While it’s true that Bluetooth headphones are fabulous to have when you need to keep others from hearing what you are saying or listening to – it’s easy to find people that don’t like them (or need people to hear the party they’re having!). However, a Bluetooth speaker is impressive. You can take the party anywhere with a Bluetooth speaker.
Bluetooth speakers are an excellent option for the techie or music lover on your Christmas list. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market today. You might want to consider them for your Black Friday shopping.
JBL Charge 5 is the Best
Whether you are hosting a pool party or heading out on a camping trip, the JBL Charge 5 is definitely the Bluetooth speaker you want to have with you. Though it is a bit bulky, it’s still considered portable, so you can take it anywhere.
Of course, some of the best Charge 5 features are present in other JBL products, such as the JBL Flip 5 or the JBL Xtreme 2. However, the Charge 5 is the perfect balance of the two. You get the sound offered by the Xtreme 2 with the portability of the Flip 5.
The Charge 5 will give you about 20 hours of battery life and can even be used to charge other devices, thanks to the USB-A output.
When it comes to sound quality, the biggest issue is the mids. They tend to fade into the background when the bass is present- especially in a small to medium-sized room.
Sonos Move: Great Option for Indoors & Outdoors
Most Sonos speakers are made to work over Wi-Fi and therefore need to be kept inside- or near the Wi-Fi source. However, the Sonos Move operates over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
It is powered by a rechargeable battery that will last about 6.5 hours on one charge; this means that you can take it with you- but be aware that it’s a bit bulky, which means it’s not the easiest to transport.
The Bluetooth connection works well and provides you with the option of streaming over AAC or SBC; you don’t get as great of a sound as you do over Wi-Fi.
The great thing about the Sonos Move is that it’s not just a speaker; it also has both Google Assistant and Alexa built-in. The microphones register commands well, and you can turn them off for privacy.
This speaker is shock-resistant and has an IP56 rating. However, it doesn’t have an aux input, so you can’t do wired playback. The sound quality provided by this speaker is excellent, and there’s an emphasis on the bass notes, which helps when you’re listening to music outdoors. Keep in mind, though, if you choose to crank the volume up, the sound quality will be reduced.
JBL Flip 5
If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker this Black Friday that won’t break the bank, you might be interested in the JBL Flip 5. This speaker features some significant improvements over the JBL Flip 4.
They have increased the size of the dynamic drivers and have switched to a USB-C port instead of the micro USB port that was on the Flip 4. While these improvements are great, they’re not significant. The Flip 5 features the same IPX7 rating and the same basic design as the Flip 4.
One of the significant differences between the Flip 4 and the Flip 5 is the Flip 4 uses JBL Connect+, while the Flip 5 uses PartyBoost. While it sounds the same, the Flip 4 can only connect to other Connect+ speakers, and the Flip 5 can only connect to other PartyBoost compatible speakers.
UE HYPERBOOM
Ultimate Ears, or UE, has been on the market for many years now. The one thing they were missing was a giant speaker that could be used at parties; this is where the UE HYPERBOOM comes in.
This is the new giant speaker from Ultimate Ears. It features an IPX4 splash-resistant rating, and the battery will last you for approximately 24 hours of constant playback.
This Bluetooth speaker has a variety of features that make it ideal for parties. It offers 2 Bluetooth inputs, which means that someone else can connect and line up the following tracks without interrupting what is currently playing.
Additionally, the speaker has an optical input, which means you can plug it into your television for better quality sound. You won’t get soundbar quality audio, but it will be better than your TV speakers.
Since the HYPERBOOM does use a lot of power, it comes with a cable that you can use when you’re not planning to take it out. Of course, this speaker isn’t really budget-friendly, but if you want a loudspeaker and has incredible features, this is a great choice.
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
If you’re having difficulty deciding between a smart home speaker and a portable Bluetooth speaker, the Bose Portable Smart Speaker is a nice compromise. This speaker operates over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which means you can use it indoors or out. It only weighs 2 pounds and has an IPX4 rating.
This speaker is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa. However, you can only make calls with it using Alexa. If you already have Bose speakers and soundbars in your house, you can connect them all for multi-room audio.
Of course, this speaker is also a bit pricey, coming in at $350. If that’s too much, you might want to look at some other options- or start saving your money now.
Notable Mentions for Best Bluetooth Speaker for Black Friday
Below, you’ll find some notable mentions of the best Bluetooth speakers for Black Friday. These are all great options that you might want to consider this year seriously.
Anker Soundcore Flare+
If you’re willing to spend the extra money, this speaker is more powerful and has increased bass compared to the Flare 2. On the other hand, if you prefer something smaller, the Flare Mini might be a better option.
Apple HomePod Mini
For those who are loyal to Apple products, this speaker is tiny- but quite mighty. It provides powerful sound, ultra-wideband technology, reliable connection, and supports Siri as well; this is a much better value than the original HomePod.
Bose SoundLink Micro
This is ideal for picnics and bicycle riders. Take it with you to the park and lay it on the blanket while you eat, or strap it on the handlebars of your bicycle. If you want louder output, you might consider the SoundLink Color II.
JBL Clip 4
This is probably the most portable speaker you’ll find. JBL has improved the carabiner, which means it is sturdier than it has been in the past. The IP67 rating makes it perfect as a shower speaker or beach buddy.
Things You Should Know When Choosing a Bluetooth Speaker
When it comes to selecting a Bluetooth speaker, there are a few things that you need to pay attention to. We’ll look at these below:
Bluetooth Codecs
Bluetooth speakers, just like wireless headphones, support specific codecs. For those who don’t know what a codec is, this is what determines how files are transmitted from the source to the receiver.
If you want a smooth experience where you don’t have to worry about lagging, you’ll want to invest in something that supports AAC (for iOS users) or aptX; this will decrease latency and offer better streaming quality.
Bluetooth isn’t always what you’d expect. People love Bluetooth because it’s so convenient, but when it comes to sound quality, nothing is as good as wired.
However, Bluetooth speakers are handy to have when you don’t have the option of a wired system.
IP Ratings
Sometimes, you’ll find that the specs of the product will say something like “sweat-resistant.” However, if you know that you plan to take your speaker to the beach or on a boat, you’ll want to make sure that it’s got an IP rating.
IP ratings indicate the water and dust resistance of a product. Many times, the product will have a rating of IPX4. In this case, the “X” is a placeholder for the dust resistance rating of the speaker.
If you want a product that will withstand being dropped in water, you’ll want at least IPX7 or higher.
Conclusion
As a society, we’re always on the go, and many of us like to take our music with us- but it’s not always comfortable to wear Bluetooth headphones, and the phone/device speakers don’t play very clearly; this is when you need a Bluetooth speaker. If you’re shopping for Bluetooth speakers on Black Friday, these suggestions should help you find the perfect one.