The best AirPlay speakers aren’t limited to Apple’s own devices. At TechRadar, we’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of speakers, giving us the expertise to identify the top models for Apple’s wireless streaming technology. AirPlay works seamlessly over your home Wi-Fi network, and as our testing shows, it’s compatible with many non-Apple products as well as Apple ones.
In this guide, we’ve selected the best AirPlay speakers across various price points to suit every need and budget based on our hands-on time with each speaker. Whether you’re streaming music, podcasts, audiobooks, or movies, these speakers connect effortlessly to your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook and deliver excellent sound quality. Our team’s extensive testing and time spent reviewing each product ensures every option here meets the highest standards of performance and compatibility.
Because AirPlay runs on Wi-Fi, many of these models also feature on our best wireless speakers list. However, if portability is your priority, you might want to explore our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers, which focuses on compact, battery-powered options for on-the-go listening.
Last year, Apple’s iOS 18 update introduced spatial audio to AirPlay, letting you stream virtual surround sound from your iPhone to a HomePod or any AirPlay-compatible speaker. This feature makes these speakers even more versatile – and every speaker in this guide is ready to deliver that next-level audio experience.
The Quick List
Take a look at our easy-to-browse list of the best AirPlay speakers for a range of different needs. You can click each one to instantly jump to a more full write-up of the speaker.
The best AirPlay speaker overall
The best choice for most people. It combines rich, room-filling sound with a retro design and modern features – including AirPlay, multi-room support, and voice assistant flexibility.
The best budget AirPlay speaker
The HomePod Mini is easily the best-sounding speaker at its tiny size, and is very well-priced as a result. Two in a stereo pair is excellent value, too.
The best AirPlay speaker from Apple
A very impressive speaker with wonderful clarity and detail, and that fills a room using its Dolby Atmos and self-calibration smarts. It's not cheap, though.
The best premium AirPlay speaker
The Evo One delivers lush audio, sleek looks, and serious versatility. It’s a premium all-in-one speaker that earns its high price tag.
The best portable AirPlay speaker
One of the few truly portable AirPlay speakers, the Roam 2 blends compact design with impressively rich, clear sound. Battery life is only 10 hours, but for premium portable streaming, it's hard to beat.
The best AirPlay speaker for Spatial Audio
This speaker delivers an immersive experience with impressive stereo and Dolby Atmos effects – even more so than the HomePod 2. It comes at a premium price, though.
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The best AirPlay stereo speakers
Simply the best bijou hi-res wireless stereo speakers you can buy for the money. KEF's enviable command over the ‘all in two’ speaker system is now at its most competitive
The best AirPlay speaker for style
If you like an old-school aesthetic, you'll love the Edifier D32. Don't expect oodles of bass clout for big parties, but it's a lovely-looking wireless speaker that delivers high-res sound for a decent price.
I became TechRadar's dedicated Audio Editor in April 2024. 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. My love of music ties it all together.
July 31, 2025
Swapped the Sonos Era 100 for the JBL Authentic 200 in our 'Best overall' spot, based on our review. Added the Cambridge Audio Evo One as our 'Best premium' choice for high-end sound. Swapped the original Sonos Roam for the Sonos Roam 2 as our 'Best for portability' pick. Checked all of the copy and references to ensure everything is up to date.
The best AirPlay speakers, as tested by us
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Best AirPlay speaker overall
Our best overall pick is the JBL Authentics 200, which stands out in a sea of minimalism with its vintage-inspired design. From the curved foam grill to the aluminum frame, it’s a beautiful nod to classic speakers and amps. Distinctive enough to spark conversation, but refined enough to blend in. Aside from the plastic dials up top, it feels every bit as premium as it looks.
But the appeal goes far beyond aesthetics here. It’s packed with modern features, including AirPlay, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, plus multi-room playback through Google, Alexa, or AirPlay. You can tweak EQ settings in the JBL One app – or, more satisfyingly, with physical treble and bass knobs on the unit itself. It also supports both Alexa and Google Assistant at the same time. We found that combo-ing both doesn't always work flawlessly, but it’s genuinely useful if you’re juggling smart ecosystems.
The sound is superb with bold bass, rich mids and crisp highs, which come together in a soundstage that feels wide and immersive for a single unit. It easily fills a room, with impressive separation and clarity no matter the genre. For a beautifully designed, great-sounding, fully featured AirPlay speaker, the Authentics 200 hits a sweet spot few others manage.
Read our full JBL Authentics 200 review
The best budget AirPlay speaker
For anyone looking to enter the Apple smart ecosystem, or who has an Apple Music subscription, the HomePod mini is a great option. It's far cheaper than some might expect, packing mighty sounds and an elegant design for under $100 / £100 / AU$150.
For us, the audio performance is the key reason to buy the HomePod mini. It's excellent for a speaker that's so small, and it really feels like the right mix of price and sound quality. The bass is strong but isn't too heavy, vocals stand out of the mix with clarity, and when you pair two HomePod minis the stereo experience really gives the whole soundscape the space to get lively.
There may be better-sounding speakers in this list, but they're all much larger and more expensive – the HomePod mini is certainly the best value, and the best way to add AirPlay to a room with a subtle speaker that doesn't dominate a surface.
If you're considering the Apple HomePod mini and you're not in a rush, it might be worth waiting to see what Apple has in store for us with the HomePod mini 2, which is already being teased and expected to have a 2025 release.
Read our full Apple HomePod mini review
To ensure you're getting the best deal, browse our Apple discount codes for potential savings.
The best Apple AirPlay speaker
If you're tied into the Apple ecosystem, the big HomePod is pretty great – but AirPlay is the only way to get music to it (well, and Siri, but that really wants to be used with Apple Music), so if you've got Android users in the house who'd like to play to this sometimes, you should look elsewhere. There's no Bluetooth, no Chromecast, no Spotify Connect, no aux-in. However, as Apple Music and AirPlay devices go, it's great.
If you're Apple Music user, the HomePod 2 is perhaps the best-value speaker out there. It’s cheaper than what you get from the hardcore hi-fi brands, but is crammed with luscious detail, crisp treble, and a rich mid-range. And you get the impressively easy setup and control you'd expect from Apple.
Compared to the first generation of HomePod, there's better clarity around the upper mids, which really benefits classical and acoustic music, and the Dolby Atmos performance is incredible if you have two in a stereo pair. However the second generation HomePod is not as loud as the first gen, and the bass is a bit lighter too.
It's still a huge step up from the HomePod mini, though, and the sound quality you get for the money is excellent.
Read our full Apple HomePod 2 review
The best premium AirPlay speaker
If you're after a high-end AirPlay speaker that does it all, the Cambridge Audio Evo One is our top pick for higher-end sound and features. Yes, it streams at up to 32-bit/192kHz for exquisite hi-res audio (though only via the app, not over AirPlay), but that’s just the start. It’s also a multi-room speaker, an internet radio, a soundbar and a turntable phono stage, all rolled into a superb speaker.
It’s ideal for anyone who wants the performance of a full hi-fi setup without the space or budget for a stack of separates. And it’s not just versatile, it also sounds phenomenal. With manual room calibration, you can tailor the audio for your space, adjusting for reflectivity and placement. The result is a lush, well-rounded sound with tight, warm bass, open mids, and crisp treble. No muddiness, no harsh edges, just beautifully balanced music.
Separation is up there with the best we’ve tested, though the soundstage stays within the unit’s physical limits. It won’t match a stereo pair for width or height, but that’s expected from a single box. However, it handles hi-res streams, TV audio via eARC, vinyl playback, and more with total confidence.
And it looks the part, too. The Evo One’s walnut top and charcoal mesh give it real design presence, with a front display that adds polish (even if it’s not the brightest). Just know, it’s big; more statement furniture than subtle speaker.
With exceptional connectivity, refined audio and premium materials, the Evo One justifies its high price. If you're looking for an all-in-one system that replaces multiple devices and sounds incredible doing it, this is the one to beat.
Read our full Cambridge Audio Evo One review
The best portable AirPlay speaker
If you’re looking for a truly portable AirPlay speaker, the Sonos Roam 2 is your best bet. It’s one of the only speakers this compact that supports both AirPlay 2 and Wi-Fi, making it ideal for home use and spontaneous adventures, too. So whether you’re streaming over Wi-Fi in the kitchen or switching to Bluetooth in the park, the Roam 2 handles both with ease. It also now has a dedicated Bluetooth button that makes pairing way less fiddly than the original Roam, which the second-gen version replaces in this guide.
Despite its small size, the Roam 2 punches well above its weight with rich, clear sound and a balanced mix. It’s not bass-heavy though you wouldn’t expect it to be at this size. Yet it delivers detail and presence across genres, and Sonos’ Auto Trueplay tuning optimizes the audio wherever you are. It also plays nicely with other Sonos speakers, slotting easily into multi-room setups or acting as a standalone shower, picnic, or travel companion.
With IP67 water and dust resistance, a minimalist design in new colorways, and wireless charging support, it’s built for listening wherever you are. The only drawback is the 10-hour battery life, which is average for the price, but worth it for an AirPlay speaker you can genuinely take anywhere.
Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review
The best AirPlay speaker for Spatial Audio
Sonos didn't just release the impressive Era 100 in 2023. Instead, it dropped two new wireless speakers to its range. The Era 300 is the more premium option out of the two and is packed with top-of-the-line features.
The one stand out feature for us – outside of AirPlay 2 support – is the addition of Dolby Atmos, which is a first for Sonos, and we're so glad it did take the leap as this has completely elevated this speaker to another level with its ability to deliver an immersive Spatial Audio experience from just a single speaker. The HomePod 2 is excellent for Dolby Atmos with a pair, but this gives you the most spatial trickery from a single unit.
Now, to get Dolby Atmos sound from it, you can't use AirPlay 2 – you need to connect your Apple Music account to the Sonos app. But you can listen to music regularly over AirPlay 2, and you still get the best stereo effect we've heard from a single speaker. It's great to listen to overall, featuring a metric ton of detail, and a great balance of sound overall – though it has no tolerance for imperfections in lower-quality music. You'll hear the issues, for sure.
It wins points for its ease of use. Sonos' app makes it easy to set up, and easy to tune it to your room, helping to make the spatial sound come across even more dramatically. It's bigger than most of the options here (but not all), but it can certainly fill a large room on its own, which is an advantage.
The Sonos Era 300 has also had a serious bump in appeal thanks to Apple’s iOS 18 operating system. Released in September 2024, this new update to Apple products adds one key audio component: it brings spatial audio to AirPlay. This means you can stream spatial audio via an iPhone to a compatible speaker and the Sonos Era 300 is our top pick for spatial audio support that would rely on it being supplied via AirPlay.
Read our full Sonos Era 300 review
The best stereo AirPlay speaker
You want perfection? This is as close as you can get, if you want a smaller set of wireless AirPlay-supporting stereo speakers. KEF has long been a frontrunner in the ‘entire hi-fi system in a pair of speakers’ category, and the bijou LSX II LT is its crowning glory.
Essentially, it is a streaming sound system squirrelled into two compact, great-looking and beautifully finished loudspeakers. Between them, they're capable of high-res digital audio output from any hi-res source you care to mention – including your TV.
OK, the dimensions mean this speaker pair isn't one for a venue; they struggle to fill larger listening spaces with boot-shaking sound, but that is understandable. This proposition also goes without any analog inputs, which means it may not be suitable for some people (note that the LSX II LT's bigger brother, the KEF LSX II, has them) and if you want vinyl-friendly speakers, these won't do that (see the Kanto Ren for an alternative, although you'd be going without Wi-Fi).
As long as these minor points don’t worry you, it’s very hard to criticize here. The KEF LSX II LT absolutely rank among the best wireless hi-res (AirPlay-supporting) speakers you can currently buy.
Read our full KEF LSX II LT review
The best AirPlay speaker for style
If you want to listen to music via AirPlay from a retro-looking tabletop speaker, then take a look at the Edifier D32, which is our top pick for style and old-school charm. However, it's not all about the looks, as the D32 also delivers impressive audio – especially considering its price.
It sounds great, on the whole. In our review, we commented that it delivers "clean, balanced, delicate sound" and particularly excels in handling treble and midrange sounds. However, it lacks powerful sub-bass, making it less ideal for bass lovers or party speakers. If you want to customize the sound, you adjust the EQ via presets in the Edifier ConneX app. But it's mostly a minimal app and not packed with many other features.
Specs-wise, the Edifier D32 boasts high-res audio support with LDAC and ALAC (when using Apple's AirPlay), and Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and wired connectivity options with AUX and USB-C. Battery life is a little disappointing at 11 hours. It doesn't fall too far behind rivals, but if longevity is a priority, you might want to look elsewhere.
It's our top pick if you want a standout design. It's a tabletop speaker with a textured outer casing and golden grille, which gives it a retro aesthetic that makes the wireless speaker look like a little amp. Of course, it's not going to suit everyone and some might find the buttons, dials and gold detailing a tad cheap-looking, close up. Still, if you like that nostalgic vibe and want a reliable AirPlay speaker that looks good, sounds great and is relatively affordable, the Edifier D32 is a great choice.
Read our full Edifier D32 review
How to choose the best AirPlay speaker
There are a lot of factors to consider when you're looking for the best AirPlay speakers for you.
One of the obvious ones is budget. None of the speakers in our list is super-cheap cheap, but some are much more affordable than others. And they are from some of the best audio brands around, which means your money will go further and you'll have access to updates so they keep working for a long time.
Design is also important. Happily, most AirPlay speakers are simple and streamlined, meaning they'll fit into most homes discretely. However, it is worth considering whether a small portable speaker, like the Sonos Roam 2 or HomePod mini, is better for you than a big B&W speaker.
Finally, think about sound quality. All of the best AirPlay speakers are on our list for a reason, but you might have specific things to consider. For example, do you like listening to hi-res audio? Only a few of the options below will give you the sound quality you're looking for.
The best way to choose the right AirPlay speaker for you is to take a look at the options and compare the specs. Be sure to click through to our reviews of the speakers too, which will give you even more information about how they work day-to-day.
The best AirPlay speakers: FAQs
Can I AirPlay to multiple speakers?
If your speakers are AirPlay 2, you should have no trouble using AirPlay to cast your music to more than one speaker at a time, using an easy list of them from your Apple device.
Which is better, Google Chromecast or Apple AirPlay 2?
It depends on your needs. In terms of pure audio fidelity, Chromecast wins; it supports 24-bit / 96Hz streaming, whereas AirPlay 2 is limited to 16-bit / 44.1Hz streaming. So, if you're looking for hi-res audio support, Chromecast is your best bet.
But it mainly comes down to what devices you use – Android phones can't stream to AirPlay speakers by default (there are third-party options to enable this, but anything unofficial is always risky). And there tend to be more AirPlay 2 speaker options overall, especially from the more premium brands.
How we test the best AirPlay speakers
We've tested all of the top AirPlay speakers in this guide and, to be included, we wanted to ensure that each device ticked a few key boxes.
For starters, as you might expect, we wanted to ensure they have reliable AirPlay integration that works well and provides a reliable connection.
We also wanted to ensure they boast great sound quality. Not all of these speakers provide room-filling sound, but they all blast out music and do your favorite tracks and albums justice.
We've been sure to include a number of different types of speakers, from those that are more portable to soundbars that are, mostly, designed to hang out in one place.
Latest updates to the best AirPlay speakers guide
July 22, 2025
Swapped the Sonos Era 100 for the JBL Authentic 200 in our 'Best overall' spot. Also swapped the Naim Mu-So Qb for the Cambridge Audio Evo One as our 'Best premium' choice. Finally, replaced the original Sonos Roam for the Sonos Roam 2 as our 'Best for portability' pick. Removed the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin from the guide. Checked all of the copy and references to ensure everything is bang up to date.
January 28, 2025
Refreshed the introduction to focus on our extensive hands-on experience and testing of the speakers we've recommended. Added the KEF LSX II LT as our 'best stereo speaker option'. Added image galleries to each entry so readers can get a better look at the speakers. Mentioned the upcoming Homepod Mini 2 launch and Zeppelin Pro review, so readers know what's coming soon.
September 18, 2024
Added details of iOS 18's spatial audio updates to AirPlay. Added the Edifier D32 as our 'best for style' pick based on our recent review.
