The best Bluetooth speakers market is bursting with options. From the best smart speakers that also include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to portable speakers that you can carry around in a day sack, narrowing down the list for every kind of activity is a huge undertaking.
While all the models here offer strong features and superb value for money, the best Bluetooth speaker overall is the Sonos Move 2. While hefty, it packs a battery that will last up to 24 hours, and Auto Trueplay helps ensure you're getting the best listening experience, indoors or out. If it's portable Bluetooth-only sound on a budget you're after though, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 comes highly recommended and is a great value.
I've tested hundreds of speakers over the years and spent thousands of hours on listening tests assessing sound quality on all kinds of audio products. Below I've selected my pick of the best Bluetooth speakers for all kinds of activities. Read on to find out which models rank among the top models I've tested.
The quick list
The Move 2 lets you go anywhere, with a 24-hour battery packed into a portable (albeit fairly hefty) design. Auto Trueplay tunes the speaker's audio output for wherever you're listening, inside or out.
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.
The UE Megaboom 3 delivers excellent audio, can handle the elements, plays for a long time on a charge and can pair with other UE speakers for stereo sound.
The JBL Boombox 3 looks like a giant JBL Charge 5 with a handle on top. It stands out for its size and sound quality and with 24 hours of battery life has all the right credentials to keep the party going.
The Sonos Roam has been superseded by the Roam 2, but the original continues to be available. It's a great-sounding speaker that's ideal for popping into a day sack for a trip out, yet versatile enough to integrate with Sonos home speaker system.
The JBL Charge 5 has an IP67 rating, which is about as good as you'll get on a portable Bluetooth speakers and is one of our best waterproof speakers.
This best Bluetooth speaker for large gatherings, the Hyperboom has booming sound. It stands at 14-inches tall and offers a big and balanced audio output that's ideal for parties inside and out.
Practical portability at a great price, this is a very worthwhile on-the-go option. It's IP67-rated to protect it from water, dust and dirt, and it sounds great.
About the author
As Tom's Guide audio editor with more than 30 years of listening and testing all kinds of audio products — from budget speakers to Hi-Fi systems that cost as much as a luxury car — I've listened to hundreds of speakers and I know what makes the grade when it comes to balancing great sound, durability and features. Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge on something a bit more powerful with Wi-Fi smarts, you can rest assured that each of the options listed below has a thumbs up from me and our team of audio experts.
The best Bluetooth speakers available 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 overall
The Sonos Move 2 might not be as portable as the Roam (below), but it ranks as one of the best smart speakers and is one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. The updated Move 2 takes the well-tuned sound and rich feature set found in the Sonos One and lets you take it on the go, with a 24-hour battery packed into a portable (albeit fairly hefty) design.
In our review, the Move 2 delivered a crisp sound with satisfying bass and clear, engaging vocals. As with all Sonos speaker designs, the Move 2 works with the best music streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music. Wireless connectivity has support for Apple AirPlay 2, and can seamlessly switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth on the fly. Alexa and Google Assistant support allow you to do anything from check the weather to control your smart home, while the Sonos Voice Assistant offers hands-free playback even when you're on Bluetooth.
But the best part is the Move 2's Auto Trueplay that 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 2 review
Best waterproof speaker under $100
For most people, the UE Wonderboom 3 is one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth speakers under $100. Its IP67-rating means it's dust and water protected to such a level that it ranks as one of the best waterproof speakers. Its balanced sound and a portable design make it a great travel companion for life on the go. The Outdoor Boost feature does its job in bringing more energy when it's free from room boundaries, and 14-hour battery life should be enough for most situations away from a power outlet.
As with UE's other speaker models, the Wonderboom 3 can be paired with another for stereo sound. The time taken for recharges is the only real disappointment. It took more than two hours from flat to reach the chime that indicates a full charge. Whether this is because of its Micro-USB port is hard to say, but it feels a little outdated given that a USB-C charging port appears to be the universal standard on most other Bluetooth speakers.
Read the full UE Wonderboom 3 review
Recent updates
The Wonderboom 3 has been succeeded by the Wonderboom 4; it has the same price, battery life and waterproof rating, but has a USB-C charging port. Stay tuned for our review.
Best for festivals
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
Recent updates
The Megaboom 3 has been replaced in Ultimate Ears' lineup with the Megaboom 4, which is similar in most respects
Best portable Bluetooth speaker for bass
The JBL Boombox 3 is one of the larger portable Bluetooth speakers around. As the latest generation model, JBL has built on its Boombox predecessors with a new three-way speaker system that includes two tweeters, two mid-range drivers and a racetrack-shaped bass driver. Its deep bass and vocal clarity fills large open spaces with a big sound that's perfect for larger outdoor parties, and the IP67-rated beast makes it perfect for outdoors events and pool parties.
As the name implies, the JBL's size and shape looks like a throw-back to the boombox heyday of the 1990s. It's not nearly as bulky as models of the era, though. The Boombox 3 measures a more practical 19.0 x 10.1 x 7.9-inches, and weighs an entirely portable 14.7 pounds. According to JBL, battery life can last all-day from a 6.5-hour charge. It available in two colors including black and squad options.
Read our full JBL Boombox 3 review
Best for day trips
Building on the success of the Sonos Move, which has now been superseded by the Move 2 and ranks ranks as one of our best outdoor speakers, the Sonos Roam is a connected smart speaker at home and powerful Bluetooth beast on the road. It’s the more practical Sonos portable that you can throw into a day sack. Plus, it has Sonos' auto Trueplay feature, which 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 home system on its own. Listeners are also able to hand off whatever's playing 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
Recent updates
Update June 2024: The Sonos Roam is now superseded by the Sonos Roam 2. Look out for our full review coming soon.
Best waterproof speaker
The JBL Charge 5 offers great sound and ruggedness, making it a great option for a trip to the beach or creating the sound vibe you're after when relaxing by the pool. Its IP67 rating signals high dust resistance and full waterproofing, which is about as good as you'll get on a portable Bluetooth speakers and ranks as one of our best waterproof speakers.
During our testing we were impressed by the JBL Charge 5's sound, with easy-to-hear vocals and impressive bass. It sounds balanced, but bass isn't as powerful as some on this list. Nevertheless, it goes loud and can even act as a power bank for top-ups to phones and tablets. So if your device is running out of juice which you're streaming music, just connect it into the Charge 5 to get 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
Best portable speaker for travel
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.
Despite its very small size, the StormBox Micro sounds great. It's particularly strong with vocals, and pushes out surprising bass levels. It's performance is impressive given that it's compact enough to be attached to a bag or fitted to bike handlebars. 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
Bluetooth speakers compared
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Size/Weight | Connectivity | Battery Life | Durability |
| Sonos Move 2 | 9.4 x 6.3 x 5 inches/ 6.6 pounds | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 24 hours | IP56 |
| Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | 8.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches/ 2 pounds | Bluetooth | 20 hours | IP67 |
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 | 4.1 x 3.8 inches/ 14.8 ounces | Bluetooth | 14 hours | IP67 |
| JBL Boombox 3 | 19.0 x 10.1 x 7.9 inches/ 14.7 pounds | Bluetooth | 24 hours | IP67 |
| Sonos Roam | 6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches/ 15 ounces | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 10 hours | IP67 |
| JBL Charge 5 | 8.7 x 3.8 x 3.7 inches/ 1.8 pounds | Bluetooth | 20 hours | P67 |
| Ultimate Ears Hyperboom | 14.3 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches/ 13 pounds | Bluetooth | 24 hours | IPX4 |
| Tribit StormBox Micro | 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4-inch/ 8 ounces | Bluetooth | 8 hours | IP67 |
Also tested...
As Tom's Guide's audio experts, we test a lot of Bluetooth speakers but some models don't make it into a buying guide. That's not to say that they're not great performers, just that they're beaten by rival models with a stronger set of features or performance. The picks in this guide are the very best we've tested and have all been given full reviews. But with more models to choose from than ever, we want to make sure that you consider these also tested options. These alternatives have all been through our rigorous testing processes but didn't quite make the grade to rank among the best of the best.
How to choose the best speaker for you
4 things to consider when choosing a Bluetooth speaker
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best Bluetooth speakers. Although I've tested some great-sounding cheap Bluetooth speakers, generally speaking, the bigger the brand the lower the chances are that performance and features will be compromised. They often cost a bit more, but 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 don't enjoy listening to it because the sound quality is poor.
Don't forget to bookmark our tech deals pages to keep on top of the all the best Bluetooth speaker bargains.
How we test the best Bluetpoth speakers
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.
The best Bluetooth speakers are rated on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Our reviews on products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor's Choice.
Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
More from Tom's Guide
- Best cheap Bluetooth speakers
- Devialet's Mania Bluetooth speaker has impossibly big bass for its size
- Sonos Move 2 vs. Bose SoundLink Max face-off
Best deals
