Best Wireless Speaker Reviews

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What's behind our wireless speaker Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 90 models in wireless speakers to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based mainly on sound quality with ease of use and versatility also factored in. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Sound quality
Sound quality represents the speaker systems tonal accuracy and ability to reproduce fine sonic detail. Sound quality judgments are made with the system optimized using its own tone controls and/or pre-set tone settings (if any) adjusted for the most balanced sound.
Ease of use
Ease of use indicates how easy it is to set up the system and use controls on the speaker and/or it's remote control.
Versatility
Versatility score is based on the presence or absence of useful features.

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Recommended wireless speakers

Recommended wireless speakers are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended wireless speakers

Wireless speaker buying guide

To find the wireless speaker that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Wireless speaker systems let you play music stored on a phone, tablet, media player, or computer that's across the room or even elsewhere in the house. Our tests showed that you don't have to trade sound quality for convenience, but you will pay a premium. Most models use Bluetooth wireless technology, which works with a wide range of mobile devices, including the Apple iPhone and Android smart phones. Consumer Reports’ unbiased Wi-Fi & Bluetooth speakers systems reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our Wireless speakers buying guide to discover the features that are most important to consider when looking for the best wireless speakers. We also provide unbiased Wireless speaker Ratings to help you choose the best wireless speakers for your needs.

Ratings & recommended wireless speakers

Wireless speakers (90)

Speaker docks are a handy place to park your iPod and iPhone when you want to listen to your music without headphones, but there’s another option: wireless speaker systems that can play music stored on a phone, tablet, media player, or computer that’s across the room or even elsewhere in the house. Because you don’t need a physical connection, a wireless system may be a great solution if you have a new iPhone or other new Apple device with the new connector, which doesn’t work with older docks and cables unless you buy an adapter.

The best systems don’t ask you to trade sound quality for the convenience of going wireless. But you will pay a premium for the privilege—the tested models range in price from about $200 to $700. Two that can run on battery power are designed for portable use. All the tested models offer stereo sound.

Most of the models use Bluetooth, which is widely supported by mobile devices. Several use Wi-Fi, and specifically Apple’s AirPlay technology. Sonos uses Wi-Fi to create its own mesh network, where each device acts as a repeater. One model, from Samsung, can use Bluetooth, AirPlay, or DLNA (which also lets you share content among devices on a network). Each has its advantages and drawbacks. (See Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi sidebar, below.) Four of the systems that use Wi-Fi, which has a longer range than Bluetooth, let you add multiple speakers for sound throughout the house.

In addition, two systems have built-in iPod docks—two others let you connect an iPod or iPhone via USB— and all but one have auxiliary audio inputs for connecting other gear, such as a TV.

Wireless speaker buying guide

Wireless speaker systems let you play music stored on a phone, tablet, media player, or computer that's across the room or even elsewhere in the house without fiddling around with cables and connections. Our tests showed that you don't have to trade sound quality for convenience, but you will pay a premium--several models we tested cost $400 or more.

Most portable models use Bluetooth wireless technology, which works with a wide range of mobile devices, including the Apple iPhone 5 and Android smart phones. But Bluetooth's reach is limited to about 30 feet, fine when the music source and the speaker are in the same room. Wi-Fi has a longer range, and with some sources you can stream music to multiple speakers in different rooms. Typically Apple devices use AirPlay to connect to your Wi-Fi network; Android and Windows devices generally use DLNA technology. (See Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth.)

Depending on the speaker model, you may also get an iPod dock or the ability to connect an iPhone, iPod, or other device via USB. And almost all of the tested wireless speaker models have auxiliary audio inputs for connecting other gear, such as a portable audio player or TV.

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