These speakers can get expensive, but there are plenty of options out there for less than $50 that offer solid audio quality, good battery life, and a durable build. These are all things to look for when you’re shopping for a speaker: a device that needs constant recharging or sounds terrible will take all the fun out of your new speaker. We’ve done the research to find the best speakers in this price range for all different needs. Whether you’re looking for something tough-as-nails, bass-boosted, poolside-friendly, or “smart,” there’s something on this list for you. Also be sure to check out our roundups of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, and the best Bluetooth speakers overall. Available in a small range of colors, it ticks all the right boxes in terms of features: 12W of stereo sound with balanced high tones, a bass boost that actually works, and a Bluetooth range of over 60 feet. You’ll get up to a remarkable 24 hours of battery life between charges, and there’s an aux port if you want to play music from a Bluetooth-incompatible device. The brick-shaped speaker is IPX5-rated, so it can handle a splash of water (but not full submersion) with ease. Weighing 12.6 ounces, the Soundcore 2 feels solid and sturdy but is still light enough to throw in your bag. A strong suction mount lets you securely attach the iF012 pretty much anywhere you want to stick it. Combined with up to ten hours of battery life and more than enough volume to be heard over running water, this is the ideal way to enjoy your favorite music in the shower. Our reviewer Danny loved the Fox’s impressive audio clarity and long-lasting battery life. The 20W output is impressive from an inexpensive speaker like this, loud enough to be easily heard outdoors. If you need even more volume or stereo output, you can also pair two of these speakers together. Battery life is up to 20 hours, depending on how loud you’re cranking the music. There’s also a noise-canceling microphone onboard so you can use it as a speakerphone if you need it. Basic controls on the top of the speaker let you control volume, play, pause, and skip tracks, and make or end calls. There’s also an auxiliary jack and cable included for a wired connection. Measuring 2.4 x 5.7 x 7.8 inches and weighing less than eight ounces, you’ll get up to 12 hours of music from the Clip 3 on a single charge. Controls are very simple, with three buttons near the top to control volume and playback. Available in nearly a dozen colors, the speaker has an IPX7 rating that allows it to remain submerged in up to three feet of water for half an hour. That’s should certainly give you some peace of mind when blasting out tunes beside the pool. The DOSS Soundbox takes a different approach, and while it’s certainly still small enough to put in your bag and take along on a trip, it’s attractive enough to keep on display on a desk or bookshelf the rest of the time. There’s basic IPX4 weatherproofing, which can handle minor splashes and liquid spills but not much more. The Soundbox comes in a range of colors, and its dual 6W stereo speakers are loud enough to fill a room. Capacitive buttons on the top need just a light touch to switch modes or control playback, including a ring that you circle with your finger to turn the volume up or down. You’ll get up to 12 hours out of the inbuilt battery, and can also play music by inserting a micro-SD card or plugging in the included aux cable. No such problem with the OontZ Angle 3 Ultra, which uses Bluetooth 4.2 to give you up to 100 feet of range. The triangular design of this sturdy speaker makes it easy to fit into your bag, and there’s a surprising amount of bass response from such a small device. The IPX6 rating means there’s nothing to fear from rain or splashes, and you’ll get up to an impressive 20 hours of battery life between charges. There’s an auxiliary port on the side and the appropriate cable in the box, letting you use a wired connection if you’d prefer. Available in black or white, it’s also possible to wirelessly connect two of these speakers together for extra volume and stereo sound. Haven’t found what you’re looking for? Take a look at our picks for the best bluetooth speakers at Walmart. The Anker Soundcore Mini 2 has some great features for its budget price. One of the most appealing is its IPX7 rating, which means it’s dustproof and waterproof in up to 3.3 feet of water. This makes it a great choice for the pool, the beach, and anywhere else where it might be exposed to the elements. The battery life is also surprisingly long with up to 15 hours of continuous playback per charge. The SRS-XB12 also has a built-in microphone so you can answer and conduct calls directly from the speaker when it’s connected to your phone. And, just like some of the other speakers on this list, the STS-XB12 can be paired with another of the same model for stereo audio. If you’re mostly interested in playing music, the 3rd-generation Echo Dot has an improved speaker with richer audio quality that defies its small form factor. It can also be paired with a second Dot to get stereo sound. Next, we play a variety of media content, including music, movies, and games, so we can get a good idea of the sound profile, frequency response, and bass. Here’s also where we consider any special features like software customization that allows tweaking of frequency response, directional audio, bass enhancements, or extras like RGB lighting. Finally, we compare it to competitors in a similar price range to make a final judgment. All of the Bluetooth speakers we test are purchased by Lifewire; none are provided by the manufacturer.
About Our Trusted Experts
A former editor of Lifewire’s product round-ups, Emmeline Kaser has over four years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech. David Dean worked in corporate IT for 15 years before transitioning over to tech journalism, and is an expert in consumer, travel, and photography electronics and accessories. He founded his own technology site and has written for a number of leading publications. Danny Chadwick is a tech writer with more than 12 years of experience, covering everything from dash cams to photography peripherals, with a specialty in mobile audio equipment. He also wrote and produced a daily tech news show for three years.
What to Look for in a Bluetooth Speaker
Sound quality - The best way to test sound quality is, of course, by listening in person — but in the age of online shopping, that’s not always possible. Perhaps the most important spec to consider is sensitivity, measured in decibels (dB). This indicates how loud the speaker will get; the higher the sensitivity rating, the louder the speaker will be. An average speaker is around 87 dB to 88 dB, but 90 dB would be excellent. Battery life - It’s handy to be able to bring your speaker on the road with you, but you might as well be carrying a brick if its battery dies. Most Bluetooth speakers will average about 8 to 24 hours per charge, depending on how loud you’re playing your music. Another thing to consider is how long a speaker takes to recharge its battery — in some cases, a 10-minute top-up can prolong battery life for hours. Waterproof - If you’re taking your portable speaker to the beach, you’ll want to be sure it won’t be drowned by an unexpected wave. Many models have waterproof ratings ranging from splash-resistant up to IPX7, which means it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes and still work.
