Top 5 BEST Bluetooth Speakers in 2025
Simply the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now
Over the course of nearly two decades, our knowledgeable audio team has tested and evaluated the top Bluetooth speakers available. Do you want evidence? Check out our evaluation of the Parrot DS1120 Bluetooth Speakers, a throwback to a time when we were actively involved with portable audio equipment and why our stringent testing procedure is still in place today.
We are experts in Bluetooth sound technology. Since 2019, I have been a committed audio reviewer (now editor), assisted by an outstanding group of experts, whose names you can see in the ‘tested by’ section at the foot of this guide. All of the products on this list have undergone extensive, practical testing, so our suggestions are supported by reliable knowledge.
To be honest, there are limitations to ultra-portable speakers. A speaker that is small enough to fit in your hand won’t produce bass that is earth-shaking. But people don’t purchase them for that reason. Convenience and portability are key features of these speakers, and we’ve selected the best models in terms of sound quality, battery life, use, and overall value.
Searching for something more challenging? See our evaluation of the top waterproof speakers. Do you like upscale music that blends in well with your house? View our selection of the top wireless speakers. Otherwise, continue reading.
Table of Contents
BEST OVERALL
1. JBL Flip 6
BEST ON A BUDGET
2. JBL Clip 5
BEST FOR WI-FI TOO
3. Sonos Roam 2
BEST SOUND PRE-POUND
4. Ultimate Ears Everboom
BEST FOR PARTIES
5. Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
1. JBL Flip 6
What you need to know is that a portable speaker should only provide high-quality sound while you’re on the go. If that’s all you need, JBL is the only option. The Flip 6 is a simple, user-friendly, and excellent-sounding Bluetooth speaker. Since it was first released in 2021, we anticipate a new model to be unveiled soon, but in the meantime, it continues to be our top choice overall and should work for the majority of people, especially since it is never full price anymore. Since it’s a JBL speaker, it also has features like the ability to combine up to 100 of the brand’s speakers simultaneously to create an even bigger sound system. However, this model does not support reverse charging; if that’s something you need, look at the JBL Charge 5 at number seven on the list.
Audio performance: The Flip 6’s primary focus is on providing clear and accurate audio because it doesn’t have many features. Yes, it just does one thing, but it does it exceptionally well. Surprisingly for a speaker of this size, we characterized the Bluetooth speaker’s sound as warm and well-balanced throughout our assessment. Although the treble can occasionally sound a little harsh when played at high volumes due to its small size, there is still a lot of clarity and detail available.
Design: The Flip 6 doesn’t have a strange shape like many other portable speakers on the market. Instead, it comes in a traditional cylinder shape that can be placed in any backpack’s side pocket. Additionally, there is a large selection of colors, so you have many alternatives to ensure that it suits your equipment. Its 12-hour battery life and extraordinary durability allow it to survive a splash of water, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking or running out of power.
Value: Whether you’re listening at home or on the move, the Flip 6 is the perfect speaker for anyone who wants to just turn up the volume, enjoy, and relax. It’s also reasonably priced. Because it lacks the additional phone charging feature, it is also somewhat less expensive than the JBL Charge 5, putting it squarely in the middle of the market.
2. JBL Clip 5
What you need to know is that a portable speaker should only provide high-quality sound while you’re on the go. If that’s all you need, JBL is the only option. The Flip 6 is a simple, user-friendly, and excellent-sounding Bluetooth speaker. Since it was first released in 2021, we anticipate a new model to be unveiled soon, but in the meantime, it continues to be our top choice overall and should work for the majority of people, especially since it is never full price anymore. Since it’s a JBL speaker, it also has features like the ability to combine up to 100 of the brand’s speakers simultaneously to create an even bigger sound system. However, this model does not support reverse charging; if that’s something you need, look at the JBL Charge 5 at number seven on the list.
Audio performance: The Flip 6’s primary focus is on providing clear and accurate audio because it doesn’t have many features. Yes, it just does one thing, but it does it exceptionally well. Surprisingly for a speaker of this size, we characterized the Bluetooth speaker’s sound as warm and well-balanced throughout our assessment. Although the treble can occasionally sound a little harsh when played at high volumes due to its small size, there is still a lot of clarity and detail available.
Design: The Flip 6 doesn’t have a strange shape like many other portable speakers on the market. Instead, it comes in a traditional cylinder shape that can be placed in any backpack’s side pocket. Additionally, there is a large selection of colors, so you have many alternatives to ensure that it suits your equipment. Its 12-hour battery life and extraordinary durability allow it to survive a splash of water, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking or running out of power.
Value: Whether you’re listening at home or on the move, the Flip 6 is the perfect speaker for anyone who wants to just turn up the volume, enjoy, and relax. It’s also reasonably priced. Because it lacks the additional phone charging feature, it is also somewhat less expensive than the JBL Charge 5, putting it squarely in the middle of the market.
3. Sonos Roam 2
What you should know: Since its release in 2021, the original Sonos Roam has been one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers. Despite the fact that there are many more portable speakers available today, the Sonos Roam 2 remains a popular option despite improvements in a few crucial areas. With its small size and extensive range of connectivity technologies, including as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it produces a clear, rich, and well-balanced sound that can be used as a portable speaker or as part of a larger multi-room Sonos system. Additionally, it has Alexa built in to function as a smart speaker when connected to Wi-Fi. When it comes to Bluetooth audio alone, the JBL Flip 6 offers greater value, but the Sonos Roam 2’s ability to work with both Sonos multi-room and AirPlay 2 is a huge plus.
The Sonos Roam 2’s audio performance is described as “excellent sound that punches far above the sheer size” in our assessment. It is a fantastic option for listening to a wide variety of genres and musicians since, as we discovered, it conveys audio well across the frequency spectrum. You can still clearly hear the bass in your favorite songs, but it’s not the loudest, so if you want a large, booming speaker, look elsewhere. You may anticipate crisp, rich sounds even at high volume settings.
Design: The Sonos Roam 2 will look great in your house because to its sleek and simple design, especially since it comes in a few attractive colors. Its IP67 rating and sturdy, dustproof, and waterproof construction make it perfect for listening to music outside. It’s sad that the battery life of 10 hours isn’t much better than that of the original Roam. It is sufficient for a day out, yet, if battery life is a concern for you, have a look at the JBL Charge, which comes in at number six on the list and has an amazing 20 hours of battery life. Or the Tribit Stormbox Flow, which has a massive 30-hour power capacity and ranks #7 on the list.
Value: You certainly get good value for your money with the Sonos Roam 2, which offers you a ton of options, a beautiful design, and excellent sound. Though Sonos hasn’t yet unveiled a less costly ‘Roam 2 SL’ variant, this speaker is pricey in comparison to competitors. The Roam 2 is such a fantastic all-arounder that we think it’s worth its price, especially if you’re attracted by Wi-Fi connectivity as well, which isn’t always a given in this category. The JBL Flip 6 or JBL Charge 5 will give you higher sonic power per buck.
4. Ultimate Ears Everboom
What you should know: This speaker is excellent and fulfills several requirements. Yes, there are less expensive versions of similar equipment. There are also some that are a bit more costly but have more party-appropriate power. However, we believe the Ultimate Ears Everboom is a wise pick for dependable sound in a sturdy construction, particularly when considering the sound-per-pound performance, which is superior to almost everything else at the same price and size.
Audio performance: To begin with, the Everboom has a loud volume. really loud. A lot louder than you’ll likely ever need it. Although you will feel some distortion if you hit those high volumes, this is wonderful news for parties. As we stated in our review, the UE Everboom “delivers a very compelling audio performance, proving it can deliver quality not just quantity.” We were really pleased with its speaker’s power and 360-degree soundstage. With an EQ full of settings and an Outdoor Boost option that makes sure the speaker focuses on frequencies that go far outside, the app offers ways to maximize the sound.
Design: The Everboom’s design isn’t very noteworthy, but it is useful, long-lasting, and includes a convenient carabiner attachment. Because it has an IP67 rating—which means it can withstand dust and float in water for up to 30 minutes—it’s a wonderful choice if you want to take it outside or travel. It does indeed float! It’s good to know that it will withstand a dunk in the pool, but listening to it in water degrades the audio. Although it weighs 960g, making it slightly heavier than its competitors, its clip and design make it feel surprisingly portable.
Value: The Ultimate Ears Everboom is a multipurpose speaker with a sturdy, portable design, excellent sound quality, and good functionality. Although it’s not inexpensive, it sounds and looks even more high-end than it actually is. Cheaper speakers with some robust features are available, but the sound quality is worse. In a similar vein, speakers that perform better acoustically are much more expensive. UE has truly found its sweet spot.
5. Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
What you need to know: The second iteration of the Tribit Stormbox Blast is a massive, bass-heavy beast that was made with parties in mind. It offers impressive volume levels, genuinely ground-shaking low frequencies, a sturdy design that can withstand knocks and splashes, and all-night listening. Although it’s not inexpensive at $299.99/£257 (about AU$490), if you can stretch your budget, it’s our number one choice for parties. However, like most Tribit speakers, you should anticipate seeing nice deals on it during sales events.
Audio performance: We told you it was perfect for parties, and you get a powerful performance that really puts the bass first. In our evaluation, we stated right away that the bass of the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 had “ground-shaking impact.” We discovered that this is because the XBass feature was enabled; even when it is not enabled, the bass still thuds but does not completely overwhelm the frequency range. The bass was still “rhythmic and deep,” according to us, but the voices were also “nicely defined.” When you turn up the level, you’ll notice that the clarity slightly decreases. That being said, it’s difficult to find a better-sounding party speaker at this budget, particularly when it comes to that crucial low-end.
Design: You need a huge, bold, and massive structure to produce that loud, bass-heavy sound. With a weight of 19.2 pounds (8.7 kilograms), this speaker is big and would never fit in a tiny suitcase. It also has a muscular appearance. Despite its weight, it is taken into consideration because it is a bit more sophisticated and curvier than its predecessor. It is IP67 rated, which indicates that it is waterproof and dustproof, as one might anticipate from an outdoor speaker.
Value: This speaker isn’t flawless; it costs a bit more than other competitors and is also somewhat large. However, it features a robust build, a remarkable 30-hour battery life, and a fantastic, bass-heavy sound. Is the cost justified? Of course. However, make sure you need a speaker that is as focused on bass and designed for gatherings as this one is. The purpose of it is to get everyone moving.
Weighing the competition: We have personally tested and evaluated every Bluetooth speaker in our guide by comparing them to the current class leaders and listening to them independently. Basically, if it’s on this list, you know we think it’s better than the countless competing models we’ve examined (trust us, many don’t make it here).
Testing the specs: At TechRadar, we evaluate a huge number of portable speakers annually, so we know precisely what features and specifications to look for. We take the time to ensure that the battery life and connectivity are as good as the brands claim because it’s crucial for us to compare the speakers’ performance to the specifications stated by their producers.
Trialing in various settings: To ensure that the device will function as well outside as it does indoors, we test every Bluetooth speaker in a variety of settings and against its main rivals. We don’t complete our testing until we are confident with the sound quality, and we live with these speakers in our homes to ensure that they operate consistently.
Playing diverse genres: To make sure these speakers can handle anything from thundering dance tracks to softly spoken podcasts, we evaluate the audio performance using a variety of musical genres and streams from many sources.
Only unbiased reviews: Having spent more years in this industry than we’d like to acknowledge, we firmly believe that our star-rated evaluations provide the greatest assessment of the Bluetooth speakers on this list. Since sales teams don’t influence our decisions, we won’t recommend anything if we don’t enjoy its features, design, sound, or usability.