For those who enjoy wirelessly listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks from their mobile devices, Bluetooth speakers are a terrific choice. Bluetooth-compatible speakers are somewhat more portable than Wi-Fi speakers since they can broadcast music without an internet connection. With so many Bluetooth speakers available, high-quality speakers may now be purchased for less money. There is a cheap Bluetooth speaker that can suit your demands, whether you prefer to use it for voice assistant communication, music listening, or taking your audio outside.
The JBL Flip 6 is the best Bluetooth speaker for ~$100
Yes, we are aware that the JBL Flip 6 retails for $129, which is more than our list’s cutoff point. However, we continue to feature it here since, on occasions like Black Friday, you may purchase it on sale for less than $100.
Compared to the fifth-generation model, this speaker has a new multi-driver sound system and Bluetooth 5.1. The renowned JBL sound is still present, and pairing this Bluetooth speaker with your devices is as simple as ever.
When they take the Flip 6 out and about, hikers, cyclists, and outdoor lovers will definitely appreciate the update to an IP67 dust- and water-resistant rating. Shower singers will also like the Flip 6’s strong output, which muffles surrounding noises. To appreciate the Flip 6, you don’t have to be an avid outdoor enthusiast or a master at taking showers. Anyone looking for a simple-to-use Bluetooth speaker can quickly get JBL’s speaker to function.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
The greatest Bluetooth speaker we’ve tested for less than $100 is the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3. Made of recyclable plastic, this portable Bluetooth speaker is available in a variety of colors to fit your decor. It’s also quite adaptable, making it perfect for both at-home and on-the-go music listening. The next time you’re in the park, you can secure it to your backpack using the integrated strap, and its IP67 classification for dust and water resistance protects it from the elements. It would be a fantastic addition to your next pool party because it can even float on water.
The sound quality of this speaker is likewise excellent. It works well for podcasts and audiobooks of all genres since voices and lead instruments are faithfully reproduced right out of the box. Though it doesn’t have any additional customization options, you may use its Outdoor setting to enhance the clarity and crispness of your music if you take it outside. It lacks some low-bass, like most small, inexpensive speakers, so you’ll detect less rumble in bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM. This speaker is a fantastic choice for listening to your favorite music all day long because of its longer battery life—more than 22 hours.
UE Roll
We love the Roll Bluetooth speaker from UE; it’s a small, water-resistant wireless speaker with a distinctive design, great sound quality for its size, and a respectable battery life. It was originally priced at $100 USD (£80, AU$95) when it debuted last summer, but in recent weeks, it has dropped to $70 on websites like Amazon (and Best Buy now sells it for $50 in numerous color options).
At those reduced rates, the Roll is still a great value, even if we anticipate UE is releasing a new version of the speaker.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Our best inexpensive Alexa speaker is the fourth-generation Amazon Echo. With two tweeters and a three-inch woofer housed in its spherical housing, it’s an amazing array considering how small it is. The AZ1 Neural Edge processor from Amazon enhances voice recognition inside, and its Zigbee compatibility lets you operate smart home appliances. In addition, the gadget can make calls to other Alexa-enabled devices and enables HD playback from well-known music streaming providers.
This is our #1 choice if you’re looking for an Echo speaker for less than $100. There aren’t many other lists that have as many smart home features or high-definition audio options.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Like the majority of Anker’s offerings, the Soundcore Motion 300 performs better than expected. With a combined output of 30W, its two full-range drivers and two passive radiators assist in providing a rich stereo sound by enhancing the bass response. Another feature we like is the accompanying app’s adjustable EQ, which is uncommon in this price range. The package is completed with compatibility for the AAC, LDAC, and SBC codecs, an IPX7 waterproof designation, and a respectable speakerphone.
If you want control over the sound quality of your affordable speaker, the Soundcore Motion 300 is still the finest option—even with its nine-band EQ and hi-res-capable LDAC codec, which may seem like overkill.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
When Tribit Audio unveiled the Stormbox Micro, it was still relatively fresh to the Bluetooth speaker scene. It made an almost instantaneous, pleasant, and unexpected debut. Following the release of the fantastic Stormbox Micro, the major issue for Tribit was whether it could pull off the same coup with the more difficult second album.
Thankfully, it could. Despite lacking the 360 grill design of many of its competitors, such as the diminutive UE Wonderboom 3, the small-form-factor speaker is among the finest affordable alternatives available on the market at the moment, according to our testing. If you need powerful sound on the go but don’t want to pay a bunch, please don’t overlook the excellent Stormbox Mico 2.
The Stormbox Micro 2, which builds on the popularity of the original model and has nearly the same woven finish design, outperforms its older sibling in terms of audio quality and significantly longer battery life. Even though the bass weight of a speaker with such dimensions is obviously restricted, the Micro performs very well; if you shut your eyes and listen, you’ll imagine the device to be much larger than it actually is.
The sole drawback is that distortion may occur at higher levels. However, our head-to-head comparisons revealed that you’ll need to spend more money on a JBL Flip 6 or Wonderboom 3 in order to see a noticeable improvement.
