Speakers: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Great music deserves great sound, and even affordable speakers can dramatically outperform the gear you have now. Our audio experts have spent well over a decade independently testing everything from portable Bluetooth speakers to full home theater systems in real-world conditions to help you make the right buying decision.
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The Best Bluetooth and Wireless SpeakersWhether you want a rugged, take-anywhere speaker for the beach or the centerpiece for a multiroom sound system, these are the top Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers we've reviewed.
By Will Greenwald
Our Current Top Tested Picks
Fluance Ri71
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Fluance Ri71 speakers offer excellent sound quality and lots of connectivity options at a competitive price, making them easy to recommend to anyone who wants high-quality stereo audio.
Full Fluance Ri71 ReviewPros
- Brilliant audio with weighty low-end
- Flexible connectivity
- High-end Bluetooth codec support
- Can be paired with a subwoofer
Cons
- No USB or optical inputs
Pros
- Brilliant audio with weighty low-end
- Flexible connectivity
- High-end Bluetooth codec support
- Can be paired with a subwoofer
Cons
- No USB or optical inputs
Creative Pebble Pro
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Creative's Pebble Pro speakers offer fun lighting effects and surprisingly robust sound with real stereo separation for well under $100.
Full Creative Pebble Pro ReviewPros
- Good audio performance with wide stereo image
- Angled drivers for better audio delivery
- Built-in RGB lighting
- Support for 3.5mm, Bluetooth, and USB-C playback
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited Bluetooth codec support
- Separate adapter needed to plug directly into wall outlet
Pros
- Good audio performance with wide stereo image
- Angled drivers for better audio delivery
- Built-in RGB lighting
- Support for 3.5mm, Bluetooth, and USB-C playback
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited Bluetooth codec support
- Separate adapter needed to plug directly into wall outlet
Amazon Echo Dot Max
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Amazon Echo Dot Max is a feature-packed $100 smart speaker that replaces the standard Echo with balanced, room-filling sound, robust smart home connectivity, and Alexa+ support.
Full Amazon Echo Dot Max ReviewPros
- Big, balanced sound for the size
- Lots of connectivity features
- Supports multiple smart home hub standards
- Instant Alexa+ access
Cons
- Not as powerful as its predecessor
Pros
- Big, balanced sound for the size
- Lots of connectivity features
- Supports multiple smart home hub standards
- Instant Alexa+ access
Cons
- Not as powerful as its predecessor
Apple HomePod (2nd Generation, 2023)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Apple's second-generation HomePod carries over the elegant design from the original, but improves the audio and smart home experiences to better compete with speakers from Amazon and Google.
Full Apple HomePod (2nd Generation, 2023) ReviewPros
- Rich bass response and clear highs
- Room-sensing audio
- Strong mic clarity
- HomeKit and Matter support
- Temperature and humidity sensors
Cons
- Expensive
- No user-customizable EQ
- Matter setup issues in testing
Pros
- Rich bass response and clear highs
- Room-sensing audio
- Strong mic clarity
- HomeKit and Matter support
- Temperature and humidity sensors
Cons
- Expensive
- No user-customizable EQ
- Matter setup issues in testing
Google Nest Audio
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Nest Audio smart speaker offers Google Assistant functionality and clear, detailed sound in an attractive design for a reasonable price.
Full Google Nest Audio ReviewPros
- Balanced sound with strong, detailed highs
- Supports Bluetooth and Google Cast
- Google Assistant is more useful than ever
Cons
- Bass isn't particularly powerful
Pros
- Balanced sound with strong, detailed highs
- Supports Bluetooth and Google Cast
- Google Assistant is more useful than ever
Cons
- Bass isn't particularly powerful
Sony ULT Field 7
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Sony's rugged ULT Field 7 speaker delivers deep bass at high volumes and has inputs for karaoke, making it an excellent choice for parties, whether they're indoors or outside.
Full Sony ULT Field 7 ReviewPros
- Exceptionally powerful audio with thunderous bass
- Dustproof and waterproof design
- Guitar and mic inputs for karaoke
- Built-in LED lights
Cons
- Expensive
- Lackluster companion app
Pros
- Exceptionally powerful audio with thunderous bass
- Dustproof and waterproof design
- Guitar and mic inputs for karaoke
- Built-in LED lights
Cons
- Expensive
- Lackluster companion app
Tribit StormBox Mini+
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
It’s no hi-fi stereo, but the Tribit StormBox Mini+ portable Bluetooth speaker provides balanced sound with thumpy bass in a compact footprint at a price that’s hard to argue with.
Full Tribit StormBox Mini+ ReviewPros
- Loud, punchy sound
- Stereo audio
- Compact and lightweight
- Long-lasting battery
- Fun lighting
Cons
- Distorts at high volumes
- Mediocre microphone
Pros
- Loud, punchy sound
- Stereo audio
- Compact and lightweight
- Long-lasting battery
- Fun lighting
Cons
- Distorts at high volumes
- Mediocre microphone
Beats Pill (2024)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The durable, feature-rich, and stylish Beats Pill speaker delivers impressive bass for its size and costs much less than the original.
Full Beats Pill (2024) ReviewPros
- Bright sound with rich bass
- Attractive design
- Dustproof and waterproof
- Flexible USB-C port
- Apple and Google Find My support
- Seamless iOS compatibility
Cons
- No adjustable EQ
Pros
- Bright sound with rich bass
- Attractive design
- Dustproof and waterproof
- Flexible USB-C port
- Apple and Google Find My support
- Seamless iOS compatibility
Cons
- No adjustable EQ
Sonos Era 300
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Dolby Atmos-compatible Era 300 delivers room-filling spatial audio on its own, or it can be easily integrated with other Sonos speakers for a truly theater-like experience.
Full Sonos Era 300 ReviewPros
- Room-filling sound with strong bass depth and bright highs
- Supports Dolby Atmos
- Works with Alexa and Sonos voice commands
- Terrific companion app with room analysis and adjustable EQ
- Wide support for music streaming services
Cons
- Expensive
- No Google Assistant or Cast support
Pros
- Room-filling sound with strong bass depth and bright highs
- Supports Dolby Atmos
- Works with Alexa and Sonos voice commands
- Terrific companion app with room analysis and adjustable EQ
- Wide support for music streaming services
Cons
- Expensive
- No Google Assistant or Cast support
Sony ULT Tower 10
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
If you have the space and budget for it, Sony's ULT Tower 10 speaker can be the life of the party thanks to its enormous sound, multiple input options, wireless mic for karaoke, and customizable light show.
Full Sony ULT Tower 10 ReviewPros
- Incredibly loud
- House-shaking bass
- Multiple wired inputs
- Includes wireless mic
- Supports AAC and LDAC codecs
Cons
- Expensive
- Exceptionally large and heavy
- Not waterproof
Pros
- Incredibly loud
- House-shaking bass
- Multiple wired inputs
- Includes wireless mic
- Supports AAC and LDAC codecs
Cons
- Expensive
- Exceptionally large and heavy
- Not waterproof
JBL 104-BT
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
JBL's 104-BT speakers are a good starting point for your mixing station or computer, offering relatively balanced audio and impressive connectivity at an affordable price.
Full JBL 104-BT ReviewPros
- Pleasing overall sound
- Versatile connectivity
- Easy to set up and use
- Good value
Cons
- Little sub-bass
- No subwoofer output
Pros
- Pleasing overall sound
- Versatile connectivity
- Easy to set up and use
- Good value
Cons
- Little sub-bass
- No subwoofer output
Bose SoundLink Plus
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is a high-end portable speaker with a stylish and rugged design, good sound quality, and support for a wide range of Bluetooth codecs, but it falls a bit short on bass.
Full Bose SoundLink Plus ReviewPros
- Premium materials and build quality
- Pleasing mids and highs
- Dust and waterproof design
- Good Bluetooth codec support
Cons
- Lacks low bass response
- Basic app and EQ
Pros
- Premium materials and build quality
- Pleasing mids and highs
- Dust and waterproof design
- Good Bluetooth codec support
Cons
- Lacks low bass response
- Basic app and EQ
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$99.99
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