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Best budget Bluetooth speakers
May 15, 2025







Music brings people together, which is why affordable Bluetooth speakers are more popular than ever. Whether you’re hanging out at the beach, throwing a backyard party, or just chilling with friends, good music is a must. The best part? You don’t need to drop a ton of cash to get the party going. We’ve rounded up the best budget Bluetooth speakers that deliver solid sound without draining your wallet.
- on May 15th, 2025, for formatting, and to add the Soundcore Select 4 Go as our best value pick.
Always on the move? Bring the JBL Clip 5

The JBL Clip 5 is the ideal choice for those prioritizing portability in a Bluetooth speaker. This compact device features a built-in carabiner for easy attachment to backpacks or branches, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. It’s also built to withstand the elements, with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.
The Clip 5 offers improved audio performance with 7W of output and a 12-hour battery life. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 with Multipoint connection and now comes with a companion app, allowing users to customize their sound experience through various EQ options. While it may not deliver room-filling sound, its rugged design, versatile mounting options, and personalized audio capabilities make it an excellent choice for hikers, campers, or anyone seeking a reliable, portable audio companion on a budget.


The Sony SRS-XB100 is small but mighty

The Sony SRS-XB100 is a solid choice for those seeking an ultra-compact and affordable Bluetooth speaker for personal use. Weighing only 274g, this tiny powerhouse is incredibly portable and features an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, making it ideal for outdoor adventures or shower use.
Despite its small size, the SRS-XB100 delivers impressive sound quality with a full-range driver and passive radiator for enhanced bass. It boasts a 16-hour battery life and supports Google Fast Pair for easy connection to Android devices. While it may not be the loudest speaker in its class, its portability, durability, and sound quality make it a great option for individual listeners or small groups. The Sony SRS-XB100 is perfect for those who want a simple, reliable speaker that can go anywhere without compromising audio performance.
Need something small but durable? Go with the JBL GO 4

The JBL Go 4 is an excellent choice for those seeking an ultra-compact, affordable Bluetooth speaker. This palm-sized device weighs less than a pound, making it incredibly easy to carry in a pocket or attach to a backpack. Despite its small size, the Go 4 doesn’t skimp on features or durability.
It boasts an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, making it suitable for outdoor use. The Go 4 now comes with companion app support, offering a customizable 5-band EQ for personalized sound. With Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection, it’s versatile enough for various uses. While it may not deliver powerful bass, its 7-hour battery life and improved durability make it an ideal choice for travelers, hikers, or anyone needing a reliable, pocket-friendly speaker on a budget.
Great question. There are a few key differences between these two affordable JBL models. Check out our comparison video below to learn more:

For a simple home solution, check out the Creative Stage Air

If you’re looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, chances are it will be small and portable, similar to the other options on this list. However, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Case in point: the Creative Stage Air.
While this speaker isn’t nearly the size of some of the other soundbars we’ve tested, you still get a lot of speakers for not a lot of money. It’s not the best option for building your dream home theater system. Still, it’s a perfectly fine under-monitor speaker that makes listening to music, watching videos, or playing games that much more enjoyable.
Like most speakers of this price, the Creative Stage Air has fairly limited features, so don’t expect to plug in HDMI and optical cables from your gaming console. For that, you should check out our list of best soundbars. The Creative Stage Air keeps it simple, supporting Bluetooth 4.2 with the SBC codec and 3.5mm input. It has a few annoying quirks, like automatically turning off to save power after 15 minutes of non-usage, but overall, it’s a solid option for the price, even if it’s a bit older.

You can’t beat the value of the Soundcore Select 4 Go

The Soundcore Select 4 Go is a solid pick for anyone after an affordable Bluetooth speaker for personal listening or small get-togethers. With an IP67 rating, it’s perfect for the beach, the shower, or wherever your day takes you. What really sets it apart is its customization—thanks to a 9-band EQ in the Soundcore app, it’s one of the most flexible budget speakers out there when it comes to tuning the sound to your liking.
Additionally, the Select 4 Go boasts up to 20 hours of battery life, which is more than enough for a few days of casual listening. It includes a built-in loop for attaching a carabiner and offers flexible placement options, with four rubber feet on the bottom that let you use it as an upward-firing speaker. Just keep in mind: while you don’t need to spend a lot to get solid sound, that value doesn’t always extend to build quality. The Select 4 Go feels durable for the price, but it doesn’t quite match the more rugged construction of the JBL Clip 5.


The Amazon Echo Pop is a great, cheap smart speaker

If you are looking for a cheap and easy entry to the smart home world, the Amazon Echo Pop is a good starting point. It also makes for a great addition to an existing Alexa smart home setup, as you could buy a couple of these speakers and place them in various rooms around your house.
With full Alexa integration, a sleek modern design, and decent sound, the Amazon Echo Pop packs a ton of bang for your buck. There’s no display and limited volume, but the Echo Pop is a no-brainer for the price of $39.99 and the fact that you can usually find it on sale for less than half of that.

Best cheap Bluetooth speakers: Notable mentions

- Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) ($49 at Amazon): The smart home is more relevant than ever, and companies are rapidly expanding with a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) product ideas. Anyone with multiple devices will benefit from the hands-free voice controls of the new Echo Dot (5th Gen).
- Anker Soundcore Motion 300 ($79.99 at Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a budget-friendly audio adventure companion. Featuring an IPX7 protection rating and decent sound in a durable, compact package, you don’t have to think twice before tossing this speaker into your backpack or gear bin for a weekend getaway.
- Anker Soundcore Flare 2 ($55.99 at Amazon): Gain all the features of the Flare Mini, but with more powerful drivers, Soundcore app control, dual LED halo lighting, and better sound quality at a price tag slightly above $50.
- JBL Clip 4 ($48 at Amazon): Although the Clip 5 is out and has more features, the Clip 4 is still a solid buy for less money.
- Sony SRS-XB13 (on the product’s website): The “XB” in the product’s name stands for Extra Bass, delivering a powerful low-end in a compact form factor. An IP67 rating also ensures that the party will go on for 16 hours, no matter where you take this speaker. Occasionally, you can nab it for under $50.
- Tribit StormBox Micro ($52 at Amazon): This one is set to compete with the JBL Clip series, by sporting the same IP67 rating and a small form factor you can attach to a bike.
What you should know about budget Bluetooth speakers
What is a Bluetooth codec?

Just like wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers use specific Bluetooth codecs to determine how files are transmitted from a source (phone) to a receiver (speaker). Different codecs produce different amounts of latency when streaming, and the most common of those that have the lowest latency and the highest streaming quality are aptX and AAC if you’re an iOS user. With that said, many Bluetooth speakers only use the basic SBC codec, which can mean you might have some latency when using the speaker to watch videos.
What are IP ratings?

Plenty of these speakers come with some level of water resistance, so it’s worth understanding what those IP (Ingress Protection) ratings actually mean. IP ratings indicate how well a product resists dust and water. You’ll often see something like IPX4, where the X is a placeholder indicating the product hasn’t been tested for dust resistance. If you want a speaker that can handle dust and full water submersion, look for at least an IP67 rating or higher—that’s the standard for rugged, outdoor-ready gear.
Water-resistant | Waterproof | Can withstand | |
---|---|---|---|
IPX0 | Water-resistant | Waterproof | Can withstand Not water-resistant |
IPX1 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Dripping water (1 mm/min) Limit: vertical drips only |
IPX2 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Dripping water (3 mm/min) Limit: Device max tilt of 15° from drips |
IPX3 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Sprays Limit: Device max tilt of 60° from sprays |
IPX4 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Splashes, omnidirectional |
IPX5 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Water jets (12.5 L/min) Example: Squirt guns |
IPX6 | Water-resistant ✓ | Waterproof | Can withstand Strong water jets (100 L/min) Example: Powerful water guns |
IPX7 | Water-resistant | Waterproof ✓ | Can withstand Complete submersion Limit: 1 m. for 30 min |
IPX8 | Water-resistant | Waterproof ✓ | Can withstand Complete submersion Limit: 3 m. for 30 min |
Why you should trust SoundGuys

We maintain and update this site every day, and together, we bring decades of hands-on experience in the audio world. We test as many products as possible ourselves to give you clear, direct comparisons that actually matter.
We treat this list as a living document and update it regularly. If your favorite budget speaker didn’t make the cut, let us know—we’re always open to feedback. Our goal is to help you make smarter buying decisions, and none of our writers profit from recommending one product over another.
Frequently asked questions about budget Bluetooth speakers
While budget speakers won’t match the performance of premium models, many still offer solid sound for everyday use. If you want more control over how your music sounds, look for a speaker with a customizable EQ—models like the JBL Clip 5 and Soundcore Select 4 Go let you fine-tune the audio to fit your preferences.