The Best Bluetooth Speakers: Portable Speakers For Any Budget 2024

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No one is blue over Bluetooth speakers.

What? The wireless speaker market is growing faster than the smartphone market? Who would’ve guessed? But it’s true, and portable Bluetooth speakers are leading the way. The good news: there are tons of Bluetooth speakers to choose from. The bad news: there are tons of Bluetooth speakers to choose from – and you could spend days, maybe even weeks, researching them all. Or, you could spend just a few minutes with our list below, put together by a team of speaker experts from a company with a 40-year track record for seriously great sound. (No-brainer, right?)

World Wide Stereo’s 2024 “Best Bluetooth Speakers” list below covers key “best” categories, from “best for kids” to “best for big parties” to “best for the money” and more. Not only are we factoring sound quality (duh), but as Bluetooth speakers evolve, convenience factors like battery life, waterproof ratings, and outputs, have become critical to shoppers when making a smart buying decision. So dig in, and if you have any questions along the way – give us a call. We’re happy to help!

Our Picks for the Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2024:

  1. Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker JBL Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Powerbank (Black)
  2. Best Budget Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker JBL Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker (Blue)
  3. Best Compact Bluetooth Speaker Sonos Roam 2 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (Black)
  4. Best Bluetooth Party Speaker JBL PartyBox Encore Essential Portable Party Speaker
  5. Best Bluetooth Speaker With Lights JBL Pulse 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with 360-Degree Light Show (Black)
  6. Best Bluetooth Speaker for Bass Bose Portable Smart Speaker (Luxe Silver)
  7. Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $150 Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker (Black)

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

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JBL Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Powerbank (Black)

Regular price $179.95
Sale price $179.95 Regular price
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  • Dimensions (W x H x D)8.7" x 3.76" x 3.67"
  • Weight: 2.11 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Battery Life: Up to 20 Hours
  • Waterproof Rating: IP67
  • Powerbank Capability: Via USB
  • Stereo Pairing: Yes
  • USB-C: Yes
  • Wi-Fi: No
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No pun intended: JBL is making some serious noise in the Bluetooth speaker world. The Charge 5 is the new update to the Charge line of waterproof speakers, which routinely tops our “Best Waterproof” subcategory in this guide. What makes this speaker so great? That JBL groove-inducing sound, first and foremost. A superb waterproof rating of IP67 and 20 hours of battery playback are two additional compelling reasons; this speaker will keep your pool party going all day and night.

The Charge 5 is more than just a number change from the previous model, though. JBL continues to improve the design and construction of the Charge speakers. The larger silicone base will help keep the Charge 5 from shimmying across the tile and into the pool due to its own vibration. You’ll feel confident when you grab this speaker, with its rubberized materials and solid build. Physical buttons with unique shapes make it easy to find the control you need, even when you’re reaching from the hot tub without your glasses. Another party-extending feature is the Charge 5’s powerbank ability, which lets you charge other devices via a hidden USB connector. Upgraded Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity extends the range you can travel with your Charge 5 and keeps your music playing without interruption. Just what you need to keep the vibe going!


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JBL

JBL Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Powerbank (Black)
Regular price $179.95
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Best Budget Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

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JBL Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker (Blue)

Regular price $129.95
Sale price $129.95 Regular price
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JBL

JBL Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker (Blue)
Regular price $129.95
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Best Rugged Bluetooth Speaker

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Regular price $19.99
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Regular price $19.99
Sale price $19.99 Regular price
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Best Compact Bluetooth Speaker

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Sonos Roam 2 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (Black)

Regular price $179.00
Sale price $179.00 Regular price
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  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 6.61" x 2.44" x 2.36"
  • Weight: 0.95 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
  • Waterproof Rating: IP67
  • Stereo Pairing: Yes
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The Sonos Roam 2 is our favorite portable outdoor speaker for lots of reasons. First and foremost, it's a true outdoor speaker. It's wonderfully waterproof and dust-proof, so when you get tired of listening to music on your patio, you can roam with the Roam anywhere. Its outstanding sound and powerful bass won't get drowned out by wind or traffic noise, and the Trueplay function automatically adjusts the sound to your environment, so you don't miss out on the lyrics. With Bluetooth and WiFi, the Roam will pair with your devices and your home WiFi setup, so your connections will always be ready to go when you're ready for some tunes. Voice control implementation lets you use Apple AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant to access your favorite content and control your other devices. Plus, it's small, lightweight, and practically begs to go outside with you.

The new Sonos Roam 2 vs. Sonos Roam introduces a streamlined design with distinct power and Bluetooth buttons for effortless control. Now available in a sleek monotone finish, this updated model also includes a USB-C to USB-C cable for faster and more efficient charging.

Also check out our Sonos Roam review.


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Sonos

Sonos Roam 2 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (Black)
Regular price $179.00
Sale price $179.00 Regular price
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Best Bluetooth Party Speaker

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JBL PartyBox Encore Essential Portable Party Speaker

Regular price $299.95
Sale price $299.95 Regular price
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  • Dimensions: 10.87" x 12.87" x 11.54"
  • Weight: 13 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Battery Life: Up to 6 Hours
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX4 Splashproof
  • Powerbank Capability: Yes
  • Stereo Pairing: Yes
  • USB-C: No; USB-A only
  • Wi-Fi: No
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It used to be that you needed large, heavy speakers and an amplification system to put out enough sound to really get your party started. Not anymore: The compact powerhouse JBL PartyBox Encore Essential can totally make that happen all by itself — and even more so when paired with another PartyBox speaker.

Stream music and control volume, EQ settings, and the built-in light show from your mobile device. You can also stream from a USB stick or a wired aux connection, so you can circulate without worrying about dropouts..

If karaoke is part of what makes your parties memorable, then you’ll really love the PartyBox Encore Essential’s ¼” microphone connector. You can also use JBL’s Dual Wireless Microphone System for some real freestyling.

With this kind of sound power in such a portable design, the PartyBox Encore is hands-down our choice for Best Bluetooth Party Speaker. Factor in the beat-synched light show and karaoke mic capabilities, and it’s gonna be hard to stop your party once it gets started.

Pros: Huge sound, perfect for partying. Small, lightweight and portable.

Cons: Battery life isn't as long as some other speakers, but it does operate with A/C power.


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JBL

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential Portable Party Speaker
Regular price $299.95
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Best Bluetooth Speaker With Lights

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JBL Pulse 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with 360-Degree Light Show (Black)

Regular price $249.95
Sale price $249.95 Regular price
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  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.2" x 8.5" x 5.2"
  • Weight: 3.23 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
  • Waterproof Rating: IP67
  • Powerbank Capability: No
  • Stereo Pairing: Yes
  • USB-C: No
  • Wi-Fi: No
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Most Bluetooth speakers are easy to operate – just set-it-and-forget-it. This one is easy, too, but it’s more like set-it-and-stare-at-it. Really, it’s hard to look away when the Pulse 5 hits the dance floor in a 360° LED light show perfectly synced to the beat. The Pulse 5 is JBL’s latest iteration of the Pulse, which includes a better design (with an up-firing driver for deep bass and bold JBL Original Pro sound in all directions), a 12-hour battery, and an IP67 waterproof rating.

Though you may be inclined to think anything with a “light show” has to be a gimmick, that’s not the case – the Pulse 5 is still a JBL product and as such, audio quality is excellent. Not the best in the world, no, but a solid competitor at this price point. Bass is above average, and the Pulse 5 was designed to throw sound in 360-degrees. It’s louder than most, too, but sound quality drops off a bit at higher volume.

What else? How about the ability to link multiple JBL speakers together with JBL PartyBoost? Now that’s cool. (Watching a bunch of Pulse 5s all doing their own thing to the beat just makes you want to party. If anyone does that, please – send us a photo.)


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JBL

JBL Pulse 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with 360-Degree Light Show (Black)
Regular price $249.95
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Best Bluetooth Speaker for Bass

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Bose Portable Smart Speaker (Luxe Silver)

Regular price $399.00
Sale price $399.00 Regular price
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  • Colors: Available in black or silver
  • Weight: 2.34 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX4
  • Powerbank Capability: No
  • Stereo Pairing: Yes
  • USB-C: Charging Only
  • Wi-Fi: Yes
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One sure way to separate the men from the boys when it comes to portable wireless speakers: Cue up the A Capella bass harmony at the beginning of Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” and turn it up – WAY up. We did just that with the Bose Portable Home speaker, a smart speaker Bose claims is “best at bass,” and yeah – we’re believers. At this price point, Bose crushes the competition when it comes to powerful bass in a portable package.

The Bose Portable Home speaker is an Amazon Alexa / Googe Assistant smart speaker from a company that continues to out-innovate everyone save for maybe Sonos. (Depends on who you ask.) It streams whatever you like via at-home Wi-Fi or when you leave home, it acts like any other portable Bluetooth speaker controlled via your phone or tablet. It proved excellent at hearing and executing voice commands, too – though voice commands only work when connected by Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. As for sound quality, it’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from Bose: powerful, and remarkably crisp and clear.

With the nifty little handle on top, the Bose Portable doesn’t exactly hide its rugged portable-ness. All the controls are on top, and it comes with a USB-C cord for charging the battery, though Bose also offers a charging cradle in the $30 range. Add the cradle, and the Bose Portable begins to approach the Sonos Move with respect to price. Tough choice, for sure.


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Bose

Bose Portable Smart Speaker (Luxe Silver)
Regular price $399.00
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Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $150

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Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker (Black)

Regular price $149.00
Sale price $149.00 Regular price
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  • Dimensions (WxHxD): 7.93" x 3.56" x 2.06"
  • Weight: 1.30 lbs.
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
  • Waterproof Rating: IP67
  • Powerbank Capability: No
  • Stereo Pairing: Yes
  • USB-C: Yes
  • Wi-Fi: No
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The SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker is the perfect musical sidekick, with a rugged design able to withstand water, dust, and a few bumps and bruises along the way. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or having friends over for dinner, the powerful SoundLink Flex will amaze you with lifelike performance and deep, rich tones that elevate any moment. And with its PositionIQ technology, it automatically adjusts to however it’s oriented to optimize the sound. Whether it’s standing upright, lying on its back, or hanging from its tear-resistant utility loop, the SoundLink Flex will deliver your music in full, balanced tones.

Whether you’re working a long shift or enjoying a day on the water, SoundLink Flex will provide your soundtrack all day. It can go for up to 12 hours on a single charge, and when it’s time to power back up, you can recharge it quickly via its USB-C port.

Sure, SoundLink Flex is incredible all on its own. But like all Bose speakers, this versatile portable speaker gets even better when teamed up with other speakers. Pair it with another SoundLink Flex or other Bose Bluetooth speaker to enable Party Mode and enjoy what you’re hearing in more rooms or more areas outdoors. Even a bit of both — SoundLink Flex also connects to Bose Smart Soundbars so you can keep tabs on the game while you’re away from the TV. A product of state-of-the-art engineering, SoundLink Flex is packed with exclusive Bose technologies. Its innovative transducer is custom designed to deliver the clearest possible sound and strong, deep bass that really packs a punch. The speaker’s digital signal processing (DSP) technologies, proprietary code, and custom algorithms all work together to ensure optimal sound quality wherever you are.


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Bose

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker (Black)
Regular price $149.00
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Still not sure? We got this.

If you're still not sure which Bluetooth Speaker is the best for you, give us a call or send us an email. Tell us about your ideal speaker, and we’d be more than happy to help you pick one that is right for you.

One more thing:

Once you pick out your Bluetooth speaker, a last word of advice: buy it from a trusted dealer, and the more experience / the longer the track record, the better. A good dealer will take care of you in the event anything happens.

Speaking of trusted dealers...

World Wide Stereo is home to some 90+ industry-leading audio/video professionals who love what they do, and talking about it, too. We opened our doors in 1979, gained a small yet diehard following, won a slew of national awards for everything from killer car audio installations to customer service, grew the business online… and today we enjoy a faithful following of like-minded TV-watching, music-listening, gear-loving defenders of fun for the whole family. Our only rule: no one leaves unhappy. We’re brutally honest when it comes to this stuff. Want to know if something is as good as advertised? Even if you're shopping somewhere else? Call us or stop by one of our showrooms — we’ll give it to you straight. We love what we do, and we love sharing that love.

With us, you get our guarantee, which includes perks like free shipping, 60-day returns, and support even years after the sale — always. Hence our rule: "no one leaves unhappy." Ever.

2024 Bluetooth Speaker Deals

We’ve made it easy to find the best deals from brands like Sonos, JBL, and more. Our deals update daily so you don’t miss a beat, and we’ve got your back through with our price match guarantee, 60-day returns, easy financing, and free shipping. Don’t see what you want on sale? Give us at 1.866.961.7781 or chat with an expert.

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