Sony LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker: Sony made some errors with its LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker. First, it launched it in its LinkBuds line with a few new LinkBuds, so it type of received misplaced within the shuffle. Second, it is just a little too costly at its record worth. However ignoring all that, I used to be shocked how good it sounded for its tiny measurement. It is simply among the many best-sounding micro Bluetooth audio system on the market and is supplied with a two-way speaker system that includes a devoted tweeter and Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker unit (woofer), giving it a lot fuller sound than you’d anticipate with punchy bass and good readability. It is nonetheless a mono speaker, although you may pair two of them collectively for stereo sound.
Anker Soundcore Motion X600: Anker’s Soundcore Movement X600 mini increase field not solely has a premium feel and appear with a steel grille and carrying deal with, however contains some fascinating options like spatial audio and assist for Sony’s LDAC audio codec. It sounds spectacular for its comparatively compact measurement and is an effective worth. Weighing 4.2 kilos (1.9 kg), it has some heft to it but it surely’s mild sufficient to hold round with out feeling such as you’re getting a exercise. The speaker is out there in grey, inexperienced and blue and is supplied with 5 drivers, together with two woofers, two tweeters and one full-range, upward-firing driver “in a singular speaker array that mixed with Soundcore’s audio algorithm and DSP helps create a large (and tall) soundstage for listening to any sort of music,” in accordance with Anker. It is rated for 50 watts of complete energy, with two 20-watt amps dedicated to the woofers and tweeters and a 3rd 10-watt amp powering the upward-firing driver.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300: Bose makes its glorious SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker that sells for about $150 and generally goes on sale for much less. The Soundcore Movement 300 is Anker’s reply to that Bose speaker. Across the similar measurement because the Bose, it would not sound fairly nearly as good but it surely sounds spectacular for its compact measurement and lists for under $80. Just like the SoundLink Flex, it may be laid down flat with its speaker firing up towards the ceiling or propped up as proven within the picture above. It is IPX7 waterproof and delivers as much as 13 hours of audio at reasonable quantity ranges. There’s additionally assist for Sony’s LDAC audio codec for Android and different gadgets that assist Bluetooth wi-fi streaming with LDAC.Â
Tribit Stormbox Flow: Tribit’s StormBox Circulation is one other Bose SoundLink Flex knockoff for much less that shares some similarities with the Soundcore Movement 300, together with the identical record worth. The Tribit could sound barely higher than the Movement 300, edging it out for bass efficiency by a tad, however the Anker speaker wins on design. Just like the Bose SoundLink Flex, the Tribit StormBox Circulation could be laid down flat with its speaker firing up. You may as well wirelessly pair two of the audio system collectively for stereo sound. It has an IP67 score, which implies it is dust-resistant and totally waterproof. Tribit says it delivers as much as 30 hours of audio at reasonable quantity ranges. That is spectacular.
Harman Kardon Luna: Harman Kardon, which is owned by Samsung, makes fashionable JBL Bluetooth audio system just like the Flip 6 and JBL Cost. The under-the-radar Harman Kardon Luna may be the most effective mini Bluetooth speaker you have by no means heard of. It is not solely attractively designed — it is available in black or white — however sounds surprisingly good for its measurement, with clear, pure sound and punchy bass (it is a mono speaker with a dual-driver design that includes a woofer and a tweeter).
Sony ULT Field 1: Sony launched the SRS-XB23 a couple of years in the past and it was a reasonably fashionable transportable Bluetooth speaker. The light-weight and compact ULT Subject 1 kind of seems like a cross between the XB23 and the newer SRS-XE200. It sounds considerably higher than the XB23, which had bass ahead sound however simply did not provide sufficient readability and element for my tastes. The ULT Subject 1 sounds fuller and extra balanced and competes favorably with JBL’s fashionable Flip 6, which lists for a similar worth.
Tribit Stormbox Lava: Tribit’s new-for-2025 Stormbox Lava speaker could be finest described as a poor man’s JBL Xtreme 4 speaker. It would not sound nearly as good as that JBL speaker, which prices $380. The Lava seems just a little generic, but it surely does output a whole lot of sound with fairly highly effective bass and prices quite a bit much less (a detachable shoulder strap and carrying deal with are included). This isn’t probably the most refined-sounding speaker — it lacks some readability — but when massive sound is what you are after in a boombox-style speaker, the inexpensive Stormbox Lava matches the invoice. With an IP67 dust- and waterproof score, it additionally appears fairly sturdy and presents as much as 24 hours of battery life at reasonable quantity ranges. As for further options, there is a charge-out port, and you’ll hyperlink a number of Tribit audio system in get together or stereo mode and tweak the sound by way of the Tribit app for iOS and Android.
Marshall Middleton: With Marshall lately releasing the Middleton in 2025, the unique Middleton speaker is being discounted. It is not precisely compact, however tt additionally is not so beefy that you simply get a exercise carrying it round. Weighing 4 kilos (1.8kg), it is greater than Marshall’s Emberton speaker and smaller and extra transportable than its Kilburn II speaker. Any approach you take a look at it, it sounds superb for its measurement and places out a stunning quantity of high quality bass whereas providing good treble element and natural-sounding mids (the place vocals dwell). I additionally favored that it has equalizer controls on the speaker itself and is totally waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 score.
JBL Clip 4: JBL has launched the newer Clip 5, which options barely higher sound and a brand new carabiner design. However the Clip 4 remains to be an excellent micro Bluetooth speaker and could be had at a reduction.
Sony SRS-XB100: Sony’s smallest Bluetooth speaker was as soon as once more modestly upgraded in 2023, with a brand new Bluetooth chipset, barely improved sound and speakerphone efficiency. This transportable Bluetooth speaker is each dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and, like its predecessor (the SRS-XB13), it is rated for 16 hours of battery life at reasonable quantity ranges and expenses by way of USB-C. Outfitted with Bluetooth 5.3 with assist for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, the speaker performs greater than you’d assume for its small measurement, with some punch to its bass. It is fairly spectacular for a mini mono speaker.
JBL Flip 6: As JBL has launched the newer Flip 7, which has improved sound and just a little higher battery life, the Flip 6 is being discounted. Whereas it would not sound nearly as good as its successor, the Flip 6 remains to be an excellent Bluetooth speaker that provides good sound high quality in a rugged design (it is IP67 waterproof and dust-resistant) — and it would not look a lot totally different from the Flip 7.
JBL Charge 5: I nonetheless just like the Cost 5, which additionally is available in a dearer WiFi model, however JBL has launched the improved Cost 6. That mentioned, with that newer mannequin accessible, we’re seeing some good reductions on the older Cost 5. At that proper worth, it’s value contemplating.
Sonos Roam: Obtainable in white or black for $179, the Roam is at present the smallest and most inexpensive Sonos speaker (when you do not depend these $99 Sonos-compatible Symfonisk Ikea Wi-Fi bookshelf audio system), though it is pretty costly for a mini wi-fi speaker. This Sonos Roam mannequin, like the larger Sonos Transfer 2 transportable speaker, is supplied with each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and may faucet into an current Sonos multiroom audio system and hyperlink with different Collection 2-compatible Sonos audio system. Study extra concerning the Sonos Roam with our hands-on review.
Tribit XSound Go: Regardless of being available on the market for a number of years, the Tribit XSound Go stays one of many high Bluetooth audio system for the cash. Moreover sounding respectable for streaming your favourite music and extra, this inexpensive Bluetooth speaker can be totally waterproof. It has had some small upgrades through the years. Learn our full review of the Tribit XSound Go to seek out out extra.
JBL Pulse 5: JBL’s Pulse speaker is now in its fifth technology, and each the sound high quality and 360-degree mild present have been improved. JBL has “expanded the clear outer physique” so the customizable mild present seems extra spectacular. (There is a companion app for iOS and Android that lets you alter the colourful lighting results.) The speaker can be IP67 dust-proof and waterproof, and it presents as much as 12 hours of battery at reasonable quantity ranges. I did a full review of the JBL Pulse 5 in January of 2023, and it nonetheless holds as a wonderful speaker possibility.
Anker Motion Boom: Anker’s dearer Soundcore Movement Increase Plus (see above) is a considerable sound improve over the unique Movement Increase however this mannequin stays an excellent mini increase field for the cash. Outfitted with a deal with and weighing just a little over 4 kilos, the speaker jogs my memory of a type of big flashlights or “floating lanterns” that had been in vogue about 30 years in the past. For the report, the Movement Increase really does float and is totally waterproof with an IPX7 score. Discover out extra in our full Anker Motion Boom review.
UE Hyperboom: Final Ears’ Increase Bluetooth audio system are available a couple of totally different sizes, however none of them are as massive because the Hyperboom. A supersize wi-fi speaker that ideas the scales at a hefty 13 kilos, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny. It is not low-cost, however its sound high quality is healthier than a whole lot of the jumbo transportable audio system available on the market proper now. Read our full review of the UE Hyperboom.
Marshall Willen: Marshall’s little mono Willen speaker is just like Bose’s SoundLink Micro and different micro audio system just like the Tribit StormBox Micro 2. Additionally like these audio system, it has an built-in strap on its base so you may clip it onto a backpack and even to your bike’s handlebars. Its 2-inch full-range driver and two passive radiators put out extra sound than you’d assume it might for its tiny measurement, and it presents respectable readability in addition to simply sufficient bass to keep away from sounding tinny (you may select from three preset sound modes).
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen): A few years in the past, Bang & Olufsen upgraded its dome-shaped aluminum-clad A1 speaker with improved battery life, higher speakerphone efficiency (it now has a three-microphone array) and barely improved sound. It is not solely the smallest wi-fi speaker from the Danish firm; it is technically probably the most inexpensive. You may study extra concerning the small-but-mighty B&O Beousound A1 in our full review.
Bose SoundLink Micro: Though just a little dear and as a consequence of be upgraded, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably respectable for its tiny measurement, delivering extra bass than different pocketable audio system. It is a totally waterproof Bluetooth speaker and is out there in three coloration choices, though the blue model seems to be exhausting to seek out. I examined the speaker in 2018 and rated it an 8.3 out of 10 within the Bose SoundLink Micro review.
Anker Soundcore Motion Plus: Anker’s Soundcore Movement Plus got here out in 2019, but it surely stays one of many best-sounding audio system for round $100. It is bigger than many mini Bluetooth audio system, but it surely’s nonetheless compact. It manages to sound fairly a bit fuller than a lot of the competitors in its worth vary, with greater bass, extra quantity and higher readability. It is also totally waterproof (IPX7-rated) and has assist for the aptX streaming codec for gadgets like Samsung’s Galaxy telephones that assist it. Learn extra in my Anker Soundcore Motion Plus review.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: It is just a little overpriced for the sound high quality it delivers, however the Beosound Discover is an excellent little speaker that has a modern, eye-catching design, is totally waterproof and dustproof (IP67 score), and presents glorious battery life, with as much as 27 hours of music listening at reasonable quantity ranges.
Monoprice Soundstage 3 (Out of Inventory): Monoprice tends to make fairly generic-looking digital merchandise, and its understated Soundstage 3 Bluetooth speaker in all probability is not going to wow you with its design though its minimalist aesthetic has its enchantment. It is a good worth because of its potential to play massive sound with robust bass and respectable readability, with 50 watts of energy that drives a 5.25-inch “concave aluminum cone woofer” flanked by two 1-inch silk-dome tweeters. It additionally has good connectivity choices, together with digital optical, 3.5mm analog and RCA analog wired inputs that can help you join your tv or one other stereo element. There’s additionally a sub-out port.
Tribit XSound Mega (Out of Inventory): Over the previous few years, Tribit has made a number of Bluetooth audio system that ship a whole lot of increase for the buck. Add its new XSound Mega to the record. Tribit is billing the XSound Mega as extra of an outside speaker — a lanyard is included for toting it round as a kind of mini boombox — but it surely works simply wonderful indoors. It has an LED mild present which you could activate or off and there are three EQ settings for sound: XBass, Music and Audiobook. Moreover, it may be used as an influence financial institution to cost your cellular gadgets.
Tribit StormBox (Out of Inventory): The StormBox seems like a cross between a UE and a JBL speaker. We suspect that is not an accident. This totally waterproof speaker prices considerably lower than the JBL Flip 5 and Flip 6 and produces an even bigger sound. Its rechargeable battery presents as much as 20 hours of battery life for enjoying music and extra. Tribit’s XSound audio system are in all probability a greater worth, however the StormBox is extra fashionable.
