There are two extremes in the world of audio. At the top end are the expensive high-fidelity configurations composed of almost half a dozen different devices. They may sound incredible, but they are equally good at cost an arm and a leg and occupy a dedicated computer rack.
At the other end of the spectrum are the Bluetooth speakers. Yes, you will have to keep these devices powered by charged batteries, and their dependence on Bluetooth instead of good old-fashioned cables means that the fidelity of the sound will never be so good, but they are much cheaper and much more convenient.
Whether you are looking for a speaker to take on your next adventure, a portable generator to take you to the beach or a wireless speaker for your next party, there is definitely a Bluetooth speaker available for you.
Need some suggestions? Here is our list of our best selections for the best Bluetooth speakers around. Some are sturdy Some are elegant Some are weather resistant and some are not suitable for the outdoors, read and choose.
How to choose the best Bluetooth speaker
One of the most important questions you ask us when we talk to people about Bluetooth speakers is: How do I choose the best one?
Regardless of the features you want from your speaker, it is imperative that you have a decent battery life and a good level of sound quality. It does not make sense to have a device full of functions if the battery runs out quickly and sounds like garbage. All of our selections meet these two requirements, so when you choose from this list you can afford to focus more on the features.
On the side of the features, common requests include water resistance (and waterproof speakers ), voice calls and device charging: a feature that allows you to connect your phone or tablet to the speaker to extract some juice when it is running a little low. Some of the best speakers (such as EU Boom 2) now include all three.
Another good way to reduce your search is to select a speaker according to the activity you are going to do with it. A great travel speaker might not have the exact same attributes as the best speaker to listen to at home, for example.
Having said that, we have tried to highlight some of the most common use cases below and have selected a speaker that fits perfectly into that scenario.
The best Bluetooth speakers of 2018:
1. EU Boom 2
Weight: 1.2 lbs | Battery life: 15 hours | Wireless Range: 30+ feet | Frequency response: 90Hz-20kHz | Controllers: Two 1.75 “controllers and two 1.75” x 3 “passive radiators | NFC: Yes | Aux-in: Yes USB Charging: Yes
Bright design
Water resistant
Rugged feature set
Battery life does not improve compared to the original
This sequel to UE Boom includes everything that a Bluetooth speaker should be. but detailed, portable, but even more incredibly durable, and even better, the addition of waterproofing makes what used to be the best Bluetooth loudspeaker most often in the most appropriate for every occasion.
Deep search for your next, or first – Bluetooth speaker, you can stop searching now. (But if you are looking for a little more power, the Megaboom – also from UE – is a great option too.)
Read the Full review: EU Boom 2
2. JBL Charge 3
Weight: 1.76 lbs | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless Range: 30+ feet | Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz | Controllers: Two 1.7 “controllers and two passive radiators | NFC: No | Bluetooth version: 3.0 | Aux-in: Yes | USB Charging: Yes
Reverse Low Response
Waterproof
Exposed Woofer Speakers
As a package, the JBL Charge 3 offers an attractive set of features and a excellent sound quality to boot, it hits well above its weight, playing loud and without distortion.
The line of Charge speakers has been on our list of recommendations for a long time thanks to the way they combine excellent sound quality. Sound with the ability to charge your devices via USB.
The latest iteration maintains JBL’s dominance in the portable Bluetooth speaker market.
Read the full review: JBL Charge 3 [19659034] 3. Bose SoundLi nk Mini II
Weight: 1.5 lbs | Dimensions: 2 x 7.1 x 2 .3 inches (H x W x D) | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Wireless Range: 30 feet (10 m) | Frequency response: N / A | Drivers: N / A | NFC: No | Bluetooth version: N / A | Aux-in: Yes | USB Charging: No
Stellar Sound
Built as a Tank
Compact Form Factor
Without Bluetooth NFC or Multipoint
The Bose SoundLink Mini II is relatively old, then of having been released in June 2015. However, canceling the SoundLink Mini II due to its age would be a mistake, as it is still one of the best wireless sound speakers.
That said, it pierces well above what its size would suggest, producing deep bass, bright highs and a lush midrange. While most wireless speakers sound good, the Mini II demonstrates that small speakers do not need to compromise sound, and other Bose amenities like a charging panel.
Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Mini II
4. EU Wonderboom
Weight: 425g | Dimensions: 102 x 93.5 mm (H x D) | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Wireless Range: 100 ft (33 m) | Frequency response: 80 Hz – 20 kHz | Controllers: two active controllers of 40 mm and two passive radiators of 46.1 mm x 65.2 mm | NFC: No | Bluetooth version: N / A | Aux-in: No | USB Charging: No
360 degree sound
Multipoint Pairing
Water Resistant
Lightly Confined Sound
When someone asks us for a recommendation for a speaker to test of water, the EU Roll 2 was always at the top of our list. We loved the unique form factor of Roll 2, the 50-foot wireless range and, obviously, it sounded good too. Where it was missing was in the low department. Logitech, the parent company of the EU, has solved the lack of bass of Roll 2 by creating the EU correspondingly called Wonderboom.
From our point of view, the UE Wonderboom exceeds Roll 2 in almost every way, except in the practical elastic cord of Roll 2. Still, ignoring that, if you are looking for one of the best Bluetooth speakers to test Water in the market today, it is difficult to do better than the EU Wonderboom. Also, it comes in some interesting colors, including Avocado and … you guessed it, Unicorn.
Read the full review: EU Wonderboom
5. Creative Muvo 2C
Weight: 0.35 lbs | Battery life: 6 hours | Wireless Range: N / A | Frequency response: N / A | Drivers: 1 x full range | NFC: No | Aux-in: Yes | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | Waterproofing: Yes-IP66 | Charging devices via USB: No
Rich in features
Has some real bass
Buggy application
Advanced features can be complex
Creative Muvo 2C is a piercing speaker well above its weight in terms of sound quality. This small Bluetooth speaker is one of the smallest we have seen to pack its own bass radiator, resulting in a much better dynamic range than many other speakers at this price. In addition, it is also rich in functions in terms of its inputs, allowing you to play music via Bluetooth, a 3.5 mm connector, USB or even insert a microSD card to play MP3 files directly.
Of course, having said that, if you spend more, you will get a more refined sound, better bass and longer battery life. But if you are looking for a budget speaker that the Muvo 2C is hard to beat at this price.
Read the full review: Creative Muvo 2C
6. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay P2
Weight: 275 g (9.7 oz) | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Wireless Range: N / A | Frequency response: 68 Hz – 21,000Hz | Controllers: 2 x 15 W class D for woofer and tweeter (2 x 50 W maximum power) | NFC: No | Aux-in: No | USB charging: No
Ultraportable
Low good for size
Missing treble and medium
A bag or cases would be good
B & O created a hit with the Beoplay P2 It is a well-designed speaker that is extremely easy to use, has a well-built complementary application and sounds great. In addition to that, the speaker is ultra portable without compromising the bass content. Sure, you could get something a little bigger (and stereo) for the same price, but at this size the sound quality justifies the price. Smart gestures are also a good touch, although we would not buy the device solely for that reason.
Read the full review: B & O Beoplay P2
7. Marshall Kilburn
Weight: 3kg | Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Wireless Range: N / A | Frequency response: 62 – 20,000Hz | Controllers: two 3/4 inch dome tweeters, one 4-inch woofer | NFC: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB charging: Yes
Bass and treble controls
Heavy bass
No playback controls
Not as portable as the competition
The Marshall Kilburn could It does not seem to be the best choice in Bluetooth speakers. It is big, heavy, has no USB charging and is not waterproof, in addition, AED 1,299 is a lot to pay for a Bluetooth speaker.
But none of this matters because Kilburn sounds great.
For a month, we fell in love with Kilburn’s impeccable design, feel and sound quality. There is no other portable Bluetooth speaker on the market that resembles it. It is a turner and a conversation piece. It is an audio work of art that you will be proud to show your friends during a party.
Read the full review: Marshall Kilburn
8. Bose SoundLink Color II
Weight: 1.2 lbs | Dimensions: 5.25 x 5 x 2.25 inches (height x width x depth) | Battery life: 8 hours | Wireless range: 30 feet | Frequency response: N / A | Drivers: N / A | NFC: No | Aux-in: Yes | Bluetooth version: N / A | Waterproofing: Yes | Charging devices via USB: No
Fun and curvilinear design
Booming sound
Average battery life
Only splash proof
It seems that almost all speakers They have a wireless speaker connection that can take the abuse of being outdoors and Bose, a company best known for its excellent brand of noise canceling headphones, is no different. If you’re looking for something from Bose to take on your next hike, the AED 549 SoundLink Color II is the company’s only splash-proof speaker that can withstand the elements with an IPX4 rating.
Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Color II
9. JBL Flip 4
Weight: 515g | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Wireless range: 40 feet | Frequency response: 70Hz – 20kHz | Drivers: 2 x 40 mm | NFC: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | Waterproofing: Yes | Charging devices by USB: No
Decent, robust design
Lots of bass
Overwhelming midrange sound
Slightly basic aspect
Bringing openness above refinement , the JBL Flip 4 is a good Bluetooth speaker for the tough nature lover in your circle of friends. Its rugged and resistant design makes it perfect as a portable speaker to accompany all aspects of your life while its sound is solid without worrying about your home’s audio system.
Its climate-friendly design is a victory, but lack of definition and distinction in the mid-range, ultimately means that its sound quality is not quite good compared to some more high-end portable speakers.
Read the full review