If you look online for the greatest cheap Bluetooth speaker, you’ll find a tonne of cheap noisemakers. But how can you choose between genuine discounts and low-quality letdowns? We’ve compiled several choices that won’t damage your hearing or account.
Premium speakers are no longer required to play decent beats. Undoubtedly, the speakers below won’t please true audiophiles. And some people prefer portability to pure performance. However, the best inexpensive Bluetooth speakers make takeaway music delightful and affordable for 99.9% of listeners who don’t have a soundproofed music room.
Using them is the most straightforward technique to improve sound quality if you don’t intend to wear headphones. Although many cost hundreds of dollars, not everyone has that much money to invest in a speaker. There are various options available.
Fortunately, there are several available that are not all unknown brands and don’t cost the earth but still produce a respectable amount of boom.
What will you see here?
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
Despite its recent success, the UE Wonderboom 2 is still among the top budget Bluetooth speaker options. A dust-proof jacket makes it travel-ready, comes in various vibrant color combinations, and is the size of a grapefruit. Playback and pairing may be controlled via the buttons on top, and the volume controls fundamentally define UE.
It performs well alone inside, where there is good texture and warmth to the sound and good bass to support it. But when you add a second speaker in stereo for a more immersive listening experience, the show gets going.
Taking it on the go? The Outside Boost mode enhances midrange frequencies and sends sound upward for improved outdoor listening. The battery lasts 13 hours when unplugged.
- Outstanding sound for its small
- IP67 dust and a water resistance rating
- 30% longer battery life
- Limited soundstage
- Speakerphone absent
- MicroUSB power supply
- Nothing "smart"
Anker Soundcore 3
A fantastic small Bluetooth speaker for outdoor sounds is the Anker Soundcore 3. For more than $50, you can get a little powerhouse that produces robust, well-balanced sound in an IPX7-rated design that can withstand dust and water while being protected from daily bumps by the sturdy rubberized outer cover. The Soundcore 3's dual tweeter drivers, center mid/bass woofer, a passive bass driver, and Anker's BassUp technology mean you'll enjoy powerful sound in any location. The speaker lasts up to 24 hours owing to Anker's best-in-class battery technology.
A road trip is made possible by the Soundcore's small size (6.75 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches), while SharePlay enables several Soundcore speakers to be synchronized for even more sound. In addition to the usual sleek black, it's also available in the following colors for an additional fee of $56: blue, red, and silver.
- Unexpectedly loud sound
- Enough battery life
- Waterproof
- Useful EQ modes and the Soundcore app
- At increasing volumes, sound becomes harder.
- Rubberized cases leave scuffs easily.
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
Tribit's second-generation Stormbox is an even more capable small speaker than the first Micro. Forget about brand snobbery; the Micro 2 is unrivaled in form and performance for the money. Although slightly more prominent than before, it is still a tiny object that is just as satisfyingly sturdy as its predecessor and has a tough IP67 classification.
With an additional Watt at its disposal, the pocket-sized Micro 2 sounds far more prominent than you'd imagine, offering a clean and lively listen, just as the sound output from the first version defied its proportions.
Moreover, the battery's been extended to 12 hours and can now be used to charge other devices using a USB C cable. Additionally, stereo Micro 2 speakers can be connected. This, combined with its low cost, makes it an excellent Bluetooth speaker.
- Fantastic sound
- Can also charge a phone
- Amazing value
- For wired listening, there is no 3.5mm line-in.
- Incompatible with earlier models
Sony SRS-XB13
One of the top inexpensive speakers if you're searching for a smaller speaker is the Sony SRS-XB13. It lacks sound customizing tools like a graphic EQ, like the Anker Soundcore Flare 2, but it does provide a reasonably boomy sound profile that boosts the bass. Vocals and lead instruments seem distinct and present in the mix due to the midrange's balance.
It doesn't get very loud, like most speakers of its size often don't. The audio quality doesn't decrease when you turn up the volume, and it still sounds good when you turn it all the way up because there aren't many compression artifacts. It has outstanding directivity, creating an open and roomy soundstage. Additionally, it has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating that it is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.
- Reasonably priced
- Dispersed audio
- Balanced audio output
- Battery life of 16 hours
- Lacking stereo separation
- Low maximum volume
- Four hours for charging
- Terrible microphone
JBL GO 3
The adorable little JBL Go 3 almost accomplishes everything. The new rope loop is even more portable than the Go 2 and meets the IP67 standard for water and dust resistance. That is comparable to the UE Megaboom 3, the best in class. With six different color possibilities, it is beautiful and has a strong, trustworthy Bluetooth 5.1.
Battery-wise, 5 hours doesn't sound like much, but in testing, we achieved closer to 10 hours when maintaining moderate levels. Overall, this is an exceptional deal. The sound quality is decent but not great, with substantial bass but less of an ear for detail than the Soundcore 2.
- Very reasonable
- Waterproof and transportable
- Battery life is relatively lengthy.
- 6 colour choices
- Warm sound, but hardly any detail.
JBL Clip 4
There are no awards for figuring out the name's meaning. However, this portable JBL speaker is more than just a carabiner clip. The supremely robust Clip 4 has bolder branding, a bigger buckle, and a little larger lozenge body than its predecessor. It is incredibly portable and built to last.
The Clip 4 sounds richer than it should, no matter where you place it. Although its 40mm driver has some volume and clarity restrictions, the sound is remarkably clear, complete, and balanced within those confines. Rubber strips on the back help it rest steadily when it's not attached to your bag, making it one of the most practical, inexpensive Bluetooth speakers you can purchase.
Additionally, the Clip 4 is perfect for shower soundtracks despite having an average 10-hour battery life thanks to its IP67 water resistance.
- Better carabiner
- Loud voice (5W output)
- hefty controls
- USB-C charging
- Good battery life
- IP67 rating
- Neither PartyBoost nor Connect+
- No microphone or aux input
- Rapid charging is absent
Conclusion
Regardless of price, a Bluetooth speaker’s size and form factor should be one of your first considerations. Compared to someone seeking a portable speaker to take to the park, someone replacing their home audio will probably choose a larger model.
A Cheap Bluetooth speaker will almost always be more durable than a piece of home audio equipment, but not all Bluetooth speakers are made equal. You should choose a speaker that is at least partially waterproof if you plan to use it outside. For casual use, the classification of IPX4 or IP67 is ideal.
