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The best Bluetooth speakers for under $100

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Best Bluetooth speaker under $100 for most people
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JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black
JBL Flip 5
Reliable and big JBL sound for the road
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Anker Soundcore Flare Mini
Soundcore Flare Mini
Small package, fun light show
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OontZ Angle 3 Enhanced Stereo Edition
Oontz Angle 3
Best Bluetooth on a budget
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Tribit StormBox Micro 2
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
A tiny but tough waterproof speaker
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The best Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes and are suited for various listening preferences, from on-the-go pool parties to stay-at-home listening sessions. Some are big and some are incredibly tiny, and the same can be said for their prices, but if you're here, you're in the market for a Bluetooth speaker under $100 that sounds good, but won't empty your wallet.

Luckily, there are tons of choices out there, so we've put together a list of some of the speakers we think are the best in this price range. When choosing, we looked at things like battery life, size, ruggedness, water and dust resistance (or waterproofing), sound quality, bass, volume, and other fun things like voice assistants or an ability to pair them with other speakers for bigger sound.

In our opinion, the best Bluetooth speaker under $100 is currently the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 because it bears the reliable Wonderboom brand name, is compact and waterproof (it even floats!), and is the best-sounding speaker on our list for the size. But there are other options, too. Let's check them out.

wonderboom 3 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3

Best Bluetooth speaker under $100 for most people

Pros
  • Floats in water
  • Totally waterproof
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Battery life could be better

Anyone who has ever owned an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker will tell you how surprised they are at how big it sounds despite such a small package. The Wonderboom 2 was in this spot on our list, and while you can still buy that version ( probably at a discounted price soon), the Wonderboom 3 is every bit as good to listen to, portable, and fun to use.

Available in gray, hot pink, blue, and black, the diminutive, cylindrical Wonderboom 3 is a rugged Bluetooth speaker with an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, which means when you're poolside, at the beach, or even barreling down some rapids in a white-water raft, should the little thing take a dip, it can withstand submersion in up to 3 feet of water for up to half an hour. Oh, and if you do happen to be boating, it floats.

Compared to its predecessor, the Wonderboom 3 gets an additional hour of battery life for a grand total of 14 hours, which is still fairly standard for this category. Wireless range is also still very good at up to 131 feet of range, depending on any barriers. You can also pair the Wonderboom 3 with another Wonderboom 3 for stereo sound, and pair up to two devices to it at once so you and a friend can take turns picking songs.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Best Bluetooth speaker under $100 for most people
The JBL Flip 5 bluetooth speaker at the edge of a swimming pool.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

JBL Flip 5

Reliable and big JBL sound for the road

Pros
  • Fully waterproof
  • Surprisingly loud
  • Great battery life
  • Super-portable
Cons
  • No speakerphone connectivity
  • No 3.5mm input

JBL makes great-sounding Bluetooth speakers, and the Flip 5 maintains this reputation by coaxing balanced, bassy, and clear sound out of a relatively small and portable package, all for under $100. In fact, the Flip 5 is one of the best-sounding Flips ever, perhaps outdone by the recently released (but above $100) JBL Flip 6, which can actually be had on sale right now for just under $100, too.

Not only does it sound great, but it'll do it for a solid 10 to 12 hours, 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, and you don't have to worry about rain or splashes or even if it falls in the pool or lake — it's got an IPX7 rating, meaning it can be dunked in water. But beware: Unlike our pick for the poolside, the UE Wonderboom 3, the JBL Flip 5 doesn't float, so you may need to go for a swim if the Flip 5 goes overboard.

The Flip 5 has an excellent wireless range, and thanks to its PlayBoost feature, you can connect it with multiple other compatible JBL speakers. The only real drawbacks to the JBL Flip 5 are its lack of speakerphone compatibility and lack of a 3.5mm input. Still, if all you need is a good-sounding outdoor Bluetooth speaker, this is a great choice.

JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black
JBL Flip 5
Reliable and big JBL sound for the road
The Anker Soundcore Flare Mini.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Soundcore Flare Mini

Small package, fun light show

Pros
  • Affordable price
  • Decent sound for the price
  • Lightweight and small
  • LED lights are fun and unique
Cons
  • Doesn't work with the Soundcore app.

If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that offers a little extra fun and pizazz in addition to some decent sound and features, thee Soundcore Flare Mini ticks all of those boxes -- and it's only $49. The cylindrical Flare Mini is small enough to take with you (5.5 x 3.4 x 2.8 inches), weighs only 16.9 ounces, and for its size, it delivers some impressive sound from two 5-watt drivers set back-to-back with two passive radiators above them. It can also be paired with another Flare Mini for stereo sound.

But the fun comes in with the ring of eight colored LED lights that wrap around the bottom of the speaker that "phase, pulse, and glow with the rhythm of your music" via five lighting modes. It's not crazy bright, like the lava-lampy JBL Pulse 5, but it's enough to add a little more ambiance to your pool party, which the Flare Mini is great for because of its IPX7 waterproof rating.

On the battery end of things, the Flare Mini is actually pretty good for its size and price, clocking in at up to 12 hours per charge, depending on the volume you have it at and how much you use the lights. It'll charge back up in three-and-a-half hours, too. Unfortunately, the Flare Mini doesn't work with the Soundcore app for customization, which is a bummer. Soundcore also makes a slightly bigger version, the Soundcore Flare 2, for roughly $35 more, that has a few more bells and whistles.

Anker Soundcore Flare Mini
Soundcore Flare Mini
Small package, fun light show
best tech gifts under 50 oontz angle 3 ultra bluetooth speaker thumber
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Oontz Angle 3

Best Bluetooth on a budget

Pros
  • Excellent price point
  • Good battery life
  • IPX5 water resistance
  • Impressive bass for the size
Cons
  • Not too rugged

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.

OontZ Angle 3 Enhanced Stereo Edition
Oontz Angle 3
Best Bluetooth on a budget
The Tribit Stormbox Mini 2.
Tribit

Tribit StormBox Micro 2

A tiny but tough waterproof speaker

Pros
  • IP67 weather-resistance rating
  • 120-foot Bluetooth range
  • Can be paired with another Micro 2
  • Super-portable
Cons
  • Not much to look at

The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 might not win any awards for being cute or fancy in its design aesthetic. But if you're a camper, hiker, or dock swimmer, you're likely not too concerned about what it looks like — as long as you can enjoy some nice-sounding tunes while not stressing about destroying some delicate electronics. And the $60 StormBox Micro 2 is about as stress-free as you can get.

With an IP67 weather-resistance rating, the Micro 2 can fend off dust and take a dip in up to a meter of water with no problems. 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.

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 Micro 2 also gets a battery boost from the last version, going from 8 hours to 12 hours of playtime, and this time out, you can also use it to charge other device. The Micro 2's Bluetooth 5.3 tech allows an even longer range for the speaker, this time up to 120 feet. The StormBox Micro 2 can also be linked to another Micro 2 for stereo sound.

Tribit StormBox Micro 2
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
A tiny but tough waterproof speaker

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bluetooth speakers loud enough for a party?

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.

Can I use these Bluetooth speakers outdoors?

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).

Can I use these Bluetooth speakers with Alexa or Google Assistant?

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.

Do any Bluetooth speakers have a radio?

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.

Do any Bluetooth speakers have a CD player?

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.

Can you get good quality Bluetooth speakers for under $100?

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm is a Toronto-based technology journalist, editor, and content specialist whose work has appeared in…
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