Bluetooth Speakers: A Comprehensive Shopping Guide

Bluetooth speakers are some of the most popular speakers on the market, and the number of people using them, types, and features available grows daily. With major audio brands launching new designs and essential features, it's getting harder to decide which Bluetooth speakers might be the best option for your device. Especially since most Bluetooth speakers are compatible with just about any device you could own.

Here are a few of the top names in Bluetooth speakers. We've done the tedious work of choosing and comparing for you. Surely, you can't go wrong with any of these bestsellers. 

James Bullough Lansing (JBL) has been one of the top brands when it comes to portable speakers. Most of their models are on the top list of best Bluetooth speakers reviews like CNET, TechRadar, and The Verge.

Their best selling models include JBL Pulse, JBL Charge, and JBL Flip.

Ultimate Ears (UE), a rising star in the world of portable and beast-mode speakers, have 360-degree surround sound and the Alexa feature (a voice command software) on their speakers. Since they are particularly new in the industry of making speakers, their line-up always amazes tech gurus with what features they can offer on the market.

You can check their top products like Wonderboom, Megaboom, Boom, Roll, Megablast, and Blast.

Wireless speakers have improved the music streaming experience since day one. And with the continuing enhancement of the technology, we developed uses for these mini speakers beyond just listening to songs. Using voice commands, you can search online, or enhance your audio conferencing and more.

However, a Bluetooth speaker is not the only wireless speaker that provides portability. Among other wireless connections, there are Wi-fi, NFC (Near Field Communication), Airplay, and WDNA (Wireless DNA) that are available as well.

Based on Griffin's comparison between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Wi-Fi covers a broader range of connection compared to Bluetooth. Wi-Fi may be better than its counterpart in its audio quality, as Bluetooth technology has to translate data into sound differently than Wi-Fi does, but newer Bluetooth speaker models have enhanced audio quality and are already on par with Wi-Fi.

Additionally, not all Wi-Fi speakers are battery operated and would need an AC adaptor. Wi-Fi might be more complicated to setup compared with Bluetooth since some home networks are password protected. Another downside with Wi-Fi networks is their accessibility. ​

If portability and budget-friendly are your primary criteria, then choosing a Bluetooth speaker is the best option.

Purchasing a Bluetooth speaker requires some research, especially if you want to use the best Bluetooth speakers. And pairing them down takes time because the same features are available on many different models, in addition to each one having its unique features.

To save you time, first, you need to assess the primary reason why you opt to buy a Bluetooth speaker. What activities do you want to do with your wireless speaker?

For instance, outdoor Bluetooth speakers may seem cooler than the indoor speakers. Having a speaker, you can submerge in a pool and it still works well would be a plus. You can't opt out on a few indoor Bluetooth speakers if they offer superior sound quality and if you usually will use them indoors.

Or perhaps, you use portable speakers for your yoga class, and your venue is generally near a beach. You probably should opt for a speaker that produces higher volume, and the loudest Bluetooth speakers you usually find are on the outdoor Bluetooth models.

To choose the best Bluetooth speaker, you should use these features as your guide.

In Spinditty’s post, an 85-90 dB gives an impressive audio quality, while 84 dB and below provides lower quality sound.

Since Bluetooth speakers are compact and made to be small, you may also want to consider how much power they can handle, which is specified in Watts (W). The Watts value in a Bluetooth speaker’s specification identifies the volume capacity it can process before the speakers get damaged. Good quality Bluetooth speakers can handle 10-20 watts.

Depending on your preference and its availability, you can choose from the traditional AA or AAA battery to lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.

With built-in batteries, a typical wireless speaker can charge from one and a half hours up to three and a half hours. You can charge them with a USB port so you can plug them into a laptop or a power bank. In newer technology, Bluetooth speakers support wireless charging technology.​

An additional tip, most Bluetooth speaker users, also buy a Bluetooth splitter and transmitter so they can use two Bluetooth speakers at the same time.

However, no matter how light you want to consider your Bluetooth speakers to be, checking on its audio quality should still be the topmost priority on your list.

They come in handy when you use them near a beach or pool, and even if they get wet, they still work well.

Paired with an app on your smartphone, streaming music, checking news updates, and even ordering online has been made easy with its voice control feature.

Tap gestures are also available on some Bluetooth devices. These wireless speakers respond to different gestures for you to control your streaming experience. The best way to use this gestured-feature on speakers is usually indoors.