Best Bluetooth Speaker for 2026

I've been testing Bluetooth speakers for 14 years, starting with 2012's Jawbone Big Jambox. Today, wireless speakers come in all shapes and sizes, everything from tiny "micro" Bluetooth speakers that you can wear to big Bluetooth boom boxes that pump out powerful sound that can fuel your outdoor pool and beach parties. Many are fully waterproof, and some even float. I've included options across every size and price range, with plenty of affordable picks for those who don't want to spend much.

Best Bluetooth speaker overall Bose SoundLink Plus $269 at Amazon 8.5/10 CNET Score CNET Score CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.

As Bose continues to expand its SoundLink portable Bluetooth speaker line, it's become harder to choose which is best for you. That said, the new-for-2025 SoundLink Plus ($269, 250, AU$430), which sits between the more compact second-gen SoundLink Flex ($149, 150, AU$250) and the beefier and pricier SoundLink Max ($399, 400, AU$600), may just be the best of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth speakers. While it can't play quite as loud or deliver as much bass as the larger Max, it costs significantly less and puts out clear, potent sound that's a big step up from the Flex's sound. It strikes the right balance of performance and price, earning a CNET Editors' Choice award in the process. Read my full review.