Its warm, well-balanced audio performance is far more powerful than you might expect from a speaker of this size, and while trebles can sound a little harsh at higher volumes, you're getting plenty of clarity and detail.Ī 12-hour battery life and water and dust resistance makes this an ideal speaker to take to the pool or beach, and it's available in an array of eye-catching colors. You won't find extra features like voice assistants or Wi-Fi connectivity, but the Flip 6 sounds so good that you won't miss them.
This rugged portable speaker is super simple to use, sounds good, and can be paired with up to 100 other JBL speakers at once to create a huge wall of sound.
The JBL Flip 6 is a prime example of a Bluetooth speaker that sticks to the basics, and gets it right. But if you’ve got the money, it’s hard to fault the Sonos Move when it comes to hunting down the very best Bluetooth speaker in the world. It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, it’s expensive due to its rich feature set, and it sadly can’t be used as rear channels for a home cinema set-up. It's a versatile speaker, one that stands solidly alongside the built-for-home Sonos speakers that the company made its name on. With two quality drivers, a solid app that unlocks playback from hundreds of wireless sources, multi-room capabilities and smart audio-tuning tech which tweaks the output based on the speaker's immediate surroundings, the Sonos Move is engineered well beyond your average Bluetooth speaker. Here’s the thing about the Sonos Move – it’s so good, you might want to consider it not only as your on-the-go party station, but also as your main in-the-home wireless speaker too. If you’re concerned about privacy and want to save around $20 / £20 / AU$30 then the Roam SL could be exactly what you want. Much like the Sonos One its Sonos One SL counterpart, this new version of the Roam lacks a microphone but is otherwise identical in terms of specs. Update: Sonos has just announced the brand new Sonos Roam SL. Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors. In spite of its (relatively) low price you’re getting a lot for your money here. A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it's easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling.įollowing in the footsteps of the Sonos Move, the Sonos Roam comes with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which means it can work as a portable speaker as well as part of your wider multi-room Sonos system – and with Google Assistant and Alexa onboard, it doubles up a smart speaker too. The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control. JBL makes a number of non-smart speakers – like the newly announced JBL Flip 6, which won't listen in on your conversations. Smart speakers aren't for everyone, though, and most of the devices in this guide are simply designed to play your music. Or you simply ask it to play your music using voice commands. This means your wireless speaker can double as a smart speaker, which can then be used to control your smart home devices. Some of these speakers are also packed with handy extra features, including voice control, with virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. (If you are planning on paying a visit to a beach or pool, you may want to also check out our guide to the best waterproof speakers to ensure accidental slips or spills don't ruin your day.) That's thanks to rugged designs and extra features like water resistance that protect these speakers from the elements - though some of the Bluetooth speakers in this guide are more robust than others.
There are loads of portable Bluetooth speakers for you to choose from right now, and this can mean making the right buying decision is tricky - and that's where we come in.Īll of the products we've selected can be used as outdoor speakers, so you can take them with you to the park or a party.