The best Bluetooth speakers market is bursting with all kinds of options right now. From the introduction of upmarket smart speakers with the likes of Sonos and Apple that had previously shunned Bluetooth connectivity, to entry-level speaker systems that you can carry around in a day sack, narrowing down a list of the best Bluetooth speakers is a huge undertaking.
With literally hundreds of different speaker designs to choose from, though, very few make the grade when it comes to delivering top sound quality. The few that do are listed here, and we've broken them down into two categories: 'best smart speakers with Bluetooth,' and the 'best portable Bluetooth speakers.'
No matter what type you're after, you can rest assured that each of the options listed below is capable of delivering the kind of sound quality to receive a thumbs up from our audio experts. Each model in this list makes a worthy investment and combines great performance, versatility, long battery life (where applicable), along with a practical design that is either portable friendly, or sits discreetly on a shelf or sideboard cabinet.
Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge on something a bit more powerful with Wi-Fi smarts, this list covers all kinds of needs and pockets. It's important to remember that certain added features will increase the cost, like built-in digital assistance (e.g., Alexa, Google Assistant), or AirPlay support, for example, but you can still find a durable design with strong specs for less with the help of this guide.
Read on to find out which models rank among the best Bluetooth speakers we've tested.
The best Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now
Why you can trust Tom's Guide? Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Best multiroom speaker overall
As one of the most versatile wireless speakers around, the Denon Home 150 is much more than a Bluetooth speaker and comes with plenty of Wi-Fi smarts and Alexa voice control, too. It needs to be connected to a power outlet but can form part of a multi-room music or home theater system paired with other HEOS platform speakers. It has integrated app support for all the best music streaming services.
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or old-school wires; whatever kind of connectivity you go for, it has a big sound that's great with all kinds of music. Throw in the Home 150's versatility as a set of surround sound speakers in a home theater setup, flexible wireless and wired connectivity options, hi-res audio file support, and this is one of the best entry-level speakers we've heard.
Read our full Denon Home 150 review.
Best Sonos entry-level speaker
The Era 100 is the successor to the extremely popular Sonos One smart speaker, and the revamped design adds Bluetooth to the roster of connectivity upgrades and stereo sound. As with all smart speakers by Sonos, the Era 100 enables listeners to stream music from dozens of streaming services via its robust system control app, along with the ability to connect to other Sonos speakers and products on your home network. Along with built-in support for Alexa and Sonos voice assistants, the Era 100 can also connect to external sources such as one of the best turntables.
During testing, we found that bass depth was better than the Sonos One, and there’s plenty of coherent energy on display, even at lower volume levels. Midrange clarity had just the right balance, and radio voices and vocal clarity were always convincing and expertly conveyed with whatever song or radio show we streamed. The stereo soundstage is perhaps a bit narrow even with the Era 100’s twin tweeter arrangement, but nevertheless it's a strong performance and a great Bluetooth addition to Sonos’ ecosystem.
Read our full Sonos Era 100 review.
Best spatial audio speaker
With Bluetooth support now added to Sonos' Era speaker series, this smart speaker really does bring you the best of both worlds. If you are looking for a single speaker to wrap you in sound, the Sonos Era 300 is worth the investment. This smart speaker features support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio, meaning that compatible music tracks will feel like they're enveloping you from all sides. It sounds amazing, and all from a speaker that's slightly smaller than a shoebox. And, because it's Sonos, you can stream Dolby Atmos tracks from both Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited (sorry, no Spotify yet).
We also like that the Era 300 is both retro- and future-proof: A USB-C port in the back lets you hook it up to your turntable, and both Wi-Fi 6 support means it'll work with the next generation of wireless routers, too. Our biggest quibble with the Era 300 is that you need to connect it to a Sonos soundbar if you want to use its spatial audio capabilities when watching movies.
Read our full Sonos Era 300 review.
Best HomePod speaker
While it largely locks you into Apple's ecosystem, the HomePod 2 delivers some of the best sound we've heard from a smart speaker. Thanks to a beefier woofer and redesigned tweeters, it pumps out some impressive audio no matter what audio connectivity you're using. And, it's also compatible with Dolby Atmos, so you can play spatial audio tracks — from Apple Music only, of course.
Its gorgeous circular touchscreen is larger than the original, and while its smart features mean you can automate smart home scenes using HomeKit, its Bluetooth connectivity means that its not looked out to playback devices that aren't already part of your home network, so anyone can connect to it and play music or podcasts etc. You can also link a HomePod 2 (or two) to an Apple TV 4K for audio output, which really makes watching movies that more exciting. This is one smart speaker that sounds as good as it looks.
Read our full Apple HomePod review.
The Sonos Move might not be as portable as the newer Roam, but it's still one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. The Move takes the well-tuned sound and rich feature set found in the Sonos One and lets you take it on the go, with a 10-hour battery packed into a portable (albeit fairly chunky) design.
We found the Move delivers a crisp sound with satisfying bass and clear vocals. The speaker works with all major streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music, sports Apple AirPlay 2 support and can seamlessly switch from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi on the fly. Alexa and Google Assistant support allow you to do anything from check the weather to control your smart home, and the Move's Auto TruePlay automatically tunes the speaker's audio output for wherever you're listening, whether you're having a rooftop party or rocking out in your bedroom.
Read our full Sonos Move review.
Best portable Bluetooth speaker overall
Thanks to its excellent sound quality, long battery life and travel-ready ruggedness, the UE Megaboom 3 is the best Bluetooth speaker you can buy right now. This big, bold portable speaker pumps out rich 360-degree sound complete with detailed highs and satisfying low-end, and maxes out at 100 decibels of noise. It's one of our best outdoor speakers thanks to an IP67-rated design, which means it can survive drops, shower splashes, and can even be submerged for short periods without skipping a beat.
The Megaboom 3 is on the bigger side compared to other portable speakers, and unlike many of its competitors, it doesn't have Alexa or Google Assistant support, or any other smart features. But if that’s not a deal breaker, the Megaboom 3's sound quality and ruggedness can't be beat for the price. You can also pair it with older Megaboom and Boom models for a stereo sound experience.
Read our full UE Megaboom 3 review.
Best value Bluetooth portable speaker
The Anker Soundcore 3 is an amazing little Bluetooth speaker and makes the top of our list as one of the best cheap Bluetooth speakers around. For just over $50, this tiny powerhouse delivers loud, well-balanced sound within an IPX7-rated design that can survive water and dust, while the robust rubberised outer case takes care of protection from everyday knocks. The speaker lasts up to a whopping 24 hours, thanks to Anker's best-in-class battery technology, and the Soundcore 3's dual tweeter drivers and central mid/bass woofer allied to a passive bass driver and Anker's BassUp technology, ensure you'll get powerful sound in any setting.
The Soundcore's compact design makes it perfect for tossing into your bag for a quick road trip, and SharePlay allows multiple Soundcore speakers to be synced for an even bigger sound. It's also available in blue, red and silver colors for a little extra ($56) cost in addition to the standard slick black we tested.
Read our full Anker Soundcore 3 review.
The UE Wonderboom 3 is one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth speakers under $100, and its IP67-rating means it ranks as one of the best waterproof speakers too. Balanced sound and a portable design make it a great companion, while the Outdoor Boost feature does its job. And for most people 14 hours of battery life is plenty.
If you think you need beefier sound or a longer battery life, the Megaboom 3 might be worth the investment. It also can be paired with additional UE speakers for stereo sound. Charging the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is our only real disappointment. Going from dead, the speaker took over two hours to reach the chime that indicates a full charge. This is probably due to Micro-USB charging, which is rather outdated, and we wish it had USB-C charging like most of my other devices. Otherwise, the UE Wonderboom 3 is one of the best options for the price.
Read the full UE Wonderboom 3 review.
If you're looking for a model with bigger sound for out door sounds, the Flip 6 also ranks highly as one of the best waterproof speakers. This next-gen version introduces a new cosmetic design with a large JBL motif embedded in the woven cloth grille that wraps around the cylindrical speaker, meaning there’s no doubt about who made this speaker. Also, the carry strap is now a seamless loop rather than a bootlace with a fancy knot fastening the two ends together.
The easy-to-carry design delivers a sound that belies its size, and with better-than-average bass. There's and app to tinker with EQ controls, and the PartyBoost tab enables it to be paired with another JBL speaker to either mirror the sound, or assign speakers as a left/right stereo pair. JBL says you can pair up to 100 of its speakers in PartyBoost mode. The price has increased to $129 (the Flip 5 was $119), but this is still a great value portable Bluetooth speaker with strong performance.
Read the full JBL Flip 6 review.
While it costs about $200, the StormBox Blast is not nearly as expensive as some of our best Bluetooth speakers like the powerful UE Hyperboom or the JBL Boombox 3, but it sounds nearly as good, making it something of a bargain compared to other extra-large portable Bluetooth speakers.
If you’re looking for a big speaker that can withstand the elements, the Tribit StormBox Blast has a lot going for it. It fills whatever space you are in with bassy sound and vocals sound clear. You can boost the bass further with the XBass button on the speaker, and you can link two StormBox Blasts together for an even bigger sound. It can play all day without needing a recharge, and it’s waterproof so you don’t have to worry about it falling into the pool or getting rained on for a while. And it puts on a light show if you want some visuals to go with your audio. .
Read our full Tribit StormBox Blast review.
Building on the success of the Sonos Move which ranks as one of our best smart speakers, the Sonos Roam is a connected smart speaker at home and powerful Bluetooth beast on the road. It’s much more portable and more affordable than the Move, though, and its auto Trueplay feature adjusts the sound to suit your surroundings wherever you’re listening.
It is available in five color options including sunset (orange) as pictured, and although we wish the battery lasted more than 10 hours, it juices up quickly via USB-C or wireless charging. When you return back from your latest excursion, the Sonos Roam should rejoin your larger Sonos system on its own. It also gives you the option to hand off your current soundtrack to the nearest Sonos speaker. Or you could stick to Roam, bringing your voice assistant and streaming services room-to-room, or as far as your Wi-Fi can reach.
Read our full Sonos Roam review.
The JBL Charge 5 makes only a few changes to the Charge 4's formula, but thanks to the new model's improved sound output and even greater ruggedness, it's a deserving member of the best dorm room speakers club. Its IP67 rating, signaling high dust resistance and full waterproofing, is about as good as you'll get on a portable Bluetooth speakers and along with the UE Megaboom 3 is one of our best outdoor speakers.
JBL's app isn't as advanced as the UE Megaboom 3, but the Charge 5 can show off a few tricks of its own. Chief among them being able to act as a power bank for phones and tablets. Running out of juice when you're streaming music in the yard or at a park? Just plug it into the Charge 5 and the speaker will give you a top-up.
Read our full JBL Charge 5 review.
Best Bluetooth speaker for parties
Looking to go big? The UE Hyperboom is the best Bluetooth speaker for large gatherings, thanks to its massive size and big, booming audio output. This 14-inch tall speaker offers a big and balanced sound that's especially ideal for barbecues and outdoor parties.
The Hyperboom is as rugged as it is big, with IPX4 water resistance for surviving splashes. And you'll get 24 hours of battery life for keeping the outdoor tunes going all day and night long. Pair that with seamless Bluetooth connectivity and plenty of volume, and you have the ultimate speaker for filling a large outdoor space with great sound.
Read our full UE Hyperboom review.
For a premium speaker that looks as good as it sounds, look no further than the V-Moda Remix. This drool-worthy showpiece is the best Bluetooth speaker for the design-oriented, and can be customized to your heart's content. The base model looks slick in aluminum or vegan leather, while, people with bottomless budgets and a penchant for style can opt for steel or platinum finishes (the later of which will run you well over $300,000).
Most importantly, the Remix sounds great, offering plenty of bass as well as a built-in headphone amp to connect to your favorite set of cans. The Remix's 10-hour battery life certainly makes this speaker worthy of longer jam sessions, and its trusty microphone allows for crisp call quality whether you’re set up inside your house or out.
Read our full V-Moda Remix review.
If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that offers practical portability at a great price, the StormBox Micro is currently discounted to $49 at Amazon. Although it has been around for a while it's a very worthwhile on-the-go option and has plenty of great features, including IP67-rated to protect it from water (to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 mins) and against dust and dirt.
Unlike a lot of very small speakers, it also sounds great, producing clear vocals and some surprisingly strong bass. For something tiny enough to clip onto a satchel or bike handlebars, that’s very good indeed. The only drawbacks are the lack of an app (although you can pair with two devices at once) and a relatively low battery life, which sees the StormBox Micro run dry after 8 hours.
Read our full Tribot StormBox Micro review.
How to choose the best Bluetooth speaker for you
Mains or battery power: There are a couple things you’ll want to consider when shopping for a Bluetooth speaker, the first of which is whether you want it to be rechargeable or mains powered. While a number of wired speakers provide excellent Bluetooth listening, you can’t take them far from a power socket. Stick to a speaker with a rechargeable battery for on-the-go audio.
Voice control: With that, you’ll need to decide if a Bluetooth speaker with a voice assistant is the best for you. If you plan to use your speaker in your backyard, it could be useful to have Google Assistant’s or Alexa’s powers at your disposal. That way you can change the music using your voice, rather than controlling the audio through your phone. These smart features will not work beyond your home’s Wi-Fi, so opt for a non-smart Bluetooth speaker for the beach or other outdoorsy locales.
Power output: Sound quality should always be a priority when considering one of the best Bluetooth speakers, but it's important you know what to look out for. Maker's specifications may highlight the frequency range, which indicates the range of sounds a speaker is able to produce, but these figures are often presented in an inconsistent manner between brands that mean comparisons between one maker's claims and another should be taken with a pinch of salt — this is particularly true with rated power output claims.
That's why we assess performance in real-world situations, taking into consideration how a product is likely to be used and listening to it in different environments to fully evaluate its sound output. Bass quality is important to many, and although small speaker cabinets can defy belief and achieve a bigger sound than their size might suggest, generally speaking, the larger the speaker drivers, the more powerful a speaker is likely to sound. And those with passive bass radiators or bass ports are likely to sound even bigger still.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best Bluetooth speakers. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will always command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a Bluetooth speaker the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models can be found discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our tech deals pages to keep on top of the biggest bargains.
How we test the best Bluetooth speakers
Every product on this list is considered the best Bluetooth speaker for one or more standout features, however each must meet basic requirements during our testing to be considered. We spend several hours listening to music, making calls and toting around every speaker to make sure it sounds great across all music genres, provides solid call quality and withstands minor bumps or splashes.
To determine sound quality, we listen to many tracks across multiple music genres as possible, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and electronic, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. Movies, podcasts, and video games are also considered, when necessary.
If a speaker offers smart features, we enable the supported voice assistant to see how it fares against other top rated smart speakers. We’ll use it to control smart home devices, browse playlists and get answers to other common queries.
We also test battery life, exhausting each speaker’s battery after a full charge to see how long it can last under realistic conditions. A smart speaker connected to Wi-Fi should last at least 10 hours, while a standard Bluetooth speaker should last around 20. Most people want to know how much play time they can expect when their speaker comes along on a day trip.
Once testing is completed, we rate the best Bluetooth speakers based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
Contributions from: Michael Gowan, Kate Kozuch, Mike Prospero
