Top 5 Best JBL Speakers of 2025

For almost twenty years, our team of audio specialists has been evaluating the top Bluetooth speakers. Check out our review of the Parrot DS1120 Bluetooth Speakers if you’re feeling sentimental; it shows how long we’ve been in this business and how many portable speakers have passed our stringent testing procedure.

We simply know everything there is to know about Bluetooth audio technology. As you can see from the ‘tested by’ section at the end of this guide, I have been a full-time audio product reviewer (and now editor) since 2019, but I have a sizable team of experts working with me. You can rely on our recommendations because every Bluetooth speaker we suggest has passed our rigorous testing.

The inability of this type of portable, take-anywhere speaker to produce the fullest, deepest bass is one possible disadvantage. I will not sugarcoat it for you: a set of multi-way stereo tower speakers can sound as resonant and imposing anywhere as a Bluetooth speaker the size of a stack of coasters. It’s not the point, though; you know that. Portability is the key with these amiable musical companions, and I will say that all of the choices here are impressive sonically considering their size and cost. To provide you with the best options, we’ve tested important aspects like real-world battery life, audio quality, usability, and overall value.

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Last update on 2025-02-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best JBL Speakers of 2025

1.JBL Boombox 3

Some of our favorite Bluetooth speakers are made by JBL, and the Boombox 3 ($499.95) is another excellent model. With a distinctive built-in handle and an outdoor-ready design, it is equally as fashionable and robust as its predecessor. However, it also provides a number of noteworthy enhancements, including a companion app with an adjustable EQ and a subwoofer that produces notably better low-end sound quality. Although the decision to stick with the default SBC codec and the lack of speakerphone functionality bother us, they don’t stop it from winning our Editors’ Choice award for high-end Bluetooth speakers.

Both black and camouflage are options for the Boombox 3. It weighs a substantial 14.7 pounds and is approximately 10.1 by 19.0 by 7.9 inches in size. Although you can carry the speaker from one location to another, store it in your trunk, or take it to the beach, you won’t want to spend hours carrying it in a tote.

A status LED strip and a large JBL logo are mounted on top of a robust, weatherproof grille on the front. On top is a horizontal array of simple controls. Buttons for PartyBoost (to connect to other JBL speakers), power, volume down, Bluetooth pairing, volume up, and play/pause (which, when pressed twice, skips to the next track) are arranged from left to right on the control bar. Unfortunately, there is no way to return to the prior track. A 3.5mm aux input, a USB-A port for charging other devices, and a connector for the included power cable are all located in a covered compartment along the back panel.

With a recognizable built-in handle and sizable passive radiators on either end, the Boombox 3 and the older Boombox 2 share a similar appearance. Under the grille, however, there are some noteworthy improvements. In addition to passive radiators at either end, the previous model featured two tweeters and woofers. A subwoofer is added to the mix in the updated version, which still employs a similar configuration.

JBL offers specifications for both battery and AC modes. The sub receives 80 watts (W), the midrange drivers receive 40 W, and each tweeter receives 10 W when connected to AC power. Power drops a little when using a battery: the sub uses 60W, the midrange drivers use 30W, and each tweeter uses 8W. In the meantime, the subwoofer increases the frequency range from 50Hz–20KHz on the previous model to 40Hz–20KHz. This extra range has a noticeable impact, as we will see later.

Although it does not support AAC or AptX, the Boombox 3 is Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and supports the SBC codec. Outside, sonic fidelity is less crucial, but given the higher price, we anticipate more sophisticated codec support. Once more, the impressive volume output and strong bass are unaffected, but anything that improves Bluetooth audio clarity is appreciated.

As long as the snap-shut cover on the back is in place, the speaker is rated IP67. According to the rating, the Boombox 3 is waterproof and dustproof for 30 minutes down to a depth of one meter, so heavy rain or pool splashes shouldn’t be an issue. If it becomes dirty, you are also welcome to use a garden hose to rinse it off.

Depending on your volume settings, the speaker’s estimated 24-hour battery life will vary, according to JBL. According to the manufacturer, it takes roughly 6.5 hours for the battery to charge completely from empty.

2.JBL PartyBox Encore Essential

The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential is a large speaker that measures 10.87 x 12.85 x 11.54 inches and weighs about 13 pounds, which is roughly 10 pounds less than the PartyBox 110, which another our reviewer really enjoys. This means that it can produce big sound. Although JBL produces many portable speakers, the Encore Essential is not the kind of speaker you throw in your beach bag as you head out the door.

Although the Encore Essential’s robust handle built into the top makes carrying it comparatively simple, you’ll need to leave a good amount of surface area when setting the speaker up and putting it down. Initially, you should begin charging the speaker until the battery is fully charged, which takes about three and a half hours from empty. I suggest using the included AC cord to keep the speaker plugged in between (and occasionally even during) uses because its Li-ion polymer 17.76 Wh battery lasts about six hours, but it may drain more quickly if you play music at full volume.This speaker has a USB port to charge your phone or play content from a flash drive, as well as a 3.5mm auxiliary port for external devices, though other accessories are not included. These additions thrilled me, and I used both—patching in a laptop running QLab software to preview the sound design of a theatrical production and charging my phone while having a picnic in the park.

The Encore Essential has a smooth and streamlined overall design, even though I wouldn’t characterize it as “discrete.” When not in use, the cubic design and all-black exterior could look pretty good in a media center or cabinet. This model is serious about creating a party vibe, as evidenced by the embossed black exclamation points on either side and the sufficiently small orange JBL logo. Turning on the speaker and seeing a circle of light appear behind the speaker grille only adds to the festive atmosphere. The PartyBox can be used as both a decoration and a tool.

The control panel, located at the top of the speaker, in front of the handle, has five buttons: power, play/pause/skip, Bluetooth, Bass Boost, and lighting control. It also has a volume knob. All of the previously mentioned input options are located in a panel at the back of the speaker, which is hidden beneath a thick rubber flap. There is also a microphone line input for amazing karaoke sessions, a microphone volume knob, a smaller gain knob, and a TWS (True Wireless Stereo) pairing button that enables you to connect to a second Encore Essential speaker for a more expansive, intricate sound with distinct L/R channels.

I could only imagine how much more fun one could have with these features, even though I didn’t have a second PartyBox speaker or the appropriate ¼-inch cabling for a microphone connection. JBL produces a few microphones that are simple to connect if you want to sing your favorite songs on the PartyBox.

3.JBL Charge 5

Great Bluetooth speakers have long been produced by JBL, and the Charge line has always distinguished itself for its affordability. In the past, the Charge series provided remarkably powerful sound for its compact size. In an emergency, users can use their Charge speakers as a battery bank because of their consistently impressive battery life.

Although the JBL Charge 5 has fewer features than the JBL Pulse 4, which offers users a customizable lightshow, JBL has made small improvements to sound quality and volume in this fifth generation model while maintaining all-day battery life.

Since the JBL Charge 2, we have listened to every Charge speaker, and it has been fascinating to watch the speaker line change from a bass monster to something more mature and well-balanced.

To put it briefly, the JBL Charge 5 only makes minor adjustments, but when you combine those adjustments with the speaker’s reputation as a reliable portable Bluetooth speaker, you have a strong candidate for one of the top Bluetooth speakers available.

The cylindrical design that the JBL Charge 5 has had for years has been updated. The speaker’s large JBL logo on the front is the most noticeable visual change. The front now has a sleeker appearance thanks to the relocation of the individual power LEDs from the bottom base to an LED strip beneath the JBL logo.

The physical controls are still the same, with buttons on top of the speaker that are slightly raised. Playback, power, volume, Bluetooth pairing, and “Party Boost” are all controlled by buttons (more on that in the Features section).

A waterproof USB-C charging port and a flap concealing the USB-A port for charging your smartphone are located around the back of the JBL Charge 5. The JBL Charge 4’s 3.5mm aux jack is no longer supported by the Charge 5, which is unfortunate for those who wish to connect legacy devices.

The left and right exposed bass drivers on the Charge 5 are still present, allowing you to see the woofers coming in and going out. Although there is a lip around the speaker to protect the drivers, you can still touch them without breaking them.

One minor modification is the JBL Charge 5’s trapezoid shape, which tilts its sides inward. Until you want to position the speaker vertically so that it resembles the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this difference isn’t significant. In order to facilitate vertical placement, we favored the Charge 4’s square design’s stability.

The Charge 5’s technical specifications include a frequency response rating of 65 Hz to 20k Hz, a 7500 mAh battery capacity, and Bluetooth 5.1. Nonetheless, the Charge 5 has the same “PartyBoost” mode as other JBL portable speakers, enabling users to pair a second JBL speaker for stereo pairing or music amplification.

4.JBL Flip 6

For many years, JBL’s Flip line of Bluetooth speakers has been featured in our list of the top portable speakers, and the company’s most recent model carries on that heritage. Easy to use, durable, and well-connected, the JBL Flip 6 is a great speaker that can easily fill a room with your favorite music or provide the soundtrack for outdoor parties or get-togethers by the pool.

The Flip 6’s dual passive radiators guarantee that the speaker has enough low-end oomph to deliver powerful bass when you’re outside and there are no walls for the soundwaves to bounce off of, and its IP67 dust and water resistance rating means you can happily take it to the beach.

An already great Bluetooth speaker, the Flip 6 is a minor upgrade over its predecessor, the JBL Flip 5. Although these speakers are fairly similar, we would advise keeping an eye out for fantastic discounts on the Flip 5 if you want to save some cash. It is more durable, better suited for outdoor use, and has a noticeable improvement in sound quality. It also uses the most recent version of Bluetooth.

This does not imply that we do not believe the JBL Flip 6 is a worthwhile purchase. On the contrary, its easy-to-use controls, flawless connectivity, and uncomplicated companion app make it the perfect Bluetooth speaker for novice users. The JBL Flip 6 is all about simplicity, so it doesn’t have any built-in microphones for voice assistants or phone calls, a phone charging port, an AUX-in for wired listening, or Wi-Fi connectivity. Simply put, this speaker does a good job of playing your music.

The JBL Flip 6 shares many of the same features as the Flip 5, including a cylindrical design, a wraparound grille, and bass radiators on either side that pulse when you play music. Although it is also offered in black, blue, and gray, our model was a striking shade of red. We wouldn’t be shocked if JBL added more color options for the Flip 6 in the future, but the Flip 5 has a lot more color options, including a camo pattern.

The Flip 6 feels just as rugged as the Flip 5, but this time JBL has introduced dust resistance alongside water resistance, for an IP67 rating. That means you can happily take the Flip 6 to the beach without needing to worry about a little sand or a splash of seawater breaking it.

The Flip 6 weighs 550g, is small enough to fit in one hand, and has a sporty strap that you can wear around your wrist.The metallic-looking grille is flanked by rubberized end caps that give the bass radiators on each side of the speaker a bit of protection from bumps and scrapes, while a rubber foot at the bottom of the speaker stops it from rolling off whatever surface you place it on. 

The JBL logo is displayed in large, bold letters in the center of the grille; directly above this are all of your controls, including PartyBoost, volume up, volume down, and play. We appreciate that these controls are raised and tactile; if you can’t bring yourself to look, you can easily locate them in dimly lit areas or simply feel for them.

The speaker has a USB-C charging port on the bottom, as well as power and Bluetooth pairing buttons that light up when you press them. You must make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave the house because, unlike the JBL Charge 4, there is no port to charge it from.

5.JBL Clip 5

The JBL Clip 5 has a silicone midsection and is covered in woven fabric on the front and back. Its top features a sizable plastic carabiner that is simple to open and attach to objects. It could be easily moved to provide the best listening experience. I’ve had it hanging from shelving units, door handles, and the bathroom mirror, among other places.

In addition to the JBL logo on the front of the speaker, the back of the speaker body has silicone strips for added stability when the speaker is positioned face-up on a surface. The play/pause button and the volume up/down buttons are located above the logo. I found it satisfying to press these buttons, which have icons that correspond to the corresponding functions, such as plus and minus signs and a triangle “play” icon. The power, Bluetooth, and Auracast buttons are located inside the silicone section on the speaker’s left side.

Although this tiny speaker is only 3.4 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm), it weighs 10 ounces (285g), which makes it feel somewhat heavy. It’s unfortunate that the Clip 5 can only be hung or laid on its back; there were numerous situations in which standing it on its base would have been more practical, but its pebble-like shape makes it unstable.

Due to the speaker’s IP67 water and dust protection, I was able to listen to music anywhere. Steam was no problem for it, and it soon became my favorite bathtime companion. The Clip 5 continued to work flawlessly after we performed a dunk test in the TechRadar testing tank. This suggests that this speaker can handle karaoke in the shower or listening to music on the beach. By using some post-consumer recycled materials in the design of the Clip 5

, JBL has taken a sustainable approach. Fantastic stuff.

If you’ve read my comparison of the JBL Go 4, you’re already aware of my admiration for the JBL Portable app’s intuitive user interface. Its stylish, user-friendly design makes it simple to check the battery level, play music in stereo from two speakers, or add more JBL speakers to the mix for a louder sound when you use the PartyTogether mode.

Additional features on the app include an EQ settings section, a Product Information section, and PlaytimeBoost, which is intended to increase music volume without using more battery power. In addition to an adjustable EQ profile, there are four equalizer profile presets: JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, and Vocal.

According to the JBL website, the battery can run for up to 12 hours. It lasted just under eleven and a half hours when I tested it by playing our TechRadar testing playlist continuously at 50% volume, which isn’t bad given how loud the Clip 5 is at this volume.

Considering its size and cost, the JBL Clip 5’s sound quality is quite remarkable. Even with the default JBL Signature EQ setting, it can produce some surprisingly deep bass without sacrificing detail.

How we test wireless Bluetooth speakers

When determining which Bluetooth speakers are the best, we take into account the speaker’s appearance and durability, as well as its sound quality, battery life, extra features (like more connectivity options), and overall cost. We evaluate speakers both indoors and outdoors in real-world settings and contrast them with other speakers of the same cost.

Compact mini models, pocket-sized micro versions, and larger models with strong audio are all on the list. See our lists of the top Wi-Fi speakers and music systems and the top smart speakers for additional information.

How do I connect a JBL speaker to my TV?

A TV, a video streaming device, a set-top cable, or a satellite box with Bluetooth is the first thing you’ll need. Similar to connecting Bluetooth earbuds, you connect a Bluetooth speaker via the TV’s Bluetooth settings menu or those devices (the Apple TV, for example, has Bluetooth, which makes connecting your AirPods simple).

The only problem with connecting a JBL speaker to your TV is that Bluetooth lag may cause some audio-video syncing problems. In certain situations, you can use a wired connection to the speaker via the audio outputs on your TV if your Bluetooth speaker has an audio input (the majority of JBL party boxes do).