Top-tier Budget Bluetooth Speakers Tested by Experts in 2025: Unmissable Picks
Budget Bluetooth speakers are the perfect companion for music lovers on a budget, offering a portable and convenient audio solution. With a myriad of options in the market, we've rounded up some of the best budget Bluetooth speakers that won't break your bank.
The following recommendations are all priced around or below £100 / $100 / AU$200, proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to get decent sound quality. Each model has been tested thoroughly by our expert in-house reviewing team to ensure you make an informed decision before purchasing.
The Best Overall
JBL Flip 6
Our expert review:
The JBL Flip 6 offers an outstanding value for money, ticking all the boxes for a budget Bluetooth speaker. It's compact, durable, long-lasting, and delivers a powerful sound that punches above its weight.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 6.9 x 2.7 x 2.8 inches (17.5 x 6.9 x 7.1 cm)
- Weight: 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- IP Rating: IP67 (dust and waterproof)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
Reasons to buy
- Affordable pricing
- Durable and waterproof design (IP67)
- Excellent sound quality
- Long battery life
- Customizable EQ settings
Reasons to avoid
- Slightly bulkier compared to other portable options
The JBL Flip 6 delivers a dynamic, cohesive sound while cleaning and clarifying tracks. Its trademark zealous and musical presentation is a testament to JBL's commitment to quality sound. With improved audio detail and tweakable equalizer settings in the app, this speaker offers a truly impressive audio experience for a meager outlay.
If you're looking for a budget Bluetooth speaker that delivers great sound, durability, waterproofness, ample battery life, and seamless connectivity, the JBL Flip 6 is an excellent choice.
The Best Portable
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
Our expert review:
The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 boasts a small form factor that's easy to carry, yet its sound is impressively bigger and more capable than you'd expect from such a tiny unit.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.6 x 1.4 inches (7.4 x 6.6 x 3.6 cm)
- Weight: 0.42 lbs (194 g)
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- IP Rating: IP67 (dust and waterproof)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
Reasons to buy
- Ultra-portable design
- Excellent sound quality for the size
- Durable and waterproof (IP67)
- Long battery life
- Reasonable pricing
Reasons to avoid
- May distort at higher volumes
The Stormbox Micro 2 outperforms many of its competitors in terms of audio quality and battery life. With a 360-degree woven finish design, this speaker is both attractive and resistant to dust and water. Its ability to keep up with tricky rhythms and reveal nuances in vocals sets it apart from other budget models.
If you're after a portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn't compromise on sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is well worth considering.
The Best Smart
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation)
Our expert review:
With Alexa's ever-growing skills and knowledge, the Echo Dot (5th Generation) is a smart speaker that offers solid sound quality and a hugely attractive price tag.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches (9.9 x 9.9 x 8.9 cm)
- Weight: 10.6 ounces (300 g)
- Battery Life: Plug-in only (no battery)
- IP Rating: N/A (not waterproof)
- Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0
Reasons to buy
- Affordable pricing
- Alexa voice control
- Smart home integration
- Good bass response
Reasons to avoid
- Requires a power source
- No batter life
The Echo Dot (5th Generation) delivers solid audio quality while providing Alexa's extensive range of skills and knowledge. The speaker's sound quality has continually improved, ensuring a far-reaching and weighty listening experience. As a smart speaker, the Dot offers features such as controlling smart home devices, setting alarms, and answering general questions.
For those seeking a balance between smart features and sound quality on a budget, the Echo Dot (5th Generation) is worth considering.
The Best Cheap
JBL Go 4
Our expert review:
The JBL Go 4 offers impressive sound quality for its small size, making it one of the best budget Bluetooth speakers for those on a tight budget.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches (10.5 x 10.5 x 3.9 cm)
- Weight: 0.44 lbs (204 g)
- Battery Life: Up to 7 hours (Playtime Boost increased to 9 hours)
- IP Rating: IPX7 (waterproof)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
Reasons to buy
- High-quality sound for the price
- Durable and waterproof (IPX7)
- Compact and portable design
- Decent battery life (Playtime Boost available)
- Customizable equalizer settings
Reasons to avoid
- May distort at high volumes
With a form factor reminiscent of a deck of cards or a bar of soap, the JBL Go 4 is incredibly portable. Its taut bass, restrained trebles, and smooth mids combine to create a coherent and satisfying listening experience. The additional features, such as Auracast for pairing multiple JBL speakers and a 5-band customizable equalizer in the app, make the JBL Go 4 a highly desirable budget option.
If you're looking for a budget Bluetooth speaker that delivers impressive sound quality without breaking the bank, the JBL Go 4 is hard to beat.
Choosing the Best Budget Bluetooth Speaker for You
Aside from offering great sound for the money, we recommend considering a durable design, waterproofing, and portability at the budget end of the market. IPX7 and IP67 ratings are excellent numbers to look for in terms of waterproofing, while IP-rated protection against dust ingress is also beneficial. If portability is essential, these waterproof qualities are crucial, especially when using the speaker outdoors, on the go, or in the kitchen.
When it comes to portability, the size of the speaker is essential. Make sure you check dimensions before purchasing to ensure the speaker fits your specific needs. Whether you want a portable speaker for occasional movement or one to take with you everywhere, you'll find a suitable option in our recommendations above.
[1] [ testimonial ]: This source strength indicates how loud a sound is; it can range from soft to loud. A speaker with a higher source strength can play louder sounds compared to one with a lower source strength.
[4] [ technologies ]: These are advancements in technology that help improve the functionality and performance of a product. In this case, technology such as Bluetooth allows wireless connectivity between devices, while equalizer settings allow users to customize the sound to their preferences.
- Music lovers on a budget can consider the JBL Flip 6 as a perfect companion, offering superior sound quality, durability, and a waterproof design.
- For an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn't compromise on sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is an excellent choice.
- To experience the benefits of smart features and solid sound quality at an affordable price, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) is a worthwhile consideration.
- Price-conscious consumers seeking a budget Bluetooth speaker with impressive sound quality should look into the JBL Go 4.
- When choosing a budget Bluetooth speaker, consider durability, waterproofing, and portability to ensure it fits your lifestyle requirements.
- IPX7 and IP67 ratings are important indicators of waterproofing in budget Bluetooth speakers, while dimensions are crucial for determining portability.
- In the realm of technology, Bluetooth enables wireless connectivity between devices, while equalizer settings enable users to customize their sound preferences.
- The home-and-garden, technology, entertainment, brands, lifestyle, and news sectors can all benefit from the rise of high-quality, affordable Bluetooth speakers like those reviewed above.
