Do you have an iPhone? If so, you probably store lots of audio content on your device, from music to podcasts to audiobooks and more. There are lots of speakers on the market that make it easy to stream audio content right from your iPhone, including Apple's own line of speakers. Their wired HomePods are meant for home use, with built-in Apple AirPlay capabilities so you can stream audio from your iPhone when connected to the same Wi-Fi network. However, if you want something more portable, there are lots of great Bluetooth speakers for iPhone available, too. With only two HomePod speakers on the market, our list focuses on these Bluetooth models, but if you're shopping for a wired device, you can also check out our recommendations for the best home speakers.
We've tested over 105 speakers, and below are our recommendations for the best speakers we've tested for iPhone and iPod. See our picks for the best Alexa speakers and the best cheap speakers.
The best Bluetooth speaker for iPhone we've tested is the Sonos Move. This premium speaker comes with many features that are designed to make the most of your Apple products, including Apple AirPlay support. When connected, it's easy to stream music and podcasts from your iPhone to the speaker itself, and the low latency ensures that you don't notice any delays when you watch videos from your phone. With its versatile performance, it's a great choice for listening to lots of different audio content, and its portable design makes it easy to bring with you on the go. There's no support for Siri, but its built-in Alexa and Google Assistant abilities mean that you can still control its functions using your voice.
This speaker is also compatible with the Sonos S2 app, which you can download onto your iPhone to access more features and customization tools. You can adjust its bass and treble from the app, and you can access its Trueplay room correction feature, which uses a microphone built into the speaker itself to analyze your room's unique acoustics and adjust its output accordingly. Plus, you can pair it with other compatible speakers to amplify the sound through the space or even to other rooms in your home. It's a great smart speaker that can please a lot of different listeners thanks to its versatility.
If you're not ready to invest much into a speaker, check out the Sony SRS-XG300 instead. Like the Sonos Move, the Sony is among the best portable speakers for iPhone that we've tested, and you can easily bring it with you wherever you go thanks to its built-in retractable carrying handle. It's well-built, too, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it's fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Whether you're listening to music, movies, or podcasts, you can enjoy clear and detailed sound with a touch of extra boom in the high-bass. The Sony Music Center app lets you customize its performance, too, thanks to its graphic EQ.
That said, for the price, you don't get quite as many features as the more premium Sonos Move. The Sony doesn't reproduce as much low-bass, so you don't notice as much low rumble, especially with bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. It doesn't have built-in voice assistant support, so you have to pair your phone to the speaker and use Siri through your other devices. Also, you won't find Apple AirPlay compatibility, though it's not much of an issue for most users since you can still stream to the speaker wirelessly over Bluetooth. Ultimately, it's still a great choice at a more affordable price—it just lacks a few extra features.
On a tighter budget? The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a well-built portable Bluetooth speaker that's a solid mid-range alternative to our top picks. It's smaller than the Sony SRS-XG300 and the Sonos Move, so it's easy to bring outdoors. Plus, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and the manufacturer advertises it to float in water, so you're safe to bring it to the pool or the lake. It's a solid pick for listening to movies, podcasts, and audiobooks, too, with a graphic EQ in the Ultimate Ears app to help you switch up its sound based on your preferences.
That said, given its smaller design, it's not a surprise that it doesn't reproduce as much bass as the Sony SRS-XG300. You aren't likely to notice a difference with vocal-centric content, like podcasts, but fans of bass-heavy music like EDM might be disappointed by the lack of thump reproduced by the speaker. Also, it lacks voice assistant support, so you can't control it with your voice, even when your iPhone is paired up. If you want a simple Bluetooth speaker and don't need these extra features, it's still a solid pick.
Even if you don't want to spend much on a speaker, there are some great budget-friendly options on the market, including the Anker Soundcore Flare 2. For a low price, it makes a noticeable improvement compared to listening to music through your iPhone's built-in speakers, with a clear and accurate reproduction of voices and other instruments in the mix. Plus, it has a cool design with flashing lights that you can customize in its app to bring more excitement to your favorite tunes. While you're in the app, you can even switch up the speaker's sound thanks to its graphic EQ and presets.
Overall, this speaker has a small and portable design that lets you bring the party with you on the go, so you can carry it around with your iPhone to listen to music. It's rated IPX7 for water resistance, meaning it can withstand some exposure to the elements, and its eight-hour battery life is good for a day on the go. Pair it with your iPhone over Bluetooth to listen to your favorite tracks, and you can also use Siri through your phone to control the device. Unfortunately, compared to the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, its Siri capabilities aren't built-in, so you can't activate it with your voice, and it doesn't do as well in noisy environments. Still, for the price, it's a great option.
The best cheap option on the market is the Anker Soundcore 2, which has become all the more affordable since the release of the Anker Soundcore 3. It's a small, rectangular speaker with a lightweight design, meaning you can move it around. Pair your iPhone with the speaker over Bluetooth to enjoy clear and accurate voices and instruments in your favorite tracks. Through Siri, you can also give it commands with your voice, though these capabilities aren't built into the speaker, meaning you need your paired phone to access the voice assistant.
Unfortunately, the speaker doesn't offer as many cool features as the more premium Anker Soundcore Flare 2. You don't get access to a companion app, meaning you can't switch up its sound with a graphic EQ or pair it with other speakers. There's a lot less low-bass, too. If you prefer vocal-centric content, like podcasts or audiobooks, it's not a huge deal since this content doesn't usually have a lot of bass mixed in. However, fans of EDM and hip-hop will likely want to spend a little more to ensure they feel the rumble in their favorite tunes.
Apple fans will easily recognize the Apple HomePod (2nd generation), which keeps the same signature design as the first generation model for easy integration into your living room setup. Available in both Midnight and White color variants, this wired device includes built-in Siri support for hands-free control, so you can add ingredients to your grocery list, check the weather, or skip to the next track using only your voice. Naturally, this speaker is designed for easy integration with your iPhone, meaning you can stream music and other audio content over an Apple AirPlay connection.
Compared to the first-generation model, this speaker shines for bass reproduction. With more thump and rumble reproduced in the mix, it's well-suited for listening to bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. Its built-in room correction tool automatically optimizes its audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics, which is a nice premium touch. Unfortunately, Apple still hasn't added any sound customization tools for its speakers, so you can't switch up its sound. Still, it's a great pick for iPhone users, and the more affordable Apple HomePod mini is another solid alternative if you don't mind less bass in the mix.
Mar 09, 2023: Restructured the article in light of the Apple HomePod 2nd generation release. The new HomePod replaces the Denon Home 350 as the 'Best Home' pick, while the HomePod mini is mentioned in the text.
Jan 10, 2023: No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.
Nov 11, 2022: No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.
Sep 13, 2022: Restructured article. Added theSony SRS-XG300 as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range Speaker For iPhone', the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 as the 'Best Mid-Range Speaker For iPhone', the Anker Soundcore 2 as the 'Best Cheap Speaker For iPhone', and the Denon Home 350 as the 'Best Home Speaker For iPhone'.
May 05, 2022: Verified picks for availability and updated text for clarity.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best speakers for most people to buy for iPhone, 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 the list of all our reviews for 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.