Tag Archives: wireless speakers
10 Best Bluetooth Portable Speakers of 2016 Under $100
Portable speakers have gained so much popularity. Today you can see people walking around with these tiny speakers in hand. Some time ago, higher audio quality meant paying a premium.
The likes of JBL and Bose had speakers that were way too costly initially, but now, even they have speakers that are extremely affordable, yet offer premium sound quality. This is a list of the 10 best portable speakers under $100 that offer the best value for money as well as the best price to performance ratio. The list ranges from a little over $10 all the way up to a $100.
AmazonBasics Nano
AmazonBasics have a host of products in each category and what is most attractive about their products is the price. They have quality products that cost much lesser than their competitors. The Nano Bluetooth speaker from AmazonBasics comes in a round design with a silicon handle. It gives about 6 hours of playback and is also splash resistant. You have to buy it because it costs just a bit under $15.
SoundBot SB571
SoundBot is a relatively new brand from California, but their products are extremely good. The SB571 will remind you of the Jawbone Jambox but costs a lot less. It can even compete with the Jambox with its dual 6W speakers and impressive output. This one retails for about $20, and it is an incredibly alluring deal.
Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3
This is the number one best seller in Bluetooth speakers on Amazon, and it is no surprise that it has over 12,000 customer reviews and a rating of 4.5 stars. Cambridge SoundWorks has been around for over 35 years, and the OontZ Angle 3 comes in a triangular design which is beautiful. It is IP5X rated and has a whopping battery of 2,200mAh, just like the ones in some of the smartphones.
DOSS Touch
The DOSS Touch comes in matte black, ocean blue and pearl white. It is the best-selling outdoor speaker on Amazon. The most innovative feature of the DOSS Touch is the capacitive touch sensitive controls. Simply touch and rotate your finger clockwise to increase the volume and in the opposite direction to decrease the volume.
AUKEY SoundTank
The AUKEY SoundTank is one of the toughest looking speakers around. It comes in a wedge design in a combination of black and white which is simply gorgeous. It uses the latest Bluetooth 4.1 technology and comes with a mammoth 2,600mAh battery to deliver nearly 30 hours of playback. If endurance is your concern, you should definitely buy the AUKEY SoundTank.
House of Marley EM-JA007-NV Chant Mini
The Chant Mini from House of Marley is made from rustic materials that give it a truly exotic look. It is available in black, navy, blue hemp and green, which is my favorite. This is best suited for listening to music at home as it comes with a single 3W speaker. But mind you, it is fairly loud, and you might be really impressed with this pocket dynamite.
Samsung Level Box
Samsung may not be best known for their speakers. But the Level Box is quite something. It features a premium and minimalistic design. It comes in black and white. The attractive feature about the Level Box is that it features a full metal build along with a metal grille. The edges are chamfered, and the overall looks will make you go for it instantly.
Skullcandy Barricade
Skullcandy Barricade might just be the perfect Bluetooth speaker. It comes with a powerful 10W speaker and dual passive radiators. The large battery promises almost 8 hours of playback time and it is IPX7 rated. So you don’t have to worry if it takes the occasional plunge. The Barricade is also extremely compact considering its features, and you can easily take it around.
BRAVEN BRV-PRO
This is yet another rugged speaker that looks incredibly menacing. The BRAVEN BRV-PRO comes with a very enticing modular design that allows it to be customized. You can easily attach battery packs, solar charging panel, and even GoPro compatible action mounts. The speaker has IPX7 certification and a large 2,200mAh battery that offers nearly 8 hours of playback time.
TRAKK GO
The last one on the list is the most expensive at just under a $100, but also the most powerful. The TRAKK GO features a simple design but don’t let the looks fool you. It is dustproof, waterproof and shockproof. The TRAKK GO also has the largest battery among all the speakers mentioned here at 4,400mAh. It gives a solid 12 hours of playback time and sometimes even more than that. The dual 10W speakers inside the GO creates a deafening 20W output which is also the best among all the speakers mentioned here. So If you’re planning to go for the best portable speakers under a $100, the TRAKK GO is your best option.
Free Your Speakers, Go Wireless
Looking for the best wireless speakers of 2016? Take a look at our top picks and find out just what’s so impressive about the best speakers on the market.
A quick word on wireless vs. Bluetooth: Throwing terms like wireless and Bluetooth around can prove tricky, because a lot of people wonder, “Aren’t these the same thing?” No, they aren’t. A Bluetooth speaker focuses almost exclusively on Bluetooth connections, or shorter-range pairings with individual devices, like a smartphone or computer. Wireless speakers, on the other hand, are designed to connect to Wi-Fi networks instead of forming an individual link with a device. Both have their pros and cons, but know that you will need a nearby wireless network to use wireless speakers, unless of course they offer both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, such as Amazon’s Echo.
Sonos Play:5 – $500
The Play:5 is an excellent example of another important difference between wireless and Bluetooth speakers. While Bluetooth speakers focus more on size and portability, wireless speakers are free to grow larger and dive down into truly amazing bass as well as crystal clear high ranges. This speaker includes six different synchronized drivers with dedicated amplifiers for some of the best sound you’ve ever heard from an individual unit (there’s also a 3.5mm port for hooking up headphones).
To help the sound even more, there’s software called Trueplay which detects features in both the room and the music being played so that it can adjust the sound to give the best results. Everything is controlled through the Sonos app, which can handle pretty much every music service. Whether you want whisper-perfect fidelity or like to crank it up, this speaker is unparalleled.
Of course, there are some quirks to mention. You will need to use a power cord for this model, which limits placement. Also, $500 is a lot to spend on a single speaker. You get your money’s worth, but it’s still a significant payment to make for the average consumer.
Amazon Echo – $180
Not only is the Echo one of the most affordable units in our best wireless speaker lists, but it’s also one of the most versatile. Alexa, the voice command function of the device, is more useful around the house than you may expect from the average voice assistance. You can ask her to set timers when cooking, tell her to play certain music, or ask her a question about nearing anything. It also works with scores of other smart devices, including smart lights, thermostats, and security devices. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are both included, so you don’t have to use voice commands if you don’t want to.
Smart features aside, the Echo may not have the best fidelity and range, but it probably functions better than you think with its 360-degree sound output. However, the real draw here is having a voice assistant that essentially lets you talk to your house. It’s for tech fans and those who already use plenty of smart devices. If that doesn’t describe you, then you may not be able to take advantage of the full functionality of the Echo.
Sonos Play:1 – $200
If our first Sonos model was too pricey for you, here’s a far less expensive model in the same line. It only has two drivers to work with, but many of the other benefits remain in place. That includes Trueplay for automatically adjusting sound on the fly, the Sonos app for controlling music platforms, and even humidity resistance – a.k.a., the ability to use the speaker in your bathroom without worrying about moisture damage. Basically, if you want a smaller version of the Play:5, here’s where to start. Note that you can link these Sonos speakers together if you ever want to build out your collection in the future.
Aerodynamic Audio!
This Beosound Wireless Speaker concept looks like it’s waiting to be cast in a SciFi movie, but no, it isn’t a UFO. It’s a pretty neat hi-end audio speaker with a cut-out in the center that spews beautifully delicious tunes in a 360° radius. The Insides show a massive all-in-one driver with a great deal of circuitry, hinting at its digital audio prowess. The outsides, however make the speaker look like it’s speeding faster than the speed of sound!
Designer: Myeonghoon Lee
Millennium Falcon Wireless Speaker
Finally you have a legitimate excuse to prominently display a model of that most glorious of all Star Wars ships in your house. The Millennium Falcon Wireless Speaker is not just a 10″ (approx) long collectible piece- it also is a bluetooth enabled speaker that streams music from up to 30 feet away. If that doesn’t send your senses into hyperdrive, then how about this back view- it lights up when it’s playing music!
The Force is strong with this one. The Falcon is powered by Wookiee blood and a rechargeable lithium ion battery that’s good for 8 hours of playback (or about 158 repeated playbacks of the Imperial March- yes I calculated that). It also has a microphone so you can pair it with your cellphone to use as the coolest speakerphone in the galaxy. Sweet.
Millennium Falcon Wireless Speaker
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Death Star Wireless Speaker
That’s no moon! Because it’s a speaker. The Death Star Wireless Speaker is a Bluetooth speaker on an acrylic stand fashioned after Lord Vader’s little weekend project. Not only does it pump out the tunes, it also lights up. The Death Star is powered by an internal battery that’s good for 8 hours of playback per charge. It most likely won’t destroy your home planet (we hope!).
Don’t have a bluetooth music device? No problem, it also has a 3.5mm audio jack so you can hook your turntable right in to it you hipster/oldtimer. The speaker/planet sized weapon measures 6″ tall by 4.5″ wide and 4.5″ deep.
(ThinkGeek)
(Target)
Death Star Wireless Speaker
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Death Star Wireless Speaker
That’s no moon! Because it’s a speaker. The Death Star Wireless Speaker is a Bluetooth speaker on an acrylic stand fashioned after Lord Vader’s little weekend project. Not only does it pump out the tunes, it also lights up. The Death Star is powered by an internal battery that’s good for 8 hours of playback per charge. It most likely won’t destroy your home planet (we hope!).
Don’t have a bluetooth music device? No problem, it also has a 3.5mm audio jack so you can hook your turntable right in to it you hipster/oldtimer. The speaker/planet sized weapon measures 6″ tall by 4.5″ wide and 4.5″ deep.
(ThinkGeek)
(Target)
Death Star Wireless Speaker
Check out our Craziest Gadgets Shop for unique gifts!