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Featured in this article

Best OverallJBL Flip 7

$150 $120 (20% off) Amazon

Best Smart SpeakerSonos Roam 2

$175 Amazon

Best Budget Bluetooth SpeakerTribit StormBox 2

$80 Amazon

Best Midsize Bluetooth SpeakerBose Soundlink Plus

$269 Bose

The best Bluetooth speakers have a place near and dear to our hearts. These speakers are ultraportable, able to venture into the world and withstand rugged conditions like a sandy beach or a steamy Airbnb jacuzzi. They provide worry-free connection to any smartphone, and the top options offer sound that meets or beats the average smart speaker.

We've tested hundreds of Bluetooth speakers at every price range going back to 2013, and they improve every year. Today's models are designed for nearly every use case you can imagine, which is exactly how we test them. Our top pick is the JBL Flip 7 ($150), but we've got a specialized speaker for nearly every use case and at every price point. From outdoor parties to white water rafting, and pretty much anything else you can think of, these are the best speakers for everything you do. Don't forget to check out our other audio guides, including the Best Soundbars, Best Wireless Earbuds, and Best Bookshelf Speakers.

Updated April 2026: We've added the Sonos Play and Soundboks Mix, and we updated pricing and copy with the latest information.

How We Test Bluetooth Speakers

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We test Bluetooth speakers indoors, outdoors, and around mud, sand, and water to ensure they match their IP ratings. For durability, we do drop testing, battery life testing, and long-term listening over several weeks or months to ensure that the speakers function as advertised. When listening and comparing speakers, we run through a range of genres, including bass-heavy music, acoustic music, and heavy music, as well as podcasts and YouTube videos. Our reviewers typically use professional studio monitors for reference, and have degrees in music performance and recording. Though we don't use calibrated microphones to take EQ readings for each speaker, we aim to provide an accurate description of our real-world listening experiences with the best portable speakers based on our expertise.

What Should I Look for in a Bluetooth Speaker?

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That entirely depends on what you plan to use it for! The best advice we have is to start with how and where you'd like to listen to music and work backwards to a specific model from there. Speakers range from tiny keychains to larger boomboxes and everything in between. We select speakers based largely on how they perform in their specialty, whether that is audio quality, durability, or some other particular niche.

As far as durability, we look for things with solid IP ratings for dust and water resistance and tend to prefer long battery life; batteries with larger capacities tend to still work well even after a few years of degradation.

- Best Overall

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

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JBL

Flip 7

$150 $120 (20% off) Amazon

$150 $120 (20% off) Walmart

$150 $120 (20% off) Best Buy

$150 $110 (27% off) JBL

Compromise isn't great for your principles, but it's essential for portable Bluetooth speakers. JBL’s Flip strikes the perfect balance between mobility and sound quality, offering clean detail with plenty of punch in a durable, droppable, and utterly portable package. The Flip 7 provides new goodies like increased water resistance, an easy-release strap, and a two-hour battery boost (or four with reduced bass).

The latest Flip also supports Auracast to sync with other new JBL models like the Clip 5 and Charge 6. Auracast may provide future connectivity benefits, but it leaves the latest speakers unable to connect with older ones, so if you already have a family of older JBLs it may make more sense to go with the JBL Flip 6. Otherwise, the Flip 7 is a killer speaker that happily tags along on virtually any adventure you can handle. —Ryan Waniata

★ 360 alternative: If you’re after a speaker with a wider and more expansive soundstage, the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 ($125) is a great alternative. Its 360-degree soundstage offers great performance from any angle, and though it doesn’t have the same bass thump as the Flip 7, its clear and balanced sound provides smooth definition across your catalog.

SpecsBattery LifeUp to 14 hours (16 in boost mode)Dust/Water ResistanceIP68ConnectivityBluetooth, USB-C chargingSpecial FeaturesAuracast multispeaker, stereo pairingDimensions7.2 x 2.7 x 2.8 inchesWeight1.23 pounds

- Best Smart Speaker

Photograph: Parker Hall

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Sonos

Roam 2

$175 Amazon

$17

Best Bluetooth Speakers (2026): JBL, Sonos, Bose, and More | WIRED