Speakers

If you want a surround sound system, but don't want to futz with wires, extra channels, or the possibility of having an outdated receiver: the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is for you.

The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is an affordable, rugged portable speaker you can toss in your backpack without a worry. If you’re after a grab-and-go speaker for your next adventure, the Boom Go 3i makes an easy case for itself thanks to customizable sound, RGB lighting, and a handy battery display.

Much like its predecessor, the Charge 6 is sure to become a fan favorite. With better durability, a more customizable sound, and additional ways to connect, JBL has done an excellent job pushing the Charge series forward.

The Flip 7 may look familiar, but there’s more here than meets the eye. While upgraded durability, new connection options, and extra carrying attachments aren’t exactly game-changers, the added sound customization is definitely a welcome upgrade.

The Edifier M90 is a versatile speaker system that works just as well on a desk as it does beside a TV. With extensive connectivity, customizable sound, and a surprisingly handy remote, it’s an easy fit for movies, gaming, and everyday music listening.

The JBL Go 5 is a small update, not a major upgrade. You get a more flexible EQ, slightly longer battery life, and some added personality with the new lighting, but it’s not a night-and-day sound difference from the Go 4. That’s not a big surprise considering the limitations of a speaker this tiny.

The Google Nest Audio is a great smart speaker with plenty of tricks up its sleeve. Google dropped the old air freshener aesthetic for a cleaner, softer design that houses impressive hardware and is powered by even more impressive software.

The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is the life of the party. With a refreshed light show, improved portability, and swappable battery packs, this party in a box is ready to rock for hours on end, wherever you are.

With its durable build, customizable light show and plenty of low-end on tap, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus makes for an excellent party speaker, rain or shine.

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 JBL Bar 1000MK2 is one of the most versatile home theater systems available. Whether you’re working with a small living room or a full media setup, it adapts easily with wireless, detachable rear speakers, solid connection options, and plenty of power.

The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar works well on its own, but the real experience starts once you add the optional subwoofer and rear speakers.

The Sonos Beam Ultra delivers impressive sound for movies and plenty of bass without taking up much space. I’d add surrounds before a Sub, and unless you have a really big room, I’m not convinced you need to spend more on the Arc Ultra.

The JBL Xtreme 5 is a meaningful upgrade, with stronger bass, more output, and a redesigned driver layout that actually makes a difference. While it’s now larger and heavier, it remains portable enough for outdoor use, adds new ambient lighting, and keeps the swappable battery.

The Rave 3S packs serious value. With its hefty bass response, customizable light show, AI-powered vocal removal, and two included wireless microphones, the Rave 3S is a budget-friendly party machine with a high chance of turning any gathering into a karaoke night.

The JBL Charge 5 checks all the boxes when it comes to portable yet rugged Bluetooth speakers. With its durable build, long battery life, and decent output, the Charge 5 is a dependable sonic adventure companion.

The Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4 sounds excellent, with deep bass and a sleek design that looks right at home in most living rooms. It's a great pick if you want immersive audio without the hassle of a full-blown home theater setup.

Now offering support from the JBL Portable app, which includes a 5-band customizable EQ, not to mention leveling up its durability with some added protection, the JBL Go 4 is a worthy successor to the Go 3.

The JBL Clip 5 features some welcome upgrades. Now offering support from the JBL Portable app, which includes both preset and a customizable EQ, not to mention a boost in wattage and better battery life, the JBL Clip series remains a solid choice for an on-the-go outdoor Bluetooth speaker.

The JBL Grip is built for fun. It’s light, durable, and easy to toss in a bag, and the lighting strip adds a bit of personality that sets it apart from JBL’s other portables. Despite its size, it delivers surprisingly decent sound for something this compact.

The Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen) is the most capable Echo speaker in Amazon’s lineup. It delivers stronger bass, more headroom, and Dolby Atmos support, plus a built-in smart home hub. If you want a bigger, more immersive-sounding Alexa speaker for your living room, this is the one to get.

The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) finally gets some much-needed updates, bringing it in line with the rest of Bose’s portable speaker lineup.