Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $100 For Quality Sound


Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $100 For Quality Sound

*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Bluetooth technology has come a long way since it was invented.  As time has progressed, Bluetooth has become cheaper and more prevalent. While a quality Bluetooth speaker might have cost you hundreds of dollars just a few years ago, now you can get amazing quality for under $100.

This article will review the 10 best Bluetooth speakers under 100 dollars for quality sound while also highlighting other compelling features that make them stand out.

[amazon box=”B00I6DN4AG,B01FFV58RI,B01MSYQWNY,B079VBL6WV,B015OY2C16,B0748N1BZD,B07JGZJ6S8,B00EH5TWT4,B073BVWRSP” template=”table”]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Buy the Best Bluetooth Speaker for Under 100 Dollars?

Anywhere you want music without cords is a perfect place to use Bluetooth speakers.  At a picnic, on the beach or even while doing chores, going cordless makes absolute sense. Some speakers even come with a microphone feature so you can take calls without missing a beat.

There are many benefits to Bluetooth, including:Ease of Use

Almost all computers, tablets and smartphones come with Bluetooth today.  To set up your Bluetooth speaker, all you have to do is pair the device with the speaker by following the instructions provided.  Once you complete these few steps as long as your speaker is on it will automatically recognize your music source and play.Portability

There is nothing like dancing freely in your house to music straight from your phone.  You can jam without having to worry about getting your headphone cord wrapped around a chair.  Outdoors, it’s even easier to have music playing at an event with no need to worry about cords.

Durability

Unlike traditional speakers, many Bluetooth speakers are designed to be sturdy and durable.  They even build some to be water resistant.  Our rankings include a score for durability so your speakers will be beach-ready.

Sharing Ability

Anyone can pair their device to your Bluetooth speakers, so you can enjoy a variety of music.  Your friends can follow the same steps to pair their device, and their playlist becomes yours, too.

Versatility

Many Bluetooth speakers come with a built-in microphone, so if you receive a call while the speaker is on, you can respond without having to rush to your phone.

How To Buy the Best Bluetooth Speaker Under 100 Dollars?

There are hundreds of Bluetooth speakers on the market today.  With so much variety comes complexity, which one is right for you?  How can you be sure you’re getting the best quality for under $100?  We are here to help you.

Besides price, there are a few other factors to consider when making your decision:Dimensions

Bluetooth speakers are meant to be portable, so they are small and lightweight.  Be sure you note the dimensions of each option before you buy.  Most options follow a categorization such as ultra-portable, which is meant to fit in your bag, or semi-portable, which can either stay on the shelf or be taken to a party with little fuss.

Speaker Size

Besides the size of the box, the size of the actual speaker within the box is important.  Some models have a single speaker that delivers more of a mono sound.  In reviewing the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, we focus foremost on sound quality, so these products will fill the room with music without breaking the bank.

Battery Power

Battery life is critical to your Bluetooth speakers as you don’t want to be left without music in the middle of your party.  The best speakers charge quickly and maintain their battery life for hours.

Construction

If you are planning to use your speakers outdoors, then you should weight the durability fairly high when making your decision.  As we mentioned, some speakers are water resistant, so you can take them to the beach without worrying about sand or splashing.  Others are less rugged and therefore better suited for the home.

Auxiliary Access

In case you want to connect your auxiliary or USB cable, some speakers come with this feature. We will highlight this where appropriate.

So, which are the best Bluetooth speakers under $100 for quality sound?  Read on!

Review Methodology

Two bluetooth speaker

Image source: Pixabay

We will rate each of the products reviewed in this article on the following parameters: features, pros and cons, price, availability and warranty, if available.  As we mentioned, sound quality is our primary criterion, but it is our intention to make these reviews balanced and thorough.

A Note on Price

Our goal is to find the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, but even within that price limitation there will be products at the higher price point as well as those that come cheaper.  We will highlight the differences so you can make the most informed decision.

Products Reviewed:

  • BRAVEN BRV-X
  • Ultimate Ears ROLL 2
  • JBL FLIP 4
  • Sony SRS-XB21
  • BOOM Swimmer DUO
  • Bose SoundLink Micro
  • Anker Soundcore Flare
  • Jawbone Mini Jambox
  • TDK Life on Record A26
  • OontZ Angle 3 ULTRA

BRAVEN BRV-X

[amazon box=”B00I6DN4AG”]

Features

The Braven BRV-X is built for the outdoors.  The rubber and plastic exterior is both waterproof and shockproof, making it the ultimate speaker for people on the go.  It also features a built-in microphone for easy hands-free calls, and a charging port for USB devices.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 9.1 x 2.9 x 3.6 inches and weighs just over 3 ½ pounds.

Price

You can get this product for $ depending on your color choice.

Warranty

One-year warranty available if purchased at an authorized retailer.  See https://braven.com/authorized-retailers for the approved list.

Overall Review

Durability is the key feature of the Braven BRV-X, howeversound quality is not as strong as other brands.

Pros

  • Waterproof and shockproof rubber and plastic construction
  • Noise-cancelling microphone included for hands-free phone calls
  • Built-in USB charger for other devices

Cons

  • Limited one-year warranty
  • Lower sound quality

Ultimate Ears ROLL 2

[amazon box=”B01FFV58RI”]

Features

The Ultimate Ears ROLL 2 is an ultra-portable waterproof speaker that can easily fit in your bag.  This product features quality sound, a maximum 100 foot Bluetooth wireless range, and a nine-hour battery life.  It comes with a bungee-style cord so that it can be strapped to various athletic equipment.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 5.3 x 1.6 x 5.3 inches and weighs less than 12 ounces.

Price

Depending on your color choice, you can get this product for under $, but some colors will be as cheap as $.

Warranty

30-day warranty available in the country where purchased.

Overall Review

For an ultra-lightweight speaker, the UE ROLL 2 is packed with sound.

Pros

  • High-quality sound in a tiny package
  • Waterproof for up to 30 minutes
  • Ultra-lightweight design

Cons

  • Limited warranty of 30 days
  • Bass can become distorted at high volumes

JBL FLIP 4

[amazon box=”B01MSYQWNY”]

Features

The JBL FLIP 4 is a waterproof speaker with high-quality stereo sound.  The battery supports up to 12 hours of playtime, and the product accommodates up to two devices at once.  The speaker also features a noise-canceling speakerphone for hands-free calling.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 2.8 x 6.9 x 2.7 inches and weighs just over a pound.

Price

Most models are $ depending on your color choice.

Warranty

30-day warranty available in the country where purchased.

Overall Review

While not the smallest speaker in this review set, the JBL FLIP 4 is still very portable and provides a high-quality sound.

Pros

  • Small size
  • Made from durable, waterproof materials
  • Good sound quality

Cons

  • Limited warranty of 30 days
  • Reports of a weakened charge and volume over time

Sony SRS-XB21

[amazon box=”B079VBL6WV”]

Features

The Sony SRS-XB21 boasts a high-quality sound with extra bass, a long 12-hour battery life, and a waterproof design.  Internally the speakers are angled to provide a more well-rounded sound.  There is an added light feature that plays different colored lights according to the user’s taste.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 9.1 x 4 x 6.2 inches and comes in at just under two pounds.

Price

All model colors are priced at just under $.

Warranty

Warranty details are available by request from Sony customer service.

Overall Review

The Sony SRS XB21 delivers high-quality sound at a reasonable price.  The extra features make it a popular choice.

Pros

  • Live and Extra Bass settings enhance the quality of sound
  • Made from durable, waterproof materials
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Charging time is lengthy
  • Short power cable

BOOM Swimmer DUO

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Features

The BOOM Swimmer DUO is an ultra-lightweight speaker that is waterproof, dustproof and shockproof.  The rubberized exterior makes it easy to take into any environment.  It comes with a built-in twistable tail that can be wrapped around any object, as well as a suction cup for mounting on flat surfaces.  The tail also doubles as a support base.  If you link two together, you can sync them as left and right speakers, however, the price of two takes this product over our $100 limit.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 9.7 x 2.6 x 2.6 inches and is tiny at only 6.4 ounces.

Price

All model colors are priced at just under $.

Warranty

All outdoor speakers come with a two-year warranty.

Overall Review

The BOOM Swimmer DUO is tiny but mighty.  It’s flexible wrapping, and mounting options make it suitable for any environment.

Pros

  • Relatively long two-year warranty
  • Easily configured exterior allows it to be wrapped, suctioned or place on any surface
  • Good sound quality for the size

Cons

  • Tail can become loose over time and unwrap
  • Begins beeping at 70% battery power

Bose SoundLink Micro

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Features

The Bose SoundLink Micro comes in just under our limit at $99.  This waterproof speaker features a wireless range up to 30 feet and six hours of battery life.  The built-in microphone allows you to access your device’s virtual assistant as well as take phone calls.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 1.4 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches and weighs just over 10 ounces.

Price

You can purchase these for around $.

Warranty

Warranty details are available by request from Bose customer service.

Overall Review

The Bose SoundLink Micro has interesting features such as access to your device’s virtual assistant, but the limited wireless range, lack of charger, and short battery life make it less desirable for the high price.

Pros

  • Access to your device’s virtual assistant and phone calls via built-in microphone
  • Sound quality is good, particularly indoors

Cons

  • Volume is not as strong as other products
  • You can only use the Bluetooth pairing feature by installing the mobile app
  • Can only be charged using a USB cable

Anker Soundcore Flare

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Features

They design the Anker Soundcore Flare for all-around sound with internal speakers placed around the circular base.  The product features LED lights that react to the beat of the music with five color themes and five illumination patterns.  The Flare is also waterproof.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 3.5 x 3.5 x 5.9 inches and weighs just over one pound.

Price

You can buy these for around $.

Warranty

Warranty details were not provided.

Overall Review

The Anker Soundcore Flare is a great bang for the buck.  Reasonably priced and packed with features, this is a good go-to speaker for both indoors and out.

Pros

  • 360-degree sound given the circular base and internal speaker placement
  • LED light show
  • Customizable EQ tuning
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Charges slowly while playing
  • Bass could be stronger

Jawbone Mini Jambox

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Features

The Jawbone Mini Jambox is a great product for the relatively low price.  It features a tough aluminum casing in multiple colors and designs as well as 10 hours of battery life.  The built-in microphone allows you to convert the product to a speakerphone for calls.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 1 x 6.1 x 2.3 inches and weighs eight ounces.

Price

The price varies by model color with the cheapest at just under $ and the most expensive at just under $.

Warranty

Warranty details were not provided.

Overall Review

The Jawbone Mini Jambox is inexpensive because the company stopped producing it in 2017.  Many are still available for purchase. However, customer support will be unavailable should anything go wrong.

Pros

  • Updatable technology via Jawbone app
  • Multiple color and design options
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The manufacturer no longer produces the product
  • Relatively long 2.5 hour charging time

TDK Life on Record A26

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Features

The TDK Life on Record A26 is an earlier model of the popular TDK Life on Record series, which is why it is available for under $100.  Internal speakers yield a stereo sound, and the built-in microphone allows for hands-free calling.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 3 x 7 x 1 inches and weighs just over 12 ounces.

Price

This can be purchased for around $.

Warranty

You can request warranty details by contacting TDK customer service.

Overall Review

The TDK Life on Record A26 is a great buy since they still build newer versions on the same basic core technology.  If you want state-of-the-art, you probably won’t find it here.

Pros

  • Trouble-free device pairing
  • Built-in microphone announces calls and texts

Cons

  • Unable to use while charging
  • Newer versions available for over $
  • Not as loud as other products

OontZ Angle 3 ULTRA

[amazon box=”B073BVWRSP”]

Features

The OontZ Angle 3 ULTRA is a strong contender, featuring 100-foot wireless range, excellent sound quality with well-rounded stereo, and up to 20 hours of play time.  The product is water resistant, compact, and works well with the Amazon Echo.

Dimensions

This speaker measures 6.4 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches and weighs around 15 ounces.

Price

Depending on the color, the price ranges from high $s to low $s

Warranty

Warranty details can be requested by contacting Cambridge SoundWorks customer service.

Overall Review

The OontZ Angle 3 ULTRA is not the cheapest or the smallest among the products reviewed here, but it packs a punch with its strong bass and volume.

Pros

  • Rich sound quality
  • Built-in microphone for hands-free calling
  • Connects to Amazon Echo

Cons

  • Can only charge via USB cable
  • Not fully waterproof

The Verdict: The Best Bluetooth Speaker Under 100 Dollars

If you are looking for the best Bluetooth speaker under 100 dollars for sound quality, then the best bang for your buck in this list is the Anker Soundcore Flare.  While other products have interesting features, sound quality was our promised top criterion, and the Flare really delivers with its 360-degree design.  Featured image via Pixabay

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