The Best Sounding Wireless Bluetooth Speaker For 2024

Harlan Ellison By, Harlan Ellison
Updated
JBL FLIP 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: JBL FLIP 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker is the next generation in the award-winning Flip series; we like it because it is a portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers surprisingly powerful stereo sound. Read Review

2. Best For Price: Sony SRS-XB13 Extra BASS

You can enjoy big sound with the super-compact SRS-XB13 wireless speaker, featuring EXTRA BASS, an updated IP67 waterproof, dustproof design1,2 and up to 16 hours of battery life. Read Review

3. Best Waterproof: JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

With the JBL Flip 5, you can keep the music playing longer and louder. This device features a portable IPX7 waterproof design so you can bring your wireless speaker anywhere the party takes you. Read Review

4. Best Control: ULTIMATE EARS WONDERBOOM 2 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

The Wonderboom's sound is surprisingly full for such a small speaker, with good bass and treble. It has slightly more bass than the first-generation model. It's one of the best-sounding portable speakers for the money. Read Review

Wireless Bluetooth speakers continue to improve year by year. They come in all shapes and sizes. And as you might expect, the larger models offer more bass and volume. On the other hand, some "party Bluetooth speakers" even have built-in LEDs to spice things up. But many compact portable Bluetooth speakers now deliver good sound, and you can often pair two or more to boost their sound. We've also seen an increase in battery life numbers as newer speakers feature more energy-efficient chips.

We recommend our JBL FLIP 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, and the Sony SRS-XB13 Extra BASS as the best sounding wireless Bluetooth speaker after testing the speaker's design - and especially its durability - along with the quality of the speaker sound volume and overall value. If you're looking for more, check out our list of the best sounding wireless Bluetooth speakers.

Our Top Picks

  • Dual external passive radiators demonstrate just how powerful your speaker is
  • Wirelessly connect up to 2 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns playing impressive stereo sound
  • Built-in 3000mAh rechargeable li-ion battery Supports up to 12 hours of playtime
  • JBL connect+ allows you to Link more than 100 JBL connect+ enabled speakers together to amplify the party
  • Ipx7 waterproof means no more worrying about rain or spills; you can even submerge flip 4 in water
TOP Choice #2 Sony SRS-XB13 Extra BASS
Our Score:
9.8
Sony
  • Add an extra speaker for stereo sound
  • Convenient hands-free calling
  • USB Type-C port
  • Waterproof and dustproof (IP67 rated)
  • Connect and stream music easily with Bluetooth
  • EXTRA BASS for deep, punchy sound
  • Sound Diffusion Processor expands sound far and wide
  • Up to 16 hours of battery life with indicator
  • Compact portable design with multiway strap included
TOP Choice #3 JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Our Score:
9.7
JBL
  • Wireless Bluetooth streaming
  • 12 hours of playtime
  • Premium JBL sound quality
  • IPX7 waterproof
  • Pair multiple speakers with party boost
  • Easy play/ pause/ skip: easily control your music right from the speaker, without having to reach for your phone.
  • Double up, Now in stereo: pair two WONDERBOOM 2 speakers to party louder in mono or stereo mode.
  • New outdoor boost: push the outdoor boost button on this ultra portable speaker to instantly increase loudness and clarity for outdoor listening.
  • Waterproof, dustproof & floats: IP67 rating means it’s waterproof, dustproof and it floats! Use it in the pool, the beach or as a shower speaker.
  • 13 hr. Battery: powering 13 whopping hours of killer sound, The long lasting battery sees you through day trips, beach detours and biking adventures.
  • Surprisingly bigger 360 sound: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a wireless Bluetooth speaker with surprisingly bigger 360 degree sound and additional bass.
  • COMPATIBILITY: For audio playback, smartphones, tablets and other devices that support Bluetooth and Bluetooth Smart wireless audio profile [Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
  • SUPER PORTABLE & RUGGED: Sporting a convenient loo, dirt resistant and drop-proof — it’s ready for bikes, backpacks, and big adventures.
  • JBLCONNECT plus Amplify your listening experience to epic levels and rock the party perfectly by wirelessly connecting more than 100 JBL Connect plus enabled speakers.
  • WIRELESS BLUETOOTH STREAMING: Wirelessly connect up to 2 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns enjoying powerful sound.
  • DURABLE FABRIC AND RUGGED MATERIAL: The durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing allows your speaker to outlast all of your adventures
  • IPX7 WATERPROOF: Take Charge 4 to the beach or the pool without worrying about spills or even submersion in water
  • UP TO 20 HOURS OF PLAYTIME: Built-in rechargeable Li-ion 7500mAH battery supports up to 20 hours of playtime and charges your device via USB port
  • JBLBASS RADIATOR: Dual passive radiators deliver powerful, ear catching JBL sound that resonates loud and clear.
  • PLEASE NOTE: The Charge 4 does not come with a USB wall, power adaptor
  • INCLUDED: JBL Charge 4 speaker, USB-C cable, Quick Start Guide
6 New Bose SoundLink Flex
Our Score:
9.4
Bose
  • Rechargeable wireless speaker battery – Portable speaker charges through USB-C cable (included). Lithium-ion battery offers up to 12 hours of life per charge
  • Portable Bluetooth speaker – Built to resist water, dust, and debris, in a design that withstands drops and rust, this compact speaker goes wherever you do. It’s also easy to hold and store, and resistant to corrosion and UV light
  • State-of-the-art design – SoundLink Flex outdoor speaker is packed with exclusive technologies and a custom-engineered transducer for deep, clear, and immersive audio at home or on the go
  • Waterproof wireless speaker for travel – SoundLink Flex is rigorously tested to meet IP67 waterproof speaker standards. Crafted and sealed with waterproof materials, it even floats – ideal for outdoor adventures
  • Clearest possible sound – Proprietary PositionIQtechnology automatically detects the position of your portable Bluetooth speaker for optimal sound quality in any orientation or environment
  • Bose Connect app – App automatically updates the portable Bluetooth speaker with the latest software, allows you to customize settings, unlock product features, and more
  • Bluetooth wireless speaker – SoundLink Flex pairs with Bluetooth-enabled devices like phones and additional Bose speakers within a range of 30 feet
  • Built-in microphone – You can make and receive calls through the portable Bluetooth speaker. Just one button accesses your phone's Siri or Google Assistant voice input
7 Harman Kardon Onyx Studio
Our Score:
9.2
Harman Kardon
  • The superior fabric and finishing combines with iconic design to compliment any style.
  • Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth to enjoy room-filling sound. Connect up to 2 smart devices at the same time and take turns playing music.
  • Access Siri or Google now from the speaker with a simple button press. This can be easily configured via the HK connect app.
  • Amplify your listening experience by wirelessly connecting more than 100 HK connect+ enabled speakers.
  • The rechargeable battery supports up to 8 hours of playtime
  • Signal to noise ratio: 80dB A-weighted
8 Bose SoundLink Color II
Our Score:
9.1
Bose
  • Wireless Bluetooth pairing with voice prompts allows you to easily take calls and access your phone’s virtual assistant — hands free
  • Built-in mic for speakerphone to take clear conference or personal calls out loud with a wireless range of approximately 30 feet.
  • Pair 2 SoundLink speakers together for party mode or stereo mode or use Bose SimpleSync technology to pair with a member of the Bose smart home family to play in sync
  • Innovative Bose technology packs bold sound into a small, water resistant speaker
  • Rugged, with a soft touch silicone exterior that makes it easy to pick up and go
  • Voice prompts talk you through the Bluetooth pairing so it’s easier than ever or even quick-pair with NFC devices
  • The lithium-ion battery lets you enjoy up to 8 hours of play time, rechargeable with USB power sources
9 Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3
Our Score:
8.9
Ultimate Ears
  • These are FCC regulated products: FCC ID JNZS00171
  • POWERED FOR ADVENTURE: Rechargeable battery stays powered and pumping tunes for 20 hours on a single charge. Add the POWER UP charging dock (sold separately) to charge Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 wirelessly so it’s always ready to go on your next musical adventure.
  • PARTYUP: Use PARTYUP on the BOOM & MEGABOOM App to pair 2, 3, 4...and over 150 speakers and create the ultimate surround sound experience. You can combine multiple BOOM 3 and MEGABOOM 3 speakers or even pair them with previous generation BOOM, BOOM 2 and MEGABOOM.
  • EXTREME PERFORMANCE FABRIC: MEGABOOM 3 is covered in shimmering two-tone fabric that’s tough, beautiful and engineered for extreme applications like motorcycle jackets and fire equipment which means this performance textile is bult for extremes.
  • ULTIMATE SOUND: Super portable wireless bluetooth speaker with 360° bold, immersive, crystal clear sound and up to 20 hours of battery. It brings your music to life wherever you take it.
  • SUPER PORTABLE, WATERPROOF & VIRTUALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE: Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is seriously waterproof and floats. MEGABOOM 3 was born to get wet and is completely waterproof with a IP67 water and dustproof rating, which means it and can be totally submerged in water up to 1m for 30 minutes. No matter how wild things get, your music will always be on point.
  • ALL-NEW MAGIC BUTTON: With MEGABOOM 3 you can play, pause, skip and control any streaming music directly on the Bluetooth speaker with one touch of a button. Just push for convenient control of any streaing music. Match the moment with vibes without reaching for your phone.
10 Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS
Our Score:
8.7
Sony
  • Get things booming with Party Connect and sync up to 100 speakers
  • The speakerphone function offers a convenient way to talk hands-free, whether it’s a conference call for work or a chat with friends
  • Efficiently charge with USB Type-C and use the XB33 to charge your smartphone or other small devices via the USB connection
  • Control the party with the Sony Music Center app and the Fiestable app
  • X-Balanced Speaker Unit enhances sound quality and power
  • Boost your music with 2 speaker lights and multi-colored line lights and turn the lights on or off via the Fiestable App
  • Wireless with BLUETOOTH technology and NFC
  • Play it loud with EXTRA BASS sound
  • Lasts all day long with up to 24 hours of battery life
  • Built to last with a IP67 waterproof rustproof dustproof and shockproof design
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best sounding wireless bluetooth speaker?

Battery Life

Battery life is crucial when it comes to wireless portable speakers. The battery life can be impressive for some higher-end models, with up to 12 hours.

Portability

Portability is a key factor for most people buying speakers. There are many wireless speakers in the Officeworks line that can withstand outdoor conditions. Other wireless speakers were designed for indoor use only. If portability is important, you should look into a speaker that has battery power.

Audio Quality

They often give specifics for total harmonic distortion, and below 1% would be a great goal. Lower is better. You may need to hear it. Some speakers won't give this specification. Frequency response is also important. A speaker may sound more natural than another, and that is usually due to a better frequency response. These figures include both the highest and lowest frequencies before the response fades away. You might see figures ranging from 100 Hz up to 20 kHz. You might see the 100 Hz frequency as the lowest frequency, and the 20 kHz frequency as the highest frequency. The top frequency, which is less important as most people can't hear above 20 kHz as they age, may not be as significant. Low-frequency points indicate the bass level we can expect. The lower the frequency, the better.

Ports

A wireless speaker's various ports can transform a simple speaker into an audio device. You can also plug in headphones to your wireless speaker via the AUX output port.

Durability

A portable speaker is essential if you need it for travel purposes. Wireless speakers that are built for outdoor use will be more resilient to the various bumps and scrapes encountered while traveling. Our waterproof wireless speakers offer more versatility and durability.

Size

There are many sizes and shapes available for Bluetooth speakers. You can choose from small cylindrical or conical models that are portable and easy to pack into your luggage. Larger speakers provide higher quality sound and better audio. They can be either rectangular or cylindrical. They are generally larger in size, which can improve the sound quality. Larger batteries will last longer.

WiFi Or Bluetooth

Wireless can be done in two ways: Bluetooth or WiFi. Wireless speakers can connect to your home network. Most of them require AC power so they need an outlet. Bluetooth speakers can be used with any device, such as a smartphone or laptop. These speakers are smaller and more portable than other Bluetooth speakers. Some models have both an Ethernet and a USB connection.

FAQs

Can You Use Wireless Speakers Outdoors?

Absolutely. Most of the Wireless speakers we recommend come with water and dust resistance. Although the number of speakers is smaller, they are still very durable and can be carried around in bags or pressed against a hard surface to ensure outdoor listening.
Most of the top-rated speakers have IP67 protection. This protects against dust, water damage and allows for up to 30 minutes underwater at depths between 15cm to 1m.

How Do I Connect A Bluetooth Speaker With My TV?

First, you will need to have a television, set-top cable or satellite box with Bluetooth. A Bluetooth speaker can be connected just as Bluetooth headphones. This is done through your TV's Bluetooth settings.
Bluetooth lag can cause audio-video sync issues when connecting Bluetooth speakers to TVs. If your Bluetooth speaker is equipped with an audio input, (some high-end Bluetooth speakers have digital inputs), then you may be able to connect the speaker using the wired audio outs of your TV.

What's The Difference Between A Wi-Fi And Bluetooth Speaker?

Bluetooth speakers and Wi-Fi have many differences. Bluetooth speakers can be used to connect to Bluetooth-enabled devices. They don't require an internet connection. While in Bluetooth mode, however, the Bluetooth speaker can quickly drain its battery.
Wi-Fi speakers produce better sound quality because they do not compress audio files like Bluetooth playback. However, the drawbacks are portability and cost. Wi-Fi speakers can be more costly. They also need to be plugged into an electrical power source. The best Bluetooth speaker for flexibility and travel is the one that can use batteries.

How Do You Control A Wi-Fi Speaker?

An app is required to install Wi-Fi speakers on your phone or tablet. You can use the app to find the network, log in and change the password. The app allows you to stream audio and adjust speaker's EQ.

Can You Connect Multiple Wi-Fi Speakers?

You may be able connect more than one speaker to your home network depending on which manufacturer you choose. Wi-Fi speakers cannot be used in conjunction with other models or within the same company system. It is possible to link multiple Wi-Fi speakers together to create a home theatre system. You can stream the same or different audio in several rooms. Or you could use the Wi-Fi speaker to act as an intercom.

What Is The Loudest Bluetooth Speaker?

Larger Bluetooth speakers produce the loudest sound. They are sometimes called boom boxes, or party speakers. Many of these speakers can be carried around with rechargeable batteries, while others have wheels to transport them. The biggest party speakers require an AC adapter as they are extremely powerful and must be connected to an AC outlet.
If you are looking for larger Bluetooth speakers, we have a listing of top wireless boombox speakers. You should also know that Bluetooth speakers can be daisy-chained to enhance their sound, or used as stereo pairs. Pairing two Bluetooth speakers in stereo pairs is often the best way for a bigger sound.

How Many Watts Is Good For A Bluetooth Speaker?

Most Bluetooth speakers that we recommend are suitable for home use should be between 10 and 20 Watts. Small speakers, however, are becoming more popular. A party speaker with 20W output is best for big sounds. Many Bluetooth party speakers on the market exceed 30W.

It's time to start buying when you've determined the best types of best sounding wireless bluetooth speaker and the characteristics you want. It's important to remember that you needn't rush out to a certain store or browse internet discounts just soon. You may quickly discover your pal thanks technological advancements, particularly the proliferation of selling sites.

Try to keep an eye on our site's regular to guarantee the latest deals best sounding wireless bluetooth speaker passes our standards. As a result, you'll be able to close the gap with them. Could you kindly provide us with feedback so that we can satisfy you guys, our customers? Wish you a great shopping experience!


0 ratings

About Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison is a writer and audio equipment enthusiast. He's particularly interested in home theater HiFi audio, and he has been the editor of The Audio Insights since its inception. Harlan is known for his sharp wit and scathing critiques, but he also has a great love of music and audio gear. When he's not writing or editing, Harlan can be found listening to music or watching movies with his wife.