Summer is approaching – the season of long walks with friends and trips to nature with a large group. It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing outdoor activities or lying by the pool – a good soundtrack won’t hurt. You can’t take your home portable speakers audio system with you, and only the most unassuming listeners can afford to play music from their phones. This is where wireless speakers come to the rescue. In recent years, technology has leaped forward significantly, and now compact devices with Bluetooth connectivity, such as the Creative speaker, are capable of producing quite a decent sound that will not disappoint music lovers on the road.
But wireless speakers are not only suitable for use outside the home. In the top segment, you can find speakers that are in no way inferior to wired ones and will be an excellent option, for example, for the kitchen or other rooms where you don’t want to run a cable. For some, an easy-to-use smart speaker can completely replace a traditional system with a whole range of devices that you still need to be able to understand.
How to choose a wireless speaker
Like any equipment, wireless speakers have their own characteristics, which are important to pay attention to when purchasing. But the selection criteria themselves directly depend on how and where you are going to listen to music. When you need a speaker for your home or office, a high degree of moisture protection is unlikely to be a priority. And if you are choosing an option for jogging or cycling, compactness comes first – which means you will have to sacrifice the number and size of speakers. Let’s go over the main characteristics of Bluetooth speakers and the situations in which they are really important.
Form and dimensions
Manufacturers of wireless speakers cannot be denied creativity – some make them look like traditional speakers, others pack the speakers in square boxes, and others rely on futuristic designs in the form of cones and balls. The shape, size, and weight of the case determine how you can use the speaker. Some models fit into a pocket, leaving room for keys and small items. Others can fit into a bag or car trunk. Still others – just place it on the floor or windowsill. If you often need to take the speaker with you, give preference to compact options. And even the most grandiose creations of designers are suitable for the home.
Power and number of speakers
As a rule, this parameter is directly related to the column size. The larger the case, the more speakers it will fit into. And the more speakers, the more powerful the sound. The choice, again, depends on why you need the column. You can go hiking or sit on the beach with not very loud music – you don’t want to scare away all the birds in the forest or disturb your neighbors’ rest? But for parties or serious music lovers, you will need more powerful speakers that will fill the space with sound and convey all its nuances.
Battery life
Without a good battery that can hold a charge for a long time, you can’t go anywhere. Otherwise, the main property of portable acoustics is lost – wireless operation! To ensure that the party doesn’t end in the middle of your favorite song, the speaker should have a large battery that will last at least several hours before it needs to be plugged into an outlet to recharge. But in extreme cases, the situation will be saved by a USB cable – it is through it that the speakers are supplied with energy. In the meantime, they restore their charge, you can use them for their intended purpose and continue listening to music.
Connectivity
Wireless speakers get rid of not only network wires but also too-long audio cables. Convenience of operation is ensured by modern communication protocols, the main of which is Bluetooth – hence their second name. Today, Bluetooth 5.0 and higher is considered the standard – this generation uses up the battery more efficiently, supports quick pairing, and recognizes the coolest codecs. Advanced speaker models can connect to streaming via Wi-Fi, and Apple devices have their own AirPlay protocol built in. But wires shouldn’t always be written off – if you need to directly connect a phone or other sound source to the speaker, you can find a corresponding mini-jack in some models.
Waterproof
Waterproofing is the number one quality when you’re going outdoors. It will be a shame to lose your speaker if it suddenly rains or one of your friends knocks it over into the river. High levels of moisture protection can protect you from damage, even if the device is completely under water. The degree of waterproofness is indicated by the IPX index – for example, a speaker with IPX0 is absolutely not protected even from water drops, but with IPX7, it can be briefly submerged to a shallow depth (but we still do not recommend doing this). Sometimes, instead of X there may be another number – this is an indicator of dust protection.
The best affordable speakers
Devices in the budget segment generally have compact bodies, making them a great choice for everyday use. Put the speaker in your backpack and enjoy music anywhere.
Creative Muvo Play
The name of this speaker plays on its high mobility. Creative is good in any budget, and even in an inexpensive device, they placed two speakers and bass emitters. The main feature of the model is its high IPX7 waterproof rating, thanks to which it will withstand any adventure.
JBL Go 3
Speakers from JBL have already become classics in the portable segment. They have only one speaker, which produces, although not ideal, surprisingly dense sound with good bass. In the Go series, not only acoustic but also visual performance is important. The model stands out for its stylish body with bright fabric trim and contrasting controls. The flexible loop handle is convenient to use to carry the speaker in your hand or hang it on trees. JBL Go 3 is not just a speaker but also a stylish accessory!
Sony SRS-XB13
Convenient and compact portable from a Japanese company. The small cylindrical body can be attached to a bag or clothing using a secure strap. The compactness of the model still leaves room for surprises – in the filling, there was a place for EXTRA BASS technology, which adds low frequencies, as well as a DSP algorithm for simulating spatial sound. The engineers even managed to fit a microphone here so you can communicate directly through the speaker. This is something you rarely see in the budget segment. The battery is no less impressive, giving the device autonomy for as much as 16 hours.
