From lightweight party starters to beefy boomboxes, our buying guide features the best Bluetooth speaker picks for sharing good vibes on the go. We’ve tested every model in a range of real-world situations, to sort the sweet-sounding speakers from the sonic duds. Because tinny tunes can get in the bin.
Your kitchen. The lounge. Your regular patch in the park. Almost any location can be improved with music. And if it’s portable soundtracks you’re after, this list of our fantastic Bluetooth speaker picks will bring winning beats wherever you need them.
What is the best Bluetooth speaker?
We think the JBL Flip 6 (buy now) is the best Bluetooth speaker for most people. It builds on everything that was brilliant about the Flip 5 but adds extra oomph to set a new Bluetooth benchmark. It’s still portable at 550g, has a respectable 12-hour battery life, and water resistance has been boosted to IP67.
Other Bluetooth speaker recommendations
The best Bluetooth speakers you can buy today:
1. JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6 specsIP-RatingIP67Battery lifeUp to 12 hoursDimensions17.8 x 7.2 x 6.8 cm; 550 g
If your best-selling Bluetooth speaker isn’t broken, why mess with the recipe? Luckily, JBL knows just what to tweak without souring the fantastic flavour of its Flip series. Lightly rebranded in line with the rest of JBL’s range, the Flip 6 is a familiar fabric-wrapped cylinder capable of superb wireless sound.
A smidge heavier at 550g, we found the Flip 6 is still perfectly portable. Power and Bluetooth buttons live on the back with the battery indicator, while the play, volume and PartyBoost controls continue to sit on top. The battery life remains respectable at 12 hours, while water resistance has been boosted to IP67 for improved pool-proofing.
Like the Flip 5, it features passive radiators at either end. And like the Flip 5, it gives lovely weight to low frequencies, balanced with crisp mids and bags of detail. But during our review, we found the Flip 6 also has substantially more oomph and volume than before, delivering a punchy, dynamic performance, while also building on the spacious soundstage of its predecessor. Plus you can now tweak EQ levels through the JBL Portable app.
2. Sonos Roam
Sonos Roam specsIP-RatingIP67Battery life10 hoursDimensions60 x 60 x 85 cm; 430 Grams
Sonos has tried portable speakers before, but the Roam is the first that you can properly sling in a satchel. We like the sensible proportions, Bluetooth connectivity and reduced reliance on the Sonos app makes it perfect for partying anywhere, while Wi-Fi means it’ll still play nicely with existing Sonos kit.
Positioned upright or longways, the understated shell isn’t shouty in the design department. But thanks to a metal, plastic and rubberised finish, the rugged Roam feels like it can take a bit of a battering. What sets the speaker apart is clever stuff like Auto Trueplay: the Roam will tune its soundstage to suit the environment, whether inside or out. Sound Swap can also switch audio to the nearest Sonos output in the vicinity. It works very well.
For a speaker of this size and form, we’re really impressed with the sound quality. Sure, higher frequencies can lack some clarity, but there’s a nice balance in the mid-range. One thing it has in spades is base: there’s an incredible low-end oomph for something so compact. Arguably, there is a little too much on certain tracks, although it’s nothing an EQ tweak can’t address.
Which Sonos should you buy? Find out in our best Sonos speakers guide.
3. B&O Beosound A1 (2nd gen)
B&O Beosound A1 (2nd gen) specsIP-RatingIP67Battery lifeUp to 18 hoursDimensions13.31 x 4.65 x 13.31 cm; 560 g
B&O’s second-gen Beosound A1 looks identical to the first. This is no problem at all, given that the pearl-blasted aluminium chassis is still the definition of classy design. And while it asks a lot of your wallet, it does plenty to justify the outlay.
Rated at IP67, the updated edition is more waterproof than before. But the bigger revisions are hidden inside: redesigned audio drivers and Bluetooth 5.1 deliver enhanced 360 sound, maxing out at 92dB loudness. Trust us when we say, this thing gets seriously loud. Feeling flush? You can buy two and pair them in stereo, with the option to personalise EQ settings through the B&O app.
We found that the performance is as refined as the styling, with toe-tapping punch and bass that’s confident without overpowering. Despite the A1’s compact size, it delivers a weighty but controlled rumble. Clarity is the defining feature: mids are crisp, detailed and expressive, with well-handled treble rounding out a cohesive sound.
4. Bose SoundLink Revolve II
Bose SoundLink Revolve II specsIP-RatingIP55Battery lifeUp to 13 hoursDimensions8.2 x 8.2 x 15.2 cm; 660 g
If it ain’t broke, Bose won’t fix it: that’s the lesson taught by the second-gen SoundLink Revolve. It’s still a stylish cylinder with a sturdy aluminium body and silicone control panel (complete with multi-function button that summons your smartphone’s voice assistant). And it still features a minimalist grille around its circumference.
So what’s new? Battery life has increased to 13 hours, while waterproofing is boosted to a full IP55 rating (both very welcome updates, in our eyes). But that’s all secondary to the listening experience. We love the SoundLink Revolve II’s big, bold voice that can easily fill all corners of a room. There’s no option to fiddle with EQ levels – but that’s fine because it doesn’t need much tweaking. The neutral sound profile swerves the temptation of beefy bass in favour of something more balanced.
That’s not to say it has no low end, though: there’s power on tap to drive tracks forward with punch and excitement. The spacious soundstage makes room for a good amount of detail and dynamism too, even if some focus is lost in the mid-range.
5. Marshall Emberton II
Marshall Emberton II specsIP-RatingIP67Battery life30 hoursDimensions6.99 x 15.88 x 6.99 cm; 118 g
Styled like the amps that made Marshall’s name, the second-gen Emberton certainly merits its position in our best Bluetooth speaker list and what’s more, it doesn’t need a team of roadies to shift it. Built small but mighty, its compact proportions are complemented by a premium finish – complete with metal grilles front and back. But don’t let its palm-sized form factor fool you: the upgraded Emberton II packs more punch than ever.
We found it has a reliable Bluetooth 5.1 connection and we really appreciate the enhanced IP67 waterproofing and a beefier battery good for more than 30 hours, its feature list is as solid as Motörhead’s back catalogue. And like a gig-ending encore, there’s more: Stack Mode means you can sync a tower of Emberton IIs, while the partner app lets you tweak the EQ.
Sonically the same as its predecessor, it remains worthy of a headline slot. Two 2in full-range drivers team up with a pair of passive radiators to fire room-filling sound in all directions, with True Stereophonic tech eliminating sweet spots. Bass is rich without drowning out details, matched by captivatingly clear mids and crisp trebles to boot. Even dialled up to 11, the listen remains balanced but energetic, whatever genre’s on our playlist.
6. Dali Katch G2
Dali Katch G2 specsIP-RatingN/ABattery life30 hoursDimensions269x138x47mm; 1.1kg
It’s amazing a speaker as slim and portable as the Dali Katch G2 is able to produce such full-bodied, expansive and room-filling sound. This physics-defying unit makes room inside for two tweeters, two low-end drivers and twin bass radiators, with power coming from two 25W Class D amplifiers and a battery beefy enough to run them all for up to 30 hours at a time. The USB port at the side can also supply juice to your other gadgets.
There’s AptX HD Bluetooth (with NFC pairing), plus a3.5mm aux input. Stereo pairing is also an option if you’re flush enough to afford two, but that’s your lot; there’s no daisy chaining multiple Katch G2 speakers for impromptu parties. Despite the price this is very much a Bluetooth speaker, so you won’t find luxuries such as Wi-Fi, streaming service support or voice controls. There’s not even a companion app, with the two EQ presets controlled using a button on the speaker itself.
If you don’t mind spending the sort of cash that could buy a very competent wireless speaker, however, there’s an awful lot to like here. The built-in carry strap makes it perfectly portable and the bundled power brick has plugs for multiple countries. Most importantly, it sounds fantastic, producing wonderfully balanced audio across just about every genre.
7. JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5 specsIP-RatingIP67Battery lifeUp to 20 hoursDimensions22.3 x 9.4 x 9.7 cm; 960 g
Lightweight speakers are easy to tote around, but when you need some boom to shake the room, it’s time to call in the heavies. Enter the JBL Charge 5: beefy at 960g, the fabric-skinned cylinder is waterproof, grippy on the bottom and big on low frequencies.
Its larger dimensions make space for a long-excursion driver, a separate tweeter, plus 65mm passive radiators at either end. Besides being fun to put your finger on, these vibrating caps assist in delivering rich bass to accompany crisp mids. There’s also room for a 20hr battery inside, which we found is enough to see you through even the longest of get-togethers.
Keen to go bigger? PartyBoost allows you to sync several JBL speakers wirelessly, for a playlist that really fills the house. Controls are kept to a minimum and you won’t find fancy equalisers in the JBL Portable app. Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity does mean you can pair two devices at the same time (to battle for DJ supremacy), though there’s no 3.5mm input for old-school mixmasters.
8. Ultimate Ears Boom 3
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 specsIP-RatingIP67Battery life15 hoursDimensions7.3 x 7.3 x 18.4 cm; 608 g
UE made its name delivering quality sound at reasonable prices. Launched in 2020, the Boom 3 is still one of the best Bluetooth speaker options, offering a solid set of features without breaking the bank. We love that the familiar big-button cylinder is as tough as ever: UE put it through drop, dunk and durability tests to check it’ll keep bringing the beats. And with a 15-hour battery life, it’ll last through even the longest of playlists.
We found the sound is vigorous, if not as weighty at the low-end as some rivals. Audio is well-controlled, with no shortage of power when the party calls for extra punch. Mids and trebles are lively, without ever sounding harsh.
We think it’s worth downloading the Boom app to unlock a few extra features and settings – PartyUp in particular. This allows you to connect up to 150 Boom speakers for a serious shindig (or just two, for a stereo effect). You can also use the smartphone software to programme the Magic Button on top of the speaker, for one-touch access to your favourite playlists.
9. Sony SRS-XB33
Sony SRS-XB33 specsIP-RatingIP67Battery lifeUp to 24 hoursDimensions9 x 24.6 x 10.6 cm; 1.1 kg
Audio purists put in your earplugs: this Sony speaker came to the party – and there’s plenty of bass to go around. It’s among the heaviest speakers in this list, the SRS-XB33 takes the Texan approach: from the bass to the dimensions, everything’s bigger.
That extra space means more sizeable drivers. We found the sound isn’t particularly refined, and even in-app EQ tweaks can’t fully fix the lack of clarity in the mids. But there are lashings of low-end oomph, with real volume to match.
Shockproof and IP67 rated, this is a speaker that can take the tunes almost anywhere. It can withstand saltwater as well, so beach bashes are back on the menu. The Party Connect feature gives you the option to hook up any number of Extra Bass speakers for even more rumble, while the built-in strips can shine in sync with your music – making this one of the best Bluetooth speakers for disco junkies.
10. Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore specsIP-RatingIP67Battery lifeUp to 27 hoursDimensions8.13 x 8.13 x 12.7 cm; 600 g
Serious about larking in the park? This B&O cylinder is built for alfresco audio. Shipped with an aluminium carabiner for easy backpack attachment, the anodised aluminium shell is scratch-resistant and all set for a splashing. We find it reassuringly weighty – it stops just short of hefty.
Not only do its full-round grille lines look the business, but they also allow omnidirectional audio. When listening at home we found the bass feels a bit heavy-handed, with 360 projection beefing up mids at the expense of fine detail, but go roaming and the Explore makes more sense.
Designed for outdoor soundtracks, the Explore is among the best Bluetooth speakers for outside grooving. Its presentation becomes more balanced in the open air, with that mid-range weight helping it sound more solid. Crisp treble ensures the top end isn’t lost, providing a healthy dose of drive. And it can reach the top of its volume allowance without losing its cool.
How to choose the best Bluetooth speaker for you
Okay, so you want a Bluetooth speaker but you don’t know where to start? Luckily for you, we’re experts when it comes to portable music machines.
Of course, the primary purpose of a Bluetooth speaker is to deliver good audio quality. We’ve only included the best-sounding speakers in our list, with balanced sound, clear highs, and deep bass.
You should ask yourself how you plan to use your speaker. If you need it out and about, look for a compact and lightweight design that is easy to carry. Some speakers also come with built-in handles or straps for added convenience and come with added durability in the form of water and dust resistance (IP rating). Whereas if you’re mainly going to use it at home, you can opt for a larger model or one of the best wireless speakers instead, which generally sound better but are less portable.
Battery life is one of the more important specs when considering a Bluetooth speaker – there’s nothing worse than having your tunes cut off mid-way through a party because someone forgot to charge the speaker the day before. Longer battery life ensures uninterrupted playback.
It’s worth looking at what controls are featured on the speaker. Consider the ease of use and the available control options – are the solid buttons, capacitive touch, or does it rely on phone control? Look for intuitive controls that allow you to adjust volume, play/pause, and skip tracks with ease.
Finally, some speakers may also have additional features such as voice assistant integration or built-in microphones for hands-free calling – these are an added bonus but hardly a necessary add-on.
Looking to save some cash? Check out Stuff‘s guide to the best cheap Bluetooth speaker.
