The Cheapest Bluetooth Speakers that We’d Recommend

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A Compilation of the Cheapest Bluetooth Speakers that We’d Recommend

 

When it comes to finding a Bluetooth speaker that delivers great sound without breaking the bank, the options can feel overwhelming. With so many choices on the market, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of features, specs, and price tags. But what if you’re simply looking for the best bang for your buck—a speaker that offers solid performance, durability, and portability at the lowest possible price? That’s where this guide comes in.

the Cheapest Bluetooth Speakers

We’ve compiled a list of the cheapest Bluetooth speakers we’d actually recommend, focusing on models that strike the perfect balance between affordability and quality. Whether you’re a casual listener, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who just wants a reliable speaker for everyday use, these picks prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy good sound. From compact mini speakers to mid-sized options with surprising power, our selections cater to a variety of needs and budgets.

So, if you’re ready to explore the best budget-friendly Bluetooth speakers that won’t let you down, read on. These are the speakers we’d confidently buy ourselves—and think you’ll love too.

Strategies for Cheap Bluetooth Speaker Shopping

 

We always strive to connect you with the most affordable options available at the time of writing, primarily through Amazon and the manufacturer’s official website. However, prices can vary over time and even by color—sometimes significantly. While we provide a general idea of pricing and link to the lowest-priced color option at the time of publication, you might find a better deal by exploring other color options in the product listing we’ve linked to.

So, don’t consider the prices shown here or on your initial click as final. Take a moment to check different color variants on Amazon or other vendors—you could snag an even better deal!

1. Best Choices: The Cheapest New-Model Speakers We’d Recommend

 

If you just want something portable that sounds good, these are the speakers we’d recommend for those on a budget.

 

Favorite Tiny, Cheap Bluetooth Speaker for Under $50

 

Tribit StormBox Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Price: $39.99

Rating: 4.6/5 (5786 reviews)

Color: Black

Brand: Tribit

Model Number: BTS10

Availability: In Stock

Product Description

Tribit StormBox Mirco – CNET’s Editor’s choice “The best-sounding pocket-size portable Bluetooth speaker”. Highlights: Tear resistant silicone strap, Super-portable design, Advanced TI Amplifier, Built-in XBass, Power-Packed Sound, IP67 Waterproof & Dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, 100ft Bluetooth range, wireless stereo pairing, Super easy to setup.

Product Details

Feature Details
Brand Tribit
Color Black
Speaker Maximum Output Power 9 Watts
Connectivity Technology Bluetooth, Wireless
Water Resistance IP67 Waterproof & Dustproof
Battery Life 10 Hours
Bluetooth Range 100 Feet
Included Components User Manual, StromBox Micro Bluetooth Speaker
Special Features Waterproof, Built-in XBass, Stereo Pairing

Product Images

Product Image 1

Where to Buy

Buy on Amazon

Looking to shell out roughly twice as much for a speaker that’s only marginally better in sound but comes with a bigger brand name? The Bose SoundLink Micro (details here) is the upscale alternative. It’s a solid speaker, no doubt, but we don’t reckon it justifies the extra cost. Feel free to compare prices at Bose or Best Buy if you’re curious.

 

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker

Price: $99.0

Rating: 4.7/5 (33340 reviews)

Color: Black

Brand: Bose

Model Number: 783342-0100

Availability: In Stock

Product Description

The Bose Sound Link Micro Bluetooth speaker delivers sound so good for a speaker its size, you’ll never leave it behind. Proprietary Bose technology produces loud, clear sound—even outdoors—thanks to its custom mounted transducer and passive radiators. All from a speaker that’s at home in your hand. It’s also waterproof from the inside out, has a soft but rugged exterior and tear resistant silicone strap, so it’s ready to take with you on all life’s adventures. Attach it to your backpack or cooler, and don’t worry if it falls on the sidewalk or in the sand. And if you drop it in the pool, just dry it off and keep playing. Enjoy up to six hours of play time with a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

Product Details

Feature Details
Brand Bose
Color Black
Speaker Maximum Output Power 5 Watts
Connectivity Technology Wireless
Water Resistance Waterproof (IP67)
Battery Life 6 Hours
Bluetooth Range 30 Feet
Included Components Micro-B USB charging cable, SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker, Quick Start Guide
Special Features Waterproof, Stereo Pairing, Built-in Microphone

Product Images

Product Image 1

Where to Buy

Buy on Amazon

Favorite Tall-Beer-Can-Sized Speaker for Under $100

If you’re after a richer, more powerful sound—especially with bass that hits hard—the JBL Flip 5 is the next step up without breaking the bank. Its low end delivers a deep, pants-kicking thump, paired with a balanced mix that hints at a soundstage, though it doesn’t rival the pricier speakers we recommend elsewhere on this site (around double the cost). You get a 12-hour battery, USB-C charging, and a full IPX7 waterproof rating to boot.
For those looking to pinch a few more pennies, our comparison review of the older JBL Flip 4 versus the Flip 5 might be worth a peek. That said, we haven’t spotted the Flip 4 at a discount steep enough to make it a better deal, and honestly, we’d pick the Flip 5 every time for its superior bass. (Price checks available at: JBL, Best Buy.)

 

JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Price: $89.95

Rating: 4.8/5 (80056 reviews)

Color: Black

Brand: JBL

Model Number: JBLFLIP5BLKAM

Availability: In Stock

Product Description

Take your tunes on the go with the powerful JBL Flip 5. Our lightweight Bluetooth speaker goes anywhere. Bad weather? Not to worry. With its waterproof design, you can rock out to our signature sound Rain or shine. Move more, pair two JBL party boost-compatible speakers together for stereo sound or link multiple JBL party boost-compatible speakers to create a bigger party. Enjoy more than 12 hours of play time for your favorite music. Stand it vertical or horizontal and be bold with your choice of 11 vibrant colors.

Product Details

Feature Details
Brand JBL
Color Black
Speaker Maximum Output Power 20 Watts
Connectivity Technology Wireless
Water Resistance IPX7 Waterproof
Battery Life 12 Hours
Bluetooth Range 33 Feet
Included Components Quick-Start Guide, JBL Flip 5, Safety Sheet, Warranty Card, Type-C to Type-A charging cable
Special Features Waterproof, Stereo-Pairing

Product Images

Product Image 1

JBL FLIP 5 – Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Where to Buy

Buy on Amazon

2. Usually Nearly as Good: Previous Versions / Generations of Bluetooth Speakers from a Few Years Ago

 

Bluetooth speaker manufacturers love rolling out new models or tweaking existing ones annually, but the upgrades are usually subtle. From one year to the next on the same model, here’s what you might see:
  • Battery life bumps up by about 10-20%.
  • Slightly improved Bluetooth range (not that it was a big issue before).
  • Minor sound tweaks—often a bit better, sometimes louder.
Truth is, unless you’re nitpicking side-by-side like us audio snobs, you’d barely spot the difference between a top-tier model from 1-3 years ago and its latest version. For most everyday uses, they’re practically identical.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best older, “outdated” speakers still floating around at steep discounts on Amazon or other retailers, based on our last update. Prices shift fast, but we’ll keep this as current as we can.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom (Original)

The original Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is a stubby little cylinder—shorter than the JBL Flip 5—making it a portability champ. It pumps out solid bass and 360-degree sound in a near-indestructible shell. Compared to the Wonderboom 2, the bass improved slightly in the newer version, but not by much. The original packs a 10-hour battery and a generous two-year warranty. Last we checked, it’s still available new on Amazon at a hefty discount. (Also peek at prices on Ultimate Ears or Best Buy.)
Ultimate Ears Megaboom (Original)
The first Ultimate Ears Megaboom is a steal at its current discount and our pick for a budget-friendly speaker if you’re okay with something chunkier. It delivers bold, punchy bass and enough volume to liven up any outdoor bash. We pitted it against the Megaboom 3 (there’s no Megaboom 2) and noticed the newer model edges out slightly in bass depth, clarity, and max loudness—but not by a landslide. At today’s price, we’d snag the original. (Check prices at Ultimate Ears or Best Buy too.)

Stepping up in cost but still under half the price of its successors, the original JBL Xtreme earned rave reviews for its stunning outdoor sound. It blasts audio across wide spaces or shakes your furniture with deep bass indoors. It’s got a handy strap, can charge your phone from its battery, and boasts a 15-hour runtime with IPX4 splash resistance. The Xtreme 2 and 3 match its volume and nudge the bass up a tad, but they’re more than double the price last we looked.
We’ve also compared other older models we liked to their newer counterparts. Right now, deals aren’t jumping out, but if JBL’s your thing, dig into our takes on the JBL Charge 3 vs. Charge 4 or the JBL Boombox vs. Boombox 2. Or just poke around our slew of comparison reviews for more options.

3. Are Used, Renewed, or Refurbished Bluetooth Speakers Worth It?

Not on our dime. We’re hesitant to recommend buying any used or renewed portable Bluetooth speaker for one key reason: the battery.

While used bookshelf speakers can often be a great deal, portable Bluetooth speakers come with the added risk of not knowing how much wear and tear the battery has endured—think charge cycles, exposure to extreme temperatures, and overall usage. Plus, if a Bluetooth speaker is still performing well and sounds good, owners are less likely to part with it, especially since newer models often don’t offer significant improvements.

That said, if you come across a used speaker priced low enough, it might be worth the gamble. You can browse through Amazon’s selection of used Bluetooth speakers and potentially find a deal that makes the risk acceptable. If you’re lucky, you might end up with a speaker whose battery holds up for years. And if the battery does fail, you can always repurpose it as a stationary speaker by keeping it plugged in—perfect for a bathroom, kitchen, or any other spot where portability isn’t a concern.

Another issue to watch out for, especially on platforms like Amazon, is the prevalence of mislabeled or counterfeit speakers. While we take care to link only to official manufacturer listings for new speakers (current or previous models), there’s no guarantee with used items. Unfortunately, major platforms still struggle to keep fake or misrepresented products out of their marketplace, so buyer beware.

 

So the Best Cheap Speaker for You Is…

Here’s a breakdown of what we’d recommend right now in the small, medium, and large Bluetooth speaker categories if you’re looking to spend as little as possible while still getting great sound. Whether you’re into casual listening, park hangouts, or even a bit of dancing, these picks should cover your needs.


Small: Tribit Stormbox Micro

  • Why we’d get it: The Tribit Stormbox Micro is a fantastic choice for its size and price. It’s compact, lightweight, and surprisingly powerful for its tiny footprint. The sound is well-balanced, with a punchy bass that defies its small size, making it perfect for tossing in a bag and taking to the park. It’s also water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about spills or light rain.
  • Best for: Portable music lovers who want something small, durable, and affordable without sacrificing sound quality.

Medium: JBL Flip 5

  • Why we’d get it: The JBL Flip 5 strikes a great balance between portability and performance. It delivers clear, room-filling sound with solid bass, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings or park dancing. It’s also waterproof, rugged, and has a long battery life, so it can handle being on the go. While it lacks some features like a speakerphone or aux input, its sound quality and durability make it a standout in its price range.
  • Best for: Those who want a versatile, mid-sized speaker that’s easy to carry and delivers great sound for its size.

Large: JBL Xtreme

  • Why we’d get it: If you’re looking for big sound and don’t mind a larger speaker, the JBL Xtreme is a powerhouse. It pumps out deep bass, crisp highs, and plenty of volume, making it perfect for larger spaces or outdoor parties. It’s also waterproof and built like a tank, so it can handle rough use. While it’s bulkier and heavier than the other two, the sound quality and battery life make it worth the trade-off if you need something more robust.
  • Best for: Music enthusiasts who want a portable party speaker with room-shaking sound and don’t mind the extra size.

Comparison at a Glance:

Feature Tribit Stormbox Micro JBL Flip 5 JBL Xtreme
Size Small Medium Large
Portability Extremely portable Highly portable Portable but bulky
Sound Quality Punchy bass, balanced Clear, room-filling Powerful, deep bass
Durability Water-resistant Waterproof Waterproof, rugged
Best Use Case On-the-go listening Outdoor gatherings Parties, large spaces
Price Budget-friendly Mid-range Higher-end

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