 |
| © Provided by TechRadar Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Finding the right Bluetooth speaker can be a tricksy task. You've no shortage of options, with every consumer electronics manufacturer from Apple to Ultimate Ears vying for a bite of the Bluetooth cherry. Fret not, we've rounded-up our pick of the best portable Bluetooth speakers across all shapes, sizes and prices to ensure you discover a product you'll be over the moon with.
The key thing here is to avoid opting for the first Bluetooth speaker that takes your fancy, because a) it's worth considering what you actually want from it, and b) if you're going to invest, why not read our review of the object of your desire first? You two will be together for quite some time, so it's worth giving this a bit of thought. Will your Bluetooth speaker be used purely at home? In that case you'll want something mains-powered. Do you want to be able to build a multi-room system around it? A smart Bluetooth speaker with with a built-in virtual assistant might be something to consider. If you want flexibility from your Bluetooth speaker and the ability to chuck it in a bag and know that it'll function without issue, it sounds like a rugged, portable speaker with a built-in rechargeable battery could be your best shot at long-term compatibility and musical happiness.
The best Bluetooth speakers don't sacrifice on sound quality, either. Some offer impressive, room-filling, 360-degree sound while other models can be connected together and used as a stereo pair in a more traditional configuration. Whether you're on a tight budget or have money to burn, there's a model in this list that'll sort you out.
The key thing here is to avoid opting for the first Bluetooth speaker that takes your fancy, because a) it's worth considering what you actually want from it, and b) if you're going to invest, why not read our review of the object of your desire first? You two will be together for quite some time, so it's worth giving this a bit of thought. Will your Bluetooth speaker be used purely at home? In that case you'll want something mains-powered. Do you want to be able to build a multi-room system around it? A smart Bluetooth speaker with with a built-in virtual assistant might be something to consider. If you want flexibility from your Bluetooth speaker and the ability to chuck it in a bag and know that it'll function without issue, it sounds like a rugged, portable speaker with a built-in rechargeable battery could be your best shot at long-term compatibility and musical happiness.
The best Bluetooth speakers don't sacrifice on sound quality, either. Some offer impressive, room-filling, 360-degree sound while other models can be connected together and used as a stereo pair in a more traditional configuration. Whether you're on a tight budget or have money to burn, there's a model in this list that'll sort you out.
1. JBL Flip 5
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar (Image credit: JBL) |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 7.4 x 18.1 x 6.9 | Power: 20W | Features: Bluetooth v4.2, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IPX7 rated | Connections: USB-C charger
Solid bass and timing
Great sense of acoustics
PartyBoost stereo pairing
No aux-in or microphone
Not Connect+ compatible
Basic app
If all you want is a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as you can currently buy for around £100 ($100, AU$119), you’ll be hard-pressed to better the fantastic Flip 5. JBL’s newest offering sounds great for the price and is rugged enough to cope with a day at the pool.
The Flip 5 is waterproof to an IPX7 rating, boasts a 12 hour battery life and has a USB-C charging port, meaning it goes from flat to fully juiced in just 2.5 hours. It's a pleasure to use and scores highly for portability, with a wrist strap that slips comfortably over our hand. There's also a PartyBoost button that helps you pair two PartyBoost-enabled speakers to create a stereo pair, or link over 100 PartyBoost-compatible speakers in mono.
Sound is impressively weighty and agile, with a good punch of bass and a real sense of openness and texture. Assuming you don't mind the lack of an aux-in port or inbuilt microphone (as seen in the Flip 4), you'll almost certainly be wowed by this speaker's sonic chops. A superb performer.
2. JBL Charge 4
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar (Image credit: JBL) |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.5 x 9.3 | Power: 30W | Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, power bank, voice assistant integration | Connections: 3.5 mm stereo
Rugged and water resistant
USB port for charging
Great sound quality
Perhaps too subtle for some
The fact that we really like the JBL Charge 4 should come as no surprise to those who read our Charge 3 review. Not only is this one of sweetest-sounding Bluetooth speakers around at this end of the market, it serves up a whopping 20 hours of playback from a single charge. Impressive.
JBL has fine-tuned the sound in this latest iteration to please even pickier ears. Obviously there's a limit to the bass floor in a speaker of this size, but the low-end is tasteful – and there's plenty of punch.
You get a nice array of features for the money, too. The IPX7 water resistance means the Charge 4 can handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m. And unlike the Flip 5 (above), you can also use the Charge 4 to juice up your phone – or any other device that will charge over USB from a 5V supply.
The Flip 5 (above) is cheaper and lighter, but the Charge 4's rugged design, excellent battery life and ‘battery sharing’ make it a near-perfect speaker for camping, beach trips and home use.
3. Linn Series 3
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? (Image credit: Linn) |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25 x 29.6 x 20.6 | Power: 2x100W | Features: Wireless integrated Linn DSM player, Exakt digital crossover | Connections: Ethernet, USB, HDMI ARC
Wonderfully articulate
Luxury design
HDMI ARC for TV connection
No analogue inputs
No Tidal Masters support
Let's address the elephant in the room: the Series 3 is one of the most expensive wireless speakers we have tested. It’s over three times the price of the B&W Formation Wedge. Can such an outlay be justified? Well, yes.
Linn’s gorgeous design aesthetic and proprietary Exakt technology certainly helps. Linn Exakt aims to reduce phase errors by intentionally delaying higher frequencies so they arrive at your ear at the same time as lower frequencies. It also keeps the music signal’s data in the digital domain for as long as possible to avoid any degradation caused by signal processing. We’ve heard Exakt do its thing in many a Linn product before, and here again it contributes to an absorbing performance packed with stunning midrange clarity and a level of insight that sets it apart from more affordable competitors.
As you'd expect, the Series 3 is packed with premium features and Linn’s well established streaming platform, which offers access to networked servers and high-quality music services Tidal and Qobuz via Linn's app. You even get an HDMI ARC socket, which allows you to connect the speaker to a TV.
At £3000 ($3850, AU$5800), we can hardly describe the Series 3 as a bargain, but we are utterly convinced of its appeal.
4. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Connectivity: Bluetooth | Power: Battery | Battery life: 13hrs | Charge time: 2.6hrs **Dimensions (hwd):** 10.4 x 9.5 x 9.5cm | Weight: 420g
Punchy, entertaining sound
Hefty bass
Decent battery life
No wi-fi or smart assistant built-in
No mic for hands-free calls
Ultimate Ears has really made a splash in the Bluetooth speaker market with a number of colourful, fun-sounding and portable models. One its most biggest hits? The impressive Wonderboom 2.
It's waterproof, sandproof, dustproof and is also designed to float, so it should withstand the most lively of pool parties. Battery life is 13 hours and a full charge takes just under three.
Sonically, the Wonderboom 2 is an exciting listen. Bass is impressive bass given its small dimensions and there's plenty of detail and a fine sense of attack. You also get a ‘boost’ button on the underside of the unit. When pressed, it restricts the bass frequencies, allowing the UE to play louder through the midrange, which in turn makes the sound easier to hear when the unit is used outdoors.
There's no built-in mic or app, but the Wonderboom 2 is easily one of the best sounding Bluetooth speakers you can buy for the money – and a What Hi-Fi? 2019 Award-winner too, y'know.
5. Dynaudio Music 5
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? (Image credit: Dynaudio) |
Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi | Power: 250W (mains powered) | Inputs: analogue audio jack, Toslink optical digital audio | Battery life: N/A | Dimensions (hwd): 20 x 66 x 18.5cm : | Weight: 5.4kg
Expansive, weighty and accurate
Great for larger rooms
Top-notch build
No AirPlay 2
No Spotify Connect
The Dynaudio Music 5 is the second-largest one-box speaker in the company’s inaugural, four-strong Music series. And love or loathe its angular looks, we can’t help but be won over by how the Dynaudio Music 5 sounds.
It might be a powerful, but the Music 5 has the sonic nous to keeps things refined. While the Award-winning Naim (below) just edges it for both subtlety and a slightly livelier sound, there isn't much in it – and the Dynaudio Music 5 boasts superiority in other ways. In a larger room, it boasts better weight, scale and authority. Sound is smooth, detail-rich, refined and resoundingly listenable.
Connectivity is excellent, too, with aptX Bluetooth, wi-fi and AirPlay all present. Open up the Dynaudio app and you'll discover NoiseAdapt, a feature that helps sound cut through a noisy room – useful during loud parties.
Assuming you love its distinctive styling, the Dynaudio Music 5 is a sophisticated performer and a superb buy.
6. Audio Pro Addon C3
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi | Power: Battery | Inputs: 3.5mm | Battery life: 15hrs | Dimensions (hwd): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5cm | Weight: 2.45kg
Mature, refined sound
Impressive timing
Tight, textured bass
Control app could be slicker
The Audio Pro Addon C3 isn't just the best Bluetooth speaker at this price, it's a stylish, wi-fi connected, multi-room capable centrepiece – and a What Hi-Fi? 2019 Award winner.
Sound is focused yet open and airy, meaning you can fill a decent sized room with immersive, weighty sound. It has an fantastic sense of refinement for such a small speaker, not to mention a rear-firing bass reflex port that delivers plenty of low-end grunt.
This model won't charge your smartphone but it does feature an ethernet port, giving you the option to hardwire it to your home network. The battery serves up around 15 hours playback (less if you crank the volume up to the max).
The C3 supports streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and Apple Music, and while there's no built-in voice assistant, you can control the speaker via the Alexa app.
If you're after something more rugged and portable, we'd suggest rivals such as the Ultimate Ears Megaboom or JBL Xtreme. But as a sensational-sounding multi-room proposition, this speaker gives Sonos a serious run for its money.
7. Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? (Image credit: Naim) |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 21 x 22 x 21 | Power: 300W | Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Roon Ready, Hi-res up to 24-bit/384kHz, remote control | Connections: 3.5mm aux, USB, optical S/PDIF, Ethernet
Open, detailed and expressive
Loads of streaming options
Multi-room ready
Nothing at this price
At What Hi-Fi?, we know full well the value of revisions. Yet still, it was quite the surprise when first we heard about one made by Naim, with its second generation of the Mu-so Qb wireless speaker. The previous iteration was great, earning five stars when it was first reviewed. This version, however, is is truly phenomenal.
You can now choose between an Olive, Terracotta or Peacock grille alongside the standard black, but the best tweaks Naim has made go far deeper. Remove whatever colour grille you've gone for and you'll be rewarded with upgraded and optimised midrange and bass drive units, all powered by a total of 300W of amplification.
You won't be short of streaming options, thanks to Chromecast Built-in and Apple AirPlay 2 alongside Bluetooth for streaming from a device, as well as Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, internet radio and Tidal. You’ll also be able to access files up to 32-bit/384kHz anywhere on your home network via the updated Naim app
With punchy bass and sparkling and rich tones across the frequencies, we had no hesitation in awarding the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation our 2019 What Hi-Fi? Award for the best home wireless speaker over £500.
8. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd generation)
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? Best portable speakers 2020 |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 4.3 x 9.9 x 9.9 | Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth V4.0, Alexa voice assistant, Spotify, TuneIn, Amazon Music | Connections: 3.5 mm stereo
Clear, solid sound
Improved Alexa capabilities
Budget price
Alexa intelligence is limited
Amazon's ever-expanding collection smart speakers dish up decent sound and a whole load of voice functionality for not a lot of money. The Echo Dot is one of the cheapest in the range – and a great little portable device that's perfect for the kitchen or bedroom.
The fabric-covered puck features a 4cm driver that pumps out decent enough sound. Alexa sounds loud and clear and, for the money, music sounds rich and full. It's perfectly acceptable as a background music device, plus you can always wire in other devices via the 3.5mm aux output for better sound.
You need to connect the Echo Dot to power, so it's not as portable as some options on this list. But on the upside, the Echo Dot can be used to play music, answer questions, read the news, check the weather, set alarms and control compatible smart home devices, from TVs to home cinema amplifiers and speakers.
For the money, it's one of the best cheap portable speakers around.
9. Audio Pro Addon T3
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar Best portable speakers 2020 |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 | Power: 2x 5W + 15W Digital class D | Features: Bluetooth V4.0 | Connections: 3.5mm stereo, USB
Full sound
Expressive and dynamic
Faultless build
Size won't suit everyone
It might be one of the less portable speakers in this list, but the T3 can still be carted around thanks to the carry handle. It's robust rather than heavy, and boasts a battery life of up to 30 hours. Like bass? You're in luck - the solid chassis and rear-firing bass port will have you tapping your toe in no time.
There's no wi-fi (if you want wi-fi, opt of the Addon C3), but the Bluetooth-enabled T3 features a similarly classy design with textured surfaces and a leather embossed handle .
Audio Pro tends to ignore gimmicks in favour of high-quality sound but this speaker does have the facility to charge up your smartphone or tablets via a USB port. You also get an auxiliary input for your TV/MP3 player/record player.
Sound is superb, with plenty of depth and detail throughout the frequencies. If you want something for home and in the garden, this could work nicely – maybe not the one for your carry-on luggage, though.
10. JBL Xtreme 2
|
| © Provided by TechRadar Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Connectivity: Bluetooth | Power: Battery | Inputs: 3.5mm | Battery life: 15hrs | Dimensions (hwd): 13.6 x 28.8 x 13.2cm | Weight: 2.39kg
Clean, clear sound
Balanced bass
Robust build
Hefty design
No wi-fi or multi-room smarts
The JBL Xtreme 2's boombox design has fun and excitement written all over it. The rugged, IPX7 waterproof exterior, 15 hour battery life and ability to charge your phone from its USB port mean it's a great option for the beach.
Wireless features have been stripped-back, though. There's no wi-fi, so you can't stream from Spotify. And it won’t let you talk to Alexa or Google Assistant, just set a button to activate them in the manner of an earphone’s in-line remote.
JBL Connect+ is the most unusual feature on this otherwise standard Bluetooth speaker. It lets you link up to 100 JBL speakers, to make the equivalent of a nightclub PA in your home.
There's plenty of boom to the sound, but we're not talking ridiculous levels. That deep powerful bass is also nicely controlled too. Mids are of a high quality and highs show more clarity than you traditionally get from such a product. For the money, the JBL Xtreme 2 is brilliantly balanced Bluetooth speaker.
11. Ultimate Ears Blast
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi | Power: Battery | Inputs: N/A | Battery life: 12hrs | Dimensions (hwd): 118.8 x 6.8 x 6.8cm | Weight: 463g
Great portable design
Exciting, dynamic sound
Good detail and punchy timing
Top end can get excitable at loud volumes
Alexa features not exhaustive
Ultimate Ears has a knack for making Bluetooth speakers that combine the right combination of sound, design and rugged features, and it does so again with the Blast. Its cylindrical 360-degree design means it throws sound evenly around the room, while the tough 'IP67 waterproof' exterior means it can can survive in 1m of water for 30 minutes.
It's crammed with connectivity, too. You get Bluetooth, wi-fi and Alexa smart assistant voice controls, meaning you can turn up the volume or play songs through Amazon Music Unlimited without lifting a finger. Far-field voice recognition is excellent, and there's a nifty LED strip that glows and blinks when you interact with Alexa.
The lack of 3.5mm audio input might bother some, but we found the Blast to be a real crowd-pleaser. The 360-degree sound and bass output is far better than one might expect for this kind of money; throw in Alexa smarts and you have a fun, energetic speaker that offers plenty of bang for your buck.
12. Amazon Echo Show 5
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? (Image credit: Amazon) |
Alexa voice-control
Decent sound and video
Nicely put together
Audio isn't the best
The Echo Show 5 is the latest in a long and fast-moving line of Amazon products intended to get us all invested in its virtual assistant, Alexa. Where much of the Alexa-enabled kit out there is audio based, concentrated on the Bluetooth speaker market in particular, the Echo Show 5 embraces both sound and video in its abilities to communicate. So, as well as playing music or reading out information, you can access video content on the 5.5in LCD touchscreen. There's also a camera for video calls.
The Echo Show 5 is a diminutive device, and as such cannot possibly offer the scale of sound that some specialist wireless speakers can. But then it offers so much more ability and functionality than a run-of-the-mill Bluetooth speaker. For what it is, we find the sound perfectly acceptable. It runs fairly warm, sonically, which helps voices on radio and the like, and makes for a comfortable listening experience. There are better speakers out there but this is much more than that. It opens up the world of the digital assistant to a whole new audience for both audio and video; and if that’s what you’re after, this is about as good as you’ll get.
13. Dali Katch
Dimensions (hwd): 13.8 x 26.9 x 4.7cm | Connectivity: aptX Bluetooth, 3.5mm | Battery life: 24hr | Power: 50W
Powerful, full-bodied sound
Great dynamics and timing
Long battery life
Nothing at this price
If you're after a premium portable speaker, there's every chance that the Dali Katch will blow your cashmere socks off. Dali, better known for its traditional hi-fi speakers, has managed to extract a sound that is quite simply incredible for something of the Katch’s stature.
Two tweeters and a pair of aluminium woofers, driven by a Class-D amplifier, make for a total power output of 50W – not to mention an impressive amount of detail and a nice dose of velvety low-end.
The speaker boasts buttons for power, volume and pairing, which is made easier with the option of NFC. There are also two EQ presets: one for freestanding play and one for positioning on a shelf. And let's not forget the excellent battery life: just two hours of charge will get you around 24 hours of music playback via Bluetooth.
The Katch isn't cheap, but you do get what you pay for – a weighty, dynamic sound that defies this speaker's dimensions.
14. Ultimate Ears Megablast
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi | Power: Battery | Inputs: N/A | Battery life: 16hrs | Dimensions (hwd): 23.7 x 8.8 x 8.8cm | Weight: 1.19kg
Dynamic, detailed sound
Enthusiastic, punchy rhythms
Precise, taut basslines
Presentation is slightly lean
Not fully featured just yet
The powerful UE Megablast takes the performance of a portable Bluetooth speaker at this price to a new level. If you're looking for thumping bass, well, let's just say you've come to the right place.
Design-wise, the Megablast is waterproof (IP67 rated), so it will survive being dunked in the pool or exposed to a sudden downpour. Battery life is 16 hours, which is pretty respectable given that it has Alexa voice smarts built-in.
Say the wake word ‘Alexa’ and a white LED strip on top of the Megablast glows in recognition. Features include voice-controlled music playback over wi-fi, through Amazon Music Unlimited and TuneIn radio, plus support for the likes of Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music. There's no 3.5mm audio jack, though.
A combination of pounding bass and enthusiastic sense of rhythm make for a hugely enjoyable performance. It might not be the most pocketable speaker around, but few rivals can match the Megablast for bass quality. An absolute treat.
15. Ultimate Ears Roll 2
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar Best Bluetooth speakers 2020 |
Connectivity: Bluetooth | Power: 9W | Inputs: 3.5mm | Battery life: 5.5hrs | Dimensions (hwd): 13.5 x 13.5 x 4cm | Weight: 463g
Enthusiastic, full-bodied performance
Clear and detailed
Fluid dynamics and open sound
Pricier rivals offer greater bass weight
When it comes to colourful, outdoors-y Bluetooth speakers, it seems that Ultimate Ears is on a bit of a roll. Quite literally, in this case. This disc-shaped Roll 2 is everything an affordable Bluetooth speaker should be – and a considerable improvement upon your phone's speaker. It's also small enough to fit in a bag and keeps going for five hours.
Considering its size, sonic performance is surprisingly full-bodied, clear and detailed. While most compact, cheap Bluetooth speakers tend to overemphasise the bass to compensate for their diminutive dimensions, the Roll 2 resists this temptation.
There are buttons at the back for power and Bluetooth pairing, plus a 3.5mm input under a waterproof flap at the back for hardwiring an MP3 player. The IPX7 certification means it be washed off with soap and water. It even comes with comes with a mini inflatable ring to float it on when you’re having a pool party.
If you're after more bass, you might want to consider a pricier option, but all in all, the Roll 2 is great fun and good value for money.
16. JBL Go 2
 |
| © Provided by TechRadar Best portable speakers 2020 |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 7.1 x 8.6 x 3.2 | Power: 3W | Features: IPX7 waterproof, Bluetooth V4.1 | Connections: micro-USB | Finishes: 12
Tidy design
Balanced sound
Decent bass
Battery life could be better
The budget JBL Go 2 might be the perfect holiday accessory. It's a tiny speaker, no bigger than a bar of soap, which makes it small enough to slip into your pocket. There are 12 colours in the range, including the retro-fabulously pearlescent yellow model pictured above.
The Go 2 has a full waterproof IPX7 rating, so it won't matter if you drop it in the pool by mistake. Features are thin on the ground, but you go get an aux input, plus a noise-cancelling speakerphone and built-in mic for handsfree calls. There's no wi-fi, though, and the battery life is a little disappointing: 2.5 hours of charging returns a maximum playing time of just five hours.
Despite an output of just 3W, the Go 2 punches above its weight when it comes to sound. For the money, it's a lively, balanced and cohesive performer. If you're the sort of person who likes to travel light, we'd highly recommend packing one of these nifty pocket speakers.
17. Bose SoundLink Mini II
 |
| © Provided by What Hi-Fi? Best portable speakers 2020 |
Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 5.1 x 18 x 5.8 | Features: Bluetooth V3.0 | Connections: 3.5mm stereo, micro-USB
Full-bodied sound
Weighty bass
Portable
Lows lack precision and agility
If you’re after a portable speaker that doesn't scrimp on bass weight, the SoundLink Mini II could be just the ticket. The small but hefty design pumps out a big, bassy sound that will get you dancing by the pool.
Bose has kept features to a bare minimum; there are buttons for power, pairing (you can link two devices at a time and switch between them) and volume. You also get an aux input and a USB input for charging. Battery life is 10 hours – pretty good for a speaker of this size.
The big attraction here is the sound quality. While lots of portable speakers offer fuller bass, it's often boomy or distorted. That's certainly not the case with the SoundLink Mini II, which sounds taut and expressive. Vocals are exceedingly rich and instruments are given space to breathe. In fact, the sound is as good as anything we've heard at this price and stature. Other speakers are better value for money, but this high-quality Bose speaker is still a fantastic buy.
