You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a Bluetooth speaker to get top-shelf sound quality. In fact, there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers that cost less than $100, and from respected brands like Soundcore, Tribit, and JBL. While these speakers are of the compact, portable variety and don't feature tech such as Wi-Fi network connectivity, they're all excellent for their size and price and have varying levels of water and dust resistance.
We think you’ll be surprised at how much power and performance you’ll get from a Bluetooth speaker that costs less than $100. There are options on our list for most wants, needs, and budgets, and be sure to check back often to see what new models we’ve added.
A buoyant bringer of tunes
UE Wonderboom 4
- Fun design with IP67 protection
- 360-degree sound
- Great battery life
- Can be paired with a second Boom 4 speaker
- Older Boom models can’t be linked to the Boom 4
- Limited EQ options
We loved the UE Wonderboom 3, and while we haven't gotten our hands on its successor yet, we know enough about these well-built UE speakers to recommend the new-and-improved UE Wonderboom 4. So, what’s different this time around? For starters, there’s a USB-C port for charging the speaker, as opposed to the Wonderboom 3’s micro USB connection. This means the Wonderboom 4 should charge faster than previous models. The speaker also automatically shuts down after 15 minutes of not being used to save battery.
There are two EQ presets to choose from this time around as well: Outdoor and Podcast. The former is best for sound projection across bigger spaces, while the latter is excellent for dialogue clarity. Beyond these options, though, you won’t find additional presets, a bass enhancer, or a companion app of any kind. That being said, the 360-degree design does an excellent job of throwing audio all around. You’ll also be able to pair a second Boom 4 for a larger soundstage but do keep in mind that stereo pairing doesn’t work with older Boom models.
Thanks to its portable design and buoyant nature, the UE Wonderboom 4 is well-suited for hanging out in the pool. And while there’s no wired listening option or ability to use it as a dedicated speakerphone, you’ll be able to have two Bluetooth devices connected to the speaker simultaneously.
So, while it’s not leaps and bounds different than the Wonderboom 3 that came before it, the UE Wonderboom 4 brings a few meaningful changes to the table and manages to do so for less than $100.
A completely waterproof option
Soundcore Motion 300
- Under $100
- Full stereo sound
- Totally waterproof
- Speakerphone built-in
- Handy carry strap
- Illuminated controls
- No battery level indicator
- Bigger, heavier than alternatives
- Hi-res audio is underwhelming
- Sound gets rough at higher volumes
A great Bluetooth speaker should be able to withstand the elements, and the IPX7 rating of the Soundcore Motion 300 makes it an ideal choice for trekking around in the rain or hanging out by the pool. But beyond its convenient waterproof shell, the Motion 300 is an excellent 30-watt speaker that delivers rich and full stereo sound that could make you believe you’re listening to more than one Bluetooth device. There's also support for Bluetooth 5.3 and class-leading audio formats like LDAC and AAC LC.
One of our favorite features is the speaker's adaptive EQ tech, a calibration tool that the Motion 300 uses to optimize playback based on where the speaker is, such as hanging off your backpack (a detachable clap is included), lying down, or standing upright. And if you’re looking for a bit more bass, just press the BassUp button to get an immediate low-frequency dip. You’ll also be able to download the Soundcore app to create your own custom EQ.
On a full charge, the Motion 300 should last up to 13 hours, though volume level and other audio factors may affect overall battery life. Want even more sound? With TWS pairing, you’ll be able to link two Motion 300 speakers together for an expanded soundstage. For just $80, it’s hard to go wrong with the Soundcore Motion 300.
Best Bluetooth on a budget
Oontz Angle 3
- Excellent price point
- Good battery life
- IPX5 water resistance
- Impressive bass for the size
- Not too rugged
The Oontz Angle 3 is a super-affordable (under $30!) Bluetooth speaker that isn't a piece of junk. We haven't tested this speaker ourselves, but the Angle 3 has many of the features available from our other picks, like 12- to 15-hour battery life, excellent wireless range, and speakerphone compatibility, and it has been positively reviewed by several reputable sources. It even has IPX5 water resistance, which won't be ideal around bodies of water like pools or beaches, but protects against splashes — and you can even rinse it off if you're gentle with the water pressure.
With rubberized end caps, the Oontz Angle 3 can stand up to some abuse, too, though again, ruggedness is not its primary mission. Even so, its modest footprint delivers clear and surprisingly loud audio quality, which is ideal for situations where your phone or tablet's internal speaker just isn't up to the task of sharing music or YouTube videos. Though not a champ in the bass department, if you stand the Angle 3 on its end, you'll give the passive bass radiator on the bottom some girth to work with, and it will sound richer and fuller.
Our favorite portable speaker
JBL Flip 6
- Solid build quality
- Loud and clear sound
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent water and dust protection
- EQ offers some sound tweaking
- Works with JBL Portable app and PartyBoost
- Can't stereo pair with non-Flip 6 JBL speakers
- Doesn’t work as a speakerphone
- Not drastically different from Flip 5
It’s hard to beat the ruggedness and alluring shell colors of the JBL Flip lineup, but JBL isn’t a brand to rest on its laurels. The JBL Flip 6 has been around for a minute now, and it’s available in a dazzling array of colors. Compared to the Flip 5, the newer model brings a couple of meaningful changes to the table, including a graphic EQ for sound customization (via the JBL Portable app) and an official IP67 rating, which keeps the speaker safe from dirt, debris, and water.
With its portable and lightweight design, the Flip 6 is compact enough to hang out on any shelf, countertop, picnic bench, or other flat surface. There’s even a tiny hook for connecting an included carrying strap.
In terms of sound quality, the Flip 6 more than gets the job done. Expect excellent midrange performance and decent lows (though not as pronounced as the JBL Flip 5). If you’re looking for a bigger soundstage, the built-in PartyBoost option lets you connect a second PartyBoost-compatible speaker for stereo playback and greater projection. Unfortunately, when using just the Flip 6, stereo tracks are downmixed to mono.
Battery life is pretty good here, too. On a full charge, JBL claims the Flip 6 should last up to 12 hours. You’ll also be able to listen to music while the speaker is charging (which takes a little over two hours). It’s not a perfect Bluetooth speaker, but the JBL Flip 6 achieves a lot with little in the way of chassis.
A tiny but tough waterproof speaker
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
- IP67 weather-resistance rating
- 120-foot Bluetooth range
- Can be paired with another Micro 2
- Super-portable
- Not much to look at
The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 might not win any awards for being cute or fancy in its design aesthetic, but if you're a camper, hiker, or dock swimmer, you're likely not too concerned about what it looks like — as long as you can enjoy some nice-sounding tunes while not stressing about destroying some delicate electronics. And the $60 StormBox Micro 2 is about as stress-free as you can get.
We reviewed its predecessor, the Tribit SrormBox Micro, and praised its sound quality for its size, as well as its ruggedness. With an IP67 weather-resistance rating, the Micro 2 can fend off dust and take a dip in up to a meter of water with no problems. On top of that ruggedness, the sound is decent for its size and price, and it is surprisingly loud and clear for something so small.
Volume controls, which sit atop the unit, are straightforward and simple, and a multifunction feature lets you toggle through songs, activate the smart assistant, and take phone calls.
The Micro 2 also gets a battery boost from the last version, going from 8 hours to 12 hours of playtime, and this time out, you can also use it to charge other device. The Micro 2's Bluetooth 5.3 tech allows an even longer range for the speaker, this time up to 120 feet. The StormBox Micro 2 can also be linked to another Micro 2 for stereo sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Some Bluetooth speakers are huge, powerful devices, such as the Sonos Move, which can rock an entire house if you let them! How powerful it is will depend on its size and level of amplification. Given that any speaker that costs less than $100 isn't likely to pack a lot of power, you may want to check our list of the best Bluetooth speakers or best wireless speakers for products that can really get the party started.
Yes. All of these Bluetooth speakers have built-in batteries and, of course, a Bluetooth wireless connection, which is the minimum you need for outdoor use. But be aware that there are other considerations: How loud does it get? A small Bluetooth speaker may not pack enough power to be heard over other sounds. Is it waterproof enough? Some of the speakers on our list are splash-proof, but if you're going to spend real outdoor time with a wireless speaker, we strongly recommend that it be fully waterproof (IPX7 or better).
There are some Bluetooth speakers that do work directly with voice-based assistants. But there's a catch: Smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant normally only work over Wi-Fi, which means that if you're using your speaker somewhere where there's no Wi-Fi, you won't be able to use these assistants over just a Bluetooth connection.
As a rule, Bluetooth speakers do not include a traditional AM or FM radio. If this feature is important to you, there are an increasing number of bookshelf stereos and boom boxes that have radios and Bluetooth too, but they won't be as small and as portable as a regular Bluetooth speaker.
Yes, though it's a rare combo. In such a case, you're usually talking about a full boom box that has a Bluetooth connection.
Easily. Today's Bluetooth speakers aren't actually that expensive. Manufacturers try to price them right around the $100 mark when possible to help appeal to a wide range of consumers. It's only when you get to full soundbars or high-end options like the Echo Studio that prices start rising significantly above this level.
