UE BOOM 2 by Logitech
$200, amazon.com
Available in a number of eye-grabbing color combinations, the UE BOOM 2 delivers excellent 360-degree sound, IPX7 rating for water resistance, and clever gesture controls. The first generation was a gold standard for compact Bluetooth speakers and this one continues the tradition. One of the best picks in its price range.
B & O Play Beolit 15
$599, bhphotovideo.com
B & O Play Beolit 15 is gorgeous and amazingly crafted like most Bang & Olufsen products. It features Bluetooth 4.0 and wired connectivity, excellent battery life, and 240W of peak power. The leather handle is both nice to look at and functional. Overall, the Beolit 15 is an easy choice for everyone with the budget to pick one up.
Beats Pill+
$230, apple.com
This is Apple’s idea of a premium Bluetooth speaker. Beats Pill+ delivers good sound quality and surprisingly understated design, coupled with solid battery life. You can connect two Pill+ units together for fuller sound via a dedicated app. This is another solid entry in its price range.
Bose SoundLink Mini II
$199, bhphotovideo.com
Another successor to a popular product, the metal-clad Bose SoundLink Mini II is compact, elegant, and a lot more capable than its footprint suggests. Bose offers a range of colorful protective covers for the speaker, thus allowing you to personalize its appearance.
Marshall Kilburn
$300, bhphotovideo.com
The Marshall Kilburn looks as if it has been stolen from an AC/DC concert. It sports retro design, decidedly-old school controls, and a cool carrying handle. The Kilburn is a great-sounding option that’s also a conversation starter thanks to its appearance. An excellent pick in its price range.
Sony SRS-X55
$179, bhphotovideo.com
Priced just below $200, the Sony SRS-X55 offers sound quality that’s typical of more expensive speakers. The stealthy looking SRS-X55 offers NFC connectivity for easy pairing and clever touch controls.
BRAVEN BRV-Pro
$150, amazon.com
The rugged and waterproof BRAVEN BRV-Pro will deliver wireless tunes during all your adventures. The speaker offers excellent sound, can act as a backup battery for your smartphone, and has a range of cool optional accessories. The latter include a solar panel, an additional battery, and an action mount, among others.
House of Marley Chant Mini
from $50, amazon.com
The Chant Mini by House of Marley totes characterful design and recyclable body made of earth-friendly materials. The affordable speaker offers up to six hours of battery life, and can attach to your bag via a carabiner for music on the go.
JBL Clip
from $30, amazon.com
JBL Clip is available in a plethora of colors, including those worn by your favorite NBA team. You can use it as a speakerphone and attach it to things via its integrated carabiner. Battery life is rated for up to five hours.
Elivebuy Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
$13, amazon.com
Priced like an impulse buy, this portable Bluetooth speaker by Elivebuy is also waterproof. It comes bundled with a suction cup, so you can take your favorite music or podcast with you in the shower.