If you like to wirelessly stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks from mobile devices, you'll want a speaker with Bluetooth connectivity. Unlike those with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth-compatible speakers don't rely on an Internet connection to stream audio. As a result, they tend to be more portable, and many also have an outdoor-oriented design with carrying straps or water-resistant bodies. However, finding the ideal Bluetooth speaker comes down to what matters most to you. With so many on the market, you have many options for finding a device that meets your unique needs. If you need a little help figuring out how to navigate the Bluetooth speaker market, check out our Bluetooth speaker buying guide.
Otherwise, read on to find out what we think are the best Bluetooth picks, from the 180 Bluetooth speakers we've tested. If you want more options, check out our picks for the best Alexa speakers, the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers, and the loudest Bluetooth speakers.
Quick Look
All of our recommendations start with the products we've tested. And, they're backed by in-house experts who ensure unbiased, objective data to help you choose the right speaker.
Want to see how we've tested more than 150 speakers? Our How We Test Speakers article walks you through the entire process: from selecting and purchasing products to testing, reviewing, and publishing our results.
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Best Bluetooth Speaker
Music7.2Outdoors8.1Podcasts7.8Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiNoThe best Bluetooth speaker we've tested is the JBL Boombox 4. This large and powerful Bluetooth speaker really packs a punch when it comes to sound. Whether you're listening to bass-heavy hip-hop or vocal-centric folk music, this speaker provides a clear and accurate reproduction of your favorite tracks. It gets louder than the previous generation JBL Boombox 3, with lots of bass to bring out the thump and rumble in songs, and features Bluetooth LE support for low-latency music streaming. It's lighter than its predecessor, too, though the older model can be found for a cheaper price if these upgrades don't speak to you.
With a portable design, this speaker is a solid pick for listening to music on the go. It lasts over 40 hours off a single charge, which can be further extended via the detachable battery pack. Plus, it's rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, so it can handle some exposure to the elements. That said, it's a little bigger than other portable Bluetooth speakers on our list and also lacks voice assistant support. If you want a speaker that's activated with your voice, check out our best home pick, the JBL Authentics 500.
If you're looking for a premium speaker that can get louder with an even more immersive sound, consider the Bose SoundLink Max. This speaker creates a wider soundstage than our pick, making your audio sound more dimensional, but its continuous battery life of 15.5 hours isn't quite as long-lasting as the Boombox 3.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bluetooth Speaker
Music7.4Outdoors8.0Podcasts7.8Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiNoUltimate Ears dominate the mid-range tiers of Bluetooth speakers, and the upper mid-range is no exception. So, if you're looking for a premium Bluetooth speaker at a more affordable price than our top pick, check out the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM. This portable Bluetooth speaker offers great sound quality for the price, with lots of enhancement tools to make the most of your listening experience. Its Adaptive EQ feature is similar to room correction tools that other premium speakers are equipped with, and it optimizes its sound to the unique acoustics of your listening space. Those who prefer to manually adjust the sound can always use the graphic EQ and presets in the Ultimate Ears companion app, too. It lacks Bluetooth multi-device pairing, though, which is a feature we've come to expect at this price point.
With a sleek and sturdy design, this speaker is suitable for lots of different uses. It's on the larger side for a Bluetooth speaker, but you can still carry it around with one hand using its built-in handle. It's also rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, which is handy for planning a day at the park or beach. Its almost 16-hour battery life is enough for long days outside, but if you're looking for more juice, consider the Ultimate Ears EVERBOOM instead, which has an impressive 21-hour battery life. The EVERBOOM is also a little cheaper and more portable than our pick, but it can't get as loud as the EPICBOOM or match it for bass and treble output.
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Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Speaker
Music7.1Outdoors7.8Podcasts7.2Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiNoThe Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 is another great Bluetooth speaker that's available at a lower price point. It has an impressive sound quality, reproducing instruments and vocals with plenty of detail and clarity. The speaker also brings a little extra boom in the high bass, which livens up bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. It doesn't have a room correction tool like the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM, so it sounds slightly different depending on your room. However, its companion app's graphic EQ means you can adjust the sound manually to suit your preferences. It's the first in the MEGABOOM series to feature a USB-C port, too, which is a welcome addition.
Available in many different color variants, the speaker comes with a built-in hook so you can easily clip it onto your bag or backpack when you want to listen to your favorite tunes on the go. Smaller and more lightweight than the EPICBOOM, it's much easier to take to the park or on a camping trip. It's even rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, so it can withstand some exposure to the elements. That said, while it has a bit more rumble in the low bass than its predecessor, the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, it can't match the more premium EPICBOOM for thump. That said, you may find that trade-off worth it, especially if you're shopping with portability in mind.
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Best Budget Bluetooth Speaker
Music6.8Outdoors7.9Podcasts8.0Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiNoThe Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is the best wireless speaker at the budget level that we've tested. This portable Bluetooth speaker has a 360-degree design and is another great choice for listening to music wherever you go, from the local park to the beach to the mountains on your next hike. Like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, so it can handle some exposure to the elements. Plus, it lasts 13 hours off a single charge, so you can rock out all day without worrying about a recharge. The latest version adds a dedicated Podcast mode to complement the Outdoor preset that came with the previous generation. It also sees the introduction of a USB-C charging port, which will be a welcome change for most.
This speaker is made from recycled plastic and is available in a couple of different colors to suit your style. Its sound quality is quite impressive, too, especially for the price. Vocals and lead instruments sound accurate in the mix, and the Podcast mode brings extra clarity and detail to the voices of your favorite podcast hosts. You won't find a companion app with a graphic EQ like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, so you're limited when it comes to customizing the sound. Still, this speaker's a great option if you're on a tighter budget. If portability is important, check out our recommendations for the best small Bluetooth speakers.
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Best Cheap Bluetooth Speaker
Music6.2Outdoors7.6Podcasts7.8Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiNoThe Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go is the best wireless speaker in the cheap price range we've tested. Obviously, this speaker's sound quality isn't as impressive as our top pick, the JBL Boombox 3, but it's still a great choice for those looking for something more affordable. It comes in three color variants, and its small, lightweight design and carrying loop make for easy portability. Plus, it's rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, so it's safe against the elements if you take it with you on a picnic. Its 10-hour battery life will get you through a day-long hike, and it can go for even longer if you keep the audio volume low.
Partly due to its size, this speaker can't deliver much in the way of powerful bass, but it has a balanced mid-range, so vocals and instruments are rendered accurately. If you're more of a podcast person, dialogue sounds clear and detailed. If you want to change the mix, the companion app features a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune the sound, which is quite rare at this price point.
It offers many features for an extremely affordable speaker, so it's worth a look. If you're willing to spend a bit more, the Anker Soundcore 3 is a good alternative. It's a little more expensive but goes on sale occasionally and offers a better bass response, albeit in a larger footprint. It also offers a PartyCast mode that lets you connect up to 100 identical Soundcore speakers to play the same audio. Unfortunately, it's not as well-built or portable as the Select 4 Go, though it does have a slightly longer battery life.
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Best Home Bluetooth Speaker
Music7.7Outdoors7.3Podcasts7.0Battery PoweredNoSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiYesMany of our top picks are portable Bluetooth speakers designed to bring with you on the go. However, if you only plan to use your speaker within the confines of your home, you may prefer our best speaker for home use: the JBL Authentics 500. This premium speaker has a stylish retro design that can easily fit into your home decor, and its built-in voice assistant support makes it easy to check traffic, the weather, and more. You can only use it when plugged into a power outlet, but if you plan to listen at home, you won't find it much of an inconvenience.
This speaker comes with lots of premium sound enhancement tools. Its room correction feature, called Self-Tuning, automatically optimizes the speaker's sound based on your room's unique acoustics. If you prefer manual customization, there's a graphic EQ in the app as well as bass and treble knobs on the speaker itself. This speaker gets quite loud, too, and you can pair it up with multiple compatible devices to spread sound throughout your home. It does come at a more premium price point, though, so consider the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if you're looking for something a bit more affordable but still stylish enough for home use. The Harman/Kardon has a battery, so you can carry it around from room to room, but it can't get as loud as the JBL and doesn't have a voice assistant. For more alternatives, check out our recommendations for the best home Bluetooth speakers.
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Best Bluetooth Party Speaker
Music7.8Outdoors7.8Podcasts7.2Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesSee all our test resultsWi-FiNoParty speakers make a great addition to your next big event, and the best ones come with lots of extra features to make the most of the experience. The JBL PartyBox 310 is a great pick, and its large and striking design ensures it'll stand out from the crowd. You can customize the RGB lights beneath its grilles to set the right party mood, and the mic and guitar inputs give it some extra flexibility for musicians and karaoke lovers. This speaker gets loud: at full volume, it'll shake your floor. Like any good party speaker, it also brings out plenty of the boom in genres like EDM and hip-hop. But all that bass doesn't overwhelm the mid-range, so voices and lead instruments remain clear in the mix if you'd prefer to listen to less party-focused genres like jazz and folk. Plus, the sound customization tools in the speaker's companion app let you customize its sound to suit your tastes.
However, its size means it won't be for everyone, so if you're looking for something slightly smaller and more portable, consider the JBL PartyBox Club 120 instead. This speaker performs very similarly to its larger sibling, though it's lighter and has better directivity. While it doesn't have as long a continuous battery life and can't get quite as loud, it features a handy swappable battery pack design that can help extend the party further if you have an extra battery.
Notable Mentions
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Sonos Move 2:
The Sonos Move 2 is a good alternative to the JBL Boombox 3 if you want a premium speaker with voice assistant support. It's a big speaker with many features, but its battery life isn't as long-lasting as the JBL's.
See our review -
Sonos Roam 2:
The Sonos Roam 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker smaller than the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 and has built-in Alexa and Sonos Assistant. In our tests, its battery lasted only five hours, which is significantly shorter than the MEGABOOM 4's roughly 20 hours of playtime. It also doesn't get quite as loud, and there's a lot more compression at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clear.
See our review -
Sony SRS-XB100:
The Sony SRS-XB100 is a small portable speaker with a carrying strap. It's well-built, has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and floats in water. While it can deliver a lot of boomy high bass, its soundstage isn't as wide or spacious as the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4.
See our review -
Brane X:
If you're looking for a home speaker with portability options, consider the Brane X. This speaker packs in smart features like Wi-Fi and Alexa integration while still being battery-operated, unlike the JBL Authentics 500. Although it packs plenty of low-end punch for its size, its overall sound profile isn't quite as balanced as the JBL, and it can't get as loud.
See our review -
Harman/Kardon Go + Play 3:
The Harman/Kardon Go + Play 3 is a good pick for anyone looking for a portable alternative to the JBL Authentics 500. While the Harman/Kardon doesn't have voice assistant support or get quite as loud as the JBL, it has a very well-balanced sound that suits most audio. Its seven-hour battery life and carrying handle also make it easy to transport from room to room.
See our review - Sonos Era 300: The Sonos Era 300 is another premium home speaker that's a good alternative to the JBL Authentics 500 if you want to build out your Sonos ecosystem. However, its dynamics aren't quite as impressive as those of the JBL. See our review
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JBL PartyBox 710:
The JBL PartyBox 710 is a much larger speaker than the JBL PartyBox 310, which can produce a more extended low bass. You can feel the deep thump and rumble typically present in bass-heavy music, and this speaker can also get incredibly loud. However, unlike the 310, it isn't battery-powered or very portable, so you can't easily transport it.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 03, 2025:
The JBL Boombox 4 narrowly edges out the JBL Boombox 3 as our top speaker pick, boasting a longer battery life, a detachable battery pack, and Bluetooth LE connectivity. We've also replaced the out-of-stock Anker Soundcore Select 2S with the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go as our cheap pick.
May 13, 2025:
We checked that every product mentioned in this article is still relevant and in stock, but we haven't changed our picks.
Apr 14, 2025:
The Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 9 is now an alternative pick to the JBL Authentics 500 for anyone looking for a more affordable and portable speaker for their home.
Mar 14, 2025:
None of our recently reviewed speakers make this list, so our picks haven't changed. However, we've edited the text for clarity and ensured that all the products listed are in stock.
Feb 12, 2025:
We've checked that all our picks are still accurate and in-stock, but haven't changed them.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top Bluetooth speakers for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price (cheaper speakers win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no speakers that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's a list of all our reviews for the ideal Bluetooth speakers. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect speakers. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.