Whether you’re at home, in the car or out and about enjoying the great outdoors, a good set of wireless speakers can open up a world of entertainment.
Much better than cruddy laptop speakers (which most of us use far too often), portable Bluetooth speakers are especially good for enjoying your tunes while you work out or when you’re relaxing poolside, on the patio or while camping or travelling.
These days, there are a wealth of solid options to choose from so I’ve reviewed some of the best of these speakers to help you make an informed purchase decision.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Best Overall |  |
| DOSS SoundBox Touch Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers | Budget Pick |  |
| Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Pros:
- The JBL Flip 4 is the one of the best Bluetooth speakers that are also fully waterproof and can be used in the bathtub or shower
- The speaker has three premium drivers and delivers awesome 360-degree sound
- The speaker is shock-proof
- The speaker is an upgrade to the JBL Flip 3
- The speaker can survive being dropped from up to 6-feet high
- It has a good life of 24 hours of playtime
- The speakers are very loud
- The battery can be topped-up quickly
- The speaker pairs easily with a second speaker
Cons:
- The speaker can’t be used as a hands-free device
- The connectivity is average with some disconnections
JBL has released the Flip 4 as a successor to the Flip 3, which was well-received. The Flip 4 is available in four different colors – black, blue, red, and mint. The speaker’s design is cylindrical and has a rounded, rectangular bottom to it. It also has a whopping 10 hours of battery life.
2. JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Pros:
- Connects wirelessly to any device
- Great design allows you to take it anywhere
- Comes in seven different colors
- Provides you with a magnetic platform for hands-free calls
- Easy to use controls
- Very stylish and compact design
- Long battery life
- Water resistant
Cons:
- Can sound shallow at high volumes, but this is a common problem with most mobile speakers
- Speakerphone quality not the best
JBL has proven to be a leader in the wireless speaker market, and their FLIP 5 is arguably the most popular model. It’s available in seven different colors, has a sleek design, and it can connect to almost any device. It comes with a kickstand that allows you to prop the speaker up on any surface – horizontal or vertical – or attach it to a nearby object. That same kickstand can also be used to answer calls. This makes it the perfect speaker to take with you no matter where you go.
The sound quality is decent for a speaker of this size. It’s loud enough for outdoor activities and the bass is decent for a small speaker. When the speaker senses it is floating, it automatically goes into battery saving mode, which allows you to extend the battery life.
3. Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
Pros:
- Available in different colors
- Good fidelity with balanced sound
- Reasonably priced
- Good sound at lower volumes
- Can be connected to two devices at the same time
- Easy to use controls
- Long battery life
- Splash-resistant
Cons:
- Small
- Doesn’t sound as good at higher volumes
- Requires another Bose product to use the speakerphone feature
- Sound quality deteriorates at high volumes
This small, lightweight speaker is a great option for you if you’re looking to improve the sound quality of your mobile device. It’s been praised for its clear treble and balanced bass. It’s also available in different colors, which allows you to choose the one that you like best.
This speaker is powered by a 4400 mAh Li-ion battery. It can keep playing for up to ten hours at medium volumes, which will be more than enough even for longer outdoor activities. The controls on the top of the speaker are convenient and simple to use, so you can connect to your device quickly if you’re already familiar with Bluetooth products.
4. Soundcore Flare Wireless Speaker by Anker
Pros:
- Waterproof design
- Enhanced bass
- Lengthy battery life
- Front LED lights
- Comes apart for easy storage
- Can connect to two devices simultaneously
- Has a microphone for speaker phone use when paired to a smartphone
- Has an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating
- Comes with a two-year warranty
- Can connect to other speakers via Bluetooth or NFC
Cons:
- Waterproof seal can pop in during fast-paced music
- Speaker is sturdy, but the strap is sometimes a challenge to use
- Music starts to sound distorted if you turn the volume up too high
- Other Bluetooth devices need to be free of obstructions for best performance
If you’re looking for a no-fuss wireless speaker with impressive sound, but under a hundred dollars, the Anker Soundcore Flare is a great option. It’s compatible with various devices and has a splashproof design that’s ideal for pool parties.
5. Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Portable Waterproof & Shockproof Bluetooth Speaker
Pros:
- Great price
- Ultimate Ears brand
- Portable and waterproof
Cons:
- Sound is not as full and rich in bass as some others
- If dropped, there is a chance that the volume buttons could crack or split
This Bluetooth waterproof speaker option from Ultimate Ears is another option that we think deserves a mention when you’re just looking for the best waterproof bluetooth speaker. As we said before, we’re trying to balance both quality and price in our list, and so we think that the Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is an excellent choice when you’re looking for quality and price in a speaker. This is also one of the many best selling waterproof bluetooth speakers available online.
The Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 is a budget speaker and is a follow-up speaker to the Ultimate Ears BOOM, and also to the Ultimate Ears Megaboom. However, it stands out on its own right in terms of performance and is very well liked in online reviews. The Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker and is capable of withstanding submersion in water of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It also has an exterior which guards against water, dust, dirt, and snow.
6. DOSS SoundBox Touch Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers
Pros:
- Lightweight for easy transport
- Affordable
- Has a built-in mic for handsfree calls
- Can avoid damaging your phone with Amazon Alexa voice control
Cons:
- Doesn’t get very loud
- Bass could be stronger
Here’s a really interesting option for you music lovers in the house.
This is a portable, stylish Bluetooth speaker that’s available at a price that makes it a steal for the money. The DOSS SoundBox Touch has a battery that can last for 20 hours of playtime. Plus, if you don’t want to bother with charging, you can play it while it’s plugged in.
The SoundBox is remarkably lightweight at just 6.65 ounces, which may be a blessing if you’re taking it on the road. It’s available in four colors – red, light gray, blue, and white.
7. JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Pros:
- Attachable to an array of surfaces
- Includes built-in kickstand
- Durable and well made
- Very lightweight for its size
- Long battery life
- Waterproof
- Includes carabiner
- Can play music for up to 6 hours on a full charge
- Four colors available
- Also available in a smaller size in red, blue, or yellow
8. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker
Pros:
- Built-in microphone for hands-free calls
- Waterproof design allows for use in various environments
- Portable and lightweight
- Built-in EQ for enhanced audio performance
- Easy to connect, pairs instantly with mobile devices
Cons:
- Black plastic looks cheap
- Software issues reported after firmware update
This lightweight, portable, Bluetooth-enabled speaker gets the job done without costing too much. It delivers really great sound compared to similarly-priced models in the same category.
This speaker comes with a built-in splashproof design so you can actually use it for solo time in the backyard, at the beach, or wherever you choose to go. Speaking of portability, a cool feature of this speaker is that it comes with a carabiner-style clip for easy transportation. You can clip it onto your hand as you walk to the beach, clip it to your backpack as you head to the park, or snap it to your belt as you head out on your beach cruiser.
9. Klipsch Groove Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Pros:
- Clear, crisp audio
- Very portable size
- Waterproof
- Includes a built-in microphone for hands-free calling
- Can be used as a speakerphone
- Amazing battery life
- Includes an iOS/Android remote for phone calls
- Great bass and treble
- Available in black or grey
This Bluetooth speaker is a must-have wherever you want to take it on the go – it’s compact enough to fit in a hand, and the stunning wood finishes only add to its amazing look.
The sound quality is exceptional, and the clarity of speech for hands-free calling is superb.
The built-in microphone is a nice touch, but it does not automatically switch to this function when you pick up your phone to answer a call. You have to stop the music and switch over yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best Bluetooth speaker under $100?
The main purpose of such a device would be to be portable for impromptu get-togethers, therefore in our opinion it should be small enough to fit in your bag.
We came up with two main Bluetooth speaker criteria to be considered to be one of the best: it should be protected against the elements, and it should have a low energy consumption.
The most important thing to look for in a Bluetooth speaker is the ability to have outstanding sound quality no matter where you are.
Since these speakers will be used (more or less) outdoors, the sound should not be affected by rain or humidity, which is why we picked the ones that were waterproof.
The last thing we looked at was the battery life of the speaker, of course, and the ability of the speaker to be charged both with a USB connector or with a cable.
What is the best inexpensive Bluetooth speaker?
For people on a budget, the best option is usually the cheapest option. When it comes to Bluetooth speakers in the low price range, the AmazonBasics Boombox is our top choice, offering quality sound at a low price. The internal battery provides excellent playback of up to nine hours and a separate connection wire is available to connect this speaker to a second speaker for a more stereo effect.
What are the best bookshelf speakers for $100?
The Polk Audio T50 is a well designed acoustic bookshelf speaker that produces sound loud enough to fill a small room. The T50 includes two tweeters on each front speaker along with a pair of 5 ¼-inch woofers on the bottom. The combination of dual tweeters and dual woofers provide for balanced sound throughout the volume range.
In terms of design, the Polks are beautiful, with real wood veneer, a slightly angled shape, and that glossy piano black finish. The T50 is an ideal option if you want to keep your bookshelf speakers in view as opposed to a wall-mount option.
What is the loudest small Bluetooth speaker?
The answer to this question pertains to the volume of each of the devices on this list … and here's why:
The decibel scale (think dB) is a logarithmic scale, meaning that there are many times as many decibels between 50 and 100 db as there are between 100 and 200.
Very, very confusing, yes.
Let's use 100 and 200 decibels as an example.
If a sound is 100 decibels, that means there are ten times the amount of decibels between 90 and 110 as there are between 100 and 110. To add to that, there are ten times the number of decibels between 80 and 90 (i.e., 10 decibels is a big deal).
Conclusion
If you are shopping on a budget or are just looking for a simple speaker to connect to your media collections, the UE Mini Boom is a great choice. It’s a great sounding speaker with excellent bluetooth connectivity, and if you want to enhance your experience, you can get the UE Megaboom as well.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Best Overall | |
| DOSS SoundBox Touch Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers | Budget Pick | |
| Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker | Upgrade Pick | |