The bazooka-sized boomboxes of yesteryear are no more, and haven't been for a while now. They have made way for portable, wireless speakers that are more capable, and sometimes, are as small as a soda can.
But the path to glory for the Bluetooth speaker hasn't always been strong. In fact, it's been downright shaky at times, as innovation in design flew past the actual execution of reliably streaming music wirelessly in its early years.
Most of the bugs have been shook loose, and the Bluetooth speakers arriving on store shelves today are better and more affordable than ever. What with long-lasting battery life, stunning audio reproduction and other useful features, these speakers can turn any trip away from home into a tune-filled party.
We've done the digging to present to you our picks for best Bluetooth speakers.
Harman Infinity One
For a heavy-hitting option, look no further than the Harman Infinity One. After all, Linkin Park helped develop it, so you know it has got to be good. (*wink)In all seriousness though, this Bluetooth speaker can fill the room with rich sound from top to bottom. A slouch, the Harman Infinity One is not. You'll find all of the important features here, like speakerphone and NFC capabilities, as well as a solid battery life.
At $300, it's quite a steep investment for most just looking to pipe sound wire-free. But if you're looking for a stellar-looking option that boasts enough good qualities to justify its price, your search ends here.
Get this if your entertainment center is longing for a bold-looking and powerful companion.
- Read our Harman Infinity One review
Fluance Fi30
One look at this speaker might make you think that it costs a small fortune. Coming in aggressively at $149, the Fluance Fi30 loves defying expectations and the act doesn't stop at its shockingly low price. It also sounds great. With room-filling audio, we've got a value-packed speaker that can bring down the house.Unlike the others on this list, the Fi30 isn't portable at all. Not just for its size, but also because it requires being plugged into an electrical socket for power. Minor negatives aside, this makes for the perfect porch companion or boombox-sized speaker for your pad.
- Read our Fluance Fi30 review
TDK TREK Flex
Looking at the TREK Flex, it's clear that the design is one of this speaker's strongest suits. What's more, it yields some nifty functionality too. Whether you stand this speaker vertically or lay it on its sides, you'll be pleased with the performance here.The TREK Flex can stand up to the elements with dust and water resistance. It may not look like it, but this speaker can take a beating, which makes it perfect for camping trips.
At $129, TDK made a speaker that follow you through your adventures, rain or shine.
- Read our TDK TREK Flex review
Recommended deal
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TDK TREK Flex
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From £69.99
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Dell AD211
A good Bluetooth speaker is something we all deserve, but it's also something we can't all afford. Thankfully, Dell stuck this stellar option in the budget Bluetooth speaker category.The Dell AD211 won't win awards for design, though some may dig its simple style. Whatever bad we had to say about (not much) it, can be mostly ignored once you hear that it retails for a staggeringly cheap $59 (£68.39, AU$79).
Taking value into consideration, you'll have a hard time finding an affordable speaker with good battery life, NFC compatibility and a built-in microphone. But the AD211 has it all, and for a bargain.
Get this if you're ballin' on a budget and you need the most feature-packed speaker for your money.
- Read our Dell AD211 review
Recommended deal
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Dell AD211
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From £31.73
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Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini
While this chic Bluetooth speaker is marketed to the on the go business professional, always catching flights to go catch more flights, the Harmon Kardon Esquire Mini is an easy recommendation.It's hard not to be partial to such a good-looking speaker, but thankfully, its performance ranks just as high in our book. Albeit a tad expensive for its size ($150, £129.99), it makes up for the financial burden with great battery life and fantastic style.
If size is of utmost importance, you'll be pleased with the Esquire Mini, as it's about the thickness of two smartphones. Of course, you wouldn't guess that the voluminous sound would be coming out of such a small device.
Get this if want a pocket-friendly Bluetooth speaker that's fashion-savvy.