Updated on 20 April 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
This speaker manages to offer high power in a small size. It also benefits from increased ruggedness, making it ideal to take with you wherever you go.
The new version offers a similar result, although it does add a minor flaw that we were unable to notice during our test. It maintains a similar format and appearance, with a rugged design (IP67 certification) and hands-free function. What’s new? The brand adds a PowerBank mode via the USB-C port and considerably improves battery life (in fact, the value is much higher than advertised by the brand according to our tests). Its only flaw is the presence of sound distortion at high volumes (over 70%).
Carefully choose the speaker that best suits your needs. Sound quality is relative and depends on how the music is consumed. Your Bluetooth speaker must be small if you plan to take it with you everywhere you go. The battery life should accompany you all day long to be considered truly portable. Depending on your tastes or requirements, you can also choose alternatives to Bluetooth such as a jack socket, for example.
JBL Flip 6
The Flip 6 perfectly represents the brand’s DNA. It is robust, powerful, easy to transport and offers a rich and dynamic sound.
The JBL Flip 6 has a compact, rugged design (IP67 certified) and comes with a handy strap for carrying it everywhere you go. It offers a balanced, powerful and slightly more bass-heavy sound. The battery life of 12-13 hours is decent, but not the best. Also, when we put it to the test, we had some trouble pairing it with our smartphone. Other weaknesses include the absence of some controls (no voice assistant or return to the previous track) and its simple connectivity. Fortunately, this is slightly compensated thanks to its multipoint connection and its app, which has an equaliser function to personalise the sound experience. What struck us most? It’s the ability to pair with 100 other JBL speakers.
Sony XG300
In addition to its good robustness and convincing sound quality, its intuitive application and illuminated design are worth mentioning.
IP67-certified, this cylindrical speaker is rugged but quite heavy, so it has a handy silicone handle. When we tested it, what we liked most was its connection stability, its intuitive and responsive controls, and its more than complete connectivity (USB-C, AUX and USB for charging smartphones). It is also possible to connect it to other speakers. As for the sound, it is generally balanced, especially in Mega Bass mode, although it is true that some details could be improved. The battery life is impressive (up to 25 hours), and some of its modes save battery life. Lastly, the Sony Music app is a real eye-catcher, offering a wide range of sound customisation options, as well as lighting modes.
Anker Motion Boom Plus
Its sound performance, generous connectivity, comprehensive controls and impressive battery life make up for its large size.
We found this 80W model delivers a rich sound with powerful bass (especially with the Bass mode). The app is intuitive and offers access to the manual EQ and four programmed modes to further customise the listening experience. Although it is a bit bulky, it has a sturdy handle and a shoulder strap. IP67 certified it passed our waterproof tests with flying colours. In addition, we found the connectivity options (USB-C for charging, AUX for switching to wired mode, USB for charging smartphones and multicasting) to be quite comprehensive, as were the controls. Finally, the battery life is also impressive (up to 20 hours).
Our selection
| Our choice, Best budget | Best mid-range | Best high-end | High-end alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 | JBL Flip 6 | Sony XG300 | Anker Motion Boom Plus |
| This speaker manages to offer high power in a small size. It also benefits from increased ruggedness, making it ideal to take with you wherever you go. | The Flip 6 perfectly represents the brand's DNA. It is robust, powerful, easy to transport and offers a rich and dynamic sound. | In addition to its good robustness and convincing sound quality, its intuitive application and illuminated design are worth mentioning. | Its sound performance, generous connectivity, comprehensive controls and impressive battery life make up for its large size. |
| £ 59.99 on Amazon | £ 118.95 on Amazon | £ 176.00 on Amazon | £ 153.99 on Amazon |
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How did we do the tests?
To test the speakers, we first listened to various types and styles of music from each device. This allowed us to exploit the different frequency ranges.
We also varied the different power (volume) levels to determine whether the sound quality corresponds to their price range. Of course, in parallel, we tested each of the settings, functions and apps of each wireless speaker.
How to choose your Bluetooth speaker?
Portable and practical, Bluetooth speakers have revolutionised “nomadic” audio. But some so many different models that choosing the right one can sometimes be difficult.
To shed some light on your choice, here are a few criteria to take into account:
- Sound quality: this notion of quality is relative and depends on how you listen to your music. Listening at a high volume requires a model that does not saturate (too much) when you turn up the volume. Classical music requires a speaker capable of faithfully reproducing the high and middle registers. And if you like bass, you will want a speaker with an equaliser that can be precisely adjusted.
- Portability: for permanent listening, it is best to choose a larger speaker with more connectivity options. If you plan to take your Bluetooth speaker with you everywhere, it should be small, light and easy to carry in a bag. Ideally, it should also have good resistance to external conditions (dust, splashes, shocks).
- Autonomy: to be truly transportable, your speaker needs to have sufficient battery life, to use it daily without having to constantly recharge it. Please note that the battery life also depends on your usage. At full volume, for example, it is reduced more quickly.
- Connectivity: although more and more speakers are only available via Bluetooth, it may be worthwhile to choose a model with alternatives, such as a jack, USB port or microSD card slot, depending on your needs. Note that some speakers also offer microphone functionalities and can be used as a hands-free kit.
- More features: an NFC chip (to connect your speaker and your source player via a simple touch), a hands-free kit function, or a mood lighting function are all elements that may be anecdotal… or indispensable depending on your needs!
Other Bluetooth speakers we recommend
Tribit Stormbox Micro (£49.99 upon publication): ready for adventure. When you’re on a tight budget, it’s always difficult to find an effective and practical loudspeaker. The Storm box Micro is designed to meet this need with a high-performance model that’s easy to carry around. It has a strap for hanging just about anywhere and a battery life that is among the best (values that exceed the manufacturer’s data when kept at 50% of its power).
Sonos Roam (£139.99 upon publication): a perfect example of how it is possible to combine interesting features both at home and while moving. The Roam is the only truly mobile model and thus fits perfectly into the brand’s range of connected speakers. It combines the advantages of a connected speaker, with voice assistant compatibility, Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay connectivity, with those of a tough (IP67 certification) and relatively durable (9 hours) mobile speaker. However, you’ll need to use the built-in equalizer (bass on -1) to help it reveal its full potential. Of course, besides that, the sound quality is as excellent as with the other products of the brand despite a much more compact format.
JBL Charge 5 (£140.40 upon publication): the rugby ball of JBL. Although it is not connected, the Charge 5 is still an excellent speaker for those looking for the best possible sound. Thanks to the excellent restitution of the different sound frequencies, it has a more than interesting rendering. The power reserve is more than sufficient to liven up a small party without losing quality in the process. Moreover, the Charge 5 lasts long enough (almost 25 hours) and can even recharge your device thanks to its integrated USB-A port. For those on a budget, the Flip 5 model is a viable alternative even though it has less power and does not offer reverse charging.
Other Bluetooth speakers tested
JBL Go 3 (£34.80 upon publication): the compact speaker par excellence. The Go 3 shows a real evolution compared to the previous version: it has reworked its design to make it more attractive while offering beautiful robustness. Its sound capabilities have a warm rendering favoured by a deep bass for its size. However, the middle register is a bit weak, which causes a slight lack of presence. The limited functionality and the lack of physical connectivity complete the short list of defects.
Anker Soundcore 2 (£39.99 upon publication): lack of bass and presence. This entry-level speaker has the classic shortcoming of such devices in that its bass lacks presence and saturation at full volume. Even so, its sonic performance remains convincing.
JBL Clip 4 (£39.99 upon publication): attractive, but with some weaknesses. The Clip 4 is a practical speaker thanks to its carabiner and its resistance (IP67 certification). It also offers a rich and controlled sound, provided you don’t push it too hard. However, it lacks certain additional features (such as access to the brand’s app) and has only average battery life.
Anker Soundcore Flare 2 (£89.99 upon publication): a shrill sound when at full power. The Flare 2 comes across as a stylish but usable speaker that only bows out because of its shrill sound at high volumes. Fortunately, the in-built equaliser helps to redress the balance, making it a worthwhile investment. However, it does not manage to overpower the less extravagant but more homogeneous references in this price range.
Sony SRS-XB23 (£84.00 upon publication): complete and efficient. The SRS-XB23 is a speaker with good battery life and performance. In addition, it is accompanied by an app that enhances sound customisation. Its price/performance ratio is not bad, but it competes directly with the very popular Wonderboom.
U.E Wonderboom 2 (£89.00 upon publication): attractive thanks to its mini size and its transportability. This model is mainly compact and affordable for a good sound quality. Its round shape, waterproof quality, buoyancy and shock resistance make it transportable: it can withstand a fall of 1.5 m. The autonomy is around 13 hours, and some users even report higher results. In terms of design, the controls are minimal. Its great feature, however, is the possibility of coupling two Wonderboom 2s to make the sound either stereo or even more powerful.
JBL Flip 5 (£109.99 upon publication): the competition is tough. Like the Charge, the Flip is a convincing model if you want a powerful and practical model. Its format and build quality are just as good. However, the app is not very interesting and offers very few options. In addition, at full volume, the saturation becomes very noticeable.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (£109.99 upon publication): unbalanced at full power. The UE Boom 3 is one of the most popular speakers on the market. It is convincing both in terms of sound and ease of use, thanks in particular to its robustness and comprehensive app. However, it is not recommended to use it at full volume, as the sound becomes unbalanced and less pleasant. Also, despite its 360° sound diffusion, the sound is not uniform.
Bose SoundLink Flex (£129.00 upon publication): a high-end model that can be upgraded. The SoundLink Flex is easy to use and delivers rich, warm sound. Its quality design is worthy of the brand, and it is IP67 certified. Multipoint Bluetooth is also part of the system. However, it also has its weaknesses (an app that is too light, bass that lacks precision and a compact rendering above 75% power).
Translated by Selectos
