X
Home & Office
Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Close

These wireless speakers hit the sweet spot between great price and great audio

If you're looking for a budget-friendly wireless speaker, you don't have to compromise to get great features. We've put together a list of great mid-range models. Brands like LG, Anker, and JBL have solid choices for anyone looking to take their tunes on the go.
Written by Lena Borrelli, Contributing Writer and  Taylor Clemons, Staff Writer
Reviewed by Allison Murray
LG XBOOM Go | Best wireless speaker under $100
Close-up of a young woman holding an LG XBOOM Go speaker
LG XBOOM Go
Best wireless speaker under $100
View now View at Amazon
Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 | Best budget wireless speaker
Anker Soundcore Liberty 3
Anker Soundcore Liberty 3
Best budget wireless speaker
View now View at Amazon
JBL Clip 4 | Best portable wireless speaker
A red JBL clip speaker clipped onto a tan backpack
JBL Clip 4
Best portable wireless speaker
View now View at JBL.com
Echo Dot 5th Gen | Best smart wireless speaker
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Echo Dot 5th Gen
Best smart wireless speaker
View now View at Amazon
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 | Best waterproof wireless speaker
Close-up of two people holding a pair blue and pink Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 speakers side by side
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Best waterproof wireless speaker
View now View at Amazon

Not all speakers are able to accompany you when you move locations, but that is not the case with these wireless speakers. These speakers are able to go with you, whether you are going to work, the gym, or simply hanging out at home. It is a convenience that cannot be denied -- simplifying your life while setting a soundtrack to your day.

But which one to buy? We surveyed the market to find the best wireless speakers available today. These are our picks to help with your shopping.

More

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 24-hour battery life
  • Voice controls
  • Dedicated bass radiators
  • Connect up to 100 LG speakers
Cons
  • No device charging
  • TV audio for LG brand models only
  • RGB lighting isn't for everyone
More Details

Tech Specs: Speaker Type: Portable | Dimensions: 9.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches | Weight: 3.2 lbs 

The LG XBOOM Go is an excellent, portable wireless speaker for anyone who wants to listen to music, podcasts, and videos on the go. The integrated battery gives you a truly impressive 24 hours of playback on a full charge, meaning you can literally listen all day before you even need to think about plugging in. It also features LED lighting you can sync to your music for a mini light show. It even works with Hey Google, Alexa, and Siri for hands-free controls or making and receiving calls. 

The chassis is IPX5 rated for water resistance, so you don't have to worry about a little rain, spills, or splashes ruining your good time. Dual bass radiators are built into the body of the LG XBOOM Go, giving you rich, deep bass tones that won't muddle the mid and high notes for clean, clear audio. And if you need even more sound, you can connect up to 99 LG wireless speakers to the XBOOM Go to create whole-home audio or custom speaker configurations for outdoor entertainment. It can even be used as part of your home theater setup as a wireless satellite speaker for your LG TV.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Excellent bass
  • Fantastic clarity
  • Great noise cancellation
Cons
  • Few controls
  • Poor transparency mode
More Details

Tech Specs: Speaker Type: Outdoor | Dimensions: 6.85 x 2.36 x 2.24 inches | Weight: 13.1 oz  

When you are on a budget, we love the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 for its value and performance. It uses dual drivers to reduce distortion and create treble measuring up to 40kHz. Meanwhile, BassUp technology helps to ensure you hear pumping bass, regardless of what you are listening to. Its 16-watt build is designed for both indoor and outdoor spaces, giving you greater versatility, and there are 24 hours of playtime before you have to worry about a charge. It's even waterproof, too.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Convenient design
  • Durable build
  • Excellent sound quality
Cons
  • Poor bass
  • Limited volume
More Details

Tech Specs: Speaker Type: Portable | Dimensions: 1.8 x 3.4 x 5.3 inches | Weight: 8.4 oz

We love the JBL Clip 4 when we are on the move, offering an extremely portable solution to your wireless speaker needs. The powerful sound is surprising, coming from such a small package, but it only makes it that much more impressive. Choose the color that best suits your personality and then attach it to your bag, buckle, or belt. This speaker is waterproof, too, so sweat and swim all you like because the JBL Clip 4 delivers either way.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Built-in Eero Wi-Fi range extender
  • Great for accessibility
  • Enhanced privacy features
  • Alexa Skills
Cons
  • Wi-Fi range extender works with Eero brand devices only
  • "Always on" listening
More Details

Tech Specs: Speaker Type: Smart speaker | Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.7 inches | Weight: 10.7 oz 

The Echo Dot is the quintessential smart speaker, especially for avid Alexa users. The 5th generation of the Echo Dot not only lets you stream music and podcasts, but you can also download Alexa Skills to turn it into an entertainment hub. It also has beefed-up privacy features like a physical mic mute button, the ability to disable wake words at certain times (which is great for parents with tech-savvy little ones), and clear indicators for streaming and recording. The Echo Dot is also a great accessibility device with text-to-speech for reading articles, emails, and messages as well as hands-free ordering from Amazon when you need medical supplies or household items. The 5th generation Echo Dot even works as a Wi-Fi range extender with built-in Eero antennas; you can get up to 1,000 square feet of extra Wi-Fi coverage for your home, letting you access the internet in every room of your house.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Waterproof
  • Drop-resistant
  • Impressive battery
Cons
  • Bulky design
  • Mediocre bass
More Details

Tech Specs: Speaker Type: Outdoor | Dimensions: 4.65 x 4.53 x 4.65 inches| Weight: 1.21 lbs

If you like to hit the beach or go to the pool, consider the waterproof Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 for your best wireless speaker. This outdoor speaker offers a more rugged and durable build, so you can take it with you, no matter where you go. With Bluetooth connectivity, enjoy 360-degree sound with an Outdoor Boost option to really pick up the bass. The battery life offers 14 hours of use before you need a charge, outlasting others on our list. 

What are the best wireless speakers?

The best wireless speaker is the Sonos One Wireless Speaker, a sleek bookshelf speaker with big sound and reliable performance. To see how it compares, this is an overview of our best wireless speakers on the market.

Wireless speaker

Cost

Type

Dimensions

LG XBOOM Go

$95

Portable

9.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3

$51

Outdoor

6.85 x 2.36 x 2.24 inches

JBL Clip 4

$45

Portable

1.8 x 3.4 x 5.3 inches

Echo Dot 5th Gen

$35

Smart

3.9 x 3.9 x 1.7 inches

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3

$96

Outdoor

4.65 x 4.53 x 4.65 inches

Which wireless speakers are right for you?

Our expert suggestions can help you find the best wireless speaker for your home or office.

Choose these wireless speakers...

If you want...

LG XBOOM Go

A well-rounded and reliable wireless speaker

Anker Soundcore 3

An affordable outdoor speaker

JBL Clip 4

A super-portable speaker 

Echo Dot 5th Gen

A reliable smart speaker for your home or office

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3

A speaker you can take to the beach or to the pool

How did we choose these wireless speakers?

To find the best wireless speakers, we considered several factors that can aid in your search.

  • Type: There are many different sizes and types of wireless speakers, like wireless, portable, Bluetooth, and smart speakers. Consider how you will use your speaker. For example, if you want a speaker that has a voice assistant, you want to look for a smart speaker. Or, if you want to take your speaker on the move, look for the best portable speaker that is lightweight for your travels. 

  • Connectivity: If you want to benefit from a voice assistant, look for a smart speaker that will have better connectivity for your devices. If you do not need a smart speaker but still want Bluetooth, consider a wireless speaker that has Bluetooth connectivity.

  • Sound quality: It is critical that your speaker delivers on sound, no matter what type of content you may be listening to. Consider how each speaker performs on bass, treble, and vocals to see how well it delivers even audio.

  • Price: Many shoppers are on a budget when shopping for the best wireless speaker. We kept that in mind while we researched and tested different models to find speakers that are both affordable and a splurge. 

 

Which speaker is the best Bluetooth speaker?

The wireless speakers with the best sound are usually the largest ones, as they are capable of producing greater sound. However, be sure to test each speaker to see which sound is best for you.

How much do the best wireless speakers cost?

The best wireless speakers range in cost from $500 to $2,200, depending on the model you choose. However, you will find wireless speakers that are both cheaper and more expensive, depending on your budget.

Are there alternative wireless speakers worth considering?

There are tons of wireless speakers under $100 for sale at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and other retailers.  You can also keep an eye on retailers to catch sales in order to snag a premium-grade wireless speaker for a better price. And if you're willing to stretch your budget just a bit more, you can even get something like the Bose SoundLink Flex with signature Bose quality audio, voice controls, and custom equalizer settings for just $150.

Editorial standards