Bluetooth speakers exist in a variety of forms and sizes, but to be honest, most of them are quite basic; they don’t look like they could be used as headgear by a giant. JLab introduced the Blue XL Speaker Headphones last year, and it does an excellent job of blending the design of headphones with that of a speaker.
Gadget Industry wanted to build the world’s smallest Bluetooth speaker, so they began by disassembling a regular module to see how small they could make things. To begin, they ripped the antenna directly off a 3W Bluetooth amp module, then had to rebuild the entire thing by hand after stacking the components. This small electronics stack is slapped onto the back of an 18mm x 14mm 3W speaker driver. A TP4056 charging module received the same treatment, being disassembled and reassembled to fit the small space required.
An old 1982 FM radio from a thrift store rested on a shelf, its weathered plastic shell broken and discolored with years of use. Few people would give this antique from the days when having a portable radio meant fumbling with dials to find a station a second thought. However, one maker, who goes by the name Distracted by Design, saw something in it. He grabbed it at home with a clear plan: remove the old guts and convert it into a Bluetooth speaker that would work perfectly with today’s devices.
Too many pocket-sized Bluetooth speakers provide music that is faint and distant, requiring way too much effort to hear. Then there’s the JBL Go 4, priced at $39.95 (was $49.95), a small brick-sized device aiming to turn that notion on its head. At less than half a pound and small enough to fit in a coat pocket, it not only provides, but truly delivers, clear, powerful audio that makes you grab for the volume dial rather than throw your hands up in the air in disgust.
Portable Bluetooth speakers can cost hundreds of dollars and promise premium sound and fancy features. But the Anker Soundcore 2, for just $29.44 (down from $44.99), makes a strong case for keeping your wallet happy without sacrificing quality.
Berlin’s Teufel has been crafting audio gear for 45 years, and their latest creation, the MYND, feels like a quiet revolution. This Bluetooth speaker is built to last, repaired, and made your own. It’s a device that invites you to pop it open, swap out parts, and even 3D-print new components.
The Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth speaker offers over 30 hours of play time on a single charge, and you can get one for $99.99 shipped today, originally $169.99. Its IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating means rain or dirt won’t get in the way of your music. Product page.
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 portable Bluetooth speaker offers big sound at a budget price, and you can get one for $59.99 shipped today, originally $99.99. It has an impressive 131 feet (40 meters) of range, so you won’t be tethered to a single room, and the speaker is dirt-resistant as well as drop-proof. Product page.
Available in Matte Black, Statement Red, and Champagne, the redesigned Beats Pill now offers better sound than ever before. Not only is the Bluetooth speaker lighter and more portable than its predecessor, but it features all-day battery life up to 24 hours as well as USB-C audio /charging.
