Whether we like it or not, the days of multi-disc CD players are long gone. Other than the rather niche vinyl revival, nearly every man and his dog now listen to tunes via a Bluetooth speaker linked to one digital device or another.
Now, there isn’t a shortage of options out there when it comes to Bluetooth speakers, but the top-end products can set you back a pretty penny. So, we wondered if you can still get a decent sound for a relatively low price, especially considering how far technology has come. It turns out you can. But before you dive straight in, there are some factors about each product you should be contemplating before hitting that ‘add to cart’ button.
Now those factors that we mentioned, they will influence the volume, clarity, power and battery life of the product. So, while one speaker might look prettier, if you still want to enjoy it after the first record, we think it’s certainly worth checking these out.
The first feature you should be checking out is which version of Bluetooth the device is using; this is because it will directly affect your clarity and functionality when listening.
Each version has different ranges and speeds, with the latest Bluetooth 5 being able to run at two megabits (Mbps) per second, at ranges of up to 120 m. This means you’ll be getting a crystal-clear non-lagging connection, without having to carry the speaker with you if you have to pop into the kitchen.
If Bluetooth 5 doesn’t run on your preferred speaker, then the lowest version we would recommend is 4.2. It still has an admirable speed, clocking in around 1 (Mbps), but with a much lower 30 m range.
Due to the price range, we are shopping in, it's possible to come across devices that have older versions such as 4.0 and 4.1. These will again have less distance and lower speeds, so you may experience some lagging and disruption if you move the connected device.
The amount of power for a device is measured using watts (W), it's worth understanding because it affects not only the volume but also the clarity of the device.
If you’re buying a speaker that is going to be used as the centrepiece for a house of audiophiles, then you'll want a device that pumps out more power, so something between 15-20 W should be great. At this strength, the device will give you around 80 dB of sound, which will provide a full soundscape, regardless of the volume.
If you’re looking for a more casual speaker, say to have on in the background while doing other jobs around the house, then you won't need as much power. We'd say anywhere between 5-15 W should be ample as this will provide plenty of scope for background noise, but won't quite have the same clarity or volume as the louder options.
The next point to consider is battery life, as using static devices plugged into the mains is so 20th century. Instead, nowadays we generally spend most of our time charging speakers so that they can be taken around with us when we move, hence why the battery life will need some consideration.
However, deciding what amount of battery power is best is easy; the longer it lasts, the better. These gadgets can run anywhere from 6 to a full 24 hours depending on the settings you’ve chosen. So the better the battery life, the less chance there is that it’s going to shut down just before your favourite bit of that song kicks in.
Some devices aren’t rechargeable, and these will use batteries instead. These tend to be lower on battery life, usually clocking in at under 10 hours, as well as having the continuous payout of purchasing the batteries. While it might seem daunting having yet another gadget in the house that needs charging, the month's electric bill is going to be cheaper than buying a new set of batteries every week.
Even in terms of Bluetooth speakers, multi-link is a relatively new feature. But it’s certainly worth considering if you’re a bit of a party person. Multi-link allows your device to be paired with another Bluetooth speaker, giving you the ability to double the volume or have the music playing in separate rooms to maintain the ambience.
It's worth mentioning, there are some discrepancies when it comes to this feature though. Some manufacturers will only let you link their products together, meaning either you’ll need to buy two devices or convince your friend to get the same ones. Also, it can be a little tricky to set up, so you’ll want to give it a practice before the big night.
You'll find that most Bluetooth speakers come with an IPX rating. This feature won’t be pertinent if you’re planning on leaving your speaker on the living room cupboard forever, but if you plan on taking your speaker out and about with you, then it’s useful to be aware of.
Used in many goods from cycling to cameras, the IPX rating is used to evaluate how robust and resistant products are to environmental conditions. An example of this would look like 'IPX55'; the first number of an IPX rating referring to how dustproof and the second for how waterproof it is. The dustproof scale ranges from 0–6, with 6 being completely dustproof; and waterproof on a 0–8 scale, with 8 being the best.
Therefore, if you want a device that can withstand longs days at the beach or weekends camping, you’ll need to look for a Bluetooth speaker that has both these ratings. Luckily, these ratings are still found on many devices within our budget!
So, now that you’re all clued up on what to look for from a Bluetooth speaker, let’s take a look at some of the best options under £100 that are available to purchase right now. Remember, we’re in bargain territory here, so set your expectations accordingly.
£89.99
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
---|---|
Watts | 13.5 W |
Battery Life | Up to 6 hours (batteries required) |
Multi-Link | Yes (only with same device) |
IPX Rating | IPX7 |
Dimensions | 5.6 x 16.3 x 5.8 cm |
£64.99
Bluetooth Version | Unknown |
---|---|
Watts | 20 W |
Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes |
IPX Rating | IPX67 |
Dimensions | 8.9 x 8.9 x 16 cm |
£34.99
Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
---|---|
Watts | 3 |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Multi-Link | - |
IPX Rating | IPX7 |
Dimensions | 13.7 x 9.7 x 4.6 cm |
£89.00
Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
---|---|
Watts | 13.5 W |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes (only with same device) |
IPX Rating | IPX67 |
Dimensions | 5.6 x 16.3 x 5.8 cm |
£39.99
Bluetooth Version | 5 |
---|---|
Watts | 9 W |
Battery Life | Up to 8 hours (batteries required) |
Multi-Link | - |
IPX Rating | IPX67 |
Dimensions | 13.2 x 13 x 6.4 cm |
£58.99
Bluetooth Version | 5 |
---|---|
Watts | 40 W |
Battery Life | Up to 15 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes (only with same device) |
IPX Rating | IPX6 |
Dimensions | 8.2 x 8.2 x 20.29 cm |
£71.89
Bluetooth Version | 5 |
---|---|
Watts | 17 W |
Battery Life | Up to 13 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes (only with other wonderboom products) |
IPX Rating | IPX67 |
Dimensions | 9.5 x 10.4 cm |
Srs-XB12
£39.00
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
---|---|
Watts | 5 W |
Battery Life | Up to 16 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes |
IPX Rating | IPX5 |
Dimensions | 7 x 9.2 cm |
£99.00
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
---|---|
Watts | 20 W |
Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes |
IPX Rating | IPX7 |
Dimensions | 7.4 x 18.1 x 6.9 cm |
£39.99
Bluetooth Version | 5 |
---|---|
Watts | 12 W |
Battery Life | Up to 24 hours |
Multi-Link | Yes |
IPX Rating | IPX7 |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm |
Image | 1 ![]() Anker | 2 ![]() JBL | 3 ![]() Sony | 4 ![]() Ultimate Ears | 5 ![]() Tronsmart | 6 ![]() Tribit | 7 ![]() W-KING | 8 ![]() JBL | 9 ![]() Anker | 10 ![]() Bose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | SoundCore 2 | Flip 5 | Compact and Waterproof Portable Speaker | Wonderboom 2 | T6 Plus | Stormbox Micro | Envaya Pocket Portable Premium Bluetooth Speaker | Clip 3 | Soundcore Flare 2 | SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker |
Features | Quite Possibly the Best Portable Speaker Under £50 | An Award-Winning Speaker That Is Just in Budget | All Day Battery Life and Booming Bass | One of the Biggest Hits From One of the Biggest Brands | An Unexpected Function That Keeps the Tunes Flowing | A Surprisingly Bassy Little Number | A Strong and Sturdy Bluetooth Speaker | A Handy Compact Device That Is All About Portability | A Powerful Speaker With 360-Degree Sound | Quality Sound From a Leader in the Music Industry |
Price | £39.99 | £99.00 | £39.00 | £71.89 | £58.99 | £39.99 | £89.00 | £34.99 | £64.99 | £89.99 |
Bluetooth Version | 5 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.1 | 4.1 | Unknown | 4.2 |
Watts | 12 W | 20 W | 5 W | 17 W | 40 W | 9 W | 13.5 W | 3 | 20 W | 13.5 W |
Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 12 hours | Up to 16 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 8 hours (batteries required) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours | Up to 6 hours (batteries required) |
Multi-Link | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (only with other wonderboom products) | Yes (only with same device) | - | Yes (only with same device) | - | Yes | Yes (only with same device) |
IPX Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX5 | IPX67 | IPX6 | IPX67 | IPX67 | IPX7 | IPX67 | IPX7 |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm | 7.4 x 18.1 x 6.9 cm | 7 x 9.2 cm | 9.5 x 10.4 cm | 8.2 x 8.2 x 20.29 cm | 13.2 x 13 x 6.4 cm | 5.6 x 16.3 x 5.8 cm | 13.7 x 9.7 x 4.6 cm | 8.9 x 8.9 x 16 cm | 5.6 x 16.3 x 5.8 cm |
Link |
Fancy giving your home or apartment a bit of a tech boost? Then look no further because we have got some great ideas for you to look at. Check them out!
Getting the right speaker can make a complete difference to the music you're listening to, bringing it to life and making it pop, instead of it sounding dry and sludgy, unless you're keen on a bit of doom metal, in which case, bring the sludge.
Luckily, we are living in an age where technology has progressed so far that you don't have to spend a wedge to get that crystal clear sound, instead you just have to know what you're looking for.
Author: Lewis Clark
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