The best Bluetooth speakers in Australia combine portability, versatility and convenience while also connecting to your devices seamlessly to ensure you can play music without much hassle.
If you’re shopping for a Bluetooth speaker but you’re not sure which one is right for you, I’ve put together a list of the best ones you can buy in Australia, whether it’s something compact for playing music on the go or a big, booming one fit for a party.
I’ve put together this list of the best Bluetooth speakers across a range of different budgets, use cases and features, with considerations like portability, sound quality, connectivity, battery life and ease of use taken into account.
TechRadar’s international team of audio experts and testers has reviewed a wide range of Bluetooth speakers over the years in various shapes, sizes and configurations, so we’re confident that we can back our recommendations based on real-world use.
Whatever you want to listen to, wherever you want to listen to it or how you want to stream it, you’ll find the right Bluetooth speaker for you in our guide below:
The best Bluetooth speaker overall
It's not often a Bluetooth speaker gets a glowing five-star review from us, and even rarer for one to score full marks in all the key areas we consider for this guide, including features, sound, design and value. That is exactly why the JBL Flip 7 is our shoo-in for the best overall Bluetooth speaker.
The JBL Flip 7 improves almost everything over the very popular predecessor, the Flip 6, which itself held this spot for the duration of its life. It has better sound and performance while also getting a fresh but subtle redesign.
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The Flip 7 supports Bluetooth 5.4, and it can also be hard-wired to an audio source via USB-C to play high-resolution (24bit/96kHz) sound. Auracast also allows you to form a studio pair with another Flip 7 (but not older JBL Flips), as well as other Auracast-enabled devices for simultaneous playback.
Our JBL Flip 7 review said it "outperforms its asking price to an almost startling degree", thanks to its detailed and confident sound, perfect both for indoor and outdoor listening. It does well across the frequency range, delivering overall tonality that we described as "nicely natural and consistent from top to bottom".
The Flip 7 stuck with its predecessor’s cylindrical shape wrapped in rubber and fabric, but also has a better IP68 rating — meaning it’s dustproof and can handle full water submersion. That makes it durable enough to handle festivals, pool days, beach trips or anything under the sun.
At AU$179.95 RRP (and never too far from a discount), this price is hard to beat for a Bluetooth speaker that ticks all the boxes — great sound, solid specs, impressive battery life and an ultra-durable design.
The best budget Bluetooth speaker
If you’re looking for a cheap, portable and super compact Bluetooth speaker, you can’t go wrong with the JBL Go 5. The audio performance is impressive and there are plenty of features to make it punch above its AU$79.99 price tag.
For a speaker this size, the bass won’t compete with larger ones, but the overall soundstage performs well for something so compact. Another limitation the size brings is battery life, but if true portability is your top priority while also looking stylish, then the JBL Go 5 fits the bill comfortably.
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The JBL Go 5 upgrades the already excellent Go 4, with louder audio output (from 4.2W to 4.8W) and an IP68 dust- and waterproof rating. Battery life is also rated up to 8 hours, up from the Go 4’s 7-hour estimate. JBL’s companion app also provides equaliser adjustment and stereo pairing with another JBL speaker via Auracast.
Like its predecessor, the size will limit the JBL Go 5’s bass, but the audio still punches above its weight with an energetic quality that highlights mids and trebles well.
The JBL Go 5 measures 101 x 77.4 x 43mm and weighs 230g, making it small enough to fit in a pocket or small bag with little to no hassle. The textured casing looks stylish and comes in multiple colours, and the lighting effects are a nice addition to a speaker this small and affordable.
At AU$79.99, you’ll get incredible value for a speaker with this feature set and audio quality, and it stands above its counterparts in this price range. Even if you’re after something larger with more features, the JBL Go 5 is still a great backup option.
The best premium Bluetooth speaker
There are plenty of options in the AU$400-and-up price range, but Bose’s big and burly SoundLink Max is a fantastic all-rounder that just edges over the competition. It offers a big and heavy sound that’s also quite nuanced and agile, while also looking sleek and durable.
While the AU$600 RRP price tag firmly places the Soundlink Max in ‘premium’ territory, you can get it for a lot less from some retailers, especially during large sale events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.
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The Bose SoundLink Max offers wired listening, multi-speaker pairing, multi-point connectivity and external charging. The equaliser adjustment tools can be better, however, and while the battery can last 20 hours, the slow 5-hour recharge time can be inconvenient.
The speaker’s big footprint has some hefty bass to go along with it, but it is also still agile enough to complement the complexly layered mids and carefully detailed highs. The Max also has more immersive audio and better low-end performance than the Bose SoundLink Plus.
The smooth silicone exterior is tactile and protects the speaker from bumps and tumbles, while also looking sleek and stylish. The IP67 dust and water protection may not be as good as the JBLs above, but it’s plenty durable. There are a few colours to choose from, including Blue Dusk and Citrus Yellow.
Sure, the AU$600 RRP is a big ask for a Bluetooth speaker, but the SoundLink Max gets discounted often to around the AU$400 to AU$450 range during major sale events. But even at full price, this speaker brings raw power, intricate details and great functionality that you’d want from something premium and larger-sized.
The best Bluetooth speaker with Wi-Fi
Want a portable speaker, but you’re not a fan of the drop in audio quality from a Bluetooth connection? The Sonos Play allows you to stream audio from Wi-Fi as well, so you can enjoy the speaker’s rich and powerful output with a much smaller hit to overall sound quality.
If you already have other Sonos speakers, the Play also supports the brand’s multi-room technology, allowing it to interact with the likes of the Sonos Move 2 and the Sonos Era 100 to form a system that covers an entire home.
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Wi-Fi streaming is the headline feature, with support for Wi-Fi 6 if you have a compatible router, but the Sonos Play also has Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5mm line-in and even Ethernet (via an adapter) connectivity options for extra versatility. There’s also Apple AirPlay 2 support for streaming. While a charging cradle is included in the box, a power adapter isn’t.
The Sonos Play doesn’t have the most detailed sound, but the overall audio performance is tremendous and is loud enough to fill a room. The sound is powerful with a good amount of bass, and the Automatic TruePlay tuning adapts to where you place the Sonos Play in your home.
The Play follows the rest of Sonos’ speaker design language, offering the same sleek and clean look along with the solid build quality that the brand is known for. It’s truly portable at 113 x 192 x 77mm, though the 1.3kg weight provides some heft.
The Sonos Play isn’t cheap at AU$499 RRP and can fit comfortably in the premium tier, but I’d be hard-pressed to find a Bluetooth speaker this versatile at this price point.
The best party Bluetooth speaker
The latest version of JBL’s Xtreme line of larger Bluetooth speakers can turn any social gathering into a full-fledged party, thanks to its ‘almost earth-shaking’ bass, as described by our reviewer. The IP68 rating makes it a durable piece of kit that can withstand wear and tear both indoors and outdoors.
At 2.9kg and measuring 346 x 165 x 155mm, the JBL Xtreme 5 is relatively bulky but still portable enough compared to something like the JBL Boombox 4, which was in this spot previously. The smaller size also means it’s cheaper than the Boombox 4, but the Xtreme 5 is also a new 2026 release and will hold its price well.
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The JBL Xtreme 5 has Bluetooth 6.0 and USB-C connectivity (you can also charge other devices with it like a power bank), as well as multi-point connectivity, fast-pairing and Auracast for multi-speaker setups. Customisable RGB lighting is also a nice touch, and you can connect a JBL EasySing Mic for karaoke sessions.
The 130W power output delivers ‘rumbling, almost earth-shaking’ bass that would make it perfect for party music like house, EDM, rock and club hits. The JBL Xtreme 5 also manages to retain mids and trebles to create a well-rounded sound.
This speaker has the looks to pair with its powerful sound, pairing a hefty look and feel with a thick fabric cover. It’s relatively light for a party speaker at 2.9kg, and the IP68 dust and waterproof rating means the JBL Xtreme 5 can withstand a full dunking in a pool or accidental spillages.
At AU$449.95, the JBL Xtreme 5 isn’t cheap and won’t get massive discounts yet (as a new release this year), but you do get what you pay for with a robust build, excellent software and big, booming sound.
The best Bluetooth speaker for battery life
Despite being smaller than the JBL Xtreme 5 above at 273 x 150 x 169mm and 2.8kg, the Marshall Kilburn III manages to fit a much larger battery that’s rated to a whopping 50 hours before you need to charge it. That extra juice also means it’s great as a power bank for your devices.
But battery life isn’t the only thing the Kilburn III excels at — this speaker also sounds great, producing balanced, detailed and impactful audio. The Marshall companion app also has EQ tuning for adjustments.
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The Marshall Kilburn has Auracast functionality for pairing with other speakers, battery preservation options and EQ adjustment via the companion app. It also has placement compensation to optimise audio depending on your listening space. And of course, it has 50 hours of battery life.
This speaker has some weighty but responsive bass, well-defined mids and expressive treble. There’s also true 360 stereophonic sound for an immersive experience, as well as instrument separation to provide a layered, nuanced listen.
The amp-inspired and classic Marshall design looks beautiful with metallic physical controls, sturdy faux leather and a red velvet-infused carry strap. The Kulburn III’s IP54 rating isn’t amazing, but it’s still splashproof and is reasonably protected against dust.
At AU$599, the Marshall Kilburn III is more expensive than its predecessor (and costs the same as the Bose Soundlink Max above), but it also comes with improved acoustics, a nicer look and better waterproofing to earn that price tag. You can find it discounted during major sale events, too.
Other Bluetooth speakers to consider
Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: This is a good speaker, it's bass-heavy and a top choice for parties. But it's just not as musically gifted for the money as the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, which is in the list as our 'best for parties' pick. Read our Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review to find out more.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen): It's gorgeous and it sounds phenomenal, but you have to pay for it — it is a B&O speaker after all! We'd also be hesitant to take it on the move with you, as you'll only increase the chances of damaging its exterior. Still, these minor foibles aside, the Beosound A1 is simply terrific. Read our Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 3 review for more details.
Beats Pill: This Bluetooth speaker boasts great sound and oodles of style, but there's no dedicated iOS app. This isn't a deal-breaker in itself, but on-device controls aren't there, so some of the simplest things, like turning it on and off, become unnecessarily frustrating. Find out more in our Beats Pill review.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2: If you need a cheaper alternative for the Bose SoundLink Max in our 'best premium' spot above, check out our Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review. It's cheaper, smaller and still looks similar to its more expensive sibling. However, the disappointing 12-hour battery meant we couldn't give it a dedicated spot in this guide.
Bose SoundLink Plus: The 'Plus' version from the popular SoundLink range delivers spacious sound, solid connectivity and a durable IP67-rated design – it even floats! However, battery life takes a noticeable hit at higher volumes, and the bass isn’t as powerful as we’d hoped. It’s still a great speaker, as you’ll see in our Bose SoundLink Plus review, but a few stronger-performing rivals have just edged it off our shortlist.
Edifier ES20: This dinky Edifier speaker is affordable at under AU$100 and delivers a pleasing performance that belies its size and on-paper specs. Our Edifier ES20 review found it served up a "clean, balanced audio performance" and we were even more impressed with its mid-range detail, which does outperform the (admittedly cheaper) JBL Clip 5.
JBL Boombox 4: We had this big, booming Bluetooth speaker in the best party speaker slot before the Xtreme 5 replaced it, but it's still a great option if you're after something bigger and with up to 35 hours of battery life. Read our JBL Boombox 4 review here.
JBL Charge 6: JBL has a speaker for everyone, and the Charge 6 certainly does have its place. You can recharge your devices using its onboard battery, or use it to allow the speaker to last for ages, delivering a well-balanced sound that can fill a room. Read our five-star JBL Charge 6 review for more information.
JBL Clip 5: Previously our pick for the best budget Bluetooth speaker before the JBL Go 5 was released, this compact speaker has impressive audio performance for its size and there are plenty of features like its IP67 rating and a battery rated for 12 hours. Read our full JBL Clip 5 review here.
JBL Flip 6: The Flip 6 was our 'best overall' pick for a long time, but it’s been knocked off the top spot by the Flip 7, which improves on it in every way. That said, the Flip 6 is still well worth considering, especially if you can find it at a discount – which is increasingly common now that the 7 is out. Check out our full JBL Flip 6 review for all the details.
JBL Xtreme 4: This used to hold our 'Best for parties' title, but the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is better value. But this is a superb hefty party speaker, with JBL's super-tough design and very rich sound. The shoulder strap is nice, too… You can read what we liked, and where it struggled for value, in our full JBL Xtreme 4 review.
LG xboom Bounce: This has all the makings of a great party speaker – it can go seriously loud and produces a bass-heavy sound. Other features include a long battery life and military-grade durability. But while the sound is big and bold, it’s not the most refined, and portability is a downside – it’s bulky and awkward to carry, not ideal when you're looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker. Check out our LG xBoom Bounce review for the full breakdown.
LG xboom Grab: With its compact size, built-in strap, and sturdy build, this is a great pick if portability is your top priority. It also boasts a solid 20 hours of battery life and surprisingly full, powerful sound – though it leans a little heavy on the bass. You’ll also get in-app EQ controls and all at a very reasonable price. As you'll see from our LG xboom Grab review, it's a fantastic little speaker and well worth a look if the smaller options above don’t quite do it for you.
LG xboom Stage 301: This one's another party speaker entrant, but it shines even more when it's used for Karaoke, thanks to its fun features like vocal effects and immersive lighting. Check out our full LG xboom Stage 301 review here.
Sonos Roam 2: It's now been replaced in this guide by its slightly bigger brother, the Sonos Play, but the Roam 2 is still an excellent portable Bluetooth speaker that plays nicely into the wider Sonos ecosystem. It is pricey, but its versatility and crisp, powerful sound goes some way to justifying it.
Sony LinkBuds Speaker: We enjoyed testing this small and cute speaker with some cool features built-in. The problem is they don't all work seamlessly, and the sound is limited. Read our full Sony LinkBuds Speaker review to find out more, because it could still be the home-friendly speaker you're looking for.
Tribit Stormbox 2: It's no five-star speaker – it looks a little plain next to its JBL Flip counterparts and the included strap isn't very helpful. hTen again, it's also cheaper than the JBL alternative. It sounds good for the price, too, so if your budget's tight, our Tribit Stormbox 2 review is worth a look.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll: Read our Ultimate Ears Miniroll review and you'll see there's a lot to love about this teeny party speaker. It's portable, cheap and has a surprisingly powerful bass for its size. But it's lacking in a couple of key ways, with no accompanying app, no EQ presents and it vibrates a bit when the bass and volume are pumped up high.
How we test the best Bluetooth speakers
We test countless portable speakers every year at TechRadar, and that means we know exactly which features and specs to look out for.
We would compare the performance of these speakers against the specs claimed by their manufacturers, which is why we take the time to make sure the battery life and connectivity is as good as the brands say they are.
We test each Bluetooth speaker in a range of environments and against its chief competitors, too, so you know that the product will work just as well in the great outdoors as it does in your home. We live with these speakers in our homes to make sure that their performances are consistent, and we don't finalise our testing until we are certain of the sound quality.
On this, we test the audio performance using a range of musical genres and stream from various sources, to ensure that these speakers can handle everything from thumping dance tracks to softly-spoken podcasts.
With more years in this game than we'd care to admit behind us, we are truly confident that our star-rated reviews are the best indication of the quality of the Bluetooth speakers in this list. There are no sales teams involved in our verdicts, which means if we don't like it for sound, design, usability and features, we simply won't recommend it.
FAQ
How do I choose a Bluetooth speaker?
There are several key things you'll need to consider when you're looking for the best Bluetooth speaker.
First up, what do you need it for? All of the speakers here can be used as outdoor speakers, but if you specifically want an outdoor speaker, it's worth looking for rugged, drop-proof casings and dust and water resistance or even waterproofing to protect your speaker from the elements. And if there's any likelihood that your speaker will get dunked in water or just left out in the rain, you might also want to check out our guide to the best waterproof speakers.
Some of these Bluetooth speakers come with handy additional features baked in, such as voice control from Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means your Bluetooth wireless speaker can double as a smart speaker, which you can use to control many smart home devices. Or you could simply ask it nicely to play your music so you don't need to get up from the sofa.
Smart speakers add a bit of complexity and a bit of expense, though, and as a result, most of the devices in this guide don't have them: they are simply designed to play your music. However, the ones that do can have the feature switched off or the microphone muted if you don't want your speaker to listen to you when you're listening to it.
It's worth pointing out that some of the models in this list can also double up as computer speakers if you want to have a cleaner PC setup, too.
What is the best waterproof speaker?
There are a lot of great waterproof speakers, but I can run through a few top choices. For a smaller model, I recommend the Edifier ES20 or the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4. These are both IP67-rated, and each sounds great.
For a mid-sized option, the JBL Flip 7 or JBL Charge 6 are exemplary choices. We scored both models five stars, and their IP68 dust and waterproofing is out of this world.
Meanwhile, those seeking out a larger model will be best off with the Bose SoundLink Max or the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. These both combine IP67 protection against the elements with seriously hefty audio output.
Should I buy a JBL or a Bose Bluetooth speaker?
This comes down to two main things. First, budget; second, personal preference. JBL typically offers more budget-friendly audio gear than Bose, but you can still generally expect a terrific standard of sound and build quality. There's also a trademark look to a JBL speaker. It's rugged, outdoorsy, and often cylindrical. Maybe you dig that, maybe you don't!
Bose, for many, is synonymous with luxury. And that makes a lot of sense, especially given that the Bose SoundLink Max made the cut as my top premium pick. You often get impressive levels of sonic detail and a spectacular finish from Bose speakers. I'd argue that some models don't offer the spectacular value that JBL do, but if you've got the cash and want to hear some finer details, it may well be worth the additional spend.
Which is better: Bluetooth or wireless (Wi-Fi) speakers?
A lot of the time, wireless speakers – those capable of streaming over Wi-Fi – are better equipped for home listening, often featuring a less rugged or portable design. But that comes with the benefit of playing music over Wi-Fi, which often sounds better than Bluetooth streaming.
That's because more data is typically lost during a Bluetooth stream, though some higher-quality codecs can retain a tad more detail. But the best Bluetooth speakers still sound great, and they can often offer superior portability and waterproofing, among other things.
Some speakers can do both – see the Sonos Roam 2. If you're going to be using a speaker almost exclusively at home, indoors, then I'd recommend taking a peek at our best wireless speakers guide. Otherwise, one of the options on this list will certainly suit your needs.
What is frequency response?
In this context, frequency response refers to the range of frequencies that a speaker can reproduce. For example, if a speaker's frequency response is 20Hz-20kHz, that suggests that it is capable of replicating all sounds within the average human's range of hearing.
What are codecs?
Audio codecs compress and encode audio signals, which are transmitted wirelessly from one device to another. These are then decoded by another device and delivered to you, the listener.
Allow me to provide an example. Say you're playing music via Spotify on the Edifier ES20 speaker, which is connected to your Android phone. The audio file – playing from Spotify – would then be compressed and re-encoded by your phone with the SBC codec, before being decoded by the Edifier speaker and played to you.
SBC is the most basic codec, and the vast majority of Bluetooth devices support it. AAC offers better sound quality than SBC, and can potentially transmit audio without compressing or re-encoding it, if the source music file is AAC, if both the speaker and your source device support AAC transmission, and if the file isn't too high-quality for Bluetooth's bandwidth.
There are some more fancy codecs to uncover that audiophiles will likely appreciate.
For instance, LDAC – Sony's proprietary coding tech – and aptX codecs, like aptX Adaptive, can open you up to higher-resolution Bluetooth audio. A lot of modern Android devices support LDAC, but not as many phones and tablets support aptX Adaptive.
Crucially, you'll need to make sure your source device and Bluetooth speaker both support the codec you want to make use of. For instance, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Bose SoundLink Plus each support aptX Adaptive. Make sure the streaming service you use also enables higher-resolution streaming. Tidal, for instance, can open up streaming in 24-bit, 192 kHz, so you'll be able to hear those additional details that aptX Adaptive can uncover.
A Bluetooth speaker doesn't necessarily need to support LDAC or aptX to sound good – the JBL and Marshall speakers on this list, for example, offer impressive sound without them. But it can be a nice touch for those listeners who want a more intricate, revealing listen.
What are IP ratings?
OK, this one's a little less tech intensive! IP ratings refer to the dust and water protection a product has. After the letters IP, you'll find two additional characters. The first indicates its dustproof rating, while the second shows its waterproof rating.
For example, if a Bluetooth speaker is IP67-rated, then that tells us two specific things. Firstly, the '6' shows that the model is dust-tight, and completely protected against dust ingress. Meanwhile, the '7' means that the speaker is waterproof, and can safely be submerged under a meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
When you buy a new Bluetooth speaker, you should always check its IP rating. If it's IPX7 rated, for example, that means it does not have a dust resistance guarantee, but is safe to be submerged underwater. If it is IP54 rated, say, that means that it's partially dust-proof, but only splashproof, rather than fully waterproof.
Does it matter which Bluetooth version a speaker is?
If you're buying a more recently released Bluetooth speaker, not really.
All modern phones can connect to the speakers in this guide, though it's worth noting that only speakers with the Bluetooth 5.2 version or later support the LC3 codec, which is used for Auracast streams.
Can I pair multiple Bluetooth speakers together?
A lot of the time, yes. However, speakers can only generally be paired with specific models – often, multiple units of the same model. One brand that has a slightly more expansive approach is JBL, which lets you connect a wide variety of its speakers together, so long as they support Auracast. You may need two of the same model for stereo pairing, though.
Looking for more?
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If you need a speaker you can take everywhere, make sure you look at the best waterproof speakers, or if you're looking for multi-room audio smarts, read our guide to the best wireless speakers.
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