. If you don’t find what you’re looking for now, be sure to come back later to see what other speakers we’ve added to the list.
For those interested in exploring our other lists, check our guides for thebest outdoor speakers, thebest smart speakersand thebest multi-room speakers.
Best Bluetooth speakers at a glance
How we test
We play a lot of music, and we play it loud. We play it everywhere – in the house, in the garden, and even in the bath if a speaker is waterproof.We don’t just listen to the speakers; if there are special features then we make sure we fiddle with them until we’re satisfied. Recently, some Bluetooth speakers have begun to get smart functionality with the integration of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and as a result we’ve started speaking to our speakers as well.Of course, it always comes back to the music. Speakers are tested by reviewers who have a love of music, a knowledge of sound quality, as well as a context of the market. We’ll listen to Bluetooth speakers alongside similarly priced rivals, so when we recommend a particular model, it’s among the best you can buy for the money.Obviously, we know not everyone has the same taste in music, so we won’t only test with the same perfectly mastered album, but with a variety of genres and file qualities, from MP3 to Hi-Res FLAC.
Bose SoundLink Max
Pros
Cons
TheSoundLink Maxfrom Bose is premium priced Bluetooth speaker, but it’s also one of the best we’ve tested in recent years.
The sound quality is rich and detailed, the soundstage is wide and has depth to it, giving tracks plenty of space. It’s a well-balanced speaker too, with strong bass, clear highs and a detailed midrange. We also love the energy it provides to music, which makes for an exciting performance.
Given this is a portable speaker, you’ll be using it outside for the most part and the SoundLink Max is a sturdy unit. At 2kg it’s one of the heavier portable speakers we’v tested, but it comes with a handle that makes it useful to carry around, and with itsIP67 ratingit can handle dust and water easily enough.
Battery life is up to 20 hours, though we found that it’s a speaker that can lose its charge when not in use. We’re also not big fans of the way this speaker charges. The USB cable provided needs a consistent delivery of power that not every product (say a laptop) can provide. A plu would help but only the US version of this speaker comes with a plug included. We’d suggest buying one otherwise charging this speaker can take a very long time.
The Bluetooth performance is strong with no break ups during testing, and there’s support for higher quality aptX Adaptive Bluetooth. The Bose app offers come EQ customisation as well as changing some of the settings (such as shortcuts). It’s not the most stable at the best of times, often crashing or losing connection with the SoundLink Max when we’re swapping between apps.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:Bose SoundLink Max
Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen
Pros
Cons
B&O A1 2nd genis the sequel to theBeoplay A1and improves upon its predecessor with an even better audio performance.It is the world’s first Bluetooth-only speaker tosupport Alexa, relying on the Bluetooth connection between it and a smartphone to access the Amazon digital assistant. We found it worked pretty well in a local park, Alexa responding quickly to queries unless the smartphone was busy doing another task. We’d suggest not doing too much multitasking with a phone if she proves to be less responsive than usual.
As you’d expect from a Bang & Olufsen product, it ladles on the style with its aluminium top surface and waterproof leather base. ItsIP67 ratingprotects it from water and dust and the 18-hour battery life exceeds the likes ofSonos RoamandWonderboom 3, so you can listen to music on this speaker for longer.
What impressed us the most during testing was its audio. For a speaker of its size and shape, it produced a detailed, clear sound, and ample amounts of bass. Compared to the portable speakers that feature on this list, it’s the best-sounding effort, and four years after its release, it still rates as one of our favourite Bluetooth speakers.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:B&O Beosound A1 2nd Gen
JBL Charge 5
Pros
Cons
TheCharge 5sits between theFlip seriesandXtreme modelsas a big portable speaker for those who want a loud, dynamic outdoors performance.
It comes in an array of colours and also looks like an American football, though this isn’t a speaker we’d want to throw at someone. Its big and heavy at nearly 1kg and doesn’t come with a handle or strap for carry. The fabric covering is one we found to be quite grippy in the hand though you’ll want to stow it in away in a bag when not in use. Its toughIP67 ratingensures protection against water and dust like theWonderboom 3andBeosound A1 2nd Genthat feature on this list.
Battery is quoted around 20 hours, which should suffice for a few days use and the speaker can be used as a powerbank to charge mobile devices. There is app support in the form of the JBL Portable app, which we found simple to use. There aren’t many features inside, with just the ability to change the speaker’s EQ, update the firmware (which we did found takes a while) and enable the PartyBoost feature. This allows the Charge 5 to be stereo paired to another speaker or connected to as many JBL compatible speakers as you like.
The sound from the Charge 5 is one our reviewer found to be big, loud and powerful. It can generate satisfying amounts of punchy bass but it doesn’t do so at the expense of overall balance or clarity. The midrange is clear and there’s good separation and definition of voices and instruments to make the listener can hear what’s going on in the track. Raise the volume up and while there’s not as much bass as there is at lower volumes, there’s notable distortion with the Charge 5 sounding louder than the biggerSony SRS-XG300when playing The Beatles’ Hey Jude.
The JBL is a fun, energetic-sounding speaker with a sound that’s more balanced than you may expect. It’s available at a reasonably tidy price too, around the same price bracket as theMarshall Emberton IIandSonos Roam. There is an upgrade in theCharge 5 Wi-Fithat addsSpotify Connect,AirPlay 2, and Alexa Multi-Room audio support.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:JBL Charge 5
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Pros
Cons
Theoriginal Wonderboomwas great, theWonderboom 2was even better and with theWonderboom 3, Ultimate Ears has, in our view, created its best small portable Bluetooth speaker yet.
Once again it is the same size and carries the same look as before, and that helps make the Wonderboom 3 a good option for those who don’t have space in their bags for something bigger. The only real difference are the colours that the Wonderboom 3 come in, with Ultimate Ears choosing more contrasting colours this time out. It also keeps itsIP67 ratingthat protects it from water and dust, so we can imaging this speaker being used in the garden, on a beach or even in more adventurous conditions.
On the features side not much has changed. The Outdoor Boost and Double Up continue on with the former boosting mid-range and treble performance for more extra clarity outdoors, while Double Up offers stereo pairing with another Wonderboom 3 speaker (it doesn’t work with other Wonderboom generations). Battery life has been increased by an hour to 14, while there’s no sign ofUSB-C charging, which may annoy those who’d prefer to rely on one cable to charge all their devices..
We felt that the Wonderboom 3’s audio was the best we had sampled yet from the series. Like theStormbox Micro 2, it’s a much more balanced affair: smoother, more detailed and more spacious in how it sounds. It lacks the crispness, energy and dynamism of the Wonderboom 2 but we’d say the older model sounds less refined when compared to the new Wonderboom.
The speaker offers better sound and a sprinkling of new features for the same price as before, and that’s enough for the Wonderboom 3 to be one of the best Bluetooth speakers at its price point.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
Pros
Cons
The originalStormbox Microwas a very good portable speaker at an affordable price, and theStormbox Micro 2sees Tribit repeating the trick again with an even better performance.
The audio is a step up in virtually all regards. We found that the Micro 2 is louder than the original, the size of the sound was also bigger and projected further away from the speaker’s body and it presented music with much more clarity than the original, too.
Out reviewer felt it achieved a better balance in its sound quality, with bass bigger and better described; treble frequencies sharper and clearer, while more detail is retrieved in the midrange, helping to define instruments with more sharpness and detail.
The design has been altered, the buttons coloured white to contrast better against the fabric covering; the speaker is also bigger and can now serve as a powerbank to change any mobile devices you have on your person viaUSB-Ccharging. It keeps the useful tear-resistant strap that allows it to be attached to bicycle handlebars or rucksacks to accompany users on their journeys. It also retains itsIP67 rating, so it’s insulated against dust and water for those who want to take their speaker on more adventurous outdoor activities.
Battery life has been improved from 8-hours to 12, which puts it among the likes of theSonos Roam(11) andUltimate Ears Wonderboom 3(14). There’s also support for an app that allows for the speaker’s EQ to be adjusted along with enabling updates, which should allow the speaker to last for longer.
The Stormbox Micro 2 is everything a sequel should be, improving on the weaker aspects and making the good parts even better. It does come at a slight increase to £59.99, which puts in the ballpark of speakers such as theTronsmart T7. The T7 sounds better when dealing with treble and bass, but the convenience and versality of the Tribit gets our vote over the Tronsmart.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
Sony SRS-XG300
Pros
Cons
Fancy having a party outside? There are plenty of Bluetooth speakers to choose, but our current favourite is Sony’sSRS-XG300.
It comes with retractable handle for carrying the speaker about, which found useful considering this speaker weighs around 3kg. With itsIP67 ratingit’s good against resisting liquids and particles such as sand and dust when used outside.
It’s not the sharpest or necessarily the clearest-sounding speaker with its warm and rich tone placing an emphasis on bass. However, that does make it a good option for outdoor parties if you like your bass assertively described, and music given plenty of drive and energy then the XG300.
B&O’sBeolit 20can summon even stronger levels of bass but it does also cost twice as much as the Sony does, and there’s also theSoundcore Boom 2 Plusto consider, though it is currently more expensive than the Sony.
Around the edges of the speaker is a Light feature – Sony calls it Ambient Illumination – that emits a halo of light at either end of the speaker that pulses in sync with the beat, although at its default setting we found it wasn’t particularly noticeable, especially during daylight hours.
Other party features include support for Fiestable app, which offers control over DJ effects, light effects and Motion Control, where playback and volume can be controlled by moving a smartphone, although this is a feature that can be hit and miss in terms of accuracy.
In terms of physical connections, the Sony comes with aUSB-Cfor charging another device, and a stereo mini-jack (cable also included) for plugging in an external source (such as a portable music player). Battery life is 25 hours;Google Fast Pairis provided for instant connection to an Android device and there’sLDAC Bluetoothfor those that want to play music from a music streaming service that supports higher quality bitrates.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull review:Sony SRS-XG300
Q Acoustics M20 HD
Pros
Cons
In theQ Acoustics M20 HD, you have a Bluetooth speaker that is more fitting for desktop stereo use or even connected to a TV via its other connections.
The M20 HD is an active speaker system, which means there is no need for external amplification/boxes, so you can plug it into the power port and get going with your music.AptX-HD Bluetoothensures that the system can play files up to 24-bit/48kHz resolution, so you can get some high-fidelity performance fromBluetoothplayback.
The Bluetooth support matches Edifier’sS2000MKIII, but at 10.6kg the Q Acoustics are a much lighter and smaller proposition, which makes carrying them around and positioning them on speaker stands less of a hassle. The range of connections is also better than the Edifier, so if you’re not listening to them over Bluetooth, there’s scope to connect the M20 HD to a TV or connect a USB stick to play audio files at resolutions of up to 24-bit/192kHz.
And in terms of their sound, we found the system boasted a fun and engaging performance, with a warm and rich mid-range performance, powerful bass and defined top end of the frequency range. They’re great with music, films and games and their price makes them better value than the similarly specified but more expensiveKlipsch The Fives.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:Q Acoustics M20 HD
KitSound Diggit 55
Pros
Cons
There’s a number of garden-based Bluetooth speakers, and the best value effort we’ve come across is KitSound’sDiggit 55.
At £50 you can buy a few to place around the garden, and if you purchase two there’s the option of stereo pairing to create a bigger sound, which we found simple enough to enable by holding the speakers together. They’ve had a few minor tweaksfrom their predecessorin terms of the faux wood look and placement of connections, and they come with a stake for rooting them in the ground. With their IP66 rating the Diggit 55 are water-resistant rather than waterproof; so while a light shower is likely fine, anything more and you’d need to bring them inside.
Its mid-range performance was the aspect we liked the most, with plenty of detail and clarity afforded to vocals and a soundstage described with a sense of space so instruments are separated from each other. Bass is flatly described whether indoors or out, and unlike theJBL Charge 5, it can’t reach the same volume levels or replicate that speaker’s infectious sense of energy. Walking around the unit, the 360-degree worked well enough, with only a slight change in tone noticeable.
Set it in a decent-sized garden and the KitSound offers good-value sound that belies its asking price. For garden parties multiple Diggit 55 speaker is worth considering. The Kitsound Diggit 2 is available, and we’ll be looking to review that model.
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:KitSound Diggit 55
Sony HT-AX7
Pros
Cons
TheHT-AX7should be considered as a personal Bluetooth sound system that elevates the audio performance from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
It connects viaBluetoothwith no Wi-Fi support, so you can only connect to devices over Bluetooth. It’s made up of three elements: two detachable speakers to place around you and the main speaker unit that sits in front.
It features Sony’s360 Spatial Sound Mappingtechnology creates a soundstage around your listening position with both physical speakers and virtual ones. We found the performance with movies and TV shows to be quite impressive. There’s a wider, bigger soundstage to enjoy than if you were listening through a pair of headphones or the mobile device.
Synching between what’s on the screen and the speakers is excellent, the rears fill in the space behind you in a way that keeps up the levels of immersion. Sony claims the speaker can produce overhead sounds, but through testing we found those claims to be wide of the mark.
We wouldn’t necessarily recommend using the speaker with music. At higher volume levels it can sound thin, and you won’t get much bass either.
Battery is caimed to be around 30+ hours, although like the Bose SoundLink Max, the AX7 consumes energy in its standby mode so that’s something to keep a close eye out for if you don’t use the speaker for a week (or two).
Reviewer:Kob MonneyFull Review:Sony HT-AX7
Majority D80
Pros
Cons
TheMajority D80is a pair of desktop speakersfor very reasonable price. The speakers don’t have the most exciting design but they’re well-built, offer clear audio and have a wide range of connectivity options.
The speakers have an understated design, their size and 3.48kg weight puts means they’re more accoodating than bigger music systems that require more space such as theQ Acoustics M20 HD.
There’s a vast range of connectivity options to choose from, includingHDMI ARC, optical, line-in,Bluetoothand a USB drive. You can switch modes on the remote control, with the remote also handy for skipping through local files on a USB drive.
The remote itself is big and chunky with reasonably tactile buttons, though you can also use the right speaker to adjust the volume, bass and treble.
When it comes to sound quality, we found that the audio remained consistent across wired and wireless connections and via a mix of streamed music and local high-quality MP3/FLAC files.
The speakers present a prominent low end and a great soundstage, as well as generally clear audio. There’s also little to no distortion at higher volumes and the speakers have no trouble filling a small office or bedroom.
If you’re looking for a pair of desktop speakers with an understated design, a clear and impactful audio performance and a varied array of connectivity options, the Majority D80 are a great value pick.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:Majority D80
FAQs
We’d point to the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Its design allows for it to be used in many different ways, the sound is much improved over the original and it comes with app support as well as the ability to charge other devices.
We also considered…
One of the best mid-size portable speakers around
The classic Pebble gets smarter, and classier
One of the best-sounding speakers currently around £100
A rugged and fun-sounding portable speaker
Powered speakers that look to replace, well, everything
Rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker with 360˚ sound.
We’ve reviewed
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Hi-Fi & Wireless Audio
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Kob began his career at What Hi-Fi?, starting in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as the Buyer’s Guide editor. Experienced in both magazine and …
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
