I test Bluetooth speakers for a living — and these are my 3 top picks for 2025

Klipsch The One Plus Bluetooth speaker in matte black photographed in front of a blue background.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Testing audio gear is one of the best things about my job. As a huge music fan, I spend a fair bit on attending gigs — so when I listen to my music at home, I want to get as close to that experience as possible.

Naturally, I’m picky when it comes to the best Bluetooth speakers. Sometimes I want a speaker that will fill my house with booming bass, and other times I want to make sure it perfectly replicates the vocal flair of my favorite artist. So, after spending many hours testing some of the best audio gear and some of the best Bluetooth speakers, these are the ones that deserve your money.

The rugged speaker

The Tribit PocketGo speaker in black photographed on a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Tribit Tribit Pocketgo Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker With 7w Stereo Sound, Ip68 Waterproof Dustproof, 20h Playtime, Custom Eq, Bt6.0 & Tws Pairing, Supports Tf Card, Ideal for Travel, Outdoor, Gifts
Tribit Tribit Pocketgo Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker With 7w Stereo Sound, Ip68 Waterproof Dustproof, 20h Playtime, Custom Eq, Bt6.0 & Tws Pairing, Supports Tf Card, Ideal for Travel, Outdoor, Gifts: was £29 now £24 at Amazon

The Tribit PocketGo packs one heck of a punch in the sound department, and it’s the ultimate rugged speaker. Its IP68 waterproofing and military-grade drop protection make it perfect for picnics and hikes. With some minor EQ adjustments in the Tribit app, this has quickly become my most-used speaker.

The Tribit PocketGo is the ultimate all-rounder speaker. I can rely on it for every situation, from hiking on the weekends to having a dance party while cooking in the kitchen. The sound quality is great, making my favorite songs sound amazing.

It has a waterproof rating of IP68, meaning that it can withstand being up to 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes without anything wrecking the performance. So if you’re a little clumsy like me, there’s no need to worry because it’s super durable. The MIL-STD-810H durability rating means that the speaker has military-grade drop protection.

The PocketGo also has a battery life of 20 hours, which is more than enough to get me through my music listening sessions, and I only charge it up once a week. It’s also super compact, measuring just 4.3 x 3.2 x 1.7 inches, so it’s the perfect addition to my backpack when I head out on walks. And it doesn’t weigh me down since it weighs just 7.8 ounces.

The boombox

Tribit StormBox Lava Bluetooth Speaker photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Tribit Stormbox Lava is the speaker I pull out whenever I have guests around in the summer and need to do some outdoor entertaining. A speaker with huge sound is essential in my rotation, and this speaker combines awesome bass performance with a sleek design.

The bass from this speaker literally shakes the ground around the speaker, and it makes all of my favorite party tunes sound amazing. But the sound profile can even support acoustic tracks, meaning that it can also provide the tunes for around the campfire.

Just like the smaller Tribit, the Strombox Lava is water and dustproof, with a rating of IP67. The speaker controls are also super simple to use. You can skip tracks using your phone, but you can adjust the volume or enable the bass-enhancing settings using the buttons on the speaker.

Tribit Tribit Stormbox Lava Portable Bluetooth Speaker, 80w Loud Wireless Speaker, 24h Playtime, Ip67 Waterproof, Bluetooth 5.4, Custom Eq, Xbass, Built-In Mic, Tws Pairing for Camping/beach/party/outdoor
Tribit Tribit Stormbox Lava Portable Bluetooth Speaker, 80w Loud Wireless Speaker, 24h Playtime, Ip67 Waterproof, Bluetooth 5.4, Custom Eq, Xbass, Built-In Mic, Tws Pairing for Camping/beach/party/outdoor: was £129 now £99 at Amazon

The Tribit StormBox Lava is a Bluetooth speaker that won't break the bank but delivers where it counts. The BassX setting really brings out the bass in your tunes. It's also tailor-made for the outdoors, with a completely waterproof and dustproof design and up to 24 hours of battery life.

The Hi-Fi addition

Klipsch The One Plus Bluetooth speaker in matte black photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Klipsch The One Plus speaker is undeniably good-looking and has been the best addition to my home audio setup this year. It needs to be plugged in to the wall, but it offers seriously crazy sound, with a perfect sound profile.

The sound profile can also be altered with the Klipsch app, where you have the option to create custom EQ settings. Having your phone on hand when using this speaker is essential, as there are minimal controls on the device. You can only control connectivity and volume from the speaker itself, so any song skips need to be done from the app.

But the connectivity options with this speaker are great, as I have the choice between a Bluetooth connection and an aux input, meaning I’m able to play my music at the highest quality. It sits on my shelf right next to my turntable and has totally enhanced the way I listen to LPs.

These three speakers are the best rotation for me as I have a portable option, an outdoor performer and a high-quality home speaker.

Klipsch The One Plus
Klipsch The One Plus: £279 at Amazon

The One Plus speaker by Klipsch has given me the best sound that fills my whole house. It’s clear, loud, and punchy, bringing the vocals to the forefront of the music without losing any of the instruments. The premium, sleek-looking design also makes it a winner for any modern home, and the diverse connectivity options make it a true all-rounder.


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Ashley Thieme
Staff writer, Reviews

Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good fantasy novel or out hiking.

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