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Best cheap Bluetooth speakers
Published onJuly 10, 2024
Music is a social experience, which is why cheap Bluetooth speakers are exploding in popularity. Every party needs music, no matter where it takes place. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune on speakers to set the tone because the cheap Bluetooth speakers market is booming. Here are our top picks that won’t break the bank.
What's new?
- This list of the best cheap Bluetooth speakers was updated on July 10, 2024, to add new top picks.
- If you are able to spend a bit more, check out our list of the best Bluetooth speakers for less than $100.
Always on the move? Bring the JBL Clip 5
The JBL Clip 5 is the ideal choice for those prioritizing portability in a Bluetooth speaker. This compact device features a built-in carabiner for easy attachment to backpacks or branches, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. It’s also built to withstand the elements, with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.
The Clip 5 offers improved audio performance with 7W of output and a 12-hour battery life. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 with Multipoint connection and now comes with a companion app, allowing users to customize their sound experience through various EQ options. While it may not deliver room-filling sound, its rugged design, versatile mounting options, and personalized audio capabilities make it an excellent choice for hikers, campers, or anyone seeking a reliable, portable audio companion on a budget.
The Sony SRS-XB100 is small but mighty
The Sony SRS-XB100 is a solid choice for those seeking an ultra-compact and affordable Bluetooth speaker for personal use. Weighing only 274g, this tiny powerhouse is incredibly portable and features an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, making it ideal for outdoor adventures or shower use.
Despite its small size, the SRS-XB100 delivers impressive sound quality with a full-range driver and passive radiator for enhanced bass. It boasts a 16-hour battery life and supports Google Fast Pair for easy connection to Android devices. While it may not be the loudest speaker in its class, its portability, durability, and sound quality make it a great option for individual listeners or small groups. The Sony SRS-XB100 is perfect for those who want a simple, reliable speaker that can go anywhere without compromising on audio performance.
Need something small but durable? Go with the JBL GO 4
The JBL Go 4 is an excellent choice for those seeking an ultra-compact and affordable Bluetooth speaker. This palm-sized device weighs less than a pound, making it incredibly easy to carry in a pocket or attach to a backpack. Despite its small size, the Go 4 doesn’t skimp on features or durability.
It boasts an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, making it suitable for outdoor use. The Go 4 now comes with companion app support, offering a customizable 5-band EQ for personalized sound. With Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection, it’s versatile enough for various uses. While it may not deliver powerful bass, its 7-hour battery life and improved durability make it an ideal choice for travelers, hikers, or anyone needing a reliable, pocket-friendly speaker on a budget.
For a simple home solution, check out the Creative Stage Air
If you’re looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, chances are it’s going to be small and portable, similar to the other options on this list. However, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Case in point: the Creative Stage Air.
While this speaker isn’t nearly the size of some of the other soundbars we’ve tested, you still get a lot of speakers for not a lot of money. It’s not the best option for building your dream home theater system. Still, it’s a perfectly fine under-monitor speaker that makes listening to music, watching videos, or playing games that much more enjoyable.
Like most speakers of this price, the Creative Stage Air has fairly limited features, so don’t expect to plug in HDMI and optical cables from your gaming console. For that, you should check out our list of best soundbars. The Creative Stage Air keeps it simple, supporting Bluetooth 4.2 with the SBC codec and 3.5mm input. It has a few annoying quirks, like automatically turning off to save power after 15 minutes of non-usage, but overall, it’s a solid option for the price, even if it’s a bit older.
The Skullcandy Terrain Mini is made to last and doesn’t cost much
The Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT is a rugged, water-resistant Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t shy away from adventure. With an IPX7 waterproof rating, straightforward controls, and a modest $40 price tag, it’s perfect for the budget-conscious consumer who values durability and ease of use over bells and whistles.
While it won’t win any awards for audio quality, it does the job for casual listening and small gatherings. It offers uncomplicated pairing, an LED battery indicator, and USB-C charging, embodying a no-nonsense, plug-and-play approach. It may lack high-end features like high-bitrate audio or an app for firmware updates, but these limitations are minor in the grand scheme of its core functionalities.
What sets it apart in a crowded market is its sheer reliability. For those who want a basic yet sturdy Bluetooth speaker without splurging, the Terrain Mini XT is an excellent pick. If you already own Skullcandy speakers, its Multi-Link feature adds a layer of versatility, allowing you to create a more expansive sound setup. Overall, it’s a steadfast performer that delivers on its promises without emptying your pockets.
The Amazon Echo Pop is a great cheap smart speaker
If you are looking for a cheap and easy entry to the smart home world, the Amazon Echo Pop is a good starting point. It also makes for a great addition to an existing Alexa smart home setup, as you could buy a couple of these speakers and place them in various rooms around your house.
With full Alexa integration, a sleek modern design, and decent sound, the Amazon Echo Pop packs a ton of bang for your buck. There’s no display and limited volume, but for the price of $39.99 and the fact that you can usually find it on sale for less than half of that, the Echo Pop is a no-brainer.
Best cheap Bluetooth speakers: Notable mentions
- Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) ($49 at Amazon): The smart home is more relevant than ever, and companies are rapidly expanding with a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) product ideas. Anyone with multiple devices will benefit from the hands-free voice controls of the new Echo Dot (5th Gen).
- 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 Flare 2 ($55.99 at Amazon): Gain all the features of the Flare Mini, but with more powerful drivers, Soundcore app control, dual LED halo lighting, and better sound quality at a price tag slightly above $50.
- JBL Clip 4 ($48 at Amazon): Although the Clip 5 is out and has more features, the Clip 4 is still a solid buy for less money.
- Philips S3505 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($42 at Amazon): In a décor friendly casing, the S3505 Bluetooth speaker has an IPX7 rating, a small size with a handle, a built-in mic for phone calls, buttons on the front face, and it charges via USB-C. The battery lasts 10 hours, which isn’t terrible but perhaps not the best. Still, it’s quite a package for the price.
- Sony SRS-XB13 (on the product’s website): The “XB” in the product’s name stands for Extra Bass, delivering a powerful low-end in a compact form factor. An IP67 rating also ensures that the party will go on for 16 hours, no matter where you take this speaker. Occasionally, you can nab it for under $50.
- TOZO PA1 ($33 at Amazon): TOZO has loaded the TOZO PA1 with an impressive list of specs for well under $50, making it a great outlier candidate. Firstly, the IPX7 rating means it’s virtually waterproof. Dedicated buttons on the top save you from reaching for your device to alter playback or even EQ (although there’s an app too). The built-in mic means you can answer calls without disconnecting, and 12 hours of battery life is perfectly good for most folks.
- Tribit StormBox Micro ($52 at Amazon): This one is set to compete with the JBL Clip series, by sporting the same IP67 rating and a small form factor you can attach to a bike.
- UE Wonderboom 3 ($91.99 at Amazon): This speaker isn’t quite under $50. However, it is a handy little speaker with an IP67 rating and a loud sound. Its battery life is 14 hours, plus you can pair it with a second one, and it floats if your pool party gets rowdy.
What you should know about cheap Bluetooth speakers
What is a Bluetooth codec?
Just like wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers use specific Bluetooth codecs to determine how files are transmitted from a source (phone) to a receiver (speaker). Different codecs produce different amounts of latency when streaming, and the most common of those that have the lowest latency and the highest streaming quality are aptX and AAC if you’re an iOS user. With that said, many Bluetooth speakers only use the basic SBC codec, which can mean you might have some latency when using the speaker to watch videos.
What are IP ratings?
Plenty of these speakers are water-resistant, so here’s a quick rundown of Ingress Protection (IP) ratings and what they mean to your specific model. IP ratings denote the dust and water resistance of a particular product. Oftentimes, a product will have a rating like IPX4, and the X is just a placeholder for what would be a dust-resistance rating. For a product to withstand full submersion, it must be at least IPX7 or higher.
| Water-resistant | Waterproof | Can withstand | |
|---|---|---|---|
IPX0 | Water-resistant | Waterproof | Can withstand Not water-resistant |
IPX1 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Dripping water (1 mm/min) Limit: vertical drips only |
IPX2 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Dripping water (3 mm/min) Limit: Device max tilt of 15° from drips |
IPX3 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Sprays Limit: Device max tilt of 60° from sprays |
IPX4 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Splashes, omnidirectional |
IPX5 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Water jets (12.5 L/min) Example: Squirt guns |
IPX6 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Strong water jets (100 L/min) Example: Powerful water guns |
IPX7 | Water-resistant | Waterproof ✓ | Can withstand Complete submersion Limit: 1 m. for 30 min |
IPX8 | Water-resistant | Waterproof ✓ | Can withstand Complete submersion Limit: 3 m. for 30 min |
How we chose the best Bluetooth speakers around $50
A simple search on Amazon yields hundreds of options from a myriad of manufacturers, and that’s just for cheap Bluetooth speakers. So, how do you know what to choose? Well, you can do a ton of research and gather up the best options, which is exactly what we did.
After ordering several of the top options, we narrowed it down to a few of the products we had already reviewed and knew to be good. Nothing here is going to make it into the MoMA, but for around $50, it doesn’t need to. These cheap Bluetooth speakers just need to be functional and better than average, which they are and do.
Why you should trust SoundGuys
Maintaining and updating this site is each of our day jobs, and collectively, we’ve accrued over a decade of experience with our fingers on the audio industry’s pulse. We try to directly test as many products as possible to paint a clear picture of how each product compares to others.
We regularly update this list as a living document, so if your all-time favorite cheap speaker was omitted, let us know. At the end of the day, we want this list to help educate your purchasing decisions, and none of our writers can benefit from steering readers toward one product or another.
Frequently asked questions about cheap Bluetooth speakers
While these two little speakers are of a similar size, they differ in a few minor ways. One of the major selling points of the JBL Clip 3 is that it has a built-in carabiner clip, making it easier to attach to a backpack or anything really. The JBL GO 3 only has a loop, but if you have a carabiner of your own, it is easy to use it in the same way.
The JBL GO 3 also has an IP67 rating, whereas the Clip 3 has an IPX7 rating—this just means that the Clip 3 doesn’t have a certified dust-proof build, but both speakers are waterproof. Another notable difference between the two speakers is that the Clip 3 includes an auxiliary port, whereas the GO 3 can only connect to a source device via Bluetooth. Lastly, the Clip 3 includes a microphone for making calls, but the GO 3 does not.
When the Anker SoundCore Flare Mini has a low battery, the power button blinks in red.
For the money, the Skullcandy Terrain Mini is the loudest small Bluetooth speaker on our list.
While budget speakers may not match the performance of high-end models, many offer decent sound quality, suitable for casual listening.
If you know what you are doing. Taking apart a cheap Bluetooth speaker involves disassembling it and potentially replacing components like the speaker driver or battery. It’s a DIY project for those who have a good understanding of electronics and soldering. Be aware that some manufacturers purposefully design components not to be tinkered with, and so you should use caution to avoid damaging the components.