Nowadays, the best Bluetooth speakers are giving standard speaker units a run for their money. In fact, it’s becoming more and more common to see these portable powerhouses replacing their traditional siblings. Modern life demands flexibility in the form of lightweight audio devices that work seamlessly with your smartphone.
A good Bluetooth speaker will be small, but powerful enough to fill a room with sound. Many models are totally wireless, but most come with power leads for when the nearest plug socket is conveniently close. Those that rely upon a constant mains connection are heftier but will sound better for it.
Some are completely waterproof, and others have built-in microphones so you can talk to Siri or Google Assistant. High-end models might even charge your phone wirelessly, or use clever technology to adjust the EQ to match the room.
If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry: below, we’ll run you through the things you need to consider before buying a Bluetooth speaker in more depth. If you feel like you already know enough on the topic, however, feel free to use the following link to jump straight to our pick of the best Bluetooth speakers to buy.
Skip to products
How to buy the best Bluetooth speaker for you
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows communication over short distances. Nowadays, Bluetooth technology has gone through a number of revisions, is more reliable than ever and can carry enough data for high-quality music. As such, Bluetooth speakers have risen in popularity.
Every phone and tablet will have support for Bluetooth, as will most laptops. Otherwise, an inexpensive USB Bluetooth dongle can add support. These will let you connect your music source of choice to your Bluetooth speaker – whether it’s a CD in your laptop’s drive, a locally stored MP3 file or streamed music from the internet, such as BBC Radio via iPlayer or the latest songs on Spotify.
When it comes to different kinds of Bluetooth and codecs, it’s worth keeping an eye out for Bluetooth aptX support. The aptX codec is usually only supported on more expensive Bluetooth speakers due to the licensing cost, but it allows for a higher-quality transmission, resulting in CD-quality songs without any loss of detail.
Pairing a Bluetooth device is straightforward: you’ll just need to put the speaker into pairing mode and search for the speaker on your device. Otherwise, near-field communication (NFC) can let you pair your device to an NFC-compatible speaker simply by touching the two together, automating the entire process.
Fixed or portable?
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker you can carry around, you’ll want one with a built-in battery. Any Bluetooth speaker worth its salt will usually last upwards of at least eight hours and some will go into double figures. Most speakers will charge over a micro-USB cable, which is handy as you can often get by only carrying one charger for your smartphone, tablet and Bluetooth speaker (unless you’re an Apple device owner). Certain Bluetooth speakers aren’t designed for moving around, meaning they don’t have a battery and will instead need to be plugged into your mains. What these lack in portability they should make up with fuller and richer sound.
Ruggedised and waterproof
Bluetooth speakers make great holiday or outdoor companions. You can find waterproof and ruggedised models that are ideal to take beside the pool, or on outdoor adventures, without worrying about them getting damaged. The rugged models will have shock-proofing, meaning they can handle occasionally being thrown around or dropped. Where it comes to water resistance, be sure to check the IPX rating as that will tell you to what extent it can survive exposure to water. Some waterproof models will have IPX7, meaning they can survive being submerged in up to a metre of water for at least 30 minutes. Less waterproof models might only be IPX4-rated and so can only handle a splash.
Speaker drivers
As Bluetooth speakers vary widely in size, they can have vastly different numbers of drivers inside. The smaller speakers may only have two drivers, but the larger ones can have significantly more. Different sizes of drivers will handle different frequency ranges. A woofer will handle the lower frequencies so, if you favour bass response, look out for a speaker with a dedicated woofer. Mid-range and tweeters will handle the mid and higher frequencies respectively. In terms of sound quality, it’s typically better to have a dedicated driver for each frequency range, rather than fewer drivers performing double duties.
Hands-free calling
Lots of Bluetooth speakers will also have a built-in microphone, which means you can use them for hands-free calls. This means they can serve a useful dual purpose and are a better option than using your phone’s speaker.
READ NEXT:Our pick of the best desktop speakers to buy for gaming and music
The best Bluetooth speakers to buy
1. Juice Duet: Ultraportable stereo sound
Price: £25 | Buy now from Amazon
The Juice Duet comes with two separate units that work together to reproduce a stereo sound. Each of these ultraportable units houses a 3W driver and a passive radiator. These aren’t as impressive as some of its rivals, such as the Tribit XSound Go, which we’d recommend over the Juice Duet for its audio fidelity.
However, no other budget Bluetooth speakers offer a true stereo experience – these even work over 10m apart from each other, which is brilliant. The speakers are also IPX4-rated, which means they’ll survive a splash and, with integrated media controls, you can control your media.
Juice Duet Bluetooth Magnetic Double Speaker, With IPX4 Water Proof Protection, Wireless Rechargeable Device, Super Bass, for Smartphone, Mp3 Player, Tablet, Laptop, PC, Travel, Black
Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: 2 x 3W; Wireless: Bluetooth; Dimensions: 155 x 97 x 56mm; Weight: 305g
2. Tribit XSound Go: The best budget Bluetooth speaker
Price: £30 | Buy now from Amazon
At under £30, the Tribit XSound Go offers incredible value for money. Not only does it sound good, but it’s fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which allows it to be submerged for up to 30 minutes at a depth of a metre and, better still, it has an incredible battery life of 24 hours.
Now, it might not sound as refined or as controlled as the Creative Muvo 2c below, nor will it fit in the palm of your hand, but the XSound Go is easy to carry around. The physical media key buttons at the top make it easy to change songs and adjust the volume. You can access Google Now or Siri, too.
If you want more bass and a louder Bluetooth speaker, consider the company’s more expensive StormBox instead.
Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2; Dimensions: 170 x 58 x 56mm; Weight: 390g
3. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen): The best budget smart speaker
Price: £30 | Buy now from Amazon
Amazon’s original Echo Dot released back in 2016 and was a reasonably priced option for those wanting to enter the world of smart speakers, but it sounded pretty terrible. The third-generation iteration features a 1.6in speaker compared with the original’s 0.6in tweeter and the difference in sound quality is marked. It’s significantly richer and more bassy and works well as a standalone speaker in a small room, though it’s still best used while linked to a bigger speaker system.
Alexa is not the smartest of voice assistants but the third-gen Echo Dot is bigger and better than its predecessors in every way and is superb value for money at under £50.
Read our full Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 1; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth; Dimensions: 43 x 43 x 99mm; Weight: 300g
4. Tronsmart Force: The best Bluetooth speaker under £50
Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon
Tronsmart’s Force Bluetooth speaker is a corker. For just under £50, this hefty little unit manages to output up to 40W of power through its dual-driver setup. Sonically, it’s surprisingly good: the three preset EQ profiles allow you to customise the speaker’s sound. In 3D Stereo mode, the Force delivers unbelievable width and dynamism – it completely transforms the sound into something quite special.
The speaker might not have the best control in the bass or clarity in the mid-range frequencies but relative to its price, it’s sensational. Elsewhere, the speaker provides NFC for quick pairing and a built-in microphone for calls, accepts a microSD card has a 3.5mm auxiliary input. It’s also IPX7-rated, meaning it’ll survive up to a metre of submersion, has a wireless stereo function (TWS) allowing you to pair two of these in stereo and, finally, features a large 6,600mAh battery that lasts up to 15 hours and can be charged via a USB-C port – fantastic.
Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: 40W; Wireless: Bluetooth; Dimensions: 200 x 64 x 80mm; Weight: 989g
5. Tribit StormBox: The best bassy Bluetooth speaker under £75
Price: £70 | Buy now from Amazon
The Tribit StormBox – formerly known as the XBoom and then MaxBoom – is an affordable and durable speaker that offers 360-degree sound. Given its very reasonable price, build quality is excellent and it sounds great, too. Mids and highs are clearly articulated and, while its two 12W speakers don’t reach ear-shattering levels, everything sounds crisp at max volume.
Should you wish to add some weight to the low end, you can engage the “XBass” feature at the touch of a button. This gives the speaker’s bass output a little extra oomph and worked so well we kept it active throughout testing. IPX7-rated, the StormBox is fully waterproof and can be submerged in water up to 1m deep, making it a perfect choice for trips to the beach or lounging by the pool.
With support for the Alexa voice assistant, an AUX-in port, handy carrying strap, up to 20 hours of music playback AND the ability to pair two StormBox devices for stereo sound, this is a storming speaker that ticks pretty much every box.
Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: 2 x 12W; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2; Dimensions: 68 x 68 x 180mm; Weight: 575g
6. Teufel Boomster Go: The best compact Bluetooth speaker under £100
Price: £90 | Buy now from Teufel
The Teufel Boomster Go is a wonderfully portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s compact enough to fit into a large pocket, can be easily carried or fastened to a bag thanks to the detachable wrist strap and can even be screwed onto tripods and some action camera brackets.
Build quality is excellent. Its rubber casing makes it rugged enough to survive bumps and knocks and IPX7-rating means it’s capable of withstanding immersion in water for a short period of time. The night black and sand white versions both look smart, while the other variants – space blue, ivy green and coral red – offer more eye-catching alternatives. There’s voice assistant support, too, and the Boomster Go can double up as a hands-free kit for your phone if you need to take a call when using it.
Sonically, the Boomster Go delivers an enjoyable listen. Instrument separation is impressive for a speaker of its size and there’s clarity in the mids and treble. Their prominence does leave the Boomster Go lacking a little in the bass department but at max volume, the speaker still packs a decent punch. For best results, you’ll want to pair up two for a stereo experience.
With all that going for it, plus battery life of up to ten hours at around half volume, the Boomster is a great Bluetooth speaker that’s ideal for outings or lazy days spent sunbathing in the garden.
Key specs – Speakers: 1; RMS power output: 10W; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0; Dimensions: 107 x 100 x 46mm; Weight: 355g
Buy now from Teufel
7. Audio Pro Addon T3: Retro-looking beauty
Price: £199 | Buy now from Amazon
If you like your speakers with a bit of character and visual interest, you might be fond of the Audio Pro Addon T3. It’s reasonably large, leading you to think it might be just a mains-powered speaker, but there’s a battery built-in. While you might not take it out on the road, carrying it down to the end of the garden for your next barbeque is certainly a possibility with its convenient and attractive handle.
Read our full Audio Pro Addon T3 review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 3; RMS power output: 25W; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 (SBC); Dimensions: 215 x 135 x 115mm; Weight: 2,000g
8. Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: The best all-round Bluetooth speaker
Price: £154| Buy now from Amazon
The Megaboom 3’s standout feature is its ability to float on water while playing music, which means it’s the centrepiece of any pool party! It’s also IP67-rated, so can be submerged for 30 minutes at a depth of a metre.
As for sound quality, the Megaboom 3 has great bass response and energetic treble to boot. It comes in a range of attractive colours and looks great, which when combined with its sonic capabilities and floating abilities, make it a fantastic mid-range choice.
Read our full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 4; RMS power output: Not disclosed; Wireless: Bluetooth (SBC); Dimensions: 87 x 87 x 225mm; Weight: 925g
9. Bose SoundLink Revolve: Incredible 360-degree sound
Price: £160 | Buy now from Bose
The Bose SoundLink Revolve is a small, portable Bluetooth speaker that has an impressive 360-degree sound. It has a powerful driver that will fill a medium-sized room, too. Its sound quality is impressive, with its single full-range driver delivering a warm sound. It even has a trick up its sleeve, as Bose uses a clever volume-adaptive EQ algorithm, which maintains a strong bass response no matter the volume.
The speaker’s multifunction button also works with Android and iOS devices to activate either Google Assistant or Siri respectively. The speaker is also IPX4 water-resistant.
Read our full Bose SoundLink Revolve review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 1; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0; Dimensions: 82 x 82 x 152mm; Weight: 660g
Buy now from Bose
10. B&O Play Beoplay A1: Small, portable and elegant
Price: £230 | Buy now from Amazon
The B&O Play Beoplay A1 marries a gorgeous design with wonderful sound quality. The aluminium construction and leather carry strap make the A1 an undoubtedly classy, premium Bluetooth speaker and the included microphone means it’s a great conference speaker. The sound is directed upwards, meaning it gets dispersed in every direction. If you have a smartphone that charges over USB-C, you’ll be glad to see the A1 also uses the USB-C connection for charging.
Read our full B&O Play Beoplay A1 review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 2; RMS power output: 30W; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2 (SBC); Dimensions: 133 x 133 x 48mm; Weight: 600g
11. Libratone Zipp 2: The best-sounding smart speaker
Price: £200 | Buy now from Amazon
The Libratone Zipp 2 delivers plenty of power – it’ll fill a large living room. Its sound quality characteristics are impressive throughout the frequency range: it has a pronounced bass and detailed treble response. As for connectivity, it supports a wired and wireless connection, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at your disposal. Alexa, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 are also built-in, making this an extremely versatile, well-versed speaker.
Read our full Libratone Zipp 2 review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 4; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth; Dimensions: 122 x 122 x 261mm; Weight: 1,200g
12. Dali Katch: A portable, stylish and mid-centric speaker
Price: £330 |Buy now from Amazon
The Dali Katch is an incredible Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as it looks. Thanks to its finely-tuned drivers, the speaker reproduces some of the most impressive mid and high-end frequencies we’ve ever heard from a non-mains powered speaker.
It also gets ridiculously loud and doesn’t clip or distort at maximum volume, which is ideal if you want to enjoy music in the garden. With metallic paint, chamfered edges and an extending handbag strap, the Dali Katch is stunning to look at.
Read our full Dali Katch review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 6; RMS power output: 2 x 25W; Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 aptX; Dimensions: 268.5 x 47 x 138mm; Weight: 1,100g
13. Orbitsound Dock E30: Beautiful wooden design and superb sound quality
Price: £450 | Buy now from Orbitsound
The Orbitsound Dock E30 is a versatile Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled speaker. You can charge your smartphone through it too, as it has a front-facing USB-C port and a Qi wireless charging pad at the top.
The E30 features six drivers, which combine to deliver an excellent sound: the bass rumbles and is precise; the mids are forward and accurate-sounding; the highs extend well and provide plenty of sparkle at the top end. Its most impressive trait is its wide and deep soundstage, while instrument separation is also incredible. The E30 has no trouble filling an entire room.
Key specs – Speakers: 6; RMS power output: Unknown; Wireless: Bluetooth (aptX), Wi-Fi; Dimensions: 291 x 150 x 114mm; Weight: 4,000g
Buy now from Orbitsound
14. Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation: Compact design meets stunning sound quality
Price: £749 | Buy now from John Lewis
The original Naim Mu-so Qb was an absolute triumph, with the small cuboid speaker earning a well-deserved five-star rating when we reviewed it. This second-generation iteration looks near-identical to its predecessor but there are a whole host of improvements. Among the upgrades are a reimagined interface, which includes an illuminated volume dial, compatibility with the Naim app and the inclusion of a small remote control.
The second-generation version houses upgraded drivers – one bass, two mid-range and a pair of tweeters – which are powered by a total of 300W amplification allowing the speaker to fill any room with top-quality sound. Additionally, Chromecast is in-built and there’s Apple AirPlay2 support.
It may be pricy, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best home Bluetooth speakers on the market.
Read our full Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation review for full details
Key specs – Speakers: 7; RMS power output: 300W; Wireless: Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth aptX; Dimensions: 218 x 212 x 210mm; Weight: 5,600g
Buy now from John Lewis
15. Escape P9: The best outdoor speaker
Price: £999 | Buy now from Escape Speaker
Many advertise themselves as outdoor speakers but none are in the same league as the Escape P9. This sensational Bluetooth speaker is not only aesthetically pleasing but it also sounds incredible. With the higher-quality aptX codec at its disposal, the P9 delivers an unbelievable accuracy throughout the frequency range, notably in the sub and mid-bass tones, where this speaker completely trumps the pack.
But that’s not all: it doesn’t distort at max volume – and boy, does it go loud. Think Notting Hill Carnival, outdoor festivals and very, very large garden parties – this has you covered.
Elsewhere, the speaker has an app, which allows you to tweak the EQ settings and utilise the integrated music services. There’s a USB and 3.5mm auxiliary jack for wired connections; a kettle plug to charge the LiFePo 4 battery, which lasts 8 hours on a single charge. Last but certainly not least, it’s IPX4-certified so it’ll survive the rain.
Read our full Escape P9 review for details
Key specs – Speakers: 5; RMS power output: 100W; Wireless: Bluetooth aptX; Dimensions: 293 x 293 x 731mm; Weight: 12,300g
Buy now from Escape Speakers
16. Naim Mu-so 2 (2nd Generation): The best all-in-one wireless speaker with Bluetooth
Price: £1,299 | Buy now from John Lewis
The big brother of the Naim Mu-so Qb above, the Mu-so 2 (2nd generation) is an audiophile’s dream and the complete wireless speaker for those willing to part with a hefty chunk of cash. In addition to its Bluetooth connection, there’s also in-built support for AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal.
Sonically, the Mu-so 2 is brimming with finesse, even when you start to push the volume up to ear-shattering levels, and the sense of scale and impact it creates is immense. It’s not a cheap option but if you’re looking for a Bluetooth compatible speaker with a wealth of alternative connection options, the Naim Mu-so 2 is as good as it gets.
Key specs – Speakers: 6; RMS power output: 450W; Wireless: Bluetooth (SBC, AAC codecs); Dimensions: 122 x 628 x 264mm; Weight: 11.2kg
Buy now from John Lewis
The post Best Bluetooth speaker: Portable, indoor, waterproof and budget Bluetooth speakers appeared first on abangtech.
source https://abangtech.com/best-bluetooth-speaker-portable-indoor-waterproof-and-budget-bluetooth-speakers/
No comments:
Post a Comment