The 7 Best Bluetooth Speakers - Summer 2024 Reviews

The best Bluetooth speaker we've tested is the JBL Boombox 3. This large and powerful Bluetooth speaker really packs a punch when it comes to its sound. Whether you're listening to bass-heavy hip-hop or vocal-centric folk music, this speaker provides a clear and accurate reproduction of your favorite tracks. It gets plenty loud, with lots of bass to bring out the thump and rumble in songs. Plus, the graphic EQ in the JBL Portable companion app means you can customize its sound however you want. You may even snag this speaker on sale for a great deal.

With a portable design, this speaker is also a solid pick for listening to music on the go. It lasts almost 30 hours off a single charge. Plus, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, so it can handle some light exposure to the elements. It's a little bigger than other portable Bluetooth speakers on our list. It also lacks voice assistant support—if you want a speaker that's activated with your voice, you'll want to check out our best home pick, the JBL Authentics 500.

Are you still looking for a premium speaker that can get louder and have a more immersive sound? Then consider the Bose SoundLink Max. This speaker creates a wider soundstage so that your audio is a bit more dimensional, but its continuous battery life of 15.5 hours isn't quite as long-lasting as the JBL.

If you're looking for a premium Bluetooth speaker at a more affordable price, check out the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM. This portable Bluetooth speaker offers great sound quality for the price, with lots of enhancement tools to make the most of your listening experience. Its Adaptive EQ feature is similar to room correction tools that other premium speakers are equipped with, and it optimizes its sound to the unique acoustics of your listening space. Those who prefer to manually adjust the sound can always use the graphic EQ and presets in the Ultimate Ears companion app, too.

With a sleek and sturdy design, this speaker is suitable for lots of different uses. It's on the larger side for a Bluetooth speaker, but you can still carry it around with one hand using its built-in handle. It's also rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, which is handy for planning a day at the park or beach. That said, its 7.8-hour battery life falls short of what you get with the JBL Boombox 3, and it doesn't deliver quite as much low bass as our top pick. Still, it offers a great sound at a more wallet-friendly price.

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is another great Bluetooth speaker that's available at a lower price point. You can stream music and other content right to the speaker via Bluetooth and enjoy an impressive sound quality, with a clear and detailed reproduction of instruments and vocals in the mix. The speaker also brings a little extra boom in the high bass, which livens up bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. It doesn't have a room correction tool like the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM, so it sounds slightly different depending on your room. Thanks to its graphic EQ, you can make up for this a bit.

Available in many different color variants, the speaker comes with a built-in hook so you can easily clip it onto your bag or backpack when you want to listen to your favorite tunes on the go. Smaller and more lightweight than the EPICBOOM, it's much easier to take to the park or on a camping trip. It's even rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, so it can withstand some exposure to the elements. That said, one big trade-off for its smaller size is that it can't bring as much rumble in the low bass as the more premium EPICBOOM. You may still find that's worth it, especially if you're shopping with portability in mind.

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is the best wireless speaker at the budget level that we've tested. This portable Bluetooth speaker is another great choice for listening to music wherever you go, from the local park to the beach to the mountains on your next hike. Like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, so it can handle some exposure to the elements. Plus, it lasts 22 hours off a single charge, so you can rock out all day without worrying about a recharge.

This speaker is made of recycled plastic and is available in a couple of different colors to suit your style. Its sound quality is quite impressive, too, especially for the price. Vocals and lead instruments are clear in the mix, and the Outdoor preset brings more clarity and crispness to the sound when you're listening in a larger, more open-air space, like your backyard. You won't find a companion app with a graphic EQ like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, so you're limited when it comes to customizing the sound. Still, this speaker's a great option if you're on a tighter budget. If portability is important, check out our recommendations for the best small Bluetooth speakers.

The Anker Soundcore 3 is the best wireless speaker in the cheap price range we've tested. This speaker's sound quality isn't as impressive as our top pick, the JBL Boombox 3, but it's still a great choice for those looking for something more affordable. Its all-black design fits in easily with your home decor, and if you choose to take it outside, its small and lightweight design makes for easy portability. Plus, it's rated IPX7 for water resistance, so it's safe against the elements. A 14-hour battery life is also handy for longer listening sessions, even if it falls a little short of the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3.

This speaker can't deliver much in the way of powerful bass, and sibilants sound a bit dull. Thankfully, the mid-range is well-balanced, so podcasts and audiobooks still sound clear. If you want to change the mix, the companion app features a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune the sound to your preference, including a 'Bass Up' feature that slightly boosts the low end. It offers many features for an affordable speaker, so it's worth a look.

Many of our top picks include portable Bluetooth speakers designed to bring with you on the go. However, if you only plan to use your speaker within the confines of your home, you may prefer our best speaker for home use—the JBL Authentics 500. This premium speaker has a stylish retro design that can easily fit into your home decor, and its built-in voice assistant support makes it easy to check traffic, the weather, and more. You can only use it when plugged into a power outlet, but if you plan to listen at home, you won't find it much of an inconvenience.

This speaker comes with lots of premium sound enhancement tools. Its room correction feature, called Self-Tuning, automatically optimizes the speaker's sound based on your room's unique acoustics. If you prefer manual customization, there's a graphic EQ in the app as well as bass and treble knobs on the speaker itself. This speaker gets quite loud, too, and you can pair it up with multiple compatible devices to spread sound throughout your home. It does come at a more premium price point, though, so if you want to look at more affordable options, you can see our full recommendation for the best home speakers.

Party speakers make a great addition to your next big event, and the best ones come with lots of extra features to make the most of the experience. The JBL PartyBox 310 is a great pick, and its large and striking design ensures it'll stand out from the crowd. You can customize the RGB lights beneath its grilles to set the right party mood, and mic and guitar inputs give extra flexibility for musicians and karaoke lovers. This speaker gets loud, so your floor shakes with a thunderous sound. Any good party speaker can bring out the boom in genres like EDM and hip-hop, and the JBL is no exception. Voices and lead instruments also remain clear in the mix, meaning you can enjoy other vocal-centric genres easily. Plus, the sound customization tools in the speaker's companion app let you customize its sound to get your desired output.

However, its size means it won't be for everyone, so if you're looking for something slightly smaller and more portable, consider the JBL PartyBox Club 120 instead. This speaker performs very similarly to its larger sibling, though it's lighter and has better directivity. While it doesn't have as long of a continuous battery life and can't get quite as loud, it features a handy swappable battery pack design that can help extend the party further if you have an extra battery.