5 of the best Bluetooth speakers

The Week Staff

1. JBL Xtreme 2 ($350)

With its ample bass and "overall clear, clean sound," this 11 inch–long JBL "approaches the sound of a good small stereo system yet is rugged enough to take almost anywhere," writes Brent Butterworth at The Wirecutter. It can survive submersion in water, and its battery lasts 15 hours. Buy it at JBL.

2. Sonos Move ($399)

The first portable Sonos speaker "seems to sound excellent everywhere" because it autotunes its sound signature depending on where you place it. The Move streams primarily over Wi-Fi, but the weatherproof party starter will switch to Bluetooth if you take it outside. Buy it at Amazon.

3. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 ($100)

"A better version of an already great Bluetooth speaker," UE's apple-size wonder boasts a deeper bass than most small speakers, plus a new mode that optimizes the sound for outdoor listening. "It's ultraportable, fun to be around, and built like a tank," writes Adam Clark Estes at Gizmodo. Buy it at Amazon.

4. Tribit XSound Go ($35)

"For an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, the Tribit XSound Go is hard to beat," says David Carnoy at CNET. The fully waterproof and "attractively designed" minispeaker gets loud for its small size, and it "sounds pretty natural," too. The battery lasts an impressive 24 hours. Buy it at Amazon.

5. Marshall Woburn II ($500)

Want a retro look? Marshall, the guitar amp manufacturer, makes Bluetooth speakers of all sizes, and the monster at the top of its lineup "delivers a powerful sonic experience," says Tim Gideon at PC Mag, that can be shaped with the tone knobs or an in-app equalizer. Buy it at Amazon.

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Editor's note: Every week The Week's editors survey product reviews and articles in websites, newspapers, and magazines, to find cool and useful new items we think you'll like. We're now making it easier to purchase these selections through affiliate partnerships with certain retailers. The Week may get a share of the revenue from these purchases.

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