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Forget JBL, Amazon’s Choice Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker for 41% Off and It Can Charge Your Phone

Fourth of July weekend is just a few short days away. It wouldn’t be complete without pool, sun, and hot dogs—but you’re not going to want to forget the tunes. You need a solid speaker that can pump music across the whole backyard so folks standing around the grill, people hopping in the pool, and fellas playing cornhole can all hear Charli XCX. This waterproof Bluetooth speaker by Houl Zallee could be just the speaker you’re looking for. Right now, Amazon has it discounted by 41% which knocks i

Why I'm ditching Bluetooth speakers in favor of this outdoor wired system - and don't regret it

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

The 16 best portable Bluetooth speakers for 2025

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 . Whether you're jamming out at the beach, setting up a backyard movie night or just want some tunes while you work, a great portable Bluetooth speaker is a must-have. The best options today go beyond just playing music — they deliver punchy bass, crisp vocals and even customizable sound

Sonos is offering a refurbished Era 100 for just $119

Earlier this year, Sonos permanently dropped the price of its Era 100 speaker to $199, making it more affordable for people looking to build a multiroom wireless speaker setup. Now, the small-but-mighty speaker is even cheaper to kick off summer. Sonos is offering the refurbished Era 100 for just $119 ($40 off), the lowest price we’ve seen on the smart speaker. Sonos Certified Refurbished products are thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and tested by the brand’s in-house team, and you get the same on

Marshall’s new Middleton II Bluetooth speaker lasts 30 hours between charges

Marshall has launched its latest compact Bluetooth speaker, the Middleton II. A direct replacement for the first-generation Middleton from 2023, the new speaker promises room-filling 360-degree sound from a device that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand and won’t demand too much space in your backpack for trips. The original Middleton offered bright clear sound that belied its diminutive proportions, and with its successor Marshall says it has engineered deeper bass and "more refined per

Best Smart Speakers for 2025: From My Ears to Your Home

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. John Carlsen/CNET The smart speakers above are our current favorites, but you still have other options if you're looking for something specific in audio performance. Read our breakdown of Alexa versus Google Assistant versus Siri if you'd like to learn the pros and cons of each and decide on a smart home device based on its platform as well. Options that didn't make this list include: Apple HomePod: I really like the HomePod's sound, which is p

This portable speaker delivers amazingly smooth sound with little distortion - and it's $130 off

Jack Wallen/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways The JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker at Amazon for 34% off This football-sized speaker produces massive sound and really shines in the metal genre. It's a bit pricey, and the app only offers 3 EQ settings (none of which are customizable). Sometimes, you just need more power and volume than a typical Bluetooth speaker can provide. Say, for instance, you're working in your yard or throwing a party outdoors or in a large space. For those occasions, you w

Bose SoundLink Plus Review: Big Bass, Big Beach Vibes, and a Big Price That’s Worth It

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

5 of my favorite tech purchases, besides my Pixel

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority I’m a Pixel fan. I’ve been using one of Google’s phones for a few years now and genuinely don’t plan on switching to another brand. It’s easily my favorite and most-used tech product, but over the years, I’ve made plenty of other tech purchases that have proven to be well worth the money. Today, I’ll walk you through a list of my top five essential devices that I own and use regularly — at least once a week. What’s interesting is that some of these were actua

These premium outdoor speakers made me reconsider switching to Bluetooth audio - 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

I replaced my Bluetooth JBL speaker for this Bose model, 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'

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