14 Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]

This is the Emberton II Bluetooth speaker from Marshall, the world-famous amp manufacturer. The next-generation Emberton promises an additional 10 hours of continuous playback time, providing excellent sound quality for longer.

As for portability, this model is a similar size to a 20-ounce water bottle and weighs 1.5 pounds. It's on the heavy side for its size, but it's still compact enough to fit in your purse or backpack. With 30 hours of continuous playback time, its battery performance will last well into the second day of a weekend trip.

In terms of user-friendliness, the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons are easy to spot, and there's an indicator on top to check the remaining battery at a glance. It has a waterproof rating of IP67, which means you won't have to worry about water damage while on the beach or by the river.

The maximum volume recorded during clarity tests in noisy environments was 89.7 decibels, so this speaker will provide a clear sound that won't be drowned out by traffic and chatter. The sound quality is excellent in both bass tones and sound spread. Bass tones, in particular, carry depth and can accurately express the sounds of bass guitars and bass drums.

With an excellent balance of portability and sound quality, this is our top Bluetooth speaker recommendation for every music lover.

The Charge 5 is made by JBL, a leading audio equipment brand headquartered in Los Angeles. This model not only has great quality sound but also comes in a wide range of colors inspired by street fashion.

The speaker itself weighs nearly 2 pounds, making it difficult to carry around and hold in one hand. However, with a continuous playback time of 20 hours, you can listen to your favorite songs all day without needing to charge.

User-friendliness testing found that the large, easily recognizable buttons for operation are on the top of the speaker in a straight line. With its IP67 waterproof rating, this Bluetooth speaker can be used near water without worrying about damage if it accidentally falls in.

Our tests recorded a maximum volume of 93.1 decibels, so you'll be able to enjoy your music even in a crowded and noisy environment. As for sound quality, it offers a bass that resonates throughout your body and draws out the details of the music. The speakers are capable of producing a sound that will spread throughout any room. Product testers even said, "It made me feel like I was in a movie theater."

This is the SRS-XB100 Bluetooth speaker by Sony, the renowned Japanese electronics brand. It claims to reproduce a clear sound using the Sony exclusive eccentric unit technology.

Portability tests found that this speaker weighs about the same as an apple at around 0.6 pounds. Plus, measuring just 3.7 inches, it's compact enough to be held in one hand and even fit in your pocket. It offers a reasonable 16 hours of continuous playback time, so it can be used all day without charging.

This speaker is user-friendly, with buttons lined up on the back that are instantly recognizable and easy to use. It also offers great convenience with the included anti-slip grips and hanging strap. The waterproof rating stands at IP67, so the risk of water damage is low even if it accidentally falls into water.

It's on the quieter side with a maximum volume of 79.4 decibels, so it may be less effective in noisy environments. On the other hand, we found it to have a clear sound quality across all frequencies, producing a crisp and distinct sound. However, some testers did say, "The speaker is unable to reproduce the reverberations of percussion and string instruments while also lacking sound spread."

Anker is a hardware maker best known for its portable chargers and headphones. The successor to the popular Soundcore 2, the Soundcore 3 offers an enhanced driver output up from 12 watts to 16 watts. This upgrade was made to achieve a high-quality sound across all frequency levels.

Portability-wise, this model weighs one pound and measures around 7 inches, which is about the size of a 20-ounce water bottle. It's small enough to comfortably carry in one hand and fit in your backpack. With 24 hours of continuous playback time, you'll be able to use this speaker outdoors without worrying about recharging.

As for user-friendliness, the playback buttons are a little less intuitive as they're represented by the company logo, but the large size makes up for this. This speaker has an IPX7 waterproof rating, so you can use it to enjoy your favorite music or podcasts in the pool or bath.

Even though it's small, it has a maximum volume of 89.4 decibels, which will provide adequate volume and clarity. Its sound quality is good, with a strong, rhythmic bass, but it lacks a bit of depth and realism. This model's sound spread feels like it extends only around the speaker, and while it may have the volume, it lacks a three-dimensional quality to fill the room.

The Beosound A2 Gen2 is made by Bang & Olufsen, a long-standing audio company founded in 1925 in Denmark. Designed by Danish product designer Cecilie Manz, it features an elegant and minimalistic style.

Regarding portability, this Bluetooth speaker weighs 1.2 pounds and has a circular shape with a 5-inch diameter. It's just the right weight to hold in one hand, and the flat body makes it easy to store in your backpack or purse. With 18 hours of continuous playback time, this model will allow you to enjoy your music for more than a day, even with no opportunity to recharge.

In terms of user-friendliness, the buttons are small and placed on the side, which makes it slightly difficult to operate. However, they are lined up for easier recognition. Thanks to its IP67 waterproof rating, you'll be able to enjoy a widespread sound even while you shower.

Our test for clarity in noisy environments found the maximum volume to be 90.5 decibels, ensuring a powerful sound even amid background or outdoor noise. Sound quality tests found that, although somewhat lacking in depth, the bass is consistent and brings out the rhythm of the music. This speaker's high-quality sound also fills the room.

The SoundLink Flex is made by Bose, the Massachusetts-based brand known for its development of audio equipment. It has a shock-resistant design to withstand outdoor use and is less prone to damage if accidentally dropped.

When checking portability, we found that it weighs 1.3 pounds and has a 7-inch size, similar to a 20-ounce water bottle. The speaker itself is slim and easy to carry with one hand. However, with only 12 hours of continuous playback time, it falls slightly short for all-day use.

The user-friendliness of this Bluetooth speaker is good, with easy-to-press buttons located up top and in a single row. It comes with a strap on the side, which enhances portability and allows you to hang it on a hook or snap ring. This Bluetooth speaker won't be damaged easily, even if you drop it in a river or the ocean, since it has an IP67 waterproof rating.

The test for clarity in noisy environments measured a maximum volume of 89.2 decibels, which even surpasses the noise level of a subway. It delivers a powerful sound that remains enjoyable even in large spaces with many people. It received high ratings for sound quality thanks to the strong, resonating bass and three-dimensional sound spread. The bass tones, in particular, carry a realistic sound throughout the vibrations in the air.

The Flip 6 comes from JBL, the audio equipment brand based in California. This Bluetooth speaker is known for its great design, which received the honorable Red Dot Design Award in 2022.

Roughly the same size as a 20-ounce water bottle at 7 inches and weighing 1.2 pounds, this speaker has good portability. Plus, the cylindrical shape is easy to carry with one hand and won't take up much space in your bag. The 12-hour continuous playback time is a bit short for extended use, especially during camping trips or other locations without an outlet.

In terms of user-friendliness, the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons on the back are somewhat hard to spot. However, the playback and volume buttons are located on top and are easy to press and simple to use. The strap allows you to enjoy your music while this speaker hangs from a convenient location. With an IP67 waterproof rating, you can avoid the risk of potential water damage, even if you accidentally spill a drink on it.

This speaker reached a maximum volume of 90.7 decibels when testing clarity in noisy environments, producing enough sound even in crowded places. However, sound quality tests found that while sound spread is somewhat present, the speakers lack depth and provide a weak sense of immersion. Bass tones are clear, but the depth and reverberations aren't strong enough to deliver an impactful overall sound.

The StormBox Micro 2 is from Tribit, a Chinese audio brand. This is the upgraded model of its StormBox Micro predecessor, with improved power and battery performance.

We found this speaker to have good portability with a weight of 0.7 pounds and a 4-inch size. Plus, its square body with rounded edges makes it easy to hold in one hand. On the downside, it only offers 12 hours of continuous playback time, so you'll need to charge it if you plan to listen to music all day.

User-friendliness tests found that the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons aren't immediately noticeable since they are small and located on the side. However, its volume and playback buttons are on the front and easy to use once connected. It also has the added convenience of a battery life indicator. Finally, the IP67 waterproof rating means you can use it worry-free around rivers or other wet environments.

Our test for clarity in noisy environments revealed an incredibly high maximum volume for its 4-inch size at 89.4 decibels. Nonetheless, while it is easily portable and lets you enjoy your music at high volume, it received lower ratings for sound quality due to an overall dull and unclear sound. The bass tones also lack depth and there is hardly any sound spread.

The WonderBoom 3 Bluetooth speaker is made by Ultimate Ears, a brand known for its custom in-ear monitors. This is an environmentally-conscious product made of recycled plastic.

The speaker itself resembles a barrel and comes in at just 0.9 pounds and 4 inches, providing good portability you can hold in one hand. It takes up little space, so you'll have no trouble carrying it around. Unfortunately, it lacks the battery life for all-day use while away from home, with only 14 hours of consecutive playback time.

It has large volume buttons on the front for good user-friendliness, but the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons on top are confusing and not as intuitive. The IP67 waterproof rating means that this speaker won't take damage even if it gets wet during a pool day.

It recorded a maximum volume of 89.3 decibels during clarity in noisy environments testing, so it will be easy to hear even in wide open spaces. We didn't hear much depth in the bass tones and sound clarity during sound quality tests, however. It also lacks the power needed for good sound spread.

The Clip 4 is made by JBL, an audio company established in the U.S. in 1946. It claims to produce a deep sound while still offering a compact size.

Our portability tests found that it weighs 0.5 pounds, has a compact 5-inch size, and can be held in the palm of your hand. But with only 10 hours of consecutive playback time, it will need to be recharged for all-day use.

As for user-friendliness, the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons are not so convenient as they are located on the side. However, playback and volume control are straightforward, and all buttons are large. The snap ring on top adds extra convenience and can be attached to a backpack. Finally, the waterproof rating of IP67 means this speaker can be used freely outdoors without stressing about water damage.

We found the clarity in noisy environments slightly lacking, as it has a low maximum volume of 83.6 decibels. It might be hard to hear in noisy, outdoor settings. Sound quality tests showed that bass tones were hard to pick up, with some testers noting that they were drowned out by other instruments. Overall, its sound lacks power and only seems to reach the area around the speaker.

The Roam Bluetooth speaker is made by Sonos, an electronics brand based in California. Its ergonomic design aims for easy use outdoors.

Regarding portability, this model weighs 0.9 pounds and measures 7 inches, which makes it slightly lighter than a 20-ounce water bottle. The triangular shape is also easy to grip and carry with you. However, it has a shorter 10-hour playback time, which may not be sufficient if you are unable to recharge it.

For user-friendliness, the operative buttons were easy to spot and well-positioned on top, but the power and pairing buttons were hard to find. We also experienced some difficulty pairing this speaker with our devices. On the plus side, the IP67 waterproof rating means it can handle being submerged in water without damage.

We rated the maximum volume of 86 decibels insufficient in providing clarity in noisy environments. You'll need to be close to this speaker to hear it when around lots of people. Sound quality testing found that bass tones lack impact, though it produces a clear, enjoyable sound. The sound spread also isn't great, and certain songs sounded muffled.

The BOOM 3 by Ultimate Ears, a California-based audio manufacturer, is the 3rd generation of the popular BOOM series. It seeks to provide the ultimate performance that faithfully reproduces sounds without exaggeration or distortion.

The 1.3-pound weight and height of 7 inches scored well for portability, with a similar size to a 20-ounce water bottle. It may be slightly heavy to hold in one hand, but you'll have no issue carrying this speaker in your backpack or purse. Offering only 15 hours of continuous playback time, it will likely require a recharge if you plan to use it all day.

While there are well-marked volume buttons on the front, the power and pairing buttons aren't immediately apparent or easy to use. This speaker features an IP76 waterproof rating, so feel free to use it near the beach or pool without worry of water damage.

It recorded a maximum volume of 93.7 decibels during tests for clarity in noisy environments, ensuring good audibility among busy background noise. Its sound quality is not great, with a soft bass that lacks impact. However, it has an all-encompassing sound spread, which allows you to enjoy your music even from afar.

The Soundcore Motion X600 is made by Anker, a brand known for developing portable chargers for smartphones and PC peripherals. It comes with an accompanying app that lets you choose your favorite sound settings by controlling the equalizer.

This is a large Bluetooth speaker that isn't easily portable since it weighs 4.3 pounds and measures 12 inches. In addition, it has a continuous playback time of just 12 hours, so you'll need to recharge this model if you plan to use it around the house all day.

It is a user-friendly model, as all buttons are on top and in a row, which we found easy to locate and use. The IPX7 waterproof rating allows you to enjoy music in the shower without worry.

Our test for clarity in noisy environments recorded a 94.5-decibel maximum volume. This will provide ample listening power, as long as there isn't considerable noise like that of an airplane. During sound quality tests, we found that although it lacked depth, the bass was clean. Sound also spread throughout the entire room and provided an immersive experience.

The Go 3 Bluetooth speaker is by JBL, an audio brand known for developing home audio equipment, as well as sound systems for cinemas and concert halls. This model is designed for casual use on the go, thanks to its durable rubber body.

This mini-sized option comes in at only 0.4 pounds and 3 inches, so it'll fit not just in a backpack or tote bag but even in your pocket. In fact, it's as portable as a pair of earphones. However, with only 5 hours of playback time, it lacks the battery life for all-day use and will need to be recharged periodically.

This model has large and easily recognizable buttons, making it user-friendly even for first-time users. Its IP67 waterproof rating will mitigate any potential water damage if it gets wet at the pool or park.

As for clarity in noisy environments, the 84.6-decibel maximum volume means that it may not work well in loud, busy settings. Sound quality tests found that the bass tones of guitars and drums were discernible but weak and lacking depth. Unfortunately, this speaker does not spread sound effectively either. This resulted in a lack of impact and immersive quality.