Looking for the best portable, Bluetooth speakers or some great, loud speakers to complete your home stereo setup? We've reviewed the best speakers of 2021 to help you find the right sound for your space.
Related: Buyer's Guide 2021: The Best Earbuds & Headphones
Klipsch The Three ($574)
This speaker not only has great sound quality but also has a lot of character. I was surprised by the potent bass response considering the speaker’s small size. Pairing to my iPhone was a cinch. The Three comes with a remote control for adjusting the volume from across the room. The retro design is charming, and the physical controls are satisfying. While this unit’s classic appearance might not be everyone’s bag, the hi-fi sound, Bluetooth compatibility, and reasonable price make this a great home speaker, especially for bedrooms and home offices.
Marshall Stockwell II ($219.99)
I enjoy this speaker so much. The first thing I noticed is the included bass and treble knobs, which seem to be very rare on portable speakers. They give you the freedom to quickly adjust your sound to fit any space. The bass response is exceptional for a speaker of this size, and the audio quality excels even at high volumes. The 20 hours of battery life and space-efficient design make this great for travel. The rustic design harkens back to Marshall’s vintage guitar amps, but don’t let the look deceive you; this speaker is an innovative piece of modern audio technology.
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Standmount Loudspeaker ($898)
These award-winning speakers live up to their reputation. The audio quality is crisp with a comforting, organic warmth in the low end. Music, podcasts, TV, and movies will sound better than you would’ve thought possible with these high-fidelity speakers. Bowers & Wilkins recently re-released these beloved 25-year-old speakers with some improvements. These are passive speakers, meaning you will need an amplifier or receiver to use them. If you’re looking for the gold standard in home sound systems for your entertainment center, I can’t recommend these speakers enough.
Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker ($199)
There’s nothing else on the market quite like the Symfonisk. I should clarify—this is not an actual picture frame. It’s a piece of art that doubles as a home speaker with Wi-Fi. You can choose from a few different designs and can stock up on replacement designs for $19.99 in case you wanted to have a few on hand. The Symfonisk is a collaboration with Sonos, meaning it has top-of-the-line compatibility with Apple AirPlay. The sound comes in mono, but you can pair it with another Symfonisk to create a stereo system.
House of Marley Get Together Duo ($169.99)
There is more than meets the eye with these bookshelf speakers. They are designed to live in a stationary location like a desk, but one of the speakers is portable! I also appreciated that these speakers are made with natural bamboo and eco-friendly materials, plus they are packed in 100 percent recycled materials. Pairing wirelessly to my iPad was simple and quick. These speakers sound great, look attractive on the bookshelf, and are very reasonably priced for the quality.
Turtlebox ($374)
This impenetrable speaker is designed for rugged, outdoor use. It’s completely waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and UV resistant, meaning you can throw it in the lake and then toss it into the sand with no fear of damaging it. The tough construction and 20-hour battery life make it perfect for tailgating or a day on the river. The sound employs a high-frequency curve designed to pierce through wind and distance. For that reason, I found this speaker sounded a lot better outside than inside. If you’re looking for a gift for outdoorsy friends or family members, look no further!
Teenage Engineering OB-4 ($599)
This beautiful little machine is the most unusual device I’ve ever reviewed. As a musician, I’ve been a fan of Teenage Engineering’s synthesizers for years. The company calls the OB-4 the “Magic Radio,” and it’s an apt name to be sure. To my surprise, this device is not only a Bluetooth speaker with incredible sound quality, but also includes an FM radio, a looper, and a host of ambient effects. Hidden beneath its minimal Nordic design lies dozens of controls and functions best learned through playful curiosity. While it’s clearly on the pricey side, this device would make a perfect gift for teenagers and young adults interested in electronics and musical performance.
Soundboks 3 ($899)
If you want the biggest, loudest Bluetooth speaker on the market, look no further than the Soundboks 3. This portable speaker is massive in size and sound, making it an excellent wireless sound system for outdoor parties and big events. I’m particularly in love with the rechargeable battery and the futuristic way it slides in and out. The controls are easy to use and the connection panel offers input and output to more speakers. The removable front can be custom painted, which is a fun and thoughtful detail. You can even connect a microphone via XLR for karaoke!
Now that you've got the best speakers, why not check out the best AirPods accessories for the speakers that go in your ears?
