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You want sound-per-pound value: If you don't need the portability, you can buy plugged-in speakers that sound the same for around half the price.
We've been testing the best portable speakers for years, in all sizes and shapes – and crucially, for all budgets. People aren't typically looking for audiophile sound quality here, but they do want something portable that delivers balanced and clear audio outdoors (because if you're going to buy something, it might as well sound good, right?) and with a battery built to last. These are our priorities when testing Bluetooth speakers and obviously we're balancing that with the price – otherwise known as value for money. You won't find extra features such as voice assistants or Wi-Fi connectivity (or even a 3.5mm aux-in), but the Flip 6 sounds so good that you won't miss them. During our testing, we found that its warm, well-balanced audio performance is far more powerful than you might expect from a speaker of this size, and while the treble can sound a little harsh at higher volumes, you're getting plenty of clarity and detail.If you're looking for a speaker to toss in a bag or clip to a bike, you'll find it hard to get a better speaker for such a low price. It's superb, and its flaws are very minor – only that there's no wired connection, really. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device. Wait for it to find nearby printers, choose the one you want to use, then select Add device.
Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity means that the speaker is easy to pair with your smartphone, while built-in Alexa voice assistance means it can double up as a smart speaker. The A1 is the first speaker to offer Alexa support without needing to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network – and while this is impressive in itself, we did find that the voice assistant was sometimes quite slow to respond to our commands, since it's routing over Bluetooth to your phone, and your phone is then making the request over whatever internet connection it has… which won't always be great. You’re a frequent beachgoer: The Scene’s IPX7 rating means it’s at risk to fine particles, like sand, so it's not great for the beach. While it’s a little larger than other portable speakers, don’t let its heft discourage you; the Middleton is dustproof and water-resistant to withstand whatever you throw at it and comes with a carry strap to make transporting it easier. Boasting two 3in 15W woofers, two 3/5in 10W tweeters and four class-D amplifiers, it delivers a powerful sonic experience too, and its sound is customisable via physical controls or the Marshall Bluetooth app. We've tested and thoroughly reviewed all of the Bluetooth speakers in this guide ourselves by listening to them on their own and by comparing them to the current class-leaders. Basically, if it's listed here, you know we think it's worth it over the myriad rival models we've reviewed (because plenty do not make it here, believe us). If a speaker purports to be either water-resistant or waterproof, we expose it to the elements on a rainy day or use them in the shower or bath to verify its manufacturer’s claims.Honestly, it's not the subtlest looking device we've tested. But that's where the criticism ends. The Stormbox Blast is the biggest and most powerful Bluetooth speaker in Tribit's ever-growing arsenal of portable speakers and it sounds every inch as detailed – even at higher volumes – as models from better-known audio specialists at three times the price. You want huge sound quality: It's a small speaker for a low price, don't expect big volume and class-leading detail. The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is a powerful speaker that will deliver a party atmosphere, both indoors and outdoors. Its Ultimate Ears' largest Bluetooth speaker to date, but stays in keeping with the company's stylish designs, and adds two Bluetooth radios so you can switch seamlessly between two phones. The latest iteration of JBL’s mid-range Bluetooth speaker is its best yet. It’s now fully dustproof in addition to being water-resistant in water up to 1m in depth for 30 minutes and connects wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.1. The speaker arrangement has been revamped, with JBL adding a dome tweeter to work in conjunction with the woofer and audio is impressive, with the Charge 5 able to fill rooms and open spaces with crisp, well-balanced sound.
We particularly enjoyed the bass response here, which is where small speakers usually fall down: Tribit is keeping quiet about the exact specifications of the driver in this model but whatever it is, it delivers impressive bass for such a small footprint. And battery life is superb, up from the 8 hours of the original Micro to a travelling or beach day-friendly 12 hours. To fix Bluetooth audio issues on Windows 11, run the Bluetooth, Playing Audio, and Hardware and Devices troubleshooters. Then, disconnect unnecessary peripherals and update your OS, drivers, and apps to the latest version. If the issue persists, go to advanced settings, and disable Handsfree Telephony. The Sonos Roam comes with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which means it can work as aportable speakeras well as part of your wider multi-room Sonos system – and with Google Assistantand Alexa onboard (when you're on Wi-Fi), it doubles up asmart speakertoo.You want Wi-Fi connectivity: Unlike the Sonos Roam, there’s no option to hook the Flip 6 up to your home network for higher quality music streaming. You want audiophile sound: The Roam's audio performance isn't bad by any means, but the bass frequencies can be overwhelming. Bluetooth speakers that rely solely on mains power are less common and normally less portable, too. You may still be able to carry one around in your bag, but if you want to use it while out and about, you’ll need access to an external power source. Can I use my Bluetooth speaker outdoors?
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