Quick stats
| Price range (CAD) | Weight (kg) | Volume capability (decibels) | Maximum battery life (hours) | Wireless range (metres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From $20 to $1,000 | From 0.2kg to 6.5kg | From 85 dB to 110+ dB | From 5 to 26+ | From 9 m to 30+ m |
Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Compare Bluetooth and wireless speakers for any budget
With wireless Bluetooth speakers you can listen to high-quality audio anywhere you go.
Bluetooth speakers offer a portable and convenient solution for listening to music or any other audio files without all the hassle of wires. You can take the dance party with you or listen to your favourite podcast on the go, all while travelling or spending time outdoors.
Bluetooth speakers can be categorized as either ultra-portable, such as the JBL Go, or semi-portable, like the Bose Soundlink Mini. Ultra-portable speakers can weigh as little at 0.2 kg, but often don’t have the volume or battery capacity of larger models. Semi-portable speakers can weigh as much as 6.5 kg and generally cost more than their more portable counterparts, but they usually offer more full-bodied sound.
Choosing the right Bluetooth speaker for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use it. Read on to find out how to compare Bluetooth speakers.
Compare top Bluetooth speakers
Data obtained October 2020. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
How do Bluetooth speakers work?
Traditional speakers use a cable to link them back to an audio source such as a TV, computer or cell phone. Bluetooth speakers use Bluetooth technology to link the speaker to the audio source without requiring a physical cable.
Bluetooth uses radio waves to transmit across short distances, up to around 10 m. Signals are sent and received over this Bluetooth connection allowing you to download photos from your camera, connect your mobile to a hands-free headset or listen to music – all without connecting wires. Bluetooth is also frequently used to connect a computer to wireless devices like a keyboard, mouse, digital camera or cell phone.
Because there are no wires, Bluetooth speakers are designed to be portable. You can connect your speaker almost instantly to any Bluetooth-capable device, like your smartphone or computer, no matter where you are. Some Bluetooth speakers are specifically designed for enhanced portability and durability, making them ideal for outdoor activities.
What's the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi?
The main difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers is in how they access your audio content. Bluetooth speakers connect directly to the audio source, whereas Wi-Fi speakers connect to an internet network, which in turn connects to an audio source. You have to be connected to the internet in order to operate Wi-Fi speakers. While internet is not required to connect to a Bluetooth speaker, you have to be within a 10 m range of the speaker to connect to it.
You should also know that Wi-Fi allows multiple speakers to operate on the same network and broadcast the same or different audio files simultaneously. On the other hand, Bluetooth speakers can only receive one audio signal at a time. That’s partly why Wi-Fi speakers are typically installed in a house or unit and are not as portable as Bluetooth speakers.
Why should I consider Bluetooth speakers?
Bluetooth speakers are a convenient way to listen to high-quality audio. You can use your speakers at the beach, while camping and when travelling overseas or at home. Bluetooth speakers have taken over the role of traditional portable stereos. Where stereos required a CD or cassette tape, you only need a Bluetooth-capable device, like a smart phone, to connect to your speakers. Fortunately, just about any device that plays digital music is now Bluetooth capable.
Pros and cons of Bluetooth speakers
Pros
- Portable
- Convenient
- Inexpensive
- Durable
Cons
- Smaller models sometimes have worse sound quality
- Can have connectivity issues
- Few surround sound options
- Limited battery life
How to compare Bluetooth speakers
The best speaker for you comes down to how you want to use it. If you want a speaker you can take to the beach in the summer, look for something waterproof. If you want to listen to music on vacation, look for something with enhanced portability that you can fit easily into your carry-on. No matter what, you’ll want to look for a speaker that has long battery life, high-quality sound and fits within your budget.
Additional features to look for:
- Speakerphone. Some speakers include built-in microphones so you can use the speaker as a hands-free device.
- USB charging. Some speakers with larger batteries also give you the ability to charge other devices via a USB cable. So if your phone battery is running low from playing music all day, you can plug it into the speaker and use the extra battery to charge your phone.
- Near field communication (NFC). NFC allows two Bluetooth devices to connect simply by being within a few centimetres of each other. If you have an NFC compatible device, consider buying a speaker with the same feature for added convenience.
- Cable input. Even though Bluetooth devices are designed to be wireless, some include an audio cable port. This can be helpful if you want to connect your speaker to a device that is not Bluetooth capable, such as a desktop PC, or if the Bluetooth connection malfunctions.
- Surround sound. Some Bluetooth speakers allow you to connect additional speakers to create surround sound. However, if you are primarily buying speakers to use at home for surround sound, you should consider using Wi-Fi multi-room speakers.
Summary
While it may seem like there are an overwhelming number of wireless Bluetooth speakers on the market, choosing the best one for you is simple if you ask yourself the following questions:
- What is my budget?
- Where do I want to use my speaker? How portable does it need to be?
- Do I need a speaker that is durable? Able to connect with other speakers? Able to charge my phone?
- How important is audio quality?
Once you have considered what you want from your speaker, you are ready to compare options and make a decision. Get started today by browsing our list of available affordable and high-end Bluetooth speakers.
If you want even more options, check out our list of the top sites to buy Bluetooth speakers.
Check out the latest audio deals and coupons
Deal
29% off Kindle
Get 29% off Kindle at Amazon. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal
26% off BONAOK karaoke microphone
Get 26% off BONAOK karaoke microphone. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 20% off USB headset with microphone
Get up to 20% off USB headset with microphone. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 50% off sale
Valid for a limited time on select books, toys, games, pillows and more at Indigo. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Get 80% off Brand outlet
Enjoy 80% off your trusted brands on clothing, tech, footwear, watches, and more. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal
50% off Roku, Bose & more
Get 50% off Roku, Bose & more until supply lasts. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 97% off gadgets
Score up to 97% off a huge selection of gadgets from Wish. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 50% off select items
Enjoy up to 50% off appliances, electronics, sports, clothing, beauty and more at Walmart's Deals of the Week. Hurry while stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 87% off select top brands
Get up to 87% off of select top brands at Wish. Valid while stocks last. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 62% off goods
Get all these goods ranging from electronics to beauty products from Groupon. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 60% off different items and deals
Get up to 60% off different cables, AV installers, acoustic guitars and more. Hurry while it lasts. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 60% off on select deals
Enjoy up to 60% savings on select featured, trending and daily deals at eBay. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Apple refurbished products with one-year warranty
Shop for Apple refurbished products with one-year warranty. All tested and certified. T&Cs apply.
Deal
FREE shipping on all orders
Valid for a limited time at Apple. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get extra 25% off
Enjoy an Extra 25% off with the use of the code. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Code
10% off your first purchase
Enjoy the discount on your very first order when you use the code at Wish. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Deals under $25
Shop homeware, sports equipment, electronics, accessories and so much more at $25 or less at Amazon. Hurry while stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get $5 off consumer electronics on orders over $40
Enjoy $5 off consumer electronics on orders over $40 with a code. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Code
Get $5 off TV boxes on orders over $70
Enjoy $5 off TV boxes on orders over $70 with a code. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Code
Get $12 off sports & outdoors on orders over $150
Enjoy $12 off sports & outdoors on orders over $150 with a code. Exclusions. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get $5 off laptops & gadgets
Enjoy $5 off laptops & gadgets with a code. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 60% off clearance
Enjoy huge discounts on toys, appliances, electronics, clothing, furniture and so much more at Walmart. Hurry while stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Deal
2% off new users
Enjoy 2% discount on your first order at Geekbuying. Discount applied at checkout. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Deal
Free global shipping
Get fast, free global shipping on a huge range of products at Geekbuying.
Deal
Bonus offers and much more
Explore exciting bonus offers and much more from Samsung. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 60% off sale
Get up to 60% off sale. T&Cs Apply
Deal
Get 70,000 PCO points on all orders of $200 or more
Shoppers get 70,000 PCO points on all orders of $200 or more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Get 20x PCO points on all orders above $75
Shoppers get 20x the PCO points on all orders above $75 or get 50,000 PCO points on all orders above $150. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Items under $5
Includes phone accessories, school and office supplies, electronics, homeware and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 20% off selected items
Enjoy up to 20% off selected items. Exclusions and T&Cs apply.
Code
9% off site-wide
Available for partial categories and for all warehouses. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 35% off on select items
Take up to 35% off on select items at The Twister Group. T&Cs Apply
Code
Extra $10 off your first purchase with code
Valid for use on first purchase only. Discount applies to fashion, electronics, phone accessories and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 70% off purchase site-wide
Sign up to Groupon and receive up to 95% off deals daily. A range of items including fashion, beauty and homewares. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Enjoy FREE shipping on all orders
Get FREE shipping everywhere in the world with SkyStream. Limited time offer T&Cs apply.
Deal
Get 10% off
Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Enjoy FREE shipping and 30-day returns
Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Free domestic shipping on orders over $20
Get free domestic shipping on orders over $20 at Popsockets
Deal
Tech products & accessories under $10 + FREE shipping
Shop tech products and accessories including smartwatches, fitness essentials, headphones & more for only $10 or less. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Get 10% off your first purchase
Sign up to Indigo's mailing list and get 10% off your next purchase worth over $50. Conditions Apply.
More guides on Finder
-
Investing in healthcare AI stocks
Looking to buy into the healthcare AI industry? Check out these stocks and ETFs, and learn more about how to invest.
-
Ethereum (ETH) price prediction 2021
What affects the value of Ethereum (ETH) and how might the price of ETH fluctuate in the year ahead? Find out in this comprehensive guide.
-
Invest in gold ETFs
Find out about gold ETFs, what influences their prices, how you can trade them and whether they could be worth your weight in gold.
-
How to open a stock trading account in Canada and buy stocks online
Investing for the first time? Find out how to choose a stock trading platform and open a trading account, plus helpful tips on how to buy stocks online.
-
How to use Facebook Pay
Exactly how do you use Facebook Messenger to send or request money? Is it safe? Find out what happens when you use the app to send money to someone.
-
10 best car-buying apps and sites in Canada
Learn more about how these top-rated apps can help you find the vehicle you’ve always dreamed of for a price you can afford.
-
How to calculate your home equity
Find out how much equity you have in your home, how to access it and what you can use it for.
-
How much car insurance do I need?
Learn what factors to consider when choosing car insurance and how much coverage you actually need.
-
Auto equity loans explained
Find out what an auto equity loan is, how it works and whether it’s right for you. Learn how it’s different from a title loan.
-
Compare the top 10 car essentials for women
Get the ultimate list of car essentials before you get behind the wheel.