2025 has seen Bluetooth speakers continue to evolve, finally nailing the balance between portability, durability and genuine sonic heft.
Sustainability became more than mere marketing speak too, with several brands embracing solar charging and recycled materials without compromising performance.
Things got tougher, too: the dust- and waterproofing that used to be a premium feature trickled down to mid-range models, making adventure-ready speakers more accessible.
On the wireless streaming speaker front, all-in-one systems became simpler even as their capabilities got more sophisticated. Setup frustrations became a thing of the past as brands learned from past app disasters, delivering more intuitive experiences that let users focus on the music rather than struggling with software. Hi-res streaming support became standard rather than a luxury, whilst the retention of phono inputs and USB playback ensured physical media fans weren’t left behind.
From palm-sized portables to living room centrepieces, 2025’s audio gear show you don’t need separates stacked teeteringly to the ceiling to get outstanding sound. Time to reveal which speakers earned our end-of-the-year crowns.
Bluetooth speaker of the year: JBL Flip 7
Here we go again. JBL holds Stuff’s Bluetooth speaker crown seemingly indefinitely, and that’s because nothing else nails the trifecta quite like the Flip series: it’s affordable, durable and portable. The seventh-gen JBL Flip 7 applies improvements where they matter most, making this already dominant speaker even harder to dethrone.
Despite weighing less than its predecessor, redesigned dome tweeters serve up bigger sound with considerably deeper bass response. In what sounds like a gimmick but genuinely works, real-time analysis via clever algorithms maximises volume without introducing distortion.
Auracast connectivity is the standout addition, enabling audio sharing across unlimited compatible devices from any manufacturer, whilst traditional PartyBoost mode handles stereo pairing between two Flip 7s. Bluetooth 5.4 ensures reliable streaming alongside USB-C for playback, while large, tactile buttons eliminate smartphone dependency for source switching.
At $150/£130, this hits the sweet spot where proper performance meets sensible pricing – exactly why JBL continues to rule portable speakers whilst its rivals scramble for scraps.
Highly commended
B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen
As usual Bang & Olufsen’s swish styling commands premium pricing, but there’s plenty of sonic substance in the A1 3rd Gen. Its refinements bring enhanced bass response and extended battery endurance, whilst maintaining the impossibly elegant aesthetic that made the previous iterations design icons.
This remains arguably the best-looking Bluetooth travel speaker available, prioritising sophistication over ruggedness. It might be more suited to garden parties than trail hiking, but some real thought has gone into its design. Take its repairability, for instance, which represents a big advantage over disposable rivals and extends its lifespan significantly.
Our award winner, the JBL Flip 7, costs roughly one-third the price and includes extras like Auracast connectivity. However, nothing matches Bang & Olufsen’s visual appeal or premium construction quality. If your outdoor speaker requirements lean towards refined entertaining over adventurous durability (and your budget stretches appropriately) the latest Beosound A1 becomes a truly compelling contender.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll
Palm-sized yet potent, this puck-shaped successor to the Roll series nestles comfortably in a key spot between portability and volume. Cheap Bluetooth speakers typically demand some kind of compromise: tiny portables lack power, and bigger models require considerable lugging. But Ultimate Ears claims its $79/£69 Miniroll is both sonically adept and conveniently compact – and for once, these audacious assertions are backed up by impressive execution.
Familiar oversized volume buttons complement sturdy stain-resistant fabric and a grippy rubber base. The stretchy rear strap wraps effortlessly around bike handlebars or backpacks, and there’s even an integrated tripod mount. At 279g, it’s genuinely pocketable without weighing your trousers down uncomfortably. IP67 build quality handles dust and water confidently, and offers plenty of protection against kitchen counter tumbles onto tiled floors.
The 12-hour battery endurance comfortably covers all-day excursions or marathon house parties. The bass-heavy tuning impressed us immediately, delivering unexpectedly room-filling sound despite the Miniroll’s compact dimensions.
Also shortlisted
Marshall Emberton III, Marley Roots Solar
Wireless speaker of the year: Cambridge Audio Evo One
Cambridge Audio has an illustrious history making hi-fi separates, but the Evo One is its first foray into all-in-one wireless streaming territory. And what a debut! This minimalist monolith crams fourteen speakers inside its walnut-topped chassis, plus the sort of comprehensive hi-res streaming support that befits a brand obsessively focused on sonic excellence.
The Evo One’s setup is remarkably straightforward via the StreamMagic app – a whole world away from the struggles we’ve recently seen with Sonos and its disastrous app update. And the Evo One’s phono, optical and auxiliary inputs plus USB playback mean physical media isn’t forgotten either.
Its sound quality is a delight; there’s a punchy yet nuanced delivery, with warmth pervading mid-range and smooth high-end response. Composure falters only at extreme volumes, where low-end becomes slightly dominant, though most owners won’t notice. It’s good value too: at $1499/£1299, its pricing undercuts Cambridge’s own Evo 75 amplifier, which required you to supply separate speakers anyway.
Highly commended
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition
The Zeppelin has earned rock hall-of-fame credentials through its repeated reinventions, all while keeping that instantly recognisable elliptical silhouette intact. This Pro Edition represents targeted refinement rather than wholesale reinvention, bringing across driver tech from Bowers & Wilkins’ acclaimed loudspeaker range whilst addressing user feedback on the previous generation.
Subtle sonic improvements have further elevated what was already a superb streaming speaker. The Zeppelin Pro Edition’s Titanium Dome tweeters (borrowed from the award-winning 600 Series speakers) add extra nuance to the audio, while the volume rarely needs pushing beyond halfway to fill a room with sound. On the usability front, the speaker’s companion app makes wireless playback effortless across all the major hi-res music streaming services.
This remains a speaker you’ll want to notice wherever it sits, and the new gold finish ensures exactly that. Outstanding aesthetics meet carefully composed performance – and the pricing remains admirably stable despite those upgraded internals.
Kanto Ren
Think bookshelf speakers are just for music fans? Canadian brand Kanto thinks otherwise, with its Ren speakers targeting movie enthusiasts thanks to an HDMI input that makes TV pairing a cinch. The Ren’s eye-catching aesthetics – all rounded corners and clean surfaces – and vivid colour options distinguish it from conventional soundbars and surround speakers, while USB-C and phono connectivity means you can hook up PCs and turntables as well as tellies.
The Ren’s dimensions suit larger TVs comfortably, and the dedicated Night Mode lowers bass for restrained night-time viewing. When unleashed, their rich details, clean treble and satisfying bass left us impressed, whether they were sat in front of our TV or on our desktop.
Multi-purpose hi-fi equipment rarely trumps specialist alternatives, but we found the Ren a true versatility warrior. Its engineers have found the perfect middle ground that suits different genres and formats beautifully, outperforming pricier mini systems and matching dedicated desktop speakers.
Also shortlisted
Meridian Ellipse
