Best Bluetooth Speaker for 2025

Best Bluetooth Speaker for 2025
Headshot of David Carnoy
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Article updated on October 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM PDT David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET’s Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He’s also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, mobile accessories, Apple, Sony, Bose, e-readers, Amazon, glasses, ski gear, iPhone cases, gaming accessories, sports tech, portable audio, interviews, audiophile gear, PC speakers Credentials

  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer

Budget

Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on a new Bluetooth speaker.

Durability

Many Bluetooth speakers are now fully waterproof and some are fully dustproof. If you’re planning on taking the speaker with you to the beach or on a hiking trip, consider a more durable speaker.

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Editor’s note, Oct. 5: Amazon’s October Prime Day sale is taking place on Oct. 7-8, with “Big Deals” on some products already underway. That means there should be lots of opportunities to save on Bluetooth speakers, as many of the top wireless speaker brands, including Bose, JBL, Sony and others typically discount certain models to their lowest prices of the year — or close to their lowest prices. Several speakers on this list should be on sale.

Image of Bose SoundLink Plus

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Image of Sony ULT Field 5

Best midrange Sony Bluetooth speaker

Sony ULT Field 5

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Image of Soundcore by Anker Boom 2

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Image of LG Xboom Bounce by Will.i.am

Top LG Bluetooth speaker with strong sound

LG Xboom Bounce by Will.i.am

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Image of JBL Charge 6

Best JBL Bluetooth speaker

JBL Charge 6

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Image of Beats Pill

Best Bluetooth speaker from Apple

Beats Pill

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Image of Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen)

Best micro speaker

Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen)

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Image of JBL Flip 7

Upgraded JBL Flip Bluetooth speaker

JBL Flip 7

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jbl-grip-colors-1.jpg

Snazzy mini Bluetooth speaker

JBL Grip

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Image of Soundcore by Anker Select Go 4

Top value micro Bluetooth speaker

Soundcore by Anker Select Go 4

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Image of Sonos Roam 2

Best Wi-Fi enabled Bluetooth speaker

Sonos Roam 2

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Image of Tribit XSound Plus 2

Best budget Bluetooth speaker

Tribit XSound Plus 2

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Image of Soundcore by Anker Motion X600

Best value mini boom box speaker with premium look

Soundcore by Anker Motion X600

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Image of JBL Clip 5

Best Bluetooth speaker with built-in carabiner

JBL Clip 5

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Image of JBL Go 4

Best pocket-friendly Bluetooth speaker

JBL Go 4

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I test everything from tiny speakers that strap onto the handle bars of your bike to big Bluetooth boom boxes that pump out surprisingly powerful sound that can fuel your outdoor pool and beach parties. With each passing year Bluetooth speakers continue to improve, featuring better sound quality, longer battery life and more durable designs that makes them suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Many are fully waterproof and some even float. I’ve included options in every size category and price range, with several budget-friendly choices for those who don’t want to spend a lot.

What is the best Bluetooth speaker overall?

With so many great Bluetooth speakers out there, it’s hard to declare one the best overall. Currently, the new Bose SoundLink Plus tops our list, striking the right balance of performance and price, earning a CNET Editors’ Choice award in the process. The Soundcore by Anker Boom 2 remains an excellent overall value along with Anker’s new Soundcore Boom 3i. I’m also also a fan of the the just-released Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), even if it is a little pricey for a tiny Bluetooth speaker.

What We Updated: September 2025

We added the new Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) and JBL Grip speakers.

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Bose SoundLink Plus review

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Soundcore by Anker Boom 2 review

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Bose SoundLink Home review

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Beats Pill review

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Sonos Roam 2 review

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Tribit StormBox Micro 2 review

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Soundcore by Anker Motion X600 review

In assessing what the best Bluetooth speakers are, we consider six key criteria. These criteria include design, durability, sound quality, battery life, extra features and value. We test everything from compact mini models and pocket-size micro versions to heftier models with powerful audio. For more, check out our lists of the best smart speakers, best PC speakers and the best Wi-Fi speakers and music systems.

Design

Evaluating design, we first assess how comfortable the speaker is to carry, position and adjust (their ergonomics), including grip surfaces and carrying handles or straps. We also measure and weigh each speaker to assess how easily it can be transported. Then we consider visual aesthetics, noting available colorways and finishes and how the speaker looks in different environments.

Durability

We test the durability of each speaker in both indoor and outdoor environments to simulate real-life conditions. We stress test ports and buttons, cycling through physical controls and repeatedly connecting/disconnecting cables to assess long-term reliability. We also verify IP (dust- and water-resistance) ratings when applicable and examine all external materials for signs of potential wear or degradation.

Sound quality

We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the speaker to top competing products in their price range. Some of my test tracks include Spoon’s Knock Knock Knock, Athletes of God’s Don’t Wanna Be Normal, The Doors Touch Me – Take 3, Orbital’s Dirty Rat, Taylor Swift’s Vigilante Shit, Jvke’s Golden Hour and Drake’s Passionfruit. Tested sonic traits include:

  • Frequency response
  • Tonal balance
  • Soundstage width and depth
  • Bass response and control
  • Outdoor performance
  • Distortion testing

Battery life

Because battery life can be affected by volume, we test each speaker at both moderate and high volumes to provide a realistic assessment. We also measure how long the speaker takes to reach a full charge using all available charging equipment, including USB-C, micro-USB, proprietary connectors and wireless charging where applicable.

Extra features

Some great-sounding Bluetooth speakers aren’t loaded with features, but we do take into account what extra features are on board. These include everything from voice assistant integration (Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, for example) to speakerphone abilities. We also also test multi-speaker capabilities, or “party modes,” that allow stereo pairing and multi-room functions. Models with Bluetooth multipoint, or the ability to connect to several devices at once, are also noted within the “additional details” section of each product. We also take a look at the companion app for the speaker if there is one evaluate for stability, user-friendliness and useful features like EQ adjustment, firmware updates and speaker finding.

Value

We determine value after evaluating the strength of the Bluetooth speaker against all these criteria and what they’re able to deliver compared to other models in their price class.

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