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Best Bluetooth speakers under $200
Published onNovember 29, 2024
Everyone has a different outlook on how much is too much when it comes to audio. What some people consider a steal, others consider expensive. We researched the best Bluetooth speakers you can get for under $50 and under $100, so now it’s time to up the ante. If you have a bit more money to spend, these are the best Bluetooth speakers under $200.
- August 21, 2024: Added the Beats Pill as a new top pick.
- May 7, 2024: Added the Sony ULT Field 1 in our top picks and added more notable mentions.
- November 29th, 2024: Updated the list of notable mentions.
Why is the JBL Charge 5 the best Bluetooth speaker under $200?
This fabric-covered JBL Charge 5 is fully waterproof and dust-proof with a certified IP67 rating, and you don’t need to worry about its durability. Yeah, it’s bulky, but it’s portable enough to take to the beach or on a camping trip. Its sound quality is great, and you shouldn’t have any issues picking out your favorite backing vocals from this speaker.
The JBL Charge 5 has JBL PartyBoost, which allows you to connect up to 100 JBL speakers together to create a pseudo surround sound system or connect two JBL Charge 5 speakers for stereo playback. Unfortunately, if you have an older JBL speaker that doesn’t have JBL PartyBoost, such as the JBL Charge 4, there is no backward compatibility. The Charge 5 doubles as a portable smartphone charger, though the function will deplete the battery.
Although the Charge 5 is a fairly plain speaker in terms of features, it remains a great option for most listeners who want something loud and portable.
The Charge 5 is very similar to the JBL Charge 4, except that it uses Bluetooth 5.1, whereas the Charge 4 uses Bluetooth 4.2. Additionally, the Charge 5 has multipoint connectivity so that you can connect it to two devices simultaneously. On the other hand, the Charge 4 has an aux port, and the Charge 5 does not. Neither speaker has a microphone, so you can’t use either as a speakerphone for calls.
Best Bass Pick: Beats Pill (2024)
The Beats Pill is back, and better than ever as a portable Bluetooth speaker that packs a punch in a compact package. Its standout features include impressive bass output for its size, a durable IP67 water and dust-resistant design, and an impressive 24-hour battery life. The speaker offers fast pairing with iOS and Android devices and lossless listening over USB-C. While it excels at low to moderate volumes, making it ideal for personal use or small gatherings, the sound quality deteriorates at higher volumes. The Beats Pill’s modern design, long battery life, and cross-platform compatibility make it a solid choice for users seeking a portable speaker with robust bass performance.
The Anker Soundcore Motion X600 looks as good as it sounds
If you want a speaker that feels more luxurious than its price would suggest, check out the Anker Soundcore Motion X600. This speaker has a premium aluminum encasing that is hefty but looks good on any coffee table.
With five drivers, including an upward-facing driver, the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 has the most immersive sound of any speaker on this list. A press of a button on top of the speaker enables its spatial audio mode, which utilizes the upward-firing driver to add a vertical element to the sound field. This adds noticeable depth and height to elements of a song, making it feel more like the music is coming from all around you.
This speaker also has a bass boost mode, which helps the Motion X600 pack a heavier punch in the low end than most other speakers on this list. Its frequency response extends down to 50Hz, which means you’ll feel a bit more of the deep sub-bass frequencies with this speaker compared to other Bluetooth speakers.
The Anker Soundcore Motion X600 also comes with the Soundcore companion app, which has an equalizer to adjust the speaker’s sound. You also get Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC support, so this speaker is a great option for anyone who appreciates good sound quality.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve II is smart and lets you take phone calls
You can snag the Bose SoundLink Revolve (refurbished) for just $149 through Bose’s website. It includes a dedicated smart assistant button on top, and the integrated microphone allows you to ask your phone’s smart assistant questions without the need to interact with your phone. You can also use the SoundLink Revolve in speakerphone mode for phone calls.
The SoundLink Revolve II offers fantastic omnidirectional sound, so everyone can gather around it and enjoy the same kind of sound. This is ideal for parties when you just want to throw the speaker in the center of the room and get music playing.
In addition, you can pair this speaker with another compatible Bose Bluetooth speaker and use the Bose Connect app to enable either Stereo Mode or Party Mode. You can also pair your Bose SoundLink Revolve with Bose Home speakers using Bose SimpleSync. The Bose SoundLink Revolve has an official IPX4 rating so that it can handle splashes. It’s also super durable, and you can drop it without it denting. This speaker is portable and offers up to 12 hours of battery life.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II has a longer battery life and lasts up to 17 hours, compared to the 13-hour battery of the standard Revolve II. Bose features a handle on the Revolve+ II, making it a bit easier to carry around. Both speakers feature 360-degree audio output and an IP55 build, and you can access your virtual assistant easily with either speaker.
Go small and loud with the JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is the latest JBL Flip speaker. It has a durable IP67 build, dual passive radiators for decent bass response, and a redesigned (larger) logo on the speaker grille. The Flip 6 connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.1, offers 12 hours of playback off a single charge, and easily fits in a backpack.
With the Flip 6, you get access to PartyBoost and stereo mode. PartyBoost lets you connect up to 100 compatible JBL speakers to amplify the output, and interestingly, stereo mode only works with two JBL speakers of the same generation. There’s no microphone on this speaker, but there hasn’t been since the Flip 4. Those who want a reliable, durable speaker for hikes and small gatherings will like the Flip 6, a worthy successor to the Flip 5.
If the Flip 6 is still more speaker than you need, consider the ultra-portable JBL Clip 5. This recently refreshed also offers an IP67 protection rating. With its built-in carabiner, you can easily attach it to a backpack or purse and enjoy 7W of output from just about anywhere. With support from the JBL Portable app, unlike its predecessor, the Clip 4, the Clip 5 now offers a customizable sound thanks to a 5-band EQ. Overall, the JBL Clip 5 is one of the best ultra-portable speakers you can buy for less than $100.
Best Sony speaker under $150: Sony ULT Field 1
For those seeking a rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t compromise on bass, the Sony ULT Field 1 is an excellent budget choice. Its standout feature is the dedicated “ULT” button, which engages a powerful bass boost that adds substantial low-end thump to your music. This feature significantly improves the overall sound quality, making the ULT Field 1 punch well above its weight in terms of bass response.
Despite its compact size, the ULT Field 1 is built to withstand the great outdoors, boasting an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. Its durable design, complete with a shock-proof exterior and rubberized end caps, ensures that it can handle the occasional drop or tumble without sustaining damage.
While the companion app lacks advanced sound customization options, the ULT Field 1’s simplicity is part of its charm. Just hit the ULT button, and you’ll instantly experience a satisfying bass boost that breathes new life into your favorite tracks. Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or embarking on a weekend adventure, this portable powerhouse delivers impressive low-end performance that belies its compact form factor.
Should you get the Sonos Roam 2?
The Sonos Roam 2 offers a compelling package for those seeking a versatile Bluetooth speaker under $200. Its sleek, portable design with IP67 water resistance makes it suitable for both home and outdoor use. The Roam 2 delivers excellent sound quality for its size and seamlessly integrates with existing Sonos setups. A new dedicated Bluetooth button simplifies pairing without the Sonos app, addressing a key complaint about its predecessor.
While it lacks significant hardware upgrades, the Roam 2 balances portability, sound performance, and smart features, making it an attractive option for both Sonos ecosystem users and those seeking a standalone portable speaker.
The best Bluetooth speakers under $200: Notable mentions
- Anker Soundcore Boom 2 ($89.99 at Amazon): With plenty of bass on tap, customizable dual LED lights and a floatable design, the Boom 2 brings a little something extra to your next outdoor gathering.
- Anker Soundcore Motion 300 ($79.99 at Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a budget-friendly audio adventure companion. Featuring an IPX7 protection rating and decent sound in a durable compact package, you don’t have to think twice before tossing this speaker into your backpack or gear bin for a weekend getaway.
- Anker Soundcore Motion X500 ($169.99 at Amazon): A nice step up from the smaller Bluetooth speaker options on the market without going overboard, the X500 really packs a punch while still remaining portable.
- Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) ($149 at Amazon): If you want an adventure speaker from Bose, the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is your best option with its IP67 rating and tough build. The sound quality is good, but you should remember this is an outdoor speaker, not one of the company’s more premium offerings.
- Sony LinkBuds Speaker ($179.99 at Amazon):The LinkBuds speaker looks great around the house, but it’s still IP67-rated if you want to bring it to the park for the day. It offers decent sound for its size. Sony includes a charging dock with this one as well.
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 ($85.99 at Amazon): The Wonderboom 4 keeps things portable, and durable. With an IP67 protection rating and omnidirectional sound, this baseball-sized backpack speaker is ready for your next hike or trip to the beach.
- Marshall Emberton II ($132.37 at Amazon): Like the Wonderboom 4, the Marshall Emberton II offers omnidirectional sound and an IP67 protection rating, but its vintage Marshall amplifier design brings a rock and roll vibe to the party.
- Sonos One (Gen 2) ($219 at Amazon): This is a little more than $200, but with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in, this smart speaker will satisfy most people’s preferences. It has app-adjustable sound, and you can also connect it to your home Sonos ecosystem for multi-room audio.
What you should know about the best Bluetooth speakers under $200 USD
When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here’s what to look out for before you pick one up for your next party.
IP ratings stand for Ingress Protection ratings and refer to how resistant a product is to dust and water damage. The X in IPX7, as an example, is a placeholder for dust protection. So, if a product is rated IP67, for example, it has a 6 rating for dust and a 7 rating for water.
How should a Bluetooth speaker sound?
Bluetooth speaker frequency responses usually look something like the JBL Xtreme 3, with virtually no sub-bass response. This lack of sub-bass is a consequence of a speaker’s physical size; they’re pretty small. Still, companies use plenty of workarounds to amplify bass within a speaker’s small housing. Companies often use passive bass radiators that use air pressure within the speaker housing to boost bass. Passive bass radiators don’t have a separate power supply, so while they will still amplify bass frequencies, they won’t get as loud as a dedicated sub-woofer.
What is a Bluetooth codec, and how does it affect audio quality?
If you consider yourself a true audiophile, you may find that Bluetooth audio quality just doesn’t do it for you. That’s because wired audio quality is always better than Bluetooth audio quality. Bluetooth codecs cut out data and add unwanted noise to the transmission process.
To shrink the gap in quality between your Bluetooth speaker and your wired speaker, we recommend looking for aptX or aptX HD codecs. If you have an iPhone, stick with the AAC codec. Keep in mind that this list of the best Bluetooth speakers under $200 USD factors in convenience, portability, durability, and audio quality.
Why you should trust SoundGuys when it comes to the best Bluetooth speakers under $200
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Frequently asked questions about the best Bluetooth speakers under $200
A Sonos system will probably please you and your clients. The Sonos app makes integrating all your speakers together very easy.
Well, first things first, having other codecs available besides SBC does not necessarily mean a speaker will sound good. There are a lot of factors that go into “sounding good,” and Bluetooth codecs are one piece of a (rather large) puzzle. Considering this, there are Bluetooth speakers out there that do support more than SBC. Often, what you might notice with this codec is latency or a mismatch between visual and audio content when connected to a TV or game console, for instance.
With all that in mind, some of the models above support AAC, like the Sonos Roam 2. AAC is a good option for iPhone users, but Android users may still notice latency issues. Android users will have to find a speaker with aptX or LDAC support, which can get tricky. For example, you can check out the Anker Soundcore Motion+ (listed as a Top Pick) if you want aptX support at a comparable price.
However, you can avoid these concerns if you find a speaker with wired connectivity, like the Anker Soundcore Motion+ or the (much more expensive) JBL Xtreme 3.