7 Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

JBL's Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker takes our "Best Overall" spot thanks to its wide array of features, crystal-clear sound quality and overall portable design. The speaker is ideal for someone wanting a quick-to-connect option as it pairs via Bluetooth almost immediately with no issues. We appreciated the straightforward control buttons on the top of the unit that allow you to control the power, Bluetooth pairing, volume and more. The Charge 5's sound quality really impressed us when listening to multiple genres of music. The dual bass radiators on the sides of the speaker really pack a punch, too. When listening, you'd think the sound was coming from a much larger speaker.

As far as features go, the speaker boasts up to 20 hours of playtime, charges up in less than four hours, is waterproof and dustproof, is available in a wide array of colors and also doubles as a powerbank for charging other devices. The design of the unit is ideal for any situation you'd want a speaker thanks to its portability as well as the grooves on the bottom that prevent it from rolling. While slightly bulkier than the JBL Flip 6 that we also tested, we felt that, because of its larger size, it produced a richer sound quality. One downside is that there's no microphone for calling abilities. Overall, this is a great wireless Bluetooth speaker for tech novices and experts alike.

When it comes to speakers, soundbars, headphones and other music-related products, Bose is a trusted and reputable brand that consumers seek out specifically. And the SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker delivers as expected from a brand like Bose. The sound quality that is produced impressed us for the size of the speaker, with a rich and booming base highlighted in the background while listening. Weighing in at 1.3 pounds, this speaker is a great option to take on the go, whether you're going hiking, biking, rowing or just simply lying by the pool. Speaking of the pool, the SoundLink Flex is fully waterproof, can be submerged up to one meter in water for 30 minutes, and can even float.

In testing, we didn't think the Bose app was necessary for operating the speaker as it has the buttons needed for operation on the device itself. It connected via Bluetooth quickly and gave verbal confirmation once paired. The SoundLink Flex features a built-in microphone for making and receiving phone calls directly from the speaker. While the device only operates for around 12 hours on one charge (which is one of the lowest on our list), we thought the sound quality and rich base made up for this con. The back and edges of the speaker feature a soft silicone material that's soft to the touch but unfortunately attracts debris to the material that can be tricky to remove at times. However, the pros of this speaker far outweigh the couple of cons we noticed during testing.

For less than $30, nothing compares to Anker's SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker. At just 12.6 ounces and 6.5 inches wide, it delivers high-quality stereo sound and deep bass with exceptional clarity and little to no distortion. With the longest battery life of our picks — clocking in at a full 24 hours — you can crank up the volume for an entire weekend on a single charge. It even has one of the longest ranges of our picks at 66 feet, plus easy, instant Bluetooth pairing without a companion app. It can even connect with Alexa-enabled devices and has microphone and auxiliary ports so you can connect to virtually anything — Bluetooth or not.

The exterior casing is IPX5 waterproof rated, tough and designed for on-the-go listening. Curved edges, sleek controls and a solid, drop-proof build make it perfectly suited for both indoor and outdoor use. If we had to pick a con, it would be the giant logo emblazoned across the speaker grill. If you grab the speaker in red or blue, though, the logo looks a bit more discreet. (Some reviewers mentioned painting the speaker grill, but we didn't try or test this out.) Overall, as the more than 90K reviews profess, this really is an affordable, high-quality speaker. And if you're still questioning the price tag, an 18-month worry-free warranty should put you at ease.

If you're wanting a Bluetooth speaker that you can take to the beach, enjoy by the pool or listen to while floating down a river without worrying about it getting water-damaged, then look no further than the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3. Available in four trendy colorways, the device packs a powerful punch in a small package. In testing, the speaker easily paired via Bluetooth and produced a crisp, high-quality sound that we enjoyed. The speaker has an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. Even more? It floats! The device can bob alongside you on any wet adventure with no issues, staying above water while producing great sound.

Boasting a battery life of 14 hours, Ultimate Ears claims the WONDERBOOM 3 can be heard from up to 131 feet away. Surprisingly, during testing, we could hear the small device from almost 140 feet away, making it ideal for enjoying outdoors. The speaker even features an outdoor boost mode that, when activated, increases the loudness and clarity for far-away listening. While there's no microphone for voice-calling abilities or companion app, you can control the music right from the speaker (the big + and - buttons on the front of the device control the volume while the rest of the controls are on the bottom of the device). Because of the speaker's shape and design, the sound can be heard 360 degrees around the device. We liked this Bluetooth speaker so much, we rated it a 98 out of 100 during testing.

For the ultimate travel speaker companion, look no further than the JBL Clip 4. This petite device has everything you need to take it on the go including an integrated carabiner for clipping onto your belt loop or backpack as well as 10 hours of playtime on a single charge. Weighing in at just eight ounces, this is one of the lightest speakers on our list. During testing, the Clip 4 popped up on our Bluetooth device list immediately and connected seamlessly to our iPhone. We utilized the small speaker during a backyard barbecue, and the output sound could be heard in almost every corner of a fairly large space.

While you can't adjust the bass on this speaker, we found the sound to be very balanced across the board. You can, however, adjust the volume with the control buttons on the speaker itself as well as buttons to play/pause, go to the next song, Bluetooth pairing and turn on/off. The speaker is IP67 rated and is fully waterproof and dustproof, so you can bring it to the beach, pool, lake and more without having to worry. With 10 colors to choose from, you can find the perfect Clip 4 to fit your personality and style.

Marshall is a well-known brand in the music world and for good reason. Their products are well-made and feature quality materials that you can feel confident in lasting for years. And the Marshall Middleton Bluetooth Speaker is no different. The sound emitted is crisp and clear, making the music or audiobook you're listening to feel immersive. A big plus about the Middleton is the 360-degree sound. No matter where you move about the room, you can still hear the audio at the same quality. You can also adjust the bass and treble on the speaker itself or in the Marshall Bluetooth app. One downside that may not be as important to some people is that there's no microphone for voice calling from the speaker.

The Middleton is IP67 dust- and water-resistant, so while you shouldn't submerge it in water, a little rain or a few water droplets won't ruin it. The speaker boasts a whopping 20+ hours of playtime and charges back to a full charge after four hours. In testing, we liked that this speaker hit a sweet spot of being large enough to fill several rooms with sound but small enough to be portable for parties, road trips, etc. The multifunctional aspect makes it worth the higher price point. If you're someone who wants a nice home speaker to keep on display but doesn't want something that takes up a lot of space or requires multiple speakers, and you don't really care about having a smart speaker for voice commands or pairing with smart devices, this speaker is a great buy. The biggest downside to this model will be, for most buyers, the price.

If you love to sing in the shower or bath, then this Bluetooth speaker is for you. Not only is the speaker fully waterproof, but it also comes with a suction cup for hanging the speaker wherever you choose — including the shower. Not a fan of listening to music while bathing? Not to worry. This small, but mighty speaker can easily be tossed in a bag for on-the-go listening at the beach, park, while hiking, boating and so much more. In testing, the speaker paired easily with our device and the control buttons were very straightforward. If you're not able to connect the device via Bluetooth, you can also insert a TF/Micro SD card.

Overall, we were really impressed with the sound quality this small speaker produced. We could hear the music all throughout multiple rooms when it was centrally located in the house. The included suction cup worked as promised so that we were able to hang the speaker in the shower and sing along to our favorite tunes. While the control buttons are straightforward and easy to use, they are located on the back of the speaker which makes it slightly difficult to access when the speaker is lying flat on a surface. However, they are not difficult to access when the speaker is hanging on something. For the price and overall performance, we would feel comfortable recommending this speaker to a friend looking for a Bluetooth shower speaker.