Sonos has been synonymous with multi-room music for many years now, and the Era 100 – the spiritual successor to the excellent Sonos One– pushes the bar even higher than before. There isn't a simple answer here. Basically, you'll want a speaker that's going to be able to fill your intended space with sound. So, if you're looking for a small, portable Bluetooth speaker to use casually on the table outside when you're hanging out, a relatively low-powered speaker with a 30 to 50-watt output will get that job done for you without any problems. In the audio world, it is tough to compare how good one brand is to another on the whole, especially when it comes to big brands that have many products in their arsenal. While we do recommend some JBL speakers on the above list, don't assume that everything JBL makes is better than everything Bose makes. How we test Bluetooth speakers About the size of a burrito and weighing just 550g, JBL's Flip 6 is the one to go for if you're looking for a reliable, super-sounding speaker to take on your travels. With such high levels of performance, it's one of the best wireless Bluetooth speakers you can find on the market today at this price.

Set-up is a painless process whether you choose a Bluetooth or wi-fi connection. When setting up a multi-room system, the app searches for other Audio Pro speakers in the vicinity on the same network, and you can then drag-and-drop from here to group or separate speakers, either in stereo pairs or multi-room zones, or else make manual adjustments to bass and treble. However, if you've got a big, spacious room that you want to fill with sound at decent volumes, a bigger speaker with a higher watt output will likely serve you best. How does a Bluetooth speaker work? Bang & Olufsen isn’t noted for following the herd. In the Danish electronics specialist’s catalogue you'll find a wheel-shaped wireless speaker, a TV that opens up like a butterfly, and an 8200-watt monolithic speaker comprising 18 drivers. Its output could reasonably be described as "innovative" – and the B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) wireless speaker is no exception. The only issue is that it can start to suffer from distortion at louder volumes, but we found it to be one of the best-value options if you’re really on a tight budget. Really impressive stuff. Over the past few years, we’ve seen (and heard) everything from giant room-filling Bluetooth speakers to dinky travel options pass through our listening rooms, and many have impressed by offering great value for money, lengthy battery life, waterproofing and even engaging, capable audio quality. Of course, there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers out there that haven't cut the mustard, which is why our team of reviewers have created this handy guide detailing only the best Bluetooth speakers that are worth considering.Given that the Flip 5 is a past What Hi-Fi? Award winner, it will come as little surprise to learn that the Flip 6 is another resoundingly five-star product. We might have thought we’d be advising JBL to rework the Flip by now – add a few more features, change it up a bit to keep up with the competition – but instead, we are left praising the sonic chops of a proposition that offers extra durability (it is now IP67 water- and dust-proof, over the waterproof-only IPX7 Flip 5) as well as an extra ounce of space within its trademark zealous and musical presentation.Yes, it's still 'just' a Bluetooth speaker – but what a great-sounding Bluetooth speaker it is.

The Addon C3 is basically the wi-fi-enabled, multi-room version of Audio Pro's Addon T3. It has the same minimalist looks that the Scandinavian company is known for, complete with textured surfaces and an embossed leather carry handle, but the wireless tech adds a whole new dimension to your listening.As you'd expect, Bluetooth speakers are wireless in that they don't require a wire to connect to an audio source; they use a Bluetooth codec. However, they don't necessarily also support wi-fi, which is a necessary feature of what we term 'wireless speakers'. A wireless speaker can connect to an audio source via the internet (i.e. wi-fi) – by way of Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast, for example – whether or not it also has Bluetooth. It boasts similar dimensions to a large floury bap, but that's where any comparisons with baked goods end. The new A1 supports Qualcomm’s latest aptX AdaptiveBluetooth 5.1 codec, and of course, Alexa is built-in. However, Bluetooth-only speakers are generally more portable (as they don't require an internet connection to work) and often more affordable. How many watts is good for a home Bluetooth speaker? When choosing a Bluetooth speaker, the first thing you should ask yourself after setting a budget is what you want from it. Does the speaker need to be portable and versatile enough to use both indoors and outdoors? Or are you happy with a mains-powered speaker that can fill a big room with brilliant audio? While this will depend on the kit you are using and your wi-fi limitations at home, transmitting audio over wi-fi rather than Bluetooth comes with certain benefits: wi-fi doesn't have as limited a signal range as Bluetooth, generally facilitates better sound quality and is capable of transmitting higher-quality audio (Bluetooth is not widely capable of transmitting CD-quality or above music).

Once you've narrowed down your search, it's time to draw up a shortlist of contenders. There should be something for everyone here... FAQ What's the difference between wireless and Bluetooth speakers?And while we're not expecting audiophile-grade quality sound here, brands have realised that people do care about sound quality alongside other user-friendly features, so the quality of Bluetooth speakers' audio has risen significantly in recent times. It works a treat, too, delivering a pleasingly comfortable yet authoritative performance that you'd be happy listening to all day. Throw in its classy, well-made design, easy-to-use operation and the bonus of Alexa, and you're looking at a Bluetooth speaker sequel that has very much been worth the wait.

If you want more from the midrange and less from the treble, you can now tweak it thanks to a new EQ feature in the app, which adds significant value. For a nominal price hike over the launch price of the Flip 5, there’s certainly more detail here, too. All products are judged on a performance-per-pound basis and, as part of the process, put up against the current class leader(s) at that price point to see how they compare and to help us settle on a star rating. If all you want from a decent outdoor speaker is portability and affordability, you really couldn't do much better than the excellent Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. A tiny, satchel-friendly Bluetooth speaker, this is easily one of the best we’ve tested at this meagre price point. Want a speaker roughly the dimensions of a bottle of wine that'll charge your phone and sound great? Enter the Charge 5.Proof that you don't have to sacrifice a premium look and feel for portability, the Dali Katch G2's compact dimensions, stylish retractable travel handle, and 30-hour battery mean it could easily be your go-to travel speaker. Audio is really strong, too: bigger, punchier and louder than you’d expect from such a small box. Play Juiceby Lizzo and the Micro 2 does justice to the song’s upbeat tempo with the singer's vocals vibrantly portrayed. Midrange in particular is dealt with in a much more appealing manner than anything else we’ve seen at this price. Bluetooth is like a short-range, low-powered, low-bandwidth version of wi-fi used to connect compatible devices together rather than to the internet. Bluetooth uses radio waves like wi-fi does but at a different scale. What this all translates into is vastly improved sound, and while the Sonos One was mono only, the Era 100 distinguishes itself by providing a superb stereo experience. The bass is deeper and fuller, there's more clarity and detail throughout and even at higher volume, timing is excellent and the tonal balance is wonderfully even. It's predominantly a stationary, use-at-home type of product, but the Era 100's Bluetooth connectivity gives it more flexibility in use and makes it eligible for a spot on this list.