How do we rate the Best Wireless Speakers
We are at that point in technology where you can comfortably cut the cord without affecting the performance of your devices. This has been achieved in true wireless earbuds, soundbars with wireless subwoofers and it has also spread to wireless speakers. In the initial generations of wireless speakers, Bluetooth connectivity was the main technology utilized. Back then, there were so many issues with Bluetooth. Not only were the connections sometimes miserable, but the range was also a big letdown. This has completely changed, though. Bluetooth technology has improved tremendously improving wireless connectivity and the fidelity of audios.
It’s also important to note that Bluetooth is not the only wireless connectivity option available. You can get wireless speakers using Wi-Fi technology instead of Bluetooth. These could use apps such as Airplay from Apple or Google Cast, while other brands have developed their own Wi-Fi technology. The good news is that it won’t really matter whether you go for a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless speaker cause their performance is almost imperceptible.
With improved technology came wireless speakers of all kinds. These come at different shapes, sizes, features, and prices, which essentially means that there is something for everyone. If you are looking for stylish 360-degree coverage speakers, then there are plenty of incredible choices for you like the SoundLink Revolve+. If you are after something compact and portable, you’re also well covered with remarkable speakers like the Oontz Angle 3 (3rd Gen) and many others some of which are covered in our best portable speakers review. If you want something slightly bigger and capable of setting the party ablaze, then you’ll also have several incredible wireless speakers, but most of these are usually not exactly portable. If the price is an issue to you, you’ll still be in a position to get incredible wireless speakers such as the Oontz Angle 3, which is retailing at a very affordable rate.
What’s the best wireless speaker?
JBL Flip 4 is the best wireless speaker at the moment. It is stylish, compact, very portable, and most importantly, it sounds great. You can also sync the JBL Flip 4 with your smartphone, and this does not just allow you to enjoy your fine tunes, but you can also receive calls directly from the speaker!
JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Portable Stereo Speaker
The JBL Flip 4 is an advanced portable speaker designed for the modern world. The top fabric finishing is super durable and capable of handling minor knocks. The fabric is also IPX7 rated, making it waterproof. You can dive into your pool with the speaker, and it will still rock your tunes with no issues at all. You can get the speaker in six different colors ranging from the vibrant red, and blue to the elegant black and teal. Other than the six colors available on the official JBL website, you can also get the speaker in special edition colors from other retailers.
Beyond the gorgeous looks of the JBL Flip 4 are dual external passive radiators. These pumps deep, precise bases. They do not distort the original quality of your audio files, but instead, they deliver it to you with utmost clarity. Whether you are playing Trap, old school RnB, or even soul music, you will find the quality very impressive.
With Flip 4, you can have two different DJs since it can connect two smartphone or even tablets simultaneously. Therefore, you and one of your colleagues can take turns in determining what is playing in the speaker. Through the JBL Connect+, you can also increase your coverage by linking the speaker to other JBL speakers with the same capability.
When you are out in the pool having fun, you wouldn’t want anything to interfere with your fun. Not even your smartphone. To make sure that you can have your fun uninterrupted, JBL designed these speakers with Voice Assistants integration. You can access both Google Assistant and Siri through a push of a button. Just how convenient is that?
Other Features and Specs
- Dimensions: 2.8” by 6.9” by 2.7”
- Weight 1.14lbs
- 12-hours battery life
- Speakerphone
Sonos One (Gen1) Voice Controlled Smart Speaker
Coming at a close second is the Sonos One Gen 1. This is a versatile speaker that you can comfortably use in any room of your house at any position or even outdoors, and it’ll still punch dynamic sounds worth your $150 investment. Take note that you must have a power source if you decide to use it outdoors.
The Sonos One packs all features you’d ever want in a portable speaker and many other smart capabilities that will transform your experience completely.
First of all, the smart nature of the speaker means that you will gain access to Amazon Alexa in a way that very few other speakers within this price point have achieved. Not only can you do the basics of skipping songs, but you can actually tell the speaker to sing you a lullaby, increase or decrease the volume, get updates on traffic, news, and many more. You can even access music streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and many more.
One of the biggest challenges with a voice command in most devices is that it’s usually very difficult for VAs to tell what you are saying, especially if you are not speaking from a particular direction. The Sonos One is made with Six microphones that are strategically placed. These allow you to communicate with Alexa from virtually any part of the room without any issues. This further enhanced by improved noise cancellation and voice capture tech.
Is it possible that someone could be listening to you through the six custom-made Sonos One microphones? Sonos has addressed this issue by fitting an LED indicator. This will show you when the microphones are on and when they are off. Therefore, you can use the LED indicator to make sure that the speaker is off in case you feel like someone is violating your privacy.
None of the Sonos One Gen 1 smart features would mean anything if the speaker doesn’t sound great. The good news is that the speaker is fitted with custom-built drivers and Class-D amplifiers. These have been fine-tuned to produce sounds like nobody’s business al while keeping them crystal clear.
Other Features and Specs
- Dimensions: 4.8″ by 4.8″ by 6.4.”
- Weight: 3.92lbs
- Compatible with Sonos Home Sound system
- Humidity resistant
- Access more controls through the Sonos App, AirPlay or other apps
- Stereo Sound when paired with another Sonos One speaker
- Fitted with one tweeter
- Touch controls available
Sonos Play:5
The Sonos Play:5 is approx. $500 device making it quite an expensive wireless speaker. But before you judge it, take a moment and read through this review because we believe that it has enough features to make the price a bit reasonable.
The Sonos Play:5 sounds are fine-tuned by the popular producer Giles Martin. Combine the expertise of the renowned producer with the six class-D amplifies, three custom-made woofers and the brilliant acoustic architecture which eliminates echo and reverbs and the final results are simply breathtaking. We tested the speakers with the music of different genres and movies, and they performed brilliantly. The sounds are clear, rich, and highly detailed, delivering a very immersive experience.
You can also listen in Stereo by pairing two play:5 speakers. The bad news here is that getting two Sonos Play;5 will cost you close to $1000. If you don’t have much money lying around, you can still utilize the one Play:5 to get a stereo experience by lying it horizontally but it won’t be as impressive.
The Sonos Play:5 can be controlled through the Sonos App, Apple’s AirPlay 2, and other compatible apps. You can also combine the speaker with another Alexa device and control it through voice commands.
Other features and specs
- Studio quality sounds
- Dimensions: 8.03” by 14.33” by 6.06”
- Weight: 14lbs
Touch interface controls
- LED indicators
- Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
- 3.5mm aux port
- Ethernet port
- Three tweeters
- Humidity resistant