It's not easy to get a wireless speaker to sound like high-fidelity audio gear, especially when you're not ready to drop hundreds of dollars on premium brands. Fear not, because there is a middle ground in the world of Bluetooth speakers, and they include options for every kind of listener.
The Anker Sundcore Select Pro is the best value for most budgets, but there are cheaper options if you're looking for them, along with speakers built to handle rougher situations. We've assembled a list of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, each with its own unique strengths.
Editor's note: With the current supply-chain issues, some prices are fluctuating and may currently be slightly above $100 as demand increases.
Anker Soundcore Select Pro
The best overall for under $100
- Big, clear sound
- Bass boost
- Floatable for safe pool use
- Great battery life
- Not the most compact speaker
Why you should buy this: The Soundcore Select Pro is ready for anything, with powerful sound to match your adventures.
Who's it for: Outdoor enthusiasts who don't want to compromise on audio performance.
Why we picked the Anker Soundcore Select Pro:
Anker has mastered the portable Bluetooth speaker formula by now, and this model goes big on sound. Everything from the Bass Boost button to Bluetooth 5.0 support is designed to provide a superior audio experience in an outdoor setting, and those large drivers offer plenty of clarity whether you're hiking a mountain or chilling by the pool.
But sound is only the start of what the Soundcore Select Pro can do. This speaker has IPX7 waterproof protection and floats, so you don't need to worry about spills or drops in the water. It also includes LED lighting that can sync to the beat as it gets darker for a little added fun (the app can control sound profiles and LED lighting to your preference).
The battery is rated for up to 16 hours of playback time, but it can also act as a charger for your phone or other mobile devices (charging occurs via USB-C). And while the design may not be the most compact, we do appreciate the useful carrying handle, something many Bluetooth speakers skip out on to their detriment.
For the best combination of sound and portability in one affordable speaker, we recommend Anker's Soundcore Select Pro model without reservation. This speaker does sometimes fluctuate a little over $100 but also drops below that mark, so you can still take advantage of that. We've also included some more affordable picks below if you prefer.
JBL Flip 5
Best for travelers
- Fully waterproof
- Surprisingly loud
- Great battery life
- Super portable
- No speakerphone connectivity
- Lacks a 3.5mm input
Why should you buy this: The JBL Flip 5 offers powerful sound and an ultra-rugged design at a great price.
Who's it for: Those who want a supremely portable and affordable wireless Bluetooth speaker that doesn't compromise on features.
Why we picked the JBL Flip 5:
Even though this mighty favorite's price has recently drifted slightly above the $100 mark, we've kept it in because it's so good, and it's likely to come back down, so keep an eye out for it. As the name suggests, the JBL Flip 5 is the fifth in JBL's line of portable and rugged wireless Flip speakers. We've always enjoyed the way JBL coaxes balanced, loud sound out of small speakers, and the Flip 5 continues that tradition. In fact, it's one of the best sounding Flips ever, perhaps outdone by the recently-released (but above $100) JBL Flip 6. This portable Bluetooth speaker isn't notable so much for any one particular feature, getting our nod instead because of the way it integrates so many features at an affordable cost.
Those features include a solid 10 to 12 hours of battery life, depending on how loud you play it. If you do explore the upper reaches of the Flip 5's volume, you'll be surprised by just how loud it gets. While sound is definitely solid indoors, outdoors is where this speaker really shines. Place it in the middle of the action and it will power your party without any trouble.
The Flip 5 has an excellent wireless range, and thanks to its PlayBoost feature, you can connect it with multiple other compatible JBL speakers. Its IPX7 ratingg means it's fully dunkable, making it the ideal music companion for the shower or bathtub — it will even survive an accidental immersion or two if you accidentally drop it in a pool. But beware: Unlike our pick for the poolside, the UE Wonderboom, the JBL Flip 5 doesn't float, so you may need to go for a swim if the Flip 5 heads overboard.
The only real drawbacks to the JBL Flip 5 is its lack of speakerphone compatibility and a 3.5mm input. Still, if all you need is a good-sounding outdoor Bluetooth speaker, this is a great choice.
UE Wonderboom 2
Best for the pool
- Floats in water
- Totally waterproof
- Affordable
- Battery life could be better
Why should you buy this: Small size, big sound, flotation, and waterproofing all make the UE Wonderboom 2 the no-brainer pool-party accessory.
Who's it for: Anyone who wants an affordable, portable wireless speaker that is totally pool-proof.
Why we picked the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2:
Now that the Wonderboom 2 has become even more affordable than the original model, we won't hesitate to recommend this pod-like speaker as an excellent companion for the pool, beach, lake, or anywhere in between.
The UE Wonderboom 2 looks kind of like a patio lantern crossed with a pool toy, and that sums up its strengths perfectly. It's the go-to wireless speaker if you're entertaining a crowd (or just yourself) near the water. Sound quality certainly isn't audiophile caliber, but it doesn't have to be. Outdoors, where the Wonderboom belongs, you need volume and decent bass response, and it handily delivers both in spite of its pint-sized stature.
Battery life is fairly standard for this category at about 10 to 13 hours, and the Wonderboom 2's wireless range is very good -- you'll probably get up to 100 feet of coverage when outside barring any barriers. But the key to the Wonderboom 2 is its impressive ability to deal with whatever you throw at it (and wherever you throw it at). The compact speaker is drop-proof, dust-resistant, waterproof, and yes, it floats, so even if it falls in the water, you can still easily rescue it!
Oontz Angle 3
Best budget Bluetooth speaker
- Excellent price point
- Good battery life
- IPX5 water resistance
- Impressive bass for the size
- Not too rugged
Why should you buy this: Tiny yet mighty, the Oontz Angle 3 delivers wireless stereo sound at a crazy-low price.
Who's it for: Those who need a wireless speaker for chump change.
Why we picked the Oontz Angle 3:
Let's not beat around the bush: We picked the Oontz Angle 3 because you simply won't find a cheaper Bluetooth speaker that isn't a piece of junk. The fact that it actually has decent sound quality considering its price and size is amazing. The Angle 3 has many of the features available from our other picks, like 12- to 15-hour battery life, excellent wireless range, and speakerphone compatibility — you'll just pay a lot less for them. It even has IPX5 water resistance, which won't be ideal around bodies of water like pools or beaches, but protects against splashes — and you can even rinse it off if you're gentle with the water pressure.
With rubberized end caps, the Oontz Angle 3 can stand up to some abuse, too, though again, ruggedness is not its primary mission. Even so, its modest footprint delivers clear and surprisingly loud audio quality, which is ideal for situations where your phone or tablet's internal speaker just isn't up to the task of sharing music or YouTube videos. Though not a champ in the bass department, if you stand the Angle 3 on its end, you'll give the passive bass radiator on the bottom some girth to work with, and it will sound richer and fuller.
Tribit StormBox Micro
Most versatile Bluetooth speaker under $100
- IP67 weather resistance rating
- Exceptional Bluetooth range
- Good sound quality
- Lightweight, portable design
- Boring aesthetic
- Battery could be better
Why should you buy this: You like to have fun in the great outdoors and need a portable speaker that you don't have to worry about.
Who's it for: Active types who prioritize portability and ruggedness and are willing to sacrifice a bit on sound.
Why we picked the Tribit StormBox Micro:
While the Tribit StormBox Micro might not win any awards for being cute or fancy in its design aesthetic, if you're a camper, hiker, or cottage dock swimmer, you're likely not too fussed about what it looks like — as long as you can enjoy some nice-sounding tunes while not stressing about destroying some delicate electronics. And for $50, the StormBox is about as stress-free as you can get.
With an IP67 weather-resistance rating, the diminutive 3.87-by-3.87-inch StormBox Micro can fend off dust and take a dip up to a meter of water with no problems. Our Digital Trends reviewer put it to the test on a river rafting trip by having it tethered to the side of a raft as they paddled. Test passed.
On top of that ruggedness, the sound is decent for its size and price, and it is surprisingly loud and clear for something so small – and it doesn't distort at higher volumes. Volume controls, which sit atop the unit, are straightforward and simple, and a multifunction feature lets you toggle through songs, activate the smart assistant, and take phone calls.
The Tribit StormBox Micro boasts an eight-hour battery life, which is OK for its size, and has USB-C charging. Perhaps most impressively is the speaker's 100-foot Bluetooth range, which could be the handiest thing ever on your camping trip when you traipse off into the woods to use the loo and not have to worry about your campmates going music-less if you wander too far.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Some Bluetooth speakers are huge, powerful devices, such as the Sonos Move, which can rock an entire house if you let them! How powerful it is will depend on its size and level of amplification. Given that any speaker that costs less than $100 isn't likely to pack a lot of power, you may want to check our list of the best Bluetooth speakers or best wireless speakers for products that can really get the party started.
Yes. All of these Bluetooth speakers have built-in batteries and, of course, a Bluetooth wireless connection, which is the minimum you need for outdoor use. But be aware that there are other considerations: How loud does it get? A small Bluetooth speaker may not pack enough power to be heard over other sounds. Is it waterproof enough? Some of the speakers on our list are splash-proof, but if you're going to spend real outdoor time with a wireless speaker, we strongly recommend that it be fully waterproof (IPX7 or better).
There are some Bluetooth speakers that do work directly with voice-based assistants. But there's a catch: Smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant normally only work over Wi-Fi, which means that if you're using your speaker somewhere where there's no Wi-Fi, you won't be able to use these assistants over just a Bluetooth connection.
As a rule, Bluetooth speakers do not include a traditional AM or FM radio. If this feature is important to you, there are an increasing number of bookshelf stereos and boom boxes that have radios and Bluetooth too, but they won't be as small and as portable as a regular Bluetooth speaker.
Yes, though it's a rare combo. In such a case, you're usually talking about a full boom box that has a Bluetooth connection.
Yes, but depending on your TV, you may need to buy an additional Bluetooth transmitter. Most TV soundbars now come with Bluetooth built-in, but this does not mean they connect to your TV over Bluetooth. Typically, these products connect over a wired connection to get audio from your TV, and the Bluetooth connection is there to let you stream music to the soundbar from your phone or tablet.
Easily. Today's Bluetooth speakers aren't actually that expensive. Manufacturers try to price them right around the $100 mark when possible to help appeal to a wide range of consumers. It's only when you get to full soundbars or high-end options like the Echo Studio that prices start rising significantly above this level.
They will never match the rumbling base of a good subwoofer on a multispeaker setup, but they can do quite well. Models like the Echo 4, with its dedicated 3-inch woofer, or the 24-watt woofer in our top Doss pick can reach healthy bass levels.
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