The best Bluetooth speakers of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Why we like it: The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 may be built from plastic, but its rugged design and IPX7 water resistance make it suitable for outdoor adventures. The design also includes a range of buttons and controls on the top of the speaker that make it easy to connect devices, tweak volume, and play and pause media as needed. If you want a bit of a bass boost, there’s a bass boost button on the top that will give a little more oomph to those bass synths and kick drums. It may not be as portable as some others on this list, but with a large handle on the top, it’s easy to carry around the backyard at your next BBQ.

One of the best things about Soundcore speakers is that they work with the Anker Soundcore app, which offers access to a range of controls where you can tweak lighting effects, manage connectivity, and EQ the audio to your preferences with an impressive nine-band EQ. That’s better than what even many more expensive speakers offer in their own apps.

Also: This portable Bluetooth speaker from Anker is so good, I forgot how affordable it was

The sound quality offered by the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is good for a speaker in this price range, though if you’re willing to spend more, you can get a speaker that sounds a lot better. Its bass response is decent, while its high-frequency response is only fine, and it has decently natural mids. Regardless, if you’re looking for a great Bluetooth speaker with a range of helpful features and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is excellent.

Who it’s for: The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is for those who want a reliable Bluetooth speaker that can pump out loud audio without breaking the bank. If you’re not overly picky about audio quality and instead prefer longer battery life and a durable build at a reasonable price, the Soundcore Boom 2 is perfect for your needs.

Who should look elsewhere: Those with high standards for audio quality and the willingness to spend a little extra should go for a different option. Additionally, those who want something as portable as possible or something that can at least fit neatly in a backpack should look for something smaller and lighter, as while the Soundcore Boom 2 might fit in a larger backpack, it’s not really built for that kind of portable use.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 tech specs: IP rating: IPX7 | Battery life: 24 hours | Charging port: USB-C 

Why we like it: If you are willing to spend a little more cash on a portable speaker, then the Sonos Move 2 is the way to go. As you would expect, the Move 2 integrates with the Sonos ecosystem through Wi-Fi, and when you’re listening at home, it can be used as one speaker in a multi-room setup in the Sonos app, controlled through voice, and so on. Over Wi-Fi, it supports AirPlay 2, allowing it to stream audio from Apple devices. Then, when you want to take it on the road, simply connect to it through Bluetooth from your phone, and you’re good to go.

It’s not just smart, though. The Move 2 promises 24 hours of playback and an IP56 water resistance rating that protects it from water exposure. You can connect to it through a wired connection, though to do so, you’ll need to buy the sold-separately Sonos Line-In Adapter.

Also: Why Sonos’ cheapest smart speaker is one of my favorites – even a year after its release

The best thing about the Sonos Move 2 is how excellent it sounds. The speaker delivers deep and powerful bass, natural mids, and clear, detailed highs. It’ll make tracks of any genre sound great, whether they lean on deep sub-bass or tend toward a slightly more natural tone. Seriously, it’s one of the better-sounding Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested.

Who it’s for: The Sonos Move 2 is perfect for those willing to spend a bit of cash on a great overall speaker. Those who want high-quality audio and versatile connectivity features will love what the speaker offers, as will those already deep in the Sonos ecosystem or those who want something that works with AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth. Although the Move 2 is pricey, if you do have the budget for it, you’ll find it to be well-rounded and versatile.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want a speaker that doesn’t cost too much, the Move 2 may not be the best option for you. Additionally, if you’re looking for something highly portable, you’ll want to keep looking. The Move 2 is portable, in that it’ll fit fine in the trunk of your car or even a backpack, but it’ll be heavy, and you certainly won’t want to take it hiking.

Sonos Move 2 tech specs: IP rating: IP56 | Battery life: 24 hours | Charging port: USB-C 

Why we like it: JBL’s Charge speakers have long been a go-to option for those looking for a great Bluetooth speaker, and the latest generation model is no exception to that rule. The JBL Charge 6 offers modern features, a helpful design, and solid audio quality that anyone can appreciate.

The JBL Charge 6 has an IP68 water resistance rating, which means it can easily be submerged and survive to tell the tale. In addition to the water resistance rating, JBL markets the speaker as drop-proof, and it has rubber bumpers on the edges that keep it safe in the event of a fall.

Review: JBL Charge 6

While the speaker isn’t ultra-portable like some others, it’s still built to be taken on the road. It can fit in a backpack, and it has an included strap that makes it easy to carry around. It’s not very heavy either, given that it’s larger than ultra-portable models. If you don’t want to listen through Bluetooth, it supports USB audio that lets you plug in your phone or another device for lossless wired listening.

Color options are perhaps not as important as features, but the Charge 6 also comes in a range of bright and vibrant colors, including purple, pink, and red. For those who want a more understated look, you can still get it in blue, black, or white – so there should be an option for everyone. 

Who it’s for: The JBL Charge 6 is perfect for those who want something more rugged than a typical Bluetooth speaker. The speaker has an IP68 water resistance rating and rubber bumpers that keep it safe if it has to endure a fall. It also happens to sound great and works with a great app. It’s not necessarily cheap, but it’s also not over the top in price, so if you’re willing to pay $200 or so, the JBL Charge 6 is absolutely worth the cash.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want the highest-quality audio you can get in a Bluetooth speaker, then the JBL Charge 6 probably isn’t for you. It sounds great, to be sure, but not as great as the Sonos Move 2. Additionally, while the speaker is very portable, if you want the most portable speaker you can find, you should probably go for a different option. Lastly, if you’re on a tight budget, there are cheaper Bluetooth speakers out there.

JBL Charge 6 tech specs: IP rating: IP68 | Battery life: 28 hours | Charging port: USB-C 

Why we like it: There are plenty of ultra-portable speakers out there that you won’t even feel in your backpack or that you can clip onto a belt or strap when you’re on the go. The best of these is the JBL Clip 5, which gets its name from the clip that’s built into it and that allows you to connect it to all kinds of different straps and belt loops. One of the best things about this speaker is that it works with the same app as JBL’s other speakers, which is more than many other ultra-portable options can say. 

Review: JBL Clip 5

On top of being highly portable, the JBL Clip 5 is also rugged, thanks to its IP67 water resistance, allowing the speaker to withstand bouts in the rain or drops in the pool. It supports Bluetooth multipoint, which lets you connect the speaker to multiple sources at a time, and it works with Auracast, which allows you to use it in tandem with other compatible JBL speakers. That’s all to say that while the speaker is small, that doesn’t mean it’s low tech. 

The speaker’s overall audio response is pretty good. The simple fact is that smaller speakers can’t produce bass that’s as deep as larger ones, so don’t expect to get great sub-bass response or incredibly powerful kick drums. That said, the bass response and volume are better than you’d assume for a speaker this small. 

As you might expect, you can’t fit a huge battery in a speaker this small, so don’t expect days of use from the Clip 5. However, it offers 12 hours of playtime, better than many other ultra-portable options.

Who it’s for: The JBL Clip 5 is perfect for those who want something as portable as possible or who want to spend a little less on a speaker that still has decent smart features like the ability to work with an app and Bluetooth multipoint.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want the best audio quality you can get, or at least decent bass response, and don’t mind dealing with a speaker that’s a little larger, then it’s probably worth going for something else. Additionally, if you have a tight budget, there are cheaper ultra-portable speakers out there, but they don’t offer the same level of features or the same helpful design as the JBL Clip 5.

JBL Clip 5 tech specs: IP rating: IP67 | Battery life: 12 hours | Charging port: USB-C 

Why we like it: The Bose SoundLink Home is one of the better-looking Bluetooth speakers out there, thanks to its stylish design with a frame that wraps around the edges and a textile covering that ensures it’ll look great in any home environment. It is largely built for home environments rather than for use on the go, since it lacks an IP rating, meaning that you’ll want to avoid it getting wet entirely. It doesn’t have a strap or handle that will make it easy to carry around.

The SoundLink Home has deep and rich bass, well-tuned mids, and good clarity and detail in the high ends. It can be paired with a second SoundLink Home for stereo listening, and playback and media are easily controlled through the built-in buttons.

Review: Bose SoundLink Home

The SoundLink Home excels where it counts, and that’s in audio quality and style. It is a little pricey for a speaker with its limited features, but given its premium design and great audio quality, you may be willing to spend the cash for it.

Who it’s for: The Bose SoundLink Home is perfect for those who want something that will look and sound great in their home. Its premium design sets it apart from the huge range of plastic and cheap-looking speakers out there, and it still sounds great too. It’s also ideal for people who want a speaker for at-home listening, but don’t care for the bells and whistles found in smart home speakers.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want all the latest and greatest features from your Bluetooth speaker, then you probably want something that works with a smartphone app. As such, the Bose SoundLink Home isn’t necessarily for you. Additionally, the SoundLink Home is a little expensive, so if you’re on a budget, then it’s probably worth going for something else.

The SoundLink Home has a limited battery life, clocking nine hours of playtime. However, given that it’s built for home use, that may not be as big of a deal. Still, you should get through average-length listening sessions without running out of juice as long as you keep it topped up regularly.

Bose SoundLink Home tech specs: IP rating: N/A | Battery life: 9 hours | Charging port: USB-C