11 of the best Bluetooth speakers

First up from Sony is the XB10 Portable Speaker. This is the type of Bluetooth speaker to check out if you are looking at the smaller end of the spectrum. This speaker is able to strike a nice balance between size and power compared to other speakers at this scale, especially as a one channel speaker. 
One way that’s established is the improved bass performance, which can always be a question mark for small speakers. And with a 16-hour lifespan on the battery and waterproof capabilities, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Some 71% of users on Amazon have been happy with the speaker as well, giving it five stars. M. Miller attests to the XB10’s quality, saying:

“This little pod is a powerhouse for its size. We primarily listen to heavy metal and it actually sounds decent. It’s not like our full blown sound system but we didn’t expect it to. There is definitely a nice balance between the highs & lows. The Bluetooth range is fantastic.”

If you’re looking for something that can bump out extra power, the SRS-XB30 might be the speaker to look at. It comes sporting some of the typical features, like the waterproof design, allowing for flexible use. That said, the XB30 is a definite step-up in power to the XB10.
While the XB10 sports a one channel design, the XB30 uses a dual channel design since its a larger speaker. That also means that the XB30 is louder simply because of the extra audio channel and can make the party that much more enjoyable. It will also be able to last as long as you need it with a 24-hour battery life.
Currently on Amazon, 68% of users have given the XB30 five stars. A reviewer named Jake said this about the speaker:

“My dad had bought this and used it at work for some time and I followed up and got one of my own. Plenty loud and good bass especially considering we work in a loud factory.
It works and sounds great, would recommend to anyone who needs a speaker for either their computer, TV or bluetooth for their phone.”

While the XB10 and XB30 provide more of a personal touch, sometimes you want something that works in larger and, more importantly, louder settings. That’s where the GTKXB90 comes in.
The GTKXB90 is definitely on the larger scale for Sony’s speakers. Because of that, it delivers the best acoustic and bass audio thanks to three tweeters and two subwoofers. But don’t let the size dissuade you, its still a portable speaker. Aside from blasting music, it features a microphone input and chaining that make it ideal for presentations. The battery will last you about 16 hours.
Some 62% of Amazon users have rated it five stars. Miles Kamaloski praised Sony’s speaker, saying:

“The sound quality and battery life on this is amazing, I definitely recommend this over the other models due to its high battery life and additional speakers. This this is loud and great for listening for yourself or a group of friends due to the dynamic multi-tweeter/subwoofer combination.”

The JBL Clip 2 is one of JBL’s smaller Bluetooth speakers. That doesn’t mean JBL skimped on features, though.
Thanks to the body’s design, the Clip 2 is one of the more durable speakers out there. Not only is it waterproof, but the materials will make sure it survives other trials daily life might deliver. It can also be daisy chained with another Clip 2 to bump up the sound. And with an 8-hour battery life, it will help pass time during anything from day-long hikes to your bike commute into the office.
Users on Amazon have been happy with the speaker as well. Currently, 76% of users have given the speaker five stars, so it definitely delivers where it counts. Rick was one of those reviewers, saying:

“This speaker is super clear and very loud for its size. It doesn’t buzz when you turn it up all the way and has good range from bass to acoustic.”

The phrase “bigger is better” can be very hit or miss depending on what you’re talking about. When it comes to speakers, it can become even more inconsistent. That said, the phrase rings true when it comes to the JBL Flip 4.
The Flip 4 delivers a bigger and better version of the Clip 2 speaker. The body is just as durable, making it ideal for group trips to the beach. The battery life is bumped up to 12 hours to make it through a long day out. However, the biggest improvement is in the speaker chaining. The Flip 4 features JBL Connect+, which allows for up to 100 JBL speakers that also have Connect+.
With 79% of Amazon users rating the Flip 4 at five stars, its definitely a quality product. J. Hollinger can attest to its quality, saying:

“I am a huge fan of JBL bluetooth speakers and this one doesn’t disappoint. Great sound! I am not a huge fan of lots of bass and this little speaker delivers just the right amount. The higher ends are crisp, clear especially acoustic guitar…my personal favorite. Overall a super little speaker that I would recommend to anyone looking for a small portable bluetooth speaker with a long range. Love it!”

The third offering from JBL falls on the biggest end of the spectrum. That’s the JBL Boombox, and it definitely lives up to the name. With it, you can take the party with you anywhere.
With a 24-hour battery life, all you have to worry about is providing the music to keep everyone entertained. Thankfully, the Boombox can be adjusted to deliver the right audio for the setting. Switch between indoor and outdoor modes, that way the audio isn’t too overwhelming. Aside from that, it has key features like the JBL Connect+ to connect with other JBL speakers and really get things going.
Plenty of people have been happy with the JBL Boombox, with 78% giving it five stars on Amazon. Carmen Viniegra praised the Boombox, saying:

“I usually never write reviews and I believe this is my first time writing a review for a product but this speaker was just too amazing for me not to tell everyone about it. The sound is crystal clear and very wonderful and for all you bass lovers, this is the product for you!!! I’m literally in love with the Bass because it’s just amazing!! Well done JBL!”

One way UE has been able to find its place in the market is thanks to a product like the WONDERBOOM. While it may be small, it does pack power into that small body with a best of both approach. 
Now you might be asking, “what’s best of both approach?” Essentially, it provides durability similar to JBL speakers with the battery and sound quality on par with Sony speakers. And similarly to those, it can be paired up with a second WONDERBOOM for that extra oomph. The added bonus is the 100-foot range for Bluetooth, so connectivity shouldn’t be an issue.
With 74% of Amazon users giving it five stars, it’s definitely proven to be a popular and reliable speaker. Annie Budash speaks to the quality in their Amazon review:

“This little guy packs a punch! The sound quality is impeccable for such a small speaker. Not to mention that I’ve never even heard of WonderBoom before this purchase. I took a risk in buying it, but it totally paid off. AND its waterproof! I’m talking put-it-right-under-the-shower-head-waterproof! SO worth every penny.”

If you’re looking to scale up from the WONDERBOOM but don’t need anything massive, UE has plenty of other choices available. One of the more popular options available is the BOOM 2.
The biggest thing with the UE BOOM 2 is the connectivity options. This is due to the Ultimate Ears App, which allows the BOOM 2 to sync up with another 150 UE speakers that use the app as well. On top of that, the BOOM 2 also has Siri and Google Now integration that allows for voice controls on the BOOM 2.
And with 71% of Amazon users rating the BOOM 2 at five stars, it shows how successful UE has been at carving out a place in this space. Paul S. expressed his pleasure with the BOOM 2, saying:

“I love this speaker, i use it almost daily; while taking a shower or cleaning up around the house. This speaker is loud enough to be heard everywhere. The quality is what you would expect of Logitech and the UE series or products. I have the app with the speaker so I can remotely turn it on with Bluetooth from another room if I choose to or just scare someone who wasn’t expecting it to turn on by itself.”

The first example of Bose’s quality is the SoundLink Micro. As the name states, it is on the smaller side — but that doesn’t mean its power or features are small too.
Bose speakers typically deliver when it comes to sound quality, so sound shouldn’t be an issue. It also features improved voice integration, since its able to work with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant devices. And unlike previous speakers, the Bose Connect app allows the Micro to pair up with any compatible Bose speaker, and not limit it to the same speaker.
With 5-star ratings from 81% of Amazon users, plenty of people are happy with it. CJ Matthews praises the bass and durability saying:

“This has huge bass, especially for a Bose product. I was totally blown away when I turned this little bad boy up. I love that it is waterproof and it definitely feels rugged. I will not be hesitant to take this biking or out in the woods and I am already turning this on when I wake up in the morning and just bringing into the shower so I don’t have to stop listening to my audiobook or music.”

The SoundLink Revolve by Bose is a bigger version of the small speaker mentioned above. Bose does a good job of integrating the same features across all Bluetooth speakers available. So once you know what you get with one, its simply a question of how big you want to go. That said, with 360-degree sound, the SoundLink Revolve definitely steps it up from the Micro’s sound quality.
The quality of the Revolve is reflected in the 5-star ratings by 76% of Amazon users. Just take Paula’s word for it:

“This speaker is AMAZING!! Bought it for listening to Pandora at the lake and don’t regret spending the money at all. Until you hear it, you’d never believe such remarkable sound could come out of a little speaker. Crisp, sharp tones, hold a charge good enough to listen all day long. Well worth the price.”

One area that Bose is able to set itself apart from other brands is home audio. Currently, Bose is a reliable name when it comes to whole home audio thanks to the SoundTouch line, and the SoundTouch 20 is an excellent place to start.
Unlike the other Bluetooth speakers on this list, the SoundTouch 20 is not intended as a portable speaker. But that’s not what this speaker is meant for. It can connect to WiFi, allowing direct access to services like Pandora and Spotify without a Bluetooth connection. There’s also integration with Echo devices, allowing for multi-room control from one speaker. And if you choose to grow the system, it can work in tandem with other SoundTouch speakers.
With 56% of users giving it five stars on Amazon, the SoundTouch 20 is definitely a speaker that delivers. Alice says as much in this review:

“So happy that I finally bought this little baby. I live in a large NYC apartment and I want to be able to listen to my music throughout the apartments. The sound quality of this little thing surprised me. I turn it on whenever I am home and can’t get enough of it. Great little machine!”