2025 Bluetooth Speakers: Wireless Sound Without Compromises

Explore the best Bluetooth speakers of 2025, ensuring great sound quality and portability.

Introduction to Bluetooth Speakers

If you love enjoying your music, podcasts, and audiobooks wirelessly from your mobile devices, a Bluetooth speaker is an essential gadget for you. Unlike Wi-Fi speakers, Bluetooth models do not require an Internet connection to stream audio, which makes them generally more portable. Many Bluetooth speakers are designed for outdoor use, featuring carrying straps or waterproof casings. However, selecting the perfect Bluetooth speaker depends on what matters most to you. With a multitude of devices available, you have plenty of options to find one that meets your unique needs.

Best Bluetooth Speakers: Detailed Insights

Best Overall Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Boombox 3

• Music: 7.5
• Video/Movies: 6.5
• Podcasts: 7.4
• Voice Assistant: 2.8
• Outdoor Use: 8.2
• Battery Powered: Yes
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: No
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No

The best Bluetooth speaker we tested is the JBL Boombox 3. This large, powerful speaker truly impresses with its sound quality. Whether you're listening to hip-hop with booming bass or folk music with an emphasis on vocals, this speaker delivers clear and accurate reproduction of your favorite tracks. It’s quite loud and features rich bass that brings songs to life. Moreover, the graphic equalizer in the JBL Portable app allows you to customize your audio experience. You might even find it on sale at a great price!

This speaker's portable design makes it perfect for on-the-go listening. It works for nearly 30 hours on a single charge and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand the elements for short periods. However, it is slightly larger than other portable Bluetooth speakers on our list and lacks voice assistant features. If you're looking for a speaker that activates with voice, check out our best home option — the JBL Authentics 500.

Best Upper Mid-Range Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate Ears Epicboom

• Music: 7.4
• Video/Movies: 6.5
• Podcasts: 7.8
• Voice Assistant: 3.3
• Outdoor Use: 8.0
• Battery Powered: Yes
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: No
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No

Ultimate Ears dominates the mid-range Bluetooth speaker market, and the upper mid-range is no exception. If you're looking for a premium Bluetooth speaker at a more affordable price than our top choice, consider the Ultimate Ears Epicboom. This portable Bluetooth speaker offers excellent sound quality for its price and includes many tools to enhance your audio experience. The Adaptive EQ feature works similarly to room correction tools found in other premium speakers, optimizing sound based on your unique listening environment. For those who prefer manual sound adjustment, the graphic equalizer and presets in the Ultimate Ears app are always available.

Thanks to its stylish and durable design, this speaker suits a variety of uses. It's a bit larger for a Bluetooth speaker but still manageable with one hand due to the built-in handle. It also has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, making it ideal for trips to the park or beach. The battery lasts nearly 16 hours outdoors, but if you need longer playtime, consider the Ultimate Ears EVERBOOM, which runs up to 21 hours on a single charge. The EVERBOOM is also a bit cheaper and more compact than our pick, but it doesn't deliver the same volume as the Epicboom or match its bass and treble performance.

Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4

• Music: 7.1
• Video/Movies: 6.4
• Podcasts: 7.2
• Voice Assistant: 3.0
• Outdoor Use: 7.8
• Battery Powered: Yes
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: No
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 is another fantastic Bluetooth speaker that comes at a lower price point. It boasts impressive sound quality, reproducing instruments and vocals with great detail and clarity. This speaker also adds extra volume in the higher frequencies, bringing genres with strong bass like EDM and hip-hop to life. It lacks the room correction tool present in the Ultimate Ears Epicboom, so sound may vary slightly depending on your environment. However, with the graphic equalizer in the companion app, you can manually tweak the sound to suit your preferences.

Available in various colors, the speaker features a built-in hook for easy attachment to your bag or backpack, letting you enjoy your favorite tunes on the go. It's smaller and lighter than the Epicboom, making it easier to carry to the park or on hikes. The MEGABOOM 4 is also IP67 certified for dust and water resistance, capable of withstanding some environmental exposure. Nevertheless, while it offers slightly deeper bass than its predecessor, the MEGABOOM 3, it doesn't compare to the Epicboom's premium sound depth. You may find the trade-off worth it, especially if you're considering portability.

Best Budget Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

• Music: 6.8
• Video/Movies: 6.4
• Podcasts: 8.0
• Voice Assistant: 3.2
• Outdoor Use: 7.9
• Battery Powered: Yes
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: No
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is hands down the best budget wireless speaker we've tested. This portable Bluetooth speaker is another great option for enjoying music anywhere, from the local park to the beach or mountains during your next hike. Like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, it has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, making it able to withstand various weather conditions. Plus, it runs for 13 hours on a single charge, so you can listen to music all day without worrying about recharging. The latest version also includes a dedicated podcast mode in addition to the “Outdoor” preset found in the previous generation.

Made from recycled plastic, this speaker comes in several colors to suit your style. Its sound quality is also impressive, especially for the price. Vocals and lead instruments sound accurate, while the podcast mode enhances the clarity and detail of your favorite hosts' voices. Unlike the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, you won’t find a companion app with a graphic equalizer, limiting the sound customization options. Nevertheless, this speaker is an excellent choice if you're on a budget.

Best Cheap Bluetooth Speaker

Anker Soundcore Select 2S

• Music: 5.9
• Video/Movies: 5.3
• Podcasts: 6.9
• Voice Assistant: 2.4
• Outdoor Use: 7.0
• Battery Powered: Yes
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: No
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No

The Anker Soundcore Select 2S is the best budget wireless speaker we've tested. While its sound quality isn't as impressive as our top model, the JBL Boombox 3, it's still an excellent choice for those seeking something more affordable. It comes in three color options, and its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to transport. Additionally, it is water-resistant with an IPX7 rating, making it suitable for picnics. With a 14-hour battery life, it's convenient for long listening sessions, even if it slightly falls short compared to the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4.

This speaker may not deliver powerful bass, but it has a balanced mid-range, accurately reproducing vocals and instruments. If you prefer podcasts, dialogues sound clear and detailed. For sound adjustments, the app offers a graphic equalizer and presets, including the "Bass Up" feature that slightly boosts low frequencies.

It’s packed with features for a budget-friendly speaker, making it worth considering. However, if it's unavailable or hard to find in your area, the Anker Soundcore 3 is a good alternative. It's a bit pricier but sometimes goes on sale and performs nearly as well as our pick. It also supports PartyCast mode, allowing you to connect up to 100 identical Soundcore speakers to play the same sound. Unfortunately, it doesn't deliver the same quality as the Select 2S and compresses sound a bit more at higher volumes.

Best Home Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Authentics 500

• Music: 7.7
• Video/Movies: 6.9
• Podcasts: 7.0
• Voice Assistant: 8.6
• Outdoor Use: 7.3
• Battery Powered: No
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: Yes
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Many of our top picks are portable Bluetooth speakers that are convenient for travel. However, if you plan to use a speaker solely at home, you might enjoy our best home speaker — the JBL Authentics 500. This premium speaker features a stylish retro design that easily fits into your home décor, while the built-in voice assistant makes it easy to check traffic, weather, and more. While you can only use it when plugged in, this shouldn't be a major inconvenience if you’re listening to music at home.

Equipped with many premium sound-enhancement tools, the speaker features a room correction function known as “Self-Tuning,” which automatically optimizes the speaker's sound based on your room's unique acoustics. If you prefer to adjust the sound manually, the app includes a graphic equalizer as well as low and high frequency controls on the speaker itself. This speaker can get pretty loud and can connect to multiple compatible devices, allowing sound to fill your home. However, it comes at a higher price point, so if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly yet stylish for home use, consider the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 9.

While the Harman/Kardon has a battery, allowing you to move it from room to room, it isn't as loud as the JBL and lacks a voice assistant.

Best Party Bluetooth Speaker

JBL PartyBox 310

• Music: 7.8
• Video/Movies: 6.8
• Podcasts: 7.2
• Voice Assistant: 2.9
• Outdoor Use: 7.8
• Battery Powered: Yes
• Speakerphone: No
• Voice Assistant: No
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No

Party speakers make a fantastic addition to your next big event, and the best ones come loaded with features to ensure you have a great time. The JBL PartyBox 310 is an excellent choice, with its large and vibrant design making it stand out from the crowd. You can customize the RGB lighting in front of the grille to set the right party mood. With microphone and guitar inputs, it provides additional flexibility for musicians and karaoke enthusiasts. This speaker is incredibly loud: at full volume, it shakes the floor. Like any good party speaker, it delivers powerful bass for genres like EDM and hip-hop, while maintaining clarity in the mid-range, allowing vocals and lead instruments to shine even in less party-centric genres like jazz and folk. Furthermore, the sound adjustment tools in the companion app allow you to tailor its sound profile.

However, due to its size, it may not be for everyone. If you prefer something smaller and more portable, check out the JBL PartyBox Club 120. This speaker operates nearly the same as its larger counterpart but is lighter and offers better directionality. Despite having a shorter battery life and being less loud, it features a convenient design with a replaceable battery, helping you keep the party going if you have an extra battery on hand.

Also Consider

• Sonos Move 2: A great alternative to the JBL Boombox 3 if you need a premium speaker with voice assistant support. This larger model has many features, but its battery life isn't as long as JBL's.
• Sonos Roam 2: This portable Bluetooth speaker is smaller than the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 and includes built-in Alexa and Sonos Assistant. It only lasts about five hours in our tests, significantly shorter than MEGABOOM 4's approximate 20 hours. It also isn't as loud, and the sound compresses severely at maximum volume.
• Sony SRS-XB100: A compact portable speaker with a carry strap. It’s well-built, has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and can float in water. While it can deliver strong bass, its sound stage isn't as wide as the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4.
• Brane X: If you're looking for a home speaker with portability, check out Brane X. This model features smart functions like Wi-Fi and Alexa integration and operates on battery, unlike the JBL Authentics 500. While it provides strong bass for its size, its overall sound profile isn't as balanced as JBL's and it doesn't reach the same volume levels.
• Harman/Kardon Go + Play 3: A solid option for those seeking a portable alternative to the JBL Authentics 500. While lacking voice assistant support and not matching JBL's volume, it delivers balanced sound suitable for most recordings. With a seven-hour battery life and a carry handle, it's easy to move from room to room.
• Sonos Era 300: Another premium home speaker that serves as a good alternative to the JBL Authentics 500 if you want to build your Sonos ecosystem. However, it doesn't impress with its dynamics as much as JBL's model.
• JBL PartyBox 710: A much larger speaker than the JBL PartyBox 310, capable of delivering deeper bass. You can feel the rich lows that are normally found in bass-heavy music, and it can get incredibly loud. However, unlike the 310 model, it doesn't operate on a battery and isn't very portable, making it less convenient to carry around.

Check out our review of the best speakers for outdoor use in 2025!

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