Many of these budget models even offer water protection and are protected to the same level as more upmarket offerings we’ve seen from the likes of the Sonos Roam and UE Megaboom 3, meaning the speaker can accompany you outside or in the bathroom, for example, without you needing to worry about splashes and water proofing. Several models offer extended battery life and some can be paired with a second speaker to create stereo sound. Read on to find out which models deliver top audio quality without breaking the bank.
Top 3 Best cheap Bluetooth speakers
Best cheap Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now
The Anker Soundcore 3 is an amazing little Bluetooth speaker for outdoor sounds. For just over $50, this tiny powerhouse delivers loud, well-balanced sound within an IPX7-rated design that can survive water, dust, while the robust rubberised outer case takes care of protection from every day knocks. The speaker lasts up to a whopping 24 hours, thanks to Anker’s best-in-class battery technology, and the Soundcore 3’s dual tweeter drivers and central mid/bass woofer allied to a passive bass driver and Anker’s BassUp technology, ensure you’ll get powerful sound in any setting. The Soundcore’s compact, 6.75 x 2.25 x 2.25-inch design makes this speaker perfect for tossing into your bag for a quick road trip, and SharePlay allows multiple Soundcore speakers to be synced for an even bigger sound. It’s also available in blue, red and silver colors for a little extra ($56) cost in addition to the standard slick black we tested. Read our full Anker Soundcore 3 review. If you want the best Bluetooth sound on the cheap, then the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 will meet most of your needs. It can usually be found at a discounted price and has remarkably good bass for such a small speaker. You can find smaller and lighter speakers, such as the Tribit StormBox Micro further down our list, but they won’t sound as good. If you are willing to go bigger, the UE Boom 3 produces better sound — though it also costs more. The Wonderboom hits a sweet spot in price, size and sound quality for portable Bluetooth speakers. Read our full UE Wonderboom 2 review. The JBL Clip 2 packed strong audio performance during our tests, highlighted by impressive treble, midrange and bass. That great sound comes in a compact and sturdy design built with portability in mind. The attachable carabiner installed at the top makes the speaker simple to carry around by easily clipping onto any item: backpack, bike handle, carry-on bag…you name it. The waterproof exterior (IPX7) of the Clip 2 is another major hallmark that offers peace of mind when tossing the speaker into the pool or cycling with it through the park during a surprise rainstorm. This device can even connect and sync sound with two other Clip 2 speakers for a bigger sound, which you may need as the Clip 2 doesn’t go very loud. (The newer Clip 4 claims a higher power output, which suggests they should go a little louder.) Being an older model means no app support, but that isn’t necessarily a big hindrance. Read our full JBL Clip 2 review. The adorably tiny JBL Go 3 very nearly does it all. It’s highly portable, even more so than the Go 2 thanks to the new rope loop, and is water- and dust-proof to the IP67 standard. That’s on par with the class-leading UE Megaboom 3. It’s also good-looking, with six color options to choose from, and its Bluetooth 5.1 is solid and dependable. 5 hours doesn’t sound like much, battery-wise, but in testing we got closer to 10 hours when sticking to middling volumes. Sound quality is good rather than great, with thick bass but less of an ear for detail than the Soundcore 2, but on the whole this is an outstanding bargain. Read our full JBL Go 3 review. The StormBox Micro pushes $50, but it’s worth it. This is a much more compact speaker than its cousin, the XSound Go, and it’s both fully waterproof (in depths up to 1 meter) and protected against dust and dirt. Unlike a lot of very small speakers, it also sounds great, producing clear vocals and some surprisingly strong bass. For something tiny enough to clip onto a satchel or bike handlebars, that’s very good indeed. The only drawbacks are the lack of an app 9though you can pair with two devices at once) and a relatively low battery life, which sees the StormBox Micro run dry after 8 hours. Read our full Tribot StormBox Micro review.
How to choose the best cheap Bluetooth speakers for you
The best cheap Bluetooth speaker is a balance between price, sound quality, size and features. While none of these speakers cost very much, you will see a wide variability in sound quality among the ones that have an MRSP of more $50 than the the ones priced lower. If you can afford to spend a few more dollars, you will be rewarded with better vocals and bass, and generally, better battery life. If you know you’ll want to take the speaker with you on hikes and to the pool, opt for one that is light, offers waterproofing and ideally gets loud enough to be heard over environmental noise. Check ratings carefully and don’t forget to check out our best outdoor speakers and best waterproof speakers to buy right now. You should also pay attention to the wireless range — some of these will stay connected 100 feet from your audio source, while others are only good at 33 feet. While most of these cheap Bluetooth speakers include a microphone for use as a speakerphone, the quality may not be any better than what your phone can produce.
How we test the best cheap Bluetooth speakers
We tested these speakers using songs from a variety of music genres, including rock, hip-hop and acoustic. We listen for vocal clarity, sharpness of treble and richness of bass. We try the on-device controls for ease of use. To test battery life, we listened to each for several hours and checked how much charge was left. We benchmark volume using an app that measures decibels. Once we complete our testing, we rate Bluetooth speakers based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product is truly exemplary, it’s awarded an Editor’s Choice. Contributions from: Micheal Gowan More: If your budget can stretch a little further then don’t forget to check out our pick of the best Bluetooth speakers overall. Next: Alternatively, if you’re after a small speaker for the home then you may be interested to take a look at our guide to the best smart speakers, ranked and tested. And if you want to spruce up your backyard on a budget, these awesome products are all under $50. Plus, Portable audio enters the luxury market as $790 Devialet Mania is unveiled.
title: “The Best Cheap Bluetooth Speakers In 2023” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-01” author: “David Rodriguez”
Many of these budget models even offer water protection and are protected to the same level as more upmarket offerings we’ve seen from the likes of the Sonos Roam and UE Megaboom 3, meaning the speaker can accompany you outside or in the bathroom, for example, without you needing to worry about splashes and water proofing. Several models offer extended battery life and some can be paired with a second speaker to create stereo sound. Read on to find out which models deliver top audio quality without breaking the bank.
Top 3 Best cheap Bluetooth speakers
Best cheap Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now
The Anker Soundcore 3 is an amazing little Bluetooth speaker for outdoor sounds. For just over $50, this tiny powerhouse delivers loud, well-balanced sound within an IPX7-rated design that can survive water, dust, while the robust rubberised outer case takes care of protection from every day knocks. The speaker lasts up to a whopping 24 hours, thanks to Anker’s best-in-class battery technology, and the Soundcore 3’s dual tweeter drivers and central mid/bass woofer allied to a passive bass driver and Anker’s BassUp technology, ensure you’ll get powerful sound in any setting. The Soundcore’s compact, 6.75 x 2.25 x 2.25-inch design makes this speaker perfect for tossing into your bag for a quick road trip, and SharePlay allows multiple Soundcore speakers to be synced for an even bigger sound. It’s also available in blue, red and silver colors for a little extra ($56) cost in addition to the standard slick black we tested. Read our full Anker Soundcore 3 review. If you want the best Bluetooth sound on the cheap, then the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 will meet most of your needs. It can usually be found at a discounted price and has remarkably good bass for such a small speaker. You can find smaller and lighter speakers, such as the Tribit StormBox Micro further down our list, but they won’t sound as good. If you are willing to go bigger, the UE Boom 3 produces better sound — though it also costs more. The Wonderboom hits a sweet spot in price, size and sound quality for portable Bluetooth speakers. Read our full UE Wonderboom 2 review. The JBL Clip 2 packed strong audio performance during our tests, highlighted by impressive treble, midrange and bass. That great sound comes in a compact and sturdy design built with portability in mind. The attachable carabiner installed at the top makes the speaker simple to carry around by easily clipping onto any item: backpack, bike handle, carry-on bag…you name it. The waterproof exterior (IPX7) of the Clip 2 is another major hallmark that offers peace of mind when tossing the speaker into the pool or cycling with it through the park during a surprise rainstorm. This device can even connect and sync sound with two other Clip 2 speakers for a bigger sound, which you may need as the Clip 2 doesn’t go very loud. (The newer Clip 4 claims a higher power output, which suggests they should go a little louder.) Being an older model means no app support, but that isn’t necessarily a big hindrance. Read our full JBL Clip 2 review. The adorably tiny JBL Go 3 very nearly does it all. It’s highly portable, even more so than the Go 2 thanks to the new rope loop, and is water- and dust-proof to the IP67 standard. That’s on par with the class-leading UE Megaboom 3. It’s also good-looking, with six color options to choose from, and its Bluetooth 5.1 is solid and dependable. 5 hours doesn’t sound like much, battery-wise, but in testing we got closer to 10 hours when sticking to middling volumes. Sound quality is good rather than great, with thick bass but less of an ear for detail than the Soundcore 2, but on the whole this is an outstanding bargain. Read our full JBL Go 3 review. The StormBox Micro pushes $50, but it’s worth it. This is a much more compact speaker than its cousin, the XSound Go, and it’s both fully waterproof (in depths up to 1 meter) and protected against dust and dirt. Unlike a lot of very small speakers, it also sounds great, producing clear vocals and some surprisingly strong bass. For something tiny enough to clip onto a satchel or bike handlebars, that’s very good indeed. The only drawbacks are the lack of an app 9though you can pair with two devices at once) and a relatively low battery life, which sees the StormBox Micro run dry after 8 hours. Read our full Tribot StormBox Micro review.
How to choose the best cheap Bluetooth speakers for you
The best cheap Bluetooth speaker is a balance between price, sound quality, size and features. While none of these speakers cost very much, you will see a wide variability in sound quality among the ones that have an MRSP of more $50 than the the ones priced lower. If you can afford to spend a few more dollars, you will be rewarded with better vocals and bass, and generally, better battery life. If you know you’ll want to take the speaker with you on hikes and to the pool, opt for one that is light, offers waterproofing and ideally gets loud enough to be heard over environmental noise. Check ratings carefully and don’t forget to check out our best outdoor speakers and best waterproof speakers to buy right now. You should also pay attention to the wireless range — some of these will stay connected 100 feet from your audio source, while others are only good at 33 feet. While most of these cheap Bluetooth speakers include a microphone for use as a speakerphone, the quality may not be any better than what your phone can produce.
How we test the best cheap Bluetooth speakers
We tested these speakers using songs from a variety of music genres, including rock, hip-hop and acoustic. We listen for vocal clarity, sharpness of treble and richness of bass. We try the on-device controls for ease of use. To test battery life, we listened to each for several hours and checked how much charge was left. We benchmark volume using an app that measures decibels. Once we complete our testing, we rate Bluetooth speakers based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product is truly exemplary, it’s awarded an Editor’s Choice. Contributions from: Micheal Gowan More: If your budget can stretch a little further then don’t forget to check out our pick of the best Bluetooth speakers overall. Next: Alternatively, if you’re after a small speaker for the home then you may be interested to take a look at our guide to the best smart speakers, ranked and tested. And if you want to spruce up your backyard on a budget, these awesome products are all under $50. Plus, Portable audio enters the luxury market as $790 Devialet Mania is unveiled.
