Finding a speaker to provide superior sound may seem daunting, but luckily the extensive number of options available means you can find a speaker to meet your every need. Some of the best speakers deliver amazing sound without breaking the bank. Whether you want to rock an outdoor party or just need something to play lo-fi beats in your office, there’s a speaker on our list that will suit your goals. We even have great budget picks if you want beautiful audio but don’t want to spend a fortune—the speakers on our list range from $20 to a few hundred dollars. If you’re looking for a home theater sound solution, our best surround sound speakers roundup evaluates all of the best speakers for your home, or you can continue reading for our curated list of the best speakers. Whether you’re dancing to music or performing a duet, the Party Rocker Max’s LED grill and lighted dome disperse a shower of dazzling color over the dance floor. The dome light projects six different colors: red, green, blue, magenta, orange, and white. The varying colors change patterns and pulsate to the music. With 75 hours of playback time, you’ll be able to party all night long. It’s Bluetooth-enabled, so you can access your carefully curated party playlist from a phone or tablet. For non-Bluetooth devices, you can connect to the Party Rocker Max with a 3.5-millimeter aux input. Regardless of how you decide to connect to the speaker, you can easily transport it from party to party thanks to the built-in wheels and telescoping handle. Coming in at 25 pounds and almost 2 feet high, you’ll appreciate being able to roll the Party Rocker Max between destinations. Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: No The subwoofer is equipped with a 10-inch polymer-composited dynamic balance cone driver to deliver a fully balanced, explosive sound. To further enhance the PSW10’s sound, Polk Audio designed the subwoofer with laser-based Klippel measurement technology to improve linearity and create a deep, precise sound. Due to its sheer power, the PSW10 has a non-resonant all-MDF enclosure. The cabinet’s 0.75-inch-thick baffles and internal bracing safeguard the system if played at maximum volume. If you manage to run into technical difficulties, you’ll have support from Polk Audio, as the PSW10 comes with a 5-year warranty. With a bandwidth of 40Hz to 200Hz, 50 watts of continuous power, and up to 100 watts of dynamic power, the subwoofer is ideal for filling the bottom end of your home theater system. You may want to double-check if the PSW10 can fit within your system’s set-up, as the subwoofer measures 14 x 14.38 x 16.12 inches and weighs 26 pounds. But if the technical specs have your needs and the subwoofer fits within your entertainment system, you’re looking at paying a little over $100. Channels: Woofer | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: RCA | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: No You’ll be able to stay connected to the speaker as far away as 32 feet. If your device lacks Bluetooth capability, you can also connect to the SPBT1031 through a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack or USB port. Customer reviews claim connecting and operating the SPBT1031 is user-friendly. While inexpensive, the SPBT1031 is versatile as it gets. The speaker, which is suited for indoor and outdoor use, weighs only 2.9 pounds and measures 11.5 x 6.3 x 6.7 inches. Its compact size and accompanying shoulder strap make it easy to transport. The SPBT1031 doesn’t have the most impressive battery. The 1500 mAh Rechargeable battery offers 14 hours of playback on a single charge. Channels: 2.1 | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: No As the latest in the Charge series, the Charge 4 trades in dual full-range drivers for a single driver. Even with one driver, the speaker has two bass radiators contributing to a rich, driving bass. The Charge 4’s specs produce sound quality that is on par with many stereo speakers. You can appreciate your music or podcast from clocking in until clocking out due to the speaker’s 7500mAh battery that provides up to 20 hours on a single charge. Although the Charge 4 has an impressive battery life, the speaker takes almost 5 hours to get a full charge. JBL’s versatile speaker makes it easy to transition from office to evening. With JBL Connect+, the Charge 4 can be connected with up to 100 other devices. If the thumping bass causes you to clumsily spill your morning coffee or tea onto your Charge 4, don’t fret. The speaker’s IPX7 rating makes it waterproof for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. If you decide to go for a late-night swim, remember the Charge 4 can float so you’ll have enough time to rescue your Bluetooth speaker. Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes (IPX7) In all, the Zipp Mini churns out 100 watts of total power. Multiple people can join in on the fun as you can pair the speaker with up to six speakers. Connectivity is smooth as users can connect through Bluetooth, WiFi, Airplay, DLNA, and Spotify Connect. With more than 10 hours of battery life, the Zipp Mini can get you through a standard workday and beyond. Taking the speaker from the office to your home is made convenient with a carrying handle. Need to take a call when on the move? The Zipp Mini also doubles as a speakerphone for conference calls. The Zipp Mini has two features that aren’t found in other speakers we’ve reviewed. First, its touch interface makes controlling the speaker as easy as navigating a smartphone or any other 21st-century technological device. Secondly, the Zipp Mini has hush gesture detection, making it easy to lower speaker volume in a hurry. By just placing your hand over the touch interface, the volume will drastically decrease. You should note that these remarkable features come at a price, as the Zipp Mini will set you back a couple of hundred bucks. Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm/USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: No While small in size, the OontZ Angle 3 is mighty in sound quality. With two precision acoustic drivers and a triangular shape that enhances audio clarity, the speaker delivers crystal clear sound whether you’re streaming music at the beach, in your dorm room or in the shower. Moreover, the OontZ Angle 3 features a proprietary passive bass radiator design that guarantees distortion-free sound. The radiator design knows no limits as you can enjoy music without distortion, even at the loudest volume. Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes (IPX5) Listeners have two ways to connect to the speaker: plugin via the 3.5-millimeter jack or pair with Bluetooth 5.0 technology. The Acton II’s multi-host function allows two people to connect via Bluetooth simultaneously and take turns playing their favorite tunes. Whether you or a friend are wirelessly connected, you’ll enjoy the superior sound up to 30 feet away. Powered by dual 3/4-inch dome tweeters and a lone 4-inch woofer, the Acton II adds a sound that lives up to its rock ‘n’ roll promise. Each tweeter and the sole woofer are powered by dedicated Class D amplifiers. Though Marshall sticks with an analog knob to fine-tune the sound coming from your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, or computer, listeners can also fine-tune sounds by way of the Marshall Bluetooth app. Since the Acton II has nearly 20 hours of battery on a single charge, you won’t have to worry if you’re not near a power source. Be mindful that the speaker isn’t waterproof, so if you take your Acton II near the beach or pool, you want to be careful not to get it wet. Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: No Even though the Marshall Acton II Bluetooth speaker (view at Best Buy) isn’t a party on wheels, it covers all the bases of a quality speaker. The Acton II has dual dome tweeters, a 4-inch woofer, and can be fine-tuned with a mobile app. If you decide to take it on the go, the speaker weighs less than 7 pounds and has a handle, so transporting is easy. Keep in mind that the Acton II is almost $50 more than the Party Rocker Max. Since 2008, Danny Chadwick has published hundreds of articles, reviews, and videos on Top Ten Reviews. He is an expert in mobile audio equipment.
What to Look For in the Best Speakers
Connectivity
How you intend to connect to your speaker is an important consideration before purchasing. If you’re on the prowl for speakers for your home theater, you need ones with coaxial inputs. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a wireless speaker to take to work or use in your yard, then Bluetooth is your best bet. Wi-Fi is also a connectivity option, which is commonly found in wireless home theater speakers. If you prefer having options, many speakers offer both wired and wireless connectivity.
Battery Life
Although battery life applies only to portable speakers, it can be make or break. The battery life of portable speakers can range from several hours to a few days. If you plan on using your speaker in the office, make sure to find a speaker that packs enough power to last the full workday. If you need a speaker for entertainment, you may want to search for one with a battery life of 16 or more hours.
Built-In Amplifiers
If sound quality is essential to you, you’ll need a built-in amplifier. Your wireless speakers can sound as good as home theater speakers. For the most impressive wireless sound, choose a speaker with multiple integrated amplifiers to power both woofers and tweeters. If not, the sound quality will leave a lot to be desired.
