If you want to bring your music everywhere, the humble Bluetooth speaker is your best bet. You'll lose some audio quality compared to Wi-Fi speakers, but these days Bluetooth speakers sound pretty great, and let you blast the tunes wherever you go—the backyard, the beach, and beyond.
Since 2013, we've tested hundreds of Bluetooth speakers at every price range. Our top pick remains the portable, durable and affordable JBL Flip 7 ($150), but we've got specialized recommendations for nearly every use case and budget. From outdoor parties, beach days and poolside fun, to at-home listening in every room, these are the best speakers for everything you do.
Don't forget to check out our other audio guides, including the Best Soundbars, Best Wireless Earbuds, and Best Bookshelf Speakers.
Updated June 2026: I've added the KEF Muo, Anker Soundcore 2, and the Marshall Kilburn III, refreshed our Honorable Mentions list, and updated pricing and copy with the most up to date information.
How We Test Bluetooth Speakers
We test Bluetooth speakers indoors, outdoors, and around mud, sand, and water to ensure they match their IP ratings. For durability, we do drop testing, battery-life testing, and long-term listening over several weeks or months to ensure that the speakers function as advertised. When listening and comparing speakers, we run through a range of genres, including bass-heavy music, acoustic music, and heavy music, as well as podcasts and YouTube videos. Our reviewers typically use professional studio monitors for reference, and have degrees in music performance and recording. Though we don't use calibrated microphones to take EQ readings for each portable speaker, we aim to provide an accurate description of our real-world listening experiences based on our expertise.
What Should I Look for in a Bluetooth Speaker?
That entirely depends on what you plan to use it for. The best advice we have is to start with how and where you'd like to listen to music and work backwards to a specific model from there. Speakers include tiny keychains, larger boomboxes, and everything in between. We select speakers based largely on how they perform in their specialty, whether that's audio quality, durability, or some other particular niche.
As far as durability, we look for speakers with solid IP ratings for dust and water resistance and tend to prefer long battery life; batteries with larger capacities tend to still work well even after a few years of degradation.
Compromising isn't always great for your principles, but it's essential when shopping for portable Bluetooth speakers, which usually involves making trade-offs, such as between richness of sound and portability.
JBL’s Flip makes the give-and-take much more palatable as it strikes the perfect balance between mobility and sound quality, offering clean detail with plenty of punch in a durable, droppable, and utterly portable package. The Flip 7 provides new goodies like increased water resistance, an easy-release strap, and a two-hour battery boost (or four with reduced bass).
The latest Flip also supports Auracast to sync with other new JBL models like the Clip 5 and Charge 6. Auracast may provide future connectivity benefits, but it currently leaves the latest speakers unable to connect with older ones, so if you already have a family of older JBLs it may make more sense to go with the Flip 6. Otherwise, the Flip 7 is a killer speaker that happily tags along on virtually any adventure you can handle. —Ryan Waniata
★ 360-degree sound alternative: If you’re after a speaker with a wider and more expansive soundstage, the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 ($150) is a great alternative. Its 360-degree soundstage offers great performance from any angle, and though it doesn’t have the same bass thump as the Flip 7, its clear and balanced sound provides smooth definition across your catalog.
The larger Sonos models are great if you want a speaker that lives inside, but they aren't the kind of thing you'd want to throw in a backpack. That's where the Roam 2 comes in. This tiny tube has all the same smarts as its bigger siblings but with an IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating and 10 hours of listening time, letting you move from your living room to the great outdoors. It's about the size of a 16-ounce beer can and easily fits in cup holders and knapsacks alike. The most recent update comes with easier Bluetooth pairing via a dedicated button. —Parker Hall
Tribit Bluetooth speakers sound a lot better than they should for the price. The StormBox 2 is largely the same as the original model, with dual-firing drivers and passive radiators in a 7-inch-long tube, but it comes with upgraded controls and about 6 watts more output (up to 30 watts from 24). No, it can't fuel a trance dance party on its own, but its clarity is impressive, and it has a fun extra-bass button that adds some surprising, if slightly muddy, thump. Its long battery life and robust design make it a great companion for backyard tunes, a trip down the river, or other informal gatherings. —Parker Hall
Paying $250 for a portable Bluetooth speaker is hard to justify if all you need is something loud enough for a picnic blanket, but KEF’s updated Muo feels more like a compact hi-fi component. The seamless aluminum body is beautifully tactile and flawless, although it looks almost identical to the model they first launched in 2015. Maybe I’m just feeling old because I remember that launch like it was yesterday.
While the Muo is getting on a bit aesthetically, its connectivity is bang up to date. The drivers have been rebuilt around a new racetrack-shaped 2.5 x 5-inch mid/bass driver, paired with a 0.74-inch (19mm) tweeter and 40W of Class D amplification. A neat pleated edge to the drivers does brilliant things to the bass too, which is beyond impressive given the size.
Audio quality is seriously impressive here and you may be surprised by how often you reach for it. I heartily recommend plugging in a hi-res streaming (24-bit/48 kHz) source via USB-C and enjoying all the speaker has to offer.
The app is a basic affair, and some might lament the speaker's lack of Wi-Fi, but with IP67 protection and 24-hour battery life it’s a great buy when fidelity matters.
According to Amazon, Anker sold over 10,000 of these speakers last month alone. Yes, there are better options, and certainly more stylish speakers with more specific uses, but for its low price, the Soundcore 2 remains a brilliantly practical, great sounding, go-anywhere option.
The Sound quality is better than you'd expect, but the bass is nowhere near as solid as the JBL Flip 7. It manages to be an enjoyable listen with good midrange, balance and presence though. Don’t get too excited, but it’s a solid performer. It has Bluetooth 5.0, IPX7 waterproofing, and a massive 24-hour battery. A couple of units can be paired for wider stereo and there’s a built-in mic for voice prompts and calls and aux-in. The design is boring and functional, and I had hoped to never see a micro-USB port again, but they’re minor gripes at this price.
I’m happy to admit when I’m wrong, and for a few years, I dismissed Marshall’s mini guitar amp aesthetic as a good looking gimmick. But having spent time with the Kilburn III, I hold my hands up. It’s not "serious" hi-fi, but the design and attention to detail—the tactile, spring-loaded, knurled metal power lever, and illuminated control knobs are a joy—stand apart. It just looks fantastic, and with 50 watts of power and 50 hours of playtime, it plays loud and long. I love being able to charge devices from the speaker’s USB-C port too.
Marshall does not include the charger needed for the fastest recharge, which is a bit annoying, although most laptop users will have one already. There’s no stereo pairing option either, but I find it hard to imagine needing two of these in the size of room it’s designed for.
In his full review (8/10), Simon Cohen was ebullient about the speaker’s performance, and I agree. It’s loud enough for small- to medium-sized rooms, and cut through when used outdoors, with weighty bass, decent balance, and no obvious distortion when pushed. The 360-degree presentation spreads music evenly too, so it feels less directional than many rivals.
Never underestimate the middle child. Set between the plucky Soundlink Flex and beefy Soundlink Max, Bose’s Soundlink Plus offers impressive performance in a posh yet robust frame. You’ll find full and clear sound thanks to its articulate tweeter and punchy woofer backed by four passive bass radiators, along with convenient controls and stylish color options like the Citrus Yellow model I reviewed. Extras like a removable battery and the ability to charge other devices sweeten the deal, though in true Bose fashion, the price is as premium as the vibe. —Ryan Waniata
The Sonos Play may just be the most versatile portable speaker I've ever tested. Its sound quality gets very close to the fabulous Sonos Era 100 smart speaker thanks to a similar configuration of dual tweeters and a powerful woofer, but in a portable design. Using Wi-Fi, you can stream from over 100 services, control it with your voice, link with other Sonos speakers in a group, and even plug in an analog audio source (with a Sonos adapter, that is).
Hitting the road? Take the Play off its charging cradle, tap the Bluetooth button, and it's ready for any adventure with a full day of battery. If you're after a speaker that's perfect inside, outside, and everywhere in between (and can even withstand a dunk in shallow water), you want the Sonos Play. —Ryan Waniata
The JBL Clip 5 is a tad pricey for a micro-sized portable speaker, but this is a classic case of getting what you pay for. I think of the sound as “fat” in a good way, with fuller bass and midrange frequencies than expected. The warmer sound still offers rich detail and definition, and you can adjust the sound in the JBL Portable app. I love listening to podcasts in the shower, or even clipping its wide carabiner on my belt loop for cranking tunes while doing yard work.
The speaker's stout body is dust- and water-resistant, and adds advanced features like the ability to stereo-pair two Clip 5s or connect to newer JBL speakers via Auracast. Battery life is still middling, but a two-hour boost over the previous Clip (five extra hours with Playtime Boost) provides a solid upgrade that makes the Clip 5 more versatile than ever. —Ryan Waniata
The Soundboks Mix is powerful, durable, and aimed at raucous outdoor adventures. It doesn't offer the same PA-style design as my favorite karaoke speakers, but as reviewer Parker Hall notes, it dishes out surprisingly sophisticated (and loud) sound and includes extras like a replaceable 40-hour battery and the ability to pair multiple speakers together for larger jams.
Its rugged design includes Soundboks' signature tennis-ball corners to keep you from putting a hole in the wall or scratching your tailgate. It's also large and heavy, and its reliance on USB-C charging is rather a hassle for its size, especially since there's no charger included. Those knocks aside, the Mix is a great, weather-ready sound solution that should last for years to come. —Ryan Waniata
Here are some other good speakers we've tested that didn't quite make the cut for our top picks:
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (Gen 3) for $399: Gorgeously designed, flawlessly finished, and this is still one of the most covetable Bluetooth speakers around. The brushed aluminum puck has barely changed since 2016, which says plenty about the strength of Cecilie Manz’s original design. The latest version adds a richer, more powerful 360-degree sound from its 3.25-inch woofer, 0.6-inch tweeter, and 60 watts of amplification. It is IP67 rated, lasts up to 24 hours, and is appreciably more repairable and upgradable. I loved using it, but it’s just a little too expensive when the KEF Muo exists and sounds as good as it does.
JBL Go 5 for $55: Great looks, cute dimensions, and instantly stolen by my tweenage daughter, the new Go 5 is a meaningful, if not massive, upgrade over the also awesome JBL Go 4. Buy the Go 4 if you’re looking to save a few bucks, but the new option does have improved bass response and clearer dynamics, Auracast for quick pairing, a solid, 8-hour battery life, and beefier IP68 protection. It’s just a great little speaker packed full of cool tech that takes up no space. If only I knew where my daughter had put it.
We Are Rewind GB-001 for $580: The fact it has a cassette deck steals the headlines, but the reality is, most people will spend most of their time using this as a wonderfully retro Bluetooth boombox. The 19-inch-wide body, chunky rotary controls, full-width folding handle, and backlit VU meters give it real presence—it’s not for travel, obviously—which is matched by the enjoyably bassy 104-watt output which gives it real scale. I love that you can record directly onto blank tape, but without a radio it doesn’t scratch all my nostalgic itches. Up to 15 hours of battery life is acceptable, and recharging is much cheaper than shelling out for another pack of size-Ds like the old days.
Gomi Collection One for $380: Handmade in the UK from waste plastic, the Gomi Bluetooth speaker is a rare example of genuinely impressive sustainable design. No two cases are the same, and the extruded plastic feels wonderfully tactile. Inside, they’ve repurposed waste lithium-ion e-bike battery cells, which is a genius move and gives up to 32 hours of listening. For its mid-range audio performance it does feel expensive—the KEF Muo is better and cheaper—but for me that’s not the point and the sound quality from the 3-inch full-range driver is more than enjoyable. There’s free and fast shipping to the USA too.
Trelab HD-360 Pro for $128: Imagine if the Apple HomePod had a 22-hour battery, worked over Bluetooth, and cost peanuts. OK, I’m being flippant, but with 360-degree sound, 90 watts of peak output, five active drivers, eight passive bass radiators, and a ridiculous amount of low end for a portable speaker, it’s a surprisingly good alternative. At 5.7 pounds it’s a brute and could actually do with a handle, but the weight helps with the audio, and means it houses a 22-hour battery too. Understandably, there’s no smart control or Wi-Fi, but it’s good if you only have space for one (very) loud (compact) speaker.
Bose Soundlink Max for $399: The Bose SoundLink Max has quickly become my favorite speaker to drag along to outdoor events. It's not as big as the boombox that John Cusack held over his head in the '80s, but this robust, rubberized speaker has bold sound and gets loud enough to woo your sweethearts with a love song. I also like that you can plug in your phone while it plays music, which is nice for those of us who forget to charge on our days off. Bold bass, even when outside, makes this good for dance parties in the middle of nowhere, and the handle is easy to tie up to packs, kayaks, or tents. —Parker Hall
Beats Pill for $150: Apple’s latest Beats Pill is surprisingly versatile. Quick one-touch pairing for iOS and Android devices make it great for mixed-phone homes, while old-school callbacks like a built-in speakerphone and the ability to charge other devices can come in handy. Beats didn’t stop there, offering massive playtime, great dust and water resistance, and the ability to play lossless audio over USB-C with supported devices. While the design isn't as robust as my favorites, new drivers provide the slick treble and hefty bass you expect from Beats, with refined clarity. —Ryan Waniata
JBL Charge 6 for $200: The JBL Charge offers big and beautiful sound from its football-shaped frame, along with extras like a USB-C port to charge your phone from and 24-hour battery life. It can be plugged in for lossless playback on supported devices and uses Auracast to sync up with other newer JBL models, though that leaves out older versions like the Charge 5. The Charge isn't as easy to pack as our top pick, weighing 3 pounds and stretching 9 inches across, but if you bring it along, you’ll be rewarded with clear jams and plenty of bass. —Ryan Waniata
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 for $200: If packability isn’t of top concern, the 9-inch-tall Megaboom 4 is one of the best outdoor speakers you can buy. It's got rich and full 360-degree sound with plenty of low-end punch. Its drop-tested, weatherproof body is ready for any outing, from surf to sand, and it offers over 150 feet of wireless range and up to 20 hours of battery life (more like 15 hours at volume). As with other UE speakers, the app adds features like the ability to connect multiple speakers in a group or two Megaboom 4s in stereo, adjust the EQ, and wake the speaker from sleep. This rugged sound pillar is key to my backyard jams and well worth adding to your semi-mobile arsenal. —Ryan Waniata
Sony Ult Field 1 for $140: The smallest of Sony’s Ult speakers is a solid tubular portable up against tough competition. It offers good sound with the “Ult” bass key engaged, but its midrange is less defined and dynamic than favorites like the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 or JBL Flip 7, and it packs less battery life than either. —Ryan Waniata
DemerBox DB2 for $399: The DB2 is a great companion for your boldest outdoor adventures, in large part because it serves two purposes: It's a loud portable speaker with 40 hours of built-in battery life, and it's also a crushproof Pelican case. Load it up with any particularly fragile items, plug the bass port with an included rubber stopper, and you've got yourself an everything-proof box to keep your stuff safe. —Ryan Waniata
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that's too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
10% Off Exclusive Squarespace Promo Code 2026
10 lines for $200 & $20 per new line on CoreMobile
10% Off Home Depot Promo Code With Sign-up
LG Promo Code: 20% Off Your First Order
10% Off Dell Coupon Code for New Customers
30% Samsung Coupon - Offer Program 2026
Source: Wired
