Are you looking for the best portable Bluetooth speakers that deliver sound quality, volume, and battery life? Without question, Bluetooth speakers can save you time and money by eliminating the need to comb through tangled connections, relocate speakers, or reinstall them. These portable and powerful speakers may be readily placed without causing any inconvenience. I’ll offer some of my top selections for the best Bluetooth speakers under £150 in this article.
The Bluetooth speaker is simple to use; it only requires pairing with a phone and a computer that supports Bluetooth connectivity. At home, there is a high-sound quality Bluetooth speaker for watching movies and listening to music. The experience of watching movies and listening to music is distinct. The Portable Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is compact and easy to carry when used outdoors, unlike older or heavy speakers that couldn’t be brought out comfortably. You might also like the best headphones under 200
In terms of affordability, Bluetooth speakers have certain advantages over normal speakers. Consider a speaker product that can be purchased for a few hundred dollars and has a good price/performance ratio. Of course, I don’t believe it is required if you are willing to pay a lot of money for a speaker device. After all, this is the playback effect. It should not be restricted to Bluetooth speakers alone. However, the introduction of Bluetooth speakers has given our lives a new lease on life.
Let’s get started with the article.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
Editor’s Choice – Marshall Emberton
- 20W stereo sound
- IPX7 rating
- 20-hour playtime
2nd Best Choice – JBL Charge 5
- 40W mono sound
- IP67 rating
- 20-hour playtime
3rd Best Choice – Sony SRS-XB43
- 40W stereo speaker
- IP67 rating
- 24-hour playtime
How we picked the best Bluetooth speakers under £150
Hundreds of options of Bluetooth speakers are available in the market but only a few of them justify their price tag. Such Bluetooth speakers are good at offering decent sound, extended battery backup, durability and stable connectivity. Let’s explain each of these features briefly so that you are better able to pick the right one.
Audio quality:
Since sound is what a speaker is all about, the quality of the audio of a Bluetooth speaker needs prior consideration. Prefer Bluetooth speakers which offer large drivers, at least 40mm drivers are recommended. Bluetooth speakers also come with mono or stereo audio, with stereo audio being more detailed.
Battery backup:
The battery backup of the Bluetooth speaker is an important factor that determines its portability. With Bluetooth speakers offering even up to 24 hours of battery backup, the ones with extended battery backup should be considered for purchase, especially if you like to listen to music while you travel.
Bluetooth and NFC:
Offering connectivity through Bluetooth, speakers with the latest version of Bluetooth should be preferred like the ones offering Bluetooth 5.1. They offer a more stable connection while consuming less battery. The NFC feature should also be looked for in a Bluetooth speaker which helps in easy pairing with the source.
Durability:
Being handy and portable, a Bluetooth speaker is much more likely to encounter any accidents which can damage it. Therefore, make sure that the Bluetooth speaker you buy has a solid build. In addition, it must also feature a good dust and water protection rating like an IPX7 or IP67 rating to prevent damage from water.
Other features:
Various other features a Bluetooth speaker can offer include a built-in microphone which can be used to make calls through the speaker. A Bluetooth speaker can also be equipped with smart features like voice assistant support where the microphone can be used to give commands to control various functions.
These are the best Bluetooth speakers under £150 in the UK
Bluetooth Speaker | Waterproof | Weight | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Marshall Emberton | IPX7 | 0.7 Kg | Current Price |
JBL Charge 5 | IP67 | 0.96 Kg | Current Price |
Sony SRS-XB43 | IP67 | 2.95 Kg | Current Price |
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 | IP67 | 0.57 Kg | Current Price |
JBL Flip 6 | IP67 | 0.55 Kg | Current Price |
LG XBOOM Go PL7 | IPX5 | 1.79 Kg | Current Price |
Sony SRS-XE300 | IP67 | 1.3 Kg | Current Price |
1. Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Marshall Emberton is one of the best Bluetooth speakers under £150 on our list. Because of its qualities such as an Amazing soundstage, IPX7 built, The golden knob for playback works well, Portable design, and Low latency, I choose it as the best. This Bluetooth speaker has a traditional aesthetic with a contemporary appeal and an iconic design that produces powerful sound while preserving a traditional appearance. It has a silicone exterior and a solid metal grill, as well as a sturdy and user-friendly design. It is the ideal portable speaker because it is only 1.5 pounds and fits in the palm of your hand.
The speaker comes with decent battery life. It takes fewer hours to charge fully which allows active play for up to 20 hours as claimed by the brand but it is not that good This is an excellent choice if you want a high-performance speaker. True Stereophonic technology is used to create a clean sound that can fill a room or a large open space. The music from the speaker goes in all directions, making it a great party speaker.
This Bluetooth speaker features Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which makes it compatible with all Bluetooth devices and lets it connect to a wider range of devices fast and easily. Furthermore, the Bluetooth speaker features True Stereophonic, a Marshall-exclusive multi-directional sound technology that allows you to hear sound from all directions. It beats most speakers in its class by separating out the spatial content of stereo recordings, producing a sound far larger than its size.
What We like
- Amazing soundstage
- IPX7 build
- The golden knob for playback works well
- Portable design
- Low latency
What We Dislike
- Average battery life
- No microphone
2. JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is a water-resistant and multipurpose speaker. It’s a portable, lightweight speaker with an IP67 rating, meaning it can withstand drops, dust, water, and mud. The speaker can be connected to multiple devices at once and stream music indefinitely. It is compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can create a stereo or party mode by connecting two or more speakers. A strong rechargeable battery powers the speaker and lasts for 20 hours.
You can simply make conference calls thanks to the speaker’s powerful in-built microphone. A clear talk was conducted with this speaker. Echo cancellation technology is included in the speaker, which improves clarity. The speaker’s sound quality is incredible. It emits a powerful bass sound that pervades your surroundings. You will have the greatest fun if you use it in a medium-sized location. The speaker is fantastic, particularly for watching movies and listening to music at gatherings.
This Bluetooth speaker also has Bluetooth multipoint, which allows a set of Bluetooth headphones to connect to two source devices at the same time. Bluetooth multipoint allows you to pair headphones with both your phone and your laptop at the same time. This Bluetooth speaker can charge your smartphone in addition to being charged. So you won’t have to be concerned if you forget your smartphone charger.
What We like
- Amazing battery life
- IP67 rating for dust and water resistance
- Bluetooth multipoint
- It can also charge your mobile phone
- Good sound quality
What We Dislike
- No microphone
- Bulky
3. Sony SRS-XB43 Bluetooth Speaker
Sony SRS-XB43 is also one of the best Bluetooth speakers under £150. The Bluetooth speaker’s build quality appears to be good, with an IP67 waterproof, rustproof, and dustproof design. Even if your speaker gets a few sprays of water, it may still be your perfect beach companion. Moreover, the Bluetooth speaker looks amazing when in hand.
It has a battery life of up to 24 hours, so you may listen all day and night. Because it has a long battery life, you won’t have to worry about running out of power on an excursion or a picnic. You can plan long tours without worrying about the battery of this speaker. Just charging for a single time, lets you enjoy the music for longer periods of time.
Moreover, the Colorful accent lighting on the speaker adds dimension to your music. With two-speaker lights and multi-coloured line lights, you can amp up your music and control the lights with the Fiestable app. Another aspect that caught my eye was that this Bluetooth speaker is so adaptable that it can also charge other gadgets, which is incredible. This means that even if we forget our chargers, we can still charge them with this speaker. With these characteristics, the Bluetooth speaker is a must-have and comes highly recommended.
What We like
- IP67 rating
- Built-in LED lighting
- Supports multi-device pairing
- colourful accent lighting
- Powerful audio performance
What We Dislike
- Bulky
- Compression artefacts at max volume
4. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
The next on our list of the best Bluetooth speakers under 150 is the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3. This Bluetooth speaker offers an immersive sound to the listener which is loud enough to be heard well in outdoor spaces. Moreover, you can also pair it with a similar speaker to enjoy stereo sound.
As far as the build quality of this Bluetooth speaker is concerned, it is well build. It comes with IPX7 waterproof rating and even floats over water. On its body, it comes with control buttons for volumes, a button for powering it on or off and another for doubling it up with another Bluetooth speaker.
The battery life of this Bluetooth speaker is also up to the mark and you can use it all day long once fully charged. It has a battery backup of around 14 hours. Speaking of connectivity through Bluetooth, latency is hardly observed. Being loud and extremely portable, you can definitely consider buying this Bluetooth speaker.
What We like
- Sounds well at high volumes.
- Wide soundstage.
- Low Bluetooth latency.
- Great build.
- Good battery backup.
What We Dislike
- No graphic EQ.
- Lacks low bass.
5. JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6 is the next choice of Bluetooth speaker on our list that comes now with an IP67 rating, which means it can withstand water and dust. The speaker survives salt water and sand immersions. The speaker bounces a little instead of falling flat thanks to the plastic bumpers. This helps prevent dents, but it also means these areas accumulate scuffs and marks quickly.
In terms of the design front, the Bluetooth speaker has cylinder sides and the driver and microphone in the middle, with a passive bass radiator at each end, creating a durable, solid tube. The Flip 6 gets a larger and still more minimalist “JBL” logo, which scratches more easily hence you need to take care of it. It also survives falls onto the pavement and the confines of a travel bag. Overall, the build quality and form factor are impressive.
On a fully charged battery, JBL claims that the Flip 6 may last up to 12 hours. It’ll get you through a beach party or a day trip, but you’ll need to recharge it at home or bring a battery pack with you for anything else. It comes with USB-C charging. Overall, I would say that this Bluetooth speaker is amazing in every way and hence is well worth your money.
What We like
- Loud sound
- Portable
- USB C charging
- IP67 rating
- Rugged and durable
What We Dislike
- No microphone
- More critical of recording and source quality
6. LG XBOOM Go PL7
With its curved and sleek design, the LG XBOOM Go PL7 is a stylish Bluetooth speaker. The finish is rubberized, making it easier to hold, and while it only comes in one colour, a metallic-looking blue, the ring-shaped woofer lights at either end add to the whole ambience. You’ll most certainly want a waterproof Bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to music by the pool or outside, or if you’re looking for the ideal beach Bluetooth speaker. The Bluetooth speaker I’m referring to is also splashproof, so you won’t have to worry about it becoming wet.
In terms of battery life, this speaker has a 24-hour battery life, allowing you to listen to music without worrying about running out of power. This Bluetooth speaker has excelled across the board, from booming, rich bass to sharp, punchy mids and crisp, clear treble. The power of this small speaker is impressive. It’s ideal for huge parties and social gatherings. These things are really loud. The Bluetooth speaker was a joy to listen to whether it was playing polished pop tunes, bold rock and metal, or calm classical music.
Moreover, the Bluetooth speaker can be linked to multiple devices and is so easy to connect. Two LG XBOOM Go PL7s can be connected to an LG TV and used for TV audio. It’s easy to set up and provides rich surround sound for whatever you’re watching. You can even use the XBOOM App to pair two devices at once, allowing you to use any of the linked devices to control a playlist without interruption. One of the disadvantages that I would like to mention, which makes this speaker less than ideal has no integrated voice assistant.
What We like
- Splash-proof
- Good battery life
- Punchy sound and sharp treble
- Can be linked to multiple units
- LED lights add to the fun
What We Dislike
- No integrated voice assistant
- Can roll over easily
7. Sony SRS-XE300
You can also consider purchasing the Sony SRS-XE300 if you are looking for the best Bluetooth speakers under £150. This Bluetooth speaker has a solid build and comes with an IP67 rating which protects it from water and dust. So you can use this Bluetooth speaker outdoors with ease. However, it might feel quite bulky and with no strap being offered along with this Bluetooth speaker it might be somewhat tedious to carry it.
The version of Bluetooth that this speaker uses for connectivity is 5.2 and the good thing is that supports SBC, AAC as well as LDAC codecs. It also supports Multipoint and pairing this speaker with a device is very easy. However, the battery life of this Bluetooth speaker does not last very long and is a drawback.
If we talk about the sound quality of this Bluetooth speaker, no doubt it delivers an impressive sound quality. Moreover, it also has a companion app using which you can change the EQ profile of this Bluetooth speaker. The sound delivered is clear and loud and therefore this Bluetooth speaker can be used outdoors and at parties too. Easy to use, durable and offering good sound, this Bluetooth speaker can be a pick for you.
What We like
- Appreciable sound quality.
- IP67 water and dust resistant.
- Easy to use.
What We Dislike
- No integrated voice assistant.
- Average battery backup.
FAQs about the best Bluetooth speakers under £150
Which are the best Bluetooth speakers under £150?
The best Bluetooth speakers under £150 include Marshall Emberton, the JBL Charge 5 and the Sony SRS-XB43.
Is stereo audio better than mono audio?
Stereo audio is better than mono audio as it offers a good soundstage with more detailed sound. However, mono audio may be good for listening to voices.
What driver size is good for a Bluetooth speaker?
A driver size of at least 40mm is recommended for a Bluetooth speaker. the larger the driver, the better will be the sound quality.