Here at TechRadar, I’ve been able to test a bunch of Bluetooth speakers, from bass-heavy boomboxes all the way through to swell-sounding stage-style speakers. Today, though, I wanted to focus on the smaller models out there – you know, the ones you can easily throw in your bag, take on your travels, or even bring into the bathroom for some shower karaoke.
As a result, I’ve compiled a list covering four of the best small Bluetooth speakers around, those that despite their small size are perfectly capable of serving up stellar sound. Some of the heaviest hitters in the game can be found here. I’m talking Bose, JBL, Sonos… you get the picture.
Of course, sound was a big reason for each model making the list, but I’ve also considered aspects like smart features, looks, portability, and value for money. After all, there’s a lot of competition in the lightweight division of the best Bluetooth speakers market. Anyway, without further ado, let’s get into my top picks.
1. JBL Clip 5
As much as I’m impressed by every model on this list, the JBL Clip 5 might just be my number one overall recommendation. Why? Well its the ultimate intersection of great audio quality, fantastic design, and a low price.
Yes, you can regularly find this exemplary model on sale for less than $60 / £50 / AU$70 – and that’s not even the lowest I’ve seen it for. When you consider its impressively detailed audio presentation, fun-loving color options, and IP67 waterproof rating, that’s simply phenomenal value for money.
The Clip 5’s name comes from the carabiner clip it uses to attach to your backpack, belt buckle, tent… whatever you want, really. For its size, this model can also get pretty loud, and its 12-hour battery life is sure to keep the good vibes going. With Auracast Bluetooth technology, EQ options, and an ultra-compact build, this really is the full package.
Read our full JBL Clip 5 review.
2. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation
It’s safe to say that premium audio brand Bang & Olufsen knocked it out of the park with its Beosound A1 3rd gen model. In fact, we liked it so much that it earned an elusive five-star rating, and we described it as “magic”. Pretty high praise, right?
So what makes this model so good? Well, it’s got the caliber of audio you’d expect from B&O – spacious, punchy, controlled – all the qualities you need for an immersive listen in a small package. It’s a real beauty too, coming in a circular polymer and aluminum casing. Oh, you also get up to 24 hours of playtime, a beautifully engineered control app, and a convenient leather strap.
The catch? Well, you probably saw this coming – it’s the price. See, this one’s expensive for a small model, coming in at $349 / £299 / AU$639. But as we mentioned in our review, the premium materials, stunning build quality, and top-drawer sonic capabilities of this model ensure it still provides plenty of Bang for your buck.
Read our full Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review.
3. Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2
This one’s a real personal pick, as I use the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 pretty much every day to bump my favorite tunes in the shower, while cooking, or just doing the dishes.
Like the Clip 5, it’s IP67-rated, meaning it can be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It’s safe to say I’m never worried about a few splashes of water, then! It’s also got a smooth rubber texture, which means water can be brushed straight off, helping it to compete with some of the best waterproof speakers around.
Beyond waterproofing, I love the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 for its crisp, balanced sound quality, gorgeous design, classy color variants, and companion app compatibility. You get a solid 12-hour battery life, multi-point connectivity, and a handy shortcut button too, so it’s equally as practical as it is stylish.
It is a little larger than the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2, but we’ve not had a chance to get hands of with that just yet, so I’m sticking the Flex here for the moment. On top of that, I’ve seen the Flex Gen 2 drop to less than $100 / £100 during big sales events, so it can be an absolute steal if you buy when the price is right!
Read our full Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review.
4. Sonos Roam 2
And finally, we have the fantastic Sonos Roam 2. This model brings something to the table that nothing else on this list can offer – Wi-Fi connectivity. That’s right, you can easily play music or podcasts without the need to individually pair to your phone, tablet, or laptop over Bluetooth – just make use of Spotify or Tidal Connect and you’re good to go.
But whether you’re listening over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, you’ll still be treated to great sound quality on the Roam 2. It’s got a surprisingly broad soundstage, wonderful balance across the frequencies, and plenty of volume.
Beyond sound, we really liked the minimalist look of Sonos’ handheld speaker, as well as its seamless integration with other speakers in the brand’s ecosystem. It’s lightweight, IP67-rated, and easy to control as well, so there really is a lot to like. At the time of writing, I spotted it for less than $180 / £140, so even though it’s not cheap, it’s priced pretty fairly for a great-sounding Wi-Fi enabled speaker.
Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review.
So, those are my personal picks for the four best small-sized Bluetooth speakers. Are there any models you think should’ve made the cut? Or perhaps you own and love one of the models listed above? Whatever the case may be, I’d love to hear from you, so make sure to get talking in the comments!
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harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan)
