Bluetooth speakers let you bring your favorite music with you anywhere, from a mountain hike to a pool party. They are equally great for indoor use, freeing you from unnecessary wires and letting you connect multiple devices at once.
However, finding a wireless speaker that combines a powerful battery and high-fidelity sound with a sleek design isn’t a simple task.
We’ve gathered the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, from affordable and portable to high-end full-sized home stereo systems, to narrow down your selection. Plus, you can use our buyer’s guide to help you choose the right speaker to suit your needs.
Our Top 5 Picks
Before we dive into all 10 of the best speakers out there, here are our top five picks:
| Top Picks | Best Features |
| Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Marshall Emberton speakers combine the brand’s iconic style with excellent sound quality, a powerful battery, and compact yet durable construction. |
| Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS Wireless Portable Speaker | This Sony speaker will create a party mood all day long, thanks to the 24-hour battery and customizable RGB lights. |
| Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker | Not all Bluetooth speakers are meant for active use. This Marshall speaker will make a great addition to the home of any music enthusiast with its amazing sound quality. |
| JBL GO2 – Waterproof Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker | JBL GO2 was designed with portability in mind. Despite its small size, it delivers great sound quality. Available in an array of colors. |
| Bose Portable Smart Speaker | This Bose speaker is the smartest speaker in our selection. It supports the Alexa voice assistant, allowing you to manage the playback, change tracks, and make calls without reaching for your phone. |
Best Bluetooth Speaker
1. TREBLAB HD77 – Ultra Premium Bluetooth Speaker
Treblab Bluetooth speakers deliver clear and balanced high-definition sound with rich bass. It’s made with outdoor activities in mind, featuring a compact design, IPX6 water and shock resistance, and a wide Bluetooth range of 33 feet. The strap, carabiner, and AUX cable included in the set are a nice bonus.
A powerful battery provides up to 20 hours of continuous use – the speaker won’t let you down during a lengthy car trip or on a hike. And if improved stereo sound is what you’re after, you can pair two Treblab speakers for coordinated playback. Available in black and blue colors.
Pros:
- Great value
- Long battery life
- Can be paired with a second speaker
- Water and shock-resistant
- Compact design
Cons:
- Too large for a pocket
- Heights could be crisper
2. JBL Charge 4 – Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Charge 4 is one of the most popular Bluetooth speakers currently available on the market, and for a good reason. It delivers ultra-rich, resonating bass for up to 20 hours straight and can be paired with up to 100 other JBL speakers for an even louder surround sound.
Rugged, waterproof construction allows you to take the speaker along on adventures. Plus, it’s easy to take turns being the DJ because the speaker supports two connected phones or tablets simultaneously. The JBL comes in an array of colors including camouflage, red, mint, and pink.
Pros:
- Plenty of color options
- Waterproof, sturdy
- Supports multiple connected devices simultaneously
- Long battery life
- Rich bass
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Bulky for a travel speaker
3. Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS Wireless Portable Speaker
Sony Extra Bass series was developed to deliver extreme, rich low frequencies along with crisp heights. However, the sound isn’t this speaker’s only advantage – it also creates a party atmosphere with two RGB lights that can be controlled via the Fiestable mobile app. The Party Connect mode enables you to pair up to 100 speakers at once and control the music via the Sony Music Center app.
A powerful battery lasts for up to 24 hours on a single charge. Thanks to its waterproof and shockproof construction, the speaker can be safely carried along out to the beach or on a mountain hike. Lastly, the speaker is available in multiple colors to suit your style: red, blue, black, and sand.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Party Connect mode
- RGB lights
- Waterproof and shockproof
- Rich bass
Cons:
- Could be more compact
- Relatively high price
4. Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Marshall products are a perfect example of a timeless signature design and this speaker is no exception. However, with an extremely wide frequency range and lossless wireless sound support, it’s not just a decoration.
It’s important to note that it has no battery and must be connected to a power outlet. Still, it supports multiple Bluetooth devices connected at once for multi-host control and sound can be customized to your preference via the Marshall mobile app. Analog connection via 3.5-millimeter or RCA jack is also supported.
Pros:
- Elegant signature design
- Powerful and crystal-clear sound
- Multi-host control
- Marshall mobile equalizer
- Bluetooth and analog connection
- Lossless wireless sound
Cons:
- The speaker itself must be connected to a power outlet
- Not for outdoor use
5. EDUPLINK Portable Bluetooth Speaker Waterproof
If you’re looking for an affordable yet powerful Bluetooth speaker, this option from Eduplink might be what you need. With 360-degree surround sound, beat-driven lights, and the pairing feature, it’s the ultimate party speaker. The battery lasts for up to 20 hours on a single charge and the IPX7 water resistance allows you to bring the speaker along to the beach or a pool party. Available in red, blue, and black colors.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lights match the music
- Long battery life
- Can be paired with a second speaker
- Waterproof
Cons:
- The frequency range could be wider
6. JBL GO2 – Waterproof Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL GO2 can easily fit in your pocket, but don’t be deceived – in terms of sound quality, it easily beats some full-sized alternatives. Its waterproof design makes the JBL GO2 perfect for active outdoor use and an array of 12 colors let you match the speaker to your style. A wide frequency range ensures rich bass and clear heights. The battery life is five hours, which is quite impressive for such a small speaker.
Pros:
- 12 color options
- Very compact
- Waterproof
- Affordable
- Great sound
Cons:
- Can’t be paired with other speakers
- Shorter battery life
7. Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Marshall Emberton enables you to carry the brand’s iconic style anywhere you go, thanks to its compact, waterproof, and shockproof construction and its 20-hour battery life. A 20-minute quick charge provides an additional five hours of use. The 360-degree sound with an extremely wide dynamic range is loud yet crystal clear. Available in black and brass, black and silver, cream, and forest green colors.
Pros:
- Marshall signature design
- Great dynamic range
- Loud sound
- Long battery life and quick charge
- Waterproof and shockproof
- Compact
Cons:
- Can’t be paired with other speakers
- A bit pricey
8. Bose Portable Smart Speaker
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker combines all you need and more in a compact construction with a handle for better portability. Thanks to its IPX4 rugged rating it withstands water, drops, bumps, and cold temperatures. The controls on the top let you manage the playback when you’re close, while voice assistant support enables long-distance control. The speaker can be paired with other Bose devices for louder sound and an even better user experience. Available in black and silver.
Pros:
- Smart technology
- Can be paired with other Bose products
- Rugged construction
- Voice assistant support
- Portable design
Cons:
- High price
9. Sony Compact and Portable Waterproof Wireless Speaker
This Sony Bluetooth speaker is one of the smallest devices in its class, yet certainly not the least powerful. Sony’s signature Extra Bass technology delivers rich low frequencies while pairing technology allows you to achieve loud stereo sound. The speaker is water, dust, sand, and mudproof – a perfect device for active recreation. To top it off, the battery of this little speaker lasts for a solid 16 hours.
Pros:
- Compact
- Long battery life
- Dust, sand, water, and mudproof
- Rich bass
- Can be paired with other Sony speakers
Cons:
- Shape doesn’t allow pocket storage
10. Bose SoundLink Color II
Bose SoundLink Color is a versatile speaker that can be used both outdoors and at home, thanks to a wide Bluetooth range and waterproof construction. It comes in an array of fun colors to match your style or interior including yellow, blue, and red. The Bose SoundLink Color can be paired with other Bose speakers for louder, more immersive sound. The battery lasts up to eight hours.
Pros:
- Color options
- Waterproof
- NFC support
- Can be paired with other Bose speakers
- Great sound quality
Cons:
- A bit bulky for travel
- The battery life could be better
Buyer’s Guide
We’ve created a brief buyer’s guide to help you pick a Bluetooth speaker that meets all your needs. When shopping around, always look for these qualities:
1. Battery Life
Bluetooth speakers are often used outdoors where power outlets aren’t available. Portable speakers should last long enough to provide you with music throughout the entire day. If you’re planning to use the speaker solely indoors, a plug-in model that doesn’t require charging may be a better option.
2. Pairing With Other Speakers
Most modern speakers are capable of reaching high volumes on their own but when it comes to parties, two speakers are better than one. If you want a louder and more immersive sound from your speaker, make sure it can pair with others.
Some speakers even support multi-host control, allowing you to take turns with other people instead of reconnecting each time you need to change the DJ.
3. Portability
If you plan to travel with your Bluetooth speaker, pay attention to its size and weight. Such speakers often fit in a pocket or have a handle for easy carrying.
4. Durability
Bluetooth speakers are often brought along to the beach, hikes, picnics, or pool parties. Rugged construction and water resistance will ensure that your speaker isn’t damaged in outdoor environments.
5. Bluetooth Range
You don’t want to have to leave your phone right next to the speaker for the music to play. A Bluetooth range of 30+ feet will allow you to walk around freely without having to worry about losing the signal.
6. Microphone
Bluetooth speakers are typically connected to phones. A built-in microphone is a major advantage, as it allows you to take calls without reaching for your phone or disconnecting the speaker.
FAQ
Why Are Bluetooth Speakers With Voice Control So Expensive?
Some Bluetooth speakers support voice assistant control, but they often cost twice as much as regular Bluetooth speakers. Voice control assistants use resource-intensive artificial intelligence to recognize your commands, which increases the cost of the speaker.
Can You Use Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers Under Water?
Waterproof doesn’t always mean that the speaker withstands submersion in water. Often, such speakers are only resistant to splashes and drops. However, some speakers featuring IPX ratings can be fully submerged in fresh water. IPX ratings don’t apply to submersion in salt water, so it’s better not to drop your speaker into the sea.
How Are Rugged and Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers Protected?
Many modern Bluetooth speakers are water-, sand-, mud-, and shock-resistant. Such durability is typically achieved using multiple levels of protection. The outer protection may include rugged materials with conformal coating and sealed ports.
The inner protection may include nanoscale internal component coating, which creates waterproof and anti-UV layers. Sometimes, manufacturers even use a superhydrophobic coating that helps the speaker resist submersion in water.
Are All Bluetooth Speakers Rugged?
Today, rugged Bluetooth speakers aren’t rare and water or shock resistance may seem standard. However, many devices on the market don’t feature any kind of protection. Make sure to check the characteristics of a specific speaker before exposing it to the elements.
Versatile and Useful
A Bluetooth speaker is a versatile device that will be useful in any household. Furthermore, they make great gifts. Now that you know what to look for in a Bluetooth speaker, you should have no trouble finding the perfect one. All that’s left to do now is to turn the music up!