What is the best Bluetooth speaker you can buy in 2019: Guide & Review
Are you going to buy a wireless Bluetooth speaker? There are many, and it is not easy to choose. We have selected some of the best, for different needs and we are confident that there is one that interests you .
Wireless speakers are among the best selling gadgets at the moment. They are cheap, easy to use, give you freedom to listen to music wherever you want, and connect in seconds with your mobile, PC, TV, etc. We have compiled some of the best Bluetooth speakers, grouped according to different needs so you can find one that fits you.
We are going to analyze the classic wireless speakers and the most advanced models are compatible with the Google or Alexa assistant, and can be easily controlled by voice commands.
Before buying a Bluetooth speaker, we must take into account a series of features that are worth checking, if you don’t want to regret it later.
Let's see what are the best Bluetooth speakers that fit you.
What are the most important specs that a Bluetooth speaker should have?
Before choosing a specific bluetooth speaker, it is important to know the main characteristics that we should look for, so that we do not get disappointed when we start using it.
There are many different types of wireless speakers. Usually a big speaker will offer bigger volume without distorting the sound, but logically at the expense of portability.
Some may require plugging into power source, even if the music is transmitted via Bluetooth. Not all work by battery. If it does, we should check the battery life. It is useless to buy a quality speaker if the battery runs out quickly. An average duration is around 10 hours with medium volume.
On a more technical level, you have to check how many drivers (sound emitters) the speaker has. Ideally, you have at least one for each frequency range (low, medium and high), but the most advanced can have two or more per range.
Some are sold separately but can be synchronized with others of the same model to create stereo or surround environments. The most advanced models automatically orient the sound towards the listener, according to their position, or emit it at a 360 degree angle so that it is heard the same throughout the room.
If you are going to use it outside the home, or in humid environments such as the bathroom or kitchen, it must have protection against water or dust of IPX4 level. Those with IP67 can submerge up to half an hour in the water.
Some, in addition to Bluetooth connection carry other wireless connections that may interest you, such as WiFi or NFC. It is also important that they have some type of cable connection, such as a 3.5mm Jack plug, or USB.
To listen to music wirelessly via Bluetooth you have to compress it, but there are quality codecs that compress the sound very good without affecting the quality, such as aptX-HD, LDAC, SBC or AAC.
We must verify that the Bluetooth speaker we buy accepts them, especially aptX, although it will also be necessary for the player to use this technology.
In the extras section, check if the speaker has a subwoofer (to boost the bass). You may also be interested in incorporating your own player and memory to save songs or micro SD card reader, so you won't need your mobile or PC to play your favorite music.
Certain models can also play the phone's voice calls, and even recharge the battery through it. But logically all this will raise the price of the speaker.
If you are going to use it from a PC, you should check if the computer has a Bluetooth connector. Laptops and new PCs usually carry it, but others do not.
Luckily you can buy an adapter so this problem can be easily solved.
Make sure it is Bluetooth 4.0 or 5.0. The newer the better the transmission is optimized so that it has greater reach and the music quality is better.
For those who just want to listen to music without spending a lot of money
Are you looking for a battle speaker, to listen to the radio, a podcast, or free music, because you do not want to spend money or because there are children and pets at home that could spoil it easily?
Luckily there are very cheap speakers that can fit very well. Here are a couple of them.
This mini Bluetooth speaker can be carried in your pocket, you can use it wherever you want, and it only costs around $10.
Dodocool Mini Speaker has over 800 very positive ratings on Amazon because despite its small size and weight, only 40 grams, it sounds decently. Although it’s main purpose is to listen to radio or podcasts instead of music. Also you can use it as a speaker for your mobile calls.
It has a power of 3W and the battery of 300 mAh lasts 4 hours and it can be recharged by micro USB. The Bluetooth range is 10 meters. It perfectly fulfills its function, but for this price you can’t expect much. Dodocool Mini Speaker is available on Amazon.
If you are you looking for a compact speaker that is also a player, so you don't have to use your mobile.This MIFA SoundBox plays songs through a micro SD card.
Despite it’s small size, it surprises with the power of its two drivers that together add up to 30W. The reviews say that it has a very balanced sound, both in bass and treble.
It is connected by Bluetooth with a range of 20 meters, or 3.5 mm jack plug.
Its 4,000 mAh battery holds 12 hours with 70% volume, and recharges in 3 hours. It has physical buttons for volume, pause, or song switching, and can be paired with other speakers to create surround sound.
MIFA SoundBox is available on Amazon.
Bluetooth speakers that you can use in the pool or outdoors
If you plan to take the speaker with you to the beach, the pool, or the field, you should consider a number of additional aspects.
There is more noise outdoors, even if it is only the sound of the wind or ambient noise, so the speaker should be a little more powerful than the one you use at home.
Similarly, it should be protected against water and dust, in case it falls to the ground or gets wet.
Ultimate Ears Boom 2 is an Off-road speaker that you can immerse in the pool, bury it in the snow, throw it in the mud or carry it hanging on the bike.
With its resistant materials and its protection against water and dust IPX7, Ultimate Ears Boom 2 resists everything you throw at it. It produces a decent 360-degree sound, highlighting the bass, although like most speakers in this price range the sound is slightly distorted at max volume.
It is connected by Bluetooth, NFC and 3.5 mm jack plug. The Bluetooth has a range of 30 meters according to the manufacturer, although it seems a bit optimistic ...The battery recharges in about two and a half hours through mini USB, and offers 15 hours of autonomy.
It is possible to pair several speakers and the firmware is updated through a mobile app. From time to time they are adding new functions, such as alarms, equalization, and others.At the top it has physical buttons to pause the song or move on to the next one.
Ultimate Ears Boom 2 is Available on Amazon. A new version, Ultimate Ears Boom 3, has recently been released, with minor improvements such as wireless charging or floating in the water, but it is a bit more expensive.
Here we have a first-class wireless speaker to take it anywhere. Thanks to its built-in strap, you don't even need a bag or pockets.
This Sony SRS-XB12 (Do not confuse with the previous model), is a mini dust and water resistant speaker with IP67 protection. You can throw it into the pool without fear.
It has a mono speaker and a passive radiator that enhances the bass. The sound comes out from the top. Although Sony does not provide technical data, the power is around 10 or 12W, which is very good for this size.
The battery lasts 16 hours according to the manufacturer, but users indicate that it lasts considerably less. The Bluetooth has a range of 30 meters, and also works with a 3.5mm jack cable.
Sony SRS-XB12 is available on Amazon.
JBL is one of the most prestigious audio brands, and JBL Flip 5 makes no exception , with excellent separation of tones, and extremely quality good bass.
It is a speaker for outdoor use, waterproof and dustproof with IPX7 protection, that also floats.
It is connected via Bluetooth but does not have a 3.5 mm plug,and that must be taken into account. The 4,800 mAh battery provides 12 hours of autonomy (up to 5 hours max volume).
Jbl Flip 5 offers a power of 20 W, with a frequency range 65 - 20000 Hz, and a signal to noise ratio of 80 db.It can be connected with another speaker to generate stereo sound, and it has a PartyBoost mode.
Jbl Flip 5 is available on Amazon.
Bluetooth speakers that are best to enjoy in your room
These speakers that we have selected below are ideal for use anywhere in the house, and take them from one room to another.
They are powerful but not enough to worry that you will disturb the neighbors, and offer some interesting extra features.
Although it has protection against water and dust IP67 and its silicone finish is shock resistant and therefore perfect to be used outdoors, thanks to its elegant design this Denon speaker can be used perfectly at home.
This prestigious manufacturer always guarantees excellent audio quality, and this Denon Mini is no exception. It connects via Bluetooth or 35 mm plug and works with the high quality Bluetooth aptX codec.
It has two 8.5W speakers, so it works in stereo. They can also be paired with more speakers. The 3,000 mAh battery lasts about 11 hours, with a full recharge rate of about 3 hours.
It has physical buttons on the side to control the volume or activate the handsfree for mobile calls. It also has a microphone, so it can be used to talk to Siri.
Denon Mini is available on Amazon.
Q Acoustics is a brand that has gained prestige in recent years for the high quality of its speakers and competitive prices.
Q Acoustics BT3 are two stereo hi-fi speakers with Bluetooth connection and high audio quality, thanks to the aptX technology and the 100 W of power.
They connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, but also accept RCA, digital optical cable, and the classic headphone jack. The battery lasts about 10 hours and at this price it would be really difficult to find other wireless speakers with the same quality and power.
Q Acoustics BT3 speakers are available on Amazon.
Premium Bluetooth speakers with the best sound quality
They are the best of the best. They are not cheap, but they offer the best sound quality to enjoy high fidelity music. Wireless, they accept high quality compression codecs and for the best quality make sure that the music you play also uses those codecs.
When we think of bluetooth speakers we tend to imagine compact and portable models, like many of the ones we have compiled here. But there are also large wireless speakers designed to watch series and movies, or listen to music really loud without losing quality.
Sonos manufactures, possibly, have the best speakers in my opinion. That of course if you can afford them because they don’t come cheap. Their audio quality is excellent, and they integrate functions that are not in competition.
Sonos Move is your first portable model, equipped with a fancy handle to carry it comfortably. It has IP56 protection, so it is resistant to moisture, rain, snow, dust, fog, UV rays, extreme heat and cold. But beware, it is not submersible.
Thanks to TruePlay technology, the speaker adjust the sound to the place where you are, sounding different outdoors than in a closed room. It is connected by Bluetooth, WiFi, and AirPlay 2. A portable speaker with a cable speaker audio quality.
An important feature is that it is also a smart speaker. It has Alexa and Google Assistant integrated, so add similar features as the Amazon Echo. You can use Alexa to play music, listen to news, know the weather forecast, control Digital Home devices and much more.
The battery offers about 10 hours of autonomy and possibly the best wireless portable speaker available now on the market.
Sonos Move is available on Amazon.
