Bluetooth Speaker

While inexpensive Bluetooth travel speakers are easy to come by, not all of them may be as flexible a travel companion as desired. The Sbode Portable Wireless Speaker M350, however, combines all the features most people need in a compact form factor.

For something as obscure as a pillow speaker, I've actually had the opportunity to review a couple of offerings. The latest, the HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion ($279) addresses many of the issues with previous attempts. Unlike the other pillow speaker I reviewed, this model uses USB to recharge as opposed to a proprietary power brick. The HUMU speaker cushion is also more compact and has a handle. All of these features make the HUMU more portable and easier to travel with.

Let’s say you’re listening to music using your Bluetooth speaker, and you get a call. When you answer that call, the audio will probably default to your iPhone. But what if you want the call to always default to your Bluetooth headphones, speaker, or earbuds? You can select which Bluetooth device your call audio defaults to in the Call Audio Routing settings in the iPhone Settings app. We've already covered Bluetooth pairing to your iPhone, and how to change which Bluetooth connection you're using to play audio from your iPhone or iPad. Now, here’s how to set your speaker, headphones, or earbuds as the default audio on your iPhone.

In the Staff Picks column, iPhone Life editors and staff share their go-to gear and gadgets for their iPhones and iPads. In this column, our CTO Raphael Burns shares in his own words which iPhone and iPad accessories he can't live without

It looks like I've got a new favorite audio system for experiencing music in the great outdoors. The Fugoo Go portable Bluetooth speaker ($99.99) was on display at this year's CES Showstoppers event in Las Vegas, and it's a fantastic addition to the Fugoo lineup. More portable than the powerful Fugo XL and more affordable than the original Fugoo rugged speaker, the Go puts out sound that is remarkable alone, and even more impressive in pairs.

The EcoXgear Sol Jam Bluetooth speaker ($149.99) is one of my new favorites for best portable Bluetooth speakers. Its most outstanding feature is its revolutionary quick-charge SunCore solar panel built into the device's top side. Thanks to this panel, you can take this speaker off grid for extended periods; and with the panel's intelligent charging system, designed to deliver an effective charge (even in lower-light and artificial-light conditions), you can effectively keep the party going indefinitely without the pressing need to plug into a wall outlet.

Over the years I've written a lot about great Bluetooth speakers, in particular great Bluetooth speakers that are rugged and outdoor friendly. One of the most common questions I receive in the comments section of these articles has been, "Out of all the rugged speakers, which has the best sound and the loudest volume?" Do I ever have an answer for you now! Not only does this new Bluetooth speaker from Monster boast some of the loudest, most robust audio of any Bluetooth speaker I've come across, rugged or otherwise, it is packed with features that elevate it so far above the competition that it is in a league of its own.