Bluetooth speakers have made great strides over the years. You still need to spend a bit of money to get a high-quality listening experience, but plenty of sub-$100 entries pack a powerful audio punch. PCMag has been reviewing speakers for over two decades, so you can trust that our recommendations will fit your needs and budget, whether you want something for the outdoors, something that can handle your computer audio, or something that can also control your smart home devices. Our current Editors’ Choice winners are the Amazon Echo Dot Max, the Anker Soundcore Motion 300, and the Creative Pebble Pro, respectively, for their Alexa features, rugged design, and stereo separation—and they all sound excellent. But you should still check out the rest of our picks to see if one better fits your specific needs, and scroll down past the list for some helpful buying advice.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
January 31, 2026: With this update, we’ve added the Amazon Echo Dot Max and the Tribit StormBox Mini+. Our remaining selections have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we’ve tested more than a dozen low-cost speakers.
- Big, balanced sound for the size
- Lots of connectivity features
- Supports multiple smart home hub standards
- Instant Alexa+ access
- Not as powerful as its predecessor
This Amazon Echo Dot Max is our favorite budget-friendly Alexa speaker yet. Its spherical enclosure houses high-quality drivers; supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Amazon Sidewalk, and LE Audio; and can serve as a hub for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. It includes Alexa out of the box, and you can upgrade it to Amazon’s Alexa+ AI-based assistant for more natural-language requests. It’s easily the best smart speaker you can get for less than $100.
People who want a smart speaker: If you’re in the market for a smart speaker that costs less than $100, this is our top pick. Not many others on this list offer high-definition sound or as many smart home features.
Amazon homes: For households fully invested in Amazon and its Prime-based services, like Prime Music, the Amazon Echo Dot Max is a no-brainer thanks to its high-quality audio and seamless integration with other Amazon products.
Channels
Mono
Physical Connections
None
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Echo Dot Max Review
- Good audio performance with wide stereo image
- Angled drivers for better audio delivery
- Built-in RGB lighting
- Support for 3.5mm, Bluetooth, and USB-C playback
- Affordable
- Limited Bluetooth codec support
- Separate adapter needed to plug directly into wall outlet
The Creative Pebble Pro speakers are first and foremost designed to handle audio from your laptop or desktop, but they also support Bluetooth for wireless music playback. Sonically, they are excellent, thanks to their angled drivers’ crisp presentation. The customizable LEDs at the base of each speaker add a fun touch.
Desktop minimalists: Desktop speakers don’t get much smaller than this. If you’re looking for the maximum sound from the smallest footprint, the Pebble Pros are the way to go.
People who want options: If you primarily want speakers for your computer but also want to play music from your phone, these speakers are a great value thanks to their Bluetooth support.
Channels
2
Physical Connections
USB-C, 3.5mm
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Creative Pebble Pro Review
- Impressive power for its size
- Waterproof build
- Supports the LDAC codec
- Speakerphone
- Custom EQ in app
- Digital signal processing thins out bass at top volumes
Like most of Anker’s products, the Soundcore Motion 300 outperforms its price. Its dual full-range drivers combine for 30W of power, while dual passive radiators help fill out the bass response for full stereo sound. We’re also fans of the companion app’s customizable EQ, a rarity in this price segment. An IPX7 waterproof rating, a decent speakerphone, and support for the AAC, LDAC, and SBC codecs complete the package.
People who like small things: Where many portable Bluetooth speakers are cylindrical or brick-shaped, the Motion 300 is more like a paperback book, which means it easily fits into bags and backpacks for taking on your adventures.
Those who prioritize control: Even if a nine-band EQ and the hi-res-capable LDAC codec seem like overkill, the Motion 300 is the best choice if you want control over how your budget-friendly speaker sounds.
Channels
Stereo
Physical Connections
USB-C
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Anker Soundcore Motion 300 Review
- Loud, punchy sound
- Stereo audio
- Compact and lightweight
- Long-lasting battery
- Fun lighting
- Distorts at high volumes
- Mediocre microphone
You should keep your expectations in check for a speaker that retails for under $40, but the tiny Tribit StormBox Mini+ delivers more audio power than you might expect. It looks stylish and sporty, while a handy built-in lanyard lets you hang it just about anywhere.
People who bring their music everywhere: If you want to listen to tunes while you go on outdoor adventures, the highly durable and compact StormBox Mini+ (4.68 by 3.58 inches) is a good choice.
All-day listeners: The Mini+ has outstanding battery life for such a small musical companion, lasting up to 12 hours per charge.
Channels
Stereo
Physical Connections
3.5mm, USB-C
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Tribit StormBox Mini+ Review
- Powerful audio performance for the size
- Fully waterproof and dustproof design
- Offers speakerphone functionality
- Approaches distortion at top volumes on some tracks
- Mic signal occasionally dropped out in testing
The Tribit StormBox Micro 2’s clip-on design makes it simple to attach to everything from bikes to backpack straps. It sounds relatively crisp and clean (with a hint of rich bass), while an IP67 rating means it’s fully dust-tight and waterproof. A built-in speakerphone also works fine in a pinch, and we like that its companion app enables both EQ adjustments and firmware updates.
Strapping young lads: A built-in rubber strap lets you attach the Micro 2 to just about anything, such as your backpack strap or your bicycle’s handlebars.
Thrill seekers: This speaker is for outdoor adventurers who need something that won’t get in the way and can withstand inclement weather. It’s a tough little speaker that keeps you jammin’ on the trails and beyond.
Channels
Mono
Physical Connections
USB-C
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Review
- Rich audio response for its size
- Impressive clarity in the high end
- Improved battery life
- Durable build
- Expensive
- Limited bass response
Bose’s smallest speaker is also one of its most fun and engaging. The SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) doubles the battery life of the original, improves audio quality, and adds a new strap that makes it easy to attach to your bag, bike, or anything else. It’s also easy to use, durable, and comes in several fun colors.
Bose fans: If you prefer that Bose sound, the SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is one of the least expensive ways to dive into the brand and experience Bose audio.
Android users: This speaker supports the AAC and SBC codecs for basic playback, and it also supports the aptX Adaptive codec for higher-resolution listening on high-end Android phones.
Channels
Mono
Physical Connections
USB-C
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) Review
- Good sound quality for its size
- Useful screen shows time, weather, and album art
- Touch controls for audio playback and some smart home devices
- Small screen has limited functionality and can’t play videos
- Screen brightness drops at off-center angles
- No camera for video calls
In addition to the time, the Echo Spot shows weather forecasts and the album art of the currently playing track. The speaker pumps out good sound, and its 2.83-inch-square touch screen lets you control some audio and smart home functions directly. It provides a full set of Alexa capabilities (with select responses displayed on the screen) and can act as a Wi-Fi hub for Matter devices.
Clock watchers: If you’re looking for a bedside clock that also outputs quality sound, the Echo Spot is worth your attention. Just keep in mind that it isn’t portable like most other entries on this list.
Channels
Mono
Physical Connections
None
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Echo Spot (2024) Review
- Rich, crisp sound for its size
- Fully dust-tight and waterproof design
- Clear speakerphone mic
- No companion app
- Cheaper alternatives offer similar performance
The Sony SRS-XB100 produces robust sound for its size, and we like its IP67 build and stylish removable strap. Echo-canceling mics also make its built-in speakerphone very usable for hands-free calls.
Frequent call-takers: It’s not hard to imagine people who work from home taking the SRS-XB100 into their backyard because of the quality mic signal it captures. It’s a great little speakerphone
Those who like to travel light: The speaker is small enough to toss into just about any bag, which means you’ve got a portable speakerphone anywhere you need one.
Channels
Mono
Physical Connections
USB-C
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Sony SRS-XB100 Review
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The Best Cheap Bluetooth Speakers for 2026
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Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Bluetooth Speakers for 2026
Do Cheap Speakers Have Good Bass?
Affordable portable speakers once relied only on the strength of tiny, powered drivers to produce sound. Thankfully, passive radiators are now the norm—they don’t receive direct power like the drivers but vibrate in concert with them to create a greater sense of bass. Although they won’t make you think there’s a subwoofer inside, passive radiators handle the lows quite well. You might notice that some speakers have tiny rubber feet on the bottom; those prevent the passive radiators from propelling the speaker across flat surfaces.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300 (Credit: Tim Gideon)
What’s the Difference Between Mono and Stereo Speakers?
It seems like mono (single-driver) speakers are more popular than in the past, thanks to how effective passive radiators are compared with a second driver. We don’t think this is too big a deal because you can’t get much stereo separation a few feet away from a small speaker, even if it does have two drivers.
Manufacturers, of course, want to sell you multiple speakers, however, so they often offer the option to wirelessly set up a stereo pair with a second unit. The advantage here is obvious: If you connect two speakers to your phone (usually via an app), with each handling either the left or right channel, you suddenly get a wide stereo field. Of course, most of these speakers cost more than $50, so you might have to stretch your budget past $100 to do this. Alternatively, the Creative Pebble Pro satellites connect to each other via a physical wire for a wider soundstage.
Do Cheap Speakers Have Good Battery Life?
The battery range for most portable speakers typically falls between 8 and 12 hours per charge. It’s always good to keep in mind that whatever number the manufacturer lists is the best you should expect. If you play your music loudly, revise your expectations downward.
Several speakers also have a built-in USB port for charging mobile devices on the go. This is useful if you’re away from home and your phone or tablet runs low on juice. Remember that charging other devices takes away power from the speaker itself. The batteries in these speakers are also usually much smaller than those in dedicated battery packs, which you should consider instead if you have frequent battery life worries.
Some indoor speakers require you to plug them into an outlet via an adapter for power. These models avoid the battery issue altogether, so they are ideal as stationary fixtures throughout your home.
The Best Waterproof Speakers Under $100
The terms waterproof and water-resistant seem interchangeable, but they’re poor descriptors of very precise measurements. Not every speaker we test in the below-$100 range can resist liquid ingress, but it’s a far more common trait than it used to be. Thus, it’s becoming standard practice for manufacturers to provide a speaker’s IP rating.
Recommended by Our Editors
It’s important to understand what a rating means rather than just assume a speaker that is, say, merely splash-resistant is fine to submerge underwater. There are several levels of IP ratings, so memorizing them all is trickier than it seems. IPX7, for instance, means a device can handle immersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes or less, while IPX5 means it can handle the splash of low-pressure water jets from any direction for at least three minutes.
Tribit StormBox Micro 2 (Credit: Tribit)
If you see two numbers in the IP rating, as in IP67, the first number refers to protection against solids (often dust), and the second refers to protection against liquids. A 0 means it has no protection against solids, but an X means the manufacturer did not test the product against solids. In reality, most speakers likely have some level of protection against solids, but you can’t be sure to what extent without an official rating.
