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These premium outdoor speakers impressed me in more ways than Bluetooth can - here's why

ZDNET's key takeaways The Polk Audio Atrium 5 speakers are available for $325 a pair, offering a sleek and weatherproof design. These speakers have a crisp, detailed, and surprisingly deep sound profile. You'll need an amplifier for these speakers, making them less convenient than using a Bluetooth speaker. $325 at B&H Photo-Video While plenty of folks use portable Bluetooth speakers for their outdoor listening needs, they're not the most practical choice if you're setting up an outdoor envir

6 Best Smart Speakers (2025): Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri

There are many smart speakers on the market, and picking the best smart speaker keeps getting tougher. First, you need to decide which voice assistant you prefer. There are three worth using—Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri—and each has its pros and cons. This guide is organized by our preferred speaker, regardless of which assistant it uses, but we recommend a secondary option if you prefer a different assistant. Overall, Google- and Amazon-powered smart speakers are the way

Bang & Olufsen Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Hits Lowest Price in 2 Years, Stock’s Clearing Fast Before July

Weather is finally getting warm—perhaps a bit too warm—which means it’s time to hang out on the beach, by the pool, or really anywhere near a body of water. Create a vibrant space in bringing your music along with you in an easy-to-transport compact form. Amazon has the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 portable Bluetooth speaker on sale for 40% off at the moment. It normally goes for $299, but after the discount you can get it for $179. That cuts the price you pay by a staggering $130 for a limited ti

Why I recommend this Bluetooth speaker for outdoor listening (and it's not a Bose)

ZDNET's key takeaways The LG Xboom Bounce is available for $199. It offers big bass, intuitive smart lighting features, and its durability makes it great for both indoor and outdoor use. Although it has some home speaker features, it might be too rugged-looking for an indoor speaker. View now at Best Buy The weather is getting warmer, which means it's imperative to have a Bluetooth speaker on hand for cookouts, days by the pool, or any of your indoor and outdoor summer gatherings. Over the la

This amp lets me transform any Bluetooth device into a modern home audio system

ZDNET's key takeaways The Valortiva Octa A1 integrated amp is available on Amazon for $399. This integrated amp is so easy to set up that anyone can be dancing to their favorite tunes in minutes. The Octa A1 amp only produces 35W of power. $399 at Amazon Have you ever wanted to stream music (or a podcast) from your phone to a room filled with people, but found that most Bluetooth speakers just don't get loud enough? What if I told you that you could connect a pair of passive speakers and a s

I recommend this Amazon Fire TV soundbar to most people - especially now that it's on sale

ZDNET's key takeaways The Fire TV Soundbar Plus is perfect for those who want an affordable plug-and-play solution, available now for $250 standalone or $480 for the bundle. Bass is impressive (especially with the subwoofer), and the dialogue enhancement feature is helpful for clarity. It lacks built-in Wi-Fi streaming, smart features, or Alexa integration, connects with Bluetooth, and doesn't have a companion app. View now at Amazon View now at Amazon more buying choices Thanks to a new Prim

This Yamaha soundbar delivered me the audio quality of speakers twice the price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is available now at a discount, with surround speakers sold separately (and individually). The sound produced by these speakers is rich, deep, well-blended, and spacious. I just wish the setup process was more seamless and simple. $499.95 at Amazon $499.95 at B&H Photo-Video $499.95 at Crutchfield more buying choices For months, I was one hundred percent certain the JBL Bar 1000 soundbar couldn't be beat. It offers incredible clarity of sound, r

This Sony Portable Speaker Is Practically Free at 56% Off for Early Prime Day, Stock Is Running Out

There’s something special about the right soundtrack playing at just the right moment. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to the beach, or just want to fill your space with music that moves you, a good portable speaker makes all the difference. Of course, finding one that delivers powerful, immersive sound without taking up a ton of space or costing a small fortune can be tricky. That’s where Sony’s SRS-XE300 X-Series Bluetooth speaker comes in. See at Amazon Head to Amazon to

5 Best Google Assistant Speakers (2025): Speakers, Displays, Soundbars

There are several voice assistants locked in a tug-of-war over who controls the smart speakers in your home: Amazon's Alexa, Google’s Assistant, and Apple’s Siri. We prefer Google. Its Assistant answers questions more accurately, has a simpler setup process, and connects to a growing number of smart home devices. All the devices below have built-in Google Assistant, so you can ask it anything you'd search for on Google, or ask it to control smart home products like robot vacuums, smart plugs, li

I swapped my favorite JBL speaker for this new Bose, and it'll be hard to give it up

ZDNET's key takeaways The Bose SoundLink Plus is available in Black, Blue Dusk, and Citrus Yellow for $269. For its relatively small size, this speaker offers big bass, great sound, and plenty of features for outdoor adventures. You can find speakers with similar audio output and even more software features for less money. View now at Bose I test plenty of Bluetooth speakers, and one common misconception I hear is that they're all the same. As a result, I get really giddy explaining how that'

Bose SoundLink Plus Review: The Grass-Type Pokémon of Portable Bluetooth Speakers

2025 There are lots of different types of speakers out there for lots of different kinds of people. You’ve got rugged speakers for the outdoorsmen and doomsday preppers; you’ve got little speakers for anyone that needs to travel light; you’ve got party speakers for anyone that needs to annoy the ever-loving-shit out of their neighbors. And, of course, you have your regular old portable Bluetooth speakers for your everyday carry—sorry for the loaded terminology, pun intended. It’s hard to stand

Bose SoundLink Plus review: here’s your new beach speaker

I’ve been testing the $269 Bose SoundLink Plus, which is the company’s latest portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s durable, attractive, and designed to join you wherever you go, thanks to solid construction and an IP67 rating. You can toss it in a small backpack or clip it to the outside of one for easy transport to the beach or around town. However, at $269, the Plus falls into a no man’s land of Bluetooth speakers. It’s more expensive than similarly sized competitors, including the JBL Charge 6,

I Already Liked Anker's 'Built for the Wild' Bluetooth Speaker, but It's a Bargain at 32% Off

A little less than five years ago, Anker released a Bluetooth speaker called the Soundcore Motion Plus that turned out to be quite popular because it delivered surprisingly good sound for its fairly compact size and $100 price. In some ways, Anker's new Soundcore Boom 3i is the spiritual successor to that speaker. It's similarly shaped but has more of an outdoor adventure slant with Anker calling it "built for the wild" and billing it as the first Bluetooth speaker with playback in water, as it

This LG soundbar transformed my living room into a home theater - with Dolby Atmos included

ZDNET's key takeaways The LG S95TR soundbar with wireless subwoofer is optimized for the company's OLED TVs with immersive audio features. The LGS95TR may be expensive, but the high-quality audio is easily worth the price. The soundbar has many features, but some of the best ones require a newer LG TV model. View now at Best Buy View now at Amazon more buying choices It's been a year since LG released the S95TR soundbar, following much hype, as a high-end complement to its newest OLED TVs. Th

Anker Mini Bluetooth Speaker Drops Below Prime Day Prices, Backed by 100,000 Five-Star Reviews

Whether biking with mates, sunbathing at the beach or relaxing on your balcony, a good wireless speaker is your best friend. Every year, when the temperatures go up, so does demand for these convenient devices with sales peaking just before summer kicks in. Among all models available, there’s one that always stays in front: the Anker Soundcore 2 portable Bluetooth speaker. And it is currently the #1 best-selling portable Bluetooth speaker on Amazon. The Anker speaker currently retails at an all

IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Is 41% Off, Amazon’s Early Prime Day Price Revealed

Summer is upon us and a portable Bluetooth speaker is the ideal companion for beach days and pool parties. The right combination of sound quality, price, and waterproofing makes all the difference. Currently, Amazon has the Houl Zallee IPX7 waterproof Bluetooth speaker at its lowest price ever – $59, down from a list price of $100. That’s 41% off, and that’s the kind of deal that lets you have premium-quality features at an affordable price. See at Amazon Great Audio This speaker is built to

I'm taking this portable Sony speaker to the beach this summer. Here's why

Sony Ult Field 1 ZDNET's key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 1 is a portable speaker available for $130 (but it's currently $88 on Amazon) The speaker prioritizes crystal-clear sound and pronounced bass, with vibrant audio that sounds like it's coming from a much more expensive device It doesn't boast as long a battery life as its predecessor, but what it lacks in battery, it makes up for in stellar sound. $89.99 at Target Amazon is discounting this Sony Ult Field 1 speaker by $40 right now. My

JLab’s new party speaker puts a light show in your pocket

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. JLab has announced a new Party line of wireless speakers that continues an industry trend of adding animated RGB lighting to anything that plays music. That even includes the new budget-minded JLab Pop Party speaker — which is small enough to squeeze into a pocket but still features customizable LEDs. The $19.99 Pop Party is the lightest and che

This Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker by Anker Is Practically Free on Amazon, and It’s No Joke

It’s always convenient to have a tiny Bluetooth speaker handy whether you want to hear music in the shower, take it outdoors during summer activities or take it on a bicycle ride or boat trip. Anker is a trusted brand of portable electronics and the Soundcore Select 4 Go speaker receives rave reviews (4.7/5 on over 2,000 reviews) from users for sound quality. The great news is that the Soundcore Select 4 Go speaker is now available on Amazon for $19, an amazing deal considering it originally re

This Marshall Bluetooth speaker sounds better than audio systems that cost hundreds more

ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Killburn III Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $379. With rich, dynamic bass and a wide soundstage, you'll enjoy music of all genres with this speaker You might run into trouble pairing the speaker with the Marshall app (as I had). $379.99 at Amazon $379.99 at B&H Photo-Video $379.99 at Crutchfield more buying choices I'm quite familiar with the Marshall brand and its lineup of audio products. I have a Marshall amp that sounds brilliant (much bett

This Marshall Bluetooth speaker sounds better than audio systems I've tested that cost twice the price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Killburn III Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $379. With rich, dynamic bass and a wide soundstage, you'll enjoy music of all genres with this speaker You might run into trouble pairing the speaker with the Marshall app (as I had). $379.99 at Amazon $379.99 at B&H Photo-Video $379.99 at Crutchfield more buying choices I'm quite familiar with the Marshall brand and its lineup of audio products. I have a Marshall amp that sounds brilliant (much bett

Forget JBL, Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker by Anker Is Near-Free for Early Prime Day, Limited Stock Available

Some of the best moments in life are made better with music. That includes showering. Who doesn’t sing in the shower? If you said that you don’t, you’re definitely fibbing. We love to sing when we’re alone. Some of us with others listening. But if you want a good way to enjoy music while you’re showering or just want a speaker that you can take with you no matter the weather, now’s a good time to partake in this 43% discount. See at Amazon Run to Amazon now to secure your Soundcore Select 4 Go

Walmart is discounting one of my favorite Sony Bluetooth speakers

ZDNET's key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 3 speaker is a midrange powerhouse with great sound and ample bass, and it's $50 off right now at Walmart. With a 24-hour battery life and features that encourage speaker syncing, the Ult Field 3 would be perfect for regular hosts and music lovers. I can't think of anything wrong with this incredible speaker, and its price competes with other speakers of this size and spec. View now at Amazon View now at Walmart more buying choices The off-white Sony U

This smart light has party speaker aspirations

The most surprising thing about Govee’s colorful smart lamp with a speaker built-in is that we didn’t get something like this sooner. We’ve had color-changing smart home lights that sync to music via an app, and we’ve had Bluetooth speakers with RGB lights — putting the two together feels like the natural next step. The Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro X Sound by JBL ($179.99) combines snazzy lighting effects and decent sound into one fun, portable package. Unlike most RGB Bluetooth party speakers, it’s

I recommend this Bose Bluetooth speaker for upcoming summer trips - here's why

ZDNET's key takeaways The Bose SoundLink Max retails for $399 in the colors Black and Blue Dusk This unassuming Bluetooth speaker delivers the high-quality sound that Bose is known for, with the battery life to keep the party going all night. The regular price might be a turn-off, given you can get perfectly capable speakers for less. View now at Bose View now at Amazon more buying choices Decades ago, when I was working for an audio installation company, we used to have a saying: "No highs,

Finally, a soundbar that completes my home TV setup and is well worth the price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Platin Monaco 5.2.1 speaker system is available on Amazon for $1,000. With a simple setup and well-defined sound, the Monaco is ideal for entertainment streaming and small spaces. The Monaco's subwoofer lacks power, and the system requires a phone app as the remote. $999 at Amazon Last year, the JBL Bar 1000 set a high standard for soundbars. Since then, nothing has come close to the rich, multi-dimensional sound produced by that system, and I cannot imagine any soun

The JBL Xtreme 3 Portable Speaker Hits New Low Price of the Year, Even Beats Black Friday

Is it BBQ season or party season? We reckon that likely comes down to how old you are, but we also reckon it can be both at the same time. There’s space for all manner of outdoor gatherings here, so why not make the most of them? If you’re looking for a way to make them feel a little more special though, then we recommend getting this JBL Xtreme 3 portable Bluetooth speaker. See at Amazon While this impressive speaker would normally set you back $330, thanks to a limited-time deal on Amazon, i

Why I pick this JBL speaker over competing models for outdoor listening

ZDNET's key takeaways The JBL Charge 6 will be available for purchase on April 6 for $199 in Black, Blue, White, Red, Camo, and Purple. The Charge 6 offers great sound, durability, battery life, and in-app features. Although it's waterproof, constant, untreated exposure to salt and chlorine can incur internal damage, just like any other Bluetooth speaker. View now at Best Buy View now at JBL more buying choices While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers on the market, only a few strike the

Sony’s Waterproof Speaker Is Nearly Free before Prime Day, Perfect Chance to Prep for Summer Travel

Whether you’re heading out on a weekend hike, setting up camp by the lake, or just need a reliable speaker to bring tunes to your backyard, having a compact yet capable Bluetooth speaker on hand can really elevate the moment. But with so many options out there, finding something that’s both affordable and actually sounds good is easier said than done. You can get the Sony SRS-XB100 wireless Bluetooth portable speaker for just $38 at Amazon right now, down from its usual price of $60. That’s $22

Sonos speakers and soundbars are on sale for record-low prices

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Sonos is selling a bunch of its speakers at a discount on its own site and Amazon. This includes the well-regarded Era 300 smart speaker, which is down to just $359. That's 20 percent off and notable because this particular speaker rarely goes on sale. It's a Sonos miracle! The deal a