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 through USB-C. Outfitted with Bluetooth 5.3 with help for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, the speaker performs larger than you’d assume for its small measurement, with some punch to its bass. It is fairly spectacular for a mini mono speaker.
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 might be had at a reduction.
JBL Flip 6: As JBL has launched the newer Flip 7, which has improved sound and a little bit higher battery life, the Flip 6 is being discounted. Whereas it would not sound pretty much as good as its successor, the Flip 6 remains to be a very good Bluetooth speaker that gives good sound high quality in a rugged design (it is IP67 waterproof and dust-resistant) — and it would not look a lot completely different from the Flip 7.
JBL Cost 5: I nonetheless just like the Cost 5, which additionally is available in a costlier WiFi model, however JBL has launched the improved Cost 6. That mentioned, with that newer mannequin obtainable, we’re seeing some good reductions on the older Cost 5. At that proper value, it’s price contemplating.
Sonos Roam: Accessible in white or black for $179, the Roam is presently the smallest and most inexpensive Sonos speaker (in the event you do not rely 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. Be taught extra in regards to the Sonos Roam with our hands-on overview.
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 also be absolutely waterproof. It has had some small upgrades over time. Learn our full overview of the Tribit XSound Go to search out out extra.
JBL Pulse 5: JBL’s Pulse speaker is now in its fifth era, and each the sound high quality and 360-degree gentle present have been improved. JBL has “expanded the clear outer physique” so the customizable gentle present appears extra spectacular. (There is a companion app for iOS and Android that permits you to alter the colourful lighting results.) The speaker can also be IP67 dust-proof and waterproof, and it gives as much as 12 hours of battery at reasonable quantity ranges. I did a full overview of the JBL Pulse 5 in January of 2023, and it nonetheless holds as a wonderful speaker possibility.
Anker Movement Growth: Anker’s costlier Soundcore Movement Growth Plus (see above) is a considerable sound improve over the unique Movement Growth however this mannequin stays an excellent mini increase field for the cash. Outfitted with a deal with and weighing a little bit over 4 kilos, the speaker jogs my memory of a kind of large flashlights or “floating lanterns” that had been in vogue about 30 years in the past. For the file, the Movement Growth really does float and is absolutely waterproof with an IPX7 score. Discover out extra in our full Anker Movement Growth overview.
UE Hyperboom: Final Ears’ Growth Bluetooth audio system are available a couple of completely different sizes, however none of them are as huge 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 isn’t low-cost, however its sound high quality is best than numerous the jumbo transportable audio system available on the market proper now. Learn our full overview 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’ll be able to 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 will for its tiny measurement, and it gives respectable readability in addition to simply sufficient bass to keep away from sounding tinny (you’ll be able to 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 isn’t solely the smallest wi-fi speaker from the Danish firm, it is technically probably the most inexpensive. You possibly can be taught extra in regards to the small-but-mighty B&O Beousound A1 in our full overview.
Bose SoundLink Micro: Though a little bit dear and because 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 absolutely waterproof Bluetooth speaker and is offered in three colour choices, though the blue model seems to be arduous to search out. I examined the speaker in 2018 and rated it an 8.3 out of 10 within the Bose SoundLink Micro overview.
Anker Soundcore Movement Plus: Anker’s Soundcore Movement Plus got here out in 2019, nevertheless it stays one of many best-sounding audio system for round $100. It is bigger than many mini Bluetooth audio system, nevertheless it’s nonetheless compact. It manages to sound fairly a bit fuller than a lot of the competitors in its value vary, with larger bass, extra quantity and higher readability. It is also absolutely waterproof (IPX7-rated) and has help for the aptX streaming codec for gadgets like Samsung’s Galaxy telephones that help it. Learn extra in my Anker Soundcore Movement Plus overview.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Discover: It is a little bit overpriced for the sound high quality it delivers, however the Beosound Discover is an excellent little speaker that has a smooth, eye-catching design, is absolutely waterproof and dustproof (IP67 score), and gives 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 most likely is not going to wow you with its design though its minimalist aesthetic has its attraction. It is a good worth due to its capacity to play huge 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 assist you to 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 numerous increase for the buck. Add its new XSound Mega to the listing. 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 — nevertheless it works simply high-quality indoors. It has an LED gentle present 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 appears like a cross between a UE and a JBL speaker. We suspect that is not an accident. This absolutely waterproof speaker prices considerably lower than the JBL Flip 5 and Flip 6 and produces an even bigger sound. Its rechargeable battery gives as much as 20 hours of battery life for taking part in music and extra. Tribit’s XSound audio system are most likely a greater worth, however the StormBox is extra trendy.