A great Bluetooth speaker produces crisp audio, offers generous battery life and is easy to use. To find the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, I used my expertise as a classically trained musician and experienced consumer tech editor to test over 25 models. After consulting with other audio experts and hundreds of hours of testing, I chose the as the best Bluetooth speaker overall. It features the best balance of everything I looked for: a rugged design, stellar audio, a long battery life and an intuitive app. But there are other solid options on the market, too, including the , my value pick, and the , a rugged option that can withstand drops, bumps and scrapes.
A Rugged Design
The features a somewhat rugged aesthetic; its boombox build is built to resist bumps and scrapes. The speaker offers a convenient detachable rope handle, which made it easy to move around my home, despite its almost 5 pound weight. If you want, you can add a , though that’s sold separately for an extra $49. Buttons on the top are easy to find and use, too.
Stellar Audio Quality, With Easy Controls
Its stereo sound is exemplary; basses sound deep, mids and trebles balance wonderfully. At the very beginning of Ashnikko’s “Daisy,” the song hits deep, deep basses that are difficult for some speakers to play properly. The Bose nails these notes while balancing the rest of the frequencies. For context, only a handful of Bluetooth speakers I tested hit that particular note. Bose’s app is also intuitive, with easy-to-use controls and simple EQ software. While you don’t get any presets, you can adjust each frequency. I missed presets, but at least Bose makes it simple to tune your music to your preferences. The stereo only faces in one direction, but even so, has robust audio that rivals 360-degree speakers.
Floats In Water—With A Catch
It features an IP67 waterproof rating, which is great for pool parties—but it also floats. During a briefing, one of the Bose representatives tied a rope to its strap and threw the speaker smack-dab into the middle of a pool. On the other hand, don’t expect it to float and play music, as the speaker faces downward into the water. It doesn’t sink to the bottom, so it’s easy to retrieve it in case it falls into a pool. Battery life gets you around 20 hours on a charge. Keep the original Bose cord, as it doesn’t charge with other cables. A nice feature is that the speaker can charge your phone using any USB-C cable.
Several Months Later: Still My Top Pick
After several months of daily use in my home, the Bose SoundLink Max doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear. The audio sounds great. I’ve also been using it as a speaker for my gaming computer, and while it doesn’t offer spatial audio for my gameplay, my music still sounds balanced and robust.
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A Simple, Portable Build
The surpassed my expectations. Just larger than the palm of my hand, it has a strap hook to carry it via a carabiner. It only has a few buttons: play, pause, power, Bluetooth and volume, meaning it’s a cinch to get going. On the corner, it’s got a single USB-C port with a silicone cover to block moisture. It can be placed horizontally or vertically with the help of four little feet on the bottom.
Audio Quality Is Adequate For Most
Given its size, this isn’t the best Bluetooth speaker I tested in terms of audio quality: Even with bass boost on, lower frequencies simply can’t match its more expensive competitors. However, at this price, the fact that it can hit as many of the frequencies it does is pretty impressive, and the quality is adequate for casual listeners. It features a few different EQs—you may want to toss on the Bass Boost EQ over the Soundcore Signature Sound EQ. It’s also impressive it even has EQ presets (other speakers in this price range that I tested don’t offer any). Remember Ashnikko’s “Daisy” I mentioned I tested with Bose? The Select 4 Go can’t quite hit those bass notes, and they sound a couple notes higher than they should. Note that you can connect two speakers to make a more robust sound profile, thanks to the Soundcore software.
Around 20 Hours Of Battery Life
The 20-hour battery life is impressive, but during testing, it fell a hair short. It’s comes with IP67 waterproofing—and after tossing it in my kitchen sink filled with water, I can confirm it floats for retrieval purposes only. Overall, its simply impressive that Anker managed to pack all of these features plus decent audio into such a compact, affordable package.
Several Months Later: Going Strong Despite Heavy Use
Our music-loving teen tester brings this speaker everywhere, streaming iPhone playlists to match her mood, from batting cage sessions to homework hours. Despite being constantly hauled around, it shows few scratches. Its frequencies have also remained stable and sound good enough for casual needs after several software updates.
Drop Resistant, With A Removable Strap
The is super sturdy, and my cat has tested this claim for me multiple times by knocking it off tables, and it still looks brand new. It’s rated IP68 for water- and dustproofing, and it can handle a 1 meter drop to concrete with ease. The speaker’s rubber feet help it stay firmly in place on most surfaces, and on the top, it has two grooves where a removable carry handle locks into place, which is easy to add or remove.
One Of The Easiest Apps I’ve Tested
If you’re seeking an intuitive app, the JBL app was among the easiest I tested across all brands. Make sure you download the correct app—there’s the JBL Portable App, which is for Bluetooth speakers, and the JBL Headphones app, which is for its headphones, and they look similar in the app store. There’s no learning curve when you want to adjust the EQs. Choose from the JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, Vocal or Custom (I personally recommend Energetic since it gives the music extra vibrancy), and the audio quality is also pretty good out of the box. There’s an AI Boost feature that I felt made the music a little tinny, so I opted not to use it. I found some of the presets to be lacking (for example, Chill muddled the quality too much for my taste).
Playtime Boost Adds Extra Hours
Battery life is pretty solid; it can go up to 24 hours on a charge, with its Playtime Boost eking out another four hours in a pinch for a total of 28 hours. It takes up to three hours to charge, and you can see battery life at a glance on the app’s home page, which was nice, although another tester would have preferred to see that indicated on the speaker. You can connect a second JBL Charge 6, too, but don’t expect to connect with just any JBL speaker. I couldn’t get that feature to work with my JBL Flip 7, for example, despite the claim you can pair multiple Bluetooth speakers for a stereo sound with its Auracast technology. A 10 minute charge gets you up to 150 minutes of playtime, and you can also top off your phone charge using the speaker.
Several Months Later: Still An Excellent, Rugged Option
Despite my constant travels and a move late last year, the JBL Charge 6 doesn’t show so much as a scratch on the chassis. It’s no problem to move from room to room if I’m listening to music, and the app makes it easy to adjust my listening preferences. After packing and unboxing it several weeks later, I noticed that the battery life does degrade if you let it sit for long periods between listening sessions. If you tend to be more sporadic with your listening, just make sure to charge it before you head out the door.
Small, With Vintage Vibes
While the Anker Soundcore Select Go 4 is smaller than the , the Marshall features a more robust audio profile, and its small boxy shape is also easy to tuck into a bag. On top, it has a few buttons, including a volume control and a toggle that you move to the left and right for forward and rewind (it takes some getting used to). I usually prefer colors other than black, but this design is simply lovely, giving me some serious nostalgia for my father’s vintage stereo speakers.
Good Audio Quality, But Few EQ Presets
The EQs and audio quality sound on par with its sibling, the Marshall Middleton II, and regarding lower frequencies, the Middleton edges it out—the bass is simply more powerful on the Middleton. It doesn’t offer many EQ presets; choose between the signature Marshall, Push (which is essentially the dynamic mode) or Voice for your podcasts. I was disappointed that I can’t customize EQ, but it does a good job maintaining a rounded listening profile nonetheless. The sound passes through bidirectionally for 360-degree audio, which the company calls “True Stereophonic” audio. It does a solid job filling my living room, including when I sit far away.
A Battery Life That Actually Lasts
The battery lasts up to 32 hours, which I was able to get in my own testing as long as I kept the volume on a medium setting. Like others on this list, it’s rated for IP67 so it can handle outdoor elements or pool parties. There’s no carry handle, but you can add your own thanks to a slot on the corner. Don’t expect any smart assistant compatibility, but the app is fairly straightforward. You can also elongate the lifespan in the app with small changes, like only charging to 95% and invoking adaptive charging.
A Redesign On Traditional Bluetooth Speakers
I first heard about the through word of mouth when a colleague insisted I needed to make an appointment to see this new speaker at CES 2024. Not one to miss out, I snuck in a last-minute appointment with the Brane team—and it was one of the best choices I’ve made at any CES show to date. That’s because the technology behind it is truly innovative. The company spent years redesigning the subwoofer blueprint, eventually landing on the magnetized Repel-Attract Driver (RAD) subwoofer blueprint, which the Brane X speaker currently uses—and it produces staggeringly great sound.
Deep Bass That Powers Past The Competition
The Brane X’s subwoofer, simply put, is one of the most powerful bass-focused Bluetooth speakers on the market. If you’re worried about the bass being too powerful, you can choose from three levels of bass to customize your listening experience. Still, be prepared to feel the bass shaking every surface on which this speaker gets placed as well as around the whole space, floors and walls included. If you are mindful of your neighbors or an apartment dweller, you might want to consider another speaker.
Press the power button located on the back, and you hear a buzzing sound to confirm that the speaker is turning on (it also does this when it turns off). You can connect it to Amazon Alexa—just make sure you take the time to set it up and log in, which can be tricky—my unit took a few tries. It’s also Apple AirPlay compatible. For the audio quality, I ended up finagling the EQ for a custom setting. Don’t get me wrong—it sounds pretty good out of the box, but I usually tweak any speaker to get the sound I crave. Get two, and you can pair them together, too.
No USB-C Charging
There are some drawbacks to the Brane X that are worth noting. It doesn’t use USB-C for charging. This surprised me as every other Bluetooth speaker I tested offers this universal charging, and it makes it more difficult to charge if it runs low on battery. That leads me to my next point: Make sure that you charge your speaker the night before, since I found that the battery tends to drain over time even when you’re not using it. A few times I turned it on and found the battery had depleted itself. And of course, it’s heavy thanks to that lovely subwoofer. The carry handle is nice, but I personally wouldn’t take this speaker with me for a day at the beach.
Several Months Later: Great For Homes, But Not Very Portable
After several months of testing, the Brane’s bass frequencies still are some of the best I’ve tested to date. That said, I tend to keep it as stationary as possible due to its heft. The power button also is somewhat finicky; during long-term testing, I learned that I need to press the button and wait until I hear a buzzing sound, which signals that it has powered on. If I didn’t follow these exact steps, I might accidentally turn it off trying to press the power button again.
Lovely Nostalgic Aesthetics
Bose may have landed at the top of the list, but that’s because in addition to making good quality audio, it knows how to make a rugged speaker. Marshall, on the other hand, knows how to make a good speaker with aesthetics in mind. Like the Emberton III, the has a lovely metallic mesh design. For the aesthetic alone, this was my favorite speaker. While the previous model, the Marshal Middleton, didn’t offer a dedicated power button, the second-gen now includes this feature, and it’s much easier to use. It’s also nice that Marshall added EQ adjustments right on the top of the speaker. You get a corner strap to help carry the speaker, too, but at 4 pounds, I mostly kept it stationary.
Excellent Audio With EQ Adjustments On The Speaker
The app’s EQ presets leave a little to be desired for those that may not be as familiar with EQs. You can adjust bass and treble frequencies, but that’s it—you don’t get any EQ presets, which I found disappointing. That’s not to say that the audio needs adjustments—this speaker sounds so rich that during my testing, I didn’t feel the need to adjust either EQ frequency. It was one of five speakers in which I could distinctly hear the baritone saxophone blending alongside other instruments during Fitz and the Tantrums’ “I Just Wanna Shine.” More importantly, I could hear the musical notes well. That’s a huge distinction, as some speakers I tested made that particular instrument sound like a squawking parrot. Out of all the Bluetooth speakers I tested, this one is my favorite if I were testing solely based on audio quality. It sounds significantly more expensive than it costs.
Better Battery Life, And Now Offers Auracast
Marshall also addressed my complaint on the first-gen Marshall Middleton: the battery life. Now, the speaker lasts 30 hours, up from 20. Like the Bose SoundLink Max and the JBL Charge 6, you can also charge your phone from this speaker. It’s important to note that unlike the Bose SoundLink Max, this speaker doesn’t float in water, but it’s protected against water and dust with an IP67 rating. If you purchase a pair of these speakers, you can also use Bluetooth Auracast to create a surround sound listening experience.
Several Months Later: Looks And Sounds Great
After several months, I found that I gravitated toward this speaker not only because of its aesthetics but its lovely audio quality. It made my podcasts sound warm and my audio feel detailed and crisp. I accidentally discovered I could peel away the faux leather exterior layer, but it’s easy to tuck back into the speaker’s folds. While it features a carry strap, and it’s easy to move around my home, I found I tended to keep it stationary.
A Luxurious Design
If you value a premium audio quality above all else, the is the one you should buy. The unit I tested featured gorgeous wood paneling that fit nicely on my vintage 1900s leather top desk—not to mention in my modern kitchen. If you’re not keen on a wood finish, there is also a rattan, called Nordic Weave, and a silver modern look, too. The charge port is on the back but controls are conveniently placed on top—just make sure that you turn it off. The speaker only turns off after 90 minutes of inactivity, and there were a few times I forgot to turn it off and later found the speaker dead. You can disable this in the app.
Still, its audio quality is hands-down the most luxe I tested. The A5 comes with a list of EQ presets: Lounge, Party, Speech and the option to create a customized one. It works well enough, but it’s not needed for this speaker—it sounds lovely right away. The Beosound A5 can play 360-degree audio or direct the sound toward the front, depending on your EQ preset. Some EQs, like Party, are only available with 360-degree audio, which surprised me. It can hit the lower frequencies with ease, and it balanced nicely with the mids and trebles. This was built to handle all your genres. The New Yorker Radio Hour episodes showcased well on the Speech setting, though I could have easily left it on Party or Lounge, my two preferred EQs.
Includes A Swappable Battery
It’s also the only speaker I tested that offers a swappable battery. If your battery starts failing, Bang & Olufsen helps you to replace it. For those with a focus on sustainability, this is a real boon. Its battery life clocks in at around 12 hours on a medium setting; during testing, I found that was mostly true, but noted that when I turned it up to higher volumes, the battery life does drop. I clocked in around 6 to 7, depending on how high I turned up the volume (and risked angering my neighbors), so mileage varies here. Another cool feature: It offers wireless Qi charging on the top, which is unique in all the speakers I tested. That said, it’s also the heaviest speaker I tested. I wouldn’t take it to the beach, but it suits for a backyard patio.
Other Bluetooth Speakers I Tested
I tested more than 25 Bluetooth speakers to find the best ones for every situation and preference. These are some that didn’t make the top cut, but were good enough to receive honorable mentions. Some include smart features, while others had impressive EQs.
Bluetooth Speakers I Recommend
- Best Upgrade Portable Bluetooth Speaker: (Forbes Vetted score: 4.5/5 stars): The Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) features a small, rounded profile that’s easy to slip into a bag. The metal mesh paneling looks gorgeous, too. I don’t fully trust its leather cord to carry or hold the speaker; it feels like an afterthought. Like the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5, it features lovely EQ presets, too.
- Best Small Bluetooth Speaker For Bass: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5 stars): The Sony ULT Field 1 has a great audio quality, and I’m obsessed with the orange shade I received. The app may take some time getting used to, as it’s not as intuitive as others on this list. The ULT button enhances the bass, which makes it a great smaller option for those who want to hear the most bass notes.
- Best Clip-On Bluetooth Speaker: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5 stars): As one of the contenders for the best value Bluetooth speaker, the JBL Clip 5 wowed me. For its size, it brings an impressive audio quality. However, I’d like to hear deeper basses. It also can’t stand on its own—you need to invest in . Still, if you plan to hook a speaker onto your backpack or hang it, this model is an excellent choice; it’s also very sturdy. I would recommend it for travelers and hikers.
- Best Rugged Bluetooth Speaker: (Forbes Vetted score: 4.3/5 stars): The JBL Flip 7 is another rugged smaller speaker that I liked. Like the , it has the built-in AI Sound Boost feature, and if you own more than one, you can use Bluetooth Auracast to create surround sound. It also has the same EQs. The similar JBL Charge 6 ever-so-slightly edged the Flip 7 out with slightly more power and a convenient carry handle. A long-term tester, however, regularly brings their Flip 7 to various sports fields, including dusty softball diamonds and muddy football fields, during his kids’ practices, and it has held up well.
- Best Value Bluetooth Speaker Runner-Up: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5 stars): The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 speaker fits in the palm of my hand. While it’s bite-sized package makes it easy to carry, the EQ presets are weak for songs with lower bass frequencies. The strap on the bottom doesn’t keep it in place—strap it to a metal bar, and it slips.
- Best Midrange Bluetooth Speaker Runner-Up: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5): The Everboom’s aesthetic fits well into any space, and the buttons are intuitive to use. My favorite feature? Its ability to turn on remotely via the app. It drains the battery life, but I liked the convenience. While this didn’t quite slot into any specific category, it’s one of my favorite speakers I tested, and one of two I ultimately purchased and use in my home. (The other is the Marshall Middleton II).
- Best Bluetooth Speaker Overall Runner-Up: (Forbes Vetted score: 4.5/5): The Ultimate Ears Epicboom may be one of the beefier speakers I tested, but its design makes it perfect for most music needs. Its vertical design looks great on a bookshelf and the EQ presets sound robust. Like the Everboom, the Epicboom also allows you to turn it on remotely. That said, sometimes I needed to re-pair the connection when I turned it on. The white colorway is prone to getting dirty, so I recommend the black instead.
- Best Upgrade Small Speaker: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5 stars): Like my top pick the , the Flex packs a powerful audio, just in a more compact, waterproof and dustproof package. The Max can draw more power for lower bass frequencies because it houses larger equipment, including a driver and subwoofer. But if you want powerful audio in a compact package, this is an excellent upgrade option. It also features a strap to clip to your bag.
- Best Bluetooth Speaker For Kids: (Forbes Vetted Score: 3.5/5 stars): The Treblab HD-Go is a tiny speaker that rivals the size of my budget pick, the . It’s great for portability, but it fell short in a couple areas of testing, namely the audio quality. The small speaker simply can’t hit the lower frequencies, and without EQ settings, it sounds flat. That simplicity makes it just right for a streamlined first Bluetooth speaker for kids.
- Best Plug-And-Play Bluetooth Speaker: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5 stars): The Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2 is as close to a plug-and-play as you can get. Connect the speaker via Bluetooth, and it plays your music for hours. While there aren’t any EQs or an app, the Rockster Go 2 still showcases a rich, balanced audio. This Bluetooth speaker is ideal for those who want to enjoy high quality audio without worrying about the details. The fun design also resembles a guitar amp.
- Best Value Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5): The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is similar to the Fender x Teufel in that it’s a plug-and-play. There are no EQs, but the 360-degree sound is impressive. It features a fully waterproof design that floats in water so you can retrieve it. However, I noted that there’s a software bug for Android users that causes sporadic audio cutouts. If you use an iPhone, it’s a perfectly suitable speaker.
- Best Bluetooth Speaker For A Cup Holder: (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5): The JBL Grip is about the size of a cup of coffee and fits perfectly into any cup holder, making it useful if you set it up in a camping chair or in your car. The JBL app is intuitive, and the buttons are centered so you can easily access them. There’s also a small colored light strip on the back for a bit of flair. The EQs are useful, and the sound profile is suitable for most needs. Pair more than one via Auracast, too, to create a more robust audio profile.
Bluetooth Speakers I Don’t Recommend
- (Forbes Vetted score: 3.8/5 stars): In a rare miss for the company, the Soundcore Boom 3i has great sound, but only if you are directly in front of it. That unidirectional sound does punch above its weight, but it quickly falls apart when I move around the speaker.
- (Forbes Vetted score: 3.7/5 stars): The Sonos Roam II impressed me with its compact build that easily slides into a backpack water bottle holder, and its audio quality was arguably the best I tested in this size range. But the app is counterintuitive, and I grew frustrated with it. Loyal fans of the Sonos brand should consider this model, but those not as familiar may struggle with it as I did.
Bluetooth Speakers I’m Planning On Testing Next
- : A larger sibling to the Fender x Teufel Rockster Go, the Rockster Cross promises to bring more general power and a longer battery life to the lineup. It also features a convenient carry strap. However, I’m still testing it, so stay tuned to see how it stacks up against the competition.
- : This small speaker was “inspired by vintage radios from the 1950s and 1960s,” according to the brand, and includes key buttons with a lovely metallic finish. It can reportedly last up to 10 hours on a charge.
How I Tested The Best Bluetooth Speakers
I tested more than 25 speakers over the course of several months, rating them in several key areas:
Durability
The best Bluetooth speakers should be sturdy and offer some level of water- and dust-resistance. I compared the IP rating of each contender, carefully examining its ability to withstand everything from beach days to unexpected showers.
Design
A good Bluetooth speaker should either be lightweight and easy to carry or have a handle to help haul it around. I compared the weight and size of each contender. I also took note of how easy each speaker was to move around and awarded extra points to options with built-in straps and handles.
Audio Quality
Your audio quality should strike a balanced mix of bass, mids and treble, with no muddiness or distortion. I evaluated speakers across a range of songs and genres—testing different EQ settings, speaker placement and how well the sound carried across my large living room and outdoors. My listening included alternative, rock, classical and podcasts. Among many others, these are the songs and podcasts I used during testing.
- Florence + the Machine’s “King,” “Cosmic Love” and “Dog Days Are Over”
- Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”
- Ashnikkos’ “Worms” and “Daisy”
- Fitz and the Tantrums’ “123456,” “Livin’ For The Weekend,” and “I Just Wanna Shine”
- Kendrick Lamar’s “tv off (feat. lefty gunplay,” “Not Like Us,” and “luther (with sza)”
- Barns Courtney’s “Hollow” and “You And I”
- Hayley William’s Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party album
- The entire soundtracks to seasons one and two of the Netflix show Arcane
- The true crime podcasts Morbid and Crime Junkie
Battery Life
I tested each speaker for at least 30 minutes, logging battery percentages at the beginning and at the end. I also considered whether a Bluetooth speaker allowed me to charge my phone in a pinch.
How To Choose A Bluetooth Speaker
To choose the best Bluetooth speaker for your needs, focus on these five key factors: portability, durability, audio quality, battery life and price.
Portability
Decide whether you need to bring your Bluetooth speaker with you: A smaller, lighter speaker is easy to carry, while heavier options are best for home use. Also consider the handle, carry strap or carabiner. “A speaker with a built-in carabiner clip might seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in how often you actually bring it along,” says Melissa Hoistion, audio expert and vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Altec Lansing.
Durability
Make sure you check the “waterproof rating and overall everything-proof capabilities,” says Hoistion, which scores its ability to protect itself against dust and water. Generally, the higher numbers mean more protection against the elements. “Especially during those summer months when you’re hanging by the pool or taking a boat trip, having a speaker that’s fully waterproof and can float if it falls in is a game changer,” she adds.
Audio Quality
For audio quality, you want a robust audio across all frequencies and volumes. “You’d be surprised how many speakers only perform well at low volume, but start to distort the second you turn it up,” says Alexandre Fossier, iGaming expert and digital specialist at iGamingNuts. He recommends looking for solid bass, clear mids and no harsh treble. Also be sure to take a look at where your audio’s direction is projecting, too. In most cases, you can hear the difference between 360-degree and bi-directional audio.
Battery Life
Look for a Bluetooth speaker with long battery life, ideally at least 10 hours, though many models exceed that number. “If you’re moving between setups like I do, you want a speaker that can go the distance without needing a charge every few hours,” Fossier says. Charging speed matters too. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours, and even a quick top-up should deliver a few hours of playback. Look for features like USB-C fast charging or the ability to charge your phone, too.
Smart Features
With AI agents becoming increasingly common, your Bluetooth speaker may come with Amazon Alexa or another smart ecosystem integration. If you intend to use these features, double-check to make sure your speaker is compatible with your preferred platform.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronic guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including numerous audio stories.
- Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in tech journalism for over six years. She has tested countless items and authored numerous guides like the Best Wireless Headphones and the Best Wireless Earbuds.
Our Experts
- , New Level Radio CEO and cofounder
- , audio expert and vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Altec Lansing
- , iGaming expert and digital specialist at iGamingNuts