The Best Bluetooth Speakers

  • Chris Jones

When it comes to wireless party vibes, nothing beats a good Bluetooth speaker. A portable speaker with good sound allows you to get the best out of your music library anytime and just about anywhere. But not all speakers are made to the same standard, which is why we've put together this list of the best ones you can nab today. There were three major things a Bluetooth speaker had to achieve in order to make it onto our list: Does it sound great, with rich bass tones and crispy high notes? Is it convenient to take on the go? Is it sturdy enough to withstand some bumps and drops? We found a few speakers that really cranked the party up to an 11. The Angle 3 by OontZ was our top choice thanks to its balance of having a great build and excellent sound. We also had to give it up to Bose's Soundlink speaker, which offered uncompromisingly crystalline sound quality. Even more great speakers await you on our list, so perk up your ears and read on.

OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker

Sound on, party on

Quality sound, convenient sizing, and a durable build make this speaker our all-around favorite.
Best Overall

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This superb Bluetooth speaker gets our top honors due to its high quality and well-rounded set of features. The 100-foot wireless range and sophisticated, cutting-edge aural technology ensure you’ll get amazing sound even at long distances. And thanks to its waterproof design, compact build, and long battery life, you can enjoy it pretty much anywhere. No matter what you’re looking for in a Bluetooth speaker, this is one option that will almost definitely leave you satisfied.

Pros

  • A wide variety of colors and pattern choices let you customize this speaker’s look to your liking.
  • We appreciate how the instructions inform you on setting up different sound configurations, which is a boon for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
  • It’s extremely durable, making it ideal for trips to the outdoors.

Cons

  • It takes some fiddling with the EQ settings to get it to sound ideal for every genre of music.

JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker

Roll the clip

We can take our tunes anywhere thanks to this speaker, whether it's a barbeque or a belt loop.
Best Portable Design

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When it comes to pure portability, this Bluetooth speaker has the vast majority of the competition beat. The accompanying hook makes it easy to hang from a shower rod, a backpack, a kayak seat, and any other location where you might like to enjoy some tunes. Plus, the wide variety of colors lets you bring many different flavors of fun to the party. For high-quality Bluetooth speakers that are easy to take anywhere, this one easily stands above the rest.

Pros:

  • We were impressed by the high degree of waterproofing and the light weight. This speaker can even float in water, so it’s easy to recover should you drop it into a pool or lake.
  • The sound is pristine and undistorted even when competing with the sounds of a shower.
  • No additional apps are needed to pair this with your devices, allowing you to rock out right away.

Cons:

  • The sound has a harder time traveling in the outdoors.

Ortizan Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Wash worry away

The impenetrable waterproof design of this speaker makes it ideal for the beach or poolside.
Best Waterproof Design

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You never want to get stuck with one of those Bluetooth speakers that drops the connection the moment the song you’re listening to drops the bass. That’s why we applaud this Ortizan speaker for its ability to connect to devices up to 66 feet away without a hitch. The stylish LED lights make it easy to use this speaker at night or in dim lighting, as well. Among countless Bluetooth speakers, this one stands out for its flawless connectivity and strong aesthetic.

Pros:

  • It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to set up in many different environments.
  • This speaker features an SD card slot, letting you play MP3s if there are no Bluetooth devices available.

Cons:

  • The sound can become distorted at higher levels of volume.

Bose Soundlink Flex

Quality you can hear

For the closest thing you can get to hi-fi sound on a mini speaker, this one can't be beat.
Best Sound Quality

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If you don’t normally associate a Bluetooth speaker with great sound quality, this choice might just change your mind. An ingenious positional technology detects where your audio device is located, and it automatically adjusts its settings to create the best sound quality for the environment. Plus, a built-in mic and highly durable design make it great for multitasking and taking outdoors. You don’t have to compromise between sound clarity and portability when it comes to this Bluetooth speaker.

Pros

  • We love the clear bass on this Bluetooth speaker, a sound element that’s notoriously hard to capture on portable audio.
  • The speaker tells you how much battery charge is left as soon as you turn it on.
  • Its controls are simple and easy to understand.

Cons

  • The battery life can be inconsistent.

Miatone Outdoor Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Charm your friends

This lovely Bluetooth speaker adds that little dash of visual panache that so many of its competitors lack.
Best Style

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A Bluetooth speaker that looks as good as it sounds is a valuable thing, and this one delivers. Gorgeous color choices and a convenient, quirky cylindrical shape make this speaker as much of a conversation piece as an audio device. It sounds great too, with clear bass and midrange that doesn’t distort even at loud volumes. This is a Bluetooth speaker you can be proud to show off when you next have company.

Pros

  • It automatically powers itself off when left idle for some time, which we appreciate as a battery-saving feature.
  • This speaker can reach a very high volume without distortion, making it great for outdoor events or the hard of hearing.
  • The waterproof design makes it easy to clean without compromising the speakers if it gets dirty.

Cons

  • There’s no base to hold it in one spot, so it can roll away fairly easily due to its cylindrical shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a Bluetooth speaker is truly fit for outdoor listening?

Any speaker you plan to use outside should always have a waterproof build, not just to account for rain but to protect the speakers from rust and moisture. You should also seek out a speaker with good volume since many outdoor spaces don’t have resonant acoustics to help boost the sound.

How good of sound can I expect from a Bluetooth speaker?

Both Bluetooth technology and portable speakers have come a long way since both were first introduced to the market many years ago. If it’s been a long time since you’ve picked up a Bluetooth speaker, you might be surprised at how great one can sound, and how easy it can be to take it with you anywhere. However, if you want the best sound and volume out of your speaker, make sure to place it on a flat surface, like a picnic table, to help the sound resonate.

About the Author

Chris is a self-proclaimed geek who spends his time writing, learning about weird subcultures, and, of course, gaming. A gamer and a streamer, Chris loves connecting with the gaming community and understands that every gamer’s rig is unique. He wants to makes sure you have the equipment you need to for the most optimal gaming experience.

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