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Best Bluetooth speakers under $100

What can you do with $100? You can get some great Bluetooth speakers
By
January 16, 2023
Best All-Around
JBL Flip 5
By JBL
The JBL Flip 5 portable Bluetooth speaker in black against a white background.
8.2
Check price
Positives
Good sound
Waterproof
USB-C charging
Battery life
Negatives
No Bluetooth 5.0
No high quality Bluetooth codecs
The Bottom Line.
The JBL Flip 5 is still the speaker to beat at under $100 thanks to good sound and a lightweight, waterproof build. Read full review...
Best versatile
Bose Soundlink Micro
By Bose
Bose SoundLink Micro front-facing product image on white background.
8
Check price
Positives
Can hang onto almost anything
IPX7 rated
Multiconnect
Gets loud considering its small size
Negatives
Battery life
Latency issues
Sound quality degrades at higher volumes
The Bottom Line.
You can usually trust Bose to get audio mostly right, and while the Soundlink Micro isn't perfect its small, tough build makes it hard to ignore. Read full review...
Best water-resistant
UE WONDERBOOM 2
By Ultimate Ears
UE Wonderboom 2 speaker in black against a white background.
8.1
Check price
Positives
IP67 rating
Good sound
Portable
Pair two speakers for stereo sound
Negatives
Limited playback controls
elastic loop is a little small
Outdoor boost can affect clarity
The Bottom Line.
If you're going camping, swimming, or you just need something to play in a shower, the Wonderboom 2 represents a rugged, easy-to-use, and affordable option.Read full review...
Best smart speaker
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
By Amazon
The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) in black against a white background.
7.8
Check price
Positives
Build quality
Bass response
Microphone detects wake phrase
Negatives
Confusing Alexa app
No YouTube compatibility
The Bottom Line.
Not the cheapest one on the list, but Amazon packs a lot into the Echo (4th Gen) smart speaker.Read full review...
Bang for your Buck
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
By Anker
Anker Soundcore Flare 2 against a white background.
9.4
Check price
Positives
Sleek design with dual LED halo
IPX7-rated
360° sound
Sound quality
Negatives
Buttons flush with speaker
No 3.5mm jack
The Bottom Line.
When it comes to quality products, Anker knows how to get it done. And the Soundcore Flare 2 is a perfect example of that.

The right Bluetooth speaker under $100 is hard to find. Most of us don’t mind if a speaker that costs less than $20 breaks because it was “good enough” while it lasted. You might even be able to afford to replace it. But the point of no return is when you spend $100. It starts to feel like an investment, rather than an accessory for your phone. Bluetooth speakers under $100 need to be more than good enough, they need to be great.

As you should expect for this price point, there needs to be a certain level of durability and quality to the product. These aren’t cheap, and though they’re not the most expensive or best sounding speakers you’ll ever hear, you still want to get your money’s worth. This list has a speaker for everyone. If it made this list, it deserves to be here.

Editor’s note: this list was updated on January 16, 2023, to include changes to formatting.

The JBL Flip 5 is the best Bluetooth speaker under $100

JBL has remained consistent with its Flip series, standing as our pick among the best Bluetooth speakers under $100. The Flip 5 is very similar to the previous model (the JBL Flip 4), but it makes improvements in a few key areas. This time around, JBL includes a USB-C charging input rather than the older microUSB input. With the new input comes better battery life around 9 hours, 30 minutes.  You get the same IPX7 rating as before so you can fumble it into a pool, no problem.

JBL Flip 5
JBL Flip 5
8.2
The JBL Flip 5 in black outside with water spraying onto itPictured is the exposed bass radiator of the JBL Flip 5 on a fire escape with water on the speakerJBL Flip 5 frequency response showing under emphasis round 1100Hz and a sharp drop under 100Hz.JBL Flip 5 hanging from showerhead next to shampooJBL Charge 5 on bookshelf with the power button Bluetooth buttons visible.JBL Flip 5 on a wooden table with multitool and watchMan holding JBL Flip 5 with power button and Bluetooth button lit upClose-up shot of the USB-C input on the JBL Flip 5 speaker.JBL Flip 5 next to blue paracord and green jacket in a black backpack
JBL Flip 5

One of the most egregious omissions from the Flip 5 is the missing microphone input. If someone calls you, you have to reach for your phone and can’t answer directly from the speaker. It’s also missing high-quality Bluetooth codec support, but you can use the PartyBoost button on the speaker to pair it with another compatible JBL product for stereo output.

Sound quality is pretty darn good here with its passive bass radiator system that improves the bass response. You won’t get much sub-bass from this cylindrical speaker, but that’s true for any portable option available. If you just want something that can party your backyard gathering or dorm parties, this is a great option.

JBL Flip 5JBL Flip 5
JBL Flip 5
IPX7 rated • Lightweight • Tons of fun color options
JBL's popular Flip series bring the party in a small-but-powerful package
The JBL Flip 5 is a natural progression of the series, offering considerable sound out of a pretty small device. But the personal touches JBL offers are the real selling point, with multiple colors to choose from as well as the ability to fully customize your own.
A JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker sitting on a rocky surface with a sunny city skyline viisble in the distance.
The JBL Flip 6 is loud enough for hikes, parties, and gatherings both indoors and out.

The JBL Flip 6 retails for $129 USD, so it doesn’t make its way onto this list, though you can sometimes find it on sale for under $100. This speaker will give you a few improvements over the fifth-generation model like an IP67 dust- and water-resistant rating, a new multi-driver sound system, and Bluetooth 5.1.

For a small and packable speaker, check out the Bose Soundlink Micro

Bose is a company that you can usually count on the make some pretty good audio products, and the SoundLink Micro is no exception. It doesn’t sound amazing, but as something that can fit in your hand, it really isn’t meant to. This speaker is for people that tend to be a little rougher on their devices. Its IPX7 build makes it waterproof while the rubber body makes it hard to scratch, get dirty, or break in general.

Bose Soundlink Micro
Bose Soundlink Micro
8
Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) waterproof speakers hooked onto a white backpack.The Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) leaning against a Nikon kit lens in candle light.The Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) next to a large candle on a wood tabletop.Bose SoundLink Micro on a red grill with the thermometer showing.The Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) hooked around a sliding door handle. It's a rear, up-facing photo.Bose SoundLink Micro on a red grill with the thermometer showing.The Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) under a coster for scale.The Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) underwater (white background)Bose SoundLink Micro and Bose Connect app.
Bose Soundlink Micro
Bose Soundlink Micro
Buy now
See review
See review

Battery life isn’t great at just over four hours (two hours short of the six hours that the company claims), but it does have a silicone strap that lets you attach it to everything from your beach chair to a backpack strap. Plus, it only weighs about 289g. making it a super lightweight and portable option for anyone looking for music on the go.

Bose SoundLink MicroBose SoundLink Micro
Bose SoundLink Micro
Loops onto anything • IPX7 rating • Portable and durable
Still one of the best portable speakers you can buy.
If you're knee-deep in the Bose ecosystem and want a travel-friendly speaker that can withstand nearly anything, the SoundLink Micro is a great addition to have. Otherwise, save some money and go with something like the JBL Clip 4.

The UE WONDERBOOM 2 is the best waterproof speaker under $100

This is one of the most durable portable speakers under $100 on the market and it’s a great option for anyone looking for an outdoor option. UE continues its streak of high-value audio with the WONDERBOOM 2. The new model brings 30% longer battery life (up to 13 hours) and increased bass. Additionally, you can pair two WONDERBOOM 2 speakers together for a wireless stereo experience—great for outdoor parties or camping.

UE WONDERBOOM 2
UE WONDERBOOM 2
8.1
UE Wonderboom 2 floating in a pool. The speaker is in red.The UE Wonderboom 2 signature plus and minus buttons.The microUSB port on the back of the UE Wonderboom 2UE Wonderboom 2 buttons, which are on the top of the speaker.The UE Wonderboom 2 hanging from a nail on a balcony.The UE Wonderboom 2 in a sling bag which is unzipped.
UE WONDERBOOM 2

The WONDERBOOM 2 is also a more rugged device than its predecessor, with an IP67 dust and water resistance rating. This means it can still handle being submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes, but now it’s dustproof too. This durability, paired with the longer battery life, and the fact that it floats make this an ideal option for summer adventurers, people who want a decent shower speaker, and those trying to spice up a pool party. Its Outdoor Boost feature hammers this point home even further, which boosts the speaker’s maximum output.

The WONDERBOOM 2 has a virtually identical design to its predecessor, and that’s a good thing. It’s a squat tapered cylinder, with prominent “+” and “-” buttons for controlling volume, and three discreet buttons on the top for Bluetooth pairing, playback controls, and power. An elastic loop hangs off the edge of the speaker for when you want to hang it, rather than just lie it flat.

UE Wonderboom 2UE Wonderboom 2
UE Wonderboom 2
IP67 dust- and water-resistant • Connect two devices simultaneously • Pair to another Wonderboom 2 for stereo sound
UE’s cannonball speaker is perfect for the pool.
If you're looking for a speaker to accompany you on every summer adventure, the UE Wonderboom 2 is a great option. The lack of an integrated microphone is annoying since it means you can't access a voice assistant, but it's a small price to pay for a speaker that floats.

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the best smart Bluetooth speaker under $100

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the latest and greatest edition of Amazon’s Alexa smart speaker line. Once you download the Alexa app you’ll be able to hook up the speaker with any other Alexa speakers you might have in your house and customize all of its settings. One important thing to note about the Echo (4th Gen) is that it is different than the other speakers in this article because it is not portable. In fact, it does not only operate over Bluetooth—while you can connect your smartphone to the speaker via Bluetooth, you will also want to connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi for access to the Alexa assistant.

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
7.8
The ring of the Amazon Echo 4th gen glowing red on a white table.A picture of the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) in gray on an end table.A picture of the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) in black on a bedroom nightstand.Amazon Echo 4th gen on top of a magazine.The microphone button on the Amazon Echo 4th gen with the red light on to show it's muted.The power input and aux input on the back of the Amazon Echo 4th genThe Amazon Echo 4th gen with the light glowing and a snake plant in the background.Close-up of the light blue Amazon Echo 4th gen fabric.The Amazon Echo 4th gen on a bedside table with bed in the background.The Twilight blue Amazon Echo 4th gen with the LED light glowing blue on a white desk.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Buy now
See review
See review

The microphone on the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) does a great job at detecting the wake word even when music is playing loudly. And the sound quality of this speaker is quite good thanks to its tweeters and large woofer. The Echo (4th Gen) comes with all of the Alexa skills out there—it is compatible with plenty of music streaming services, including Spotify and Amazon Music HD. If you’re a smart home fanatic and have Philips Hue lights or an Amazon Firestick, you’ll be able to use the Echo (4th Gen) to control them.

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
AA Recommended
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Improved sound quality • Affordable • Alexa assistance
A spherical smart speaker for everyone's home.
The Amazon Echo (4th Generation) features a fresh new look and improved audio quality. If you're heavily invested in all things smart home, Alexa is a great virtual assistant to have around.

If you want a smart speaker but aren’t into the Amazon brand, check out the Google Nest Audio. Like the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), this speaker operates over WiFi and Bluetooth, and is a home speaker meant to stay in one place. The Google Assistant is also compatible with many streaming services and it features Google Chromecast, which makes it easy to send media from your phone to the speaker. The Nest Audio has one less driver than the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), housing only one tweeter and one woofer. However, its sound quality isn’t bad at all, though you may be missing out a bit on thumping bass frequencies simply due to its size.

The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is another high-value product from the company

Anker’s Soundcore Flare line of speakers has seen huge success since its inception, offering speakers with high-quality construction and decent sound, all for less than $100 USD. That success continues with the Flare 2, which features new drivers that result in even louder bass and improved treble reproduction.

Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
9.4
Anker Soundcore Flare 2 against a white background.
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Buy now

The Soundcore app allows you to adjust settings such as EQ, or control the speaker’s dual-LED halo lights. If you have multiple Flare 2 speakers, you can connect up to 100 and really get your party started. Other notable features include an IPX7 waterproof rating and a 5,200mAh, 12-hour battery that is rechargeable via USB-C.

The Flare 2 unfortunately doesn’t include a 3.5mm input jack. However, for its durable and stylish build, coupled with its decent sound quality, the Flare 2 is a worthy adversary in the affordable Bluetooth speaker category.

Anker Soundcore Flare 2Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
IPX7 rating • Custom EQs • Six lighting modes
Soundcore's waterproof, 360-degree speaker is ready to be the heart of a pool party.
The Soundcore Flare 2 is a powerful, portable wireless speaker. You can pair up to 100 of them for the ultimate speaker setup, and the IPX7 rating offers peace of mind for pool parties.

For something super portable, check out the JBL Clip 4

A hand pushes the JBL Clip 4 carabiner down while attaching the speaker to a bag.
The carabiner is much beefier than before.

The JBL Clip 4 doesn’t even bump up against the $100 budget, but it’s a great speaker for those who want to take their music everywhere. The integrated carabiner makes it easy to attach the Clip 4 to any bag, and its IP67 build means you can take it anywhere without worrying about breaking it.

Though the Clip 4 is small, it gets plenty loud and sounds pretty good. Its sound quality isn’t going to match that of something larger, particularly in the bass frequencies, but it gets the job done. This little speaker is easy to use thanks to its large tactile buttons and it has a long battery life, clocking in at about 10 hours.

JBL Clip 4JBL Clip 4
JBL Clip 4
IP67 rating speaker • Clippable • Improved playtime
A simple speaker made to go anywhere.
The JBL Clip 4 is a rugged-built Bluetooth speaker with a carabiner to clip it safely. It is rated IP67, one of the highest waterproof and dust-resistant rates.

Best Bluetooth speakers under $100: Notable mentions

Jam Hang Up, runner up for the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, and a hand pulling back the flap to reveal the sticky pad on the back of the speaker.
Beneath a pliable rubber flap is an adhesive pad that let’s the Jam Hang Up stick to any flat surface.
  • Anker Soundcore Flare Mini ($42.99 at Amazon): If you want to save a little cash money, the Flare Mini is the little sibling of the Flare lineup: similar build quality, smaller form factor and less powerful drivers.
  • Anker Soundcore Motion+: Though this speaker is technically over $100, Anker often puts it on promotion bringing it just below the triple digits. This Bluetooth speaker has an IPX7 rating and can be paired with a twin speaker for stereo sound. Though its default sound signature isn’t as bass-y as we’d like it to be, the speaker has a useful companion app that you can use to customize the EQ.
  • Anker Soundcore Select Pro ($109.99 at Best Buy): It’s new, so we haven’t tested this boombox style speaker yet or found enough reviews to wholeheartedly recommend it, but with an IPX7 rating, 16 hours of music on a single charge, and fun lights, there’s no reason to not consider the Anker Soundcore Select Pro.
  • Jam Hang Up (on the product’s website): This compact speaker looks a bit like the Bose SoundLink Micro but instead of a semi-elastic strap, it features an adhesive pad that sticks to nearly any flat surface. At the time of publishing, it retails for less than $20.
  • JBL Go 3: This tiny speaker from JBL is well under $100 and offers a lot for being so cheap. It has an IP67 rating, lasts over 10 hours on a singe charge, and sounds decent.
  • Sony SRS-XB13 Extra BASS ($58 at Amazon) and Sony SRS-XB23 EXTRA BASS ($129.99 at Amazon): Both of these speakers have IP67 ratings and strong bass responses. The SRS-XB23 is a bit pricier because it is compatible with the Sony Music Center app and you can adjust its EQ settings. It’s also just a larger speaker. On the other hand, the cheaper SRS-XB13 has a 16 hour battery life whereas the pricier speaker’s battery life is 12 hours.
  • UE BOOM 3: This speaker builds off the success of the UE BOOM line of speakers, offering an IP67 waterproof and dust-resistance build that floats, portable design, and powerful drivers to help fill your backyard with music.

What you should know about the best Bluetooth speakers under $100

A picture of the RHA TrueConnect 2 true wireless earbuds on a dirty surface with dirt on the earbuds.
Earphones aren’t the only dust and water-resistant audio products.

Ingress protection (IP) ratings denote how dust- or water-resistant a given product is. Oftentimes, something will be rated IPX4—or something of that nature—and the “X” serves as a placeholder for the less commonly awarded dust-resistant rating.

Although we’re looking at speakers to reproduce your favorite songs, it’s important to remember that a $100 USD budget won’t buy the best sound quality on the market. If you want something that sounds incredible, you’ll have to compromise on portability for a good pair of desktop speakers or a home theater soundbar setup.

Since these are Bluetooth picks, you should know that Bluetooth audio quality can’t hold a candle to that of wired. This is less pertinent to waterproof speakers than it is to wireless headphones or true wireless earbuds, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for AAC codec support if you’re using an iPhone or aptX for Android phones.

How we chose the best Bluetooth speakers under $100

Monster Solara in black with the blue LED lit up; this was too expensive to be considered for the best Bluetooth speakers under $100.
The Monster Solara exceeds the cap for our list of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100 but it’s a great option for those with a $200 budget.

If a speaker made it onto this list, then you can be sure we’ve had firsthand experience with it, and in many cases put them through our entire review process. Whittling down an entire product category to only a handful of recommended items takes a lot more work than you might expect. For one, not everyone is after the same kind of product. Just like how sound is different to every person, some products might check all of the boxes for some people and not for others. This is how we approach the second aspect of our best lists: categories.

We also consider what other people are saying about a product. We review a ton of stuff here at SoundGuys but let’s be real: We can’t review all of them. So how do we remedy this? Research, research, research. In addition to the vast personal network of reviewers we’ve built in our time around the block, we’ve dug through forums, read reviews, scrolled through comment sections, and done everything we possibly can to gather as much information about a product we haven’t reviewed before putting it on a list. Even if we’ve reviewed a product, we’ll give our picks a gut-check by seeing what the community or former colleagues we trust have to say.

Our main goal is to make sure you find the best product for your needs.

When we made our picks, we wanted to make sure that anyone buying them would be happy with their purchase, and that means a hard look at what makes a good Bluetooth speaker. For most of us, that means a speaker that sounds good, isn’t too expensive and can withstand being used in a setting where anyone might want to listen to music.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

In addition to the fact that this site is all of our day jobs, each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market. Having kept a finger on the pulse of Bluetooth speakers for several years allows us to be able to figure out what’s good, and what’s best avoided.

Best bluetooth speakers under $100: Adam wearing the Jaybrid Freedom in black
From headphones to the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, we try and directly test as many products as possible so we can give you a clear idea of how it all compares in the saturated world of audio technology.

These best lists may not always reflect your experiences, but they are our earnest attempt to get the right product onto your wish list. We do this because we genuinely want you to be happy with your purchases—none of our writers see a dime from partnership deals or referral purchases—and nobody here is allowed to benefit from steering you towards one product or another. While this site does make money from referrals, the individual writers are paid based on their work regardless of whether or not people clicked that “buy” icon. They will never even know if anyone did, though I suppose the site going under might be a good hint.

Frequently asked questions about Bluetooth speakers under $100

The biggest difference between Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 is its range. The older Bluetooth 4.0 supported connections up to 10 meters/33 feet, while Bluetooth 5.0 can (theoretically) maintain a connection at a range of 243 meters/800 feet. If you’re planning to have your smartphone very very far away from your Bluetooth speaker, consider looking for a speaker equipped with Bluetooth 5.0.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a waterproof smart speaker for under $100, but the Sonos Roam is one of the cheaper waterproof smart speakers out there, retailing at $179. This is a great little speaker for bringing in the shower or out to the beach. It operates over WiFi and Bluetooth and integrates into your Sonos home ecosystem.