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This article is designed to present you 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100 in 2021 that we could find on the market. We have made some analysis and tried to present the best models of Bluetooth speakers with different characteristics. Our list gathers the best models from 2 main price ranges: less than $50 and from $50 to $100. The most popular speakers belong to the first category and that is understandable because they offer a lot and don’t cost a fortune. However, that doesn’t mean that the other models aren’t worth their price and your attention. They offer great quality and if you have enough money to spend on a Bluetooth speaker, we advise you to read our reviews.
Table of Contents
- What are Bluetooth Speakers and When Can We Use Them?
- Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 – Comparison Table
- The Most Important Advantages of Bluetooth Speakers
- The Most Important Disadvantages of Bluetooth Speakers
- The List of 16 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 in 2022
- 1. Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3
- 2. AOMAIS Sport II Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers
- 3. Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- 4. DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 Portable Speaker
- 5. Anker Classic Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- 6. JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- 7. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth
- 8. UE ROLL 2 Tropical Anime Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- 9. ZoeeTree S1 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- 10. Etekcity RoverBeats T3 Ultra Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- 11. AYL SoundFit Bluetooth Speaker
- 12. Apie Portable Wireless Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
- 13. Vtin 20W Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
- 14. JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- 15. Photive M90 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
- 16. GOgroove BlueSync BX Bluetooth Speaker
- Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Bluetooth Speaker
What are Bluetooth Speakers and When Can We Use Them?
Bluetooth speakers are one of the great products of the modern world. They allow you to listen to music or anything you want wirelessly, without annoying cables scattered all over your house. Bluetooth speakers enable you to the same things outside your house. If you’re throwing a party during sunny days, it is normal to do it in front of your house or in some park. To play music in such an ambient, you have to get a Bluetooth speaker because your phone can never deliver as clear and powerful sound as the speaker can.
These speakers come in handy whenever you need music and you don’t have a wall socket nearby. They are more or less portable and they have rechargeable batteries with decent durability. You can use them outdoors during the workout and make that or any other outdoor activity more interesting. Besides, you can use them also in the house or at work in case you hate cables or don’t have enough space for them.
Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 – Comparison Table
| Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 | Rating | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| OontZ Angle 3 | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Aomais Sport II | 4.3 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Anker Soundcore | 4.6 | Check Price | Read Review |
| DOSS Touch | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Anker Classic | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| JBL Clip 2 | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Sony XB10 | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| UE ROLL 2 | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| ZoeeTree S1 | 4.2 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Etekcity RoverBeats | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| AYL SoundFit | 4.5 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Apie | 4.5 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Vtin 20W | 4.4 | Check Price | Read Review |
| JBL Flip 4 | 4.5 | Check Price | Read Review |
| Photive M90 | 4.6 | Check Price | Read Review |
| GOgroove SonaVERSE | 4.1 | Check Price | Read Review |
When you click on “Check Price” you will be redirected to Amazon.
The Most Important Advantages of Bluetooth Speakers
Bluetooth speakers are extremely popular devices mostly because they make our lives more interesting and easier. Here are the most important advantages of these speakers that will show you why you should have a Bluetooth speaker.
Bluetooth speakers don’t have wires
Bluetooth technology is invented in order to reduce the number of wires in our houses or our offices. Life without wires is much easier – nothing makes such a huge mess in your house, in your pockets or bags like cables. The wires limit your movements, especially when it comes to speakers.
Bluetooth speakers don’t have wires and they can be transported and used easily wherever and whenever you want or need. You can bring them with you to a picnic, use them during a workout, during hiking sessions, etc. Even if you keep it only in your house, they can make your life easier as the cables won’t be scattered all over the floor and the room will look much cleaner and spacious.
Besides, Bluetooth speakers offer much more freedom. If you pair your phone with the speaker, you don’t have to stand near it all the time. If the Bluetooth signal range is good enough, you can easily leave the speaker in one and take the phone with you to another room.
Bluetooth speakers are portable
One of the good sides of the Bluetooth speakers is the fact that they are portable. When you have wired speakers, you can’t take them outside your house, unless you have some socket somewhere near you. If you don’t have that, your speakers will definitely stay at home and you won’t be able to enjoy your music whenever and wherever you want.
Bluetooth speakers don’t have to be small and light, but the fact that they don’t have wires, enable you to transport them anywhere you want and use them as long as their rechargeable batteries allow you.
Bluetooth speakers are highly compatible
Bluetooth speakers are widely compatible and you can pair them with all Bluetooth enabled devices. Wi-Fi speakers may deliver better sound, but they are more difficult for pairing and connecting. They have to use the same Wi-Fi as your phone, player or some other device and that usually keeps you in or near your house. Bluetooth speakers can be taken anywhere as their connection doesn’t depend on your home Wi-Fi network but only on the compatibility with your phone or some other Bluetooth-enabled device you’re using at the time.
The Most Important Disadvantages of Bluetooth Speakers
Just like any the other product on the market, Bluetooth speakers have their downsides. We have listed the most important disadvantages since you have to be aware of what you are dealing with in case you buy some of these speakers. You should know something about these weaknesses because they will be present no matter how expensive and good your speaker is.
Battery life is limited
Bluetooth speakers, just like all the other Bluetooth enabled devices, have rechargeable batteries. It is great that you can recharge the battery and buy the speaker with very long battery life for a small amount of money, but you have to bear in mind that these batteries have limited life. They may last more than 10 hours per charge, but they will eventually lose the juice and your speaker will stop working unless you recharge it. Besides, rechargeable batteries have definite (limited) number of charging cycles. After that, they can’t be recharged anymore.
Signal range is limited
Just like battery life, Bluetooth signal range is also limited. Bluetooth devices give you more freedom and enable you to move around without worrying about the cables. However, a signal range can go up to 30ft on average, which also limits your movements. You can sometimes go into another room but moving too far from your device can lead to signal cutouts.
Sound quality is not perfect
One thing is sure and nobody can’t deny it – everything sounds better with wires. Bluetooth headphones and speakers can sound good, even amazing, but if we compare even the best of them to their wired versions, Bluetooth devices would lose the battle. The signal may drop from time to time, you might hear hissing sound (especially if you’re not playing music) and the sound quality is diminished due to file compression. Because of that, Bluetooth headphones or speakers can never sound as good as wired ones and that is something we just have to accept.
The List of 16 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100 in 2022
1. Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3
OontZ Angle 3 is very small (5.25×2.6×2.8 inches) and quite light (9 ounces) inexpensive speaker. It is probably the most popular product made by an American audio company called Cambridge Soundworks. The speaker has 2 neodymium drivers with a total output power of 10W. On the bottom, you will see passive radiator that is in charge of bass. The speaker is covered with aluminum mesh. On the right side, you will find all the control buttons and ports. The Bluetooth button is on the top just like the LED indicator light, volume controls and the play/pause button (this one can be also used for answering/ending calls). Next to these buttons, you will also find one USB port for charging and one 3.5mm aux port hidden under the rubber cap. The speaker comes in three colors: black, pink and blue. It also has a built-in mic. The battery can last up to 12 hours per charge and recharging takes 3 hours.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a simple box with micro USB to USB charging cable, 3.5mm male/to/male audio cable and the user manual.
Things we like
One of the things we like about this speaker is its design. It has a triangular shape and it comes in a bunch of nice colors so that anybody can find the right color for himself. The aluminum build makes the speaker quite durable and resistant, especially when combined with rubberized parts that make it stable on any surface. Besides, the rubberized parts make the speaker water-resistant and it has an IPX5 rating. It is not much, but it can survive unwanted contact with a small amount of water (few drops, shower, rain, etc.).
We didn’t have any problems with pairing and connecting the speaker to all kinds of devices. Pairing with Bluetooth enabled device was quick and easy and once paired, the speaker could be moved within 15ft range without any problems. The battery can last for up to 12 hours if used moderately at 60% of volume. The speaker has a built-in mic and it works nicely, so you can normally answer calls whenever you need to.
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When it comes to sound quality, we can say that the speaker is surprisingly loud, especially for its size. It is probably the loudest small speaker in its price range. The highs and the mids are quite distinctive and clean. There is hardly noticeable distortion at high volumes.
Things we don’t like
It was hard to admit, but the truth is that OontZ Angle 3 doesn’t deliver amazing sound. It is not awful, but it could be way better. The biggest problem is the bass. It is not punchy and powerful as we would like it to be. If you’re a bass person, you better keep reading and find another speaker.
In addition, if you use the speaker at max volume, the battery life shortens to 4-5 hours.
2. AOMAIS Sport II Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers
Aomais Sport II is quite cheap and small (8.2×3.2×2 inches) speaker that weighs 22 ounces. It is not too light but it has definitely become very popular thanks to its size, low price and good quality/performance. It has unusual square-like shape and all the controls are located on the top panel of the speaker. You have 4 control buttons and each of them has two functions. Depending on the way you press a certain button, you will perform a different action. By using the buttons, you can control the volume, skip between tracks, play/pause the music or answer/end calls, turn the speaker on/off or control the Bluetooth technology. Below the buttons, you will find three LED indicators. The green one suggests that the speaker is on, the second one is battery status indicator while the third one is Bluetooth indicator light. On the left side of the speaker, you have 3.5mm aux port as well as micro USB charging port protected by a rubber cap.
The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0 version with 33ft signal range, it has an IPX7 rating and the battery can last up to 8 hours at moderate volume. Recharging takes 3 hours. The speaker has 2 drivers with a total output power of 20W while the passive bass radiator is on the back side.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a rather simple cardboard box with micro USB to USB charging cable, 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable, 1-year warranty card, user manual as well as the swim ring.
Things we like
Aomais Sport II is very durable and well-built speaker with reinforced and nicely rubberized parts. Besides, it has an IPX7 rating, which also confirms the good build quality of this product. It can survive submerging into 1m deep water for 30 minutes.
The speaker uses pretty good Bluetooth and pairing and connecting to other Bluetooth devices is rather easy and fast. Once you realize how to use the control buttons, you will see how simple Aomais Sport II is. The Bluetooth signal range is approximately 33ft and it is completely satisfying.
Sport II supports NFC technology and it can also be connected to another Aomais speaker into one system with a total output power of 40W. It also has the swim ring that prevents the speaker from drowning to the bottom of the pool in case you bring it with you on a swimming session.
The built-in mic works nicely and it allows you to answer calls using the speaker. The speaker can also be mounted on any surface, even on bikes thank to its tripod mount on the bottom. When it comes to sound quality, we have to say that the speaker can get pretty loud, much louder than you would expect from such a small and cheap speaker.
Things we don’t like
Truth to be told, the speaker doesn’t look too attractive. This is a matter of individual taste, but we should all agree that it isn’t the prettiest speaker on the market.
The speaker has problems with signal range and battery life. At the beginning, they seem quite satisfying, but they drop after some time (usually few months). The signal range drops under 33ft while the battery life shortens and after some time you can’t use it for more than 4 hours per charge.
In addition, the control buttons are quite confusing and it can happen that you want to do one thing and end up doing another. For example, you want to turn the volume up, but you end up skipping to the next track.
3. Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Anker Soundcore is decently priced and quite popular Anker speaker. The speaker is quite small (6.5×2.1×1.8 mm) and it weighs 12.6 ounces. It has 2 drivers with a total output power of 6W and one passive bass radiator. The control buttons are on the top of the speaker (power on/off, volume controls, play/pause button and Bluetooth pairing button) while the aux 3.5mm, micro USB charging ports and the built-in mic are on the right side of the speaker. On the front side as well as on the right side, you will see LED indicators. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0 technology while the battery can last up to 24 hours. Anker Soundcore can be bought in black, blue and red colors.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a simple box with Anker logo with one micro USB to USB charging cable, 18-month warranty card and the user manual.
Things we like
Anker Soundcore is simply designed mini speaker. It is made mostly from plastic but it is reinforced with an aluminum grill which makes it quite durable and also more stylish. The speaker is light, small and highly portable. Wherever you want to use it, you can bring it. You just put it in your backpack and you won’t feel any additional weight.
The Bluetooth connection works nicely and pairing is very simple. By pressing the Bluetooth button, you can choose the mode you want, wait until the LED light turns blue and you can pair your phone with the speaker. The connection stays stable within the 30ft range.
The battery is quite strong, especially considering the size of the speaker. If you use it at moderate volume, it can last up to 24 hours, but the life will be shorter if the music is played at maximum volume.
When it comes to sound quality, this speaker performs very nice for the size and price. The speaker can become quite loud. The mids are quite articulate and clear. The lows and highs are not so good, but they are distinctive.
Things we don’t like
Let’s start from the build quality. The speaker is not waterproof and it doesn’t have any IPX rating. Considering the fact that small portable speakers are usually used outside, it can be problematic as you won’t be able to use it in case it rains.
The signal range should be 66ft, at least that’s what the manufacturer claims. However, in reality, the signal range is 30ft on average. If your phone is close to the speaker, the connection will be stable, but at a greater distance, you can expect some cutouts.
In addition, the mic can be too sensitive, and it can sometimes become completely unusable as the other person won’t be able to hear anything you say.
4. DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 Portable Speaker
Doss Touch is a relatively small speaker (6.6×2.7×2.9 inches) that weighs 1.1 Ib. On the front side of the speaker, you will see DOSS logo, while the controls are mostly located on the top of the speaker. The control buttons are touch sensitive. You will find there the Mode button that enables you to switch between Bluetooth, aux and micro SD card modes, control buttons for skipping between tracks and play/pause button that is also used for answering calls. On the back, there are on/off button, SD card slot as well as USB charging port and 3.5mm aux port. The speaker comes in black, blue, red and white colors. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 version with 33ft signal range while the battery can last up to 12 hours after 3-4 hours of charging. The speaker has 2 drivers and one passive radiator with a total output power of 12W.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a nice box that looks better than you would expect considering the product’s price. You will get one USB to micro USB charging cable, 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable, user manual, 1-year warranty card and one carrying bag.
Things we like
The speaker has very nice design. It is small, portable and easy to use. It has some plastic parts while the mesh that goes around the speaker is made from aluminum, which makes it very durable. Doss Touch speaker uses quite satisfying Bluetooth version and has decent signal range. It can be easily and quickly paired with any Bluetooth enabled device and it memorizes the last device it was paired with.
The battery life is more than satisfying. If you’re listening to music at 75% volume, the battery will last for 12h. The speaker has a small built-in mic that allows you to make calls and it works well in quiet environment.
When it comes to sound quality, we are quite satisfied, considering the price and the size of the speaker. When used at moderate volume, the speaker offers quite balanced and pleasant sound without noticeable distortion.
Things we don’t like
Doss Touch speaker has certain problems with connection quality. It will be good if the distance is within 10-15ft circle, but cutouts will appear if the distance is larger. Besides, the battery life varies a lot. If you turn the volume up to the max, your speaker will live for only 4-5 hours, which is too short in comparison to the previously mentioned 12 hours of battery life at 75% volume.
Although the sound quality is good at moderate volume, the situation changes a lot when the volume is turned up. At high volumes, the sound gets distorted and it is not very pleasant for listening.
In addition, the speaker doesn’t have any IPX rating, the mic picks up a lot of ambient noise, and these things make the speaker more usable indoors than outdoors.
5. Anker Classic Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Here we have the second speaker made by Anker among the best Bluetooth speakers under $100. It is inexpensive and it has great specifications for the price. Anker Classic has only one 2-inch driver with a total output power of 4W. There is also one passive radiator in charge of the bass. The speaker is quite small (3.2×2.4 inches) and light (9.9 ounces). It has 4.0 Bluetooth version with up to 30ft signal range. The battery is among the best features of this products as it offers up to 20 hours of playback time while the recharge takes up to 4 hours.
Anker Classic has the shape of a cube and on the front side, you can see the control buttons (volume controls and play/pause button that is also used for answering calls), LED indicator light and a small built-in mic. On the top, you have the mesh with a company logo that protects the driver. On the right side, you have the on/off button, USB charging port and 3.5mm aux port.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a rather simple cardboard box with a carrying bag, 3.5mm male-to-male aux cable, user manual and USB to micro USB charging cable.
Things we like
Anker Classic has an attractive design. It is small, compact and highly portable. It even has its own carrying bag that enables you to take it anywhere with you. The cube-like shape makes the speaker very nice and it can fit in any environment. The speaker is nicely built. The mesh on the top is made from aluminum, while the rest is made from durable plastic and the front panel is nicely rubberized.
The Bluetooth connection is good and it remains stable within the 30ft range. The pairing process is quite simple and the speaker can be easily paired with any Bluetooth enabled device. Thanks to the 3.5mm aux cable, you can even connect it to non-Bluetooth devices. The battery life is more than great for such a cheap and small speaker. Truth to be told, you get up to 20 hours at 50% volume, but considering that life length, you should get at least 10 hours at high volumes.
The sound quality is decent considering the price, the size, and speaker’s power. The mids are articulate and the speaker is loud.
Things we don’t like
Sadly, this speaker has problems with the sound quality. It gets distorted at high volumes and the bass is quite muddy.
In addition, the power on/off button is quite fragile, it doesn’t seem solid and we wouldn’t recommend exposing it to severe use. Besides, the speaker isn’t resistant to water so don’t expose it to rain or water. If you bring it outdoors, use it carefully.
6. JBL Clip 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Clip 2 belongs to the group of mini speakers. It is probably one of the smallest portable speakers on our list and it is designed mostly for outdoor use. The speaker has only one 40mm driver with a total output power of 3W. It has 4.2 version of Bluetooth and the signal range goes up to 30ft. The battery offers up to 8 hours of playback time at moderate volume while the recharge takes 2-3 hours. The speaker has an IPX7 rating.
Like we have said, Clip 2 is really small (5.5×1.7 inches) and very light (6.5 ounces) speaker. On the front side, you will see the mesh that hides and protects the driver, and company logo. On the top, you have the clip that you can use to attach the speaker to your backpack, any kind of bag, etc. At the bottom, there is 3.5mm auxiliary port with a gold-plated connector. The control buttons are on the sides of the speaker. On the left, you have the Bluetooth pairing button, power on/off button and charging port. On the right, there are volume controls and multifunction button that’s used to answer/end calls, play/pause songs, activate voice assistance or skip between tracks.
The speaker is not expensive and it comes in black, blue, mint, malta, camo, gray and red color combination/styles.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a nice box like all JBL products. In the box, you will find a charging cable, 1-year warranty card and user manual.
Things we like
Clip 2 has, without a doubt, great design. It is small, compact, highly portable and perfect for outdoor use. You can simply throw it in your backpack or attach it and take it wherever you go. It comes in many interesting and modern colors, so anyone should be able to find the right color for himself.
The speaker is well-built. The front side covers the mesh made from the acoustic fabric. It may seem fragile but it is in fact waterproof and that proves its IPX7 rating that makes the speaker resistant even to submerging into water. Also, it can’t sink (it floats), so you can’t really damage it. The rest of the speaker is made from some kind of rubber that also protects the charging port. The clip on the top is metal.
Clip 2 has Bluetooth 4.2 version; the connection stays stable even at 30ft distance and pairing is simple and fast with any kind of Bluetooth device. Besides, it has the 3.5mm aux cable that enables you to connect the speaker even to non-Bluetooth devices. The cable won’t disturb you as it can be winded around the speaker itself, so you won’t even notice it. JBL has enabled you to connect your Clip 2 speakers into a system as two of them can be paired with the same device simultaneously.
Battery life is satisfying for such a small speaker. Even if you’re playing music at max volume, you will get approximately 4 hours of playing time. The sound quality is decent for the price, especially the bass. Vocals are pleasant and clean.
Things we don’t like
One of the problems of this speaker is charging time. It takes up to 3 hours to recharge such a small speaker and you can’t even tell the remaining battery percentage, unless you have an iPhone, because there is no LED indicator light or display that would tell you battery status.
The speaker could offer better sound. It is not bad, but the bass could be stronger and highs could be crispier. Also, if you’re listening to music at high volumes, you will notice some distortion.
7. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth
Sony XB10 is one of the smallest speakers and one of the best choices on our list of 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100. It is one of the best small speakers with a great bass made by Sony. Its dimensions are 3.6x3x4 inches and it weighs 9.17 ounces. It has two 2-inch drivers with a total output power of 5W and one passive bass radiator. XB10 comes in black, red, gray and blue colors.
The speaker is made from plastic and rubber, and it has aluminum mesh on the top. At the bottom, you will find 4 ports that enable air to circulate and deliver better bass. At the top, you will see small silicone strap, while the control buttons are located on the side. There are LED indicator light, volume controls, play/pause button that is also used for skipping between tracks and answering calls, ADD button, small built-in mic and power on/off button. The speaker also supports NFC pairing and it also has 3.5mm aux port.
The speaker has Bluetooth 4.2 while the battery can last up to 16 hours. Recharging takes 4 hours.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a nice box with a charging cable, 1-year warranty card and user manual.
Things we like
Sony XB10 is nicely designed speaker that comes in a bunch of different color combinations. It is very small, highly portable and it has a very good price-value ratio.
The speaker is well built, especially because of all the rubber and aluminum that protect all the important parts. It even has an IPX5 rating, which means it can survive a contact with small amounts of water.
The speaker has Bluetooth 4.2 version and the signal stays stable at 20ft distance. If you go farther than that, you will experience some cutouts. The pairing process is quite simple, the speaker can be connected to another XB10 speaker by using the ADD button and it can be connected to any non-Bluetooth device via 3.5mm aux port.
The battery can last for quite a long time if used at 50% volume. Even if you listen to music at 100% volume, you will get up to 7-8 hours.
The sound quality is amazing considering the size and the price. XB10 delivers balanced and pleasant sound with powerful and punchy bass. The mids, highs and lows are distinctive and the sound doesn’t get distorted even at high volumes.
Things we don’t like
We would like better signal range. In our opinion, 20 feet is not enough for this kind of speaker, especially if it is using Bluetooth 4.2.
In addition, the speaker doesn’t have backwards button, so if you want to listen one more time to the previous song, you will have to use your phone and play it.
8. UE ROLL 2 Tropical Anime Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Ultimate Ears Roll 2 has its predecessor – UE Roll. In comparison to the previous version, UE Roll 2 has the same dimensions (5.3x 1.6 inches), it weighs 1.05lb, it has the same shape but the signal range is way better (it goes up to 100 ft) and the speaker itself is a bit louder. The battery life remains pretty much the same with maximum 9 hours while the recharge time goes up to 5 hours. It is not too expensive (although it is among the most expensive ones on the list of 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100), it has an IPX7 rating and it comes in blue, grey/black, orange, green, purple and tropical styles. The speaker has one 2-inch driver and 2 0.75-inch tweeters.
The speaker has round shape and on the front side, you will see the acoustic fiber with gigantic volume controls. On the back, you will see the hook, power on/off and Bluetooth pairing buttons while the 3.5mm aux and micro USB charging ports are hidden below the rubber protective cap near the bottom.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in the attractive packaging. You will get the speaker, a USB to micro USB charging cable and a small floatie.
Things we like
UE Roll 2 has a very interesting design. It can be bought in different color combinations and they are all beautiful, stylish and modern. The speaker is round-shaped, very thin, small and highly portable. Thanks to the big hook on the back, you can hang the speaker anywhere you want, even in your bathroom in case you like to listen to music or podcasts while showering.
The build quality is more than satisfying. The speaker feels quite durable and nicely put together. The driver is covered with acoustic nylon while the back side is rubberized. The speaker is completely waterproof, you can dig it into the mud and wash it afterward, nothing will happen to it. You can submerge it into the water for 30 minutes and it will still play music normally.
The connection quality is more than satisfying, including the extended signal range. The battery life is quite decent and if you take care of the volume, you can get even more than 9 hours. The speaker is easy to use and all the buttons are very responsive. If you press the volume controls at the same time, the female voice will tell you the battery percentage.
The sound quality is great for such a small speaker. The mids and highs are very pleasant, clean and clear. The speaker can be very loud.
Things we don’t like
UE Roll 2 can’t float. The company sends you a floatie, but we are still sad because the speaker can’t float without this floatie.
The battery needs too much time to recharge.
The biggest problem of this speaker is the bass. The lows just aren’t as present as we would like them to be. At high volumes, they get quite distorted.
In addition, the speaker doesn’t have the mic and we think that you should get at least one additional feature for this price.
9. ZoeeTree S1 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
ZoeeTree S1 is one of the cheapest speakers on our list of 16 best Bluetooth speakers but it still offers good sound quality for the price. It is quite small speaker (7.2×5.1×1.7 inches) and it weighs 12 ounces. It comes in all-black style and in black/blue color combination. On the front side, you will see the grill that protects 2 40mm drivers and one passive radiator. Total output power is 6W. On the top, you have control buttons (volume controls are also used for skipping between tracks, mode button, play/pause button) while the USB port, USB charging port, 3.5mm aux port, micro SD card slot and on/off button are on the back. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.2V with maximum 33ft signal range. The battery offers approximately 6h of playback time if used at moderate volume.
What’s in the box?
S1 comes in a nice white box with a USB to micro USB charging cable, 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable, 2-year warranty card and user manual.
Things we like
ZoeeTree S1 has simple but nice design and we like the way this speaker looks.
It uses 4.2 Bluetooth version; the connection is quite good and the pairing process is quite easy. The battery is also satisfying for the price if you don’t like to listen to music at maximum volume. The control buttons are responsive and the speaker is user-friendly. It offers some additional features, which is great for the price. You can play music not only from your phone or any Bluetooth enabled device, but also from a USB flash drive, SD card or any device that can be connected to the speaker via 3.5mm cable. The speaker has a built-in mic and hands-free button that you can use for answering calls. It also has a built-in FM radio.
When it comes to sound quality, we must admit that it is not perfect. However, it is satisfying for the price, especially because the mids and highs are quite clean. In addition, there is no noticeable distortion at moderate volumes.
Things we don’t like
S1 is a cheaply built speaker. It is entirely made of plastic and it definitely doesn’t seem too durable. Everything looks rather sensitive and you should use it carefully, especially if you want to use it outdoors.
Bluetooth signal range is shorter than advertised and you can expect good signal at a maximum 20ft distance.
10. Etekcity RoverBeats T3 Ultra Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Etekcity RoverBeats T3 is very cheap, very small (2.5×2.6 inches) and very light (6 ounces) speaker. It has the shape of a cylinder and it has one 3W driver as well as one passive bass radiator. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0V with up to 30ft signal range and its battery offers up to 7 hours of playback time while the recharge process lasts up to 1.5 hours.
On the top of the speaker, you will see aluminum mesh that protects the driver. All the control buttons and all the ports are near the bottom. There are play/pause button that is also used as a hands-free button, volume controls, power button as well as USB charging and 3.5mm aux ports. The speaker also has a small built-in mic.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a simple packaging with 3.5mm audio cable, micro USB to USB charging cable, user manual and one carrying bag.
Things we like
RoverBeats T3 has a nice design and it comes in a nice color combination (black/silver). It has a compact size, it is highly portable and most of the speaker is nicely rubberized so it won’t slip out of your hands. Besides, it has some sticky pads on the bottom that prevent it from sliding from the surface it is standing on. The aluminum mesh on the top protects the driver nicely, while the plastic at the lower part seems quite durable.
The speaker has a decent signal range for the price and the connection quality is also satisfying. It can be used in wired and wireless mode and it has the mic that allows you to answer calls.
T2 sounds quite good considering the price. It is quite loud and the mids sound very clear and clean. There is no distortion at moderate volumes.
Things we don’t like
T3 is a cheap speaker and we didn’t expect much of it, but we have to mention some important flaws.
The sound quality is not great – the lows are quite shallow and the distortion appears at higher volumes (above 80%).
The battery life shortens significantly if you listen to music at maximum volume and you will get only 2-3 hours out of it.
The mic doesn’t work great outdoors as it picks up too much ambient noise.
11. AYL SoundFit Bluetooth Speaker
AYL SoundFit is one more inexpensive, small (2×3.6×3.9 inches) and light (9.4 ounces), portable speaker. It’s square-shaped and it comes in green, blue and orange colors. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0 version with 33ft signal range while the battery lasts up to 12 hours even at higher volumes and the recharging process lasts up to 3 hours. The speaker has an IPX5 rating and it is also dust and shockproof. The drivers are on the front and on the back and the total output power is 5W.
On the top, you will find the power on/off button, volume controls (also used for skipping between tracks), play/pause button (also used for answering calls) and one hanging ring. On the left side, you will see the USB charging port as well as the aux port hidden below the protective cap. On the bottom, you have the hole that can be used to mount the speaker on a bike. In the left top corner, you have a small LED indicator light that indicates when the speaker is charging (red light) or when it is connected to another Bluetooth device (blue light).
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a nice packaging with user manual, USB to micro USB charging cable and one protective carrying bag.
Things we like
AYL SoundFit is quite small and highly portable speaker that can be used both indoors and outdoors, but it was mainly made for outdoor use. At least, that’s what we can conclude from the rugged design, rubberized surface and metal mesh that protects the drivers. The speaker is well-built and it can even be dropped or in contact with smaller amounts of water without being damaged. You can hang it around your wrist, on your bike or anywhere in your house. It is perfect for any situation and environment.
The speaker can be easily connected to any Bluetooth enabled device. The pairing process is simple and fast but this speaker can also be connected to any non-Bluetooth device with a 3.5mm output port via 3.5mm cable. The connection is good and it remains stable even at 30 ft distance. Wherever you take it, the battery will last long enough.
The speaker can be used as a speakerphone as it has a small built-in mic so you can answer calls by pressing the hands-free button.
The music sounds quite good when it is played from this speaker. The mids and highs are nicely shaped and the speaker is very loud.
Things we don’t like
AYL SoundFit has certain problems with low frequencies. The bass gets too heavy at max volume and the sound gets distorted, so we recommend turning the volume down a bit in order to get quality sound.
The speaker is not waterproof as advertised. It can survive a few raindrops or a smaller amount of water, but it is certainly not resistant to water jets and submersion into water.
12. Apie Portable Wireless Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
Apie Portable speaker belongs to the group of small (5.9×2.7×1.7 inches), light (11 ounces) and highly portable speakers. It is great for outdoor use and it has an IPX6 rating. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0V with maximum 30ft signal range and the battery that can last up to 8 hours after being charged for 4 hours.
Apie speaker has a square shape and on the front side, you will see the aluminum grill with Apie logo that protects two 5W drivers and one passive bass radiator. The control buttons are on the top of the speaker (power on/off button, play/pause button, mode control button as well as volume controls). On the left side, you will find micro USB charging and 3.5mm aux ports protected with rubber caps. The speaker has a built-in mic and it can be used as a speakerphone.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes in a simple packaging with 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable, USB to micro USB charging cable, user manual and 6-month warranty card.
Things we like
The speaker comes in attractive green color and looks like a piece of military equipment. It has the perfect size for outdoor use. You can take it anywhere with you, even attach it to your backpack thanks to that metal carabiner.
Apie speaker has good build quality, especially because it is reinforced with rubber and aluminum. It is even water resistant and it can survive strong water jets.
The speaker is easy to use and pair. You can pair it with any kind of Bluetooth enabled device, as well as non-Bluetooth as it comes with 3.5mm audio cable. The Bluetooth range remains stable and uninterrupted at approximately 20ft distance, while the battery can last up to 8 hours at 75% volume.
You can use the speaker to play music from your phone or any 3.5mm wired non-Bluetooth device, but you can also play the music from your SD card. The sound this speaker delivers is satisfying for the price. Nothing special really, but balanced, clean and distinctive enough.
Things we don’t like
The battery requires too much time to recharge in comparison to the playback time you get. The built-in mic doesn’t work very well, especially if you stand far from it (more than 3t away).
The sound gets distorted at high volumes.
13. Vtin 20W Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
Vtin Bluetooth speaker is inexpensive portable speaker made mostly for outdoor use. It is small (2.8x7x2.9 inches) and light (1.4Ib). The speaker has IPX 4 rating, its signal range goes up to 33ft and the battery can last up to 25 or 30 hours at 70% volume. The total output power of 2 drivers is quite amazing (20W).
On the front side of the speaker, you will see the metal grill with the company logo that covers the drivers. On the left side, you have a hook for connecting the metal carabiner while the USB charging port and 3.5mm aux port are on the right side. On the top, you will see the volume controls (also used for skipping between tracks), the button for answering calls and the power button as well as the small built-in mic and LED indicator light.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes with one 3.5mm aux cable, one metal carabiner, micro USB to USB charging cable and user manual.
Things we like
Vtin Bluetooth speaker is a well-built and durable product. The protective mesh is made from aluminum and the rest of the speaker is nicely rubberized. The speaker is rugged and it is resistant to drops and smaller amounts of water (drops, raining, etc.). That’s why the speaker has an IPX4 rating.
This product is very good for outdoor use. Thanks to its size, weight and the fact that it can be attached or hung on any backpack, bike, tent, etc., you can take it anywhere with you. It can be connected to both Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth devices (through 3.5mm aux cable) and it sounds great.
The battery life is amazing. Even if you’re listening to music at the max volume, you will get up to 8 hours of playback or talk time. The mic works nicely, you can use the speaker as a speakerphone and the sound quality is more than satisfying considering the size of the speaker and its price. The mids and highs sound great. The sound is clear and pleasant for listening while the speaker gets really loud, louder than you would expect.
Things we don’t like
The main problem of the speaker is the bass. It is not as good as we would like it to be, especially at high volumes when it sounds distorted and it affects the general impression.
Also, the battery life shortens significantly if you are listening to music at max volume in comparison to the life that you get when you’re listening to music at 70% volume.
14. JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Flip 4 is one more JBL small (6.8×2.7×2.6 inches) and portable speaker with 1.17Ib weight. It comes in black, blue, white, gray, teal, red and camouflage styles. The speaker has 2 40mm transducers with total output power or 16W. It has an IPX7 rating and it uses Bluetooth 4.2 version with 33ft signal range and a powerful battery that offers up to 12 hours of playback time. Recharge takes 3 hours.
The speaker is covered with rubber and acoustic cloth that protects the transducers. The control buttons are on the back side of the speaker. On the back panel, you will find play/pause button that is also used to answer/end calls or turn on voice assistance, volume controls and Bluetooth button. Next to these, you will find more buttons (power on/off and connect plus buttons) as well as micro USB charging and 3.5mm aux ports.
What’s in the box?
Flip 4 comes in a nice box with micro USB to USB charging cable, 2-year warranty card, and user manual.
Things we like
As you could expect from JBL, Flip 4 speaker looks rather attractive and it is available in many colors. It also looks well-built and durable, especially because of the IPX7 rating that allows you to submerge the speaker into the 1m deep water for short period of time.
The speaker uses 4.2V Bluetooth and it works nicely. The signal range stays stable even at longer distance than advertised. You can connect the speaker with any Bluetooth enabled device, but you can also use a 3.5mm cable to connect it to non-Bluetooth devices with 3.5mm aux port. The connect plus button allows you to connect your speaker into a speaker system that contains up to 100 speakers. There is also the app you can download and switch between stereo and party modes in case you have two Flip 4 speakers.
The speaker has a built-in mic that works nicely and offers surprisingly good performance. The sound that Flip 4 delivers is quite good. It can get quite loud and it sound very clean and ‘’bassy’’. Lows, mids and highs are quite articulate.
Things we don’t like
JBL Flip 4 has to be used carefully in water as it can’t float and you have to pay attention so it doesn’t sink to the bottom of the pool.
The battery life significantly shortens if the speaker is used at max volume and you will get only 5 hours of playback.
The connect plus button feature sounds amazing but the problem is you can’t connect 100 different speakers into one big system. They would all have to be Flip 4 – you can’t connect Flip 4 with some other JBL Bluetooth speaker.
15. Photive M90 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Photive M90 is durable, relatively small (11×3.5×6 inches) speaker that weighs 2Ib and has an IPX5 rating. Its battery can last up to 10 hours, the recharge process takes 6 hours and the signal range goes sometimes even over 33ft.
On the front side of the speaker, you will find the aluminum grill that protects the drivers (2 drivers) with a total output power of 20W. In the upper part, you have a small LED indicator light that will tell you when the speaker is in pairing mode and when it is paired. On the back, you will find micro USB charging port and 3.5mm aux port behind the protective rubber cap as well as the subwoofer. On the top, there are 4 control buttons (power on/off button, play/pause button that can be used for answering/ending calls and pairing as well as the volume controls that are also used for skipping between tracks). On the bottom, you will find a screw mount and four feet.
What’s in the box?
M90 comes nicely wrapped in a cardboard box with a user manual, 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable and one USB to micro USB charging cable.
Things we like
Photive M90 is made to be used outdoors and the metal protective grill that is screwed to the plastic housing confirms that. The buttons and the protective cap on the back panel are rubberized and the controls are easy to use and very responsive. The speaker feels rather durable and it has an IPX5 rating which means it can survive contact with drops of water or even rain. It is also very stable on any surface.
It is advertised that the battery lasts up to 10 hours, but you can get even more if you turn the volume a bit down. The speaker gets quite loud so listen to music at maximum volume. The pairing process is easy and the speaker is compatible with all kinds of Bluetooth enabled devices. The connection will remain stable at the distance larger than 33 ft in certain circumstances (if there is no obstacles). We didn’t experience any cutouts while streaming the music. In case you need to, you can always connect the speaker to any non-Bluetooth device via 3.5mm cable.
M90 is highly portable. It even has the special handle for carrying. It is user-friendly and quite simple. It can be used for answering calls and play the role of a speakerphone. The sound quality seems good and mids, highs and lows are distinctive, pleasant and balanced. There is no significant distortion, even at high volumes.
Things we don’t like
M90 has a bad mic. You have to be very close to it if you want that person you are talking with to hear you clearly.
The speaker doesn’t support NFC pairing.
16. GOgroove BlueSync BX Bluetooth Speaker
BlueSync BX is an inexpensive small (5×4.5×4 inches) and lightweight (1.4Ib) speaker. It comes in blue, wood, and silver styles and it has dual drivers and a subwoofer. The total output power is 12W. The driver size is 50mm, the Bluetooth range goes up to 33ft while the battery can offer up to 6 hours of playback time after being charged for 2.5 hours. The speaker supports NFC pairing.
On the front side of the speaker, you have the company logo and the speaker’s name below one big round button that is actually a volume control knob. Next to it, you have three buttons; two for skipping between tracks and one multifunctional button. On the right side, you will see a thin cap that protects the rechargeable and replaceable battery while the USB charging port, flash drive port and 3.5mm aux port are on the right side. On the rear panel, you have the subwoofer while the speakers are on the sides.
What’s in the box?
The speaker comes with one 3.5mm aux cable and one USB to micro USB charging cable.
Things we like
The speaker has an attractive design and it’s small. Thanks to that, you can take the speaker with you anywhere you want and thanks to its cube-like shape, it stands firmly on any surface. You can connect it to your phone via Bluetooth or to any non-Bluetooth device via 3.5mm cable. It can also play music from the flash drive. The control buttons are responsive and easy to use just like the entire speaker.
The speaker is well-built and we don’t have any major complaints regarding build quality. The drivers are protected with aluminum mesh and the rest of the speaker is made from durable plastic.
The Bluetooth connection is good and there are no significant cutouts within 30-40 ft range depending on the environment and obstacles. The battery doesn’t require too much time to recharge and its life time is decent for the price. The speaker has a built-in mic, so you can even use it for answering calls and talking.
BlueSync BX is one loud speaker and the sound quality is quite good considering the size and the price. Nothing special really, but enough for a small portable speaker. It is good for rock music or any other kind of music as long as there is no too much bass.
Things we don’t like
Some customers have reported issues regarding battery life. They claim that the signal starts to cut out when the battery life approaches to its end.
In our opinion, this speaker has a bit weird control buttons. Not all of them work in all modes. The only controls that will work in all situations are volume controls. The other buttons work only in case you’re playing music from some flash drive and that is not normal.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Bluetooth Speaker
Now we have some pieces of advice for you about choosing and buying Bluetooth speakers. Our list of 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100 in 2021 contains 16 excellent models and they can be acceptable for every pocket. However, there are some things you have to consider when buying products like these.
Price
Whatever you’re buying, money is something that should be considered before making the actual purchase. If you want to complete the purchase in the right way, you should define the maximum sum you can spend on your new Bluetooth speaker. If you’re buying some of the products from our list, then your limit is set at $100 but you should also decide if you want to spend all the money on only one speaker. You can also buy two cheaper models for the same amount of money.
Our list gathers 16 different models that belong to different price ranges. They are also very different and they have different characteristics. Because of all that, we really believe you will be able to find something for you on this list.
Durability/Build quality
When you’re buying a Bluetooth speaker, you have to consider the build quality as these speakers are portable and often used outdoors. All the devices that are used outdoors should be more resistant to damaging than the devices that are usually used indoors.
When we speak about materials used for making speakers, we would like to emphasize the importance of using metal, sturdy plastic and even rubber (mostly for covering the surface of the speaker).
Besides that, these speakers should have IPX rating because that’s what protects them from different weather conditions. You know that there are many levels of IPX rating, even those that combine water and dust resistance, but not all of them are considered good enough.
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If you want to buy a speaker that is truly waterproof or dustproof, you should try to find one with higher protection level. The speakers with IPX7 and IPX8 ratings can be considered completely waterproof and speakers with IP57 or IP68 ratings can be considered completely resistant to both water and dust.
In case you don’t need completely waterproof speaker, you can get the speaker with IPX4, IPX5 or IPX6 rating – they will survive contact with smaller amounts of water like splashes or rain.
Connectivity/Bluetooth version
Bluetooth version is very important because it affects the most important characteristics of any Bluetooth device. It affects connection quality, signal range, and battery life. The older versions of Bluetooth offered basic features, lower speeds and high compression rate. We couldn’t really feel the true pleasure of using Bluetooth connection until the 4.x versions were introduced. They brought higher speeds, longer signal range and lower power consumption.
The next version 5.0 brought higher speeds, longer signal range and even lower power consumption. Truth to be told, 5.0 version hasn’t still been implemented into the speakers or headphones (it currently exists only on some Android phones and iPhones), but until it is implemented, we will have to use 4.x versions. They aren’t bad and they do offer a lot, but we are eager to try out the newest technology.
Portability
Whenever you’re buying a Bluetooth speaker, one of the things you have to pay attention to is their size (dimensions) and weight. Sometimes, if you don’t have to take the speaker outside your house, you can buy some bigger speakers because you won’t have to move them so often. However, if you need something to take with you wherever you go, we would advise you to buy some smaller and lighter speaker that can fit your backpack. If you’re looking for something like that, you can easily find it on our list of 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100 in 2021.
Sound quality
Sound quality is the most important characteristic of any audio device and speakers aren’t excluded. The price usually implies the sound quality and you shouldn’t really expect amazing sound quality from a small inexpensive speaker. Some of the speakers that aren’t very expensive can deliver good sound, but the lows, mids and highs can never be perfectly balanced as they can be if you’re using expensive speakers.
One of the signs of good sound quality is the speaker’s loudness. Sometimes, it can be confused with power rating. High power can imply greater loudness, but it would be better if you consider sensitivity if you want to find out how loud your speaker is. Sensitivity (or nominal loudness) is expressed in dB or even dB/W. Power rating is expressed in W. In case you want or need a loud speaker, you should know that its sensitivity should span from 90 to 95dB.
Additional features
The main role of any speaker is to play music as loud as possible. However, we always like the possibility to do something else with any device we buy. That’s why we are mentioning some additional features that some speakers have. These additional features can be very useful in some situations.
Some speakers can be used as speakerphones and you can take your calls with those speakers. Some people might not like answering calls through the speaker, but the majority loves this feature and you can find it even in some cheaper models.
Other speakers don’t have to be connected to your phone or player via Bluetooth. They have USB ports and micro SD-card slots that enable you to play your music from your USB drive or SD card and that’s a great option in case you run out of battery or if you have to use the phone for something else.
In addition, we have to mention the possibility to use USB ports (‘’Powerbank’’ ports) on some speakers to charge other devices, such as phones. Sometimes, it is even possible to charge your phone and stream music at the same time and that can be really useful, especially if you have a speaker with very powerful battery.
Last, some speakers can be paired with other speakers into a bigger speaker system. In some cases, you can pair up to 100 speakers (of the same kind) together. These speakers are usually more expensive but they are definitely worth buying.
In the end, we want to advise you to go through our list of 16 best Bluetooth speakers under $100 in 2021 and consider buying one of those from the list. We have made a great effort to pick the best models and we are sure that you will find something interesting here.
Hello, my name is James Longman.
I’m a writer and editor at AudioReputation. I disassembled my first portable AM/FM radio when I was only 8. At the age of 11, I burned the circuit board on my old boombox cassette player. I’m not going to explain how but it was reckless and stupid.
Since then, I have become much more careful around radios, boomboxes, and other audio devices (at least, I like to think so) but I have never lost the passion for audio equipment. Throughout 20 years of my professional career, I’ve been working for various audio equipment manufacturers and even started building speakers on my own in my little workshop.
I love the work we do here at AudioReputation. Testing, comparing, and evaluating all kinds of audio devices (speakers, soundbars, headphones, home theater systems, etc.) is something I truly enjoy. I try to be unbiased and give you my honest opinion on every piece of equipment I test. Still, you should take my reviews with a pinch of salt and always be just a little bit skeptical. The fact that I liked some speaker or soundbar doesn’t mean that you are going to love it. If you have the opportunity, you should test it/hear it before buying it.