Sonos Move 2: Sonos’ Move 2 transportable speaker is a fairly simple product to evaluation. That’s as a result of it improves upon its already excellent predecessor in a few key methods. In addition to providing extra spacious sound due to a brand new dual-tweeter acoustic structure, it additionally delivers a lot improved battery life (as much as 24 hours). Sonos additionally tossed is a few modest design updates, together with new contact controls. Alas, these upgrades include the next value — the Move 2 with an included a wi-fi charging dock prices $449 (£449, AU$799), or $50 greater than the unique. But it is being sporadically discounted to $350, and in case you can afford it, it is a wonderful transportable speaker that makes for a pleasant addition to your property’s Sonos lineup, with the power to journey extra broadly due to its Bluetooth assist. Read our Sonos Move 2 evaluation.Sonos Roam 2: Sonos’s unique Roam speaker sounded excellent for its compact dimension, however many customers complained that it was tough to go from Wi-Fi mode at dwelling and Bluetooth mode on the go. With the discharge of the brand new Roam 2, which is available in 5 shade choices, these connectivity points go away. The actuality is the Roam 2 ($180) is not a lot of an improve. It has the identical acoustic structure (and the identical spectacular sound for its dimension), however now it has two buttons — one for energy and the opposite for Bluetooth — as an alternative of a single energy button. That Bluetooth button allows you to pair the speaker with any Bluetooth-enabled audio machine proper out of the field. Previously, the setup was extra convoluted and required you to hook up with your Sonos dwelling Wi-Fi community first.JBL Flip 7: New for 2025, JBL did not drastically modified the design of its seventh-gen Flip transportable Bluetooth speaker ($150), which seems to be much like its predecessor however has a brand new Push-Lock accent system that permits you to swap between a carabiner and a loop (each are included). There are additionally some upgrades on the within, together with a newly developed woofer that helps enhance bass efficiency. Like its large brother, the Charge 6, this totally waterproof and dustproof (IP68) speaker is provided with one thing known as “AI Sound Boost,” which JBL says retains the audio system from distorting as their drivers are pushed to their “maximum capability.” In different phrases, JBL has improved the speaker’s digital processing with upgraded algorithms and the Flip 7 principally manages to keep away from distorting at larger quantity ranges. (I did not discover it distortion-free, although.) If sound high quality is a precedence, the big and costlier Charge 6 is a greater possibility (it does produce greater sound with bass noticeably extra bass). But as I mentioned, the 1.21-pound Flip 7’s sound has been leveled up, and it stays one of many better-sounding audio system for its dimension, enhancing its standing in opposition to Bose’s equally priced SoundHyperlink Flex, which acquired some small upgrades in 2024. Read our Flip 7 first take.Tribit Stormbox Blast 2: In 2024, Tribit launched a second-gen model of its widespread Stormbox Blast Bluetooth increase field speaker. The Stormbox Blast 2 ($260) has an upgraded design — it is much less boxy and generic trying than the unique — together with upgraded speaker drivers and two inputs for wired microphones for karaoke (the microphones are bought individually). The speaker is sort of beefy, weighing in at 15.8 kilos, and it is rated for 200W of energy, with an 80W subwoofer, twin 45W mid-range drivers and two 15W tweeters. This factor performs loud, has highly effective bass (I primarily stored the bass enhance mode engaged) and measures up properly in opposition to extra premium Bluetooth increase field audio system from JBL and Sony that price about twice as a lot.LG Xboom Bounce (Core): LG’s partnership with Black Eyed Peas’ frontman Will.i.am is paying dividends as the corporate’s newest crop of Bluetooth audio system measure up properly in opposition to key rivals within the house. I attempted the Xboom Grab ($140) and the Xboom Bounce ($200) and got here away liking each audio system. But the bigger Bounce has considerably fuller sound, with much more kick to the bass. On each audio system, I appreciated that they appeared properly tuned and extra pure sounding than many Bluetooth audio system I check, notably within the midrange the place vocals dwell (vocals are a bit ahead, however I preferred that). Note that there would not appear to be any distinction between the Bounce and Bounce Core, so get the cheaper mannequin, which is all the way down to about $120.Tribit XSound Plus 2: The Tribit XSound Plus 2 is the successor to the equally priced MaxSound Plus, which was an excellent worth. The XSound Plus 2 performs somewhat louder (it has a 30-watt vs. 24-watt energy ranking) and in addition has a barely higher battery (as much as 24 hours at 50% quantity vs. 20 hours). Additionally, this speaker is provided with Bluetooth 5.3 and is ready to hook up with the Tribit app and hyperlink up in get together mode with Tribit’s XSound Plus 2, StormBox Flow and StormBox 2 Bluetooth audio system.Sony LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker: Sony made some errors with its LinkBuds Bluetooth speaker. First, it launched it in its LinkBuds line with a few new LinkBuds, so it form of obtained misplaced within the shuffle. Second, it is somewhat too costly at its checklist value. But ignoring all that, I used to be stunned how good it sounded for its tiny dimension. It’s simply among the many best-sounding micro Bluetooth audio system on the market and is provided with a two-way speaker system that includes a devoted tweeter and Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker unit (woofer), giving it a lot fuller sound than you’d anticipate with punchy bass and good readability. It’s nonetheless a mono speaker, although you’ll be able to pair two of them collectively for stereo sound. Anker Soundcore Motion X600: Anker’s Soundcore Motion X600 mini increase field not solely has a premium appear and feel with a metallic grille and carrying deal with, however consists of some fascinating options like spatial audio and assist for Sony’s LDAC audio codec. It sounds spectacular for its comparatively compact dimension and is an efficient worth. Weighing 4.2 kilos (1.9 kg), it has some heft to it nevertheless it’s mild sufficient to hold round with out feeling such as you’re getting a exercise. The speaker is offered in grey, inexperienced and blue and is provided with 5 drivers, together with two woofers, two tweeters and one full-range, upward-firing driver “in a unique speaker array that combined with Soundcore’s audio algorithm and DSP helps create a wide (and tall) soundstage for listening to any type of music,” in line with Anker. It’s rated for 50 watts of whole energy, with two 20-watt amps dedicated to the woofers and tweeters and a 3rd 10-watt amp powering the upward-firing driver.Anker Soundcore Motion 300: Bose makes its glorious SoundHyperlink Flex Bluetooth speaker that sells for about $150 and typically goes on sale for much less. The Soundcore Motion 300 is Anker’s reply to that Bose speaker. Around the identical dimension because the Bose, it would not sound fairly nearly as good nevertheless it sounds spectacular for its compact dimension and lists for under $80. Like the SoundHyperlink Flex, it may be laid down flat with its speaker firing up towards the ceiling or propped up as proven within the photograph above. It’s IPX7 waterproof and delivers as much as 13 hours of audio at average quantity ranges. There’s additionally assist for Sony’s LDAC audio codec for Android and different gadgets that assist Bluetooth wi-fi streaming with LDAC. Tribit Stormbox Flow: Tribit’s StormBox Flow is one other Bose SoundHyperlink Flex knockoff for much less that shares some similarities with the Soundcore Motion 300, together with the identical checklist value. The Tribit could sound barely higher than the Motion 300, edging it out for bass efficiency by a tad, however the Anker speaker wins on design. Like the Bose SoundHyperlink Flex, the Tribit StormBox Flow could be laid down flat with its speaker firing up. You may wirelessly pair two of the audio system collectively for stereo sound. It has an IP67 ranking, which implies it is dust-resistant and totally waterproof. Tribit says it delivers as much as 30 hours of audio at average quantity ranges. That’s spectacular.Harman Kardon Luna: Harman Kardon, which is owned by Samsung, makes widespread JBL Bluetooth audio system just like the Flip 6 and JBL Charge. The under-the-radar Harman Kardon Luna could be the perfect mini Bluetooth speaker you have by no means heard of. It’s not solely attractively designed — it is available in black or white — however sounds surprisingly good for its dimension, with clear, pure sound and punchy bass (it is a mono speaker with a dual-driver design that contains a woofer and a tweeter).Sony ULT Field 1: Sony launched the SRS-XB23 a couple of years in the past and it was a reasonably widespread transportable Bluetooth speaker. The light-weight and compact ULT Field 1 form of seems to be like a cross between the XB23 and the newer SRS-XE200. It sounds considerably higher than the XB23, which had bass ahead sound however simply did not supply sufficient readability and element for my tastes. The ULT Field 1 sounds fuller and extra balanced and competes favorably with JBL’s widespread Flip 6, which lists for a similar value.Tribit Stormbox Lava: Tribit’s new-for-2025 Stormbox Lava speaker could be greatest described as a poor man’s JBL Xtreme 4 speaker. It would not sound nearly as good as that JBL speaker, which prices $380. The Lava seems to be somewhat generic, nevertheless it does output a whole lot of sound with fairly highly effective bass and prices so much much less (a detachable shoulder strap and carrying deal with are included). This shouldn’t be essentially the most refined-sounding speaker — it lacks some readability — but when large sound is what you are after in a boombox-style speaker, the inexpensive Stormbox Lava suits the invoice. With an IP67 dust- and waterproof ranking, it additionally appears fairly sturdy and gives as much as 24 hours of battery life at average quantity ranges. As for additional options, there is a charge-out port, and you may hyperlink a number of Tribit audio system in get together or stereo mode and tweak the sound by way of the Tribit app for iOS and Android.Marshall Middleton: With Marshall not too long ago releasing the Middleton in 2025, the unique Middleton speaker is being discounted. It is not precisely compact, however tt additionally is not so beefy that you just get a exercise carrying it round. Weighing 4 kilos (1.8kg), it is greater than Marshall’s Emberton speaker and smaller and extra transportable than its Kilburn II speaker. Any approach you have a look at it, it sounds excellent for its dimension and places out a stunning quantity of high quality bass whereas providing good treble element and natural-sounding mids (the place vocals dwell). I additionally preferred that it has equalizer controls on the speaker itself and is totally waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 ranking.JBL Clip 4: JBL has launched the newer Clip 5, which options barely higher sound and a brand new carabiner design. But the Clip 4 continues to be an excellent micro Bluetooth speaker and could be had at a reduction.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 average quantity ranges and expenses by way of USB-C. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 with assist for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, the speaker performs greater than you’d assume for its small dimension, with some punch to its bass. It’s fairly spectacular for a mini mono speaker.JBL Flip 6: As JBL has launched the newer Flip 7, which has improved sound and somewhat higher battery life, the Flip 6 is being discounted. While it would not sound nearly as good as its successor, the Flip 6 continues to be a great Bluetooth speaker that provides good sound high quality in a rugged design (it is IP67 waterproof and dust-resistant) — and it would not look a lot totally different from the Flip 7. JBL Charge 5: I nonetheless just like the Charge 5, which additionally is available in a costlier WiFi model, however JBL has launched the improved Charge 6. That mentioned, with that newer mannequin obtainable, we’re seeing some good reductions on the older Charge 5. At that proper value, it’s price contemplating.Sonos Roam: Available in white or black for $179, the Roam is at the moment the smallest and most inexpensive Sonos speaker (in case you do not depend 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 Move 2 transportable speaker, is provided with each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and might faucet into an current Sonos multiroom audio system and hyperlink with different Series 2-compatible Sonos audio system. Learn extra concerning the Sonos Roam with our hands-on evaluation. Tribit XSound Go: Despite 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. Besides sounding respectable for streaming your favourite music and extra, this inexpensive Bluetooth speaker can be totally waterproof. It has had some small upgrades through the years. Read our full evaluation 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 mild present have been improved. JBL has “expanded the transparent outer body” so the customizable mild present seems to be extra spectacular. (There’s a companion app for iOS and Android that permits you to alter the colourful lighting results.) The speaker can be IP67 dustproof and waterproof, and it gives as much as 12 hours of battery at average quantity ranges. I did a full evaluation of the JBL Pulse 5 in January of 2023, and it nonetheless holds as a wonderful speaker possibility.Anker Motion Boom: Anker’s costlier Soundcore Motion Boom Plus (see above) is a considerable sound improve over the unique Motion Boom however this mannequin stays an excellent mini increase field for the cash. Equipped with a deal with and weighing somewhat over 4 kilos, the speaker jogs my memory of a kind of big flashlights or “floating lanterns” that have been in vogue about 30 years in the past. For the document, the Motion Boom really does float and is totally waterproof with an IPX7 ranking. Find out extra in our full Anker Motion Boom evaluation. UE Hyperboom: Ultimate Ears’ Boom Bluetooth audio system are available a couple of totally different sizes, however none of them are as large because the Hyperboom. A supersize wi-fi speaker that suggestions the scales at a hefty 13 kilos, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny. It’s not low-cost, however its sound high quality is healthier than a whole lot of the jumbo transportable audio system available on the market proper now. Read our full evaluation of the UE Hyperboom.Marshall Willen: Marshall’s little mono Willen speaker is much like Bose’s SoundHyperlink Micro and different micro audio system just like the Tribit StormBox Micro 2. Also 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 dimension, 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’s not solely the smallest wi-fi speaker from the Danish firm; it is technically essentially the most inexpensive. You can study extra concerning the small-but-mighty B&O Beousound A1 in our full evaluation. Bose SoundHyperlink Micro: Although somewhat dear and resulting from be upgraded, the Bose SoundHyperlink Micro sounds remarkably respectable for its tiny dimension, delivering extra bass than different pocketable audio system. It’s a completely waterproof Bluetooth speaker and is offered in three shade 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 SoundHyperlink Micro evaluation. Anker Soundcore Motion Plus: Anker’s Soundcore Motion Plus got here out in 2019, nevertheless it stays one of many best-sounding audio system for round $100. It’s 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 greater bass, extra quantity and higher readability. It’s additionally totally waterproof (IPX7-rated) and has assist for the aptX streaming codec for gadgets like Samsung’s Galaxy telephones that assist it. Read extra in my Anker Soundcore Motion Plus evaluation. Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: It’s somewhat overpriced for the sound high quality it delivers, however the Beosound Explore is an excellent little speaker that has a modern, eye-catching design, is totally waterproof and dustproof (IP67 ranking), and gives glorious battery life, with as much as 27 hours of music listening at average quantity ranges.Monoprice Soundstage 3 (Out of Stock): Monoprice tends to make fairly generic-looking digital merchandise, and its understated Soundstage 3 Bluetooth speaker in all probability is not going to wow you with its design though its minimalist aesthetic has its attraction. It’s a great worth due to its means to play large 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 mean you can join your tv or one other stereo part. There’s additionally a sub-out port.Tribit XSound Mega (Out of Stock): Over the previous couple of years, Tribit has made a number of Bluetooth audio system that ship a whole lot of increase for the buck. Add its new XSound Mega to the checklist. Tribit is billing the XSound Mega as extra of an outside speaker — a lanyard is included for toting it round as a form of mini boombox — nevertheless it works simply high-quality indoors. It has an LED mild present which you could activate or off and there are three EQ settings for sound: XBass, Music and Audiobook. Additionally, it may be used as an influence financial institution to cost your cell gadgets.Tribit StormBox (Out of Stock): The StormBox seems to be like a cross between a UE and a JBL speaker. We suspect that is not an accident. This totally waterproof speaker prices considerably lower than the JBL Flip 5 and Flip 6 and produces a much bigger sound. Its rechargeable battery gives as much as 20 hours of battery life for enjoying music and extra. Tribit’s XSound audio system are in all probability a greater worth, however the StormBox is extra trendy.
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