Our team of audio experts has been reviewing the best Bluetooth speakers for nearly two decades. If you’re feeling nostalgic, take a look at our Parrot DS1120 Bluetooth Speakers review – it’s a testament to how long we’ve been at this and how many portable speakers have been through our rigorous testing process.
Simply put, when it comes to Bluetooth audio tech, we know it inside out. I've personally been a full-time audio product reviewer (and now editor) since 2019, but I'm supported by a considerable team of experts, as you'll see the 'tested by' section at the end of this guide. Every Bluetooth speaker we recommend here has undergone our in-depth testing, so you can trust our verdicts.
One potential drawback with this kind of take-me-anywhere compact portable speaker is that it can struggle to achieve the deepest, fullest bass. I'm not going to sugar coat it for you: you'll struggle to find a Bluetooth speaker the size of a stack of coasters that can sound anywhere resonant and imposing as good as a set of multi-way stereo tower speakers. But you know that; it's not the point. The point with these friendly musical companions is portability, and I will say that all of the options here impress sonically for their size and price-point We’ve tested key factors, including battery life in the real world, audio performance, ease of use and overall value to bring you the top choices.
If you’re after something especially rugged, explore our guide to the best waterproof speakers. For premium sound that can harness your home's WiFi network, head to our best wireless speakers roundup. Otherwise, keep reading. And always enjoy the music.
The quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which Bluetooth speakers are the absolute best in the business? Scroll on down! You can also jump to a more detailed review of each product, and the best deals on them online.
The best Bluetooth speaker overall
A portable speaker with a sleek, minimalist design that delivers rich and powerful audio with excellent connectivity features (including Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth).
The best budget Bluetooth speaker
A super compact Bluetooth speaker that's durable, practical, and delivers a thoroughly enjoyable sound with surprising bass and volume for its tiny size.
The best mid-range Bluetooth speaker
This is a speaker that sticks to the basics, and gets them all right. This rugged model is super simple to use, sounds good and can be linked to up to 100 other JBL speakers to create a big wall of sound.
The best Bluetooth speaker for sound-per-pound
If you want the best sonic performance for a reasonable price, this is it. You can find better, but not for such solid value – and it's also super-rugged and portable, too.
The best Bluetooth speaker for parties
A large speaker packed with features. It sounds great and is well-balanced with powerful bass. It's also waterproof, easy to carry, has top battery life – and is ready to party!
The best Bluetooth speaker for reverse charging
Looking for a portable speaker that can charge your phone too? Here it is. In terms of features it's fairly basic other than this trick, but the sound is solid and it's built tough (and waterproof).
Load the next products...
The best Bluetooth speaker for long battery life
It's not a looker and it's a tad heavy to boot, but that's because it's got a massive 30 hours of battery life under the hood. With a sub-$80 / £80 price tag, it's hard to complain…
Read more below
The best premium Bluetooth speaker
This robust, go-anywhere wireless speaker isn't the cheapest option, but the sound will make you overlook its steeper price tag. Want your soirée to go with a bang? Look no further.
The best Bluetooth speaker for design
This LG speaker looks as good as it sounds. With top-performing audio and a distinctive lamp-like design with mood lighting, it'll fill any room with sound and a dose of style.
Read more below
The best Bluetooth speaker for training
This eye-catching speaker is a great choice for sports or getting warmed up with a pre-match playlist. It's durable, gets very loud and has a very long-lasting battery.
The best Bluetooth speaker for picnics
We love this travel-friendly design that's as big as a much. It's ideal for outdoor gatherings with a boost feature specially for outdoor sound, solid battery life and a rich, clear sound.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. I'll always extol the virtues of listening (and dancing) to the best musical file quality and audio gear you can stretch to.
Recent updates
January 9, 2025
Rewrote the introduction. Added the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2, LG XBoom Go XG8T and LG XBoom Go XG2T products to our 'also consider' section, based on our reviews published in the past two weeks.
The best Bluetooth speakers of 2025 – the list
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best Bluetooth speaker overall
✅ You own more Sonos speakers: You can connect multiple Sonos speakers together, which makes the Roam 2 perfect for a home audio system.
✅ You like your tech to look as good as it sounds: Sonos' minimalist design aesthetic makes it standout in the crowded Bluetooth speaker space.
❌ You need all-day listening: At 10 hours of battery life, the Sonos Roam 2 isn't the best choice for longevity, the JBL Charge 5 at #6 in the list doubles it at 20 hours.
❌ You're on a budget: You get a lot for your money, but the Sonos Roam 2 is still expensive. For good sound for less, the JBL Clip 5 at #2 in the list is our budget pick.
What you need to know: The original Sonos Roam has been our favorite Bluetooth speaker since it was released in 2021. Although there are now plenty more portable speakers on the market, the Sonos Roam 2 not only improves in some key areas, but continues to be one of the top choices. It delivers a balanced, rich and clear sound from a compact design with a long list of connectivity features, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which means it can work as both a portable speaker and as part of your wider multi-room Sonos system. It also has Google Assistant and Alexa onboard (when you're on Wi-Fi) to make it double as a smart speaker too.
Audio performance: In our review, we wrote that the Sonos Roam 2 delivers "excellent sound that punches far above the sheer size". We found that it presents audio well across the frequency range, which makes it a good choice for listening to a broad range of genres and artists. It's not the heaviest on bass, so if you want a big booming speaker look elsewhere, but you can still hear that element of your favorite tracks well. Even when you pump it up to high volumes, expect rich and clear sounds.
Design: Its slick and minimal design means the Sonos Roam 2 won’t look out of place in your home, especially because it comes in a couple of nice-looking shades. It also has a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build with an IP67 rating that makes it ideal for listening to music outdoors. The battery life isn't huge at 10 hours – and it's not an improvement on the original Roam, which is disappointing. However, it is enough for a day out, but if battery is a priority for you, then check out the JBL Charge at #6 in the list, which boasts an impressive 20 hours of battery. Or the Tribit Stormbox Flow at #7 in the list with a huge 30 hours of power.
Value: The Sonos Roam 2 gives you a lot of features, a top design and great sound, so you do get solid value for money. Having said that, this speaker is expensive compared to rivals, and Sonos hasn't revealed a cheaper 'Roam 2 SL' model yet. The JBL Flip 6 or JBL Charge 5 will give you better audio power per buck, but the Roam 2 is such a good all-rounder that we think it's worth its price.
Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review
Visit our Sonos coupon page for our latest deals and discounts.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | The Roam 2 delivers almost everything you could ask for in a portable speaker, aside from slightly shorter battery life | 4/5 |
| Design | With a sleek, minimalist design, this speaker is built to endure the outdoors and features well-positioned controls | 4.5/5 |
| Sound quality | Similar to Sonos’ indoor speakers, the Roam 2 produces a well-balanced, rich, and clear sound that excels across all music genres | 4.5/5 |
| Value | While the Roam 2 boasts impressive sound and design, there are more affordable options with comparable audio quality and longer battery life | 3.5/5 |
The best budget Bluetooth speaker
✅ You want a durable, practical outdoorsy speaker: It's portable, light, has an IP67 rating and a convenient carabiner making it ideal for adventures and holidays.
✅ You want big sound from a compact package: This cute speaker is about the size of a soda can but packs a major punch, especially with the Stereo Group feature.
❌ You want a straightforward experience: This speaker works best if you tweak the EQ based on what you're listening to. Not a dealbreaker, but a faff.
❌ You want a speaker that stands up: It's versatile, but it works best if it's clipped onto something. If you plan to keep it stationary, choose another one.
What you need to know: If you're looking for a (fairly) cheap, portable and super small speaker, then the JBL Clip 5 is our top pick. The sonic performance is impressive for the speaker's compact size and there are also plenty of features that'll make it well worth its relatively affordable price – at least compared to rivals in this list.
Audio performance: This speaker can really blast out the tunes for its size. We did notice that it can struggle with treble when you're listening at higher volumes, with a sharp, tinny edge. But the mids and low frequencies performed well. In our review, we wrote "the bass was dramatic and impactful", especially considering how compact it is – overall, it's seriously impressive, and a clear step up over the very slightly cheaper JBL Go 4. There's a feature called PlaytimeBoost in the app, which boosts the volume without draining the battery, as well as a PartyTogether mode, resulting in a surround sound effect if you have another JBL speaker nearby. You'll also find four EQ presets, JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, and Vocal, and a customizable EQ profile.
Design: The JBL Clip 5 is light and compact, weighing in at 285g. It comes with a carabiner attached, making it handy for listening in all kinds of scenarios. An IP67 rating means it's waterproof and rugged enough for outdoor parties or holidays. Its appearance feels a little dated, however, and it struggles to stand on its base – that's why the carabiner is so necessary. The battery onboard lasts up to 12 hours. Not the best in the list, but perfect for a full day of listening – check out the Tribit XSound Plus 2 if you want something with longer battery life for the same kind of cost (though it's bulkier).
Value: The JBL Clip 5 is great value for money. It's compact, portable and IP67-rated with a fun and punchy sound, all for under $80. The JBL Go 4 is a solid, cheaper option from the same brand, but it doesn't sound as good, and it's not as portable.
Read our full JBL Clip 5 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | The JBL Portable app is intuitive and fun to use, while the Auracast feature performed seamlessly across three JBL speakers. With robust sound at 50% volume, its battery life of nearly 11.5 hours is impressive | 4/5 |
| Design | The built-in carabiner adds practicality, and the variety of colors and IP67 rating enhance its appeal. However, its old school look and inability to stand upright on its base slightly detract from the overall design | 4/5 |
| Sound quality | While high volumes can cause the treble to sound sharp and tinny, the mids and bass deliver without issue. The level of detail remains striking, even when the bass is pounding | 4.5/5 |
| Value | At under $80, this compact, durable, and portable IP67-rated speaker offers excellent performance and undeniable value for money | 5/5 |
